Buying headphones sounds simpler than it actually is, given the innumerable options flooding the market.
We give a low down on how to select the perfect pair of headphones that have impeccable sound and, at the same time, comfortable to wear.
Earbuds Or Over-Ear Headphones?
Before making a purchase, we need to be clear whether the headphones we are after will be in-ear or over-ear ones.
Earbuds, in-ear headphone or earphones are light weight, portable and designed to make noise in the surroundings get sealed out. They are easy to wear when one is on the go, perfect to use when working out or running — any activity that requires constant movement.
By comparison, the over-ear headphones are heavier and bulkier. They take up plenty of space in one's bag. They may offer better sound quality when compared to most in-ear options, but are also more expensive. Moreover, they are a bit inconvenient to use when one is on-the-go.
So if one wants something portable, don't feel discomfort with earbuds in the ear canal for a long period of time and are price conscious, then in-ear headphones are the perfect choice.
However, if one wants crystal clear sound quality and don't wish to compromise on this count, is willing to spend some extra bucks, and does not move around that much, then the over-ear headphones are perfect.
Choose wisely and we're a step closer to the perfect headphone.
Price
Now that we've narrowed down to whether it is an earbud or over-ear headphones, we need to set a budget.
How much are we willing to spend? If one is brand conscious and will not settle for anything less than a headphone from Bose or Dr. Dre, then be prepared to shell out the dough.
We also need to determine whether we are ok with an entry-level model or need a more advanced version.
Once we have ascertained the maximum amount we're willing to spend on a headphone, we can begin narrowing down the available options. If one tends to lose things, then opt for a cheap option instead of going the whole hog.
Evaluate Features
Now that the budget is sorted, we can evaluate the features and functionality the selected headphones in the price range.
Non-Wireless
These headphones have wires and can be quite cumbersome to use as they wires get tangled. However, they do not compromise on sound quality and don't come with the hassle of swapping batteries.
Wireless
These headphones do not have wires, which lets the user move around freely. However, wireless headphones have the issue of them being recharged or the batteries being changed often.
Moreover, other wireless devices such as cordless phones can cause interference. Sound quality of wireless headphones is usually not as good as those offered by wired ones.
The advantage is that they come in home and portable versions and are handy when the user is exercising and don't want to get tangled. Wireless headphones are mostly Bluetooth supported and, therefore, not only enable the user to listen to favorite songs wirelessly, but also skip, pause or play the music from the headphones directly.
Noise Isolation
One of the things to keep in mind is the sound or noise isolation abilities of the headphones. Noise isolation is not to be confused with noise cancelation, it basically corresponds to the ability of the headphones to block out the outside noise. It does so by making a physical seal around or in the user's ears to keep the ambient sound out and the music in.
Noise Cancelation
What noise canceling headphones do is that they sample the noise in the surroundings and then play that sound's inverted version in one's ears, which basically cancels out the noise. This functionality is for those who are willing to spend good money. These headphones require batteries, are attractive and on the expensive side.
Checkout some of Amazon's noise-canceling headphones here.
Frequency Range
Check the frequency range of the headphones, as a wider one means one can listen to more of the musical elements. Usually, anything between 10 Hz to 25,000 Hz should be fine.
Check Impedance
Match the impedance of the headphone, which is measured in ohms, to the equipment the headphone will be used with. If this is not checked, one will need to increase the volume slightly when using an unmatched headphone vis-à-vis a matched one.
Test Out The Headphones
This is perhaps what makes/breaks the deal. Wear the headphones to test them for comfort and hear music to check sound quality. Read online reviews of the chosen headphones, so that one has a base to go on and know what to expect. Wearing it will also give an idea of the fit of the headphones.
When wearing the headphones, keep them on for 15 minutes while testing to know how they feel after a longer duration. Plenty of headphones feel comfortable for the first 5 minutes, but keeping them on for a longer period make the ears hurt.
Listening to old music when testing the headphones is better, as these songs are usually not compressed and are a better indicator of the sound range supported by the headphone. Of course, it is best to test the headphones with the type of music the users like to listen to, as this is ultimately what they would want to be hearing.
