How to choose headphones for music

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For the music lover who loves listening to music and would prefer it to other forms of recreation, headphones - a necessary everyday accessory. Relation to their quality and acoustic properties are always demanding, and the choice must necessarily take into account the musical preferences of the user.

With the current lineup, you can choose headphones for every genre of music. Their acoustic features allow effectively transfer all the nuances:

To understand the types of headphones you need to determine which frequencies are critical for specific genres, with a good game in the whole spectrum of the frequency range and features of the transmission space.

GenresThe spatial and frequency characteristics
WeightExpressed low frequencies slightly muted high and well-articulated medium-sized with a fast decay.
InstrumentalEthnic, jazz chamber. A good supply of medium frequency with a natural, a lively game.
orchestral classicsLive and playback medium natural frequency with a good transfer of the width and depth of the scene.
electronicQuality bass and surround surround sound.

Indoor and outdoor

When deciding on what kind of ears is better to choose a relevant genres also need to understand the structure of cups that are open or closed. Public speakers are not insulated from outside noise. These include:

  • monitors with ear pads and holes on the housing;
  • tablets, which are put into the ear, they are also called liners;
  • all other overhead unit.

Closed, conversely, suppress the background noise and passes them out. Among them:

  • full-size gadgets that densely cover the ears;
  • Vacuum insertion and tight-fitting to the auditory canal.

Gated device optimally to take for heavy music. They sound good on bottoms and create the effect of proximity to the source. For the other genres fit headphones with other structural and acoustic performance.

Noise suppression

For authentic sound transmission from the stage effect combined with a powerful, loud bass and legible to use open ears with active noise cancellation system.

This pair of built-in microphone which catches background noise, and the electronic unit, which converts them into a signal with the reverse phase. As a result, other sounds are eliminated by 70-90%.

speaker size

as the size of the speakers influences audiosvoystva. Large size cups allow you to install drivers from a large diameter of the membrane of 30 mm. They extend the frequency range, improve the quality of sound transmission due to low assured transmission spectra.

For fans to listen to techno on the treadmill in the gym or the park liners are not the best option. With good space, they often lose the bass. For such applications, listening better to choose an open compact headphones with a headband or occipital arc enlarged drivers.

driver design

Features sound transmission depends on the operating principle of the speakers. This may be the simplest and most common dynamic headphones or recently appeared reinforcing, rare and expensive isodynamic, electrostatic. Each of the designs has advantages and disadvantages.

dynamic

The magnetic field generated by the built-in magnet, is transmitted to the diaphragm radiating sound. Primitive design due to new technical solutions allows to achieve good acoustics. There are different levels of sound transmission, size and other characteristics of the vacuum inserts, liners, overhead monitors, full-size ears.

In-ear headphones for music

reinforcement

The design was developed under vacuum inserts. The diaphragm actuated armature oscillations which operates in the U-shaped magnetic circuit. Characterized by crisp and clear sound.

electrostatic

Underlying thin membrane between two electrodes, which closely follows the under voltage applied to the signal electrodes. Their dignity - free from distortion clear and detailed sound transmission.

orthodinamic

Based on the principle of action of the radiator Hale. A thin Teflon film is placed in a magnetic field between the two magnets. These monitors have a smooth and precise game.

Features driver design limit their use to certain types of headphones.

monitorinsertsinsertsoverhead
dynamic++++
reinforcement+
electrostatic+
orthodinamic+

The last two types are popular among audiophiles. But due to high prices for many, they are not available. An important drawback - the mobility loss due to a power amplifier.

acoustic parameters

Due to constant technical innovations can be dispensed with alternative light sources and determine which dynamic headphones have a decent sound. It's enough to pay close attention to their acoustic parameters, which influence the volume and sound quality.

To select the headset with a sufficient volume level you need to find out:

  • power;
  • sensitivity;
  • resistance.

On good sound quality you can expect a careful study:

  • frequency range;
  • the amplitude-frequency characteristics;
  • THD.

How to choose

In determining what parameters to choose to listen to music, consider the following:

  1. High power can count on the volume to be perceived as a rich and colorful sound.
  2. Good volume level usually corresponds to high sensitivity.
  3. Speaker impedance must match the corresponding parameter of the sound source.
  4. For good acoustics is necessary to select a wide frequency range that goes beyond that which is perceived by man.
  5. Flat line frequency response without sharp fluctuations reflecting the smooth sound across the entire frequency range, although some genres better to have abnormalities in the lower and middle frequencies.
  6. For maximum net reproduction requires a minimum ratio distortion.

Headphones and sound source

Most good headphones will not be effective, if their settings do not match the source. For high-power stationary acoustic systems and portable audio devices is better to choose different ears with different capabilities.

Stationary acoustic systemPortable mobile devices
frequency bandwider in the audible 20-20000 Hz
Poweruntil 4000/5000 mWup to 100/200 mW
Resistance200-600 Ohm12-64 ohms
Sensitivity100-120 dB / mW

Best headphones for music

In models of famous brands good audio performance, which meet the requirements of the most prejudiced buyers.

Grado SR-60

Grado SR-60

Overhead ears open with a wired connection. Reproduce clear sound which can be heard all the details of the music.

Pros:

  • comfortable to the ears;
  • reliable construction;
  • Do not confuse a thick cord;
  • balanced sound.

Minuses:

  • bad isolates from outside noise;
  • too long cord;
  • wear out quickly ear pads.

Sennheiser HD-800

Sennheiser HD-800

Open full-size headphones with comfortable ear pads the premium segment. Give a wide and balanced range of frequencies with strong rank and file.

Benefits:

  • comfortable;
  • strong reliable assembly;
  • great detail;
  • a good balance between the upper and lower ranks.

Disadvantages:

  • the high price of about 70 thousand. rubles;
  • cumbersome.

Marshall Mode EQ

Marshall Mode EQ

Vacuum headset with built-in microphone provides high-quality sound with the optimal balance of frequencies. Includes 4 different size ear pads.

Advantages:

  • convenient switch;
  • good sound;
  • hard wire is not confused.

Of shortcomings emit only that on the switch is no volume.

Sony MDR-10RBT

Sony MDR-10RBT

Closed unprofitable wireless headsets with clear sound. In addition to Bluetooth, it is possible to connect through the mini-Jack 3,5 mm.

Pros:

  • NFC support;
  • They sit comfortably;
  • good sound insulation;
  • long does the charge.

Minuses:

  • made entirely of plastic;
  • no battery indication.

philips SHE3590WT

philips SHE3590WT

Inexpensive vacuum inserts with good audio performance and a pronounced frequency balance.

Benefits:

  • no extraneous noise;
  • lungs.

Disadvantages:

  • thin wire;
  • including reviews found complaints about the sound quality.

Sennheiser PX 100-II

Sennheiser PX 100-II

Wired headphones reproduce well the instrumental works. It is not provided by a microphone, so only suitable for listening to audio.

Advantages:

  • lungs;
  • surround sound;
  • strong assembly.

Disadvantages:

  • sometimes distorts the upper bass;
  • Poor soundproofing.

Sony MDR-XB800

Sony MDR-XB800

Enclosed full-size ears with ear pads which sit tightly on his head and with a deep bass posed. Perfect for rock fans.

Pros:

  • not passed outside noises;
  • They sit comfortably on the head;
  • flat wire;
  • foldable design.

Minuses:

  • is not supplied carrying case;
  • made of plastic.

Bose QuietComfort 15

Bose QuietComfort 15

Monitors with effective noise reduction system that provides maximum freedom from extraneous sounds when listening to music, audiotexts, watching movies.

Benefits:

  • comfortable and lightweight;
  • soft sound;
  • It comes with storage case.

Disadvantages:

  • not suitable for jogging;
  • thin cable.

akg K412p

akg K412p

Open invoices ears with folding headband snugly on the head while running. Will be a good purchase for fans of electronic music.

Advantages:

  • rich sound;
  • characteristics of an application.

Disadvantages:

  • foam lining;
  • plastic size adjustments.

Westone ES60

Westone ES60

Vacuum reinforcing premium inserts with six transmitters, whereby it is possible to achieve excellent sound quality at all frequencies.

Pros:

  • clear sound;
  • I hear all the details of the song.

TO cons carry too high a price of about 100 thousand. rubles, but this is typical of the art premium level.

Stax SR-009

Stax SR-009

EXAMPLE electrostatic headphones with high sound characteristics at a high price, which is 300 thousand. rubles.

Benefits:

  • perfect reproduction;
  • Round cups with protective grilles.

Disadvantages:

  • value for money with quality;
  • the need for a special amplifier.

Oppo PM-1

Oppo PM-1

Orthodinamic monitors from the new brand with a clean tonally balanced sound that gives the music melody.

Advantages:

  • quality materials;
  • comfortable headband is not uncomfortable;
  • assembly.

Disadvantages:

  • Some users complain about sound insulation;
  • expensive, cost around 85 thousand. rubles.

Remember that high-end headphones need to be connected to the same high-quality sound source. Smartphones all the possibilities of speakers does not unfold, and the sound will be distorted.