Earphones and headphones are some of the most personal gadgets you’ll ever buy. So, you’ll need to choose the best for your lifestyle and unique needs. We’ll go through everything you need to consider in this guide, but first.
Earphones or headphones?
Headphones are large. And because of this, they produce better sound quality and have longer lasting batteries. They sit over the head and come in the around-the-ear or on-ear styles. A headphone’s structure enables you to hang it on your neck when not in use.
On the other hand, earbuds are small in size, which allows them to enter part of the ear canal. As a result, they are sometimes called earphones or in-ear headphones. Their batteries don’t last as long, but they’re more portable than headphones.
Specifications
Here are the different specifications to consider.
Frequency response
A wireless headphone’s/earbud’s frequency response is the headphone’s ability to reproduce all frequencies, say, mids, bass, and tremble from the lowest to the highest tone.
An excellent frequency response increases your overall aural headphone experience.
So, how do you choose the headphones with the right frequency response? This depends on the kind of music you listen to. Low-frequency headphones will be the best choice if your music taste leans towards reggae, dancehall, techno, and EDM. On the other hand, choose high-frequency wireless headsets for classical, pop, and rock genres.
Sensitivity
Sensitivity keeps a user’s ears from damage. It determines the intensity of the sound that your wireless headsets produce.
Sound sensitivity is measured in decibels (dB), ranging from 70dB to 110dB.
High sensitivity devices increase a headphone’s driver performance using little power. However, there is a risk of distortion of sound at higher volumes. And this may damage both your headphone drivers and ears.
On the other hand, audio devices with low sensitivity need more power. But, they don’t damage the headphone drivers. This means that they are more durable. To improve their sound quality, you need to pair them with high-power supplying devices.
Impedance
Every headphone requires a specific level of power to operate. And this is what we call impedance.
All headphones have unique impedance levels. Say, 8, 16, 32, and up to more than 600 ohms. The lower the impedance level, the less power is needed to deliver high audio levels. And the higher the impedance level, the more power is required to produce high audio levels.
Tip: You get better volume when your headphone drivers’ voltage level is similar to its impedance.
How do you know the right impedance for your devices?
This all depends on the power output of the devices you connect to your wireless headphones or earbuds.
Low impedance headphones need gadgets with low power output. So, they are suitable for phones and other portable devices (music players) with weak amplification. However, if used on powerful amplifiers, they are most likely to blow out.
Likewise, high impedance headphones require devices with high power output. This will enable them to produce the same output as low impedance level headphones.
Special headphone/earbud features
Water resistance
Water-resistant wireless headphones are more durable. This is because you can use them in any environment, in both dry and wet conditions.
Water-resistant wireless headphones or earbuds come in different types. They can be sweatproof or waterproof.
Microphone and controls
The microphone enables you to make or answer calls without using the phone.
Different headphones have different controls. So, you have the choice to select a headphone with the type of controls you want. Such control includes volume adjustment, answering and ending calls, muting audio, and skipping tracks.
So, how do you select the right headphones with the proper controls? It depends on what you want to use the headphones for; hence, find one that suits your needs. If your activities require the microphone and other controls, buy a wireless microphone brand with these features.
Also, check the headphone’s compatibility with your other gadgets. For example, some headphones or functionality will only support Apple products, and others will support android devices.
Some of these brands support touch or physical controls. But you should know that touch commands or controls can at times fail to work.
Battery life
If you are always on the move, the battery life of your wireless headphones or earbuds is essential. Headphones tend to have more battery life than earbuds.
Detachable cables
Some wireless headphones come with detachable cables. This means that you can switch between wireless and wired mode, say, when the battery dies.
Foldable headphones
When it comes to convenience, foldable headphones are the best. You can easily fold them up along their joints and travel with them comfortably.
Voice commands/assistants
We are in the days where headphones/earbuds support voice inputs instead of touch. Newer models of headphones have built-in support for voice assistants like Alexa. You can use them to make calls and make selections of songs. Or you can buy wireless headphones that use your phone’s voice command function.
Sound leakage
Some headphones leak sound. And this enables people in the vicinity to hear what you are listening to. These same headphones also allow the user to listen to the eternal noise in your surroundings. These are what we call open headphones.
But if you like keeping out outside noise and maintaining audio privacy, buy the closed models with a solid outer casting. They will give you the audio isolation that you desire.
Replaceable parts
Choose headsets whose parts are readily available on the market, and you can easily replace them. Such components include ear canal fittings (earbuds) and pads around the over-ear or on-ear headphones.
Conclusion
Buying the right wireless headphones or earbuds all comes back to your taste and preference and their use. But whatever the case, you can find all assortments of wireless headphones at affordable prices at Auctionwin.