Hifi headphones
For many people today, headphones are indispensable companions for everyday life: Whether on the train, in the living room at home or on vacation - with them you can enjoy your favorite music undisturbed everywhere. However, the choice of different models is very large, which can make it a challenge to find the right device. We'll show you what to look for when buying headphones and how to recognise high-quality headphones.
Buying headphones: A good sound is the most important quality feature
When buying headphones, the main focus is of course on the sound, because if the music sounds tinny and dull, you quickly lose the pleasure of it.
So it is basically important that the device does not distort the sound but reproduces it as it sounds "original". However, not all products on the market meet this requirement alone.
Especially in the lower frequency ranges, you may find that the music does not sound the same with all headphones. This often results in a flat, matt sound. So try out different models before you decide on one. Reviews from other buyers can also help you find top-of-the-line headphones.
In-ear headphones and more: What types are there?
In principle, there are three different types of headphones on the market today. These include in-ear, on-ear and over-ear headphones, which are also available in different versions.
In-Ear headphones
In-ear headphones are the most compact version, ideal for on the move. In-ear models fit in any pocket and are placed directly in the ear canal. Many smartphones come with in-ear headphones already included. It is particularly important that the headphones seal the ear canal as completely as possible so that external noise is filtered out. In addition, a good fit is essential for good sound and wearing comfort. In-ear headphones are ideal for sports, travel and everyday use when you want to listen to music in between, but they do not offer the full sound experience of on-ear headphones.
On-Ear headphones
Over-Ear headphones
Over-ear headphones represent the third variant. They are characterized by the fact that they enclose your entire ear. However, most of these models are also considerably heavier and larger. The sound quality of over-ear headphones is similar to that of on-ear headphones, but here the sound is a little rounder and fuller - almost as if you were at a concert. They are particularly suitable for home use, but are less suitable for travel. Because they cover the entire ear, external noise can hardly reach the ear. A disadvantage of this is that you unfortunately often sweat faster.
Hifi headphones and studio headphones - what is the difference?
If you look around the store for headphones, you may find that manufacturers often refer to their products as studio headphones or hi-fi headphones. However, you should not use these terms as a guide, as they initially mean relatively little. If something like this is indicated on the packaging, ignore it for now and instead orient yourself to the technical features. These are much more important and show you quite quickly whether a particular model offers you the desired sound.
However, there are differences between the two types of headphones that you should know about.
Studio headphones are often referred to as monitor headphones and are less suitable for normal music enjoyment, but all the more for music production. Ideally, they reproduce the music very neutrally, so that it offers the same sound on all speakers and headphones.
Hifi models are only defined by a special standard: This is the DIN 45500 standard, which has been replaced by EN 61305 in recent years. However, this number is not an indication of a specific quality, but merely serves to measure the performance of corresponding models.