How to choose headphones for your phone

When choosing headphones for your phone, it is worth making a start from the type and acoustic characteristics of this accessory.

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How to choose headphones for your phone: what to look for
Types of headphones
How to choose headphones
Main selection criteria
How to choose a wireless headset

How to choose headphones for your phone: what to look for

The main criteria when choosing headphones for your phone are:

View ("plug-in", invoices, etc.);
Execution (wired, wireless);
Speaker type (ferrite, neodymium, microarmatics);
Acoustic characteristics (impedance, frequency range, volume);
Additional parameters (plug shape, microphone presence, wire type, wire fixing type, noise reduction system).
Important when choosing headphones for modern smartphones is also a connector.

Types of headphones

There are several types of headphones designed for use with a smartphone:

"Inserts", they are also "droplets";
Inserts with ear hook;
Intra channel, they are also “gags”;
Overhead;
Full size;
With transosseous acoustic conduction.

"Inserts"

Liners

The most traditional version of headphones. They are inserted into the auricle, and their speaker is facing the ear canal. This design provides optimum acoustic quality. In addition, if the headphones are not playing at full volume or are not pressed into the sink (for example, under the cap), they provide audibility of the surrounding world, which is especially important for mobile use.

The disadvantage of the design is unreliable fastening. Headphones fall out if you tilt your head or pull the cable.

Outer ear earhook

Ear hook earhook

This version of the headset is free of the previous one. Due to the additional arc that encircles the auricle, they firmly hold on to the head - even more reliable than the intracanal one. At the same time, they retain low weight and comfort of use. These headphones are recommended for athletes or just people who lead an active lifestyle.

The disadvantage of the design is the complexity of simultaneously wearing headphones and glasses, as well as possible discomfort due to pressure on the auricle. However, it passes quickly as the user gets used to the headphones.

In-ear headphones

inter-channel headphones

This version of the headphones is also free from the lack of the first type ("liners"). Intra-channel devices, as the name implies, are inserted directly into the auditory canal, where they are securely fixed with soft but elastic ear cushions. Therefore, headphones do not fall out even with sudden movements, inclinations or mechanical actions with the wire.

The disadvantage of the design is its danger. Listening to music at high volume can damage your hearing, and wearing headphones for an extended period can cause or aggravate ear diseases like otitis or "sulfur plugs."

As a result, intra-channel headphones are suitable for short-term use and listening to music at medium or low volume.

Overhead headphones

This type of headphone is equipped with a headband that can pass through the crown or the back of the head. They are distinguished by medium-sized speakers, with dimensions comparable to the auricle itself. When wearing, they press the auricle to the skull, completely closing it.

Increased compared to the "droplets" or in-ear headphones, the dimensions of the speakers provide deeper and more saturated bass that fans of heavy music like both rock and electronics will like. However, specific acoustic characteristics depend on many factors.

Having a "half-closed" design, these headphones hide the sink is not completely. This ensures that the audibility of especially loud sounds like a car horn or screams is preserved. And this, in turn, is very important for mobile use.

In addition, these headphones are usually of optimal size, thanks to which they are noticeable, but not striking. This will avoid various embarrassing situations.

Full size headphones

Full-size, they are also monitor, headphones have large ear pads and headband, usually passing through the top of the head. They completely cover the auricle. Embouchures of such headphones pass along the scalp, and in some models even partially over the cheeks.

The large size of the monitor headphones allows you to install in them large and very powerful speakers for effective bass reproduction - up to tangible. Also, some models are equipped with multiple speakers in each monitor to create a real sound environment. However, specific acoustic characteristics vary depending on the model.

Due to their design, these headphones are well isolated from the sounds of the world (both closed and open). This can be dangerous in mobile use - a person simply will not hear a car alarm, scream or other acoustic warning.

In addition, like “plugs”, such headphones are not recommended to be worn for a long time due to the risk of the emergence or development of specific diseases.

Headband Transducer Headphones

With transosseous conductivity

Headphones with transosseous conduction completely open the ears. Their “dynamics”, which, in essence, are “mechanical vibration drives,” are fixed on the temporal bones and transmit sound directly through the skull directly into the inner ear. Therefore, the ear canal remains open, and the surrounding acoustic environment is not blocked by music.

The disadvantages of these headphones are three. First, it is impossible to wear glasses with them. Secondly, people with ICP or brain injuries (concussion, bruise, stroke) from using such headphones can feel worse. And finally, it is required that they fit snugly to the head - only in this case the sound will be “heard”.

However, these headphones are great for wearing outdoors. They do not isolate from the external acoustic environment - and therefore signals of danger such as a car horn, screams, dog barking, etc. will be heard.

However, the headphones with transient impedance practically do not occur on the market due to the very small number of manufacturers. And they are expensive.

How to choose headphones?

Ideal headphones for mobile use are "droplets" and overhead. Slightly less - due to the limited perception of the acoustic environment - intracanal and “droplets” with earhook fit. Full-sized, for the most part, are not intended for mobile use, as they isolate the listener from the external sound environment.

But transducer headphones are the choice for geeks.

Main selection criteria

main selection criteria

Execution (wired or wireless)

By performance, the headphones are divided into three types:

Wired with 3.5 mm jack jack (analog);
Wired with Lightning or USB Type-C (digital);
Wireless (working via Bluetooth).

Wired with 3.5 mm jack designed for use with the vast majority of smartphones. The main advantage of these headphones is versatility. 3.5 mm jacks are equipped not only with smartphones, but also portable players, computers and other multimedia devices.

Another advantage of wired 3.5 mm headphones is the ability to fine-tune the sound. Using equalizers and special engines, if you have the appropriate skills, you can customize the acoustic picture in detail. And, of course, the sound quality will vary significantly depending on the bitrate of the music.

Wired headphones with a Lightning or USB Type-C connector Designed for use with corresponding smartphones that do not come with a 3.5 mm Jack connector - for example, Apple iPhone 7 or Google Pixel 2, respectively. Being digital, they do not provide detailed settings for sound quality, but they can create additional audio effects - for example, surround sound (like virtual 7.1).

Wireless headphonesworking on the Bluetooth standard, communicate with the smartphone according to this standard. This provides almost complete freedom of action. For example, you can leave your smartphone on the table and go to another room.

Being also digital, they do not provide a sufficiently customized sound. But on the other hand, some models out of the box (for example, Sony or Marshall) provide fairly high quality.

However, with the choice of wireless headphones, there is a separate series of subtleties.

Speaker type

The speakers are of three types - ferrite, neodymium and microarmatics.

Ferrites are the cheapest. They are found mainly in budget headphones. Provide "flat" sound, suitable for undemanding users.
Neodymium provides deep bass and optimum sound for mid and high frequencies. Will suit most users.
Microarmatics provide surround sound in which you can hear every note, but none of the frequencies prevail.

There are also headphones with multiple speakers (for example, Xiaomi Dual Drivers), which use neodymium magnets and micro-armature structures. It is clear that they combine the advantages of each of these types.

Acoustic Characteristics

Impedance - the degree of resistance of the wire. Headphones with an impedance of more than 35-40 ohms are undesirable for use with mobile devices, since they will lead to a strong discharge of the device.
The frequency range is the part of the spectrum that headphones are capable of reproducing. The human ear distinguishes frequencies in the range of 20 Hz - 15 kHz. However, lovers of deep bass should purchase headphones with a lower limit of the range of 10 Hz.
The volume determines the maximum volume that headphones can give out. In no case can one acquire models whose limit exceeds 120 dB. They can damage the ears.

Extra options

The shape of the plug determines the durability of this connector. For use with smartphones, it is recommended to choose headphones with a L-shaped connector. Straight plugs quickly fray in pockets.
The presence of a microphone allows you to use headphones as a headset (hands-free).
Twisted wire is more practical because it does not hang down and does not interfere at hand.
Fastening wires can be unilateral and bilateral. The first option is more practical because the cable does not “cover” the head.
The noise reduction system isolates the user from the external sound environment. Not the best option for mobile carrying, but allows you to "close" from the noise of the subway or aircraft. The disadvantage is that the active noise cancellation system can cause headaches, while the passive one can be implemented exclusively by design and significantly increases the size and weight of the headphones.

How to choose a wireless headset

When choosing a wireless headset, pay attention to the following parameters:

Headphone type;
Bluetooth standard.

Wireless headphones can be performed in two versions - in the form of in-channel with a separate unit or in the form of overhead or full-size.

Intra channel they are the usual “plugs” that attach to a small block that hangs around your neck. It is also on it that the control buttons and microphone for the headset are located. These headphones are not particularly comfortable, but they are usually very cheap. In addition, a weak battery is usually installed in the block hanging around the neck, which lasts about 6-8 hours of operation.
Overhead and full size also similar to "ordinary". However, in the monitors themselves hiding the battery, sound card, wireless receiver and other components. Overhead and full-size headphones are more autonomous and better sound quality. But they are very big.

The Bluetooth standard defines the autonomy and range of the headphones. Moreover, it is desirable that it be the same in the smartphone and headphones. The Bluetooth 4.0 standard is quite energy-intensive, which is why both devices are quickly discharged, and has a small radius of action (does not “break through” the wall, for example). And 4.1 consumes less energy and provides a greater radius of action.

For use with modern smartphones on Android 8.0 (for example, Nexus 6P or Google Pixel) you should purchase headphones with support for aptX HD codecs. They provide better sound.