Average rating of 5 out of 5 stars
Average rating of 5 out of 5 stars
Average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars
Hifi Headphones
For many people, headphones are indispensable companions in everyday life nowadays: whether you're on the train, in the comfort of your living room, or even on vacation - with them, you can enjoy your favorite music undisturbed anywhere.
However, the selection of different models is vast, which can make finding the right device a challenge.
We'll show you what to look for when buying headphones and how to recognize high-quality headphones.
Buying Headphones: Good sound is the most important quality criterion
When purchasing headphones, sound is obviously paramount, because if the music sounds tinny and muffled, you quickly lose the joy of it.
So fundamentally, it's important that the device doesn't distort the sound but reproduces it as it would sound "original." However, this is a condition that many products on the market do not meet.
Especially in the lower frequency ranges, you may notice with some models that the music doesn't sound the same with all headphones. Often, you end up with a flat, dull sound. So, feel free to try out various models before settling on a specific one. Reviews from other buyers can also help you find top headphones.
In-Ear Headphones and More: What types are there?
In principle, there are three different variants of headphones on the market today. These include In-Ear, On-Ear, and Over-Ear headphones, which are available in various versions.
In-Ear Headphones
In-Ear headphones are the most compact variant, ideal for on-the-go use. In-Ear models fit into any pants pocket and are inserted directly into the ear canal. Many smartphones already include In-Ear headphones in the package. It's particularly important that the headphones seal the ear canal as completely as possible, so that outside noises are filtered out.
Additionally, a good fit is essential for good sound and comfort. In-Ear headphones are ideal for both sports and travel and everyday life, if you want to listen to music in between, although they don't offer the full sound experience of On-Ear headphones.
On-Ear Headphones
On-ear headphones sit on the ear and are connected by a band that is worn over the head. In some models, folding them is even possible, allowing for space-saving storage in the closet. The major difference from in-ear headphones is the excellent sound quality, although on-ear headphones are also larger.
For everyday use, lightweight models with smaller ear cups are preferable - at home, a larger headphone may also suffice. Here too, the most important factors are sound and wearing comfort.
Over-Ear Headphones
The third variant is represented by over-ear headphones. They are characterized by enclosing your entire ear. However, these models are often heavier and larger. The sound quality of over-ear headphones is similarly high-quality to on-ear headphones, but it tends to be even more rounded and fuller - almost as if you were at a concert.
They are particularly suitable for home use, but less suitable for on-the-go use. Because these models enclose the entire ear, external noises can hardly reach the ear. One disadvantage is that unfortunately, you tend to sweat more quickly.
Hi-Fi Headphones and Studio Headphones - What's the Difference?
When shopping for headphones, you may notice that manufacturers often label their devices as studio headphones or hi-fi headphones. However, you should not rely on these terms, as they initially have relatively little meaning. If something is indicated on the packaging, ignore it for now and instead focus on the technical features. These are much more important and quickly show you whether a particular model offers the desired sound.
However, there are indeed differences between the two types of headphones that you should know.
Studio headphones are often referred to as monitor headphones and are less suitable for normal music enjoyment, but much more suitable for music production. Ideally, they reproduce the music very neutrally, so that it sounds the same on all speakers and headphones.
Hi-fi models are defined only by a special standard: the DIN 45500 standard, which has been replaced in recent years by EN 61305. However, this number is not an indication of a specific quality, but serves only for the measurement of performance of corresponding models.