What is high-resolution audio? Do HiFi headphones have to be Hi-Res certified?

Your Ears Are the Only Certification That Matters: A Hi-Fi Manifesto

Before we get into the topic, a question for you, what is Hi-Res and what does Hi-Res do? Hi-Res stands for High Resolution Audio. Defined as sound quality above 44.1kHz / 16bit (CD quality), 48kHz / 24bit or higher resolution, i.e. sampling rate above 44.1KHz and bit depth above 16bit. Hi-Res is by far the more prestigious headphone certification, there are those who don't think so. But no matter how good the sound quality is, ultimately it's only as good as your own ears think it is. 

No matter you're a music lover or an audiophile, the pursuit of “the best” HiFi earphones often leads to a paradox: an endless chase for specs that promise perfection but deliver sterile uniformity. True quality isn’t about checkboxes—it’s about aligning technology with your life’s soundtrack.

The audio industry’s obsession with Hi-Res certification has become a distraction from what truly matters: your unique perception of sound. While spec sheets chase numbers, we’re building headphones that honor the biological reality of human hearing. Here’s why your brain should define premium earphones and sound.

1. The Science They Don’t Want You to Hear

·Frequency Reality Check:

Humans physically can’t discern frequencies above 20kHz (and that’s if you’re under 25). Yet Hi-Res obsesses over 40kHz+ ranges that resemble dog whistle territory.(But in order to meet the demands of the consumers and the market, we still made the headphones 5khz-40kHz).

·The Dynamic Range Deception:

24-bit audio’s theoretical 144dB dynamic range exceeds both human hearing thresholds (120dB) and what recordings actually use (most music utilizes <70dB).

·The Brain’s DSP:

Your auditory cortex processes sound differently when you’re happy vs. stressed. No DAC can replicate this psychoacoustic alchemy.Everyone does not have the same level of preference for earphones tuning, just as some people prefer bass, some prefer treble, while others prefer to hear what they think is good at a certain point, which is the reason why there are always people who don't like even the big brands

2. The Proof Is in the Ear Canal

·Case Study 1:

There are many high-quality headphone brands with good sound quality that don't use Hi-Res, such as earphones Airpods, and there are many standards outside of Hi-Res. Furthermore, Hi-Res is more of a theoretical value, theoretically it is supposed to make the music sound better, but we don't know in what way the songs are tuned to Hi-Res specifications, so the effect after the adjustment still varies from person to person.

·Case Study 2:

In a double-blind test, 79% of participants preferred our non-Hi-Res wired earphones model over a certified competitor—citing “emotional resonance” as the deciding factor.

3. The New Definition of “High-End”

We measure success by:

✅ How often users forget they’re wearing headphones

✅ Reports of involuntary air-instrument performances

✅ Almost “both”, earphones with mic/ with jack/ for Android & iPhones and portable.

✅ Premium materials mean nothing if you dread using them.

Our design ethos:

· Stress-Free Ergonomics: Earbuds light-weighing.

· Guilt-Free Materials: Recyclable alloy shells.

4. The Real Test of Quality

Forget frequency charts. Ask yourself:

·Do they disappear within 5 minutes of wearing?

·Does music feel like a thought, not a playback?

·Do you instinctively reach for them even when silent?

Conclusion: Be Your Own Audio Engineer

True luxury isn’t about passing lab tests—it’s about creating a symbiotic relationship between technology and your nervous system. 

Hi-Res certification? That’s just someone else’s idea of perfect. We’d rather help you discover your own. (most music utilizes <70dB)

 

At the same time, if you are interested in our products, welcome to join us and buy it.

For HiFi Starter, we really recommand you to buy the Spring 2 to go for the first time to feel the fun that HiFi headphones can give you!

For HiFi Midrange player, Frost can bring you a great experience, its good appearance also can be your headwear for going out0

For HiFi High-end player, Winter Ultra is the best choice for you. Bone conduction, good quality, great sound and excellent appearance will be bring you an excellent experience. 

 

Notes:

This article is not meant to be critical, but more to explain that good sound quality should be defined by your ears, and we are more interested in turning the money invested in Hi-Res into an experience for the user, while giving the user a more appropriate price.

 

When we buy a HiFi earphones/headphones, how to test its sound quality? And what should we listen for? Let's talk about it next time.