As more and more headphones are made each year the consumer has become more in-tuned with the different sound characteristics of each device. Learning that no matter how much money is spent on a “balanced sounding” or “neutral / flat” pair that not all music will be reproduced with the same results. This “physical” limitation of sound reproduction has always been around. It is why one brand might sound good to one person and not another, making sound truly subjective.

Luckily with the processing power found in most playback devices it is now possible to incorporate some type of Digital Signal Processing to over come the physical inconstancies in a device by actually modifying the sound of the media as it is reproduced.

Some might think that this modifying of the recorded material is taboo but believe it or not most recordings are not made to sound as the artist intended on headphones or mobile devices. The recording was made in a treated room with finely tuned monitors and controlled ambient noise levels. Having spent the last 25 years of my life in this environment I fully understand this concept and we as the content makers are always trying to achieve the same fidelity from a “single” recording but in the end this is physically impossible.

Looking for a solution to this problem has always been a goal in my professional career. That is one of the many reasons I have invested the past 18 years of my time helping to develop what is known today at the Bongiovi DPS audio enhancement system. I think it is one of the best solutions to this problem. But I also realize that just how physical hardware is subjective to each user so is each technological / software solution. Luckily with the Internet, blogs, techie friends like me it is easier than ever to find and try many of these audio solutions without spending a dime.

So when you see everyone getting shinny new headphones this Holiday season know that no matter how highly rated or expensive the new item is that it still may sound bad depending on what you are listening to. Even your old pair of headphones might even sound better for some material than those super nice high new cans. Also with a little help from software & technology you may find the headphone currently in your pocket might just be the perfect sound for you. In the end only by experimenting and trying many different solutions might you finally be able to find your own audio nirvana in 2012.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

-Phillip