Investing in the correct set of headphones is a great deal for many people, but they are confused about which types of headphones would be ideal for them. We have made a list of the types of headphones you can find globally and the advantages and disadvantages of owning them.
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Below you will find one of the most comprehensive lists of the types of headphone that are available in today’s market and which type of headphones will be ideal for you.
Active noise-cancelling headphones are one of the high-end tech headphones that you will find in the market. The mechanism of such headphones is such that it cancels out the noise around the environment by recording the environment’s noise, reversing its phase, and then transmitting it to your ears. Therefore, the sounds are cancelled out before they are transmitted to your ears.
Working of Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones Pros of Active Noise-Cancelling HeadphonesDescriptionNoise-cancelling featureThe option of completely cancelling out the external noise to have an immersive sound experience.Stress-free listeningActive noise-cancelling headphones are tailored for those users who commute through public transport and want to cancel out the noise coming around them. Some people in the work area use such headphones to focus much better while working. You will also find people use it while sleeping to listen to white noise to help them sleep.Prevents eardrum damageSince these headphones have the feature of cancelling out the noise, you won’t have to increase the volume that much to listen to your music, podcast, etc. Cons of Active Noise-Cancelling HeadphonesDescriptionExpensiveSuch headphones are costly to own as they have additional hardware for noise cancellation increasing their overall price.Sound quality variationIf you go for a low quality active noise-cancelling headphone, then the sound quality will deteriorate once you turn on the noise-cancelling feature. Don’t compromise on hardware quality to get the best out of your active noise-cancellation headphone.Battery lifeSince these headphones use additional hardware to block external noise, you can expect the battery life to reduce exponentially for such headphones.Limited usageThe microphones in active noise-cancellation headphones pick up noises on a windy day which will be transmitted into your eardrums. They are meant for indoor use primarily.Used for- Types of headphones ideal for studio monitoring as they are sound leakage proof.
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Bone Conduction Headphones use a mechanism where the sound is transmitted through your cheekbones which makes these headphones dodge the outer ear. These headphones are fabulous as they keep you well aware of your surrounding noises, and you are not compromising your sound quality.
Pros of Bone Conduction HeadphonesDescriptionAlertnessSince these headphones do not cover your ears entirely, they are a good fit for the urban population as they will not cancel out the noise coming around you and keep you aware of your surrounding.ResilienceThese headphones reside upon the ear, making them very sturdy.Suitable as a hearing aidBone Conduction headphones are helpful for people who have difficulty hearing things from their outer ear. Cons of Bone Conduction HeadphonesDescriptionQuality of soundYou will find the bass and audio quality lacking as not much can be done when transmitting sounds through cheekbones.SolatarinessUsers of Bone-conduction headphones have their ears fully open. That means you can hear everything around you. If you want to enjoy your music, you will have to be in an isolated room where no kind of external noise can come.Used for- Types of headphones ideal choice for being alert about your surroundings when you’re doing outdoor activities.
The Classic earphones will fit your ear canal and are the most popular listening device you will find globally.
Pros of Classic earphonesDescriptionComfortableWith no covering on your entire ear, your ears won’t become sweaty as they do in conventional headphones, and they are light to carry around, so you will hardly feel them over your ears.Surround sounds like a stageSince they are placed a bit far from your eardrums, they can imitate the sounds at a soundstage. Cons of Classic earphonesDescriptionQuality of soundThey are decent sound-producing devices but can perform at the level of an in-ear headphone as they lack covering up the ear, reducing the sound quality.SolidityEarphones don’t clutch your ears, making them gullible to dropping out during motion. They are not appropriate for a workout.Used for- Types of headphones for people who want the bare minimum from their listening devices, classic earphones should be ideal.
In the world of an avid music listener, the soundstage is also known as speaker image. It allows the listener to listen to the place of musical instruments while hearing music in their headphones/earphones. So it gives you the feeling of surround sound in your headphones/earphones, like you are sitting at a concert listening to different musical instruments being played.
Closed-back headphones are built-in a way where they can cover the ear in three ways-
1) Over the ear coverage
2) On-ear coverage
3) In-ear coverage
These types of headphones have the best sub-bass feature. Sub-bass sounds are the lowest frequency that humans can hear, around 20Hz. Since human hearing is not that sensitive around sound-bass, such sound notes are not heard as much as they are felt.
Pros of Closed-Back HeadphonesDescriptionBetter sound isolationClosed-back headphones are good at cancelling out external noises. They are also great at reducing sound leaking from your headphone so that people around you cannot listen to what is it that you are hearing in your headphone.Bass friendlyYou will hear low frequencies, that is, bass much better in these headphones as they are fully enclosed on your ears. Cons of Closed-Back HeadphonesDescriptionNot ideal for soundstageSince they are enclosed over your ear, the sound leakage is not possible, so you are not able to feel the authentic surround sound of the musical instruments in your headphones, and you will feel as if all the instrument sounds are coming from one spot altogether making the experience less immersive.Moisture trappedClosed-back headphones have very tightly capped on your ears and prevent any sort of circulation of fresh air, so after a while, your skin over the ear will be hot and humid, and you will tend to sweat in that area.Used for- Types of headphones for users who want sufficient noise cancellation in an environment with a lot of noise.
Open-Back headphones are not fully covering your earlobes and are an ideal choice for people who want a tad bit of windy sound from their surroundings in their headphones.
Pros of Open-Back HeadphonesDescriptionQuality of soundSince they don’t tightly seal your earlobes, you will find that more natural sounds are being generated in your headphone, and such headphones are better at handling high volume when there is less distortion around.BreathableOpen-back headphones let proper air circulation allowing the skin around your ears to be comfortable and not letting your ear become sweaty after prolonged hours of usage.Soundstage friendlyOpen-back headphones are suitable for soundstage effects as they have an airy feeling in them because of their built style, so the sounds feel more natural in these headphones. Cons of Open-Back HeadphonesDescriptionPoor noise isolationOpen-back headphones means that noise cancellation is not possible, so use them indoors to get the best out of them.Sound spillSince they are not tightly packed over your ears, people around you can hear what is being transmitted in your headphones.Lack of portabilityThey are huge in size and are ideal for indoor use only.Poor bassSince they are designed openly to be placed over your ears, they don’t provide as good of bass as you can expect from a closed-back headphone.Used for- Types of headphones which is a popular choice among studio artists when doing recordings. Also suitable for gamers, too.
Closed-back headphones are best at cancelling out external noises. Plus, they are good at proofing the sound leakage, which means people around you won’t be able to hear what is transmitted in your closed-back headphones.
Open-back headphones are designed for better air circulation and let you have an airy feeling in the background while listening to audio. They do not cancel out the external noises and let the noise from the external area come into your headphones.
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On-ear headphones are built identical to your over the ear headphones, but the difference is they have smaller cushion pads for your ear, so the on-ear headphone’s cushion pads will directly be placed over your earlobes.
Pros of On-Ear HeadphonesDescriptionSturdyUsed for- It is a good alternative if you are not a fan of in-ear headphones.
Earbuds are the most compact headphones you will find in the market. These are different types of earbuds you will find in the market-
True Wireless Earbuds are entirely free from wire, and they are charged in a charging case known as a pod.
Pros of Modern True Wireless EarbudsDescriptionQuality of soundSince these wireless earbuds are well placed near the eardrum, the crisp quality of audio can be definitely expected.SturdinessSince they are fixed very close to the eardrums, they are good at holding grip and less prone to fall out during sports activity. Cons of Modern True Wireless EarbudsDescriptionRegular maintenanceSince earbuds are plugged near the eardrums, the chances of ear wax being pushed into the earbuds are always there, and you will end up cleaning the earbuds with an alcohol solution to remove the wax from them. Not doing such maintenance may result in a clogged audio canal in your earbuds, and you may get less sound because of it. Plus, you always run the risk of ear infections in such cases.Little soundstage effectEarbuds aren’t as wide as a headphone, so the surround sound of different musical instruments will sound as if coming from one spot, making the overall listening experience less immersiveLagWireless Earbud’s Bluetooth has to transmit the audio signal, and that takes time, so you can expect a few milliseconds of delay in audio while viewing videos.Used for- Good choice for commuters wanting a portable listening device.
Conventional in-ear headphones have a wire which connects the two earbuds, but you don’t have another wire to plug in a 3.5mm jack.
Pros of Conventional Wireless EarbudsDescriptionPortableThey are as hassle-free to carry as your modern True Wireless earbuds as the wire connecting the two earbuds don’t get tangled that easily.SturdinessThe edge Conventional Wireless Earbuds have over the True Wireless Earbuds is that you can dangle them around your neck after using them. Cons of Conventional Wireless EarbudsDescriptionNoiseYou can hear the sound of cable rubbing against your fabric which creates creepy sounds in your earbuds.Battery lifeSince they work on Bluetooth connectivity, you can expect a short battery life because of wireless connectivity hardware.Used for- Fitness enthusiasts might prefer such types of headphones in case one earbud drops out during workout so that the cable will help it from not getting off on the road.
Wired Earbuds are something that you will find in the usage of an avid listener of music.
Pros of Wired EarbudsDescriptionQuality of sound and no latencyWired Earbuds are an excellent way to not compromise on the audio quality as wired connection transmission has no signal loss compared to wireless earbuds, where a minuscule amount of signal is lost in transmitting the audio from your device to the wireless earbuds. Wired earbuds also ensure that there is no delay in audio transmission in your earbuds while you view videos.AffordableWired earbuds are very cheap to afford, and you can get some real quality earbuds starting from just ₹500. Cons of Wired EarbudsDescriptionCompatibility issueMost of the devices like your gaming controllers and smartphones have opted for a C-Type port for plugging in your wired earbuds, and most wired earbuds available today still use a 3.5mm pin, so you made need to make an additional purchase like Type-C to 3.5mm Jack Audio Connector to make your wired earbuds connect to your modern devices.Not hassle-freeCables are prone to get tangled in your pockets, so it gets annoying to untangle them whenever you want to use them.DurabilityCables are prone to damage with regular usage even though you are careful or may face the issue of one earbud not working because of partial damage in the wiring.Used for- For people who don’t want to compromise on audio quality or someone looking for a budget-friendly listening device.
Wired Headphones are still one of the highest-selling types of devices among audiophiles. They are excellent in sound quality, but the absence of portability can be felt.
Pros of Wired HeadphonesDescriptionQuality of sound and no latencyWired Headphones are an excellent way to not compromise on the audio quality as wired connection transmission has no signal loss compared to wireless earbuds, where a minuscule amount of signal is lost in transmitting the audio from your device to the wireless earbuds. Wired Headphones also ensure that there is no delay in audio transmission in your earbuds while you view videos.AffordableWired Headphones are very cheap to afford, and you can get some real quality headphones starting from just ₹1,000. Cons of Wired HeadphonesDescriptionCompatibility issueMost of the devices like your gaming controllers and smartphones have opted for a C-Type port for plugging in your wired headphones, and most wired headphones available today still use a 3.5mm pin, so you made need to make an additional purchase like Type-C to 3.5mm Jack Audio Connector to make your wired headphones connect to your modern devices.DurabilityCables are prone to damage with regular usage even though you are careful or may face the issue of one headphone side not working because of partial damage in the wiring.Used for- Types of headphones which is for avid music lovers who are looking for high-end hardware to do recordings in the studio and want the best listening experience.
Wireless headphones also have all the necessary parts that you can find in wireless earbuds. You will find two types of wireless headphone connections-
1)Connection via Bluetooth
2) Connected via USB dongle over WiFi.
Used for- The Wireless headphones are great for commuters and gamers also. Also, they are an ideal choice over their wired competitor if you want a tangle-free wire experience.
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We hope that our list has helped you get the idea of different types of headphone available in the market and which will be an ideal fit for you.
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The way we listen to music has changed significantly with each breakthrough in audio technology. Music was once a public display of one’s tastes thanks to boomboxes and blaring stereos. However, as headphones took over the market, music became a more private pastime. Until everyone’s Spotify Wrapped comes out, that is.
Today most people enjoy music with one of four different types of headphones: over-ear headphones, on-ear headphones, earbuds, and in-ear headphones. Let’s explore what each type of headphone has to offer to music listeners out there!
What All Types of Headphones Have in Common
Before we dive into their differences, let’s talk about what each style has in common.
All four headphone categories come in wired and wireless variants. Currently, wireless is the go-to standard for consumers. Also, you can find passive noise-canceling (PNC) options for all types of headphones. While active noise canceling (ANC) is available for over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear headphones.
And finally, all four can have convenience features, such as a microphone, volume controls, and smart assistant connectivity.
To clarify, there is a difference between earbuds and in-ear headphones. Many people and websites use these terms interchangeably, but this article will use the following definitions:
Earbuds sit in the opening of your ear canal, called the concha. Depending on your ear shape and the model of the earbud, they may not offer a secure fit.
In-ear headphones have plastic or foam ear tips that are inserted into the ear canal. These create passive noise isolation, even with cheap headphones.
With those similarities and definitions out of the way, let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each variant. Each headphone type offers unique and compelling advantages that separate them. No advantage or disadvantage is a “must have” or “deal breaker.” Use this list to compare the advantages and disadvantages of each type, so you can find the best fit for you.
Over-ear headphones offer the best sound quality. Because of their size, these headphones typically come with larger drivers than the other kinds of headphones. The larger drivers offer more dynamic sound and much, much deeper bass than their smaller counterparts.
The over-ear design also makes it feel like the sound is around you. So they’re great for a spatial audio experience.
Not only that, over-ear headphones come in two variants, open-back and closed-back headphones. These variations completely change the acoustics of your audio. Open-back styles allow sound in and out, while closed-back styles are completely sealed around the ear cups. For more about the differences between them, SoundGuys has a quick blog about the topic.
If your purchase decision is largely driven by audio quality, over-ear headphones should be at the top of your list.
To complement excellent sound quality, over-ear headphones have the widest variety of active noise-canceling (ANC) options. This feature effectively listens to and cancels out external noise so you can enjoy your music without distraction.
Over-ear headphones offer the best level of comfort for long listening sessions. Most are designed with soft ear cushions that make them comfortable to wear while creating a seal for noise isolation.
These, unlike in-ear and on-ear headphones, don’t put any pressure on your outer ear or ear canal, so you can enjoy music for hours. Some people report feeling toasty around their ears due to over-ear headphones being good insulators. If you use your headphones to workout, you may want to try another type if you’re worried about feeling hot around the ears.
The main disadvantage of over-ear headphones is their comparable lack of portability.
Due to their larger drivers and ear cups, these designs can be quite bulky. However, manufacturers design them to be foldable so they’re easy to carry around. Many models also come with a carrying case or carrying pouch to make transporting your headphones easier. And if you usually have a backpack or purse with you, then the bulk of over-ear headphones shouldn’t be much of a problem.
Brands like Audio Technica, Sennheiser, Sony, JBL, and Bose offer premium over-ear headphones that are packed with premium features.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Active Noise Canceling Headphones
Compared to in-ear headphones, they provide a fuller sound profile and better audio quality thanks to their larger drivers. In general, they offer the best audio quality for the size of their design.
With larger drivers, music will sound more dynamic by producing a wider range of mid and low frequencies, allowing listeners to physically feel the music.
A driver, or electrodynamic speaker driver, is a component inside all headphones, it has the sole purpose of converting audio signals into usable sound.
Most on-ear headphones are foldable, have smaller ear cushions, and come with their own compact carrying case. They tend to save a lot of space compared to over-ear styles but are still larger than earbuds and in-ear headphones.
The second key benefit to using on-ear headphones is the comfort they offer consumers who dislike the feel of in-ear headphones, or who feel hot around the ears when using bulkier over-ear headphones.
On-ear headphones avoid those disadvantages by resting on top of the ear; this location leaves your ear canal untouched and your head less thermally insulated. People experiencing both discomforts should take advantage of the balance offered by on-ear headphones.
The main disadvantage of on-ear headphones is their placement on top of the outer ear. With the ear cups constantly applying pressure to the ear. The placement can be an advantage, but only for those who can’t stand the discomfort caused by in-ear and over-ear headphones.
On-ear headphones are reported to be problematic for long listening sessions; most consumers report feeling earaches after about an hour of usage. This doesn’t make on-ear headphones a deal breaker, and many become accustomed to the pressure, but this is something to keep in mind when comparing headphone styles.
When it comes to noise isolation, on-ear headphones offer the worst performance out of the four types. Being placed on top of the ear does not offer the best seal between the environment and your eardrum.
Even if your pair of headphones offers a good seal, part of your ear (mainly the back) is still exposed to the open air. With much of your ear lobe being exposed, sound can bleed through and reach your eardrum.
Earbuds start at a low entry level for casual or first-time music listeners. But there are plenty of brands that sport high-quality versions for more serious audiophiles.
Earbuds are just as portable as in-ear headphones. They’re ideal for carrying in your pocket, purse, or backpack. With a small footprint, earbuds can be stored anywhere on your person. This is a key advantage because carrying a pair of earbuds won’t be a second thought for most people.
The main benefit of earbuds is they are more comfortable for people who dislike the feeling of in-ear headphones.
Earbuds do not create a good seal between the ear canal and the open air. As a result, more sound from your environment will leak into your music. This can be a disadvantage for some, but if you prefer to hear what’s going on around you, then it might not be a bad thing.
Again, while it’s an advantage for some, many find that earbuds tend to fall out of their ears far too often. If you can find an earbud that fits well in your ears then it might not be an issue.
The small drivers in earbuds lack the power to reproduce deep bass when compared to over- and on-ear headphones. Still, you can find high-quality earbuds that provide better sound quality than typical earbuds, but you will still find better sound profiles in larger headphones.
This is more of a problem for earbuds that still have wires, or are without true wireless. Wired earbuds can get snagged on objects, corners, and furniture–which yanks them out of your ears–causing more wear and tear for the entire unit.
Depending on how tough you are on your earbuds, the wired connection can degrade faster. Cheap wired earbuds will degrade especially fast. True wireless earbuds won’t have as much of a problem.
It is no secret that in-ear headphones are the most popular type of headphones, and there is a good reason for this.
In-ear headphones are the ultimate solution for portability. Not only that, but in-ear headphones often offer impressive sound for their size; the only thing they truly lack is bass.
Ignoring active noise canceling technology, in-ear headphones provide the best noise isolation compared to the other two types of headphones and earbuds. Since in-ear headphones have ear tips that are inserted into the ear canal, it makes it very difficult for outside noise to bleed through to your eardrum.
Noise isolation is critical to people because we use headphones to fully enjoy the music we love. To bring noise-canceling technology back into the equation, in-ear headphones offer great options for both ANC and PNC.
This relatively new technology has two key advantages, convenience and an included charging case.
The most obvious advantage is pure convenience. Most wireless Bluetooth earbuds previously needed a wire connecting the two earpieces. These Bluetooth in-ear headphones are still more convenient compared to wired versions, but that single wire still introduces minor inconveniences like snagging on objects or the inability to freely use one earbud without the other swinging around.
True wireless earbuds fix both of these issues by eliminating the wire. An additional benefit offered by truly wireless earbuds is the charging case, included with most models on the market. In this case, people have a place to safely store their earbuds and charge them while not in use. The charging case can also give you extended listening times before doing a full recharge.
Wired in-ear headphones, like wired earbuds, experience a lot of wear and tear. Even Bluetooth models that have wires can get caught on objects and take damage. True wireless earbuds won’t have the same problem, but the more heavily they’re used, the faster they’ll wear down.
Focusing on audio quality, earbuds cost more for similar sound quality to their bigger counterparts, but they still lack bass. Cheap earbuds are everywhere: grocery stores, gas stations, and hotel lobbies; the issue is that compelling sound quality costs more for earbuds than headphones.
Even if you have a good pair of earbuds, the only thing they excel at are the highs or vocals. Everyone likes to feel the music, but earbuds just aren’t capable of producing compelling bass; they can produce some mids, but lows are out of the question. This isn’t to say that all earbuds have low-quality sound, but they lack range.
JBL Tune Flex True Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds
Selecting the right pair of headphones is a decision for the wearer. Audio is objective to the user, so what works for you won’t be the same for someone else.
Most people will choose in-ear headphones because they offer the best portability while still offering decent sound; for those who want to experience greater audio quality or avoid discomfort, take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each type, know what feels comfortable, and consider your use case scenario.
Ear cups that fully fit over the ears
More compact designPassive noise cancellationSmaller ear cupsRobust audio profileLess thermally insulatingLarger sizeLess expensive Over-Ear HeadphonesIn-Ear HeadphonesAudio is supra-aural, so the sound isn’t directly hitting your eardrumThe sound waves go directly to your eardrumMuch heavierMuch smaller, compact, and portableDeep bass response and reproductionMore expensive ANCLacks deep bass profile On-Ear HeadphonesIn-Ear HeadphonesLess compact, but still highly portableThe most portable type of headphonesMore audio leakageMinimal sound leakageCan put pressure on the earsStrongest noise isolation options EarbudsOver-Ear HeadphonesSmall, portable, and lightweightBest audio quality with a wide range of highs and lowsLess bass reproductionOver-ear design can put pressure on the sides of your headNo pressure on the earGood passive noise isolationPoor noise isolation EarbudsOn-Ear HeadphonesLightweightBest ratio of portability and audio qualityPoor bass reproductionMore audio leakageNo pressure on the outer earBetter noise isolation EarbudIn-Ear HeadphonesSits outside of the ear canalInserted into the ear canal, can be uncomfortable for someCan be hard to find a good fit that stays in your earFits snugly and does not fall out of the ear easilyPoor noise isolationGreat noise isolation