(Newswire.net — July 2, 2018) — We live in a time of rapid advancement in tech. Everything from smart phones to cars are developing at an incredible pace. That means you need to stop and smell (or in this case hear) the roses from time to time. Sometimes it’s the simple things that can make a big difference, so we’re asking a simple question…
How much should I spend on the best new headphones or earbuds?
It’s a difficult question to answer! It’s hard to know for sure if you aren’t an audiophile with special knowledge. The sound depth, quality, and durability for the money need an expert.
Most professional audio gurus use studio quality equipment on a regular basis. When you’re in the studio, you don’t want to cut corners because the end product has to be perfect in every way.
We asked a sound engineer to help find us the perfect headphones for three distinct price ranges.
Buying the Best Headphones With a Sound Engineer
First of all, if you’re looking for headphones in the sub-$100 price range, I won’t be of much help. There are a lot of great headphones for bargain prices on the market, but I don’t use them daily. Instead, I’ll focus on studio quality headphones in the above $200 price range. If you spend top dollar, you’ll get amazing sound quality with features for long sessions.
I’ll break things down into a few price categories. First up, headphones you’ll see in the studio.
The Best Studio Monitor Headphones
Sound engineers use these studio headphones to “monitor” what’s happening on set. That means the sound drivers need to be top quality to deliver pure, uninterrupted sound. Wired over ear headphones are a must here. There are no wireless or Bluetooth studio monitor headphones.
Look for a price range between $400 to $800. You won’t find new entrants here. These are all brands you can trust like Sennheiser and Sony. You will find many audiophile forums that discuss specific models. Each will have a specific area of expertise, such as music or film production. These are like specialized tools: You have to pick the right one for the job you have.
Don’t worry if the niche specialization of studio headphones is a turn off. I have other consumer friendly recommendations below.
The Best Noise Canceling Headphones
Are you familiar with the Bose brand of headphones? Most people know they offer active noise cancelation. Active noise canceling works by listening to the sound waves around you. That can be plane noise, ambient chatter, or any outside sounds. The headphones then create a canceling pulse of sound in real time. It’s science fiction come to life, and it works very well.
But these days Bose isn’t the only game in town. A great pair of active noise canceling headphones will cost between $200 – $400. The noise canceling feature enhances the listening experience in a big way. The dominant players in this space include Bose, Beats by Dre, and Sennheuser.
You should always test noise canceling headphones in person. Fits can vary, and getting a good seal around your ear is critical. Avoid any on ear or earbud style noise canceling headphones. These are marketing gimmicks designed to fool trusting consumers.
The Best High End Earbuds
Toward the bottom of our price range are earbuds. There’s nothing wrong with earbuds. That said, no sound professional would recommend them for studio use.
Earbuds work by using your ear canal as an amplifier. Sound engineers know that distance from the source matters. Earbuds can’t offer enough distance to get the right frequencies. They are fine for casual use, but not much else. High and low ranges are particularly distorted when wearing earbuds. Enjoy them on the commute and when talking on your mobile, but not more.
There are a few good brands in the $100 to $200 price range. Look at Sony, Beats by Dre, and Plantronix earbuds for the best on the market today.
Bluetooth Headphones vs Wired Headphones
Should you cut the cord? Wireless headphones and earbuds seem great, but have their own issues. Battery life, sound quality, and durability are all concerns. This is another area sound engineers have trouble accepting. No true wireless headphones or earbuds will ever match wired in our minds. But for regular consumers it may be fine, so I’ll suck it up and make some recommendations.
Not all Bluetooth wireless headphones are created equal. Be on the lookout for the latest version of the Bluetooth chipset. You may be reading this article in the future. Check out the official Bluetooth website to find the latest version to make sure. In some cases, devices can have incompatibility issues.
You also want to make sure your Bluetooth headphones have latency addressing software. When you go wireless there can be subtle delays in sound reaching the headphones. That delay can be a real pain if it’s noticeable, and the human brain is pretty good at noticing. This can mean delay between an actor speaking and your hearing, or mistimed music. That’s the main reason why sound engineers recommend you go wired and avoid Bluetooth.
If you have to go wireless, check out the latest offerings from Sony, Bose, and Beats by Dre.
Amping it Up: Wireless Surround Sound Systems
There are new technologies like WiSA that offer superior sound over the air. The technology has is not yet miniaturized, and is not offered in any headphones. If you are keen on wireless sound, you can find many WiSA wireless home theater system options. Expect to spend between $700 and $3000 for a WiSA wireless surround sound system.
Conclusion: Pick a Headphones Price Range You’re Comfortable With
As you can see, there are options for every price and taste. If you’re a sound engineer, you’re already used to a $500+ price tag. But if you’re a regular consumer that wants to enjoy music on the go, you have many lower cost options. Your lifestyle and needs should dictate your headphones buying decision. Pick the right pair and turn up your audio game to 11.