What are reference headphones and speakers (and should I buy them?)

Reference speakers, instead of being designed to make music sound good, are meant to make music sound exactly as it was recorded. This helps audio engineers identify and correct mix flaws, but unless you’re an audiophile, you probably won’t enjoy listening with reference gear.

While shopping for new speakers or headphones, you notice some fancy products with the word “reference” in the description. They look stylish and are priced accordingly, but what does “benchmark” mean? Is it right for you?

What are reference speakers and headphones?

Reference speakers and headphones are speakers designed and tuned to reproduce a recording as accurately as possible. This is crucial in audio recording and music production because it means that any glitches you hear are a problem with the recording itself and not a result of the speakers.

Part of what makes a reference speaker what it is comes from how it’s tuned. These devices have a “flat” response, which means that the speakers do not “color” the frequency emphasis of the recording. Consumer audio equipment is typically tuned to give you a specific sound stage or to emphasize certain frequencies in ways not present in the original recording.

Not only this, but the very physical construction of a speaker can add a timbre and tonal flavor to playback that can flatter the recording. This is why benchmark teams can command higher prices. They are not only aimed at a professional audience that lives from music production, but also need high-quality components and careful design to meet their needs.

Who should buy reference audio equipment?

Two types of people should consider buying reference audio equipment, and we’ve already covered the first. In other words, if you’re recording and mixing sound for music, podcasts, movie scores, or any other professional use case, then you really need to have reference speakers. Just like video editors and graphic artists must have an accurate, color-calibrated monitor, you need the audio equivalent.

The second type of customer who might find these speakers attractive is the so-called “audiophile.” These are discerning listeners who are concerned with reproducing the original recording with minimal loss of quality and without altering it in any way. In other words, if you’re an audiophile, you want to hear music the way the person who mixed it intended.

Why do reference speakers sound “wrong” sometimes?

If you’ve tried listening to music or other recordings on reference audio equipment, you may not have been impressed. It seems strange to think that high-end, often expensive speakers can make music sound “bad”, but it makes perfect sense in the context of reference speakers.

As we mentioned before, the sound tuning of speakers intended for home users often favors recording in a number of ways. It could be tuning that emphasizes aspects of certain musical genres, or it could simply be that some loss of detail in the audio from these speakers hides flaws in the recording.

With reference speakers or headphones, what you’re hearing is the recording with “warts and all” on it, and in some cases this can lead to a flat, overly realistic rendering of the recording.

Another factor is that reference speakers, in particular, tend to be “nearfield”. In other words, they were designed to be heard up close before the natural reverberation of the room can influence the sound. Typical consumer-grade speakers are designed for the mid or far field, whether you want music to fill the room or sound good to multiple listeners. Not just an audio engineer sitting in the sweet spot.

RELATED: What is adaptive equalizer and how does it affect audio quality?

What to buy instead

If the two main use cases don’t cover you for reference speakers or headphones, then you’re better off taking your money elsewhere, but where?

For discerning listeners who want their music to sound the best it can be, getting a good pair of bookshelf speakers is the best option overall. They are relatively compact and provide detailed, room-filling sound.

While you can use bookshelf speakers with your computer, it’s often better to use dedicated PC speakers for mixed use. You can listen to music one minute, play games the next, and watch movies later. Computer speakers have come a long way, so if you’re still using older gear, it’s worth considering.

Debates over the right headphones often open up a can of worms, and the truth is, there is no universal headphone recommendation. Modern all-rounders from companies like Sony and Apple are usually more than enough for most people and come with great features like active noise cancellation and high-quality wireless audio.

Alternatively, you can go for a high-impedance set with audio-focused cable. The number of options is pretty staggering, but that’s why we’ve got so many great buying guides to help you sort the wheat from the chaff.