Sometimes, it can be really hard to decide which headphones you want to buy, there are so many options to choose from! Should you get wired or wireless? Open-back or closed-back? Over-ear, on-ear, or in-ear? To help you in making your decision, we put together a guide that lists down all the details of each category to help you choose the best headphones.
In-Ear, On-Ear, or Over-Ear?
If you want the best headphones for you, you need to consider how to plan you use them and what you’re listening environment will be. Different ear coupling designs work best in different environments. In-ear headphones, or earbuds, like the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8, fit in your ears. Most earbuds have silicon tips that come in different sizes that allow you to fit them for the best comfort and sound. In-ear headphones are the most portable option and can easily fit into your pocket, and their fitting makes them ideal for exercise and travel. For battery, earbuds come in a charging case, and high-end models also have active noise cancellation.
On-ear headphones rest directly on your earcups. They are more lightweight and comfortable than over-ear headphones, and they offer decent isolation from external noise. Because they are lightweight, you can easily slip on-ear headphones around your neck if you want to take a break from listening.
Over-ear headphones, like the Sonos Ace, completely cover your ears with large earcups. They are sealed which enhances sound quality and gives you better noise cancellation. Most models have padded earcups and headbands which make them more comfortable. Because they are bigger, over-ear headphones have more drivers and transducers which give you better audio and immersion.
Wired Or Wireless?
While wireless headphones have become increasingly popular over the last few years, it is important to consider the pros and cons of each style. Wireless headphones provide more portability and freedom of movement as there is no wire to restrict you, and they usually connect to your phone or device with Bluetooth.
Bluetooth compresses audio which means that you won’t be able to play the original CD audio. However, Bluetooth technology has gotten better and now you can use aptX Lossless audio, which gives you results extremely close to the original audio, but this feature is limited to a small number of headphones and music streaming services. When you compare them, wireless headphones cannot give you the audio quality that wired headphones offer. Some wireless headphones do come with a wire by which you can connect them to the source, but this will cancel out some important features like noise cancellation.
Wired headphones will give you the exact quality of the source without any compression. If you want the best sound quality possible, or if you will use your headphones just at your desk, then we would recommend using wired headphones.
Battery life is also an important factor when choosing the best headphones. Wireless headphones usually have a battery life of somewhere between 10-30 hours, depending on which model you get, how loud you’re listening, and if you’re using features like active noise cancellation. You won’t have to worry about battery when using a pair of wired headphones.
Open-Back or Closed-Back?
Every headphone has drivers on the earcups, the manufacturer then has the choice to seal the back or leave it open. When you listen with closed-back headphones, it feels like the sound is coming directly from the cups. Open-back headphones increase immersion, making it feel like the sound is coming from the environment. This listening experience is more realistic and sounds closer to listening to music live. However, you will hear external sound with this design, and people around you will also hear the music that you’re listening to at a lower volume.
Closed-back headphones, especially over-ear ones, can completely isolate you from the environment. It is easier for the listener to tune out external sound, and the noise cancellation is considerably better with closed-back headphones.
Noise Cancellation
Nowadays, noise canceling has become common in high-end headphones. It works by listening to external noise using small microphones embedded in your headphones and then canceling out the external noise to the bare minimum. Noise-canceling is useful in a loud environment, where you just want to tune the external sound out.
In conclusion, the best headphones for you directly depend on your needs and preferences. If you want portability, go for wireless or in-ear headphones. If you want good sound quality, go for wired or on-ear headphones. If you want good noise cancellation and an immersive experience, go for over-ear headphones with closed-backs.