A Comparison Guide to Purchasing Headphones With a Mic

When it comes to headphones, comfort is one of the first things that you should think about. Many people simply purchase the cheapest headphones they can find in order to save money, or simply use the ones that came with their particular device. The problem is that there are a lot of problems associated with uncomfortable headphones that range from hearing loss to headaches.

Essentially, there are 5 different types of headphones. Some of these headphones come with a mic, while others do not. If you are using your headphones for voice recording or for your phone, you will need to look for a set of headphones with a mic attached. Beyond the microphone, the following are the different styles of headphones you are likely to find: ear buds, in-ear-canal, canal buds, lightweight, and full-size headphones. The following will help you understand the benefits and disadvantages of each type.

Earbuds. Ear buds are the smallest on the market and fit gently inside the ear. They customarily are the types of headphones with a mic or without a mic, which come with your equipment. As far as sound quality, ear buds are not considered the mack daddy of the headphone world, however they are extremely portable, easy to attach and will work fairly well. They do not however, block out much external sound and if they come with a microphone, it is usually clumsy to use. Most consumers rate ear buds as the most uncomfortable of headphones sold on the market today. For prolonged use, they tend to be hard to keep in the ears.
In-Ear Canal. In ear canal headphones, as the name suggests are designed to fit snugly into the ear canal. One of the benefits to in ear canal headphones is that they are small and easily portable, and since they fit into the ear canal - they do help to reduce outside noise and distractions. This makes them a pretty fair choice if you are looking for a set of headphones with a mic. The sound quality of in ear canal, varies greatly from brand to brand, but they are definitely considered a step up from ear buds. As for price, in ear canal headphones with a mic normally run around $20 - $20 dollars more than ear buds according to Consumer Reports. These headphones do cause some people to get headaches and can be uncomfortable, causing ear ringing and ear pain if used for prolonged periods of time.
Canalbuds. Canal buds are a combination of ear buds and in ear canal headphones. The distinct difference is that while they fit into the ears they are made with a soft cushioned tip that gently fits into the ear canal. When it comes to small, portable headphones - they are the best. They normally cost the same as in ear canal headphones. Many models come with remote inline microphones as well that help to improve their functionality.
Lightweight Earphones: Lightweight headphones with a mic (or without) are also fairly priced. The biggest difference with the lightweight headphones is that they are designed to fit over the head and cover the ear openings. Some have cushioning where they rest over the ears. Other lightweight headphones with mics also come with an over the head earphone and a mic that is attached and sits around the mouth. They also may have an ear clip and mouth clip for the microphone. Lightweight ear phones aren't as compact as the models mentioned above, but produce great sound, are comfortable and are inexpensive.
Full Size Headphones: If you need the highest quality, most comfortable headphones with a mic on the market you should look for full size headphones. They sit over the head, block out all external sound and come with and without microphones. For prolonged use, they are by far the most comfortable, while they do cost more than the other types. In recent consumer reports, the full size headphones were gauged to provide the highest sound quality when compared to other kinds of headphones.

Thomas A. Price is an electronics expert that specializes in technology accessories and electronic equipment. His articles are designed to offer you expert information and tips on Headphone With Mic or Sports Headphones so you can make informed buying dec

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On-Ear Headphones Buying Guide

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If you are part of the generation that carried around portable CD and cassette players, then you are probably familiar with on-ear headphones. As opposed to in-ear headphones (earphones), on-ear headphones are neither inserted into the ear canal nor positioned anywhere inside the ear. Rather, they rest on top of the wearer's ears. Foam padding is typically wrapped around the speakers and an adjustable plastic or metal band is attached to the speakers to ensure a good fit and maximum comfort. Some boast plastic clips that go around the ear instead of adjustable bands. Other models also skip the foam padding and instead offer modified speakers.

While one benefit of on-ear headphones that many users have testified to is their stellar sound quality (in comparison to earphones), their bulkiness is a factor that deems them less portable than earphones. One would be hard-pressed to stick these headphones in their pockets or purses. Most models do not allow for the headphones to be collapsed or folded. This makes earphones a stronger preference in situations where the headphones need to be transported from one place to another. Because the majority of on-ear headphones cannot be securely fastened to one's head, this presents a problem if one wishes to use their headphones for rough physical activities such as working out or going for a run.

Nonetheless, on-ear headphones are the preferred choice for many buyers. They range in price from $5 to $300. With regard to hearing damage, which can be caused by excessively high sound levels, on-ear headphones would be a suitable option for people whose ears are sensitive or who wish to err on the side of caution.

What are some good brands of on-ear headphones? While Bose, Grado, JLab Audio, JVC, Klipsch, Koss, Maxell and Monster are some of the most noteworthy brands out in the market, my personal recommendations would have to be the Sennheisier PX100 Lightweight Collapsible Headphones and the Beats by Dr. Dre Solo Headphones with ControlTalk.

Priced at $59.99, the Sennheiser PX100 Lightweight Collapsible Headphones are worth every dollar. As the name states, they are collapsible, meaning that unlike other headphones of this type, they can be easily stored for travelling or in your purse if you are planning to hit the gym after work. They also come with a hard carrying case. The quality that the speakers offer is such that all types of music will sound natural to one's ears when it is played. Lastly, the Sennheiser PX100 Lightweight Collapsible Headphones are also extremely lightweight and no bother to carry around. No wonder they boast a 4.5 review on Amazon.

Before you pick up your next set of headphones, it may be a good idea to check out a Headphone Review or two. Please visit http://www.headphonereview.org/ where you'll find some of the best headphones at the best prices.

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How Do Wireless HiFi Headphones Actually Work?

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Enjoying music can lighten up almost anything you do. However, when you're for example cleaning your place or cooking in your kitchen, you actually can't always be close to the audio-player or play your music really loud considering that your family or neighbors might be bothered by it.

Using regular HiFi headphones in order to enjoy your music might not always be the best thing, either. The actual cables from the phones may be way too short; or, maybe if they are really long, they might get stuck in your things, or perhaps even your arms and legs e.g. if you're working out while listening to music. For those different kinds of scenarios, the best thing to use really are cord-less headphones.

But what actually are cordless Headphones and how do they work?

Wireless earphones have got two key-components: the base as well as the battery-powered headset which you wear on your head.The base transmitter is the component that you will connect to the music source, which is e.g. your portable CD player. It then transmits signals that your headphones will be able to pick up so they can provide music to your ears.

Infrared v. Wireless Bluetooth headsets:

The base/transmitter device can transmit data to your headsets by means of two different ways: infrared or via Bluetooth. Infra-red functions just like a handheld remote control. The actual base transmitter will need to have a clear line of "sight" towards your headset-device; if not, the audio transmission might easily get interrupted. Hence, in case you can't actually see the base sender unit, you likewise may not hear anything.

Furthermore, depending on the earphones you get, you possibly will not get any kind of signal from your sender/base in cases where you try to operate your headphones more than 7 feet away from the sender, even if you're right in front of the transmitter. So, when you have infra-red wireless headphones don't move too far away, do not go behind the transmitter unit, or perhaps to the next room in your home.

But in case you live in a studio-style house or maybe intend to simply make use of your headphones while sitting straight in front of the television to view films or play video games, then infrared Hi-Fi earphones come in really conveniently.

Wireless Bluetooth on the contrary, works like your cordless home-phone. The actual sender unit transmits a radio signal to the wire-free headphones. You simply have to set it to the appropriate channel or buy one that can automatically do this for you. Don't be concerned, this won't impede any regular broadcasting via radio channels. This kind of transmitter allows you to tune in to music as far as maybe even 90 meters away it. You can freely walk into a different room in your home without any interruption of the music. Furthermore, if your player is Bluetooth compatible, you can connect your headset directly to your music source without having the need for any transmitter.

The only real complications with Bluetooth headphones arise when someone else is using the exact same frequency you're using; in that case either one of you will need to change the channels or you may very well pick up the other person's music blended with your very own. Additionally, Bluetooth wire-less headphones will almost always be more expensive than infrared wireless earphones.

When you shop for wire less headsets, be sure you're getting the types you want. Typically, every time retailers refer to, "wireless headphones" they actually mean infra-red wireless headphones. On the other hand, every time they mention, "cordless headphones", they actually mean wireless Bluetooth phones.

** HiFi headphones nowadays come equipped with plenty of nice high-tech features. For example, check out the noise cancelling audio Technica ATH-ANC7 headphones or the latest Sennheiser model, the Sennheiser RS180. **

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Bose A20 Vs Lightspeed Zulu Aviation Headphones Comparison

Executive Summary:

This review gives a comparison of 2 of the "highest-functioning" aviation headsets available on the market - Bose A20 vs. Lightspeed Zulu.

Aside from a few points off for not being first, with virtually the same features, the Bose headset is simply quieter and less fatiguing.

Price:

Lightspeed Zulu is $800 and Bose A20 is $1095

Comfort: (Clamping force and fit of the ear cup)

Bose

Noise Attenuation:

Bose

Customer Service:

Coin flip

In -Depth Review:

Bose is clearly the leader in Active Noise Reduction (ANR) technology. They have a wide variety of products that employ the science that they push the limits of in their Massachusetts labs and they pretty much own this area of acoustic science. Dr. Bose was an electrical engineering professor at MIT who had a side interest in acoustics.

Comfort:

There are 3 factors that manufacturers consider when designing that contribute to fatigue:

1. Clamping force on the head 2. Weight 3. ANR

1. Clamping force - All of us have flown with cheaper products that feel like clamps. That's because the only way most NON-ANR headsets keep sound out is by forming a tighter seal with our heads. Most comments by users of both headsets are in agreement, the Bose A20 has a lot less clamping force.

2. Weight is a factor that makes virtually no difference when you put a headset on, but after hours in the air with your neck muscles having to support the weight in different twisting and turning angles, an ounce or two makes A LOT of difference. The A20 is super-lightweight - 12 ounces. The Zulu weighs 13.5 ounces.

3. ANR allows for a more comfortable fit because the manufacturer doesn't need to rely only on the seal to keep sound out. This technology "whites-out" ambient sounds. The way this is done is via small microphones that first pick up on ambient sound and then attempts to match it. Bose and Lightspeed products both do this, but the Bose version is clearly more comfortable.

What do actual users of the two headsets say?

Lightspeed - out of 215 comments I found from pilots who fly the Zulu, only 15 had a bad experience (93% positive)Bose - fewer comments positive or negative with Bose…out of 33 comments, only 3 were negative (91% positive) Conclusion: Bose A20 vs. Lightspeed Zulu

• Short flights - If your flights are mostly under 1 hour, save yourself $300 and get the Lightspeed Zulu.

• Long flights - If your flights are mostly over 1 hour, the Bose A20 headset really shines in comfort and reduced fatigue. And, worth every penny of the added costs.

Roger Brown has been a helicopter and airplane pilot for 40 years. AND, he happens to be crazy about new gadgets. If you want to see detailed comparisons of high-end aviation headsets check out Bose Aviation Headsets.

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