Along with mobile phones, headphones are the most used technological devices in almost any place and occasion. The portability of many models and the possibility of disconnecting from the environment through music and other activities, make them attractive to take them everywhere. In 2016 alone, worldwide sales of wireless headphones increased by 83%, to 8,136 million euros, according to a report by Future Source technology consultancy. According to this report, the increase is due to the success of the new headphone technologies with a neckband and completely wireless models.

However, headphones are also one of the most unknown accessories. Although any model is capable of reproducing sounds, they do not do it in the same way. Moreover, there are probably no two equal models, and although there may be someone who thinks that it is enough for them to be heard well, having more information about the great diversity of technical benefits could help to make better purchase decisions and positively change the way in which we listen to music.

So that you do not fail in your choice, in EL PAÍS Showcase we have prepared this guide, in which we explain the main types and models that can be found in the market that offer quality sound. In addition, through the voices of experts, we recommend the most appropriate headphones for the most common types of use (home, office, city, travel, and sports), as well as a selection of several models for each situation Before selecting headphone for any situation, read Buyer's Guide, Reviews and Ratings from here https://headphonesdirectory.com/.

TYPES OF HEADPHONES: DIADEMA E 'IN-EAR'

The headphones are divided into two broad categories: headband and in-ear, which in addition to size, offer different functionalities and configuration possibilities.

Headband

They are popularly known as helmets, that is, the headphones that surround the head from side to side with a kind of headband to attach to it. Currently, they are the type of headphones with more models available in the market so there are different subdivisions depending on their construction, placement, and connection.

Building

This aspect has to do with the external finish of the cups, which can be made with a grid (open headphones) or completely sealed (closed).

Open. The glasses of the headphones have a grid on the outer side, where they let the sound in and out; that is, the ambient noise is heard. This construction makes the audio more natural because it avoids reverberations. It also achieves a wider sound and with clearer separation between the instruments.

Closed. The headphone cups are completely sealed and the pads are usually thick, which prevents the sound from entering or leaving (they isolate from the outside). Therefore, the sound has more pressure and physical sensation, but it also sounds less spaced.

Placement

According to the way the earphone pads are positioned over the ear or head, the characteristics of the sound may vary.

Circumaural The pads completely surround the ear and rest on the head. They are usually the most comfortable, and thanks to their size, they are also the ones that provide a wider sound and with better separation between the instruments - although they are not precisely the most portable.

Supraural the pads are smaller and, therefore, rest on the ear. Normally, these are the models for portable use. However, the smaller capsule size offers inferior sound quality.

Connection

Headband headphone category that divides them between the models that are connected by means of a cable or through wireless technologies, such as Bluetooth and NFC. Those that are wired tend to provide better sound compared to wireless ones of the same price range.

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'In-ear'

They are the headphones that are inserted directly into the ear and that seal the hole through rubber bands. They come from the monitors that the musicians use on stage and, in turn, are the evolution of the earbuds - those that are not inserted into the ear, but rest inside the ear. The models vary essentially by their type of connection, wired or wireless.

BASIC ASPECTS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT

Sound quality. The first thing to evaluate is the range of frequencies that the drivers (headphones speakers) can reproduce. The human ear is able to hear from 20 hertz (20 Hz) at low frequencies and up to 20,000 hertz (20 kHz) at the highest. Therefore, the first aspect to keep in mind is that the headphones can at least cover that spectrum. It is also worth highlighting the dynamics, that is, the speed with which the headphones are capable of moving from one frequency to another. The faster they are, the richness of the sound will be greater.

On the other hand, there are aspects related to the reproduction of the instruments. The first factor is the scene, which is the three-dimensional recreation of all the sound elements (the amplitude and depth of the sounds). In the same way, the separation of the sounds of each instrument makes the difference so that the music is not heard as a paste without nuances and that each element has the right presence so that there is none that overlaps with the rest.

In addition, it is important to take into account the resolution with which the headphones make notice the fine details of the recordings, such as breaths, blows or scratches.

Model of wireless 'in-ear' headphones.

Equalization Beyond the aspects related to audio quality, each headphone model is also distinguished by having a particular sound profile, without this necessarily having to do with good or bad devices. This is due to its pre-set equalization, that is, to the reinforcement or decrease of the frequency ranges (bass, mid and high).

The most popular equalizations are the following: the balanced, balanced or flat, which is the one that most respects the original recording and, therefore, the one that is considered to be the most faithful, and is the most recommended for listening to genres such as music classical or jazz; V equalization, which highlights the bass and treble and is ideal for genres such as rock, metal, hip-hop or electronics; and the bass head headphones , which reinforce the bass so they have more punch and depth.

Isolation. It is the quality of headphones to prevent the entry or exit of sound. It is one of the essential characteristics of closed models. Currently, there are also headphones with active noise cancellation, which use an electronic system that, by using microphones to measure external noise, creates an artificial sound wave that eliminates ambient sound - it is important to clarify that this effect has an impact on the music quality—.

Comfort. Comfortable headphones can completely change the way you enjoy music, especially when used for long periods. Experts always emphasize that among the headband headphones, models with larger cups will be more comfortable. Materials, softness, and padding of the pads also influence, as well as the pressure they exert on the head. This last point is especially relevant for people who wear glasses since tight headphones can be very annoying.

Size and portability. Especially relevant aspects for those who use the headphones while moving. In this sense, headband models that can be folded and that do not take up much space, or opt for some in the ear, that fit anywhere and are the lightest are recommended. But size can also be an important factor for office use, especially in executive environments where you have to be more discreet or formal.

Connection. While headphones with wireless connection via Bluetooth or NFC are the latest fad on the market and can be attractive for their practicality, it should be borne in mind that these systems offer lower sound quality compared to cable headphones in a range of similar price.