What You Need To Know In To Choose the Best Headphones

When you deal with the need to buy a headset, the proper advice on how to choose headphones will differ for everyone. Why so? The fact is that you have to answer the question of why you are buying headphones. Depending on this, you would have to focus on different features when choosing.

Basically, we buy headsets:

• to listen to music with high-quality sound reproduction;
• to use for conversations and phone calls;
• to use for sports;
• to use for games.

Thanks to the standard 3.5 mm jack socket, most wired headsets from different manufacturers can easily connect to a wide variety of devices. However, some companies produce smartphones with individual connectors. You generally need to pay more for these branded headphones.

Yet, you can choose many high-quality analogues for practically every device now. Take, for example, Chinese brands Baseus, Hoko, XO, Konfulon and the like. And by the way, we have expanded our range, and now we’ve got quite a lot of smartphone accessories, including headsets!

What Is a Headset?

A headset consists of headphones, but it also has a built-in microphone, which allows you to answer calls and have a conversation. Want to buy a headset right now? No question, just click here.

The two broad types of modern headsets are wired and wireless headsets. Both have surely their pros and cons. The shortcomings of wired headphones are widely known – they get entangled, they limit your mobility, and cables often break off and fail.

Wireless Headphones or Bluetooth Headsets: Pros and Cons

The most appealing feature of wireless (Bluetooth) headphones is their comfort & convenience due to the increased mobility they offer and no wires. Now they are super popular. However, they are not flawless.

First, Bluetooth headsets are more expensive than regular ones.
Second, they need charging and high battery capacity.

Bluetooth headphones are also believed to carry sound less well, so music lovers (or audiophiles) always have a choice: sound quality vs convenience.

In terms of sound quality, full-sized monitor headphones are absolute leaders.

There are two types of Bluetooth headsets:

• mono headset
• stereo headset

A mono headset has one earphone. It is most convenient for drivers, since it allows you to have a telephone conversation and stay aware of your surroundings at the same time.

A stereo headset has two headphones and a microphone. It transmits sound through two channels, which makes it possible to listen to music or watch videos.

Bluetooth versions

When choosing a wireless headphone, first pay attention to the Bluetooth version:

• 2.0 – an option that is already slightly outdated;
• 2.1 – reduced power consumption;
• 3.0 – the data transfer rate increased to 24mbit / s and almost compares to Wi-Fi;
• 4.0 – combines the best qualities of previous developments;
• 4.1 – with an extended range of coverage.

When choosing a Bluetooth headset, make sure that the device you are going to connect supports a specific version of Bluetooth.

What Is Wireless Headphones Battery Capacity?

Another important criterion you should take into account is the device operating time. Usually, two digits are shown - standby time and talk time. These indicators are determined by the battery capacity and equal 100-500 mA.

How Long do Bluetooth Headsets Last on a Single Charge?

In the talk mode, modern headsets can operate up to 24 hours, and in standby mode – from 5 to 8 days without recharging. But there are also exceptions, for example, the Baseus D02 headset. We tested it in the music listening mode. The result is 54 hours of excellent operation. Almost all headsets work well with both iOs and Android.

Bluetooth Headset Profiles

The quality and functionality of a wireless headset are determined by the Bluetooth profiles on the specific device. The profile must be supported both by headphones and by a smartphone.

1. With the Headset Headset profile, you can listen to all the sounds of the phone and control many functions: adjust the volume, make calls, etc.
2. A2DP will provide high-quality stereo sound transmission, that is, you can enjoy music or watch videos.
3. AVRCP is a kind of remote control for various smartphone functions and provides access to the device service information.
4. AptX is a function necessary for every music lover. This function allows you to listen to music from a smartphone with high-quality sound reproduction, almost an Audio CD. The headset can surely work without this codec, but the sound will be far from ideal.

What Are Headphones Types

All headsets can be divided into the following types:

• Earbuds
• In-ear-canal (or vacuum)
• On-the-ear
• Monitor over-ear headphones

Earbuds

Earbuds are popular because of their low price and ease of use. They are quite light, and they can perfectly fit even in the smallest pocket. They are convenient to use for conversations, but the sound quality is rather weak - external noises interferes.

Poor soundproofing results in your hearing sounds from the outside. In addition, everyone around will "enjoy" music from such headphones. And the microphone may be poorly located, so that your interlocutor hears its rustling against the clothes.

In-Ear-Canal (or Vacuum) Earphones

Canalphones (vacuum earphones, also called IEMs) are headphones with soft silicone tips that fit snugly into the ear canal. This design makes the sound better and clearer.

Due to their anatomic shape, they are located closer to the eardrum and create a tight enclosed space in the ear (hence the name “vacuum”, although this has nothing to do with a real vacuum). A close fit creates a loud sound effect and allows you to better hear basses.

Do Vacuum Earphones Damage Your Hearing?

This type of headphones has the most opponents who claim them to be harmful for your hearing. In fact, thanks to the excellent sound isolation, the owners of such devices can enjoy music at the lowest volume. Whereas with a poor fit to the ear and low noise insulation regular earbuds have, people constantly increase the volume to the maximum, which can really damage their hearing.

On-Ear Headphones for Music Enthusiasts

On-ear headphones have a good sound quality. They also have high noise isolation, and some even have automatic noise cancellation. Low frequencies are perfectly heard as well. In fact, the sound reproduction in these headphones is close to perfect. By design, they consist of a head bow and earcups that lie over pinnae (visible parts of the ears) and press them tightly.

Actually, this may be a drawback as well. When listening for an extended periods of time, you may start feeling discomfort in your ears. Besides, their size is rather big; accordingly, they need a place for storage. You won’t put them in a purse, for example.

Over-Ear (Studio) Headphones for Professionals

For those who value sound above rubies and gold, above bread and water, over-ear headphones have been developed. In size, they are even bigger than on-ear headphones. Their cups encircle the pinnae, so that the owner can fully enjoy the music without being distracted by the sounds of the surrounding world.

Over-ear headphones (also known as monitor or studio headphones) are also used in recording studios.

Gaming Headphones for Cyber Battle Lovers

We can separately note gaming headphones – these are also over-ear headphones that have good sensitivity and excellent sound isolation. They are often equipped with a boom microphone and have an original design. A convenient rim of the earcup is also important in such a headset, since gamers spend quite a lot of time wearing them.

The shortcomings of over-head headsets:

• high cost (this is the most expensive type of headphones)
• big size (they are inconvenient to carry or to use in crowded places)

Sport Headphones

For playing sports, both in-ear and on-ear headphones are suitable. When choosing headphones, be sure they are moisture resistant. There are actually types of headsets you can easily dip into water and use even while swimming.

In the All Spares online store, you can pick up headphones for all occasions. We offer high-quality accessories by well-known and trusted brands.