How to choose headphones - we help you choose good headphones

A real pain for any music lover is the moment when your favorite headphones fall into disrepair. It is immediately followed by another, because progress does not stand still: what headphones to choose to replace the deceased gadget? What characteristics should you pay attention to? Focus on a budget price tag or a top brand? Choosing headphones together.

Types and shapes of headphones

The technical capabilities of the headphones are important. However, choosing a device is important to start with the type and design of the ears.

All headphones are classified into:

1. Headsets (headphones with microphone).
2. One-way headsets (one ear with a microphone that allows you to talk on the phone without taking your hands).
3. Headphones are a device without a microphone exclusively for listening to music / watching movies.

Read also: Types and types of headphones: what are they?

It is better to choose a headset for use with a mobile phone. Music lovers would rather prefer just headphones without unnecessary options.

Headphones also differ in shape. There are 4 types:

• liners;
• intracanal;
• full-size;
• waybills.

👑Popular headphones👑

Choosing in-ear headphones

Earbuds have become widespread since the dawn of acoustic devices, largely due to their low price. In another way they are called "drops", "peas", "tablets". The earbuds are actively replacing other models, because they do not have high sound quality and often fall out: ears, like fingerprints, are completely individual, so the standard shape is not suitable for anyone.

If sound quality is not so important to you and you want to save money, you can find among the earbuds worthy models.

Which vacuum earbuds to choose?

"Headphones-earplugs" or in-ear ears combine the best qualities of audio devices. They are reliable in use, do not fall out of the ears due to the insertion into the ear canal (this technology provides excellent sound insulation, which is important if you have to walk on noisy streets) and provide excellent sound.

Choose earplugs worth it if you will use them from time to time. Long-term presence of a foreign body in the ear canal provokes an increased production of earwax and your hearing may shrink if you listen to music at high volumes.

How to choose over-ear headphones?

Construction "monitor", Or" studio "headphones completely covers the auricle. The main difference from overhead models is a more accurate reproduction of sound up to squeaks, rustling and even the slightest noise. Most often they are used by professional musicians and sound engineers who need to get a complete picture of the composition being recorded. Such headphones are not suitable for use in everyday life: they are too bulky, and the hypersensitivity can rather become a disadvantage than a plus.

Read also: TOP best full-size headphones

How to choose on-ear headphones?

The sweet spot between plug portability and full-size sound quality is false ears... They are not as massive as professional ones, they do not sit in hearing, because they are not inserted into the ear canal.

What are the headphone mounts?

Headphones can be attached in different ways:

• Inside the ear... Such devices are held by the auricle.
• Behind the ear... Thanks to the additional arch located behind the auricle, they are more firmly attached and more securely held.
• Behind the head... Convenient and reliable fastening with the only drawback: you can't put the headphones in your pocket, but you can lower them around your neck.
• Around the head... False ears are usually produced in this design. They can be adjusted as convenient, but not very convenient to carry with you due to their large size.

Read also: Rating of the best manufacturers of headphones

Headphone specifications

Like any other technology, headphones have a number of characteristics that are worth paying attention to:

1. Active noise cancellation system... Do you often travel or walk in a noisy city? Then, first of all, pay attention to the presence of such a function: it will help you enjoy music anywhere.
2. Surround sound... For those who play with headphones or watch a movie, there is Surround technology. It allows you to completely immerse yourself in the process of playing or watching a movie, creating the effect of presence.
3. Compactness and weight... Do you like to travel light? It is worth getting an in-ear model or in-ear ears: they take up the least space during transportation. Wireless headphones are always heavier than wired ones due to rechargeable batteries, but this disadvantage is more than compensated by the lack of wires.
4. Volume control... The volume rocker can be located on the device itself. It's convenient: you don't have to go behind a mobile phone or a player to turn up the volume in the desired direction.

Headphone specifications: how to choose?

You don't have to be tech savvy, it is important to understand some key points:

1. Frequency range... Affects the sound quality, the optimal indicator is from 16 to 20,000 Hz. Anything above / below these values, the human ear simply cannot hear.
2. Sensitivity... Determines the volume of the ears, the higher the better. Choose at least 95-100 dB.
3. Power... In the case of portable audio equipment, you should not pay attention to this indicator, because the sound power depends on the characteristics above.
4. Resistance (impedance)... The higher the value, the clearer the sound. For portable ears, a value of 16-32 ohms is sufficient, for stationary ears - up to 100 ohms. Anything that has higher indicators is most often referred to as professional equipment.
5. Diaphragm diameter... This indicator also affects the sound quality. It is believed that the larger its size, the better.

Read also: TOP best wireless headphones

Which wireless headphones to choose?

Bluetooth headphones - the most advanced devices to date, especially for those who constantly use their ears on the road and on the street. There is no need to unravel the sea knots by taking them out of your pocket: you just take out two earpieces from the case, put them in your ears - and enjoy the music.

Which wireless headphones are best for you? Pay attention to the following characteristics:

1. Signal type... At the moment, the most common devices are where sound is transmitted using one of three technologies:
   • Bluetooth. Works up to 20 m and is perfectly compatible with most mobile devices. By the way, the newer the version of Bluetooth, the better the headphones will work, however, it is important that the device to which you connect them has the same, otherwise you may have problems with sound reproduction.
   • NFC. New technology that allows you to instantly pair with a gadget as soon as it is in the field.
   • Radio communication. Works easily at a distance of up to 100 m, but requires a transmitter-receiver. A good option for the home.
2. Battery... The characteristics indicated by the manufacturers are arbitrary, since the volume of the music being listened to and other factors affect the autonomous operation. If you plan to use your ears often and a lot, choose models with the Quick Charge function. It allows you to charge the device for a couple of hours of full operation in just a few minutes.

Wired headphones: which are the best to choose?

In addition to the general characteristics indicated above, there are two nuances that you should pay attention to before buying:

• Connector type... The USB connector is more suitable for a computer, a minijack (2.5 or 3.5 mm.) - for a smartphone or a player, 6.3 mm. - for professional audio equipment.
• Gold plated connector... Have you noticed that the plug is colored gold? The coating guarantees resistance to corrosion and oxidation.

Read also: Best wired headphones

How Do I Pick a Good Phone Earphone?

Many smartphones come with headphones included. However, if you are not satisfied with their sound quality or any other characteristics, the device can always be replaced. pay attention to our articleand also on:

• Headphone type... To chat on the phone while you are driving, you should definitely choose a headset that will free your hands.
• Cord length... Choose models with a cord of at least 80 cm if you carry your phone in a breast pocket. If you prefer to hide the device in your jeans pocket, it is better to take the model with a longer cord.
• Waterproof case... Many flagship smartphones are protected from water and dust ingress. If you like to swim with your phone or play sports while listening to music - choose a protected model.
• Design... Even when purchasing a device from another manufacturer, you can find headphones that will look like a stylish extension of your phone.

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How to choose headphones for your TV or computer?

We decided on the technical characteristics and additional properties, it remains to choose a gadget for specific purposes. Do you often stream, play online games, and at the same time communicate in voice chats? Then choose a headset: as in the case of a smartphone, you can free your hands and talk with your interlocutors while playing.

Read also: The best headphones for your computer

The sound quality is important to the ears through which you watch movies. Devices with Surround technology will enhance the pleasure of the picture and fully immerse yourself in what is happening on the screen.

And remember! Musical preferences, like hearing, are individual for everyone. Read reviews, watch video reviews on the Internet. Before buying headphones, it is best to test them, that is, listen to several songs of different styles. It is possible that you will be fine budget model and the headset of the top manufacturer will not like the sound.