Classification of headphones Different types of headphones comparison options

First, the headset classification:

1, the simplest method, can be divided into head-mounted and earbuds:

The head-wearing type is generally large and has a certain weight, so it is not convenient to carry, but its performance is very strong, which can make the music enjoy the beauty of the world.

The earbuds are mainly easy to go out to listen to music because of its small size. This type of earphone is mainly used for CD audio, MP3 players, and MD.

2, according to the principle of transduction (Transducer)

Mainly in the dynamic (Dynamic) and electrostatic (Electrostatic) headphones two categories, although in addition to these two categories are still magnetic, electret, etc., but have been eliminated or used in professional markets There is very little possession and we will not discuss it here.

Dynamic earphones (also known as electric): At present, most (about 99%) earphone earphones are of this type. The principle is similar to ordinary speakers. The coil in the permanent magnetic field is connected to the diaphragm, and the coil is in the signal current. Drive the diaphragm to sound. Dynamic headphones are more efficient, and most of them can be used for audio output on headphones.

Electrostatic earphones (also known as capacitive): The diaphragm is in a changing electric field, the diaphragm is extremely thin and accurate to a few micrometers (currently STAX's new generation of electrostatic earphone diaphragms have been accurate to 1.35 microns), the coil is in electric field force Drive the diaphragm to sound. The sound pressure level that can be reached by an electrostatic earphone is not as large as that of a dynamic earphone, but its response speed is fast, and it can reproduce various minute details with extremely low distortion. Due to its precise structure, high material requirements, and mostly manual assembly and debugging, it is expensive.

There is also a dual-frequency headphone: the two-way headphone is a two-stage crossover headphone that combines the advantages of both electric and capacitive based on the semi-open headphones. It combines the advantages of four types of electric, capacitive, closed, and open headphones (this is a real "hybrid"). Such headphones range from dynamic range, transient response, playback quality, The thickness of the sound and so on are very outstanding, and its sound resolution is the best choice for music enthusiasts.

From the point of view of use, in general, the electric earphone has the characteristics of simple structure, stable sound quality, low price, etc. It is suitable for general people to choose, it can meet the general needs; capacitive earphones, sound quality and frequency bandwidth, but Due to the complexity of the process, the price is relatively high, suitable for enthusiasts to choose, its listening quality is quite good.

3. According to the degree of openness

Mainly open, semi-open, closed (closed)

Enclosed headphones wrap your ears with their own soft pad to completely cover them. Because these headphones have large sound pads, they are also large in size, but with the sound pad, they can be used in noisy environments without being affected. The earmuffs have a large pressure on the ear to prevent the sound from entering and exiting, and the sound is correctly positioned. This is common in the professional monitoring field, but one of the disadvantages of this type of earphone is that the bass sound is severely dyed, and the W100 is an obvious example.

Open headphones are currently the most popular headset style. This type of machine is characterized by making a sound-permeable ear pad by using a sponge-like microcellular foamed plastic. It is small in size, comfortable to wear, no longer uses a heavy dye pad, so there is no sense of isolation from the outside world, the sound can leak, and vice versa can also hear the outside world. If the headset is open to a high degree, you can hear the sound from the other side of the unit, forming a certain mutual feedback, making the sense of hearing natural. But its low frequency loss is large, and some people say that its low frequency is accurate. Open-type headphones generally have a natural listening and comfortable wearing, and are commonly seen in HIFI headphones for home use.

The semi-open earphone is a new type of earphone that combines the advantages of both closed and open headphones (it is a hybrid, which combines the advantages of the first two earphones and improves the deficiencies). The earphones adopt a multi-diaphragm structure. In addition to an active active diaphragm, there are a number of passive driven diaphragms. It has a lot of low-frequency descriptions, high-frequency descriptions, bright and natural, clear layers, and many other features that are widely used in many higher-end headphones today.

4, by usage

Mainly Home, Portable, Monitor, Mix, Binaural Recording.

Second, different connected headphones have their own advantages

Traditional wired headsets can be generally divided into three types: in-ear, in-ear and head-mounted. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

1. Earbuds

Small earphones placed in the ear holes may need to be covered with a sponge to increase the tightness.

Advantages: small size, light weight, easy to carry and carry.

Disadvantages: Whether it can be worn securely depends on the earphone design. Sometimes the earphones are too small to affect the tightness.

2. In-ear (In-ear)

The earphones are shaped like earplugs, and the earphones are provided with cushions for pressing the ear holes. Some earphones claim to have a soundproof design, which can isolate some low-to-high frequency noise to reduce noise.

Advantages: light and small, the sound insulation effect is more remarkable, in the noisy environment or can improve the sound quality.

Disadvantages: The size of the cushion may not be suitable for all users, and some brands/models come with multiple cushions. Although the cushion may reduce the noise, the user may not be accustomed to the soundproof cushion pressing the ear hole.

3. Headphones (Headphones)

The left and right earphones are supported by a headband. The earphones are wrapped in sponge or leather. When worn, they are divided into earphones or earmuffs.

Advantages: The design of the ear type is generally lighter, but the sound insulation effect of the cover ear is better.

Disadvantages: Larger size, less portable, if the pressure is too high or poorly designed air, it will reduce comfort.

Third, the characteristics and limitations of wireless headphones

In addition to traditional wired headsets, wireless headsets are becoming more popular. Wireless headsets typically use infrared, radio or Bluetooth to send messages.

Infrared earphone

Features: Must be transmitted within the line of sight, application location restrictions are large, but less interference.

Restriction: Signal transmission may be affected by heavy sunlight.

2. RF wireless headset

Features: High penetration, users can hear music in the environment of about 100 meters, indoors or outdoors, but the farther the distance is, the more the sound is affected.

Restriction: RF headsets are far away from the "range" and are susceptible to interference from other signals. They may miss the music from another transmitter. Therefore, RF headsets usually have two or three bands to choose from, such as using multiple infrared or RF in the same place. Headphones, as long as they are tuned to the same band, they can receive signals at the same time, and users can listen at the same time.

3. Bluetooth headset

Features: Bluetooth headset with digital RF transmission to avoid signal interference or incorrect reception of messages.

Restriction: Some models can be connected to a normal player with a common 3.5 mm cable, and some models can only be paired with a player or mobile phone with a Bluetooth design. In addition, because of the design and transmission power of Bluetooth, the transmission distance is short, which is generally suitable for portable players.

Fourth, closed and open

The enclosed earphone is separated from the outside by a space, and a cushion or sponge covers the ear to achieve a high degree of shielding effect and less leakage.

Open earphone housings usually have a lot of small holes to create a balanced sound. Because design ventilation is better, it may be more suitable for hot and humid climate or long-term use.

5. Noise reduction and sound insulation are different.

Some earphones have a noise cancelling (referred to as noise reduction) design, claiming to use electronic noise reduction, especially for continuous low frequency noise. However, these types of noise reduction circuits require power. Some models not only lose noise reduction when there is no battery, but also can't continue listening to music. Users need to pay attention.

Some in-ear models claim to have an isolating or isolator design. The cushions of the headphones force the ear holes to isolate a lot of low to high frequency noise, so it can also reduce external noise. Users need to understand the difference between noise reduction and noise reduction methods. The former is active and requires power and circuitry. The latter relies on earplugs or cushions, without the need for batteries or charging.

Six, earphone accessories

Many larger headset models come with large or small headphone (6.35mm or 3.5mm) conversion plugs for home audio combinations, headphone jacks for mini or portable audio equipment; compact headphone models for Walkman, etc. Portable equipment, only with small plugs.

In-ear headphones are generally equipped with soft rubber sleeves of different sizes to match the size of the ear holes of different users. Some models also come with a tank-mounted seat plug for listening to music while on the plane.

Try using a comfortable headset

If you can try it before you buy it, you should try wearing it. After the test, you can turn the body or move the head and neck to test whether the earphone will be easily displaced or dropped. If the earphone design is not good or does not match the ear hole, it will affect the wearing. Comfort. Headphones usually have a headband that fits snugly against the ear. It is not easy to walk. It is usually covered with soft leather or thick sponge. It is comfortable to wear, but users should also pay attention to the weather. When the weather is wet and hot, soft skin and sponge may bring sultry heat. The feeling is that the material is more susceptible to mildew, so it should be properly collected after use.