Headphone Guide
Not all headphones are created equal. Although the average consumer may not be aware of it, there is more to a pair of headphones than the shape, price, or brand. In fact, the quality, features, and uses of different headphones vary so much that if you just grab the first pair you find, you risk being very unhappy with the result. Taking the time to find the right headphones for you and for your specific needs can make all the difference, and add to your enjoyment of the music you listen to.
To begin with, there are three different kinds of headphones, which are over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear. Each one of these styles offers its own benefits and drawbacks.
*Over-ear headphones*
Over-ear headphones look and fit in a way that is very similar to the earmuffs worn for hearing protection on a shooting range, or in a machine shop. Each speaker is inside a cup that fits completely over and isolates the ear, within a ring of padding, foam, or rubber. The cups are usually joined by a wide band, made of metal or plastic, that fits over the top of the head, although some styles may offer a thinner band that goes around the back of the head. Generally, the cord for this type of headphone is thick, and it may not have any protection against cable thump, which is audible noise created when you move the cable or bump it against something.
Over-ear headphones are frequently used by deejays and by people working in sound production, and they are often used in audio labs for language learning. Because they are so large and bulky, over-ear headphones are obviously not very portable. On the other hand, they generally offer good sound quality, as well as a certain amount of isolation and privacy, by keeping the outside world from hearing your music, and keeping a lot of outside noise out. Over-ear headphones also are widely considered a very comfortable variety of headphone to wear, especially for long periods of time. Therefore, they are a good option for people who need to listen to audio while working in a crowded office.
*On-ear headphones*
On-ear headphones are the kind that used to come with portable CD and cassette players. Instead of surrounding the ear, they sit on top of the ear. Usually, on-ear headphones have some kind of foam padding that directly covers the speakers, and the headphones are joined by an adjustable plastic or metal band that may fit over the top of the head, or around the back of the head. A few varieties of on-ear headphones have a modified speaker without padding, so that it can be placed directly over the ear. There are also some styles that lack a headband, and instead have plastic clips that go around each ear.
Many people report better audio quality with on-ear headphones than in-ear headphones, but most on-ear headphones are still too bulky to be very portable. Most varieties of on-ear headphones cannot be folded or collapsed, and so they don’t easily fit into a pocket or purse. Also, the foam padding on the speakers is easily damaged by too much rough handling, and doesn’t fare well when tossed into a bag. The only varieties of on-ear headphones suitable for use while working out are those models that are specifically intended for that purpose — otherwise, on-ear headphones can’t handle sweat or moisture, and they don’t stay put well enough for use while exercising.
*In-ear headphones*
There are actually two kinds of in-ear headphones: One that sits in the outer part of the ear, and one that sits in the ear canal. For these headphones, the terms “earbuds” and “earphones” are used interchangeably by manufacturers and on packaging. Earbuds/earphones are the kind of headphone most frequently packaged with mp3 players and other gadgets, and they also happen to be the style of headphone with the widest variation in quality and price. Unlike over-ear and on-ear headphones, individual fit of a pair of earbuds is absolutely crucial for comfort and good sound quality. You may need to try these on before you decide to buy them!
Earbuds that sit in the outer part of the ear may be cheap and easy to find, but they don’t work for everyone. Their rigid shape and fixed size means that they won’t fit everyone, and they may be horribly uncomfortable for some people. Also, they generally don’t stay put during a workout. A good alternative for people who need a better fit is the style of earbud that has a plug (usually made of silicone) that fits into the ear canal. The silicone pads that actually fit into the ear canal come in a variety of sizes to fit a variety of people, and most earbuds in this style will come with a few different sizes of pads. However, these earbuds must be cleaned regularly, because they can build up earwax and dirt — and that means that you probably can’t share them.
An even more personalized style of earbud has a plug that is custom-molded to the wearer’s actual ears. These tend to stay in during exercise, and are often waterproof; however, they can be very expensive. They are especially popular among distance athletes, including triathletes.
*Common headphone options, add-ons, and features*
Remember that when you choose a pair of headphones, it is important to consider what you will be using them for. In addition to the shape and size of the headphones, there are other optional features that may be useful for your purposes. On the other hand, it’s a good idea to make sure that you are not buying headphones with a fancy feature that you don’t need or won’t use, so that you aren’t paying for something that won’t benefit you.
*Extra bass/different dynamic ranges.*
Not all headphones are equally good at producing sound across all frequency ranges. Some have more powerful bass, while others are better for tones on the medium and high end of the range. Dynamic range is almost always listed on headphone packaging, in kHz. Consider what you will be listening to, and whether or not a certain dynamic range matters to you.
*Noise cancellation*
(Note that this is *not* synonymous with noise blocking, or “passive” noise cancellation, which is just using padding or an earbud plug to reduce outside noise.) Noise canceling headphones have a microphone that picks up outside noise, which is then analyzed. Tiny speakers on the headphones produce white noise, in a frequency calculated to cancel out the outside noise frequency, with the result that you can hear your music (or other audio) more clearly. Often, noise-canceling headphones have a small battery pack or battery compartment that powers the noise canceler, which must be turned on or off. Noise-canceling headphones come in all styles and sizes, but regardless of what they look like, they work most effectively when canceling low-frequency, constant noise. Therefore, noise-canceling headphones work well for blocking out airplane noise, but very poorly for blocking out the sound of people talking.
*”Sweat-proof”/Water resistant*
A variety of headphones are available that are marketed as “sport” headphones, and which offer the feature of being sweat-resistant. Sometimes, these headphones will even have anti-microbial padding. It’s very important to remember what “sweat-proof” means, though, so that you don’t buy the wrong headphones or ruin the ones that you do buy. Sweat-proof headphones are meant to be worn while exercising, and they can safely be exposed to the amount of moisture that might get into them as a result. However, this does not mean that they are waterproof! Rather, a sweat-resistant set of headphones is a lot like a water-resistant watch: It’s okay if it’s exposed to a few raindrops, or some mist, or a small amount of moisture, but it can’t be submerged or soaked.
*Waterproof*
Waterproof headphones are less common than water-resistant headphones, but they do offer a much higher level of reliability with exposure to moisture. Waterproof headphones are intended to be used in water, and can be used while swimming or showering. Usually, they will have a depth rating, just like waterproof watches, which will tell you how much the headphones can handle without leaking or failing.
*Combination headphone/microphone*
If you have a smart phone or a phone that can store and play music, then you may want to get a set of headphones that also includes a microphone (usually farther down along the cord). The benefit in having these is that you can listen to music on your phone, and if a call comes in, you can answer it right away without removing your headphones. On the other hand, if you don’t anticipate needing or wanting to do this, then it’s not worth paying extra for a microphone.
*Bluetooth*
This is another option for listening to audio on a smart phone, netbook, or tablet computer, or any other Bluetooth-capable device. The benefit is that Bluetooth headphones are cordless, which leaves you with much more freedom of movement, and keeps you from having to worry about managing or untangling a long cord. Bluetooth headphones use internal rechargeable batteries, so the downside is that you must recharge them, or they simply won’t work. Also, they tend to be expensive.
The number of styles and options may seem overwhelming, especially when you can find headphones practically everywhere, from grocery stores to high-end electronics stores. But with a good understanding of what you will be using the headphones for, and which optional features are worth your while, you can identify which headphones are right for you.
