Headphones are essentially little speakers that go around a user's ears so that the audio is isolated and not played for an entire audience. They can be used for a variety of purposes from watching a movie on an airplane to listening to music. With the rise of mobile phone technology, they are now also used to carry on phone conversations while driving.
Why Headphones?
One of the most obvious advantages of headphones over speakers is that it keeps your audio private. This can be beneficial to the user, who can keep their personal interests and taste in movies and music private. However, it can be beneficial to anyone. For example, streaming a TV show or song online while at work can be incredibly distracting to the coworkers around you if the audio is played through your computer speakers.
Headphones are also desirable because they allow you to bring your audio files with you no matter where you go. This can be very convenient if you work out at a gym or go for jogs or bike rides. The presence of headphones allows you to take your music with you in a compact portable device such as an mp3 player.
Headphones can also allow you to concentrate on an audio file while you are in a noisy surrounding. For example, if you are listening to instructions or completing a tutorial at work, headphones can ensure that you concentrate on the task at hand rather than what is taking place around you.
Types of Headphones
There are many different types of headphones available in the market. The type that you ultimately choose will depend largely on personal preferences. In ear headphones, or ear buds, are a very popular type available in the market. They are popular because they do a really good job of drowning out the noise around you and isolating the audio that is coming from your electronic device. They are also popular because they are among the most affordable headphones available in the market.
Supra-aural headphones are the type that sits over your ears. Many high end headphones in the market are supra-aural. The main advantages of this type are that they provide a higher quality sound since they are able to project more bass. Another advantage is that they are generally much more comfortable than the ear bud models.
Circumaural headphones are the largest ones available and they tend to cover your entire ears. They are preferred by djs or individuals who are seeking maximum bass when listening to audio.
External Amplification
Although they are not as common in the marketplace, external amplifiers are also available for individuals who are seeking full bodied audio. They are easy to use as they just plug into your portable CD player or audio device. Prices will vary depending on the quality of the amplifier. Market prices will generally range from $200 to $1000 for traditional headphone amplifiers. Although these devices can get pricey, you will find that they can be connected to many different devices around your home such as CD players, DVD players and Blue Ray players. The nice thing about them is that they are relatively easy to hook up and can be used on many different types of devices. Because they are portable, they are also easily transported around your home.
For individuals who are looking to amplify the sound on their mp3 players, portable headphone amplifiers are also available. These devices are convenient because they greatly enhance the sound but are small enough to carry with you on the go.