Real-time adaptive equalization for headphone listening

The experienced sound quality produced by headphones varies between individuals. Especially with insert headphones a constant equalization may not work properly, when a specific perceived frequency response is desired. Instead, adaptive individualized equalization can be used. Previously this required multiple sensors in a headphone earpiece. This paper proposes a signal processing algorithm for continuous on-line equalization of a headset with a single microphone. The magnitude response of the headphones is estimated using arbitrary reproduced sounds. Then, the headphone response is equalized to a user-selected target response with a graphical equalizer. Measurements show that the proposed algorithm produces accurate estimates with different sound materials and the equalization produces results that closely match the target response. The algorithm can be implemented for multiple applications to obtain accurate and quick personalization, since the target response can be set arbitrarily.