Below is a list of questions to ask when choosing your headphones. Open or closed, in-ear, neck, circum-aural or supra-aural, there are many models of headphones. Even the best noise cancelling headphones come in in-ear models, this gives you an idea into the advancements in the design of headphones.
Depending on your use, your lifestyle and your budget your choice will be quite different. You can also choose according to color and design, but it would be a shame not to pamper your ears with good music!
Top 10 Questions to Answer When Buying Headphones
What Type of Device do I Plug in My Headphones
- Most music sources such as portable music players, computers or mobile phones and smartphones accept a 3.5 mm jack.
- However, if you are listening on a Hi-Fi system, a 6.5 mm plug will be more suitable. There are also small adapters that you can leave on your Hi-Fi.
- In this case, also check the length of the cable: you must connect it easily between your hi-fi and your chair. For a computer or a portable player, a shorter cable works as well.
How Long Do I Listen to Music
- The longer you listen, the more you will need a comfortable headset.
- A Hi-Fi stereo headphones that does not disconnect
- The comfort is not only of the thickness of foam, think also the weight. More than 200 grams for the headphones gets heavy in the long run. The most lightweight hi-fi headphones (about 50 grams) are the back/neck headphones. Due to their special shape, the headphones are often of good size (30 to 40 mm) and offer good sound.
- The Hi-Fi circumaural headphones (which cover and surround the ear) can give some warmth.
What is My Budget
- You will find headphones at all prices: from 50 to 1000 Dollars! Depending on the sound quality you want, the finish and the brand you will be spoiled for choice.
- Defining a budget is important. It is difficult to make a good quality headphones below 100 Dollars – except for necklace like headphones that have reduced mechanical part. If you add features: hands-free kit, anti-noise, Bluetooth, the price also increases.
Do others Have to Hear What I Hear
- Be aware that with an open Hi-Fi headset you will hear your surround sound and others will hear what you are listening to.
- Attention, a circum-aural Hi-Fi headset can be opened or closed. For the uninitiated, the difference is not visible to the eye. Fortunately manufacturers say when the headset is said to be “open”.
- This is often the case of high-end Hi-Fi headphones. This allows for less “heating the ears” despite the foam.
If you want a little more privacy, choose a closed headphone.
Do I Need a Headset with Hands-free Kit
- There are now headphones equipped with a microphone on the wire or a control of your smartphone. Beware of incompatibilities, the ports on Apple products being different from blackberry or android phones.
- With a Bluetooth wireless headset equipped with a microphone you can call with the hands-free kit. Compatibility is ensured by the Bluetooth standard.
- If you choose a headset without a microphone, you can still use it to make calls on your smartphone. You will hear your correspondent in the headset but you will have to speck close to the smartphone mouthpiece to be clearly audible.
Where Will I Use my Headset
- If you use headphones in a quiet environment, in your living room you will need less insulation and technology to get a good sound quality.
- If you use a headphone in transport or in the office to isolate you, you most likely will need a close headset or even a headphone with active noise reduction.
- If you do sports, you will need a good hold. Neckband headphones or earphones are the most suitable. They also designed to be light.
What is My Kind of Music
- All headphones do not have the same frequency response. A balanced headphone will allow you to enjoy all the music from classical to rap through jazz.
- If you listen to modern music and your ears are still young, a headphone with reinforced bass will give you a good listening pleasure.
- In you are 40 years and above your ears are not as strong so a balanced frequency response will be more indicated.
Headphones Ease of Carrying Around
- Nomadic headphones fold, sometimes flat, like JVC HA-NC250. This makes it possible to slide them anywhere.
- Some have a storage pocket or you can also put other accessories. Check that you will have room. In travel, weight is often counted.
Mobility While Listening
- If you want mobility while listening from a fixed source (Hi-Fi or TV), go for a wireless headset.
- There are several technologies: Bluetooth, radio etc. If you want to move, by all means avoid infrared.
Listening in Noisy Environment
- If you are listening on the train or plane, a stereo headphones with active noise reduction will be the best to protect your ears. Active Noise Cancellation allows you to reduce ambient noise. So you can enjoy your music without increasing the volume.
- This allows the sound not to be pushed above 85 decibels, which is the level of listening without risk.
