The Harman target satisfies most listeners but bass preferences split by age and gender

Evidence

Because the measure responds mainly to high-frequency sounds, it is not surprising that mixers repurposing soundtracks for trailers end up liberally boosting the bass because it does not show up in the measurement. Success is evaluated by the level of audience complaints, which guides the decision of what level is acceptable. I know of no scientifically conducted verification of the method. — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1581 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Excess upper-frequency gain makes the Harman curve sound bright on binaural content; The Harman target curve was strongly preferred over all competing headphone targets; Listeners preferred the Harman-target headphone in 28 of 31 models tested (+4 more)

Related

• Audience bass preferences deviate from the Harman target by up to six dB. (similarity 0.87)
• Headphone sound preferences vary by gender, age, and listening experience (similarity 0.86)
• No single headphone target satisfies most listeners (similarity 0.86)
• Listeners prefer excessive, even colored bass over deficient bass (similarity 0.84)
• Listeners over 55 prefer brighter headphones, possibly from age-related hearing loss (similarity 0.83)
• Distinctly different headphone frequency responses can all be equally preferred (similarity 0.83)
• A single headphone target curve cannot satisfy all listener preferences (similarity 0.82)
• Listeners strongly prefer the Harman target over DF, Lorho, and FF headphone targets (similarity 0.82)
• Weighting-curve blind spots create incentive to over-boost bass (similarity 0.82)
• The three listener classes differ mainly in preferred bass level (similarity 0.81)
• Headphone and loudspeaker bass targets converge on the same in-room response (similarity 0.81)
• Diffuse-field targets are least preferred, but adding bass improves them (similarity 0.81)
• A headphone target curve descends gradually with frequency and boosts bass. (similarity 0.80)
• Top-rated headphone responses cluster tightly around a shared mean curve. (similarity 0.79)
• Flat frequency targets suit binaural audio while Harman suits stereo (similarity 0.79)

Broader Connections

• Preferred headphone tonality splits into three demographics-linked listener segments #corroborates (0.85)
• The three listener classes differ mainly in preferred bass level #corroborates (0.80)
• Weighting-curve blind spots create incentive to over-boost bass #complicates (0.70) — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1581