How to Find Best Earphones for yourself???
Choosing earphones? You got this.
Of all the daily gadgets that affect quality of life, earphones are near or on top of the list. We run with them on, we take them to bed, we wear them on trains as well as aircrafts – a few of us even eat, consume alcohol, and also go to sleep under headphones. The factor? An excellent pair enhances your quality of life. And a not-so-good set? Not a lot. So stick to us below, and in the next 5-10 mins we’ll cut through the complication, aid you narrow your selections, and maybe even open your eyes in addition to your ears. And also if you’re simply searching for earphone devices or wish to avoid ahead to see a checklist of our favorites, go for it– we’ll satisfy you additionally down.
6 Steps to Picking the Right Headphones:
Exactly how will you use your earphones?
Headphone types: over-ear, on-ear, in-ear
Shut or open-back?
Wired or wireless?
Sound cancelation
Options, attachments, and also devices
Earphone Acquiring Overview Cheat Sheet
If you’re just mosting likely to check out one point, read this.
Right here are the most essential things to ask on your own and also understand when selecting your next set of earphones, in bitesize form.
Exactly how will you be using them? Are you looking for headphones that don’t diminish when you jog? Or earphones that shut out the globe on a crowded plane? The factor: how you intend to utilize your headphones must influence which type you purchase. As well as there are several types.
What type of earphones do you desire? On-ear headphones rest on your ears, while over-ear earphones cover your whole ear. As well as though in-ear earphones aren’t best for excellent audio high quality, you can do jumping-jacks in them– and also they won’t befall.
Do you want wired or cordless? Wired = an ideal pure signal, constantly, but you remain tethered to your tool (your phone, mp3 player, TELEVISION, and so on). Wireless = you’re cost-free to move around, also dance with wild desert to your favored track, however sometimes the signal isn’t 100%. (Though the majority of cordless earphones do feature a wire, so you obtain the very best of both worlds.).
Do you want shut or open? Shut as in closed-back, suggesting no openings to the outside world (everything is sealed). Open, as in open-back, with holes and/or perforations to the outside world. Shut your eyes, as well as the former guarantees you continue to be in your own globe, with nothing but the songs. The latter lets your songs out, creating a more natural listening experience (similar to a regular stereo).
Choose a trusted brand. We have a rep for testing and vetting brands– we put them all through the wringer.
Buy your new headphones from an authorized dealer. And get the manufacturer’s warranty, service, and support. (In our case, guaranteed support even long after the sale.).
Or just skip the rest of this and buy one listed here: The Best Headphones of 2022. Then give yourself a standing-O. You now have what our experts are calling one of the best pair of headphones anywhere, at any price. Any questions? You’re welcome to call and speak to one of our experts– anytime.
6 Steps to Choosing the Right Headphones.
#Step 1. Identify how you will use your headphones.
Will you be using your headphones while traveling, sitting in your listening room, or at the gym? Or maybe all three? Different headphones will be better for different situations– and the rest of this guide will help you identify the right ones for you.
Bose SoundSport Wireless Earbuds.
Bose SoundSport Wireless Earbuds.
Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones II.
Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones II.
#Step 2: Choose the right headphone type.
The biggest decision of all.
Before we get to wireless variations, noise cancellation, smart features, etc, you need to settle on your preferred headphone type first, so let’s do it. The three basic variations headphones styles are: Over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear.
Shop Over-Ear Headphones.
Over-Ear Headphones.
The biggest of the three types, over-ear headphones surround or cup your ear and stay on via light pressure on your temple and upper jaw. Over-ear headphones are the classic, original style headphones and they come in two versions: closed and open. Closed-back headphones naturally keep your music in, preventing others around you from hearing what you’re listening to, while open-back headphones have openings that let outside sounds in and inside sound out. (The effect here is a more natural, spacious sound, but more on that in a bit.).
The Good.
Over-ear headphones are the only type that leave a space between your ears and the headphone speakers. On a good pair, that space does what a good concert hall does: envelops you in sound that is natural, while lending a sense of distance between you and the performance. So music on a good set of over-ear headphones is killer, which is why so many sound engineers and music producers prefer them.
The Not-So-Good.
Typical over-ear headphone complaints include: Too bulky. Too big. Claustrophobic. I can’t hear the doorbell. “My ears feel like they get hot.” After an hour, I get ear fatigue. (Whatever that is.) But keep in mind, comfort is a matter of personal preference. Some of the more premium headphones are built with materials like lambskin and memory foam to improve comfort.
What else?
If you try to run or work out in over-ear headphones, they can make your ears sweaty. But if you’re on a 6-hour flight and you really, really need to block out the world, over-ear is best– especially with noise-canceling built-in. Lastly, bigger is always better with sound, and bigger over-ear headphones = bigger speakers + bigger (longer) battery life.
P.S. Fit & finish on a high-end pair of over-ear headphones is often gorgeous.
Shop On-Ear Headphones.
On-Ear Headphones.
On-ear headphones are generally smaller and lighter than over-ear headphones, and they stay on your head via pressure directly on your ears, like ear muffs. On-ear headphones also come in open and closed variations, but as a rule, on-ear will let more ambient sound through than over-ear headphones.
The Good.
On-ear headphones are the best compromise between blotting the aural world out while letting some sound in, making it ideal for the office or your at-home listening room. Many models fold up into a neat little portable package, and some say on-ear headphones don’t get hot like over-ear headphones. (Though we think the “hot” issue is, no pun intended, usually only an issue if you’re working out in them and get overheated. Nothing actually gets hot.).
The Not-So-Good.
Typical on-ear headphone complaints: Too much pressure on the ears hurts after a while. They fall off when I shake my head. Some ambient sound gets in no matter what. They pinch my earrings. I miss the deeper bass tones you get with over-ear models.
What else?
Some would argue that a good pair of on-ear headphones (with excellent noise cancellation built-in) is on par with an over-ear equivalent at the same price.
In-Ear & Earbud Headphones.
In-Ear Headphones.
Often called earbuds or earphones, in-ear headphones are the smallest of the three types and fit in the ear canal. They’re also everywhere these days, thanks in large part to Apple including a pair with every iPhone. (Some are even disposable. And those, we recommend disposing.) There’s a lot to love with in-ear headphones, and a lot to not love, but bottom line: 5 bucks says you have a few in a drawer somewhere and you already know the following.
The Good.
In-ear headphones are awesome (cannot-be-beat) for working out or doing anything active since they’re more portable and often feature water/sweat-resistant materials. They’re convenient, as in stuff them in your pocket or hang them around your neck. Earbuds with noise-cancelation are also surprisingly good. They don’t muss up your hair or interfere with your glasses or earrings. And the better ones sound better than you might think, given their size. (Caveat to follow.).
The Not-So-Good.
In-ear headphones tangle easily (unless they come with a tangle-free cord or you go with a pair of truly wireless headphones.) After a while, they can feel intrusive. They’re easy to lose. And the biggie: though we just said “sounds better than you might think,” don’t take that to mean they’re as good as their over or on-ear cousins. Overall aural quality and bass suffers as a result of the small size (again, unless you go for a premium pair of in-ears).
What else?
If you’re buying headphones for working out, you want in-ear headphones. (You can move on to the next section.) Some models come with attachments (sometimes called “fins”) for a more comfortable and more secure custom fit. And some models have ingenious smart and touch features – so you can answer your phone, switch playlists, mute volume, that sort of thing– without fumbling around.
#Step 3: Closed or Open-Back Headphones?
Shop Closed-Back Headphones.
Shop Closed-Back Headphones.
Shop Open-Back Headphones.
Shop Open-Back Headphones.
Closed-Back Headphones.
Here, the outer casing has no holes or vents and the entire structure is built to cup your ear. (The part that touches your face and seals the space between your ears and the outside world is, of course, a soft, cushiony material of some sort.) And the drivers are seated in the ear cup in a way that sends (or points) all sound solely to your ears. This is the most common design found in all types of headphones (over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear headphones).
The net effect: Close your eyes and you have an orchestra playing live inside your head. Meanwhile, the person next to you hears nothing. (Well, technically, nothing is 100% leakproof when it comes to audio, but you get the idea.) Bottom line: under closed-back headphones, you’re in your own world. Just add noise-canceling tech, and your world will seem far, far away from the real one.
Open-Back Headphones.
Open-back headphones. See the vents and holes? With the drivers exposed to the outside world (as opposed to seated in the ear cups), sound gets through and lets air flow in and out of the ear. This creates more spacious sound (or soundstage) and the illusion of a regular stereo. Some say this is a more natural, less contrived way to hear music. And if we stick with our “like listening to an orchestra” analogy, this time you are in the conductor’s seat, on stage among the musicians.
The only caveat: Everyone around you will hear the music you’re listening to as a result, so they’re not ideal for public areas like a plane or train. The best places to listen to open-back headphones: at home or in the office (next to very understanding co-workers, of course.).
So now, hopefully, you know your preferred headphone type, and whether or not you want closed or open backed. So let’s keep going … the good stuff is next.
#Step 4: Wired or wireless?
This one’s easy, but we say it’s a matter of personal preference.
Bose SoundSport Free True Wireless Earbuds.
Bose SoundSport Free True Wireless Earbuds.
Bose SoundSport Wireless Earbuds.
Bose SoundSport Wireless Earbuds.
First, a quick history: Once upon a time somebody invented Bluetooth, and then somebody else put Bluetooth in a pair of headphones (essentially inventing the world’s first pair of wireless headphones) and though yes, that was clearly a great idea, there was one big problem: music in first generation Bluetooth headphones sounded awful. As in tinny, spotty awful … or AM radio in a bowl of water awful.
That was then. This is now. Today’s premium Bluetooth wireless headphones are so awesome, sound quality is virtually indistinguishable from wired versions of the same thing. And you have two different types to choose from: wireless and truly wireless.
Wireless headphones have a cord connecting the two earbuds, like the Bose SoundSport in ears. With truly wireless headphones like the Bose SoundSport Free, there are no wires for connecting to a music source, and no wires between each earbud (see below).
And we could list the benefits that come with wireless headphones– the sense of freedom, no longer being physically tethered to a device, and so on– but why? This is a no-brainer: If you can afford wireless headphones, buy them. After all, almost every pair of wireless headphones on the market today also ships with a wire, so you still get the best of both worlds.
That said, there are still two big reasons to consider wired headphones. The first: If you’re a serious musician, sound engineer and/or audio tech, you’re going to want wired headphones for the higher quality audio and consistently better sound– no matter the conditions. True for audiophiles as well, and/or anyone who lives for their music.
The second big reason for wired over wireless: battery life. Bluetooth is a steady drain on the battery, and you can never really predict when the battery will run out. (Though you can expect 10 to 20+ hours on most wireless headphones.).
#Step 5: Noise cancelation.
To hear, or not to hear? That is the question.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700.
Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Industry-Leading Noise-Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones with Google Assistant.
Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones.
Quick recap.
Ideally, at this point, you’ve picked your headphone style: Over-Ear, On-Ear or In-Ear. Then you chose either the open back or closed back design. Next, you weighed the benefits of wireless and noise-canceling technologies. Now, it’s on to the little– but still valuable– extras.
Back in 1978, an up and coming company called Bose became NASA-like, throwing its considerable talents against a sophisticated noise-canceling technology that would take 11 years to perfect in their headphones. Today, that technology is only better, and in fact, Sony’s own version is so otherworldly good, you ‘d think they’re using witchcraft or magic somehow.
The real story here: there are two different types of noise cancelation headphone technology, and both work to eliminate the noise around you (like the annoying barking dog next door or the kids watching cartoons) so you can focus on your music. “Active noise-canceling,” is a new methodology where unwanted sounds are eliminated via new sounds created and tailored to cancel them out. “Passive noise-reduction” is less expensive, needs no power, and uses insulating techniques to prevent unwanted noise.
Enough backstory. Here’s the deal:.
If you haven’t bought headphones in the last three years, you’re in for a really nice surprise. It’s hard to overstate how much better quality headphones are– over-ear, on-ear, or in-ear– with the latest noise-canceling tech inside. Whether it’s the sound of a busy plane or train interior, the city at night, the buzz of nearby office workers or even the hum of light machinery nearby, it all goes away, leaving nothing but you and your music.
The best noise-canceling headphones are indeed pricey (expect to spend upwards of $149), and contenders for “best of noise-canceling” include MVPs like Bose and Sony.
#Step 6. Options, add-ons, and accessories.
A few ways to make a good thing even better.
AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt USB Digital-to-Analog Converter.
AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt USB Digital-to-Analog Converter.
McIntosh MHA50 Portable Decoding Headphone Amplifier.
McIntosh MHA50 Portable Decoding Headphone Amplifier.
Amplifiers.
Headphone amplifiers range from $99 to $5000. (No doubt Bruno Mars has the 5K one.) Why you ‘d want one: A good headphone amp takes headphone performance up a few notches, from “hey, that sounds better” to “wow, Taylor Swift is way better than I thought.” How it works: Among other things, a headphone amp will access nuanced low-level digital information often buried during recording. The result: more clarity, a bigger dynamic range and incredible detail.
Using a headphone amp is easy as 1, 2, 3. 1) Plug in the headphone amp AC. 2) Connect the headphone amp to your device with the right patch cord. Most amps come with different patch cords, just pick the one that works with your device, whether a phone, tablet, receiver, etc 3) Plug your headphones into your new headphone amp. Done.
DACs.
DAC = Digital to Analog Converter. Digital music in the form of an MP3 file is heavily compressed, and as a result, lacks the detail and dynamics that were part of the original analog recording. But a DAC turns that digital file back into an analog file … and that analog file is much closer to the original studio recording. Although every digital music player already comes with a DAC, a separate, better DAC will convert your music files more faithfully. The result: better, richer, cleaner, more accurate sound. (A DAC requires a headphone amp to work, although most of the ones you’ll find are amps, too.).
A DAC lives between your device– whatever you listen to music on (smart phone, tablet, mp3 player, and so on)– & and your headphones. One cord connects your DAC to your device, and another cord connects your headphones to your DAC. You’re up and running in seconds.
Cables & Stands.
Many over-ear headphones will come with their own cases to protect against dust, dirt, and damage. But if you listen to them frequently and want to show them off, a headphone stand is a great option for displaying your gear. In the case that you need to upgrade your headphone cable or ear cups, some brands sell replacement parts to keep your headphones like new.
What about music type?
What headphones work best for listening to progressive rock? What about contemporary classical music?
At the end of the day, headphone preference is totally subjective. Some might prefer a little more bass, even though they only listen to baroque classics, while someone else really cares about the vocals in hip-hop. So our advice: it isn’t something you’ll need to worry about. And if you’re purchasing a premium pair of headphones (think $600+), you can be sure every little detail is delivered with pristine clarity.
Why such big differences in prices?
A high-end pair of headphones, say anything in the $1K to $5K range, is built using the finest materials, and more often than not, assembled, calibrated and tested by hand. (Headphones less than $1K are typically mostly robot-built, like most cars, with some hand-assembly.).
For example, the earcups on Focal’s Utopia headphones are wrapped in Italian lambskin leather over high-density, memory-foam. The yoke is perfectly balanced, made from carbon fiber, also leather wrapped, and really, really comfortable. Inside, pure beryllium speaker drivers, and not to get overly technical: a frequency response from Focal’s transducer that ranges from 5Hz to more than 50kHz– without any crossover or passive filtering– which is amazing, and very close to perfect. Even the cord is special, and specifically selected to respect and maintain the original audio signal with a special shielding to protect it from interference.
On the lower end, if you can live without Italian lambskin and pure beryllium drivers, you can still get spectacular sound for far less. (And BTW, at World Wide Stereo, if we don’t think something’s worth the money because of inferior sound quality or build quality– we don’t carry it.).
What about the warranty?
When you buy from an authorized dealer, your new headphones will come with the full manufacturer’s warranty. What’s more, with an authorized dealer, you also get phone and email support from the dealer in addition to support from the manufacturer.
Still not sure?
No problem. We’re here, and this is what we do every single day.
At World Wide Stereo, we carefully vet all of our headphone brands and models so you don’t have to, and our 40-year near perfect track record and # 2 Customer Service rating from USA Today says it all. Your new headphones are an investment, buy them from a trusted dealer with a stellar track record and you’re good as gold.
And if you’re still not sure which headphones are right for you, or if you have a question we didn’t answer, or a unique situation– do not hesitate to pick up the phone and talk to us. Seriously, we live for helping customers make great choices, whatever the budget or situation. The way we see it: when we do right by you, whether now, next year, or even years after a sale, you’re going to come back. And probably more than once. Eventually, we’re on a first name basis … and if you’re in the neighborhood, you’re even stopping by for our special events, and chatting with our experts. Life is good.