How to choose headphones?

High-quality sound, comfortable shape, stylish design - these are the main requirements for the choice of technology, which for many has become a faithful companion of every day. We are talking about headphones, which, indeed, you also need to be able to choose.

There is an opinion that you can just go to the store, take the pair you like, test it and ask the seller to pack the model. But not everything is so simple.

• A huge number of purchases are made remotely today. Testing a product in an online store is already much more difficult.
• The characteristics and parameters that can be called starting are important. It is better to formulate them even before going to the store to make it easier to choose.
• Finally, it is very important to decide on the criteria - those aspects that will become the main requirements for the product.

In the datasheet for the headphones, the manufacturer must prescribe the frequency range. That is, within this indicator, the headphones will reproduce all declared frequencies. The wider this indicator, the better. More precisely, the more powerful the headphones will be. It is wrong to think that the headphones do not reproduce sound beyond the boundaries of this indicator. No, frequencies outside the stated values ​​will simply be played quieter.

But a sharp drop in high frequencies happens only with wireless or USB models. The speaker is theoretically able to reproduce something above the stated limits, but limitations of one or another frequency are possible.

Formally, it is generally accepted that the wider the frequency range, the better the technique. But not all users understand the issue deeply, which is why they can fall for the marketing "bait". For example, the human hearing analyzer is known to pick up frequencies from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. That is, if you choose headphones with these indicators, this will be enough. A wider frequency range is considered the same interval, but with a smaller roll-off of the frequency response (amplitude-frequency characteristic) at the edges. But such information is formal rather than meaningful.

The sensitivity of the headphones can be judged by some data.

• The sensitivity parameter depends on the volume level of the equipment and the signal level that is fed to the device. The higher the sensitivity, the louder the headset will be.
• Sensitivity is expressed relative to either power or voltage. If it correlates with voltage, then the volume will be shown first of all, if it is related to power, then energy consumption. Mutual recalculation of expression units is possible. In the datasheet, the company designates only one option as standard. Sometimes developers forget to indicate the dimension of the characteristic, and therefore the indicated value is simply uninformative.
• High sensitivity headphones have a clear plus - they play loudly if the source volume is not set too high. But there is also a minus - such a technique clearly demonstrates the background noise in pauses.
• Low sensitivity headset will play quietly, therefore, it should be connected to obviously powerful sources.
• If the power of the amplifier and the sensitivity are matched normally, then you can choose the right volume and minimum noise.
• Low impedance headphones are usually loud, while high impedance headphones are quiet... For low-impedance models, an amplifier is needed that organizes high current, and for high-impedance models, an amplifier that provides voltage. If the amplifier for the headset is selected incorrectly, the sound will be either quiet or not quite high quality.

Otherwise, it may be called acoustic performance. By design, all headphones are divided into 3 types. Sealed headphones, the sound of which only goes to the ear, are closed. They have passive noise isolation.

In open-type headphones, the driver emits sound both into the listener's ear and into space. If the music from the headphones does not bother everyone who is nearby, you can choose this option. Open-back headphones often produce a smoother sound.

There are also intermediate-type headphones with partial noise isolation. They can be half-open or half-closed.

It is worth noting immediately the classification of the headphones by fit.

• Fullsize - the largest, completely covering the ear. Sometimes they are called arc. These are the most comfortable headphones, but they are not easy to use when portable. In addition, closed headphones have poor noise isolation, and the sensitivity for portable sources is low.
• Overhead - more compact models that are pressed against the auricle. Due to the fact that the speaker is more closely located in them, the headphones have high sensitivity. But at the same time, the comfort from the use of such models is lower (just because of the constant pressing to the ear).
• In-ear - these are miniature headphones, the main advantage of which is their small size. The sensitivity of this technique is very high. Provides close proximity and small size. This type is optimal for use in noisy transport. But at the same time, in-ear headphones remain the most dangerous for human hearing.

If the main purpose of acquiring equipment is listening to audiobooks or radio, then it is quite possible to get by with budget options. If headphones are needed for practicing music (and professionally), then monitor-type equipment is needed. And it costs an order of magnitude more.

For the choice, depending on the purpose of use, it is important whether it is a wired technique or a wireless one. In wired headphones, the sound quality is high. Wireless ones have become more comfortable, and many users prefer only them.

Wireless are represented by the following options:

• infrared;
• radio;
• Wi-Fi;
• Bluetooth.

You can also find hybrid models on sale that can work with or without a wire. If the buyer's goal is sound recording, the wireless option will not be reliable, since it has a slight delay (a few milliseconds in sound recording are important).

And yet the main criterion for any purpose of use is sound quality. If you hear excessive noise and distortion when testing headphones, this already forces you to turn to another model. In cheap samples, the low end is usually lacking, and this affects the perception of sound.

Weight, material, fastening and additional equipment elements remain important selection criteria.... In any case, the headphones should not be too heavy, otherwise wearing such a device is fraught with unnecessary muscle tension and fatigue. The fastening should also be comfortable, it is desirable that there is an option for the possibility of adjustment. Additional equipment (case, adapter, bag) may be important.

But, of course, the choice is always individual: what suits one person perfectly may seem inconvenient to another. Therefore, headphones need to be tested not in the format of remote samples, but with direct contact. Sometimes it happens that all the technical characteristics of the product are ideal for the buyer, the sound is beautiful, the appearance is the most stylish and modern, but there is no feeling of comfort when wearing. Therefore, headphones as a gift are not always the best choice. Even the most top models need to be tried on.

And now about the top models: this market also has its own leaders, whose reputation is difficult to shake. There are also beginners who are not averse to stepping on the heels of the luminaries. This review contains an unbiased description of the most popular models of the year and the bestsellers.

• CGPods Lite are wireless earbuds from the Tyumen brand CaseGuru.

Ideal for sports activities. Their price is only 3,500 rubles - the most budget segment. But in terms of a number of characteristics, this model surpasses its much more eminent and much more expensive counterparts. For example, in terms of the degree of moisture protection: CGPods Lite can be washed under running water or even take a shower or bath in them. Even Apple AirPods, which cost four times the price, don't have this moisture protection.

CGPods Lite come with a very unusual "anti-stress case". The charging case feels like a sea pebble, it is pleasant to turn it in your hands and click on the lid with a magnetic lock.

And this is perhaps the smallest case among all models of wireless headphones.

Despite its diminutive size, thanks to the powerful battery built into the case, CGPods Lite can work up to 20 hours without plugging in.

CGPods Lite are sold exclusively online. For this reason, the price of the headphones does not include the mark-ups of the intermediary stores. And therefore you can buy them at the fair price of the manufacturer - for 3,500 rubles. Available in two colors - black and white. Delivery within Russia and neighboring countries (in particular, to Ukraine and Belarus) is provided.

• Sony (model of the year WH-1000XM3). Voted Best Wireless Headphones of 2019. For listening to music, this is undoubtedly a great option that will satisfy the needs of the most discerning user. But for the clarity of sound and the best sound among all Bluetooth options, you will have to pay about $ 500.

• Beyerdynamic (Custom Studio). If the area of ​​interest is full-size headphones with bass control, versatile in use, stylish, comfortable and very durable, then this option is definitely worth considering.

• Audio-Technica (ATH-AD500X). If you need not just listen to music, but work with sound, this model will suit you for sure. Large monitor headphones for $ 170-180.

• Marshall (Major 3 Bluetooth). And this is a great option among wireless on-ear headphones. This is the third version of the sample, this time with improved sound and autonomy. You can buy the equipment for $ 120.

• Bowers & Wilkins (PX). If you need more than just headphones, but a model from the premium list, this is the option. The sound is clear and the design is impressive. But the price can also amaze the zealous buyer - they cost $ 420.

• Apple (AirPods and Beats). Comfortable, beautiful, innovative, wireless. One brand is worth a lot, and the price of such a purchase is $ 180.

• MEE audio (Air-Fi Matrix3 AF68). Headphones with a perfect balance of frequencies, durable, beautiful, fashionable, and will cost $ 120.

• Logitech (G Pro X). It would be appropriate to add gaming headphones with a good microphone and excellent sound to this list. The issue price is $ 150.

• SteelSeries (Arctis Pro USB). Gaming headphones that can't be called cheap. But if you need high-quality sound for games, and the model itself must be impeccable in design, this option is good. The model costs $ 230.

• Meizu (EP52)... An excellent choice for those who love comfortable runs. In-ear wireless headphones with a neckband and the most sporty design. You can buy it for $ 40.

• Xiaomi (Mi Collar Bluetooth Headset)... And one more "treadmill" option from a very popular manufacturer - sports, high-quality, wireless, with a neckband, the price is $ 50.

Even a person who is far from technical analysis can understand that the product is really good. But again, the choice is tied to the purpose of use.

Here are some recommendations from experts.

1. The most reliable way to determine the quality of a headphone is “live” listening. It makes it possible to evaluate the sound quality, ease of use, and the strength of the mounts. If the frequency range of the proposed model is already 18-20000 Hz, this already speaks of not the highest quality.
2. Good, if the headphones provide a sensitivity of at least 100 dB, otherwise, the playback sound will be quiet.
3. If the choice is among in-ear headphones, then the small size of the membrane is undesirable. But models with neodymium magnetic hearts make the choice more successful.
4. Not everyone likes open headphones but they nevertheless give a clearer picture of the sound, but in closed ones - there is a slight resonance.
5. If headphones rub your ears, do not think that they are "carried away" or "you can get used to it." If such discomfort occurs often, you need to abandon earbuds in favor of overhead or monitor models.
6. If you don't want the technique to ruin your hair, you need to choose models with a bow tape, which is located at the back of the neck.
7. The headphone model must distribute the weight evenly, if somewhere it presses or presses more, this is a bad option.

Whether or not to buy headphones on well-known Asian sites is an individual question. If you do not have to use them often, if you need them for short-term purposes, then you can buy a technical device for conventional "$ 3", and they will work out their price. If headphones are an important part of work, rest, hobby, if they will be used often, you should look for your option among quality models of brands with a good reputation and reliable service.

Numerous forums, review sites, where you can read many detailed stories, albeit subjective, will help to determine the choice (or adjust it).

For information on how to choose headphones, see the next video.