Having ears, let him hear – selection criteria headphones

Today headphones used by virtually all. The choice of a particular model, design, principle of operation of the headphones is largely due to the scope of their application. In this article we described what the first thing to consider when choosing headphones. Deliberately distantsirovaniya from set and highly specialized devices, we have focused on those who use headphones for listening to music, watching videos, and talked about some professional devices for recording studios and live use.

Due to the fact that the subject is very extensive and the factors that influence the choice, enough for 10 articles, in this article we decided to give General information about design and technical features of the headphones of various types and purposes. Further, each of the points raised in this article would be the reason for the separate publication.

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I note that for people who come to the quality of the transmitted sound from the standpoint of "if only the sound was" useful only part of this material. Also going to emphasize that any reference to brands and models be minimized, are informational only. This article will not give the answer to the question "what headphones are better?". The material is created only in order to facilitate the choice, to talk in detail about the existing technology and principles.

Design type

Buying headphones, first decide on the type of their design, as it determines the scope of application. It is well known that at the moment are manufactured and widely used following:
  1. False – they are "ear" — in ear;
  2. Channel – the people "gag" — in ear;
  3. Patch — on ear;
  4. Full – sgsin-aural (open, closed and semi-closed type.)
Insert

Appeared on the market as household gadget in 1991 through the efforts of Etymotic Research. Due to a sufficiently low value today ear part of the standard equipment of most mobile devices. The main advantage can be considered as a compact size. Among the disadvantages is to provide a low usability — will have to pick the right size for their ears.

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In some cases the drawback is the mediocre sound. The latter is not mandatory, but more than 80% of the range is not short of hi-fi. Previously, this type was quite common, and in the product lines of several well known brands, you can allocate a decent ear. But the market does its thing, and manufacturers are increasingly leaning towards in-ear samples in the development of the flagship models.

In-ear

"Bung" is one of the most common forms of portable headphones. The principle: the driver is outside the tube with a latex or foam ear pads are placed in the external auditory canal. Many people mistakenly believe that in-ear design appeared later insertion, but it is not. In the market, "plugs" began to appear as a stage monitors back in the 70s, where later moved into more specific segments, but the first mention of a similar construction applies to 1895, in which Thomas Edison was equipped with probably the first in-ear headphones your Kinetophone.

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The main advantages of a design:

• mobility (the size is less or equal false);
• well suited for lovers of pronounced, dynamic bass (acoustic properties of the structure are often skewed frequency response towards the bottom);
• Fit well in the ear, making them comfortable when doing sports.

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Shortcomings: distortions often arise in connection with the design and size, high probability of influence on hearing (the intensity of sound pressure + located in the external auditory canal). In most cases, do not have a headband. As before, decent-sounding in-ear system is used as a concert and Studio monitors.

Overhead

This type is widespread as a peripheral device for the PC and as headphone players. The relatively small size and weight made this type the most popular in offices. Tangible deficiencies in the design are:

  1. insufficient soundproofing (in these headphones outside noise headphones sound penetrates to the outside, which may disturb others);
  2. distortion when you change the correct position.

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Many models are equipped with a microphone and a functional unit with volume control that would hint at a stationary application and use as a headset. A certain amount of overhead models created for listening to music, some of them are designed to be used outdoors. Some experts believe that the invoice design is a priori less likely to distort the sound rather than ear and in-ear designs. Another trend overhead systems – office workstation, PC.

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Full sized

As the name indicates, this type can not boast of compactness. That does not detract from its merits. Large dimensions and often of these devices have a positive impact on the acoustic properties of the structure. This is the case when the size matters.

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To full sized headphones are the vast majority of systems for recording studios. Full-size are virtually all precision reference Studio headphones, specialized DJ monitors, and also very many members of the class Hi-End.

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The classic reference headphones, as a rule, of open type is due to the fact that in the closed type distorted transmission is low. For accurate frequency response open type loved by many audiophiles. Some engineers are of the opinion that the reference headphone should be semi-closed, as they allow no distortion to play low and have a sufficient degree of sound insulation. Closed type is used as the monitors of the performer when recording in the Studio, working on a live performance, as well as popular DJs.

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Create full-size headphones for gamers and numerous systems for the PC. The latter does not always have a sound quality close to professional-level counterparts, while the full-sized design is rather used as a marketing ploy, rather than recognition of technical necessity.

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There is a strong stereotype that headphones have to sound good. Banal AFC test and a quick look at the percentage, THEY can tell us a lot about quality, and in the case of many "pseudomugilidae" these options give impostors. The myth of the superiority of the obligatory big "ears" was born when a full-sized head phones on the market were few and the vast majority of they were in the Studio. But myth is not a myth: he who has ears — let him hear with an oscilloscope — but see.

A few words about frequency response, THD, impedance, and sensitivity

As a precaution:
Frequency response – a graph of the difference values of the amplitudes of the output and input signals in the entire frequency range. (Hz)
THD – total harmonic distortion (%)
Sensitivity – the intensity of sound pressure (Decibel)
The power characteristic that determines the dynamic range and sound pressure level (mW – in case with headphones)

All that relates to the amplitude component (volume) of the headphone amplifier, depending on the sensitivity. The lower limit of normal is considered to be a mark of 100 Decibel. Good headphones provide sensitivity not less than 100 Decibel. Less sensitivity will not provide a sufficient level of volume.

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Any self-respecting manufacturer will notify the buyer about the level THEY headphones. Critical levels of harmonic distortion for headphones in the range from 100 to 2 KHz is considered the boundary is exceeded in 1% below 100 kHz allow the values to 7-10%. It is worth to say that the sound with the maximum allowable distortion not characterized as "crystal clear". Discerning listeners are sensitive to SOI, so in some professional and Hi-end models, the figure manage to reduce to 0.1 % (from 100 kHz.) and 0.9% (below 100 Hz).

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Directly affects the quality of the sound and the appearance of distortion headphone impedance. The higher it is, the less current required for the amplifier to "shake", and consequently less distortion occurs in the amplification stage. Impedance headphones can be divided into high - and low-resistivity. Relatively low-resistance plug-in and is considered to be the device with resistance to 32 Ohms, vysokoemkie — 32 Ohms. Full-size low-resistance is considered to be headphones with an impedance below 100 Ohms, respectively, above 100 Ohm – vysokoemkie. Almost all headphones for professionals and related to hi-fi/hi-end class are vysokoemkie.

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It is known that the accuracy and transferability of frequencies are dependent on the frequency response. The wider range and smoother frequency response, more realistic, more detailed, more accurate signal transfer. Most people are able to perceive the range of 20 to 20,000 Hz. Many with age, the threshold of perception of high frequencies is reduced and does not exceed 16 000 Hz. There are people who perceive a wider range. Moreover, many of those who prefer hi-end equipment, and are convinced that the reproduction of frequencies beyond the range of perception affects the sound quality. In any case, really high quality headphones will have a range of frequencies, at least in the range from 20 to 20,000 Hz. Professional and hi-end technology he is usually much wider.

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Large peaks and dips in the frequency response chart — the essence of "colored" sound. It is unlikely that headphones with similar characteristics can be attributed to the professional and even just quality equipment. They will pass with significant frequency distortion, unnatural "painted" it. I can not mention that for people who are not too attracted to sound quality, shows a great love for aggressive pronounced low frequencies. Sverhpredelna for audiophiles especially valuable is the upper limit of the frequency range.

Emitter type

Just note that the direct relationship between sound quality and type of emitter in the headphones – no. Perhaps the only exception to this rule is electrostatic drivers. While indirectly emitter type affects both the sound quality and individual characteristics.
We will cover the 4 most common transducer for earphone:

  1. Electrodynamic(speaker)
  2. Reinforcement (balanced anchor)
  3. Isodynamic
  4. Electrostatic

Dynamics – a classic, always and everywhere

The most common type of emitter in the headphones, like in other speaker systems, is the classic electrodynamic loudspeaker. The quality of the sound transmitted by this emitter is affected by many factors: the diffuser material, coil design, etc. it Often happens that speakers have a wider frequency range, which is the most significant advantage over the "rebar".

A noticeable drawback of the classical electrodynamic drivers is low compared to other reliability (a large number of moving parts, the sensitivity of the coil to the large load) and a high probability of occurrence of harmonic distortion. In the end, it all depends on the quality of the specific speakers.

Today headphones with speakers remain the most popular in the world and are used in all existing classes.In this regard, the price of the headphones equipped with speakers, can be any, it all depends on the class and headphones with other types of emitters (under approximately the same technical parameters) in comparison with the classical, in most cases are more expensive.

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Reinforcement from the military phones to high-performance "in ear»

Emitters of this type, to use their audio equipment, widely used in military and medical equipment, and then found its niche in the consumer segment. Operating principle: the impact of the moving armature, a U-shaped coil to the radiating membrane, which reduces the number of moving parts, and accordingly, reduces the likelihood of distortion and increases reliability.

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Most often transducers of this type are used when creating in-ear headphones. For this type are often characterized by many emitters in one earphone (2 or more) that is more difficult to implement with bigger speakers.
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For devices with this emitter is characterized by such features as intensity of high and medium frequencies, high accuracy of signal transmission, smoother quartermaster. The lower classes are significantly less accented than the headphones with the electrodynamic principle. The cost of reinforcing headphones typically higher than that equipped with speakers, with other equal characteristics.

Also produced system with a combined reinforcing and electrodynamic emitter, where the first serves to transmit high and medium, and the second is used for low frequencies.

Isodynamic (planar-magnetic) – new is well forgotten

A relatively rare type of emitters for headphones, which, according to some experts, perfect for reliable and accurate transmission of sound. Among the followers of isodynamic sound engineering a lot of fans of symphonic classics, jazz and complex chamber music – the most demanding of audio genres.

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Isodynamic transducers are used as oscillating element superfine membrane, which is applied to the metal track and the permanent bar magnets, which allows to accurately and without distortion to give the sound.

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Fans saturated Nizami audio, this type is probably not suitable, as the design does not involve frequency distortion in the low side, as is often the case with classical electrodynamic drivers. A serious problem with headphones with this type of emitter is the price. As a rule, the cost of these headphones prohibitively high for ordinary mortals, which automatically makes them subject to the non-poor audiophiles and professionals. The lower threshold value with the isodynamic headphone driver starts with a 30-60, 000.

Interestingly, many companies are positioning isodynamic principle as something new that, as in the case with in-ear design, far from reality. In 80-e years of last century in Japan and the USSR were made isodynamic headphones hi-Fi class. Soviet isodynamic headphones TDS — 7 and TDS — 5 had a decent for its time characteristics and are now the subject of collecting. The disadvantages of ergonomics negated all the advantages of TDS and TDS -7-5. For those who have not enough money for modern devices of this type, it is the expected choice — buy a vintage Soviet technology.

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When close to the electrostatic emitters as isodynamic headphones do not require amplification, which reduces the cost of purchasing the equipment and simplifies the operation.

Electrostatic – delight audiophile

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Headphones with this type of emitters is a special place, as the design is not the magnet that virtually eliminates the possibility of material misstatements, and the delicate membrane of the "electrostatic" able to convey an almost imperceptible echoes. Those who are kind to the purity and authenticity of sound, recognize this type of emitter is best.

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Precise signal transfer electrostatic headphone made device is the subject of the adoration of audiophiles. The principle of the emitters in the case of these headphones, it requires special amplification, as the input voltage required to drive, may exceed 5000 V. it is Quite natural that the price of the device with a preamplifier reaches almost astronomical figures, and to find such utter beauty in the price range up to 90 000 rubles is almost impossible.

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Conclusion

The main thing is to decide before fibromyositis, as they will be used. Headphones those devices that do not require universal application, and each type meets their objectives. Of course, a fat wallet will significantly expand opportunities for choice. Thus, even if you don't have 15 000 on a steep "plugs" or 100 000 for full-size hi end "electrostatic", I recommend to carefully approach the study of the characteristics, assess the ergonomics for your ears and, of course, to listen to, because the decisive criterion of choice will still be your perception. We strongly recommend you to buy the headphones in the subway, etc. and have also to be careful to "superprogram" at venues such as AliExpress, in most cases, similar models of famous brands from China are very significantly inferior to the "pedigree" of the originals.

Source: geektimes.ru/company/pult/blog/281946/

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