A Beginner’s Guide to Buying Your First Set of Headphones
Buying your first pair of headphones is always a challenge: there are many things to consider, and reading online guides can sometimes feel like falling down a rabbit hole.
Don’t worry. In this guide, we simplify the process and help you note down the things you actually need to check when buying a new pair of headphones based on your individual needs.
What’s Your Budget?
From $50 to $500 or more, headphones come at various price points, and the right pair for you will depend on your needs and budget. There are exceptions, but cheaper headphones usually don’t last long and have mediocre sound quality at best.
If your budget is less than $50,buying wired headphones over wireless ones is wiseras they are cheaper, offered by reputed brands, and more cost-effective, meaning you’re getting much better sound and build quality for a lower price.
If your budget is less than $30, don’t be tempted to buy one of those cheap unbranded headphones, especially wireless ones. Instead, consider purchasing entry-level IEMs (in-ear monitors) that offer far more bang for your buck.
What Do You Need the Headphones For?
To buy the right pair of headphones for you, you’ll first need to establish what purpose you’re buying them for. Depending on your needs, the qualities important to you will differ.
What Are Your Listening Preferences?
Listening is a personal experience, so it’s unreasonable to assume that what sounds good to others will also sound good to you. There are severalheadphone sound signatures; you can find your favorite by doing some research.
For example, if you like extra bass, get headphones with a “warm” signature, but if you want your music to sound more natural and detailed, pick headphones with a “balanced” signature. If you don’t want to bother researching, go with thefamous Harman curvethat most people find the most enjoyable.
Another thing that affects your listening experience is the different Bluetooth codecs used in wireless headphones, such as aptX, LDAC, LHDC, and more. Different codecs excel at different activities, so check if the wireless headphone you intend to buy supports the Bluetooth codec you’re looking for.
If you use your wireless headphones outdoors, it’s convenient to have features like Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode built into the device. ANC blocks out ambient noise, so you can better focus on your music. Transparency Mode lets you hear your surroundings without taking off your headphones.
Keep in mind that headphone brands tune their headphones differently. For instance, Bose headphones usually have more bass. Headphones from Sony, Audio Technica, and Sennheiser usually sound balanced. In contrast, Beats by Dre and Skullcandy focus on delivering a more fun-sounding listening experience at the cost of losing some detail.
Will You Use Your Headphones for Calling?
Another significant factor to consider when buying your first set of headphones is whether you intend to use them for calling—something many buyers forget about.
If you’re buying wired headphones, make sure it has an in-line mic (usually built into the remote) and is durable and of good quality.
Wireless headphones have mics built into the body itself and use software to cut ambient noise during calls so that the other person can hear your voice more clearly.
If you’re on a budget and can’t afford high-end wireless headphones, it’s best to pick wired headphones that can deliver good enough mic quality, even in cheaper models.
On wired headphones, you may physically move the mic closer to your mouth when speaking, but with wireless, you rely on the software to cut ambient noise, which isn’t always reliable.
How Long Do You Plan to Keep Your Headphones?
Lastly, decide how long you actually want to use your headphones. If you want them to last for several years, you should probably avoid wireless headphones since the lithium-ion battery in them will inevitably degrade over time, delivering increasingly worse battery life every year.
Sincewireless earbuds and headphones get terrible battery lifeand degrade over time, you’ll have to keep buying a new pair after every few years, which is not only a waste of money but also harmful to the environment.
On the other hand, a good pair of wired headphones can last you many years in a row since it doesn’t have batteries, chips, or built-in mics. That said, the cable may get worn over time; to solve that, consider buying wired headphones with detachable cables for easier management.
Some high-endstudio headphones are built to lasta lifetime, but they are expensive and need powerful DACs and amplifiers, making them unsuitable for casual listeners.
Do Your Research Before Buying Headphones
If you’re buying from a reputed brand, it’s hard to find a bad pair of headphones. But just because a headphone has fantastic reviews on Amazon doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll like it too.
The best headphone for you will depend on your unique listening preferences and lifestyle, so consider them when researching which model to buy. Feel free to return to this guide if you need to assess your needs more clearly.
Not everyone can afford costly high-end headphones, but you may use these tips to get the best possible audio quality out of your current pair.
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