If you have a small amount of money and want to buy a compact device, then you can opt for droplets or vacuum headphones. They do not take up much space and can be carried in your pocket or bag. If you use this accessory while walking or jogging in the park, you can also buy on-ear headphones. For frequent trips on public transport, choose the earplugs. They do not take up much space and do not create inconvenience when moving, they have good sound insulation.
2. Specifications of the headphones
1. Good sounding is provided by wide frequency range. A person can hear sound in the range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, so the frequency should be located within the specified limits. If the manufacturer indicates a lower or higher specification on the package, then this is a marketing ploy. In any case, you can distinguish the sound within the human-audible range.
2. Power affects the volume of the speakers. The higher it is, the richer the sound. However, this indicator does not always have to be high. When you connect a powerful accessory to mobile devices, the battery of your gadget will quickly drain. In such cases, it is necessary to use headphones with a power of up to 100 mW.
3. Sensitivity affects the sound volume. An indicator in the range from 90 to 100 dB can be considered sufficient.
4. Resistance. Describes the sound quality. The higher the value, the better the sound will be. For the bulk of gadgets intended for use with a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone, the value of this indicator is 32 ohms. For professional devices, the resistance can be 200 ohms and higher.
5. The level of distortion is measured as a percentage. The lower this parameter, the better the sound quality. For good headphones, the indicator is in the range of 0.5%. Accessories with a drag factor of 1 or higher are mediocre. If the level of distortion is not mentioned on the box or official website, this may mean that the manufacturer is trying to hide the quality of the product, which leaves much to be desired.
3. What headphones to choose
1. For smartphone or tablet.
If you have a small amount of money and want to buy a compact device, then you can opt for droplets or vacuum headphones. They do not take up much space and can be carried in your pocket or bag. If you use this accessory while walking or jogging in the park, you can also buy on-ear headphones. For frequent trips on public transport, choose the earplugs. They do not take up much space and do not create inconvenience when moving, they have good sound insulation.
2. For an active lifestyle.
On-ear headphones are suitable for active people who are constantly on the move. They do not tire the ear, as the plugs and the sound quality are better than the droplets. If you are tired of constantly unraveling the cord, you can use wireless headphones.
3. For use at home or work.
Gamers and people who spend a lot of time at the computer at home or at work are advised to buy full-size headphones. For computer games, it is better to choose a closed-type device, since they allow you to hear the faintest sounds. For those who just like to listen to music, you can buy an open or semi-open type apparatus.
4. For communication via Skype.
- We do not recommend taking a device that is too cheap, since its quality may be below average.
- You don't have to overpay for the brand. Choose headphones that make you feel comfortable.
- When choosing between wired and wireless gadgets, go for the former. The only advantage of wireless devices is that they don't sit in one place during a call. But such a need can be eliminated by doing all your business in advance.
- We recommend choosing headphones with a usb plug. They are more reliable and do not need to be adjusted. In addition, the sound of such devices is much better.
- In-ear headphones do not completely cover your ears and may be distracted by noises during a conversation. So give preference to a headset with overlay cups.
- Noise canceling headsets are quite expensive, so you should only buy them if you intend to host webinars.
- Headphones with a microphone are suitable for a desktop computer, and without it - for a laptop.
- If the microphone is attached to the device itself, the sound will be better.
fig. 1. Headset with USB plug.
5. For professional work with sound.
Professionals use full-size closed-back headphones for their work, which have a wide frequency range, high impedance and low distortion.
6. General advice on choosing headphones.
- First you need to decide on the price of the device and the purpose of buying it.
- Choose the type of device you want.
- Browse the models you like at the right price.
- Explore the significant properties of the selected accessories: the material of the ear cushions, the braiding of the cable, the design of the headband, etc.
- Evaluate the technical specifications.
- Read reviews and testimonials for this device on the Internet.
- Choose what works best for you.
4. What to look for when choosing headphones
1. Materials. Headphones with velor or synthetic fabric ear cushions prevent your ears from sweating as much as when using leather or artificial leather.
2. Cable. An unbalanced cable is more convenient than a balanced one. The flat wire will not get tangled. The fabric braid reduces the risk of damage from accidental pulling.
3. Soundproofing. If you regularly visit busy places, buy headphones with active noise canceling, if not, with passive.
4. Emitters. Better to choose a device with an anchor or planar emitter. When the budget is not limited, you can buy with electrostatic.
Conclusion.
There are no recommendations for everyone on the selection of headphones. First of all, you need to think about what kind of headphones you need, then choose the right model according to the technical characteristics. Try on the gadget you like. It should be held securely on the head and not put pressure on the ears. Buy the model that sounds best for your music.
