CHOOSING MY FAVORITE HEADPHONES

Choosing My Favorite Headphones

Choosing My Favorite Headphones

Sounds Like?
By J. Gordon Holt • July, 1993

Subjective audio is the evaluation of reproduced sound quality by ear. It is based on the novel idea that, since audio equipment is made to be listened to, what it sounds like is more important than how it measures. This was a natural outgrowth of the 1950s high-fidelity "revolution," which spawned the notion that a component, and an audio system as a whole, should reproduce what is fed into it, without adding anything to it or subtracting anything from it.

Traditional measurements of such things as harmonic distortion, frequency response, and power output can reveal many things a product is doing imperfectly, but there have never been any generally accepted guidelines for equating the measurements with the way they affect the reproduced sound. And there was strong evidence that many of the things people were hearing were not being measured at all.

Some real life parameters:

Whether you’re a self-proclaimed audioholic or a budding audiophile, choosing the best pair of headphones is an impossible task (we would know…we had to build an entire website to hold all of our favorites). Unless you plan to build a collection, you should probably look for models that meet your specific demands.


Which is better: closed ear or open ear?

This really depends on your preferences. If you are going to be using the headphones in a professional setting where you’ll need to block outside noises, the closed-ear headphones are essential. There is some debate that closed ear headphones distort the music (I believe the phrase “sounds like it’s coming from a tin can” has been tossed around about a few models), but technology is increasing at such a fast rate that closed ear headphones are improving. In addition, noise canceling headphones are our favorite thing since sliced bread if you are on an airplane and doesn't like in-ear earphones.

Open ear headphones have typically boasted better and more natural sound that resonates better, but they don’t block out noises. That means you have to turn them up more, which may be dangerous for your ears. They also sit directly on your ear, whereas closed ear headphones put distance between the speaker and your ear to minimize possible damage.


Do I want wireless headphones or do I want a cord?

Well let’s see: do you want wires or not? This is a matter of preference. Wireless headphones typically do not have the power driving the sound, so the sound quality can come up short. However, when you’re on the floor bundled up in wires with strength not unlike that of a giant python, the barely discernable difference in sound quality pales in comparison to convenience. At the end of the day, it’s your call. We don’t recommend bad headphones, so if you decide to go with one of our wireless models, the slightly lower sound quality will only resonate with professionals and extreme audiophiles. Check out our wireless pages to learn more about the models we offer and make the decision for yourself.


Should I be concerned with the look and feel?

Absolutely. Headphones ain’t cheap; if you’re spending the money to buy some awesome headphones you should be happy with every aspect to them. How concerned you should be with look and feel will vary depending on each personal set of priorities. If sound is the holy grail of your search, it will eclipse the fact that you found it in a dorky looking pair of headphones. If sophisticated, fashionable headphones are what you prefer, you may not care that they squeeze your brain through your nose (hey, to each his own). If you plan on wearing the phones for long periods of time, you may want to focus on comfort. Read the reviews accompanying each product for more information on the individual pros and cons. This will help you determine which headphones have the features you really want. We also invite you to call our friendly and super knowledgeable customer service experts. These guys (and gals) know what they’re talking about and will help you find your ideal set of headphones.


Whatever Headphone Solutions. Tell me about the SOUND!

That’s what we’re talking about. Read the product information to find out firsthand which headphones have the best sound, according to our audiophile expert reviewers. We post our feedback every time we test a product, giving you the chance to read more in-depth information about your favorite headphones. The write-ups are completely honest and designed to cut through the tech spec Sanskrit and get to the heart of what you want – awesome headphones incredible sound.