Headphones can be a major investment and, as long as you look after them properly, they can last for many years. This means that it’s important to think long and hard when choosing which of these products to buy. Getting this decision wrong can prove to be a costly mistake. On the other hand, if you find the ideal headphones for you, you can boost your listening pleasure.
It’s now possible to choose from an array of products online. High end audio specialists such as The Cable Company offer an impressive selection of products. However, before you start your search, it’s important to ensure you know exactly what you’re looking for. The following guide should help you to navigate your way through this important purchase.
Full-size
Headphones come in all shapes and sizes. The smallest ear bud versions are easy to carry around, but they’re not for the die-hard audiophile. At the other end of the scale you have full-size designs. Also known as over-the-ear or circumaural headphones, these products completely enclose your ears and many music lovers swear by them.
Full-size headphones are often considered to be the best going, especially for home users. Their large size and impressive acoustic isolation means they can provide a superb listening experience. They can also offer great bass sounds.
It’s important to note that there are two mains kinds of circumaural headphones: closed-back and open-back. Most are closed. This means that the outer part of the cups is made from a hard, unbroken material. Open versions meanwhile leave the back of the cups unobstructed by material. While open-back cups allow sound to escape to the outside world, closed versions do not. Many people believe that open versions produce a better sound quality. However, they aren’t always suitable for use in public. Also, as well as letting sound out, they enable noises to travel in through the cups. In noisy environments, this can disturb the listening experience.
On-ear
Slightly smaller, on-ear products rest on top of the ears. They are also called supra-aural or earpad headphones. These items are less prone to overheating than their full-size counterparts. However, they tend to leak more sound and they also let users hear the outside world around them. Many audiophiles consider this to be a negative. However, in some situations it’s seen as an advantage. For example, in offices where people need to be able to hear what’s going on around them, earpad products are often the favoured option.
Wireless
Wireless headphones are also worth considering. These products typically transmit music via Bluetooth. They can come in useful in apartments when the playing of loud music isn’t permitted. However, it’s important to note that when files are compressed in order to be transmitted, some of the sound quality can be lost.
Noise-cancelling
Noise-cancelling headphones are another option. These products create so-called ‘antinoise’ that is intended to reduce ambient sounds. It’s possible to pick these products up in all sizes, ranging from circumaural to earbuds. Because they allow you to listen to music at lower volume levels, they can limit any ear fatigue.
Finding the perfect set for you
As well as choosing a style of headphone, you’ll need to ensure that the product you go for perfectly suits your requirements. For example, comfort is key. Even if the sound quality of these items is superb, you won’t enjoy your listening experience if you feel uncomfortable wearing them. With this in mind, it’s important that the headphones don’t put too much pressure on your ears or get too hot.
Bass is another issue to consider. No headphone can match the bass provided by huge speakers or subwoofers. However, certain products do a much better job than others of creating lower frequency sounds.
As long as you know what you’re looking for in your headphones and you do plenty of research, you shouldn’t struggle to find the ideal product for you.
