THE GOLDEN EAR TEST
Sound is a complex thing, and one of the methods Philips utilizes (aside from doing measurements, obviously) to reliably identify the performance of their headphones is using a select panel of individuals possessing the so-called “Golden Ears” to give feedback on their headphones. The Golden Ears certification is given to individuals who pass Philips’s in house test certification. Well, who would’ve thought that a big company like Philips uses a test that we enthusiasts can identify very closely with. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking: “The bragging right test: Yeah, I scored platinum on the test!”
They did put us to maybe 2-3 different tests from this “Golden Ears” test, though being the nice guys that they are, not wanting to embarrass us, they played the test at the Bronze level (the levels go up to Platinum which is extremely difficult at that level). The test is extremely hard, and though I can probably pass the Bronze level just fine, I’m not so sure with the higher level tests.
Funny story is that there was this one test where they would see how sensitive the listener is to changes in frequency response. First they played the track flat, then they played the track with a boost in a certain frequency range. We all guessed it was 4kHz (I think all of us made the same guess, I could be wrong though). Turned out it was 6kHz LOL. I blamed it on the speaker used on the test and the fact that the speaker was facing off-angle from me. Tyll got redeemed on the next test though where he correctly identified which track was the compressed MP3 file. It was great, we were all laughing about it.
We asked Philips how many Platinum Ears they have, and surprisingly (or maybe not so surprising) they didn’t have that many. I don’t remember the exact number but it was less than 10, with about 2 people in Europe and the rest in Asia. We also explained them the Head-Fi crowd would probably go crazy with this test if they could make a consumer/enthusiast version of it.
Anyway, moving on.
Next page: Comfort and Ergonomics research
George Lai
Very interesting article. I’m just sad I’m one of the 20% of the population that couldn’t wear their Fidelio L1 so I gave it away, and my bigger X1 just fits tightly. Sigh.
L.
X1: me likes! And Thanks!
dalethorn
I would feel a lot better about Philips if they would have their Facebook guy Kevin apologize for ignoring my requests about the M1 before I bought it and reviewed it, and found it to be a bad sound with a shelved treble. I’d like to know that the new M1 has fixed that problem, and it would be good if I could get a sample without having to spend another $250 for it. In the meantime I stand by my review. I’d like to be a happy Philips customer and independent reviewer, but I’m not rich enough to buy if I can’t get some assurance on these things.
L.
I don’t think they changed the driver, just added Bluetooth. I haven’t had time to listen to it that much so far
TheMakhai
Awesome write up guys! It looks like it was a lot of fun! This article definitely put philips on the map for me now when looking for future headphone upgrades. And great job on the pictures you took of the L2 and M1! Just phenomenal. I really feel you were able to capture and communicate their aesthetics in a stunning manner. Keep up the good work!
L.
Thanks man. Nice to hear
Wid
Loves the X1 so much, any rumor for X2? 🙂
Mike, How can I go to your store from Pluit? Any best route you can recommend?
Mike
Haven’t heard anything about the X2. I’d guess they’re working on an upgrade though. Every company is always working on an upgrade.
Ryan C
Yo, do the L2 pads fit entirely around your ears, or do they caress the surfaces?
Mike
They touch your ears a bit, if that’s what you’re asking.
L.
The cups aren’t the biggest so if you have bigger ears, yes they will touch for sure. Doesn’t bother me at all, they’re soft
John123John
Finally got around to reading this (sorry!) and it was a great article. They have a very thorough process that has the potential to deliver great sounding and comfortable product. I wonder if other companies, even the big ones like Sennheiser or even Beats lol, so these sort of surveys and tests.
Its cool seeing you guys get even more global recognition, being there along with Tyll and Jude. Keep networking and maybe you get invites to other headphone developers as well!
P. S. There is a repeated edited paragraph on page 3.
L.
Thanks John, we’ve been invited to Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser and Violectric in the mean time 😉
Mike
Well you know what I’ve been listening to the L2 and also getting a lot of the local enthusiasts to listen to it and there is not a single person I know who auditioned who was not impressed with the driver quality/technicalities. Of course sound signature preferences aside..
Right now I do feel that the L2 has a driver quality that’s slightly ahead of the Hifiman HE-500 and just below the Senn HD700 in terms of technicalities. Of course the L2 is much easier to drive than the HE-500 and is also lighter and more comfortable as well. The L2 is really phenomenal and really a class ahead from its competition like the Momentum or the ESW-11.
Thanks, Ill look into the repeated edit.