Headphones Buyer's Guide

The world of headphones is a wily one.  There are a myriad of options and styles to choose from, which can be very intimidating for even the most seasoned shopper.  You can spend anywhere from $5-$1,500 on a pair of headphones. Often in the tech specs on a headphone can make you feel like you are reading another language, so how do you figure out what you need?   Easy.  We've outlined below the most important things you should consider. You pretty much just need to know for what purpose you’ll be using your headphones and how much money you’re willing to spend on the quality of said headphones.

Headphone Use

The first question you will want to answer before searching for headphones is, "How will I be using my headphones." Headphones are used for casual, on-the-go listening, for audiophiles who sit at home and listen to vinyl on their expensive systems, and for people who are looking to isolate themselves from their outside environment.  You need to decide what your primary use is going to be.  For example, you wouldn’t be buying a $500 pair of full-sized headphones to go on your morning jog…or maybe you might because you're excessive but that’s your call…most balanced people would not be doing this.

I want to get some headphones to use on the go with my iPod.

In that case you are going to want some light weight portable headphones that are easy to take around with you. We would recommend getting either a nice set of earphones, some over-the-head portable headphones, or if you don't mind something a little bulkier to carry with you, some decent full size headphones.

I want some excellent headphones that I can hear every nuance of my vinyl records with on my expensive sound system.

Well, it's pretty clear that you are going to want some high end audiophile headphones. You'll pay the price, but you'll get the best sound.

I travel a lot and want some headphones I can use on an airplane that allows me to hear my music without having to turn it up too loud to block out the engine noise.

You will definitely need headphones with excellent noise cancelling features or if you prefer earphone style headphones, then you will want the ones sometimes referred to as "canalphones." They fit deep in your ear much like earplugs, and block out outside noise, much like earplugs.

Headphone Comfort

Comfort may be the most important thing. If your headphones are not comfortable, you're not going to want to use them.  If you are going be using headphones all day, so you need to be sure you can sit with them all day.  Weight, wearing-style, ear material, ear-cups, and cord length all play into comfort.  Wearing ear buds all day at your desk may make your ears sore, so an over-the-head option may make more sense.  But then you need to think about the weight; you don’t want to be sitting in something that weighs 200lbs.

I prefer something small that fits in my ear.

Earphones come in all shapes and sizes these days. Long gone are the times of the white iPod earbuds being all you saw people wearing. Now you have your choice of deep fitting ear plug style earphones, or earbuds. They even make wireless earphones. The sound quality will be much better in the deep fitting earphones. Make sure you get ones that come with different sized ear buds so you can get the best fit.

I like headphones that go over my head.

There are a few considerations to make here, how much the headphones weigh, how tightly they fit, (you don't want them so loose that they fall off, but you don't want to feel like you head is in a clamp either) and whether you like pads that fit all the way around your ears (circumaural), or that rest against your ears (supra-aural). Over-the-head headphones can be portable for lightweight wearing on the go, full size are a little bulkier and probably what most people think of when they think of headphones, and audiophile quality for high end listening.

I want headphones without cords.

You can get wireless headphones in both earphone style and over-the-head style.

Headphone Sound Quality

After comfort comes sound quality.  Do you care about it or notice it?  If you’re looking for the most pure acoustical experience be prepared to pay for it.  Being an audiophile is an expensive hobby.  You can get a great pair of headphones for under a c-note, and while they may be an upgrade to the pair that came with y our mp3 player, just be aware you can always make improvements.  If you’re going with an audiophile pair of headphones, you should keep in mind that most audiophile headphones need a headphone amp to truly experience the serenity of audiophilia. 

I need to hear the best no matter what the cost.

Go right to the audiophile headphones section. Just be prepared to pay at the very least about $300. And don't forget to get that headphone amp to go with them.

I want something decent, but can't afford hundreds of dollars.

There are a lot of decent headphones out their that won't break your wallet. Earphones tend to sound better when they are the deep fitting ones and over-the-head headphones come with a lot of options to improve your listening experience. You can get open headphones so you can still hear background noise, closed circumaural headphones will block out a lot of back ground noise.

Headphone Environment

Also you should take into account the noisiness of your environment.  Looking to run outside?  Then you’ll benefit most from a pair of ear buds that sit deeply in your ear.  For planes noise-cancelling headsets are best.  Circumaural Open headphones are best used in a quite environment meant for listening, as the noise can travel, and you’ll hear all the sounds around you.  Working in a cubicle?  Then go with a closed pair of headphones.

I want to listen to my music without my office mates having to hear too.

Depending on your preference, either get some earphones or some closed headphones.

I wear my headphones while I run or exercise outside.

You are most likely going to want some earphones. Consider the fact that you are going to be sweating all over them. Just be careful not to turn them up too high and be aware of your surroundings.

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