How to buy headphones

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Headphones are a needed accessory in today’s world and with such a wide variety of products available on the market, picking the right one for you can be a daunting task.

Headphones can be classified by the way on how they attach to the ears:

1. On-ear headphones
2. Over-ear headphones
3. Earbuds
4. In-ear monitor (IEM) headphones
5. Clip-on headphones

Another method to distinguish them is by the technology they use to broadcast audio:

1. Wireless headphones
2. Wired pockets

Now we are going to talk about different types of wireless headphones.

1. In-ear headphones.

These are ear-cushioned earplugs that are joined together by a wire. They are useful in general for outdoor activities and sports. Some of the models have the cable enhanced with a stiffer element that folds over the shape of the head.

2. Over-the-ear headphones.

Usually large in sizes, this type of headphones covers the ears entirely and are more suitable for studios or for indoor use.

3.True wireless.

True wireless are in-ear headphones, but each ear-bud is entirely independent of each other. They are also called ear pods.

Once you have decided what type of headphones you want, you need to take into consideration features that concern their daily use. These include:

A. Operating Distance.

This is the maximum possible distance between the device on which you play music (laptop or phone) and the headphones.

B. Autonomy.

This represents the battery time of operation between charges.

C. Microphone.

Some wireless headphones also have a microphone that allows you to have phone calls without removing the phone from your pocket.

D. Acoustic sensitivity.

It is denoted in decibels for the Sound Pressure Level per milliwatt or abbreviated dB SPL / mW. It represents the maximum volume at which a pair of headphones can get.

E. Impedance.

It is measured in Ohms and expresses the resistance of the electrical circuit when the current passes through it.

F. Comfort.

This is an essential aspect especially when we talk about earphones, which can cause physical pain when being used for a few hours.

G. Ambiental sound isolation.

Over-ear headphones usually have an option to eliminate the outside noise so you can listen to music without being disturbed by the sound around you.

Wired headphones have some advantages over the wireless type:

A. Simplicity.

Technically speaking, wired headphones are simpler models that do not require additional radio electronics and battery power. This advantage translates into better reliability. Plus, they are very simple to use: just connect the jack to the socket on which you will play your music or movies.

B. Lower Cost.

One of the advantages of wired models is the lower purchase price due to the low complexity of the electronic part. This means you can pay less for a wired pair of headphones that offers the superior sound quality or you can buy a more expensive model for an amount that only gives you access to an entry-level wireless headset.

C. Audio Fidelity.

For a music enthusiast, the most important benefit of a pair of wired headphones is sound quality, usually significantly better than on a wireless model. No matter how much wireless headphones have evolved, the best audio quality is still provided by the classic cable-connected models. Besides that, the variety of models is better, regardless of the price range targeted. If you are not a fan of music and you don’t have a trained musical ear, you may not feel any significant difference, especially when the audio source is medium or low quality.

D. Wired Control.

A more advanced model usually comes with wired control, typically represented in the form of volume buttons, answer /reject calls, play/pause and so on. It is a very convenient way to quickly and easily control the device to which the headset is connected. For wireless models these buttons are placed on one of the headphones, in an area harder to access and, very importantly, that can’t be seen without removing the headphones, and only sensed with your fingertips.

With the technology currently present on the market, I think it’s easy enough to draw a conclusion: wired models are more affordable and offer superior audio quality, while wireless headphones are more convenient to use after you’ve already connected them. Your choice therefore dramatically depends on your lifestyle and the momentary need. Most likely, however, you already have a few pairs of headphones, so a smart choice is to buy several types of headphones and change them as needed.

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