headphone
Consumers should pay attention to this when purchasing
Which headphone is the right one?
© FTiare / Shutterstock.com
Whether on the way to work or to watch a movie late at night: If you want to buy new headphones, you should keep these things in mind.
Listening to music through headphones is an absolute must for many people on the daily commute or during sports, among other things. If you want a first-class sound experience in all imaginable situations, you have to fall back on high-quality models. But since these mostly belong to the upper price range, it is important to inform yourself in detail before buying. The following tips can help you make the right choice.
In- or on-ear?
Choosing between shell headphones and earphones is basically a matter of taste. The former are divided into over and on ears. While over-ear headphones with a large cushion completely surround the ear, their counterpart only rests on the ear. When it comes to earphones, experts differentiate between earbuds that are loosely in the auricle and in-ears, which have a plastic extension and thus guarantee a firm fit in the ear.
Open and closed systems
If the decision is made to use shell headphones, both closed and open systems come into question. Closed versions usually offer a slightly more bass-heavy sound experience. In addition, they largely prevent sounds from penetrating the outside and also better shield the user from the environment. This makes them ideal for use in the presence of other people.
Open headphones, on the other hand, usually produce a more natural sound and are therefore particularly suitable for film and game lovers. However, the sound is also clearly audible from the outside, so that other people could feel disturbed by it. In addition, they are not shielded from the inside and are therefore particularly suitable for the home. If you are looking for a compromise, you can also look for half-open headphones, which are, however, less common than their counterparts.
Active noise cancellation
If you use headphones to listen to music on public transport and don’t want to be disturbed by outside noise, you should use noise-canceling models. These use so-called noise canceling or noise cancellation technologies. In active systems, built-in microphones perceive sounds from the outside, a chip calculates the whole thing and a loudspeaker inside the shell generates sound waves that are supposed to neutralize the background noise. High-quality headphones with such a function can usually only be found in the upper price ranges.
Headphone sound dynamics
Music lovers in particular should familiarize themselves with the specific characteristics of headphones. Because the models are particularly suitable for different music genres. For example, a more bass-heavy sound is usually preferred by many hip-hop fans, but in the end it all depends on the preferences of the user. In addition, no two headphones are the same. In principle, consumers benefit from being able to try out different models first.
In addition, consideration should be given to the area of application in which the headphones are primarily intended to be used. In-ear models, for example, are often better suited for sport than on-ear versions.