How to choose good headphones for music and games
On the Internet you can often see the query "advise good headphones" for music and games. But before that, how to choose a gadget, must be understood, that in general headphones differ from each other, and which are better for certain tasks.
headphone design
Gadgets may differ in design. There are such designs of gadgets.
- Inserts or inserts - almost out of use, since it is an outdated technology. In addition, they did not suit everyone because of the shape and size and often fell out of the ear.. Poor low frequency quality (bass) when listening to music, when compared to other types of gadgets, there was also a lack of in-ear headphones.
- Intrachannel or vacuum (they are also called plugs or plugs) - is the most common design, because the gadget is very compact, does not create discomfort when using. It differs from the inserts by better sound quality, including low frequency. It also provides complete isolation from external noise. But before that, how to choose vacuum headphones, should be remembered: if you use plugs for a long time, and even at high volume, then you can significantly damage your hearing. Caution should be exercised when wearing plugs outdoors, as you can not hear the approaching car.
- Invoices are called so, because they are not inserted into the auricles, and adjacent to them. Because there is no complete overlap of the auditory canals, then all extraneous sounds will be heard when listening to music in a noisy place. But, if all around is quiet, then in the overhead headphones you can enjoy good sound quality. Buy overhead gadgets, if you want to choose headphones for the player.
- Full-size - are considered drive for listening to music and games. Due to the tight fit to the head and full girth of the auricles with ear cushions, high quality reproduced sound is achieved. So, if you hear the request "advise headphones for music or online games", then it is possible, without a doubt, advise a full-size headset.
Open or closed
In turn, full-size gadgets are divided into closed, semi-closed and open. Which one is better? In the closed version, the bowls of the gadget have a design, that does not pass sound waves outside and external noises inside. They are usually made of plastic, do not have any holes and look quite powerful.
The dimensions of the open headphones are the same, as in closed. They differ only in the holes on the back of the bowl, through which the sound can come out, affecting perception, as it becomes more realistic. An open gadget can be recommended for listening to music.
The semi-open type of headset is an intermediate option. It combines all the positive characteristics as closed, and open gadget. If a question arises, which headphones are best to buy, then you need to decide, what they will be used for. For games the best choice will be closed, as in some online games it is important to hear all the rumble.
We choose headphones with surround sound for games. They are usually written on the package, that is format support 7.1. Advise surround headphones to your online battle friends - they'll be grateful.
Headphones for music - it's either open, or semi-open gadget type, which copes well with its task.
Headphones with microphone
How to choose headphones with a microphone, if they are needed for online communication? It should be noted, that all of the above types of gadgets can be with a built-in microphone. Exist 4 ways to mount it on the headset.
- Built-in - is the worst option, which you can come up with, because he will catch, except the voice of the headset owner, all extraneous noises. The only thing, which may prompt you to buy headphones with such a microphone, this is, that he is invisible.
- On the cable - standard placed in the volume control in the mobile headset. Through those, that the wire is constantly shifting, signal distortion is possible, which affects the quality of communication.
- Fixed mounting. The microphone is held on a stationary plastic holder, being at a fixed distance from the mouth. You should choose headphones with a fixed mount, if you mean frequent online communication. They can be buried, open, semi-open or overhead type.
- Movable mounting. This type of headset is the best option for connecting to a computer. You can easily adjust the distance of the microphone relative to the mouth: it is enough to turn the holder. If you do not need a microphone, it can be lifted up, and in some models, disconnect.
connection method
Headsets are divided into 2 type: wired and wireless.
leading
This is the most common gadget connection option. This connection is the best, if you want the best sound. Let's highlight that, that this connection option is less expensive, than wireless.
The only downside is that, that freedom of movement is limited by the length of the cord, although it can be extended with a connecting cable.
The device is connected via a standard connector (mini jack 3,5 mm) or via USB. There must be plugs 2 (one for the microphone, and the other, green - for audio signal), if they are ordinary computer headphones.
If, if your headset has one plug with contacts for the right and left channels, as well as for the microphone, then it is quite suitable for a phone or laptop with a special socket, near which there is a certain marking.
You will need an adapter to connect to a PC.
wireless
Advise wireless headphone type themes, who has the need to move freely within a home or office. This headset is equipped with a base station, which connects to a PC. It is equipped with a receiver and transmitter of a radio signal. The headset itself also has a transmitter and receiver, battery powered. If the transmitting signal is infrared radiation, then free movement will be limited by the visibility of the emitter and receiver.
The main disadvantage of a wireless headset is the fact, that you need to periodically charge the batteries, and she weighs significantly more. Also, the sound quality in such gadgets is worse, compared to wire.
Sony MDR-RF855RK wireless headphones
Technical characteristics of headphones
To know, how to choose the right headphones, it is necessary to take into account not only the type of construction, but also the technical characteristics of the gadget.
resistance
The standard value of resistance is 32 Ohm. The higher the resistance, the better the sound. But at the same time we have to sacrifice volume. The resistance of professional headphones can reach several hundred ohms. If you choose a headset for that, to use it with a tablet, phone or PC, then 32 Om will be enough, since these devices do not have enough power.
power
When choosing a stereo headset, it is desirable to pay attention to this parameter, as an indicator of headphone power (not to be confused with headphone sensitivity). It is not necessary to chase after big values of an indicator, as such a device will quickly drain the phone battery, tablet or laptop. The power indicator must be within 100 mW.
The level of nonlinear distortions
Headphone features also include this setting, which is measured as a percentage. Quality headphones have minimal distortion within 0,5%.
Before, how to choose good headphones, know, that devices with a factor higher 1% are considered mediocre.
There are cases, when the percentage of nonlinear distortions is not indicated on the gadget package, what to look for, because the manufacturer can thus hide the poor quality of its products. It is not recommended to buy such a gadget.
Frequency range
The sound quality depends on it, how wide the limits of this parameter. The human ear is able to pick up sound within frequencies from 16 to 20000 Hz. Therefore, the frequency range of the headphones should be within these limits. Optimal frequency for normal headphones - 20-20000 Hz. Gadgets selected in this way will reproduce deep bass and normal treble. Advise headphones with such frequency characteristics to your friends, and they will not be disappointed with the sound quality.
If the frequency is lower on the package 16 Hz and above 20000 Hz, then it can be called a publicity stunt of the manufacturer. You can assume, that the gadget is capable of outputting such frequencies, but you will not benefit from it, because you will still hear sound in this nature range.
sensitivity
Thinking, which headphones to choose, you can get confused in the names of the parameters. It's about the sensitivity of the headphones, when a person in the store asks the seller to “advise the headphones, so that they have a high volume ". The higher the headphone sensitivity setting, the louder the music on the device. Sensitivity is considered normal, in the range of 90 dB to 100 dB (for budget gadgets) and above (for expensive models) at constant power level.
Technical characteristics of the microphone
Before, how to choose good headphones with a microphone, attention should be paid to its technical characteristics. Microphones in the headset are condenser and dynamic. If you choose the parameters, then the transmission quality is better in capacitor. The microphone can also be unidirectional (catches less extraneous noise) and circular. The frequency range of a normal microphone is in the range of 100 Hz to 16 kHz. All right, if the noise canceling function is implemented in the microphone.
Summing up
Finally, we can say, that approach the choice of headphones should be individual, as there are no universal recommendations in this regard. First, decide, what headset do you need, mobile or stationary, and only then select it according to the technical characteristics. We should not forget about ergonomics, trying on selected headphones. They should not cause excessive pressure on the ears and be light enough. Otherwise, Prolonged use of the gadget may cause neck and ear pain. In any case, before buying you need to weigh the pros and cons, then choose the best option, that you are satisfied with the price and quality of the headset.
