Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Headphones for You

Buying a good pair of headphones might seem simple, especially if you have a set budget. Usually, how much money you have will decide what type of headphones you can buy, but often you can pick the style of headphones you like. We’ve created a guide to help you understand the terms used for different types of headphones.

In this guide, we will explain the different kinds of headphone designs, how they connect, and the technology used in the headphones you can buy today. Keep reading, and you should find out which headphones are best for you.

Style that fits well.

First, we’ll explain the different types of fit styles. There are three main styles of headphones, and each has its own pros and cons. Keep reading to learn more.

Around the ear / over the ear.

The biggest type of headphones are over-the-ear ones, which fit over your ears and block out noise well. Your ears sit inside the ear cup, which is usually soft and cushioned all around. This is seen as the most comfortable and least annoying option. It also has benefits like better noise blocking and bigger speakers. Big drivers often make headphones louder and sound better. They can also use different technologies that need more space inside the casing.

There are a few downsides to circum-aural headphones. They are bigger in size, and they might block out too much outside noise or make your ears feel hot and uncomfortable. The first option means you probably need a special case and extra space in your backpack, while the second option means you might need to take the headphones off often to let your ears breathe. Also, being too isolated might cause problems when using over-the-ear headphones in certain situations, like when you’re outside or traveling.

Supra-aural / on-the-ear:

These are headphones that sit on top of your ears rather than covering them completely.

This fit style is like the circum-aural fit, but the ear cups are smaller and have less padding. This means the headphones rest on your ears Instead of covering them completely. This lets the headphones have bigger speakers and a comfortable fit, but they might not block out noise well and could press on your ears, causing some discomfort.

On-the-ear headphones are smaller, which makes them easier to carry and store. They can also be a good choice for people who want their ears to breathe a bit more or need to hear what’s happening around them. However, this type of headphone is also seen as the least secure because they can easily fall off while running or making quick movements with your head.

In-ear / inside the ear:

In-the-ear headphones are very popular because they are small and easy to carry or store. Each earbud has a tiny speaker that can make sounds loud enough because it’s placed inside the ear canal, closer to the eardrum. You can also use these headphones while lying down, which is another big reason why many people like this style.

Some people think in-ear headphones can feel annoying because they fit deep in the ear, which many find uncomfortable. Also, the small size of the drivers usually leads to worse sound quality compared to on-ear or over-ear headphones.

Now, it is possible to have improved sound technology in in-ear headphones, like balanced armature or planar magnetic drivers. Some good examples of these headphones are the 1More triple Driver, which uses special small drivers, and the Audeze iSine 10, which uses a different kind of technology called planar magnetic drivers.

Earbud:

A small device you wear in your ear to listen to music or sounds.

Earbuds are usually seen as similar to in-ear headphones. They are the cheapest option, but they don’t sound as good. Earbud headphones have small speakers and are similar in size to in-ear headphones, but they sit outside the ear canal instead of inside it. Instead, they are located just outside the ear canal and face directly toward the eardrums. As a result, the noise blocking and sound quality are usually not very good.

The main benefits of this style are its lower price, the ability to hear more of what’s happening around you, and a comfortable fit. However, this older design is not often found in new headphones anymore.

Connectedness:

Headphones used to need wires to connect to devices, but this has changed recently. You can now use wireless headphones, and if you prefer wired ones, there are different types of connectors available. Keep reading to learn more.

Wired 3.5mm:

These headphones have a common design and are popular. They come with a 3. 5mm plug that can easily fit into a matching socket on your device. This technology uses a widely accepted and free standard that has long been the go-to choice for connecting audio. The system uses a regular audio signal that goes to the headphones, which also get their power from the device they’re connected to.

The biggest benefits of the 3. 5mm plug are that it works everywhere and is easy to use. You don’t need to set anything up. If your device has a 3. 5mm headphone jack (which most phones, music players, and computers do), you just plug it in and start using it. You can find a 3. 5mm plug on most wired headphones.

Wired USB Type-C and Lightning:

These headphones are less common than the 3. 5mm ones, but they are becoming more popular as many new phones and computers are removing the headphone jack. They connect using the USB Type-C or Lightning ports instead. This helps phone makers use space for other things while still keeping audio connections. Most Android devices use USB Type-C connectors, while Apple devices use their own Lightning connector.

However, these ports can only carry digital signals, so the headphones still need to convert them to analog sounds. The sound quality of headphones that use these connectors depends on two things: how good the speakers are and how well the headset changes digital sound into analog sound. However, these headphones are becoming more popular, especially for users who want to connect with a wire but their devices don’t have a 3. 5mm A well-liked choice that connects with Type-C is the OnePlus Bullets Type-C, and it costs Rs. 1,499 can be written as one thousand four hundred ninety-nine.

Wireless Bluetooth:

means a way to connect devices without wires using radio signals.

Right now, Bluetooth seems to be the future for headphones. Almost all smartphones now have Bluetooth, and wireless headphones are cheaper than before, making it easier to listen without wires. Also, Bluetooth technology is getting better and better, and new wireless audio methods like aptX and LDAC make the sound quality much clearer.

Having no wire between the music source and headphones is very easy and comfy. You can find Bluetooth headphones in all the popular styles. This is especially helpful for listening while you exercise or travel, as wires can be a hassle in these situations. Bluetooth headphones need power to work, so they have a battery inside that you have to charge like a smartphone. When the battery is dead, Bluetooth headphones are useless until they are charged again.

Also, true wireless headphones connect using Bluetooth, but usually only the main earbud connects to the device. These have the added benefit of being wire-free, even between the two earbuds. This Is usually thought to be more comfortable than regular wireless earbuds, especially when exercising or traveling. True wireless headphones are easy to lose because they are small, need a special charging case, and usually have shorter battery life than other wireless headphones. They also tend to be much more expensive.

In the end, some people will always say that wireless headphones don’t sound as good as wired headphones. Even though Bluetooth sound is getting better, the best sound will always come from a good pair of wired headphones with a good cable.

Wireless Radio Frequency:

A way to send signals without wires, using radio waves.

The least used type of popular wireless headphones is the radio frequency version. Like Bluetooth, RF headphones don’t need wires to work, but they operate in a different way. Bluetooth headphones connect straight to the device you’re using, while RF headphones connect to a base unit that’s linked to the device. This type of connection is great for home use with things like a TV, CD player, or audio system. The base unit talks to the headset and often charges its battery too.

RF headphones aren’t very useful outside because it’s hard to take the base unit with you. However, RF provides a steadier connection that can send more audio data without wires over longer distances, so the sound quality is much better than Bluetooth. The Sennheiser RS 120 II is a popular and affordable wireless headset choice you can find today.

Driver Technology:

How technology helps manage and control drivers (like those used for vehicles or devices).

Many advancements and technology are used in headphones, especially in the drivers. These are the main parts of any headphones that make the sound after getting the signal. There are a few different kinds of drivers. Keep reading to learn more.

Dynamic:

means something that is always changing or active.

Dynamic drivers are the most common type of headphone speakers. They are cheap to make, so you often find them in very affordable headphones. It’s very easy to use with power, and most smartphones and music players can easily drive it. But because it’s cheap and user-friendly, it’s clear that it doesn’t perform as well as others.

Some brands, like Sennheiser, have created great high-quality headphones with dynamic drivers. However, this technology is mostly used in cheaper and mid-range headphones. Because of this, many people use this driver technology, which is found in different kinds of headphones, like in-ear, over-ear, and on-ear models. Dynamic drivers are known for providing the best sound for low-end frequencies, which means they produce better bass.

Balanced Armature:

A balanced armature is a part of a microphone or speaker that helps in making sound. It is designed in a way that keeps it steady and reduces noise, allowing for clearer sound.

One main benefit of balanced armature drivers is that they are small, and they often perform much better than similar regular drivers. As a result, balanced armature drivers are often used in mid-range and high-end in-ear headphones because they can fit into smaller spaces. Balanced armature drivers also make it possible to create designs with multiple drivers.

Balanced armature drivers cost more to make than dynamic drivers, but they offer better sound quality when tuned correctly. So, you can find in-the-ear headphones that sound better, and many high-quality options have this clearer type of sound.

Planar Magnetic:

Planar magnetic drivers are an improvement over balanced armature technology and are becoming more common in high-quality headphones. The higher costs of making and adjusting these drivers usually lead to a much higher price. However, when adjusted correctly, these headphones often produce sound that is considered very high quality.

It’s important to know that planar magnetic drivers are bigger and need a lot of power to work well. They usually need special amplifiers and good source equipment to perform at their best. Users can usually expect clear and balanced sound with very little distortion from these headphones. Well-known brands like Audeze have built a good name in this area, shown by products like the Audeze LCD-3.

Electrostatic:

This term refers to electric charges that are not moving. It involves the attraction or repulsion between objects because of their electric charges. For example, when you rub a balloon on your hair, it can stick to the wall because of electrostatic forces.

Electrostatic headphones are known to be the most expensive type, both to make and to use. These drivers need a lot of power, so they require special amplifiers and good equipment. Also, electrostatic drivers make headphones much bigger than other types.

Electrostatic headphones offer a sound experience that is often said to be unmatched, with amazing clarity and sensitivity. However, good electrostatic headphones can be very expensive, which makes them hard for most people to buy.

Bone Conduction:

Bone conduction is a way that sound can travel to your ears. Instead of going through the air, sounds vibrate through your bones. This helps people hear even if their ears don’t work properly.

Bone conduction technology is often ignored and works differently from regular headphones. Instead, it uses a special driver that sends sound through the jaw and cheekbones, directly reaching the eardrums without going through the ear canal. The headset is placed under the ears, making it feel like the sound is coming from outside.

This method keeps the ears clear and free, which can be helpful in situations like sports and the military. However, it’s important to mention that the sound quality usually isn’t as good as dynamic drivers, even though they often cost more.

Hybrid:

A mix or combination of different things.

Hybrid-driver headphones aren’t considered a separate type of driver, but they use two or more different sound technologies in one headset. Usually, this means using both dynamic drivers and balanced armature drivers together. But there are other types too, like the Sharkk Bravo hybrid headphones, which use electrostatic drivers.

This mixed setup lets users take advantage of the best features of both types of drivers. It uses dynamic drivers for better low-end sound and armature drivers for clearer mid and high sounds. These headphones are a bit expensive, but people really like them because they have a wide sound range.