Headphones for Home Listening
Headphones for home use feature an over-the-head design that wraps around your earlobes and a softly padded head bridge that allows you to wear them for long periods.
Computer Headphones
You can buy PC headsets with or without a microphone. They can be divided into several categories depending on their intended use:
- PC headsets for casual activities and multimedia are suitable for work and play.
- Gaming Headsets are ideal for both PC and game consoles. They typically have a gaming design with deeper bass and a top-quality microphone.
- Office headphones usually have a microphone and are available in both stereo and mono.
TV Headphones
TV headphones are available in wired and wireless versions. They are characterised by high-quality sound and a closed construction. But don't expect to find a microphone.
- Wired TV headphones are most often connected via a 3.5mm or 6.3mm jack. Make sure to get headphones with a cable that is long enough.
- Wireless headphones for TV are most often radio-frequency—you connect a dock with a transmitter to your TV and use this dock to charge and store your headphones. The headset then communicates with the dock wirelessly.
HiFi Headphones
HiFi headphones are for those who demand the highest quality music reproduction, whether it's deep bass or perfectly tuned treble. HiFi headphones are known for their precision-engineered construction and the use of first-class materials.
There are also in-ear HiFi headphones that provide superior listening when you are on the go.
Outdoor Headphones
Compact headphones that are easy to store and keep close at hand are the best choice for listening outdoors. If you want better listening quality in a busy city, we recommend ambient noise cancelling headphones.
Over-Ear and On-Ear Headphones
Headphones for outdoors are available in over-ear and on-ear designs. They have a head bridge, thus ensuring a comfortable fit and good fixation on the head. Thanks to the foldable design, you can store them in your backpack or handbag.
- Over-ear headphones are larger—the cups completely cover your ears—and much better at blocking out ambient noise.
- On-ear headphones rest on your ears. As a result, they do not put as much pressure on your ears and are less likely to cause you to sweat.
In-Ear Headphones
In-ear headphones are available as earbuds or earphones. Thanks to their practical dimensions, they also fit in your pocket, so you can take your music with you everywhere you go.
- Earbuds fit loosely in the ear, so you can also hear your surroundings while listening.
- Earphones push into the ear canals and isolate your ears from surrounding noise.
Sports Headphones
Sports headphones are most commonly have earbud designs and are equipped with a clip to keep them in place behind the ear. They are usually resistant to moisture, dust, UV radiation and falls. Some models feature a microphone so you can take incoming calls.
If you are looking for greater freedom of movement, choose wireless sports headphones.
Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones are available for home listening, outdoors and sports—just choose from the above categories. There are two main technologies for wireless communication:
- Bluetooth headphones are more versatile and allow you to connect to phones, tablets and laptops. The disadvantage is the limited range of approximately 10m.
- Radio-frequency headphones are more suitable for TVs or desktop PCs. They also come with a transmitting and charging station that also functions as a stand. A range of up to 100m can come in handy.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Wired and Wireless Headphones
Wired Headphones
- Better sound quality.
- No risk of sudden discharge.
- You don't need to charge them regularly.
- Wider compatibility.
- Limited cable range.
- The cable may interfere with gaming or your work.
Wireless Headphones
- Almost unrestricted movement while listening.
- No obtrusive cables.
- More impressive appearance.
- Suitable for running and sports.
- You must keep the headphones charged.
- Sound quality may be lower.
- Narrower compatibility.
Overview of Headphones Compatibility with Other Electronic Devices
In order to connect the headphones to each device, both devices must support the same type of connection. The information in the table is only indicative.
| Headphones connection type |
Desktop PC |
Laptop |
Smartphone |
Tablet |
MP3 player |
Television |
|---|
| 3.5mm Jack |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|---|
| USB |
✓ |
✓ |
✕ |
✕ |
✕ |
✓ |
|---|
| Bluetooth |
✕ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✕ |
✕ |
|---|
| Radio-frequency (¹) |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|---|
| Lightning |
✕ |
✕ |
iPhone (²) |
iPad (³) |
iPod(⁴) |
✕ |
|---|
¹ Dependent on which connector the transmitting station is equipped with - most often USB, 3.5mm or 6.3mm Jack.
² iPhone 5 and later.
³ iPad 4 and later.
⁴ iPod Nano 7th generation and later, iPod Touch 5th generation and later.
Headphones Designs
There are 3 types of headphone designs, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
- Closed headphones are sealed to block any sound from escaping and cancel ambient noise.
- Open headphones give you more faithful music reproduction (less distortion), they let sound out and do not reduce ambient noise.
- Semi-closed headphones are somewhere in the middle—they partially let sound out and partially dampen ambient noise.
Useful Headphones Functions and Features
- Volume control - always close at hand on the headphones or their cable.
- Noise Reduction - to cancel unwanted noise during music playback.
- Ambient noise cancelling headphones (ANC) - no external sounds will disturb your listening.
- Foldable design - ideal if you need to travel with your headphones frequently.
- Rotating shells - for comfortable listening with one ear—especially appreciated by DJs).
- Spatial 7.1 sound - you can hear where a particular sound is coming from—ideal for serious gamers.
- AptX and AAC - codecs for Bluetooth headphones that guarantee higher sound quality that is close to wired connections.
- NFC - technology that makes it easy to pair Bluetooth headphones to your devices.
