How to choose headphones based on characteristics

When choosing headphones, special attention is paid to their characteristics. They are responsible not only for sound quality, but also for other important parameters. It is necessary to familiarize yourself with all the characteristics in order to understand which device should be chosen in certain cases.

Selecting headphones by characteristics

There are basic technical characteristics by which you can determine the quality of the headphones:

1. Frequency range (spectrum).
2. Sensitivity.
3. Resistance.
4. Power.
5. Presence of distortions.

Attention! There is no point in choosing a device according to all these requirements, since everything depends on the operating conditions. But you need to familiarize yourself with the parameters in order to have an idea about them.

Sensitivity

Sensitivity is responsible for the volume of sound. The standard volume for most devices is 100 dB. Sensitivity indicators depend on the magnetic core. The plugs and earbuds have a small membrane diameter, and the magnet power is low, so the sensitivity indicators are quite low. But people have enough volume because the membrane is in direct contact with the ear.

Power

Headphones have certain limitations regarding the power of sound signals. If it exceeds this permissible limit, the speakers may fail.Most often, the acceptable range varies from 1 mW to 5000 mW.

frequency range

The characteristic displays the frequency of playback of sound signals. The wider the range, the higher the sound quality. Most often, the relationship occurs as follows: the larger the device membrane, the wider the frequency. But the spectrum may differ depending on the perception of the human ear. Standard average frequencies are from 15 to 20 thousand Hz. In rare cases, it may be higher or lower, but this is an individual feature of ear perception.

Resistance

The parameter is taken into account, referring to the equipment to which the device will be connected. For small handheld devices and equipment, resistance from 16 to 50 ohms. The meaning of resistance is that the higher the indicator, the more powerful the signal needed to swing the membrane. Therefore, for accessories with high impedance values, you need a device that can transmit powerful sounds.

This means that when you connect studio headphones with a resistance of over 200 Ohms to a standard player or phone, the sound will be very quiet and the power will be low. And for studio speakers with a resistance exceeding 500 Ohms, it is necessary to connect additional audio power amplifiers.

There is another pattern - the sound becomes clearer at high resistance. Therefore, headphones with high impedance ratings do not always sound loud, and if it is low, the audio signals may be distorted.

Reference! It follows that for a computer a resistance of 30 to 90 Ohms will be sufficient. But for studio devices you will need headphones whose performance exceeds 200 Ohms.

Which headphones to choose?

The characteristics listed above will be key when choosing a device. You should choose headphones based on the following rules:

1. If the frequency range exceeds the audible region, this is more of an advantage than a disadvantage. Not only will these speakers be able to operate in a narrow edge mode, but they also have the added potential to deliver sounds more accurately and without distortion.
2. Headphone power is one of the most important characteristics for any type of device. The higher the power ratings, the clearer and better the sound. It becomes bright and accurate.
3. Sensitivity is selected individually, depending on the characteristics of the user's ear. 100 dB is considered a good indicator.
4. Resistance. Here the choice depends entirely on the operation. For a phone or player, you can choose a device with a resistance of about 30 ohms. For a computer, the average is 50 ohms. Studio ones require at least 200 Ohms. Please note that the higher the impedance value, the clearer the sound becomes. It prevents defects from appearing during signal transmission.
5. Also check for extraneous noise and distortion. If any, you should give preference to another device.

Preferences also depend on the type of device. There are 4:

1. Vacuum headphones. The headphones have an oblong shape that looks a bit like a bullet. Headphones are inserted into the ears, which does not allow sound to travel, and this avoids distortion.
2. Inserts. The most common variety, suitable for players and mobile phones.
3. Invoices. The headbands are put on the head. They have a bow that allows you to attach the speakers to each other.Standard headphones for a computer. Excellent reproduction of low and medium frequency sounds.
4. Monitor. They are similar in shape to overhead ones, but the dimensions of the device are slightly larger. They are considered the best headphones for listening to audio files, according to technical parameters. They completely cover the ear, allowing you to expand the sound space. And thanks to soft materials, the bulkiness of the design does not affect ease of use.

And the last piece of advice when choosing a device is to give preference to brands that have already established themselves in the market and are very well known.