Headphones - a device, without which, probably, not a single music lover can do. If we are talking about people who are professionally engaged in music or are interested in listening to tracks in Hi-End formats, then the criteria for choosing the appropriate device from them will be the most stringent. What should I look for when buying headphones? What criteria for choosing devices can be called key?
Headphone classification
To determine which headphones are good - for a computer, phone or music center, knowledge that reflects the classification of the respective devices will help us. Consider the main approaches to it, which are popular among Russian music lovers.
There are, relatively speaking, two basic categories of devices - “inserts” and full-sized devices. They differ, first of all, by the size of the diaphragm - that is, the key element that makes a sound. A widespread point of view is that the value of the corresponding component directly determines the sound quality. This is partly true - if we talk about devices of the same category. That is, it is not necessary at all that a specific full-size sample will be better than an “insert” - the specific technologies used by the headphone manufacturer are important. There are overhead headphones perfectly adapted for people who prefer an active rhythm of life. Which is the best of them - also, most often, determines the level of technology implemented by a particular brand manufacturer. This pattern can be considered common to all types of devices.
What to choose a music lover - full-size devices, on-board devices or in-ear headphones? Which are better? All marked types of devices have advantages and disadvantages. So, the earbuds are obviously more compact, they are more convenient to carry with you, relatively speaking, in your pocket. The advantages of full-sized devices are that they are usually able to provide a deeper immersion of a person in music, to create something like the effect of being at a concert. While "inserts" allow a person to hear sounds from the environment, and not just reproduced by the device - emulation of the concert in this case is difficult to implement.
If we decided to buy in-ear headphones, which ones are the best? It can be noted that this type of device can be classified within other categories. So, there are "inserts" that are located inside the auricle or are located directly in the depth of the auditory canal. Which one to choose is usually determined by the subjective preferences of users. The sound quality is determined, in this case, by brand technologies, and not by the design features of the devices.
Full-size headphone selection
If we decided to dwell on full-size devices, then what criteria are useful to adhere to in this case? As we noted above, in the case of headphones that belong to the same category, the rule generally works: the larger the aperture, the better the sound. But this is not the most important criterion. The fact is that full-size headphones are also classified into additional categories - open, half-closed, as well as those that belong to the closed type.
The assignment of devices to one or another type affects their ability to reproduce sound at low frequencies, as well as the level of hearing of the ambient sounds by the user of the headphones. In some cases, assigning devices to a particular category also determines the sound quality.
According to some experts in the field of audio equipment, closed headphones are best suited for playing heavy music. So, their design features are better suited for playing sounds in a dense stream. Enclosed headphones provide better bass response. However, the distortion level of music on open-type headphones is usually lower.
Mounting method
Consider another criterion for choosing headphones - the method of attachment. For many users, this criterion is even more important than sound quality. This is quite logical - uncomfortable headphones can bring more discomfort than those that may play a melody with some complaints. Regarding the “earbuds”, they can be fixed on the user's head with the help of a special bow placed on the ear or by placing it in the auricle itself. Such methods of fastening will be comfortable for people who like to listen to tunes, wearing a hat.
There are devices adapted for athletes. They are equipped with devices that predetermine the special comfort of wearing them when performing various exercises or while running. The usual way of attaching full-size headphones involves using a bow placed around the head. The corresponding element can also be classified on a number of grounds: such as, for example, the material of manufacture, the possibility of resizing.
Ear pads
Among the significant criteria for choosing headphones are the properties of the ear pads. Of decisive importance is the material of their manufacture. The most important thing is that it does not cause irritation on the skin, and does not increase its temperature - otherwise it will be hot to wear devices. Also, some users subjectively prefer ear pads made of soft materials, while others prefer elastic or even hard ones.
Sound quality
As you know, a person can distinguish sounds in a frequency between 15-20 Hz and 18-22 kHz. That is, no matter how high-tech headphones are in terms of reproducing frequencies outside the specified range - the average music lover, most likely, will not hear the difference. However, this range is also complemented by a classification of frequencies for low, medium and high. In this sense, the sound reproduction quality directly depends on the ability of the headphones to support all three types of frequencies. Another significant parameter of devices that affects the quality of melody playback is the level of distortion. Also important is a parameter such as sound pressure. Some experts consider such a characteristic as impedance or electrical resistance of devices to be significant. It is desirable that the corresponding indicator in the headphones correlated with the values in the devices to which they are connected.
Connection technology with a playback device
Another significant criterion for choosing headphones is the technology of their connection with the playing equipment - a PC, telephone, music center. There are three main methods of connecting devices with the corresponding equipment - the use of a standard audio cable, the use of digital interfaces - such as, for example, USB, as well as wireless communications - most often via WiFi, Bluetooth, and various branded radio standards.
What to choose - working when using wired interfaces or wireless headphones? Which are better? Both of them have both advantages and disadvantages. Wired connections are generally more stable. They are less susceptible to interference, do not require third-party devices - such as, for example, a router, in the case of using WiFi-connection. At the same time, wireless connections require much greater mobility. Although - in the case of using WiFi, the distance to which data can be transmitted, as a rule, is 30-40 meters - in some cases the wires are longer.
Adaptation of headphones to audio devices
The audio standards used in the world can be considered a model of uniformity. Most devices use the same slots - 3.5 mm. Drivers for installing the appropriate audio equipment on a PC are usually not required. In this sense, wondering which headphones are best for a phone, PC, or music center means to be able to get a universal answer that involves identifying devices that are best suited for any type of equipment. But if you think about the basis of what parameters to choose headphones for certain devices, then perhaps the main criterion will be their characteristics in terms of compatibility with the appearance of a particular device. Which headphones are better for the phone in this sense are those that successfully combine with the design concept of the device.
Which devices are optimal for the PC - those that are likely to correspond to the individual style of the user. If he is fond of programming entertainment applications for Android devices, then headphones with an original, creative, bold design concept are probably suitable for him. If he is a fan of sports simulations - perhaps for him “liners” are best suited, in which style concepts that are close to people who prefer a healthy lifestyle are implemented.
The brand
Does the brand of the device matter? Which company headphones are better? The answer to the first question probably has. At the same time, in the modern market there are a large number of worthy brands actively competing with each other. In this sense, the choice between them can be quite difficult. Thus, if we are talking about companies of one segment, it is not easy to decide on the manufacturer brand (many users do not even know who produces them, which company) of headphones. The best corporation that brings the appropriate devices to the market is often determined based on the subjective opinions of users and experts. But if the brand is among the market leaders, then most likely, due to high competition, it will always deliver high-quality goods.
So, having examined the basic criteria for choosing headphones, we will study in more detail some of the remarkable models of devices on the Russian market. Many music lovers see them as exemplary.
Leading Brands: Denon
Among the most noteworthy models of headphones from this brand, perfectly suitable for listening to music is the AH-D340 device. It is positioned as one of the most affordable devices in the framework of premium lines from the manufacturer. If the music lover has a question - which headphones are better for music, then he can safely recommend the product in question. These devices are characterized by rich, powerful sound, high power, attractive design. Many users of these headphones are especially positive about the usability of the device.
SONY
Another well- known brand-manufacturer of high-tech electronics and headphones in particular is SONY. Which headphones are better to choose from among those produced by a Japanese company? Many Russian music lovers pay attention to the device MDR-1R. The sound quality provided by the device is on top. However, a key feature of the headphones in question is versatility. The fact is that they use them equally comfortably both in the conditions of home listening to music, and on the street, in a noisy environment.
Yamaha
What are the best headphones in the Yamaha product line? It is difficult to make an objective choice, given the fact that this brand produces a huge number of high-quality types of high-tech products. However, the HPH-MT220 device is definitely noteworthy.
These headphones are characterized as belonging to the middle price segment, and therefore, they can be considered affordable for a wide range of users. At the same time, the low price does not correlate with the excellent sound quality that the device provides. Many experts praise these headphones for the quality of materials, design, assembly.
Shure
A good, affordable and high-quality solution is offered by the Shure brand in the form of the SRH940 device. Specialists characterize this device as capable of providing excellent bass support. The playback quality of the main sound ranges is also not satisfactory among experts and music lovers. Many users praise the device for the convenience of placement in the attached case.
Beyerdynamic
Which headphones are better for music when considering the premium segment? You can pay attention to the T70 device manufactured by the Beyerdynamic brand. Requirements for these headphones by music lovers will probably imply slightly different criteria than when considering mid-range devices. If, in terms of sound technology, even the most affordable mid-range models are, in principle, no worse than premium ones, then in terms of design, workmanship and materials used, the difference can be noticeable.
So, for example, in T70 many music lovers are attracted by the scale of the ear cushions, as well as their design, which implies a complete fit of the ear. As a result - an incredible immersion in the spectrum of musical chords played through the device. Experts characterize the sound on the T70 headphones as pure, powerful, bringing incredible pleasure from listening to your favorite tracks.
Audio technica
A possible competitor of the T70 in terms of finding the answer to which headphones are better for music from those presented in the higher price segment is the ATH-W1000X device manufactured by the Audio-Technica brand. Many experts attribute them to the most popular in the relevant market segment. Regarding the sound quality of the complaints, it probably can not be provided even theoretically, and therefore experts focus on other competitive advantages of the device. In particular, this applies to the materials used in its manufacture, as well as, in fact, the assembly concept. The specific design of the headphones in question is in the presence of self-regulating elements. Many users are also impressed by the fact that the cups are made of wood. This adds originality to the design, and also helps to fill the reproduced sound with barely audible, but very pleasant shades.
Sennheiser
Continuing to find out which headphones are better for premium music, we cannot ignore the devices from one of the leading brands in the corresponding segment of audio equipment - Sennheiser. The HD-800 headphones produced by this corporation are definitely worth noting. The first thing that impresses you when you get to know them is the upscale design concept.
The sound quality reproduced by the device is considered by many music lovers as a reference. Regarding the prospects of acquiring these headphones, experts recommend making sure before buying this expensive device that the used audio equipment corresponds to the class in which the device is presented.