Tip #3734 - Buying Headphones
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Buying
Headphones
If you've ever been a little
confused about the whole headphone buying process, this tip is sure to
help. Read on!
Headphones are important,
but then, so are your ears. So, it’s important that you invest in
a good pair of headphones. And even more importantly, that you know all
the features associated with headphones so you can make an informed choice.
Well, that's what I'm here to help you with today, so let's get started,
shall we?!
Survey the
Variety
First, consider the
size and shape of the headphone set. There are four different overall
styles of headphones. There's headphones with ear buds
and they are lightweight, ultra compact and they do a great job of blocking
outside noise. On the other hand though, the sound quality isn't as stellar
as the full-sized headphones and they can cause more discomfort to the
ear canal if you're using them for a long period of time.
Another style is the
sports headphones. Their design makes them ideal for
jogging, but their downside is durability and they do tend to put a lot
of pressure on your ears. Now, ear pad headphones are
slightly larger. They are very comfortable and some models even fold up
for easy storage and portability. But, they don't sound quite as good
as the in-ear or full-size sets.
Now, full-size
headphones are the biggest and the best of the bunch. These puppies
cover your entire ear and are better than the rest at blocking out ambient
noise. The only downsides are their size and they can also make your ears
extra hot. And let's face it, they're not the most fashionable either.
The full-size headphones will also cost you more than the other models.
As for some other
features, headphones with noise cancellation have active noise cancellation
or passive noise cancellation. There's no need to crank up the volume
on your music player to block out the sound of sirens or anything else
that may be bugging you. The headphones do all the work for you. The passive
pair cancels noise by shielding the ear, either by covering it completely
or by sealing the ear canal with a pair of ear buds. The active noise
cancellation headphones are much more scientific though. They use special
noise cancellation circuitry to cancel out external noise. This means
that you can only hear what you want to hear.
Here are some examples
of the different types of headphones available today:
For more headphone
enjoyment, just follow these simple tips:
1.) If you will be
making use of your headphones solely with your home AV system, you should
go for the higher quality classical type of headset. The higher weight
associated with these models will probably not be much of an annoyance,
because if you're at home, you'll more than likely be seated while you
listen to your music, etc.
2.) The standards
you apply when purchasing headphones should be pretty much the same as
those you use when purchasing other AV equipment. After all, you will
still want to enjoy clear sound with a good bass response and the least
possible distortion. This goes for whether you are listening to your favorite
music CD through a set of speakers or through a pair of headphones.
3.) When making your
purchase, make sure the cord ends in a plug size that's compatible with
the component or portable you'll be listening to. If it comes with a mini-plug
and your equipment has a standard size socket, you will have to use an
adaptor.
4.) Some headphones
include detachable parts, like ear cushions and cords that you can replace
if you need to. This can be pretty handy, especially with the portable
types.
5.) Good fit and comfort
are basic requirements for an enjoyable experience. The best headphones
would be of little use to you if they do not fit properly. You would simply
not be able to keep them on long enough to view your favorite DVD, etc.
Hence, whenever possible, try them on before you buy them.
6.) Before you buy
your headphones, make sure you test them out in the store. Bring a CD
you know well and listen to it, using a few different sets of headphones.
Listen for clarity, good bass response and little distortion. After all,
hearing is believing. With the right set of headphones, you'll get the
dynamic sound you've been waiting for.
7.) A good pair of
headphones will normally deliver better sound quality at even higher sound
levels than many inexpensive speaker systems could ever do. This leads
to many treating themselves to a high decibel sound. My advice? Don’t
do it. Your ears could be damaged permanently.
With these tips, you
should be able to find the perfect pair of headphones for your ears!
~ Zahid H. Javali
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