Upgrading Headphones
By
User:Kristenmollica @timeAndDate(1282062826)
Today is a proud day to be an audiophile. You're finally throwing out that cheap pair of earbuds that came with your MP3 player and upgrading to a pair of headphones where you can actually hear all of the the music. People spend hundreds of dollars purchasing the best media player or home theater system, yet so many people are unwilling to spend on quality headphones. All that money on your sound system is wasted unless you invest in a top-quality pair: upgrading your headphones will allow you to hear every cymbal crash or thump of bass. In short, you'll be able to hear the music the way the artist intended. As a music lover, I can't in good conscience allow you to continue using those terrible earbuds that came with your iPod.
Types of Headphones
Features to Look For
Here are some of the features you should be searching for when upgrading your headphones. No matter which type you purchase, you should be looking for these qualities. However, it is highly recommended that you choose overearbuds. You will not get the same sound quality with the other styles.
* '''Sound''': Well, of course highsize headphones can do the trick. However, if you don't want too much bass, look for a pair with flat response technology to give you a purer sound.
** Most headphones use dynamic drivers to produce sound. This is similar to how a full speaker works, so you can rest assured that you will hear things fully and clearly.
** Look at the '''range of frequency''' the headphones can produce: the wider it is, the better the sound quality. Humans can only perceive sounds from '''20-20,000 Hz''', however, so anything beyond that is unnecessary.
*** Fans of classical and jazz music should look for sets that produce more mid-range and high details.
*** Rap and hip-hop listeners will want to hear more lows. (The larger the headphone, the better the bass.)
* '''Noise-Canceling''': Drown out the background noises that are ruining your listening experience.
** Too many people severely damage their hearing by cranking the volume when they can't hear the music due to outside noise.
**
smart headphones trick your ears into thinking the sound is coming from multiple directions. These isn't exactly a necessary feature, but it's especially nice if you play a lot of video games or watch movies with headphones on.
* '''Comfort''': Since you could potentially be wearing these headphones for hours on end, comfort is key. A fullheadphones'>audiophile headphones will be the most comfortable: they have soft padding and adjustable headbands.
* '''Wireless''': You would think
wireless would be an excellent feature to upgrade to. However, many models are not up to par on the sound quality. Many add a background hiss. Save that extra money to invest in other better features.
Pricing and Brands
Best Earbuds
Best Full-Size Headphones
Related Guides
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Headphones
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Wireless Headphones
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Home Theater
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Brand Name Electronics
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Recording Equipment
