Listener segmentation analysis can predict headphone preference from demographics

Evidence

The results from the above study described were further explored using a statistical method known as agglomerative hierarchical clustering (Olive et al., 2019). The purpose was to determine if there existed different segments or classes of listeners based on similarities in their headphone preferences, what their preferred sound profiles were, and if there were any underlying demographic factors that might predict class membership. There was already evidence that younger males and less experienced listeners preferred higher levels of bass and treble in their headphones compared to females, experienced, and older listeners (Olive et al., 2013b; Olive and Welti, 2015). — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1798

Categorization

• XREF: Agglomerative hierarchical clustering as a preference-segmentation method parallels market-segmentation approaches in consumer research and ties to the demographic-preference findings at locations 1793-1795. — connects to: Preferred headphone tonality splits into three demographics-linked listener segments; Predicting subjective listening preference from measured data remains a hard unsolved problem.; Headphone sound preferences vary by gender, age, and listening experience — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1795 (+3 more)
• yield-rescued: below the book’s yield-target cutoff, included anyway for connecting to: Preferred headphone tonality splits into three demographics-linked listener segments; Predicting subjective listening preference from measured data remains a hard unsolved problem.; Headphone sound preferences vary by gender, age, and listening experience — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1795 (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Headphone sound preferences vary by gender, age, and listening experience #expands (0.93) — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1795
• Preferred headphone tonality splits into three demographics-linked listener segments #expands (0.92)
• Predicting subjective listening preference from measured data remains a hard unsolved problem. #complicates (0.78)
• Non-auditory factors strongly bias loudspeaker purchase preferences in sighted listening #complicates (0.74)
• Brand, cost, and prior exposure bias subjective audio judgments #complicates (0.71)