Analysis of Subjective Evaluation of User Experience with Headphones

The aspects of what provides a good user experience with headphones is initially investigated by an exploratory study (experiment I). Using KJ-Technique, 5 workshop teams of 4-6 participants each provide a number of aspects influencing their experience with headphones. Analysing the aspects for uniqueness and relatedness provides 144 aspects of user experience with headphones, arranged in 12 categories. The 144 influencing aspects from experiment I are condensed, and 24 attributes regarding user experience with headphones are selected. These attributes are tested in regard to their correlation with and effects on overall evaluation of headphones in a second experiment, thus investigating which attributes are most influential for user experience. Using a within-subject design, eight different headphones are evaluated according to the attributes along with an overall evaluation. The attributes are listed in the following categories: sound quality, comfort, build quality, design and brand. A factor analysis shows that the categories fit the attributes. Furthermore, some attributes show high correlations with the overall evaluation, suggesting that these attributes are important for user experience with headphones. The highest rated attributes are shape, design, quality of contact surfaces, comfort, goodness of fit and build quality. An interpretation of which attributes are the most influential in relation to user experience with headphones is discussed.