Turn My Headphones Up!

Whether you want to listen to music or movies without disturbing others, get the best out of your iPOD, or drown out background noise while WERKING, there's a set of headphones for you. You can buy a portable pair for $10 or spend as much as $500 for headphones with active noise-reduction technology. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while shopping for "Sonically Superior" Headphones!


Evaluate sound quality
Headphones should feed you clear, accurate sound with sufficient volume. In general, over-the-ear corded headphones are often the best choice for serious music listening, though they're obviously not the best choice for use on the go. Models with lower sensitivity might not do well with all portable devices, which produce less power. A few of them will do best with a separate headphone amplifier. Like speakers, headphones might emphasize different parts of the audio spectrum. Sound quality can vary greatly between models and your preference will be highly personal, so it's recommended that you try them before buying. Online shoppers should check out return policies to make sure that purchases can be returned or exchanged for another model.

For the best sound, stick with corded models
Most corded models and some wireless sets are fine for use with a TV or, if you're not too critical, for listening to music. Over-the-ear corded headphones are often the best choice for serious music listening at home. While wireless headphones can be convenient, many have background hissing and/or dynamic range compression that flattens the sound to some extent. We've found that digital wireless models can provide better performance than analog, and 2.5 gigahertz models often beat 900 megahertz headphones. But all wireless headphones are susceptible to interference from other devices, such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, and computer hard drives that operate in the same frequencies. Look for headphones with multiple channels so you can switch to another frequency if you encounter interference.

Make sure they're comfortable
Many headphones or earphones that seem fine at first could become quite uncomfortable during extended use. Comfort, of course, is subjective, depending in part on the size and shape of your head and ears and how much adjustment a headphone allows. The pressure from the earphones and the weight affect how a model feels. With any headphones, prolonged listening can make your ears warm and sweaty. Many on-ear models offer a good trade-off between comfort and quality. Some people find that earphones that are wedged in the ear can become painful with prolonged use. Insert-type earphones usually come with different-sized tips to accommodate a range of ears. While less obtrusive than other types. These can pop out at times.

Choose a design suited to your expected use
Consider how you'll use your headphones, and get a model most appropriate for that application. Closed, over-the-ear models are great for listening at home but could be too large to be easily stowed when you're traveling. Portable models might sacrifice some sound quality for small size, but they are handy. Ear buds and insert models are great for listening to music during on-the-go activities. If you'll be doing a lot of flying, or listening in a noisy environment, consider headphones with active noise-reduction technology. Also, over-the-ear and insert types can block ambient noise. Keep in mind that you'll have to replace batteries with active-noise-reduction and wireless models.

What headphones do you prefer?

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