The Video Advisor - A one stop resource for independent film making and video production advice

HEADPHONES

How to choose headphones
by Andrew Lock

Choosing headphones is a very personal matter, and the choice is seemingly endless.  Some people will opt for comfort, others for sound quality.  Then there are noise canceling headphones, studio monitoring headphones, and so the list goes on.

The only way to know if a pair of headphones is right for you to is to try them on.  This is sometimes a challenge considering that most retail stores display them in sealed packages.  Some major stores will allow you to "test drive" headphones however, and there are a number of things to consider.

Let's look at the major types of headphones:

1. Closed back headphones.  These are the traditional type of headphones, and are usually the largest in size.  They are called closed back because as the name suggests, they are completely enclosed - think of the ear protectors that you see on construction sites.  This means that little sound gets in from outside, and little sound from in the headphones leaks out.  They are great for noisy environments.

2. Open back headphones.  Similar in size and style to closed back headphones, the difference is, yes you guessed it...the backs are open.  In practice this means that some of the sound will 'leak' through the vents in the back of the headphones, resulting in a more natural sound. They also tend to be more comfortable than closed back headphones, which tend to put more pressure on the ears.

3. Earbuds.  These are the very small ear pieces that fit inside the ear.  Although they are obviously ultra compact and easily carried, they are usually not very comfortable and the quality is not as good as other types of headphones.

As well as these major types of headphones, there are also other features to be found in general terms, such as wireless operation (IR, FM or RF), and noise canceling.

When evaluating headphones, first ask yourself if they are comfortable.  If they feel too heavy, you can be sure that over time the feeling will only get worse.  If they don't stay on your head or on your ears easily, again, don't fool yourself into thinking that will improve.

Another feature to look out for is the durability.  Some brands of headphones are manufactured in component parts that fit together.  The advantage with this is you can replace those components if needed, without having to throw an otherwise decent pair of headphones away.

To evaluate sound quality, try and take a favorite CD that you know well to use in the audition.  Ask yourself if you can hear all the subtleties of the music.  Is there too much bass or treble, or is it balanced?  Does it sound tinny or weak?  Consider too where you will be using the headphones.  Do they need to be small and portable, or is it more important to have the best sound quality?

Sennheiser are generally considered as one of the best headphone manufacturers.  Although Bose have done some very clever marketing with their noise canceling headphone product, it's the opinion of this author and many others that the product is overpriced, and poorly made.  Certainly, there are other options that are superior in both price and build quality.

Further links:

Crutchfield Advisor
How to choose headphones