Headphones are used today in many spheres of activity. But we talk on domestic applications. The abundance of models and different classifications often confusing the buyer. What choose headphones to listen to music? And for TV viewing? And for MP3 or portable gaming console? And for the home studio? Let us try to understand.
Choosing headphones, no means rely on only one known brand. There is a guarantee of quality, and higher than those of competitors, price. Unfortunately, the latter often stems from the very popularity of the brand. The fee for the "brand" and not "for" a product these days has become common. The first basic rule: if you choose headphones for a prolonged operation and would like a sound best meets your wishes, should ALWAYS Measured headphones and listen before buying. Except when headphones knowingly bought cheap, "at once". Listen preferably on equipment, class / quality similar to you in the future will operate headphones.
With portable equipment easier - it is always possible to bring to the store. Do not neglect this opportunity: even constructively similar devices such as MR3-pleery, can be played with the same headphones in different ways, individually reacting to the tone of their balance and resistance. Brings her.
For stationary equipment to the store did not give. So if this is a high-class headphones, after listening to the sound equipment in the store before buying agree on the best possible refund or exchange for other headphones if purchased "clash" is not at home, that is not like the sound of when to use your equipment. Primerka also important: uncomfortable sitting on the head or located in the ears headphones will constantly draw attention to themselves - is not really to assess the nuances of sound.
Terminology
Headphone-type design:
- Overhead: Overhead headphones can be different sizes and forms: from large to be for home use, "to compact trailer for" elegant bow to the streets. In all cases, the sound emitters (dynamics) is located outside the auricle of the ear.
- Boxes: Headphone this type are placed directly in the auditory canal, in its very beginning. In response to another and function berushey, Boxes headphones potentially better isolate the listener from external noise than overhead. In practice, however, all depends on the specific model (see below). Nevertheless Boxes headphones in the street and in the transport used more often because they are easily placed in the pocket even when not needed, and not be hindered by the parent leaves. However, the sound quality comparable to most headphones Boxes good overhead.
Acoustical design (true for overhead headphones):
- Closed: Shells headphones (subdivision, which established the momentum) have closed design (vicious volume) as to prevent the infiltration of outside noise. Such acoustic design preferable for space sensitive to noise or traffic. Normally closed issued with ear headphones (soft ponchikovidnymi seals between body and head headphones), covering the whole ear sink or adjacent to the densely.
- Open: In headphones open to the dynamics do not create an isolated chamber. Slots, gaps, drapes, all these elements provide domestic cup headphones, the volume of communication with the outside world, thus reducing the effect of air cushion (it can interfere with the correct movement membranes), and giving part of Sound waves from the shell (minimizing reflections). Typically, open type headphones sound cleaner and more specifically its private counterparts, but a good model for open only in a quiet room or virtually silent transport (ship, bicycle).
The type of signal transmission:
- Wired: The classic and most common version of the connection. Leads can come from two headphones, and only one (of a second wire is usually within the influence of the bed-head and the first of two headphones fall in the overall cable sheath).
- Wireless: To signal transmission scheme used peredatchik-priemnik. "Transportation" information can be based on the infrared channel (similar to working remote control), on radio or on digital wireless channel. Having a user of "tied" wired, wireless way to transfer audio sound quality deteriorates markedly. Even if use the same headphones, those that will work on a wireless channel, will be noticeably worse sound (less frequency and dynamic ranges, more noise and distortion) and will be harder (built-in headphone amplifier and receiver need a battery for powering). And any modern technology has not been able to bring wireless headset wired to the sound quality and immunity. For that reason, wireless headphones is recommended to buy only to see television at night. And also for all other situations where the lack of wires is the main requirement.
Sensitivity and Resistance (true for wired headphones):
- Sensitivity and Resistance purchased headphones to know in advance that there were no problems with their use. For example, for portable equipment (player, consoles, CPC) is not worth taking headphones resistance more than 32 ohms. On the high-sound headphones may be too quiet, even at maximum volume. For stationary technology (player or amplifier, remote mikshernogo) resistance headphones special significance is not, although with the studio-600 rials models can also cause problems. Sensitivity headphones determines how loud those will be heard at the same level supplied signal. For portable headphones that figure should not be less than 100 dB. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers indicate the sensitivity of low-cost models. In this case, at least see resistance.
Headphones for portable equipment
- If you chose to use headphones overhead, they must necessarily be closed acoustical design, low (24-32 ohms), high sensitivity and resistance. The possibility emerged welcome. In terms of sound quality and sound great overhead headphones are the best solution. Relying on good sound quality, it makes sense to start looking for a suitable model with the price bar $40. For instance, the Sennheiser HD series, a model from Philips. In the price category $60-$100 much broader choice: Beyerdynamic DT Series / DTX, a multitude of options from Sennheiser, Koss (mostly famous PortaPro and SportaPro), junior AKG. There are interesting and copies from other manufacturers.
- Choice boxes headphones too begin by determining the price category. Typically, up to $20 did not curious. Good Boxes headphones begin with bar $30-$40. Particular attention should be paid to the quality of the crop. Unlike overhead headphones "boxes" are in close contact with the auditory canal tender skin, so comfort should be stoprotsentnym. That sample for a couple of minutes in the store seem tolerant, wearing an hour can turn into intolerable discomfort. Worst in this version - models with plastic contact surface. This, in principle, can not be conveniently set (always a sense that something prevented), so good either Bass or should not be expected to sound. There models lead to better themselves with gentle silicone seals. Through dense they provide a good ear and a good acoustic bass. To this day, one of the most interesting of this type headphones are Sony MDR-EX series. Although in recent times, and there are many other worthy options. But keep in mind that a good ear headphones faces quite expensive.
Headphones for listening to music at home
Full size headphones for homes outside competition.Only they can provide comfort, combined with a high-quality sound. Such parameters as the resistance and sensitivity, it makes sense to put at the forefront if headphone amplifier for your equipment has limited capacity (for example, when you connect directly to the computer's sound card). And so the sound quality, the principal criterion. Planting too important. But, frankly, of quality headphones known producers, we do not have long bones frankly inconvenient full size model.
If you listen quietly in a room (with no windows or highway near the airport), it is desirable to choose an open-type headphones. They provide a clean, transparent sound and better bass. Price category, which suggest that the selection of candidates to start distance-from $160. So sound quality starts from $250-$300. Of course, a price bar does not guarantee an adequate result. Wonderland is not to wait: cruel laws of the market, a well-sounding low-price models have long been no one else. We only give guidance price that you have imagined investment. Choose same headphones makes sense of the range of such companies as Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, Koss, Audio-Techica, AKG, Grado. And remember: the quality headphones, so they need better sound source and amplifier. Therefore, when planning the budget to buy expensive headphones makes sense to lay in it and the amount to a separate amplifier for headphones (at least several hundred dollars.) In the case of severe financial constraints, as a specialized amplifier can be used compact Powered Mixer, which will cost $100-$300.
Headphones for television viewing
Wired headphones to suggest TV collated on the same criteria as headphones for portable equipment: overhead, full size, closed-end (so as not to disturb household), with low resistance. But even desirable that the headphone wires or headphones themselves on the shell was the volume control. It will free you from the need to drag the control room.
Wireless model is closer to choose. To start with the principle decide headphones work. Infrared (connects to the television transmitter, a signal to the headphones comes in the form of IR) can provide relatively clean sound at low cost, but only worked in direct sight from the transmitter, up to 5-7 meters. And head preferably not actively SPIN. RF model may work in neighboring rooms, but in themselves RF - headphones several expensive infrared. Choose a model to taste suggest the range of Philips, AKG, and other well-known companies.
To work with sound
Headphone home studios are in addition to display columns, but not the main tool of analysis and correction of the sound. Monitor Headphones can be used in the first stages of work, as well as to test all things and phonogram inaccuracies (in a good headphones the sound of detail is usually higher than that of acoustic systems monitor the primary and secondary levels, which are used in the home studio). But the headphones can not be dealt with the attention. Remember that. Headphones "studio" class usually starts from $150-$250. The assortment of brands listed in the article (except that Philips and Elecom) is the appropriate model.
Not fads!
Keep in mind that much faster headphones lead to the deterioration and loss of hearing than acoustic systems. And, of course, do not forget about the interruption: more than two hours listening to music is not even the normal volume.
