TECH
Things You Need to Know
Before Buying
Headphones
B
uying headphones can be daunting. Here are some of
the commonly used terms you should know. Whether
it's the cheap plastic pair that comes bundled with
your smartphone or the big expensive cans with a giant 'b'
on the side, we've all used headphones at some point of
time. Getting the sound right can make all the difference
between a boring bus ride and an emotional journey. But
there's more to headphones than what you see. There's a
lot of science and engineering that goes into making a pair
of headphones sound a particular way. The sound can be
tuned in an infinite number of ways, and enjoying the audio
experience is more about matching a pair of headphones
to the music you're used to listening to, rather than simply picking by brand or looks. Our guide will help you get
a better understanding of what to look for in headphones,
and how to make an informed choice when you're actually
shopping for a pair. In case you're confused by any of the
terms used, jump down to check out our jargon buster. And
in the following weeks, we will even help you pick a pair
depending upon how much you are looking to spend.
Types of headphones
In-Ears
Also known as IEMs (In-Ear Monitors), in-ear headphones
are the smallest and most portable of all the different kinds.
Each earbud fits into your ear canal and is powered by
small drivers (see below), usually 8-10mm in size. It can
be quickly and easily wrapped and stored, which makes it
ideal for use when commuting and traveling.
Pros: Thanks to the small size and light weight, these inears are usually comfortable to wear for hours on end.
Cons: Many users do not like the invasive nature of the fit
and prefer to use larger on-ear or over-ear headphones.
On-Ears
Also known as supra-aural headphones, on-ears literally sit
on your ears, and are therefore much bigger than in-ears.
This style of headphones uses larger driver casings, along
with a headband that keeps the ear cups in place securely
on your ears. Typically, on-ears headsets use 30-40mm
drivers.
Pros: Typically more comfortable than in-ears for short periods use, can usually be folded up to pack away when not
in use.
Cons: Not as portable as in-ears. Since the ear cups sit
atop your ears, may not be too comfortable over long hours
of use.
Over-Ears
Also known as around-ears and circum-aural headphones,
over-ears are the largest and often the most comfortable
kind of headphones. Like on-ears, over-ears have large
driver casings and a headband, but the ear cups wrap
completely around your ears, rather than resting on the