Do you need new headphones? Choosing the best headphones isn’t as easy as 1-2-3. You need to look at each option’s specific model and make before you decide on the purchase. While many headphones are advertised to offer the highest audio quality, it is still better to check out specifications and their actual, corresponding ratings. While it isn’t convenient nor practical to check each model—try each unit offered at different music stores; your best alternative would be to read various reviews made for each of your headphone options.
Also, each person has a specific preference. As with all other products, we buy particular units based on our particular needs and preferences. So, the best one for you may not be the best one for another. With these reminders in mind, we decided to consolidate a list of the different elements that you should look out for as you choose the best headphone options there are. Read on and get to know more about headphones and their various attributes.
Headphone Buying Guide Cheat Sheet
To start, here is a quick rundown of the different elements you should look at:
Power Capacity and Impedance
Headphone units are provided with varying power capacities and impedance rates. It is necessary for you to check your unit for its power capacity, measured in watts, as this allows you to estimate its power usage—electrical current or battery. It also provides you with an estimation of the safety levels it has.
Impedance is one of your headphones’ specifications that is deemed essential to note as well. Impedance, typically rated in ohms, refers to your headphones’ capability to resist the electric current. The lower the impedance rate of your headphones, the more capable it is of allowing the electric current to pass through—a significant consideration since the said current is the one that gets converted into your audio.
Frequency Response Range
Frequency response refers to the headphones’ capacity to respond or provide a sound concerning a certain frequency level. Measured in Hertz (Hz), frequency is a special consideration, mainly because humans are merely capable of detecting a frequency range of 20 to 20,000 Hz. In effect, your headphones must have, at the very least, the same frequency response range for it to adequately detect and reproduce audio in line with your hearing capacity.
While most headphones have a frequency response range of 20 to 20,000 Hz, some are provided with a broader frequency coverage capacity. Some get to detect and reproduce frequencies far lower than 20 Hz, even reaching 5 Hz, and higher-end frequencies that pass the 20,000 Hz mark. Headphones that have such broader frequency coverages are more capable of producing rich, vibrant audio quality. These variants are highly recommended for audiophiles and those who are into such audio-video pursuits.
Nevertheless, such frequency response ranges provided in a pair of headphones’ labels may not likely be exact. In most cases, such indicated ranges are merely rough estimations that allow you a bit of an overview of each unit’s capacity.
Sensitivity Rate
In line with your headphones’ frequency response range is its sensitivity rate. Sensitivity rate refers to your unit’s capacity to produce sound at different volume levels. This element is measured in decibels (dB). In plain terms, this refers to the loudness that your device is capable of. Headphones are considered more efficient when they can provide a high sensitivity rate at a lower amount of power.
While humans are merely capable of detecting sounds rated at 20 to 120 dB, some headphones can detect a far more comprehensive range. You simply have to make sure that your chosen headset can detect the same 20-to-120-dB range, so it efficiently reproduces the loudness you want.
Choosing the Right Headphones
As said, choosing the right headphones should be based on your specific headphone use, unit specifications, and budget. Indicated herein are some of the factors you should look out for when deciding on a pair.
Specific Use and Available Options
How will you be using your headphones? Headphones have a variety of uses. People use them for music, movies, audio-visual editing work, virtual games, and so forth. Alongside this, manufacturers create headphones for specific purposes. Thus, headphones vary in particular functions as they aim to accommodate particular uses of these accessories. Some headphones are closed-back while others are open-back. A lot of headphones have headbands, while others are earphones. Many are wired, but some are wireless or such wireless connectivity options. Some are meant for active noise-cancellation, while others are provided with passive noise-isolation capabilities.
These types of headphones need to be considered when choosing the best headphones. For a better listening experience, you need to purchase a pair that provides you with an adequate list of capabilities based on your specific needs.
Headphone Capabilities
While headphones’ primary capability is to provide an audible output, they are also incorporated with various capabilities. Functions such as noise-cancellation, wireless or wired connectivity, power capacity, frequency response range, sensitivity rate, and impedance rate are only some of the capabilities you should look into.
Durability
You should opt for a pair of headphones that will last you longer than a few days or weeks. Most of the cheaper varieties are constructed with weaker materials, while some of the higher-priced variants are made with more durable stuff. This doesn’t mean, however, that such a general statement applies to all. Identify a pair of headphones that does not cost too much but will last you a long time.
Portability
Your headphones should be portable. If you plan to use your headphones during travels and other events that involve being outside your house, for instance, you should get a pair that isn’t too difficult to bring along. Many newer versions are highly portable in the sense that their headbands are foldable and sometimes even accompanied by customized cases, allowing you to conveniently tuck them into your bag without any possibility of damage.
Earphones are good alternatives, as well, because they are smaller versions of the typical headset as they do not have headbands and can easily fit your pocket for added portability. You might also want to consider getting a pair of headphones that have wireless connectivity, permitting you to simply charge their built-in battery and use them for several hours. Headphone jack
Cables
If you are partial to wired headphones, you should also consider their cable length, then. Some headphones are provided with longer cables that allow you extra breadth between you and your audio source. These are excellent choices when you need a pair of headphones that permit you better multitasking capacity. Nevertheless, headphones with longer cables may not be as superb-sounding as those with shorter cables. Cable length can sometimes affect the audio quality, and the longer the distance between headphones and audio source, the lesser its sound quality. Apart from the cables, you should also check if the headphone jack fits your device.
Battery Life
Do you prefer wireless headphones over wired ones? Then you should be particular about the battery life. Most wireless headphones have a battery life of around 2-3 hours, but some quality headphones have longer battery life while providing better sound quality. However, these might be more expensive than other headphones, so be ready to splurge if you want a wireless headphone with longer battery life.
Sound Quality
Another factor that you should consider when buying new headphones is the sound quality. Not all headphones produce the same sound quality. So if you are very particular with the quality, lower end headphones may not be the one for you as most of them does not deliver the best sound quality.
Budget
If you’re working within a specific budget, you should find a pair of headphones that don’t have low specifications. Cheap isn’t always equal to low-end. Some affordable pairs have high specifications, as well. You should check out discounted headphones, as well, as many expensive brands and high-end models do go on sale from time to time.
Types of Headphones
Indeed, there are varying types of headphones. It is crucial for you to pinpoint the best kind of headphones based on your preferences and uses. To help you, however, here are the main types of headphones that you should consider:
Open Back and Closed Back Over Ear Headphones
In general, over ear headphones are devices that have headbands attached to them. They are also termed over-ear headphones since they sit over your ears. However, these headband-incorporated variants are further divided into two types, the open back and the closed back over ear headphones. A closed-back pair of over ear headphones have ear cups that are fully closed at the back. They are designed in such a way that they get to direct audio to your ears. Due to their closed-back designs, they are also capable of offering you passive noise cancellation. They get to reduce the ambient, extraneous noises of your surroundings and offer you surround sound.
Open-back over ear headphones are those that have ear cups with their back open. These types of over ear headphones are designed in such a way that they offer you more natural-sounding audio quality. You get to hear the natural flow of sounds in real-time. They are, however, incapable of reducing outside noise. There are several over ear models from headphone brands that offer superior sound quality, be sure to check those too if you are looking for open back or closed back headphones.
Earphones
Earphones or earbuds are similar to headphones in function. However, they do not have the same indicative headband as they are meant to rest directly in your ears or ear canals during use. Such earbuds are further divided into two categories—on-ear headphones or in-ear headphones.
On-ear headphones are those that are designed with soft cushions that allow them to sit in your ears. They are also termed supra-aural units because of that capability. These earphones are considered the middle ground between the bulky headband-incorporated variants and the in-ear ones. Because they are smaller than the first kind, they are considered more comfortable during extended periods of use.
In-ear headphones are those that are designed to sit directly in your ear canal. They have smaller components typically made out of memory foam or silicone, allowing them to be comfortable to wear even during more extended periods. Because they are small, they are considered even more portable than the usual headphone variants. You can tuck them away in a miniature case or simply put them in your pocket.
While they used to offer less audio quality, newer versions are provided with more capabilities. Many of them are wired, but some of them are also wireless, allowing you added convenience.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
As we mentioned, some headphones are decisively designed to provide you with passive noise-canceling capability. However, some headphones are incorporated with active noise-cancellation functions that allow added audio modification to improve ambient noise isolation. Noise-canceling headphones are recommended when you want to hear your different audio files’ vocals or dialogues. They are also able to effectively cancel out outside noise and further offer you increased surround sound.
How Much Should I Spend On A Pair Of Headphones?
Depending on your preference, you can get a generic yet efficient pair of headphones for less than a hundred dollars or even fifty bucks. Nevertheless, if you want a higher-end variant that is capable of higher audio quality, you should pick one that is about $300 or higher. The main point should be to look for a pair of headphones that provides you with precise audio feedback corresponding to your audio files. Checking your headphones for the different functions mentioned above, you should find one that best suits your needs.
Conclusion
Headphones vary when it comes to make and model. From over ear headphones, wireless headphones, on ear headphones, in ear headphones, noise canceling headphones, wireless earbuds, wired earbuds, and bluetooth headphones; your choices are endless. They provide you with various highfalutin specifications that do not always necessarily matter, especially if you merely want a pair of headphones that allows you to hear your audio files. Suppose you want a specialized pair of headphones. In that case, however, you must consider all the different elements mentioned above so that you obtain one that provides the best audio experience. Knowledge, they say, is power, and reading several reviews about your headphone options should help further your goal.