Clamping Force
Clamping Force is the force a headphone’s headband applies against the sides of the head, expressed in newtons.
The force helps hold the earcups in position and can contribute to the seal between the pads and the head. The measured value depends on how far the headband is spread and on the test arrangement, so the number needs its measurement conditions.
Clamping Force — Headphone
A stronger clamp may improve stability but can also feel more pressing. Comfort depends on pad shape, contact area, head size, glasses and listening duration, not only force. The same number can feel different when it is distributed across different pads or headband designs.
Compare figures only when the measurement spacing and method are alike. A low value is not automatically more comfortable, and a high value does not prove better isolation. Do not bend or stretch the headband beyond the manufacturer’s instructions to reach an assumed target; damage or a changed fit can result.