• Based on the evaluation of the mean, variance, PCA, and mean square error with respect to a target function, no correlation could be observed between the measured magnitude response and retail price of headphones. However, the variance in low-frequency response seems to decrease with increasing price, indicating an improved bass response measurement consistency across headphones in the higher price range. It is however unclear whether this improved consistency with a higher retail price is the result of better headphones or better repeatability of measurements with more expensive models. Nevertheless, assuming that the perceived audio quality is largely determined by the spectral magnitude response of headphones, there are plenty of relatively cheap models that match the assumed target function, as well as very expensive ones that deviate significantly from an assumed ideal response.

• headphone measurements demonstrate slightly more bass than CA and SA headphones. The difference amounts to approximately 4 dB at 100 Hz. This finding is in line with subjective preference ratings reported by Olive et al. (2016) 11. Olive, S. E., Welti, T., and Khonsaripour, O. (2016). “ The preferred low frequency response of in-ear headphones ,” in Proceedings of the AES Conference on Headphone Technology , Aalborg, Denmark. bass response could be resulting from a greater seal between headphones and artificial ear compared to the seal for human ears ( ITU-T P.380, 2003 6. ITU-T P. 380. (2003). “ Electro-acoustic measurements on headsets ,” International Telecommunications. On average, IEdemonstrate slightly morethan CA and SAThe difference amounts to approximately 4 dB at 100 Hz. This finding is in line with subjective preference ratings reported by. The observed higherresponse could be resulting from a greater seal betweenand artificialcompared to the seal for human).

• headphones have a response that (on average) more closely mimics the target curve proposed by Olive and Welti (2015) 10. Olive, S. E., and Welti, T. (2015). “ Factors that influence listeners' preferred bass and treble balance in headphones ,” in Proceedings of the 139th AES Convention , Convention Paper 9382, New York, NY. headphones. CA and IEhave a response that (on average) more closely mimics the target curve proposed bythan SA

• Olive and Welti (2015) 10. Olive, S. E., and Welti, T. (2015). “ Factors that influence listeners' preferred bass and treble balance in headphones ,” in Proceedings of the 139th AES Convention , Convention Paper 9382, New York, NY. headphone response found in this study, with the exception of a deviation of up to about 5 dB for frequencies between 50 Hz and 2 kHz. The target function suggested byis fairly similar to the averageresponse found in this study, with the exception of a deviation of up to about 5 dB for frequencies between 50 Hz and 2 kHz.