How TITAN Score Works
Every product on SonRank receives a score from 0 to 100 based on data from four independent sources. Here is exactly how we calculate it.
The Formula
TITAN Score = (Reddit x 0.35) + (Lab Testing x 0.30) + (Critics x 0.20) + (Amazon x 0.15)
On the site, we display "Expert Reviews" which blends Lab Testing and Critic data into a single score. This keeps the interface simple while giving you the full picture behind the number.
1. Reddit Score (35%)
Reddit is weighted at 35% because real users share honest, unfiltered opinions without sponsorship pressure. Reddit discussions surface issues that professional reviewers often miss or downplay.
We analyze mentions and sentiment across relevant subreddits using Reddit's official API (PRAW). For earbuds, we track r/headphones, r/Earbuds, r/BudgetAudiophile, r/HeadphoneAdvice, and r/audiophile.
The Reddit Score is calculated as:
Reddit Score = (mention_count x sentiment_weight) -> normalized to 0-100
- Sentiment weight = positive mentions / (positive + negative). Neutral mentions are excluded.
- Normalization: the top product in a category = 100, others scale proportionally.
- Time window: rolling 12 months. Older data naturally loses relevance.
- Minimum threshold: 5+ mentions required. Below that, we display "Insufficient data."
2. Lab Testing (30%)
Lab testing carries the second-highest weight at 30%. Unlike critic opinions or user anecdotes, lab measurements are objective and reproducible. Products are tested under controlled conditions for sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, build quality, and battery life using calibrated equipment and standardized procedures.
This is the only source in our formula that measures what a product actually does rather than what people think it does. A product can have low Reddit buzz but score highly in lab testing because it performs well on objective metrics.
We do not reproduce or publish raw lab data on this site. Lab scores are blended with critic data into a combined "Expert Reviews" score shown in product breakdowns.
3. Expert Reviews (20%)
Professional reviewers test products systematically, comparing them against competitors under controlled conditions. We use Criticaster, a free aggregator that normalizes review scores from 2,989 professional publications onto a 0-100 scale. A 9/10 becomes 90, an A- becomes 92, 4.5/5 becomes 90. A product needs at least 3 qualifying reviews to receive an Expert Review Score.
4. Amazon Score (15%)
Amazon ratings carry 15% weight. While valuable as volume validation, Amazon reviews are susceptible to manipulation (fake reviews, incentivized ratings). We use review count as a reliability indicator. The Amazon Score is calculated as:
Amazon Score = (rating / 5.0) x 100, adjusted for review count
A 4.5-star product with 12,000 reviews scores higher than a 4.7-star product with 50 reviews. More reviews means a more trustworthy signal.
Bonus Modifiers
- +5 points if Reddit mentions exceed 50. Indicates a product people actively talk about.
- +3 points if Amazon reviews exceed 1,000. Mass market validation.
- -5 points if critic and Reddit scores disagree by more than 20 points. Flags controversial products where expert and user opinion diverge.
Score Ranges
Edge Cases
- New products with fewer than 5 Reddit mentions show "Insufficient data" instead of a Reddit Score.
- No lab data — if a product has no lab testing score, the formula redistributes its 30% weight to Critics (now 50%) and Amazon (now 15%).
- Divisive products with high mentions but ~50/50 sentiment receive a warning tag.
- Prices and ratings are updated from Amazon's API. We never fabricate or estimate these numbers.
What We Do Not Publish
Lab testing data is used internally to calculate the TITAN Score. We do not reproduce, copy, or publish raw lab scores, text, graphs, or measurements on this site. Lab data helps validate our picks and ensure that products recommended by Reddit and critics also perform well under objective testing conditions.