What are the Best Headphones For Me? |
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One glance at our Headphones section might actually make you dizzy. With the questions, answers and tips included in this Headphones Buyer's Guide, we hope to make picking out the right pair that bit easier. If you can’t see your question, feel free to contact us! Types | Studio/DJ | On/Over/in | Wireless | Closed/Open | Plug | Noise Cancelling | Ohms | More 1. What Type of Headphones Are There?On the page listing every type of headphones we have, you’ll see the following categories:
See Question 3 for more information about In-Ears / Ear Buds. Headphones & Accessories
2. What Are Studio and D Headphones?Studio headphones are mainly intended for mixing or recording music in studios. They are designed to shape a very ‘honest’, neutral and detailed sound, so that you can mix music accurately. If you prefer a neutral sound, a set of studio headphones can also be perfect for casual listening. DJ headphones are made for playing live music. As a DJ, you need to mix in the next track with as much precision as possible, so that the moment it comes over the speakers, the transition is barely noticed. As such, these headphones are excellent at shutting out environmental noise. They also have better bass response to help Djs beat match. And, since you might throw them off to celebrate a great set, DJ headphones have an above-average level of durability.
3. In-Ear, On-Ear or Over-Ear Headphones?This just refers to how the headphones are worn. In-ears are familiar, round ear-buds, or ‘real’ in-ears, that sit deeper inside your ear. Ear-buds are much more common these days. On-ear headphones have ear-cushions that sit on your ears. So, while they close yours ears off, you will still be able to hear environmental noise. Over-ear models are a little better at this, since they cup over your ears to screen out environmental noise. Ultimately, this is a very personal choice and simply comes down to what you prefer. Live in-ears are a special kind of ear bud. These high-quality headphones are specially designed for use during live performances in place of a floor monitor. Usually they give a musician a personalised mix of the entire band: a singer needs to hear their own voice clearly, but also needs to hear a balanced mix of everything else so that they can sing in tune. These headphones are often used in combination with a wireless transmitter and receiver. On-Ear Headphones
4. What Are the Pros And Cons of Wireless Headphones?No cable is needed. Instead, you couple the headphones with something like a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth – useful on the go! If you have a device that isn’t Bluetooth capable, then you can use a special set of wireless headphones that come with their own receiver, or a seperate Bluetooth transmitter. Studio, DJ or live situations generally require cabled headphones. If wireless headphones are used in these situations, a small audio delay between the device and headphones can occur. The power or quality of the signal may also be reduced. So, if you’re busy completing precise studio mixes, this is not going to be convenient. There are sets of wireless headphones available that come with a cable included, so they can be used when the battery is low. Wireless Headphones
5. What’s the Difference Between Closed, Open or Semi-Open Headphones?The ear cups of most headphones are closed so that as much environmental noise as possible is shut out. The advantage of this is that other people aren’t forced to ‘enjoy’ your music as well. For studio applications, it’s good to have more ‘air’ in the music, for a more open, natural sound. This is also a little more sociable if you tend to spend entire days working on your masterpiece. If this sounds good to you, then a set of open headphones will be the right choice. For more isolation, it’s best to go for closed, or semi-open (half-open) headphones.
6. What Plug Do I Need?If you have a set of headphones with a cable, at the connecting end you’ll find a jack plug. In general, there are two versions of this plug: the larger 6.3mm jack and the smaller 3.5mm jack (or mini-jack). Many pairs of headphones (with the exception of ear-buds) usually come with an adapter included, so that you have both options. Most smartphones and other mobile devices come fitted with a 3.5mm jack socket, while mixers and other audio equipment will usually be fitted with a 6.3mm jack socket. Also see Question 10. Since headhones reproduce audio in stereo, you’ll almost always see two black rings around the top of a jack plug, This is known as a ‘TRS’ or tip-ring-sleeve plug. These days, you can also come across TRRS plugs with an extra small black ring that ensures the connection of a remote control and/or microphone that’s built into the cable. Tip: When browsing through our range of headphones, you can use the filters on the left of the page to select your preferred cable and plug type.
7. What Is ‘Active Noise Supression’ or Noise Cancelling?If you’re on your way somewhere, you’ll often need to turn the volume up a little so it doesn’t get drowned out by street, traffic or train noises. With active noise supression, tiny microphones in the ear-cups pick up the sound that’s trying to get into you headphones. The headphones then very cleverly reduce the influence of environmental noise so you can listen to music at a lower volume level and protect your hearing. If you have a set of active noise-cancelling headphones, this function can only be used as long as the battery is not low. Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
8. What Does ‘Ohms’ Mean When It Comes to Headphones?The nominal impedance of a set of headphones is measured in Ohms. In essence, the higher the value in Ohms, the higher the resistance. You’ll usually find a headphones output with a high output fitted on studio and PA equipment – these are perfect for headphones with a very high impedance. For your phone and laptop, this won’t work. So, what happens when you connect a set of headphones with a high impedance (say, 250 Ohms) to a smartphone? Basically, you can turn the volume of your phone all the way up and you’ll barely hear anything. To explain what’s happening, you can always follow these guidelines:
Also see Question 10.
9. How Do the SPL, Driver-Diameter And Frequency Response Effect A Set Of Headphones?The higher the sensitivity of a pair of headphones – the SPL (Sound Pressure Level, measured in decibels) – the more sound it can produce. So you could say: headphones with a high SPL can make more sound than headphones with a lower SPL connected to the same device. Also, check the diameter of the drivers (or the little speakers that sit in the ear cups or buds). The bigger the driver, the better the bass response. Headphones (not including ear-buds) with a minimum driver diameter of 40mm will ensure a nice and full bass response. What’s less important, but something that manufacturers will often advertise, is the frequency range. Human hearing can only pick up a frequency range from 20Hz to 20kHz, so anything that sits outside of this, is not actually needed. A set of headphones might sound great at 20Hz, while another set (with the same frequency range),doesn’t sound too good at 20Hz. Don’t get blinded by the statistics. Read what other users say and trust your own ears to make the right decision.
10. What Do I Need With My Headphones?Keeping your headphones in a pouch or case will protect them and keep them much safer than just putting them loosely into a bag. A headphone holder is useful at home or in studios, since they can be mounted on a wall or placed on your desk. If you have a set of headphones with a high impedance and want to connect them to a weaker-signal device, like a laptop? Then a headphone amplifier or a DAC is what you need. A DAC can also improve the sound quality. Just in case one is not included, a 3.5mm to 6.3mm jack adapter is an absolute essential, and if you want to listen with a friend or just need to connect two sets of headphones to one output, then all you need is a splitter. All Headphones, Accessories & Parts
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