Cable length
The length of the cable supplied with the headphones with the appropriate connectivity.
The optimal cable length depends on the planned format of the "ears". So, for pocket gadgets,
1 metre or less is often enough, for a computer it is already desirable to have a wire for
1 – 2 m, and preferably
2 – 3 m. And models with a longer cable length —
3 – 5 m or even
more — are mainly designed for specific tasks, such as connecting to a TV or using in recording studios.
Recall that in some models the cable is removable (see below) and can be replaced if necessary with a longer or shorter one. Also note that there are extension cables that allow you to increase the length of the main wire; such a cable may even be included in the delivery, this point (and the length of the additional cable) is usually specified in the notes.
Sensitivity
Rated headphone sensitivity. Technically, this is the volume at which they sound when a certain standard signal from the amplifier is connected to them. Thus, sensitivity is one of the parameters that determine the overall volume of the headphones: the higher it is, the louder the sound will be with the same input signal level and other things being equal. However, we must not forget that the volume level also depends on the resistance (impedance, see above); moreover, it is worth choosing “ears” for a specific device first by impedance, and only then by sensitivity. In this case, one parameter can be compensated for by another: for example, a model with high resistance and high sensitivity can work even on a relatively weak amplifier.
As for specific figures, headphones with indicators of 100 dB or less are designed mainly for use in a quiet environment (in some similar models, the sensitivity
does not exceed 90 dB). For use on the street, in transport and other similar conditions, it is desirable to have more sensitive headphones — about
101 – 105 dB, or even
110 dB. And in some models, this figure can reach
116 – 120 dB. and even
more.
It is also worth noting that this parameter is relevant only for a wired connection according to the analogue standard — for example, via
...a 3.5 mm mini-jack. When using digital interfaces like USB and wireless channels like Bluetooth, the sound is processed in the built-in headphone converter, and if you plan to mainly use this kind of application, you can not pay much attention to sensitivity.Frequency range
The range of audio frequencies that the headphone's own microphone can normally "hear".
Theoretically, the wider this range, the more advanced and high-quality the microphone is, the closer the sound transmitted by it is to the real one. In fact, extensive frequency coverage is not always required. So, the working range of the human ear is about 16 – 22,000 Hz, and even then not everyone hears its upper part. And human speech usually covers frequencies from 500 Hz to 2 kHz, at least this range is considered quite sufficient for its transmission. So if you need a microphone for simple tasks like voice communication on the Internet or game chat, you can not pay much attention to the frequency range: even in the most modest models, it is more than sufficient for normal speech transmission.
Sensitivity
The sensitivity of the headphone's own microphone.
The more sensitive the microphone, the higher the signal level from it, at the same sound volume, and the better this model is suitable for picking up quiet sounds. Conversely, low sensitivity filters out background noise. At the same time, we note that these nuances are important mainly in professional work with sound. And for simple tasks like voice communication over the phone or via the Internet, sensitivity does not really matter: in headphones of this specialization, it is selected in such a way as to ensure that the microphone is guaranteed to work.
Microphone mute
The ability to turn off your own headphone microphone using a special button or switch.
This feature is relevant mainly for phone calls, Skype, etc. It is useful in situations where you need to distract from the main conversation and say something that the interlocutor does not need to hear. Disconnecting the microphone is easier and more reliable than covering it with your hand or disconnecting the headphones entirely.
Note that the
ability to turn off the microphone may be provided in the communication programme itself (the same Skype, for example). However, again, using the switch on the headphones is more convenient.
Weight
The total weight of the headphones; for true wireless models (see "Cable Type"), the weight of each individual earbud is listed.
This parameter is directly related to the design (see above) and some features of the functionality. Thus, the mentioned true wireless devices are very light, their weight
does not exceed 25 g. More traditional in-ears and in-ears can be noticeably heavier,
up to 50g for in-ears and up
to 100g for most in-ears. Overhead models, for the most part, are quite massive: among them there are many models weighing
200 – 250 g,
250 – 300 g and even
more than 300 g. It should be noted that a significant weight for false ears is often not a disadvantage, but an advantage: it allows them to stay on the head more securely, creates an impression of solidity and reliability, and most often does not create significant inconvenience.