Supported headphones

SoundID Reference uses pre-made calibration profiles to correct your headphones’ frequency response. This article covers how those profiles work, a full list of supported headphone models, and more.

In this article:

How headphone calibration profiles work
Supported headphone models
Individual headphone calibration
Frequently asked questions

How headphone calibration profiles work

Every headphone model has its own frequency response. There are no truly flat headphones out there, and every model colors the sound in its own way, making it difficult to achieve reliable mix translation in audio production.

SoundID Reference corrects this for a flat response, using pre-made calibration profiles for 500+ supported headphone models; full list below. Simply select your headphone model in the software to apply calibration - follow this guide: Setting up with SoundID Reference on headphones.

Sonarworks uses proprietary headphone measurement technology to measure multiple units of each headphone model, analyze the model build consistency (frequency response from pair to pair), and the results are averaged into a single representative profile - the average profile (AVG). The accuracy target for AVG profiles is ±3 dB from flat across the frequency spectrum, depending on the model build consistency. The profile database is shared across SoundID Reference, Reference 4, and SoundID (mobile app), with new additions made continuously.

Supported headphone models

Don’t see your model? Submit a headphone request →

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Adam audio

AIAIAI

AKG

Anker

Apple

Astro

Asus

Audeze

Audio-Technica

Audix

Austrian Audio

Avantone Pro

Avantree

B&O Play

Beats

Behringer

Beyerdynamic

Blue

Bose

Bowers & Wilkins

Brainwavz

Cleer

Corsair

Cowin

Creative

DALI

Dan Clark Audio

Direct Sound

Direxound

Edifier

ESI

Fame

Fender

FiiO

Fluid Audio

Focal

Focusrite

Fostex

Fun Generation

Gateway

German Maestro

Ghostek

Grado

Heavys

HEDD

HiFiMAN

House of Marley

HTC

Huawei

HyperX

i.am+

Ijoy

ISK

Jabra

Jaybird

JBL

JVC

KEF

Kennerton

Klipsch

Korg

Koss

KRK Systems

KZ

LG

Logitech

Mackie

Marshall

Master & Dynamic

MEE audio

Meze

Microsoft

Monolith by Monoprice

Monoprice

Monster

Motorola

Mpow

NAD

Neumann

Ollo

OneOdio

Oppo

P47

Panasonic

Philips

Phonon

Pioneer

Pioneer Dj

Plantronics

PowerLocus

PreSonus

qdc

Razer

RHA

Rode

Roland

Samson

Samsung

Schok

Sennheiser

Shure

Skullcandy

Sony

SoundMAGIC

Spirit Torino

Status Audio

Steelseries

Steven Slate Audio

Superlux

Taotronics

Thermaltake

The t.bone

TiN Audio

Turtle Beach

Ultrasone

Urbanears

V-Moda

Valco

Vic Firth

Vivo

Vox

Warm Audio

Xiaomi

Yamaha

Individual headphone calibration

Beyond AVG profiles, Sonarworks also offers Individual Headphone Calibration (IHC) — a profile made specifically for your individual pair of headphones. Because an IHC profile accounts for the exact frequency response of your particular pair, including separate Left and Right channel correction (stereo calibration profile), it delivers a guaranteed accuracy of ±0.9 dB — significantly tighter than the ±3 dB of AVG profiles.

IHC profiles are available with individually pre-calibrated headphones in Sonarworks Store. These are headphones that have already been individually measured and calibrated in our lab, each with a unique profile ID tied to that specific pair. A small default selection of open-back, and closed-back models from Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic are available with IHC:

Sennheiser HD 600
Sennheiser HD 650
Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro 250 Ohm
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 Ohm

Note: The currently available IHC headphone stock in Sonarworks Store is subject to changes.

There are no physical modifications performed on the headphones as a part of the IHC process - the calibration is done digitally, with a software-based calibration profile: Setting up with Individual Headphone Calibration.

Frequently asked questions

Why are some headphones labeled “For listening”?

The For listening “For listening” label indicates that a calibration profile exists for this model, but our Audio Team recommends using it for recreational listening rather than critical production work.

This designation isn’t a comment on whether a headphone is well-made or marketed as a professional model - some genuinely well-regarded mixing headphones carry this label in SoundID Reference. Based on our measurements across multiple units, does not consistently meet our ±3 dB accuracy target when an AVG profile is applied. There are three main reasons this can happen:

Unit-to-unit inconsistency: Some models vary significantly in frequency response from one pair to the next, even within the same production run. It’s a build consistency issue that can affect headphones at any price point, including models from reputable brands that are marketed for studio use.
IEM and earbud fit: In-ear headphones are particularly subject to variation based on how they seal in the ear. Ear canal shape, insertion depth, and individual anatomy all affect the bass response, making it impossible to guarantee a consistent calibrated result for all users.

We suggest trying a “For listening” profile to see whether it works well for your specific pair. Some users find it entirely suitable for production work. The Custom Target feature in SoundID Reference also allows you to make additional adjustments if needed.

Note: "For listening" are not available in Reference 4. This profile category was designed and implented for SoundID Reference with the v5.2 update - not available with older versions of the Reference product line.

For Listening - supported headphones.png

Why are some wireless headphone models missing from SoundID Reference?

SoundID (mobile) features some additional headphone profiles that are not available SoundID Reference - not even under the "For listening" label. These are essentially wireless/Bluetooth models that function well with SoundID (mobile), but struggle with SoundID Reference on dekstop.

SoundID Reference does not yet have a reliable mechanism for handling Bluetooth-specific audio issues, such as non-standard sample rate settings, which can cause functionality problems. For this reason, many wireless-only models that are available in SoundID (the mobile app for audio personalization) are not currently included in SoundID Reference.

Improvements to Bluetooth device handling are planned, with no specific ETA available at this time.

What is the calibration target - what does “flat” mean for headphones?

The Flat Target in SoundID Reference, also know as SoundID SR (Studio Reference), also is based on neutral soundid speakers in a treated room, and defines the sound target for all headphones and speakers calibrated by Sonarworks software. It is a completely flat target.

For headphones specifically, the goal is for your calibrated headphones to sound the way flat, well-calibrated studio monitors sound in a neutral room - as perceived by a human listener. This is an important distinction: when listening to speakers, you perceive bass not only through your ears but also through your body, and your brain integrates all of that information. A headphone calibrated to a raw technical flat would sound bass-light by comparison. Sonarworks uses a proprietary transfer curve to account for this, to ensure that the headphone target and the speaker target sound consistent with each other. This is what makes it possible to work across headphones and speakers interchangeably with SoundID Reference.

For a non-technical explanation of this concept, see the Sonarworks co-founder Mārtiņš Popelis discussing it at 26:00 in this SonicScoop interview: https://youtu.be/hpfweXUjqa0?si=KcEwJAvemHW3TFor&t=1560

Martins Popelis on headphone calibration targets – SonicScoop

Can I use an AVG profile of a similar headphone model?

No, if your headphones are not supported (not present in this list: Supported headphones), we cannot recommend using a profile of a similar model.

In our experience, no two headphone models are alike, even similar and seemingly identical models will often differ significantly in their sound signature - the Sonarworks translation standard can't be guaranteed and might have severe anomalies if used in this manner.

INew profile additions are prioritized based on the user request count, so it would help if you submit a model request, or consider individually pre-calibrated headphones from Sonarworks Store.

Can I use a third-party headphone profile, or create my own?

No, SoundID Reference only supports Sonarworks-created calibration profiles. Third-party, manufacturer-provided, or community-generated profiles cannot be imported.

However, there is a workaround for users who want to use the software as a pure EQ platform for an unsupported model. You can load a completely flat dummy profile by entering the profile ID AA000A via the Individual Calibration option in the software. This applies no frequency correction, giving you a neutral baseline. From there, you can use the Custom Target feature to build your own EQ curve on top of it, or use Translation Check simulations as a reference.

Follow the IHC profile setup instructions: Setting up with Individual Headphone Calibration.
Enter this profile ID to load the "FLAT FLAT" profile: AA000A.

Can I send in my headphones for individual calibration?

No, currently unavailable. Shipping your existing headphones to Sonarworks for individual measurements and calibration (Individual Headphone Calibration service) has been available as a paid service in Sonarworks Store in the past, but it is tempoprarily unavailable, with no ETA for its return.

In the meantime, individually pre-calibrated headphones are still available in the Sonarworks Store: Individual headphone calibration.