What Features To Consider For Headphones?
Headphones have always been a relevant thing for customers. But everyone decides to buy headphones by looking at the features. By design, all headphones & headsets can be divided into internal and external.
The latter are large pads that completely cover the auricle, and are fixed on the head with a rim. A feature of these headphones is a clearer and better sound, high autonomy, and large dimensions.
External headphones are divided into:
- Overhead – superimposed on the ear, but not always completely covering it;
- Full-size – the largest, completely covering the ear.
Internal headphones are very compact, light, and almost invisible. They are further subdivided into 2 types:
- Liners;
- Vacuum.
In-ear headphones are less securely fixed in the ear and somehow allow extraneous sounds to penetrate. Vacuum headphones are inserted deeper into the ear canal, so they sound clearer, and louder and do not allow noise from outside.
The disadvantage of internal headphones is their small autonomy since their size does not allow you to place a large battery in them.
Possibility of cable connection
Some models of wireless headphones are equipped with an audio cable jack, which allows you to connect them “the old-fashioned way” with a wire.
This solution is very reasonable if you need to reduce power consumption, so when traveling or on a long journey, headphones with a cable connector will come in handy.
In addition, if the headphones are still discharged, the cable will allow them to be used further for their intended purpose.
Battery life
Battery life determines how many hours the headphones can work without recharging. Usually, the autonomy of the device is indicated in the technical specifications, and it depends on the type of connection.
The latest versions of Bluetooth provide up to 20 hours of continuous operation.
The presence of a microphone
There are 3 options: headphones without a microphone, with a regular, or with a movable microphone. The first option is suitable for those who only plan to listen to music or watch movies using the device.
The second option is ideal for those who will communicate via video and not only. Headphones with a movable microphone are suitable for people who conduct video conferences, lectures, or conduct business negotiations.
The microphone, if necessary, can be moved to the side to hide sounds that should not get into it.
Selecting Audio Sound Options
There are 3 main audio sound parameters that determine the quality of the files being played.
- Frequency. The human ear is capable of hearing sounds in the range of 20 to 20,000 Hz. It is optimal if the headphones support the entire frequency spectrum.
- Loudness, or sensitivity. In order for the headphones to allow you to listen to sound at the usual, good volume, their sensitivity must be from 95 dB or more.
- Resistance. This indicator determines the overall sound quality and loudness. For portable devices, a resistance of 16-32 ohms is sufficient; for home devices, large values \u200b\u200bare more optimal.
Moisture protection
The moisture protection function can be implemented to varying degrees.
But there is also more powerful protection that allows you to purposefully use the headphones in water, for example, in the shower or in a pond. Such protection is encrypted in the documents with the IP68 cipher: it means that the device will easily endure diving to a depth of up to 10 meters for 30 minutes.
Charging time
Charging time for any device, including wireless headphones, takes an average of 1-2 hours and depends on the power of the cable. In addition, when using a non-original wire, the charging time increases.
However, there are models that charge in 10 minutes due to the presence of the fast charging function, and those that restore their performance within 4 hours. It is also worth considering that many modern devices support wireless charging technology.
All this is usually indicated in the technical documentation for the device, so you need to pay attention to this.
Removable battery
Wireless headphones may have a built-in or removable battery. The role of the latter is performed by ordinary batteries of popular formats, usually AA or AAA.
Here you should make a choice based on your preferences or needs. If the headphones will be used frequently, it is better to choose a model with a rechargeable built-in battery, otherwise buying batteries will cost a pretty penny.
Case-case included
The included carrying case reduces the chance of losing the earbuds or one of them. Not all manufacturers produce wireless models packed in a convenient case, and as a result, the user may sooner or later put the device in a leaky pocket and be left without it.
In addition, many cases also act as a battery and allow you to recharge the battery if necessary. A classic example of headphones in a convenient case is Apple AirPods.
