Contents
*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
Wireless headphones are a great option for gamers, travelers, athletes, people leading an active lifestyle. Today we will talk about how to choose a quality device and what characteristics you need to pay attention to when buying.
Types of wireless headphones – data transfer features
Bluetooth
Wireless audio used to be synonymous with poor sound quality, but modern Bluetooth headphones sound much better than their “ancestors”. Of course, cheap Chinese Bluetooth devices bought on Aliexpress or TaoBao cannot be compared with wired products, but expensive models of well-known brands (for example, Sennheiser, Erato, Apple) are no worse than classic headphones.
New versions of Bluetooth (Bluetooth 5.0), available on Apple’s latest iPhones or next-generation Android devices, provide four times the range of Bluetooth 4.2 and the fastest data transfer speeds (6,25 MB/s). This makes wireless headphones more comfortable, providing better sound quality and richness.
When buying, keep in mind that the Bluetooth versions on the headphones and on the original device (smartphone, computer) match, otherwise you will not “enjoy” the benefits of the new version.
Another plus for bluetooth headphones is aptX support. aptX codecs guarantee high quality sound. AptX is only used in Bluetooth-enabled products.
Advantages
Can be connected to mobile (tablets, phones), stationary (PC, TV) devices;
Economical battery consumption;
Sufficient range (about 10 meters).
Disadvantages
Poor sound quality for cheap models;
High price compared to wired devices, with the same sound quality.
Radio channel
Wireless radio headphones work by transmitting a radio signal. A special radio transmitter is connected to the device, most often stationary, providing a wide range of headphones (up to 100 m).
Advantages
Suitable for large rooms, offices;
Provide high quality sound;
Large range.
Disadvantages
Discharge the battery quickly;
If it coincides with the frequency range of other radio devices located nearby, sound waves are distorted;
Signal interference may occur.
IR communication (infrared port)
This data transfer technology is significantly inferior to radio and bluetooth headphones, so it is rarely used in production. IR headphones work like a remote control, ie. data transmission is performed if they are at a small visible distance from the transmitter. Infrared headphones are a great option for older TVs or devices that don’t have built-in wireless capability.
Advantages
Affordable price;
“Modest” energy consumption.
Disadvantages
The signal is interrupted if there is an obstacle in its path (wall, person, etc.);
Minimum range (5–8 m).
dimensions
Wireless headphones are internal (earbuds, earplugs) and external (overhead, full-size, closed / open type headphones).
Internal models are fixed in the ear canal. They are suitable for sports, travel, outdoor activities. The devices are small in size, with a minimum weight (4–20 g). Due to their modest dimensions, the headphones are equipped with a “modest” battery (5-8 hours of continuous use), providing an average sound quality.
External headphones are superimposed on the ears and can cover them completely. They are larger than internal devices, and their weight is 120-280 g. External headphones sound better than internal ones, the battery lasts 10-25 hours without recharging.
Soundproofing
Headphones suppress external noise (conversations, the sounds of a working TV, trains in the subway). Manufacturers indicate the degree of sound insulation of headphones in decibels (dB). An indicator of 20 dB or more is considered optimal.
Frequency range
The higher the maximum frequency of the sound reproduced by the headphones, the better we perceive the “depth” of the music. An indicator of 20–20000 Hz is considered optimal.
Impendance (complex resistance)
Most low impedance devices (less than 40 ohms) require little power to produce sufficient volume. For example, low-impedance headphones are combined with phones, smartphones, players and other portable gadgets. Models with an impedance of 40 ohms or more need more power to deliver high sound levels. They are suitable for home audio systems, professional equipment.
Sensitivity
The headphone volume depends on the value of this parameter. It is measured in decibels. Headphone sensitivity less than 100 dB is considered too quiet for the street, while 140 dB corresponds to the pain threshold.
Battery
All wireless headphones need a power source:
Most models are equipped with built-in batteries that cannot be replaced with a new or spare one. The duration of the “life” of such headphones depends on the life of the power supply.
The presence of removable batteries extends the operating time of the device. You can replace the dead battery with a spare one and continue listening to music.
Battery life without recharging depends on the capacity specified by the manufacturer. The larger the capacity, the longer the headphones will last. For example, a battery with a capacity of 120 mAh provides about six hours of continuous operation, and a power supply with a capacity of 610 mAh – 15 hours.
Top manufacturers
In the CIS countries, the European Union and the USA, headphones of such brands are especially popular:
Sennheiser;
Jabra;
Plantronics;
BOSE;
YEVO;
Bragi the Dash;
Erato;
Manzana;
Sony;
TRNDlabs;
jaybird
The cost of wireless headphones of the above companies ranges from 60 to 320 euros.
Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.