Choosing Target Curves

What is a Target Curve?

A target curve is the frequency response you want your system to produce at your listening position after correction. Sounn calculates the difference between your measured response and the target, then creates a filter to achieve that target.

Different target curves produce different sonic characteristics:

• More bass = warmer, fuller sound
• Less bass = leaner, tighter sound
• Treble tilt = brighter or darker character

Flat Response

A flat target aims for equal sound pressure at all frequencies at the listening position.

Characteristics

• Technically "neutral"—no frequency is emphasized
• Often sounds bright or thin in home environments
• Maximum detail and accuracy
• Can be fatiguing for long listening sessions

Best For

• Reference monitoring (when you need to hear flaws)
• Classical music (if you want analytical presentation)
• As a starting point to understand your room's contribution

Harman In-Room

Developed by Dr. Sean Olive and researchers at Harman International, this curve is based on extensive blind listening tests to determine what most people prefer.

Characteristics

• ~3 dB bass shelf below 200 Hz
• Gentle treble roll-off above 3 kHz
• Natural, musical presentation
• Good detail without harshness

Best For

• General music listening (all genres)
• First-time room correction users
• Those who want a "just right" balance

House Curve

A more aggressive version of Harman with stronger bass emphasis and more treble reduction.

Characteristics

• ~6 dB bass shelf below 200 Hz
• Significant treble roll-off above 2 kHz
• Warm, smooth, "speaker store" sound
• Less detail, more body

Best For

• Home theater (dialog clarity, immersive bass)
• Bass-heavy music genres (hip-hop, EDM, dub)
• Listeners who find other curves too bright
• Background listening at low volumes

Creating Custom Curves

Sounn lets you create custom target curves by adjusting:

• Bass shelf: Amount of boost below a chosen frequency (typically 200 Hz)
• Treble tilt: Gradual roll-off or boost above a chosen frequency
• Midrange: Optional adjustments in the 200 Hz to 2 kHz range

Creating Your Curve

1. Start with a preset (Harman is a good base)
2. Listen to familiar music
3. Adjust bass shelf: Does it need more weight or tightness?
4. Adjust treble tilt: Is it too bright or too dull?
5. Save your custom curve for future use

Loudness Compensation

Human hearing perceives bass and treble differently at different volumes (the Fletcher-Munson curves). At low volumes, you need more bass and treble boost to sound "balanced."

Consider creating multiple custom curves:

• Low volume: More bass boost (+3-6 dB), slight treble boost
• Reference volume: Standard target curve
• High volume: Less bass boost, maybe treble reduction

How to Choose

Quick Decision Guide

Testing Process

1. Generate filters with Harman In-Room
2. Listen to 3-4 familiar tracks
3. Try House Curve, listen to the same tracks
4. Try Flat if you're curious (most find it too bright)
5. Return to whichever you preferred
6. Optionally create a custom curve based on that preference