Doesn’t it feel like a task to choose the right electronic gadget for you, especially when it comes to phones or headphones? When it comes to electronics, headphones are definitely on the top of the list because who isn’t addicted to audio devices?
According to Statista, the number of headphones sold worldwide has increased from 236 million in 2013 to 334 million in 2016!
But finding and buying the pair of headphones that feel just right to you might be tough, so here is an article that’ll make matters easier for you!
Purpose of using
Do you need headphones while you jog in the morning? Perhaps one that blocks out all the surrounding noise when you’re peacefully sitting on the plane? Or a pair that makes you feel calm and relaxed while you’re studying for your exams? Or maybe one that does all these jobs!
Depending on the time and purpose of using your headphones, you’ll have to choose accordingly.
Headphone type
Almost all of us know there are three types of headphones, namely over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear. Over-ear headphones have a large cup-shaped sound system that settles snugly over your ears and a band connects the two discs. While they are very comfortable, they can be bulky and expensive.
On-ear headphones are much smaller and lighter earphones that stay on the ears directly by applying pressure. They efficiently block out surround sound and are lightweight, but after a while can cause the ears to pain slightly. They may also fall off easily.
In-ear headphones fit in the ear canal and are the smallest. They are extremely useful for joggers or during heavy exercise, but the sound quality may slightly deteriorate. They also tend to tangle easily, causing a headache!
Wired/Wireless
This is another important factor while choosing your headphones-whether you want them to be wired or wireless. Wired ones have a cord connecting the two earpieces and the wireless ones don’t.
Although initially, the non-wired or Bluetooth headphones emitted an awful sound quality, the ones available now are superb. They also add the extra comfort of not being connected to your phone or iPod all the time and are easy to carry. However, yet, many prefer the traditional wired ones too.
Noise cancellation
The main purpose of using a good pair of headphones is to block out noise, right? But how do you choose which kind of noise cancellation world for you?
There are two types of ways this is achieved- active noise canceling uses new sounds and methods to block out unwanted noise, and passive noise reduction uses simple insulating techniques to block noise. The latter requires less fancy technology and costs less too.
Accessories
Now that you’ve decided on the headphones, you should definitely think about the accessories you’d like to buy if any. Accessories like amplifiers, DACs (Digital to Analog converters), and cables and stands are some of the few options you may choose from.
Price
This is one of the most important factors to consider while buying your headphones. Are you trying to buy a moderately good pair of headphones that won’t burn a hole in your pocket, or would you like to buy a much more expensive pair that gives you the satisfaction you could never imagine? Depending on the range, you could even opt for online purchases since they cost less sometimes.
Brand
Do you have a specific brand in mind, like Bose or Sony? Or are you looking for headphones irrespective of the brand? While brand and quality are sometimes co-related, it is always best to opt for a well-known company that guarantees you the perfect sound and bass.
Some very well-known brands are SkullCandy and JBL, so you may decide to choose from these too.
Over to you…
It’s definitely not very tough to choose a pair of earphones for you if you’ve got a budget and type in mind. But it can get confusing to choose from thousands of earphones, many of them belonging to the same brand!
However, it is always best to go to a store and check out the different categories of headphones and even test them to ensure you’re getting what you want.
You can follow this guide and then make a thorough decision, but be sure to use the headphones in moderate amounts to prevent injury to the ears or even the brain! So keep searching and shop for your perfect pair now!
