How to buy the best headphones
There are a huge variety of headphones available from a number of brands, such as Beats by Dre, Sony and Sennheiser. Some are great for listening to music at home, whereas smaller, more portable models keep you listening in comfort while on the go. Each set of headphones vary in the range of features they offer – from noise cancellation and wireless connectivity, to in-line remote controls and mobile phone functionality. The best headphones sound great, are comfortable for long periods and should stand the test of time. Read on to find out the key factors to look out for,
What makes a good set of headphones?
Headphones come in a range of shapes and sizes and can cost anything from £5 to £300, but if you're looking to get the most out of your music they need to sound good, and fit comfortably.
- Great sound: the best headphones deliver full sound that’s balanced across treble, midrange, and bass frequencies. Most in-ear models struggle when it comes to producing bass, but some larger, over-ear headphones deliver rich, deep sounds. Open-back headphones offer a more natural sound than closed headphones, but they tend to leak more noise. Closed headphones can sound a bit muffled but are good at preventing sound leakage and blocking out unwanted noise.
- Comfortable to wear: whether you intend to use headphones every day or just occasionally, comfort is paramount when choosing the best set. Some in-ear headphones are comfortable, but if you plan to use your headphones for long periods then on- and over-ear models typically offer the best comfort.
What type of headphones should I buy?
There are four main types of headphones: earbuds, in-ear, on-ear and over-ear. The type you opt for will depend on a number of factors, including how portable you want them to be and what type of sound you are looking for. There is also an element of personal preference.
- Earbuds: small and cheap, earbuds are often bundled with MP3 players and smartphones. They nestle inside the ear but don't fully seal it, so they’re susceptible to sound leakage and some people find them too loose fitting to be comfortable. They generally offer the worst audio experience out of the four types of headphones.
- In-ear headphones: these are probably the most common type and are somethimes supplied with portable music players. They're lightweight, portable, and generally much cheaper than on- and over-ear sets. They fit snugly inside the ear canal to provide a tight seal so minimise sound leakage. However, sound quality is generally poorer than over-ear and on-ear designs, particularly at the base end.
- On-ear headphones: smaller and lighter than over-ear models, these headphones sit on the ears and usually have foam or leatherette pads for extra comfort. Some are foldable, making them more portable than over-ear models. However, many have an open back design, which means they can’t match the base levels of closed-back, over-ear headphones.
- Over-ear headphones: these large headphones have cushioned pads that cover the entire ear. This makes them more comfortable to wear for long periods and they generally deliver good sound quality. Too bulky to be portable, they’re best reserved for home use.
In addition to the four main types, there are specialised headphones for specific purposes, such as sports models that have additional features to help keep them in place during exercise.
How much should I spend on a new pair of headphones?
You can pick up a new set of headphones for less than 879 Inr, but these rarely impress. In general, more expensive models are built from higher quality materials, therefore sound better and last longer. However, there are exceptions to this - we've uncovered Don't Buy models that cost more than 17,572 Inr, and Best Buys that are less than half that price.
Should I buy wireless headphones?
Wireless headphones let you listen to music without being tethered to the audio source. This makes them perfect for situations such as listening to music in the gym where trailing cables can get in the way. There are two main types of wireless technologies: infrared and Bluetooth.
- Infrared: like a TV remote control, these headphones use an infrared (IR) beam to transmit sound from a base unit. With a range limited to about 7m and the need for a clear line of sight between the headphones and base unit, you can’t wander round the house using infrared headphones. However, they’re great for watching TV or listening to music from your MP3 player or hi-fi while in the same room.
- Bluetooth: as with hands-free mobile phone kits, Bluetooth headphones use a short-range digital radio signal to transmit sound. These headphones have a similar range to infrared but they don’t require line of sight, so you can move from room to room at home while listening to your music.
What are noise cancelling headphones?
It’s tempting to drown out external noise such as traffic by cranking up the volume on your headphones, but this often annoys others and can even damage your hearing. The best solution is to invest in a pair of noise cancelling headphones so you can enjoy your audio at much lower volumes. Tiny microphones and battery-powered electronics built into the headphones produce anti-noise signals to cancel out external audio, such as the low drone of an engine. Some headphones use standard AAA batteries while other headphones have a custom battery that can be recharged using a USB connection. These headphones don’t come cheap though – expect to pay around 4,393 Inr for an entry-level model, to more than 26.358 Inr for a top-end pair. Some do a great job at keeping unwanted sounds out, while others don't make much of a difference.
What are mobile phone headphones?
Most mobile phones have a headphone port, so you can listen to audio saved on your phone while on the go. You can also use streaming services, such as Spotify and TuneIn Radio to access music over the internet, using your phone. In these instances it's best to buy a pair of headphones that are specifically designed for mobile phone use. They feature an in-line remote control, often found towards the top of the cable, that can be used to alter the volume, skip tracks and stop your music altogether. They usually also house a microphone, for hands-free voice calling. Android and Apple mobile phone headphones are configured slightly different to one another, so be sure your phone is compatible before making any purchase.
- Earbuds: small and cheap, earbuds are often bundled with MP3 players and smartphones. They nestle inside the ear but don't fully seal it, so they’re susceptible to sound leakage and some people find them too loose fitting to be comfortable. They generally offer the worst audio experience out of the four types of headphones.
- In-ear headphones: these are probably the most common type and are somethimes supplied with portable music players. They're lightweight, portable, and generally much cheaper than on- and over-ear sets. They fit snugly inside the ear canal to provide a tight seal so minimise sound leakage. However, sound quality is generally poorer than over-ear and on-ear designs, particularly at the base end.
- On-ear headphones: smaller and lighter than over-ear models, these headphones sit on the ears and usually have foam or leatherette pads for extra comfort. Some are foldable, making them more portable than over-ear models. However, many have an open back design, which means they can’t match the base levels of closed-back, over-ear headphones.
- Over-ear headphones: these large headphones have cushioned pads that cover the entire ear. This makes them more comfortable to wear for long periods and they generally deliver good sound quality. Too bulky to be portable, they’re best reserved for home use.
How much should I spend on a new pair of headphones?
You can pick up a new set of headphones for less than 879 Inr, but these rarely impress. In general, more expensive models are built from higher quality materials, therefore sound better and last longer. However, there are exceptions to this - we've uncovered Don't Buy models that cost more than 17,572 Inr, and Best Buys that are less than half that price.
Should I buy wireless headphones?
Should I buy wireless headphones?
Wireless headphones let you listen to music without being tethered to the audio source. This makes them perfect for situations such as listening to music in the gym where trailing cables can get in the way. There are two main types of wireless technologies: infrared and Bluetooth.
- Infrared: like a TV remote control, these headphones use an infrared (IR) beam to transmit sound from a base unit. With a range limited to about 7m and the need for a clear line of sight between the headphones and base unit, you can’t wander round the house using infrared headphones. However, they’re great for watching TV or listening to music from your MP3 player or hi-fi while in the same room.
- Bluetooth: as with hands-free mobile phone kits, Bluetooth headphones use a short-range digital radio signal to transmit sound. These headphones have a similar range to infrared but they don’t require line of sight, so you can move from room to room at home while listening to your music.
What are noise cancelling headphones?
It’s tempting to drown out external noise such as traffic by cranking up the volume on your headphones, but this often annoys others and can even damage your hearing. The best solution is to invest in a pair of noise cancelling headphones so you can enjoy your audio at much lower volumes. Tiny microphones and battery-powered electronics built into the headphones produce anti-noise signals to cancel out external audio, such as the low drone of an engine. Some headphones use standard AAA batteries while other headphones have a custom battery that can be recharged using a USB connection. These headphones don’t come cheap though – expect to pay around 4,393 Inr for an entry-level model, to more than 26.358 Inr for a top-end pair. Some do a great job at keeping unwanted sounds out, while others don't make much of a difference.
What are mobile phone headphones?
Most mobile phones have a headphone port, so you can listen to audio saved on your phone while on the go. You can also use streaming services, such as Spotify and TuneIn Radio to access music over the internet, using your phone. In these instances it's best to buy a pair of headphones that are specifically designed for mobile phone use. They feature an in-line remote control, often found towards the top of the cable, that can be used to alter the volume, skip tracks and stop your music altogether. They usually also house a microphone, for hands-free voice calling. Android and Apple mobile phone headphones are configured slightly different to one another, so be sure your phone is compatible before making any purchase.
No comments:
Post a Comment