Did you know that the first headphones appeared in 1910, but only merged into the public marketplace in 1958? From that point on, we have seen the widespread use of this particular audio device.
In fact, a 2014 survey notes that about 53% of millennials claim to have at least 3 pairs of headphones.
With advancements in technology, the listening experience continues to improve when using headphones. More headphone variants began to appear, including wireless versions and others with improved noise cancellation.
But which ones work best for your needs? Do you need to know how to choose headphones perfect for you?
We’ve got you covered. Here are seven things to consider when choosing.
1. Ascertain Your Purpose for the Headphones
Will you use it for everyday listening? Will it be for use during your workouts? Will you use it more for sound engineering?
Always ask these first to figure out how to choose headphones that fit the situation.
This can help you narrow down whether you need better clarity of sound, bass boosting, or noise cancellation. Each feature affects the listening experience and the price.
2. Check the Headphone Type You Want
Once you have an idea on the intended purpose, it’s time to check the type of headphones that you want. There are about three basic types of headphones, with other variations of such. These are the over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear headphones.
They also come with open back and closed back variations, which also affect the sound.
Over-Ear Headphones
This is the biggest among the three types. Due to its design, over-ear headphones surround and cup your ear and stay on by applying light pressure to your temple and upper jaw. The design is the classic, original style of headphones.
Over-ear headphones provide comfort and natural sound. This works for listening pleasure, especially if you are on a long flight. This also makes it the preferred option for sound engineers.
Due to its design, it has that isolating feel with sound. These headphones often come with noise cancellation features too.
That said, they can be heavy and bulky. Some of them do fold, making them more portable, but they’re still bigger than other types of headphones.
On-Ear Headphones
Compared to over-ear headphones, on-ear headphones tend to be smaller and lighter. In regards to staying on, they are similar to ear muffs as they apply direct pressure to your ears.
Compared to over-ear headphones which can isolate sound, on-ear headphones still allow for the wearer to hear the ambient sounds around them. This makes it a good in-between and perfect for home-use.
Its downside is that it could apply too much pressure on the ears. The fact that it can also allow for ambient sound to go through may also be its weakness as well.
In-Ear Headphones
These go directly into the ear, gaining the name earbuds or earphones. They’re the smallest of the three models due to how it fits into the ear canal. It is likely that everyone has a pair of these since they often come packaged in with smartphones.
Earbuds can also come with noise cancellation, providing better sound.
The only problem is that in-ear headphones can feel intrusive. There is also the issue of the wire getting tangled. Earbuds also come off easily, disrupting the listening experience.
3. Measure for Comfort and Fitting
Have you found the right model for you? You might want to try them on to see if they are comfortable to wear and use. In fact, comfort and fitting are the two factors you should look into the most when getting a pair of headphones.
At first, wearing them could feel fine. This changes when you have them on for longer periods. One way to gauge this is to wear them for 20 minutes before deciding about the comfort level they provide.
4. Inquire on Portability and Durability
Once you check for comfort and fitting, also consider the portability and durability of the headphones. Certain models shine in this department compared to the others.
For portability, lightweight headphones stand out, more so if you consider the use of these headphones for workouts or anything involving physical activity.
As for durability, heavier headphones are the better option. Over-ear headphones shine often feature protective covering for their wires and the earmuffs use tough casing to keep them safe from accidental drops.
5. Going Wired or Wireless?
This may fall under preference but the choice between going for wired headphones and wireless headphones may stretch even further than it seems.
When it comes to sound quality, there’s no difference between the two. Contrary to popular belief, a wired connection doesn’t affect the sound’s bitrate. Wireless headphones provide a degree of freedom in terms of movement when using it.
That said, wireless headphones can experience drops in connection.
Another factor that affects wireless headphones is battery life. Wireless headphones only run for a couple of hours before you have to stop and charge them. For wired headphones, the issue of battery life vanishes completely.
6. Check the Frequency and Other Specifications
You also need to look into the frequency range of the headphones. The wider the frequency range, the more you can hear from the music you listen to. The recommended range is within 10 to 25,000 Hz.
Another thing to look into is noise cancellation. This lets you block out outside, ambient sounds but it can also cost you more. If you don’t need this feature, you don’t have to look for it.
7. Test Run If Possible
The best way to check is to test the headphones yourself. If you have a friend that has the same headphone model as the one you like, test it out and see if it is to your liking.
Otherwise, you might end up going back and forth while making use of the 30-day warranty. Looking at reviews could help you narrow things down.
If you find these steps useful, you can try your hand at checking out the best cheap over ear headphones here.
How to Choose Headphones? Choose the Best One For You!
Once you know how to choose headphones perfect for you, you can find a pair of headphones that you can enjoy using. A great pair of headphones can bring in a wonderful listening experience. With top-notch sound clarity that brings the best out of your music.
Did you find this useful? We have guides and tips that you can check out for your reading enjoyment.