📖 Reference

Audio Gear Glossary

161 terms

Every audio term explained in plain English — with product recommendations.

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12 terms in Headphones

Open-Back HeadphonesHeadphones with perforated or open ear cups that allow air and sound to pass freely — delivering a more natural, spacious soundstage but with significant sound leakage.Closed-Back HeadphonesHeadphones with sealed ear cups that isolate the listener from outside noise and prevent sound from leaking out — essential for recording and monitoring.ImpedanceThe electrical resistance of headphones to an audio signal, measured in ohms — low impedance (16–80Ω) is easy to drive from phones and interfaces; high impedance (250–600Ω) requires a dedicated amplifier.Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)Electronic system that uses microphones and speakers to cancel ambient noise in real-time through destructive interference.Bluetooth CodecA compression algorithm that encodes and decodes audio for wireless transmission — determines bitrate, latency, and sound quality.Passive Sound IsolationPhysical blocking of external noise through earcup materials and design — no electronics involved, unlike ANC.Transparency ModeA feature that uses external microphones to pipe ambient sound into headphones so you can hear your surroundings without removing them.Planar Magnetic DriverA headphone driver type using a thin diaphragm suspended between magnetic fields — delivers faster transient response and lower distortion than dynamic drivers.HRTF (Head-Related Transfer Function)How the head, outer ears, and torso filter incoming sound — the brain uses these directional cues to localize sound sources.ImagingThe ability of a system to create the illusion of distinct, localized sound sources within the soundstage.Pinna GainThe acoustic amplification from the outer ear's shape — the folds selectively boost high frequencies, providing directional cues.Virtual SurroundTechnology using HRTF processing to create immersive 3D audio from headphones or limited speakers — tricks the brain into perceiving sound from all directions.

📖 161 audio terms explained. Browse our guides for practical how-tos.