Headphone Buying Guide
Headphones have evolved to fit every need, niche and price range imaginable. The new generation of aftermarket headphones offer much more functionality than the headphones included with almost all device purchases. Some aftermarket headphones utilize noise-canceling properties to help tune out ambient noises, allowing the listener to truly enjoy their audio experience, while others use soft gell inserts to maximize your listening comfort. Whether your aim is luxurious theatre sound at home or hip-hop on the treadmill, there are many headphones on the market to fit your needs without breaking the bank. Pronto’s Headphone Buying Guide will help you make an informed decision on which headphones are right for you by giving you an overview of the different styles and technologies available.
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
What’s available?
There are four major types of headphones. Earbuds fit the outside of your ear canal; canalphones that fit snugly in the canal to reduce ambient noise and increase audio quality; earpads or on-ear; and full-sized over the ear headphones favored by audiophiles.
What are you listening to?
If you listen to mostly spoken words, like Podcasts or books on tape, expensive headphones won’t provide an appreciable sound quality difference. If you listen to music or you a gamer, an investment in a good quality headphone will definitely increase your enjoyment with better sound.
Exercise Use
If you listen to music while exercising, be certain to look for models that include features designed to keep the headphone in place. Behind the ear tethers or lightweight sport earpads that utilize an over the head bars are the most common features. Avoid canal phones with silicone speaker covers, because they can get sweat slicked and pop out.
How do they sound?
Though your ear will be the final judge, on paper you’ll be looking for the numbers, like the range of frequencies (20hz-20,000hz), the level of distortion (you’ll want 1% or less) and sensitivity, also known as its efficiency of output. For home theatre and opera lovers, you’ll want high sensitivity in your headphones.
Bang for Buck
After market prices vary greatly. However in the budget range, you will notice a vast difference in sound quality compared to the models that are supplied by MP3 manufacturers. You do not need to spend big bucks to get a major upgrade in quality and functionality.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
With fantastic sound quality, amazing bass response and a comfortable design with plenty of adjustments we recommend Grado SR80 Professional Headphones ($100). The sound quality from these headphones competes with that of other headphones three times the price. Whether you’re plugged into you MP3 player, surround sound receiver or gaming console these headphones will leave your ears and your wallet satisfied.
With fantastic sound quality, amazing bass response and a comfortable design with plenty of adjustments we recommend Grado SR80 Professional Headphones ($100). The sound quality from these headphones competes with that of other headphones three times the price. Whether you’re plugged into you MP3 player, surround sound receiver or gaming console these headphones will leave your ears and your wallet satisfied.
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experts say
CNET Editors - Earbuds are commonly issued as freebie 'phones with portable players, but higher-performance 'buds can offer sonics that rival full-size models. Their tiny earpieces rest on the outer ear or need to be inserted into the ear canal; some models include ear clips for a more secure fit.
Source: CNET
PCWorld - “We hate to break it to you, but the headphones that came with your fancy new portable music player probably sound awful. Even companies that spend big money designing players to produce the best possible sound often skimp on the quality of the headphones they toss into the box. You don't have to settle for less. If you replace the bundled headphones with a better set, the improvement can be staggering, restoring crisp beauty to formerly muffled music. And the new set will do an excellent job of reproducing audio from laptop or desktop PCs as well.”
Source: PC World
MusiciansFriend - “ Two headphones that sound very different often will have similar specs. Probably the easiest and most useful spec is the price. In general, quality and performance relate well to price.”
Source: Musicians Friend
hot buzz
What's the latest in the world of audio headphones?
Free yourself! Headphones have gone Bluetooth®, which means you can free yourself from the tether of wires and plugs. Logitech’s Free Pulse Wireless Headphones won 2007 Honors at the CES Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase. Of course, this ultra lightweight pair of high tech headphones is designed to work with iPod MP3 players. The best thing? You can get these hot headphones for around $100.
Free yourself! Headphones have gone Bluetooth®, which means you can free yourself from the tether of wires and plugs. Logitech’s Free Pulse Wireless Headphones won 2007 Honors at the CES Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase. Of course, this ultra lightweight pair of high tech headphones is designed to work with iPod MP3 players. The best thing? You can get these hot headphones for around $100.
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Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
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For the budget minded person who simply wants to listen to music, earbuds offer an inexpensive and extremely portable solution in the $30-$100 range. The difference between a modestly priced set and the frequently subpar set included with your MP3 player will probably amaze you. Good Pick: Sony MDR-ED21LP |
Compare prices at 33 stores
$8 - $26
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As you enter the mid-priced market for headphones you’ll notice the sound quality will increase along with the additional of noise cancelling options for about $100-$300. Several earpad and full-sized headphones offer active noise cancellation in this price range as well. Good Pick: Sennheiser PXC 300 |
Compare prices at 56 stores
$127 - $270
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The majority of headphones that cost $300 or more, will most likely satisfy the pickiest of audiophiles. High-end, full-sized headphones deliver power and clarity with amazing bass response. Some remain light and relatively compact allowing for greater portability. Even the canalphones in this price range include active noise cancelling making them a favorite among musicians performing in studio and on stage.Good Pick: Bose Quiet Comfort 3 |
Compare prices at 14 stores
$305 - $560
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shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Closed-back (closed ear)
Also known as Full-Sized headphones or Circumaural— where the headphone pads go around your ears creating a “sealed” system which optimizes ambient noise reduction.
Open-back (open-air)
Otherwise known as Earpad or Supra-aural style headphone. The speaker pads rest on your ears without covering the entire outer ear.
Frequency Response
The range of frequencies that the headphones can reproduce effectively. The audible bandwidth is 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz (or 20kHz).
Distortion
How accurately the headphones reproduce sounds and given in a percentage of signal distorted. Lower is better - 1% distortion or less (at maximum power).
Sensitivity (loudness)
A measure of headphone efficiency in dBs SPL per milliwatt of input. A low number means that the headphones need more power to sound as loud as those which have a higher sensitivity.
Noise Cancelling
Noise cancelling headphones come in active and passive forms. Passive noise cancelling utilizes special headphone construction to maximize noise reduction whereas active noise cancelling uses signal processing electronics that sample ambient sounds with miniature microphones and then generate an inverse signal inside the headphones to cancel the noise.
