Skip to main content

Sound Test

SolvedVerified By Sound TestVerified By Sound Test

soundstage feels narrow on my new headphones

Ask By Ayaan J.594 views

my new closed back headphones sound inside my head. no width. is that a fault

Brand
Audio-Technica
Model
ATH-M20x
Connection
Wired 3.5mm Jack
System
Windows 11
Browser
Chrome 131
Sample Rate
48 kHz
Output Channels
2 channels
Stereo Phase And Surround SoundHeadphones
Tool used in this discussionHeadphone TestLeft and right channel, balance and driver check
Open Free Tool
Short Answer

Closed-back headphones have a narrower soundstage than open-back ones. Check balance with the Left Right Test and try recordings with good stereo width.

Verified By Sound TestVerified By Sound Test
Hiroshi Sato
Hiroshi SatoAudio Team
Spatial Audio Tester · 8+ years experience · Answered Sep 27, 2026

Soundstage depends on the design of the earcups and the recording. Closed backs sound closer and smaller than open backs.

After you make the change, play the Headphone Test again to confirm the result. If the problem is still there, add your device, browser and what you tried in the replies so the team can narrow it down.

Step By Step Fix
  1. Run the Left Right Test to confirm both sides are balanced
  2. Try a well-recorded stereo track or binaural recording
  3. Reposition the pads
  4. Consider open-back models for width
Sources
  1. W3C Web Audio API

Checked by Alistair Cross on . How we verify answers

Did this fix your problem?
Was this answer helpful?
Share this discussion

Community Replies 2

  • Kartik BhatiaCommunity Member

    Closed backs are meant to sound like that. It took me a few minutes, and the Headphone Test showed the difference straight away.

  • Dana HaddadCommunity Member

    A DAC added a little air for me. I checked it again with the Headphone Test afterwards to be sure.

Add Your Reply

Add screenshots, a short recording or filesDrag here, paste a screenshot, or tap to choose. Up to 2 files, 8 MB each. JPG, JPEG, PNG, WEBP, GIF, TXT, LOG, PDF, MP3, WAV, OGG, M4A, MP4, WEBM

Similar Discussions Other Listeners Started

Tools Mentioned In The Answer

Sound TestsLeft Right TestPlay one side at a time to catch a swapped or dead channel
Open Free Tool
Hiroshi Sato
Written and tested by

Hiroshi Sato

Spatial Audio Tester at Sound Test

Hiroshi Sato is the Spatial Audio Tester on the Sound Tester Audio Team. Specialized in binaural panning algorithms, headphone soundstage width, and virtual surround isolation. Shares macro audio driver photography and acoustic deep-dives on X (Twitter). Based in Japan. On Sound Tester he answers spatial audio, soundstage and virtual surround discussions for headphones.

Binaural panningsoundstage widthvirtual surround
  • 3 answers on Sound Test
  • 8+ years experience
  • Reviewed by Alistair Cross
View full profile jp.linkedin.com

The Audio Team Behind These Answers

All 38 specialists
Brandon VanceBrandon VanceAudio & Acoustic Performance LeadXavier CruzXavier CruzFrequency Sweep SpecialistDiana ChenDiana ChenHearing Test ArchitectAlistair CrossAlistair CrossHeadphone Benchmark LeadImogen BlakeImogen BlakeBinaural Beats EngineerCallum SterlingCallum SterlingSurround Sound AuditorGemma GallagherGemma GallagherTone Generator ValidatorHarvey FinchHarvey FinchSpectrum Analyzer Lead

Each answer is written by the specialist closest to the topic and checked by a second team member. How we verify answers

Answers are free general guidance from the Sound Tester Audio Team and community. They are not medical advice. For hearing loss, ringing or ear pain, see a doctor or audiologist. Opening a device can void its warranty, so check the maker's support first for hardware faults.

Free Sound Testers

Every tool runs in your browser. No sign up, no download, nothing uploaded.

All tools

Read Next On The Sound Tester Blog

All articles

Community Discussions

The newest replies from listeners and the Audio Team.

All discussions