For audiophiles, headphones are more than just an electronic device that emits sound waves. It goes much further. It can make the difference between a good day and a bad day.
Contents1. Your lifestyleFor the active and athleticFor the sedentary worker2. Ergonomics and design3. Sound QualityEnvelopFor other non-experienced users, headphones fulfill a certain role in their daily activities.
The movement of headphones is no longer just a hobby. It is now a culture. This culture now demands that if you must buy headphones, you must get the best ones for your needs.
We hope this guide helps you.
Your lifestyle is the most important consideration before buying some shiny new headphones. To a large extent, your lifestyle will determine whether your headphones will be an important tool for you or just another toy you throw around your house.
This refers to anyone who uses their headphones in a convenient environment. They are convenient in the sense that you stay still for most of your working day. If you are a player or customer service agent, enter here! For this choice of headphones, you should consider the following.
Nature of work: For programmers and gamers who want an immersive experience, the built-in headphones are perfect. You can also consider a set with active noise cancellation. This way you won't be distracted from your games or debugging.
Workers/Professionals: If the nature of your job requires you to be able to hear your co-workers through your headphones, you can get earphones or open earphones. Also, ditch a headset with noise-canceling so you can keep your work going.
Headphones are available in different designs and constructions. There's the conventional helmet, which wraps over your head with soft earmuffs. Another is the wired headset with small, comfortable sleeves and an earhook that sits above your ears.
And more recently, Apple headphones are taking over.
All of these designs have their pros and cons. To make sure you choose the best one for you, here are some tips.
Wired vs Wireless: This debate will rage for centuries. The preference for wired headphones over wireless is based on battery life. Wired headphones rely on an external power source like your phone or PC, so you don't have to worry about going to the charging station every two hours.
Wired headphones can sound better than their wireless counterparts. After all, they don't have to worry about potency strain. You also don't have to worry about connection issues.
Unlike wired headphones, wireless headphones do not suffer from tangling or incompatibility with ports, so you can use them on a wider range of devices than their wired counterparts.
Headphones vs. in-ear headphones: In-ear headphones are placed above your ear canals while in-ear headphones are designed to be placed inside the ear canal. Do not worry. They are both safe.
The downsides of headphones stem from poor noise isolation. Ambient noise always finds its way. In-ear headphones do a better job of noise isolation. This improves the overall user experience. But in-ear headphones can irritate the ear if used for long periods of time.
Over-ear or over-ear headphones: Over-ear headphones sit over the ear while over-ear headphones completely cover the ear. They are both excellent for an immersive audio experience. In-ear headphones, however, offer better sound isolation. They both suffer from the problem of grime buildup. Additionally, use for prolonged periods of time causes discomfort to users.
Clip-on or neckband headphones: These two are major contenders for fitness enthusiasts. They are both designed to be non-intrusive and sturdy enough to cling to you during movement. Clip-on headphones, however, offer less intrusiveness because they're wireless. The above-the-neck counterpart stays on you better during intense workouts.
Sound quality is another essential factor to consider when choosing headphones. Headphones are judged based on three parameters:
Sensitivity: This refers to the potential power of your headphones. For safety reasons, you must ensure that your headphones are not too loud for you. Any device that can reach 102 decibels is excellent.
Pilot Size: The bigger the speaker, the better the bass. Some audiophiles appreciate rich bass and therefore prefer larger speakers. This choice is entirely up to your preference.
Resistance: This determines the volume range of your headphones. Make sure you have headphones with a respectable ohm rating. A rating of 30 ohms is acceptable and will serve you well for most.
Buying headphones will always be an art in the consumer world. There are no perfect headphones, so don't be dismayed by the compromises you might have to make. Remember, the goal is to choose the best for your needs.
Image credit:Black wired headphones lying on a flat white table
