Listening to music, audiobooks,
and podcasts, watching movies, and playing games are some of the best
activities to do for fun. However, most of us do not
want to disturb other people with the sounds when doing these things. That's why we often use
headphones to keep the music and sounds to ourselves. Headphones are also
sometimes called earphones. They are hardware output devices that plug into a
computer line out or speakers port.
You can connect headphones to a signal source like an audio amplifier, CD player, radio, portable media player, video game console, mobile phone, and electronic musical instruments. You can do this using a cord or wireless technology such as Bluetooth, DECT, or F.M. radio. If you want to learn more about them, read on as we give you the ultimate guide to headphones.
History of Headphones
The invention of headphones came
from the need to free up a person's hands while operating the telephone.
In the 1890s, a British company called Electrophone created the first device that was distinctly a headphone. They made a system that allowed customers to connect to live feeds of performances at theatres and opera
houses across London. Those subscribed to the service could
listen to the performance via a pair of huge earphones connected
below the chin and held by a long rod.
In 1891, Ernest Mercadier, a French engineer, patented a set of in-ear headphones. With this, he
was given U.S. Patent No. 454,138 for improved telephone receivers that
are light enough to be brought while in use on the head of the operator.
In 1910, Nathaniel Baldwin from Utah made a prototype telephone headset because he could not hear
sermons during Sunday service. He offered the device to the U.S. Navy for
testing, and they promptly ordered 100 of them from Baldwin. A manufacturing
facility was set up in Utah by Wireless Specialty Apparatus Co., in partnership
with Baldwin Radio Company to fulfil orders. The innovations of Baldwin were
the basis of sound-powered telephones that needed no electricity and were used
during World War II.
Headphones were made from the
telephone receiver earpiece. They were the only way to listen to electrical
audio signals before amplifiers were created. The early headphones utilized
moving iron drivers with either single-ended or balanced skeletons. Some very
sensitive headphones were commonly used for early radio work around 1919.
The first stereo headphones were
produced by John C. Koss, an audiophile and jazz musician from Milwaukee, in
1958. Before that, headphones were used only by the U.S. navy, radio and
telephone operators, and other people in similar industries.
Currently, headphones
are widely used by musicians and many other people in different applications.
You can easily buy headphones today, and they are made for various purposes,
such as music recording, gaming, office work, and more.
If you are looking for more
information about the origins of headphones, you can also read our article
about the History of Headphones and Earbuds.
The Different Types of Headphones
When you visit stores or browse
online, you will find many different headphones. Sometimes, choosing one that best fits your needs makes it challenging. To give you some
ideas, here are the different types of headphones:
1. Closed-Back Headphones
Closed-back headphones are
usually preferred by musicians and other people who work in recording studios.
This is because they can block out all external noises and hone in on the vocalist's notes or the instrument. In addition, closed-back headphones
also have little to no noise leakage. This means that very few sounds can
escape into the surrounding environment. Aside from musicians, this type of
headphone is also great for those who prefer a private listening experience to
avoid disturbing others.
2. Open-Back Headphones
Open-back headphones are the top
choice for those who are mixing and mastering in studio settings. They have an
open construction, and the leakage they make is preferred by audio
engineers as it allows the mix to remain accurate and prevents the build-up of
some frequencies that usually happen in closed-back headphones.
Many audiophiles also prefer
open-back headphones because even if they are not mixing or mastering in a pro
studio, they need the actual, flat sound to hear precisely what the artist intended
the listener to experience.
3. On-Ear Headphones
On-ear headphones go over the head and rest on top of the ears. They are also called supra-aural
headphones. The on-ear design is similar to open-back headphones,
allowing some sound from the surrounding environment to exit. This headphone
type is quite comfortable and does not cause the user to sweat that much.
However, since they rest on your ears, buying a comfortable pair is essential, so they do not pressure your ears too much.
4. Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones fit on top of the head and over to focus on sound isolation. This is the
top choice for noise reduction as they create an intimate environment between
the listener and the sound they are listening to. This headphone style is
usually closed-back as they are preferred for their potential noise
cancellation, isolation, and high-quality sound capability.
This type is also quite
comfortable and will not crunch your ears like some on-ear models. However,
they have the potential to cause you to sweat since very little air can
circulate in or out. Over-ear headphones are also the bulkiest style of
headphones out there.
5. In-Ear Headphones
Regarding versatility,
portability, and convenience, in-ear headphones are probably the best types out
there. Some of the benefits you can get from this type of headphone
include comfort, sound isolation, and good accuracy. You can think of them as
portable closed-back headphones. It is perfect for those who love to listen to
music leisurely, especially when travelling or working out at the
gym.
One of the concerns in using
in-ear headphones is that they can be dangerous for the ears as they are
directly in the ear canal. However, with the protection they provide, it is OK to use unless you blast the volumes very loud.
6. Bluetooth Headphones
At the present time, wireless
electronics are becoming more popular. With this, you can also find wireless
headphones. These types of headphones are used to offer wireless connectivity to
different devices via radio transmitter technology (R.F.). However, that
technology is pretty much phased out. Today, wireless headphones use Bluetooth
technology to connect wirelessly to different devices.
Bluetooth headphones contain a
tiny computer chip inside them that enables listeners to pair them with
devices where music is played from. It is more convenient to use compared to
wired headphones. However, there are times when there will be some lag or delay
in the transmission of sounds. But this will not be vital unless you use it for recording, producing, and mixing music. The only downside of
Bluetooth headphones is that they need to be charged when they run out of
battery.
7. Noise-Canceling Headphones
Noise-cancelling headphones have
been top-rated for air travel because they can block out the surrounding
noises from other passengers and the high frequencies of the
aeroplane's engine. These are ideal headphones for any scenario where you may
want to completely shut out the surrounding noises and prevent ambient
distractions. To learn more about this type of headphones, you can
read our article, What are Noise Cancelling Headphones and How Do They Work?
For additional information about
headphones, you can also check out the following links:
Best Headphones for Swimming
Best Headphones for Gaming
Guide to Noise Cancelling
Headphones
Best Headphones for Glasses
Wearers
Nuraphone Wireless In-Ear &
Over-Ear Headphones
How Noise Cancelling Headphones
Can Do Both Works and Play Much More Enjoyable
The Difference Between Earphones
and Headphones
Things to Consider When Buying Headphones
Today, it is straightforward to buy a
pair of headphones as they are available in many stores and as well as online.
But when purchasing one, you need to ensure that you get high-quality
headphones that will provide you comfort and a great listening experience. To
be able to achieve that, here are some of the essential things that you need to
consider:
Type
We've already discussed earlier
the different types of headphones available. When buying one, you need to be
clear about the type of headphones you want. This way, you'll be able to
get one that will cater to your needs. And if you are looking for legit and
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Drivers
Drivers are those inside the
headphone which generates the sound. These are usually made of a magnet, a
diaphragm, and a voice coil. While it is not a thumb rule, most of the
time, the larger the driver, the better the sound of the headphones.
Sensitivity
If you are looking for a
headphone where you can hear loud music, then you need to look into the
headphone's sensitivity. This specifies how loud the headphone can get. The
majority of headphones in the market are at around 110dB/mW. You must avoid getting headphones with sensitivity lower than 85dB/mW.
Ohmic Resistance
This is the power needed for a
headphone to operate. Most devices have enough capacity to provide the necessary
power to the headphones. However, those that need lower impedance can use full
power to deliver outstanding sound. If the headphone needs higher power, they may not
be able to provide their 100% without a reliable power source. Usually, 16
Ohms is a good choice for headphones.
Frequency Response
If you like music with bass, you need to pay attention to the frequency response of the headphones. It pertains
to the range of frequency a headphone can produce. The lower limit is the bass
sound, and the upper limit is treble. The majority of headphones support 20Hz –
20000 Hz frequency response. If you are looking for headphones with more bass, get one that can support wider than the usual frequency response
range.
Cord
You also need to decide whether
you will be getting a pair of headphones with or without a cord. Wireless
headphones look more relaxed and portable, but you need to choose them
based on the kind of wireless technology it offers. Bluetooth usually has a 30m
range and may not sound as good as any other wired headphones due to range and
battery issues. If you are choosing wired headphones, avoid those that have
rubber-coated coats as they tangle and can be damaged easily.
Comfortability and Design
It is also vital that you
check the headphone you've chosen if it is comfortable for your ears. People
have different types of ears, and not every device will suit you. If you are buying
in-ear headphones, opt for a smaller earbud size that can fit in and will not
slip off easily.
Conclusion
Headphones are indeed beautiful inventions, and they are instrumental at the present time. With these devices, people can enjoy listening to music, video gaming, watching movies, and more privately, without the worry of distracting other people. We hope that this guide helped you learn more about headphones. For other related articles, you can click on the links below:
