What characteristics should good headphones have?
Sound
This is the most important parameter, so we will give priority to it. Of course, your personal perception will be the best estimate, but if you are deprived of the opportunity to listen to headphones before buying, pay attention to the following characteristics.
Frequency range
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The frequency range of headphones is typically divided into low, medium, and high frequencies. The ideal standard range is 20 — 20 000 Hz, as this encompasses the range of sounds that the average human ear can perceive. Having narrower frequency margins may result in a loss of audio quality. For instance, a range of 50 — 20 000 Hz will lack impactful deep bass, while a lower limit on the treble range will result in a less vibrant and clear sound.
Claimed frequency values such as 10 — 25000 Hz are often used as marketing tactics, as they go beyond the range of human hearing. However, there are exceptions to consider. A lower limit that is lower than the standard range may indicate the potential presence of sub-bass in the headphones, assuming the manufacturer is being honest. Conversely, an overestimated upper limit can be justified in wireless headphones to compensate for distortions and codec noises in the high-frequency range.
Amplitude-frequency response (AFR)
The amplitude-frequency response indicates how the loudness of reproduced sound varies at different frequencies. This information is often not readily available on the product packaging or user manuals, so you may need to search for it online. A smoother frequency response generally indicates less distortion, and the sound will be closer to what is typically heard with a Flat equalizer preset. However, personal preferences vary, and there's nothing wrong with boosting the bass for those who enjoy powerful low-end or emphasizing the midrange for classical music and dialogue enthusiasts.
But... here it is important how many dB the sound deviates from the norm in a particular frequency range. The lower the number, the better. Distortions greater than 10 dB are undesirable, as they significantly spoil the overall picture of the sound.
How to learn to read AFR
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Take a look at the frequency response graph of your headphones:
LF.Dips in this range result in a loss of bass richness and expressiveness, while peaks can lead to hum, mumbling, and reduced emphasis.
MF. A decline in this range causes a loss of sound volume and transparency in the audio scene, potentially resulting in a cluttered mix of instruments. Boosting low mids can give the sound a "telephone" character, while increasing high mids may make vocals overpower the instruments. It's worth noting that excessive elevation in the midrange can quickly fatigue the ears.
HF. A decline in this area results in a dull and lifeless sound, whereas peaks can lead to hissing and irritating sounds.
It's important to note that while the frequency response graph provides a general idea of the headphone's sound signature, it may not always accurately reflect the actual sound experience. Factors such as the fit (for on-ear headphones), depth and angle of insertion (for in-ear headphones), as well as the shape, size, and material of the ear cushions, can also affect the frequency response.
Sensitivity
Sensitivity, measured in dB, determines the maximum loudness of headphones on a given device. Higher sensitivity means louder sound even at lower input levels. Headphones with low sensitivity are typically quieter and require connection to high-power sources. Optimal sensitivity ranges from 95 to 120 dB. Higher sensitivity can be undesirable to avoid potential harm to your hearing, while lower sensitivity may result in sound that is too quiet for your preference.
Impedance (resistance)
Denoted in ohms or the special symbol Ω, plays a crucial role in determining the volume and sound quality of headphones when connected to specific audio sources. In simple terms, for headphones to play loudly and with high quality, the source amplifier must have sufficient power and match the impedance of the headphones. For low-impedance headphones (up to 40 ohms for in-ear headphones and up to 100 ohms for full-size headphones), a low-power amplifier with low voltage and a resistance of 2-10 ohms is sufficient. It's important to note that the output impedance of the amplifier should be less than ⅛ of the headphone impedance. However, it's worth considering that source impedance is not always indicated for every device. To simplify understanding, remember a few basic principles:
- Wireless headphones are already matched with the internal amplifier, you can ignore the impedance.
- Low-impedance headphones (up to 100 ohms) are ready for portable devices and simple consumer electronics (exception: most planar headphones).
- High-impedance headphones (from 100 ohms) require a suitable amplifier, but can provide less distortion and higher sound quality.
- If you connect headphones with the same sensitivity but different impedance to the same source, the low-impedance model will sound louder at the same settings.
- The impedance mismatch degrades the sound noticeably. The headphone impedance must be higher than the output impedance of the amplifier.
If you want to use high-impedance headphones with your smartphone or laptop, then buying an external amplifier can fix the situation. Most likely, with it, your headphones will sound louder and brighter.
Driver type
When it comes to driver types, it's important to avoid idealizing one category and exaggerating the shortcomings of others. With proper attention to quality, even inexpensive dynamic drivers can perform exceptionally well. However, each driver type has its own unique characteristics that can be advantageous in different situations.
Dynamic drivers are capable of delivering a sweeping, emotional, and warm sound even in small spaces. They are renowned for their natural and three-dimensional bass reproduction.
Balanced armature drivers offer greater accuracy compared to dynamic drivers. For a juicy and spacious sound, multi-driver balanced armature earphones are recommended. However, single-driver balanced armature earphones may excel in the midrange but struggle with the extremes of the frequency range, particularly without sufficient amplification.
Planar and electrostatic excel in micro-detailing, creating a wide soundstage, and producing natural timbres in high frequencies. They generally require substantial power to reach their full potential and are often found in higher-priced headphones.
Hybrid drivers combine the best qualities of both dynamic and balanced armature drivers, provided that the manufacturer has put effort into their design.
Codecs
In the realm of wireless headphones, there has been a longstanding belief that wired headphones provide superior sound quality, particularly in the realm of Hi-Fi models. However, modern Bluetooth headphones can now rival their wired counterparts, thanks to support for various codecs. Let's explore some of these codecs:
Wireless headphones can support:
Lossy codecs
Lossy codecs are audio file compression technologies that significantly reduce the size of encoded files by removing imperceptible information to the human ear.
SBC. SBC is a standard codec known for its mediocrity. It suffers from distortion in high-frequency sounds. However, it offers a stable signal over long distances, making it suitable for tasks like household chores or listening to podcasts or audiobooks. It is not recommended for music.
AAC. AAC is a good codec that typically provides better sound quality compared to other codecs at the same audio file bitrate. However, it can consume more battery power due to increased processor load.
aptX. aptX offers similar sound quality to AAC but with lower latency (80ms compared to over 200ms for other codecs). This makes it particularly useful for gamers.
AptX LL(Low Latency) as the name suggests, provides even lower latency than regular aptX (40ms). It is an excellent choice for bloggers and gamers who require minimal delay.
Lossless codecs
Lossless data compression is a technology used to compress data without losing any information, allowing for accurate restoration of the original file.
aptX HD, aptX Adaptive. While aptX HD excels in transmitting high-definition music, it can experience connection issues and is more stable over shorter distances. It performs well when the phone is in close proximity, but lags may occur when moving further away. On the other hand, aptX Adaptive is more flexible in this regard, as it employs a variable bitrate. Although its bitrate is slightly lower than aptX HD, it adapts more quickly to changing environmental conditions.
LDAC. Potentially good, but not yet tested technology. The codec sounds at the level of aptX HD, although it surpasses it in terms of performance.
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So, it is optimal to choose wireless headphones with support for aptX Adaptive and LDAC codecs, but do not forget about the quality of the source material. If the initial bitrate of a file is low, then it makes no sense to "pack" it into a higher one.
Design
When choosing headphones, it's crucial to consider your specific needs and the intended purpose of use. Each headphone design has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to prioritize your goals and ergonomic preferences. Regardless of the design, the headphones should provide a comfortable fit, stay securely in place, and not cause fatigue during extended use.
Earbuds — do not put pressure on the ears, rarely tire, but can fall out and do not provide sound insulation, which affects the sound, especially bass.
In-ear (vacuum) headphones are inserted directly into the ear canal, offering several advantages. They provide effective passive noise isolation, deliver a rich bass sound, and offer sufficient volume levels. However, the comfort of their fit relies on selecting the right ear tips and the quality of the material used for the ear cushions.
On-ear headphones, also known as circumaural headphones, feature a headband and ear cups. Despite their larger size, they are still portable. The ear cups in over-ear headphones provide a close fit to the ears, resulting in enhanced audibility and clarity. However, one potential drawback is that the pressure exerted by the ear cups on the ears can be uncomfortable for some users.
Full-size headphones fully cover the ears, offering a comfortable fit and typically providing effective passive sound isolation. They are well-suited for gamers who seek immersive experiences in virtual worlds. When selecting full-size headphones, it's important to consider the quality of the ear pads and the option for replacement, as the overall comfort and durability of the headphones depend on this aspect.
The last two types of headphones can be closed and open. In the first, the driver emits a sound wave only to the ear, in the second, the sound passes through the cup, so it is not distorted by reflection and is more natural. But soundproofing and loudness are lame.
Connection type
According to the type of connection, headphones are divided into wireless, wired and hybrid.
Wireless
Bluetooth. The higher the Bluetooth version, the more stable the pairing and the less cuts and stutters in the sound. Ideally 5.0 and up.
Radio channel. These models of headphones are equipped with a dedicated transmitter, and the sound is transmitted using a radio frequency, typically between 863 — 865 MHz. Their key advantage is the extended range, which can reach up to 200 m. However, using such headphones may result in radio interference, and the sound quality is generally inferior to wired headphones. Additionally, the main drawback is the dependency on the transmitter, which requires a connection to a signal source and a power supply. This dependency makes these radio headphones only partially wireless.
Wired
They can have 3.5 mm jack, 6.3mm jack or USB. If your headphones have a jack connector, it is preferable to have it gold-plated as it can positively impact the sound quality. Additionally, having an is L-shaped connector at the end of the wire can help prevent accidental breaks. It is also important to consider the quality and thickness of the cable itself. Opting for a rubberized or braided cable can increase durability, minimize tangling, and provide better resistance to cold temperatures.
Hybrid
They should combine the best qualities of wired and wireless, but lose the first in compactness.
Microphone
If your headphones have a microphone, but you can not check the quality of its recording before buying, check the characteristics declared by the manufacturer. For high-quality voice transmission without distortion and external interference, the microphone must have:
- Sensitivity from -40 dB
- Frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz
- Noise-to-signal ratio above 66 dB
- Cardioid pattern to block out external noise.
For enhanced conversational clarity, it is preferable for each earbud to have multiple microphones that support noise reduction technologies such as ENC (Environmental Noise Cancelling) or CVc (Clear Voice Capture). As for the microphones on the stem (in full-size gaming models or headphones for conferences), they would be nice to have a removable design and a pop filter that cuts off extraneous noise.
Active noise canceling
Active Noise Cancelling is a technology that uses a microphone to monitor ambient background noise and filter it out in the headphones. In other words, by having headphones with ANC and using it, you will be protected from ambient external sounds. But sometimes it affects the sound quality.
For example, ANC can reduce useful frequencies as noise, resulting in coloration and distortion of the original signal. To avoid these shortcomings, it is better to choose headphones with adaptive ANC, that is, one that can adapt to changing acoustic environments.
Autonomy
If wired headphones do not need a power source, the analog signal is transmitted via cable, then wireless headphones have built-in batteries, the capacity of which depends on the duration of work. Naturally, the higher it is, the better. But what should be the minimum?
For on-ear portable headphones, this is from 20 hours, and for ultra-compact TWS - from 6 hours and from 20 hours with a charging case. However, if the model supports fast charging, the number of hours on a single charge is not so important.
It is much more important to know that, as a rule, the autonomy of headphones is indicated on the basis that they will work at 50% volume. But most of us listen at a volume of 70 — 80%, so the actual autonomy will be 20 — 30% lower than stated.
Manufacturer
In fairness, this criterion can save you at least half the time when choosing. Indeed, a trusted brand with a name, especially specialized in the production of acoustic equipment, is almost a 100% guarantee of buying good headphones. But there are exceptions.
You will certainly buy great headphones from Marshall, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, Beats, but they will definitely cost you a pretty penny. If you are looking for something in the middle price segment, you will have to work hard, because the choice of quite worthy offers is huge. These are Sony, ANKER, Phillips, Huawei, Oppo, and of course, Apple and JBL.
By the way, good headphones can be bought quite inexpensively. For example, with QCY, Haylou or Bluedio, it all depends on the bar you set for yourself, and how much your expectations match reality in the end.
Conclusions
So now that you know what characteristics good headphones should have, let's summarize:
Frequency range: 20 — 20 000 Hz or wider.
AFR: close to flat.
Sensitivity : 98 — 118 dB.
Impedance : 32 ohms and above
Drivers: hybrid, multi-armature.
Bluetooth codecs : AAC, AptX HD, Adaptive, LDAC.
Design: with a secure and comfortable fit, not fatigue.
Connection type : Bluetooth or hybrid.
Noise Canceling: adaptive ANC.
Autonomy: from 6 hours for TWS, from 20 hours for overhead models.
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