Specifications for good headphones

The emergence of compact, fits in your pocket, technical devices - cell phone, player, led to the spread of headphones. It became possible to listen to radio stations, favorite music and learn foreign languages. Another variant is the studio and household headphones, connected to the stationary equipment. Devices that transmit sound differ in size, reproduced frequencies, signal strength. What characteristics you should pay attention to in order to choose good headphones.

Types of modern headphones

The market is flooded with sound reproduction devices. Choosing the best model with optimal parameters is quite difficult. For simplicity, products are combined into groups:

• In-ear (droplets, earmolds).
• In-canal (vacuum).
• Over-the-ear (with special fittings for fixation on the ears or head).
• Full size (monitor).

In-ear models of headphones

The application is clear from the name - the product in the form of a tablet inserted into the ear.

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PLUSES

• Compact size, - the diameter of the human ear canal. Lightweight.
• Price is the cheapest of the analogues.
• The simple design.

MINUSES

• Unreliable attachment due to individual anatomical characteristics of the human auricle.
• Limitations in reproduction of the lower range of sound frequencies (bass) due to the insufficient size of the membrane.
• Insufficient sound insulation.

This type of headphone is gradually being replaced by technological products. "Tablets" are offered as a gift bonus or option to a cell phone or player. They are rarely available for sale.

The 5 best in-ear headphones

In-Canal look.

The design feature is elastic silicone pads for attachment inside the ear canal.

PLUSES

• A wide range of reproducible sound frequencies.
• Quite secure fit.
• Good sound isolation, so good for use in noisy places like metro stations, inside trains or trucks, in crowded streets.

MINUTES

• High quality (branded) models have a high cost.
• There is a risk of "planting" (reducing) the sensitivity of the hearing organs.
• Limits external sound perception. This factor is dangerous when crossing a street or driving in a driveway, you may not hear the sound of an approaching car, bicycle, skateboard and signals.
• It should be cleaned frequently.

In-ear headphones are convenient in conjunction with your cell phone, player or tablet.

Over-ear headphones

The design provides a snug fit to the ear. Secure fit provides earhook or headband.

PLUSES

• A reliable fit.
• High-quality sound reproduction, including melodies.
• Stronger sound because of the increased size of the diaphragms.

MINUSES

• Lack of sound isolation - access of external noises disturbs the quality of sounding music.
• Feeling of discomfort from the size and weight of the earphone.

Technical capabilities of overhead headphones allow you to play the whole palette of sounds from your tablet or player.

The 5 Best Overhead Headphones

Full-size models

Monitor headphones cover your ears completely. Play the full range of frequencies perceived by humans.

6 best in-ear headphones with boosted bass

PLUSES

• Reproduction of the full frequency range.
• Sensitivity.
• The purity of the reproduced signal.

MINUSES

• Dimensions and weight.
• Price for branded models.

Full-size headphones are divided:

• Closed type. Full sound isolation in both directions. The outer casing is made of plastic. Found application in sound studios.
• Open type. Their design includes holes in the ear cushions. Intended for home use.

The 5 best full-size monitor headphones

Technical parameters

In addition to external, mass-size parameters, the choice of headphones is influenced by physical parameters:

Parameter	Plug-in	Vacuum	Overhead	Monitor
Weight, grams	5~30	5~30	40~100	150~300
Frequency range, Hz	100~16000	18~20000	18~20000	16~22000
Volume (sensitivity), dB	70~100	95~110	80~115	90~120
Impedance, Ohm	15~30	16~32	16~32	18~150

Note:

• The worst playback range of in-ear (earmolds, tablets) headphones.
• Vacuum and full-size models have optimum volume (sensitivity).
• Resistance, - takes into account the output parameters of the signal source.
• Data is given for commonly available headphone models.

The power of devices that reproduce the audio signal takes into account similar electrical output characteristics of the source. For headphones powered by a phone or player, do not exceed 80~100mW. Higher values will lead to a rapid discharge of the battery.

Sound engineers and audiophiles care about the level of distortion, measured as a percentage. The lower the value, the more accurately the sound signal is reproduced. The average playback quality is 0.5~1.0%. Higher values mean mediocre sound. Smaller values are excellent reproduction.

Bottom line

The main criterion, in addition to build quality and price, is the appropriateness of the purpose of sound reproduction devices:

• Phone or smartphone, your choice is tablets or vacuum headphones.
• Playing sports, having a tablet at hand, learning languages or listening to music, then it makes sense to look at overhead designs.
• You are a gamer, gamer, you like to disconnect "from reality", hanging out at the computer - open-monitor models are waiting for you.

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