Headphones with a player: features and selection rules

Headphones have long and firmly become companions of people of all ages and activities. But most of the existing models have a significant drawback - they are tied to a smartphone or player, connecting to them via cable or wireless. However, not so long ago, completely autonomous models with a built-in processor and the ability to read audio recordings from a USB flash drive appeared on the market.

Let's dwell on the features of these devices, and also give a rating of the most popular headphones with a player.

Headphones with a player are an overhead wireless gadget with a built-in SD card slot that works through digital channels. When using such an accessory with a USB flash drive each user gets the opportunity to record any melodies and listen to them at work, sports activities and in transport, without any additional equipment.

The undoubted advantages of such devices include:

• ergonomics of most of the models on sale;
• high charging speed;
• the ability to adjust the sound;
• the presence of protection against dust and moisture.

However, it was not without its drawbacks:

• lower, in comparison with wireless and wired counterparts, sound quality;
• limited amount of device memory;
• an impressive mass of some gadgets, which makes them uncomfortable to use in some cases.

Depending on the features of use distinguish between accessories for listening to audio recordings indoors during sports. Headphones for listening to music, lectures or audiobooks usually have high sound quality, as well as a long battery life - on average, it is about 20 hours in intensive use mode. The most common in this category are full-size models and closed-type devicesthat provide the most comfortable listening experience.

Running or cycling headphones put a lot of emphasis on size and lightness - they are made compact and weigh very little. The design does not allow them to fall out of the auricle with sudden movements.

It happens that, due to the nature of the activity, you have to move around the city for a long time in an increased rhythm, when there is simply no time to download new records to a USB flash drive, and there is no desire to listen to the same melody for the twentieth time. For such cases, headphones with a player and a radio have been developed - their owners can switch to the tuner at any time and enjoy new compositions.

The most modern models of headphones with a player have EQ option - it allows you to customize the features of sound reproduction for yourself and your own characteristics of perception.

Some models support the function of connecting with a phone or JBL speaker using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

For the pool can be purchased waterproof headphones.

To date, a huge number of options for headphones with a built-in player are on sale. Here are the top of the most popular devices.

This is absolute sales leader... It has a smooth head, trimmed with soft leatherette. It is presented in three colors - black and red, completely black, and also silver-brown.A slot for a USB flash drive is located at the bottom of the dynamic case, there is a USB connector and a volume control button. Calls are answered using a special key on the front panel.

Advantages:

• compact, soft and anatomical head;
• firm fixation on the head due to the metal frame of the bow;
• the ability to adjust the position along the vertical and horizontal axes, as well as the depth of landing;
• the absence of sharp drops on the body, so you can not be afraid that hair will cling to it;
• the ability to work with cards up to 32 GB;
• deep ear pads, so that the ears are completely captured, which excludes the penetration of external sounds;
• speaker diameter only 40 mm;
• works without recharging up to 10 hours.

Disadvantages:

• the microphone is omnidirectional, so it can pick up unnecessary sounds while talking on the phone;
• there is no noise reduction system;
• with prolonged listening, the ears begin to fog up and experience discomfort;
• flipping through the tracks is done with the wheel;
• the sensitivity of the speakers is within 80 dB, which significantly limits the scope of their use - the headphones are optimal for home listening, and on the street, especially in a busy one, the built-in volume may not be enough.

This headphone model with player and radio. Has a built-in tuner that receives a signal in the FM range of 87-108 MHz.

Music is played from a flash drive with memory up to 32 GB, the sensitivity of the speakers is 107 dB, so the volume parameters are sufficient even for the most crowded highway. To go to an incoming call the headset connects to a smartphone using a Bluetooth system.

Advantages:

• ease of use - in order to listen to audio recordings, you just need to insert the memory card into the slot and press the "Play" button;
• the body of the bow is made of metal, which ensures a snug fit on the head;
• if desired, you can switch tracks, skipping unnecessary or boring ones;
• optimal for sports, as the headphones do not absorb moisture and do not fly off the head;
• comfortable to use thanks to the leatherette head upholstery;
• the speaker can be unfolded, taking a flat shape, which greatly facilitates their storage in a small handbag;
• connects to a PC if necessary - this allows you to record music to the card reader directly into the earphone without removing the SD card;
• battery life is 6-10 hours depending on the sound volume level.

The disadvantages include:

• ear pads are small, so they may press lightly on the tips of the ears;
• the height adjustment is gear, from being pressed by the head in the vehicle it can get lost and move;
• if the battery is completely discharged, then there is no opportunity to listen to music through the cable, since USB serves only for charging and downloading audio files, it does not transmit a sound signal.

Headphones with more powerful turbo sound. They have rather large speakers - 57 mm, the sensitivity of the emitters is 110 dB. The ear cushions cover the ears completely, thereby minimizing the sounding of extraneous noise. They are distinguished by a rather convenient fastening - the head is adjustable in height, and the overlays can change position in several projections due to the outrigger bracket.

Advantages:

• the head cover is made of a porous material, so that the skin can breathe;
• the ability to fold the headphones to a compact size;
• metal bow makes the product stable and well fixed on the head;
• there is a radio receiver;
• supports communication with mobile devices via Bluetooth;
• if the battery runs out, it is possible to use the headphones through the wire.

Disadvantages:

• all control buttons are located on the right panel, therefore, you have to control the headphones with your right hand, respectively, if it is busy, then control becomes more complicated;
• the battery takes about 3 hours to charge;
• at temperatures below 10 degrees, interruptions in work occur.

This headphone model has the widest possible functionality of use - all recorded tracks can be played back in order or shuffled, and you can also listen to the same song repeatedly. When turned off, the headset fixes the place where the recording was stopped, and when turned on, it starts playing sound from it. Equalizer option available, which allows you to switch preset operating modes.

Advantages:

• the presence of an AUX-input for connection via a cable in case the battery runs out;
• the headband is soft, made of breathable material;
• the ability to receive a signal from radio stations;
• speaker sensitivity up to 108 dB.

Disadvantages:

• battery life only 6 hours;
• the design is presented in two colors.

This headset with player has well balanced high and mid frequencies, and also suggests the ability to reset the equalizer to correct sound reproduction. The control buttons are ergonomically distributed: on the right side there is everything you need for the player, and on the left there is a volume control and radio.

Advantages:

• the ability to work without recharging up to 12 hours;
• sensitivity 107 dB;
• Catch FM frequencies ranging from 87 to 108 MHz;
• tracks are recorded in the headphone memory directly from the computer;
• charging takes no more than 2 hours.

Disadvantages:

• lack of the possibility of axial adjustment of the linings;
• only supports MP3 format;
• memory cards no more than 16 GB are used;
• when worn for a long time, ears begin to fog up.

Any wireless headphones with a built-in player include a memory card and a microprocessor. It is they who allow you to download music to a USB flash drive and listen to it at any time, without resorting to the help of other technical devices.

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the optimal model.

• Sensitivity - the higher this value is, the louder the melody is played. Indicators in the range of 90-120 dB are considered optimal.
• Resistance or impedance - has a direct impact on the sound quality, normally it is 16-60 ohms.
• Power - here the principle "the more, the better" does not work anymore, since in many modern models an amplifier is built in, which, even with minimal power parameters, gives a high-quality sound, without discharging the battery in vain. For comfortable listening to music, an indicator of 50-100 mW will be quite enough.
• frequency range - the human ear perceives sound in the range from 20 to 2000 Hz, therefore, models outside this range are impractical.

Now let's dwell in more detail on the parameters important for the player.

The capacity of the flash drive is of fundamental importance for the number of recorded tracks. The larger this parameter, the more extensive the audio library will be. Wireless accessories typically use models up to 32GB.

If you listen to music through a USB flash drive, and not via Bluetooth, then the battery in the headphones will discharge much more slowly. Therefore, usually the manufacturer indicates the parameters of autonomous operation for each method of using the equipment.

In modern players, almost all known formats are supported today, however, MP3 and Apple Lossless are the most widespread.

The comfort of using the equipment largely depends on the weight of the device and how the headphones sit. It is best to make a choice by fitting, since the shape of the head and the structure of the auricles are individual for each person.

For an overview of wireless headphones with a built-in MP3 player, see the next video.