Headphones / Headsets
As always, your first thought should not be what headphones, but how – and to what – you are goin...
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As always, your first thought should not be what headphones, but how – and to what – you are going to use your new headphones. Many of us just consider one set of headphones, but as there are many good headphones that don’t cost that much, why not go for one pair with superior sound quality and one or more sets for special purposes? When you are jogging it is perhaps not imperative to have top sound quality but it is very annoying when the headphones don’t fit well and you have to adjust them all the time. In some occasions it is important not to disturb and on others looks matters. So why not go for more than one set?
Mainly there are three types of phones; the ones based on small ear mussels, often without a head strap; the open type with a small ear-cap and finally the large closed earphones which effectively shuts out all disturbing noise. Always try the headphones on so that you can decide whether they fit comfortably or not - and for the mussel type try them for at least a few minutes, preferably longer. Be also aware that especially ear mussels and closed headphones could affect your hearing if used for a long time at high volume. Also, give some consideration to adapters so that you perhaps could use your headphones on airplanes, buses, and in other systems with other connections – or combine them with a small microphone to use as a headset for TCP/IP telephoning.
Headphones are not only for your mp3 player or your stereo system, they are also a great way to play games, watch TV or play an electronic instrument at any time of the day without disturbing other household members. Other convenient techniques are of course the wireless sets, today available with different technical solutions but of all types; from the small and discrete to super high end sets.
Headphones can be divided into three main segments:
• The inexpensive and simple headphones. Do not expect too much, but they often deliver an acceptable quality and if they break down you just buy another. These headphones could be a good choice for certain purposes like when jogging or exercising.
• The super small/light headphones. They come in all qualities and colors and are often well designed. As they are small and light they are often comfortable but ensure that they also fit well.
• The superior sound headphones. These headphones focus on sound quality and are often of the closed type that shuts all disturbing noise around you out, so that the music is all you hear.
After deciding amongst which headphones to choose between, read tests of interesting models. Bring some of your favorite music with you to the store so that you can compare sound quality with familiar music before buying headsets.
TIP:
Bring someone along when you test different headphones so they can hear how much sound leaks out and disturbs people around. If you are going to use them, for example, in a library, a pair of silent headphones is important.