Consumer Guide to Headphones and Headsets

Evaluating Headphones

Your first step toward selecting the right headphone is evaluating different model headphones.

You should evaluate headphones based on the quality of sound they produce and how comfortable they are to wear.

Let’s talk more about these two factors.

Quality of Sound

When evaluating headphones you should compare the sound quality much like you would if buying a pair of speakers. Put the headphones on and listen to the music that comes from them. Forget about what the technical specifications suggest the headphones can do. Much of this is just verbiage on paper meant to get you to buy the set. Pick them up, put them on your ears and listen to them.

Did you know the shape of your head and ear can impact the way sound waves from the headset hit your eardrum? Normally, with a traditional speaker sound waves bounce off your head before hitting the eardrum. This affects the way you hear music from a speaker.

Headphones channel sound directly into the ear. Thus each set of headphones produces a different sound for an individual based on the shape of their head and ear. Pretty neat. This means however that what works for one person may not work for you.

There are certain aspects of sound you should listen for when buying a headset. Look for the following:

• Sound that is clear without static or other disruption.
• Bass that is clear and controlled. Some headphones provide super bass systems. These headphones might produce a bass sound that vibrates too much. Related to vibration, there are other headphones that produce a vibrating sensation. An example is the Virtual Motion System by Panasonic. The intent is to provide the listener with the full effects of a deep bass stereo unit.
• Look for an even tone that avoids tinny sounds.
• If you use a wireless headset or a cordless model make sure you don’t hear much interference or hiss. Also make sure you aren’t picking up too much background noise.
• Certain headsets provide a surround sound type technology. If this is the case verify the sound is sharp and divided evenly between both sides of the ear.

Headphones and Headsets Comfort and Fit

How a pair of headphones sound is one of the most important factors of a headset. How your headphones fit is equally important. You won’t benefit from having headphones that sound great but fall off your head every time you move. You should look for a headset that is comfortable and snug without being tight.

When buying headsets you should also consider where you will wear them. If you are jogging, for example, you will want to make sure that you buy a set that fits snugly and doesn’t move while you bounce up and down.

Here are some other tips for buying headphones that fit properly:

• Fit and comfort ­ make sure the headphones rest comfortably on your ears and don’t pinch your head. Some headphones come with built in rests for the shoulders.
• Check the fit ­ if you buy headphones that fit inside the ear make sure the fit snuggly. Many of these types fall out of the ear base. Consider buying an ear mold custom­made to prevent this from happening.
• See if they are adjustable ­ you want to make sure you can adjust the headpiece and ear buds or cups so the headset sits comfortably on your head. Disc jockeys and other professionals may select headphones that allow them to wear one ear cup off comfortably. Certain ear cups pivot to allow this movement choice.
• Check the cord ­ some headphones come with cords that enter from one or the other side of the headphone set. These are much more convenient than Y split cords which tangle under the chin. You may need a long cord if you are a sound professional and need to move back and forth up to 10 feet while wearing headphones.

Stability and Durability

Whether you buy lightweight headphones or more bulky ones, you want to make sure your headphones are durable. You want your headphones to withstand the test of time.

Most headphones allow portable use. This can wear on the headphones over time. It is easy to damage headphones. Thus first you should look for a case that will protect your headphones from accidental damage. If you are a sound professional, you will likely pass your headphones back and forth among many people. You might damage them this way or through transport to various gigs. Thus you want to make sure you have a durable set with a strong cord, even if the cord is thin.

Some common problems users have include broken headbands or ear cups that fall off. Be sure you find headphones that can hold up under much abuse. Many headphones use modular construction, which makes them easier to repair. Consider this when buying your headphones.

One other headphone spec you might look for is power handling. Many headphone engineers develop headphones with too many milliwatts, when only a few watts produce a loud volume. Too many can more rapidly destroy your headset. Most consumer models should be 100mW and professional models should range up to 1000 at the most.

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