HD320
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published: Jul-2-2013
NO SMOOTHING is applied to the shown plots. Most measurement sites have some smoothing applied which ‘irons flat’ sharp peaks and ‘wiggles’. I do not use smoothing because some info about sound quality is lost when plots are smoothed.
Aside from a small correction of the microphone itself also some correction in the lowest frequencies is applied to the plots to compensate for the perceived loss of bass when using headphones. This is described HERE in more detail.
A ‘horizontal‘ frequency response curve on the shown frequency response plots on this website thus indicates a perceived ‘flat’ tonal signature.
ALL measurements are made with a good SEAL on a flatbed measurement rig.
The shape of your head, bone structure, pad size, pad ‘softness, (compliance), hair or no hair and or wearing glasses may (drastically) change the frequency response of some headphones, so… your personal experience may differ substantially from these plots.
Frequency response (tonal balance) is the most sound-determining aspect of headphones. A horizontal line shows audible neutral response in the plots on this website. Deviations in different severities at different frequency bands have an effect on the sound character.
The bigger the deviation the stronger the effect.
Below an aid to help determining the sound character of headphones with relation to the frequency response.
Sennheiser HD 320
This is an oldie from Sennheiser. Those knowing this type will probably notice the foam isn’t orange. This is because the foam had disintegrated and was replaced by other foam that was at hand . Also the foam in the ear pads was completely disintegrated. Fortunately the cloth in front of it was salvageable. The headband didn’t make it either and is taped on and used a tie-wrap on the other end so it can still be ‘adjusted’. Measurements show how it sounds. 
Quite ‘flat’ from 60Hz to 4kHz. Above 10kHz there isn’t much energy left. Possibly due to the used foam but could also be the driver itself or a combination. It sounds very ‘mid-rangy’ and lacks bass and treble extension. Bass isn’t really there and it lacks detail and ‘air’. It sounds ‘dull’ and not engaging nor dynamic.
Below the distortion measurement. This isn’t even bad. That said… the rest of the headphone is.
The CSD below shows some bad ringing at 4.5kHz also the area between 2 and 3 kHz isn’t to write home about. This plot too shows there is no ‘energy’ above 10kHz.
Totally not usable for serious listening. The dustbin is the best place for it really… well one could use it quite well as a ‘monitor’ for individual instruments as it is quite flat between 60Hz and 4kHz.
DIY-Audio-Heaven 