Headphones Buying Guide

In today’s technologically advanced day and age, with the kinds of headphones available, it can get dizzying. Especially with the number of brands out there specializing in more than one type of product. But obviously if the user knows the exact application then narrowing down to a specific kind is made easy. Here’s a sketch of the current scenario.

Types of Headphones

Circum-aural
The mother of all headphones, these probably have the best sound quality. Their physical appearance is their main characteristic; it is a huge cup that engulfs the whole pinna. The rim of the cup has some soft foam or padding usually, thus ergonomically also they are good. The driver size is a good 1.5-2 inches, and they are usually high in impedance, thus entailing louder volumes (if your amp can drive it)
Under circum-aural there are two types viz. closed back and open back. It’s quite a no brainer: the closed back ones are totally solid all through the ‘cup’ that encloses the speaker, while open back ones have a grille.

Circum-aural headphones are almost always attached over the head via an adjustable headband, which can slide in or out to comfortably fit the size of the head. These do get heavy sometimes, especially with the larger closed back pro models.

Supra-aural
These look like a shrunken version of the circum aural versions. Commonly known as ‘over the ear’ headphones. These perch themselves on top of the pinna rather than engulf the whole thing. Thus they are lighter and smaller and look less obtrusive for a viewer. They are covered with foam over the whole driver surface, and some cheap ones often come off. (Remember your first walkman?). Other than this they are quite similar to their larger brothers in sound reproduction, just a little less in clarity and tightness. Supra aural are constructed with a headband over the head - that was the traditional way - nowadays you can find them attached to clips that fit around the ear, so they prove lighter without the headband. Another style is when the headband is bent to fit around the back of the head, thus keeping hair intact.

There are some specialized circum-aural/supra-aural types, like noise canceling headphones. These have a special circuitry that needs to be switched on, after which out coming noise is switched off, and you feel like you are suspended in a state of deaf doubt, as you can’t really hear your own voice also.
Eg. Sennheiser HDC 451, Bose QuietComfort.

A headset is a combination of supra-aural (or circum-aural) headphones along with a microphone coming out of the left ear piece. This is common in call centers and basically are used for internet communication and gaming, where speaking is needed. Simple stuff.

Earphones

These are the most common, used and abused speakers that probably every one has owned at some point in their life. Probably they are on right now while reading this. These are tiny speakers, with lesser power and impedance. They fit in right at the opening of the ear, as their radius is more or less the size of the opening. Plus they too are covered with padding of either cloth or rubber. These don’t offer as good sound quality as the aforementioned types, though their ease of use and portability make them popular amongst music lovers who need music on while eating, sleeping, jogging, writing an exam etc.

In-ear or Canal phones

A specific type of earphones is canal phones. These are different as in they actually fit right into the ear canal, with the help of their unique construction: a rubber sleeve protrusion is attached on the earpiece that acts as a ear plug, thus blocking out external noise. Another advantage is the ergonomical value of these earphones — they are very comfortable. Since they fit into the ear directly it isn’t required to attach them to any clip or headband of sorts.

The other special kinds are Surround headphones, which emulate surround sound in your head with just regular stereo headphones, at least on the exterior. Inside they are a completely different story, with multiple drivers and placement. Some models come with an external decoder, while some have the technology built in. They are popular with gamers. Eg. Razer Baraccuda, Creative Headphones HQ-2300D

These are just nomenclatures though. There are various types of sub-categories that you can read about here.
Ergonomics and Convenience
If you are a music aficionado, you will appreciate good quality sound, and hopefully that will always be a priority while buying a pair of headphones. What is important, and what people often manage to keep on the sidelines, is how deep are you willing to go while buying the right pair. It’s important to note here that investing in a good pair is always going to make your experience that much richer.

In the previous section, we explained the different kinds of headphones available in the market. While each type of headphones have a certain technological benefit that the other doesn’t, you will have to choose what works for you. However, it’s equally important to note that sound quality isn’t everything. Ergonomics has a lot of potential in either making or breaking the experience for you

The size of every ear is different from the rest, and you would best appreciate the pair of headphones when they fit you well. Also an important thing to note is that you will be able to derive optimal quality of a pair only when they fit you well.

You also need to pay attention to where or what you are using it for. If you are an everyday train traveler, it doesn’t really make sense to go in for circum-aural headphones. You will be unnecessarily be bogged by extra weight, plus due to stuffiness you might just want to take them off for a while, which is exactly what we are trying to avoid.

Also you need to take into account what you will be using the headphones for. If you have an MP3 player then there is no point buying the Sennheiser PXC-450, simply because it will not be able to perform to its best. To drive this pair, you need an amplifier, and are normally used for bigger music players.

Applications of the various types
Also you need to take into account what you will be using the headphones for. If you have an MP3 player then there is no point buying the Sennheiser PXC-450, simply because it will not be able to perform its best. To drive this pair, you need an amplifier, and are normally used for bigger music players. For this you might want supra aural as they are mainly used with personal media players and portable devices.


For instance, Circum-aural includes Studio monitors, for studio professionals who need absolutely clear and taut sound. For audio enthusiasts, who prefer unscathed sonic quality would also prefer a nice high end pair of this type. Gamers are the next in category who require and love using this type of headphones as the latter offer great imaging and engulf the listener. Last but not least DJs need this kind too for mixing in tracks in a noisy club, of course the thumping bass is an added advantage to all of the above.

Earphones are obviously used for iPods, Zunes and all the other portable media players out there. Due to their portability they make good sense to take around while you’re on the move.

So the first step is to find out which pair works for you. And the only way to go about it is to go out there and try each and every one of them. It’s your right as a customer!!