Comparison Apple EarPods Lightning vs Apple EarPods with Remote and Mic

The specific connection interface provided in the headphones. At the same time, some models may provide several options at once - these are either combined devices (see "Type of connection"), or wired headphones equipped with additional adapters or replaceable cables, or wireless devices connected via a radio channel or infrared port (in the latter case the characteristics additionally specify the method of connecting the complete adapter).

- micro-Jack (2.5 mm). A wired connector similar to the popular 3.5mm mini-Jack (see below), but smaller. Equipment with such a connection is rare - mostly these are miniature devices, where there is simply no room for a 3.5 mm jack. Accordingly, this interface has not received distribution among headphones either: it is almost never found in its pure form, models with such a plug are usually supplemented with an adapter or cable for mini-Jack.

- mini-Jack(3.5 mm). Perhaps the most popular modern type of audio connector; if a device has a headphone output, it is most likely a 3.5 mm jack. Accordingly, most headphones with a wired connection use this type of connector. It is worth noting that headphones with a microphone designed for such a connection are equipped with a special plug for a combined headphone + microphone audio jack (such connectors are popular in portable gadgets and laptops). But with a socket designed only for “ears” without a microphone, such a plug may not work cor...rectly. An alternative would be headphones equipped with two separate mini-jack plugs; see below for more details on this option.

- mini-Jack (2 x 3.5 mm). Models with two 3.5 mm mini-jack plugs. This option is guaranteed to mean that we are not talking about classic headphones, but about a headset with a microphone: one plug is used for headphones, the second for a microphone. Such models are convenient when used with equipment that has separate 3.5 mm jacks for “ears” and a microphone - for example, for a PC.

- Pentaconn (4.4 mm). It is a 5-pin balanced output. Pentaconn uses a larger than the mini-Jack plug, its size is 4.4 mm, it is stronger and more reliable than the 3.5 mm connection. The Pentaconn's balanced connection makes it possible to handle higher power audio signals. Thanks to this connection, it is possible to transmit a signal over a fairly long distance. Accordingly, such a connector is relevant for headphones of the highest category.

- Jack (6.35 mm). The largest type of Jack type audio connector found in modern technology. Outputs of this type are found mainly in stationary audio equipment - they are too bulky for portable devices, it is easier to use a 3.5 mm mini-jack there. At the same time, a 6.35 mm jack is considered to be a more suitable interface for professional and audiophile-class equipment: it provides a more reliable connection, greater contact density and, accordingly, less likelihood of interference. Therefore, although relatively few headphones are equipped with their own Jack type connector (mostly premium solutions), many models with a 3.5 mm mini-Jack plug are equipped with a 6.35 mm adapter.

— XLR. A characteristic round connector with a lock-lock and 3 contacts (there are other options in quantity). As a rule, it is used to transmit an analog signal through a balanced connection. This connection provides high resistance to interference, typical for professional applications; at the same time, the plug itself has rather large dimensions. In view of all this, the presence of XLR is relevant mainly for headphones designed for use with advanced stationary equipment.

— Bluetooth. The most popular wireless connection option in today's headphones. This is due to the fact that built-in Bluetooth modules are available in almost any modern smartphone, tablet or laptop, and appropriate adapters can be produced for devices without this module (for example, a PC). True, the sound quality with a traditional Bluetooth connection is relatively low, but special technologies such as aptX and aptxHD are increasingly being used to remedy the situation (see "Codec Support").
It is also worth noting that Bluetooth modules can correspond to different versions (the latest for 2022 is Bluetooth 5.0, Bluetooth 5.1, Bluetooth 5.2 and Bluetooth 5.3) this moment does not affect the sound quality, however, it determines a number of additional nuances - the range and reliability of communication, the ability to work through walls and other obstacles, resistance to interference, etc. In modern "ears" you can find the following versions of Bluetooth:

• Bluetooth v4.0. An update in which the capabilities of version 3.0 (classic + high-speed Bluetooth) were supplemented with a third format - Bluetooth LE (low energy). This communication standard is intended mainly for the transmission of small amounts of information - in particular, service data packets to maintain a connection. At the same time, the creators managed to combine economical energy consumption and a long communication range - it can reach 100 m. This has a positive effect on the stability of the connection.
• Bluetooth v 4.1. Development and improvement of Bluetooth 4.0. Speaking specifically about headphones, the key innovation for them in this version was improved noise immunity when working near devices with 4G (LTE) mobile communication devices (in earlier standards, Bluetooth and LTE signals could overlap, which led to failures). So for use with a 4G smartphone, headphones with Bluetooth support of at least v 4.1 are definitely recommended.
• Bluetooth v4.2. Further, after 4.1, the development of the Bluetooth standard, which mainly introduced a number of general improvements in reliability and noise immunity.
• Bluetooth v5.0. Massive Bluetooth update released in 2016. One of the most notable innovations was the introduction of two additional Bluetooth LE operating modes: high speed mode (due to reduced range) and extended range mode (due to reduced speed). In the case of headphones, the main significance of these innovations is to improve the overall reliability of the connection, increase its range and reduce the number of gaps.
• Bluetooth v 5.1. Update version v 5.0, which, in addition to general improvements in the quality and reliability of communication, has such an interesting feature as determining the direction from which the Bluetooth signal is coming. Thanks to this, a smartphone or other gadget that supports this standard is able to determine the location of connected devices with an accuracy of up to a centimeter; this can be useful, for example, to search for lost sight, but still working headphones.
• Bluetooth v5.2. The next, after 5.1, is the Bluetooth 5th generation update. The main innovations in this version are a number of security improvements, additional power optimization in LE mode, and a new audio signal format for synchronized parallel playback on multiple devices.
• Bluetooth v5.3 was introduced at the dawn of 2022. Among the innovations, it accelerated the process of negotiating the communication channel between the controller and the device, implemented the function of quickly switching between the state of operation in a small duty cycle and high-speed mode, improved the throughput and stability of the connection by reducing the susceptibility to interference. In case of unexpected interference in the Low Energy mode of operation, the procedure for selecting a communication channel for switching is now accelerated.

- Radio channel. A wireless radio connection that does not use Bluetooth technology (see above). Such headphones are usually equipped with an adapter that connects to the signal source by wire - for example, via USB or mini-Jack 3.5. This connection method is more versatile than Bluetooth, it can be used even with devices that do not have wireless modules. In addition, the radio channel provides a long range (often up to several tens of meters), and the sound quality is quite high even without the use of special technologies. The disadvantage of this option is the actual presence of an adapter, which is not always appropriate: for example, it is easier to use Bluetooth headphones with a tablet or smartphone.

- IR channel. Another method of wireless connection, a feature of which is that it does not use radio waves, but infrared radiation. Theoretically, the advantage of such a connection is resistance to electromagnetic interference, the disadvantage is that it only works in the line of sight. In practice, the situation is such that in most cases it is easier to use Bluetooth or a radio channel for a wireless connection. So this option is found only in specialized devices for equipment equipped with its own IR outputs - in particular, among headphones for car monitors.

— USB A. Wired connection to a standard (full dimensions) USB connector. This option is found exclusively among headphones designed for computers / laptops or gaming consoles. One of its advantages is that sound via USB is transmitted digitally and is processed not by the computer's audio card, but by the built-in headphone converter; such a converter often provides better sound quality than the said audio card. In addition, multi-channel audio can be transmitted via a USB connection - this point will be especially appreciated by gamers. Another advantage is that when using USB-headphones, specialized audio outputs remain free, and you can connect other equipment to them - for example, computer speakers or a vibrocap.

— USB-C. A relatively new type of USB connector, used in both desktop computers and portable devices - as the heir to microUSB. It does not differ much in dimensions, but it has a more advanced design - in particular, it is made double-sided, which makes it easier to connect. Most often complemented by other connection options (they can be both wired and wireless).

— Lightning. A universal connector used in Apple portable equipment - iPhone smartphones and iPad tablets - since 2012. Not used by other manufacturers. Accordingly, models with such an interface are designed specifically for "apple" technology (primarily iPhone and iPod touch players). This type of connection is especially relevant given the fact that in the latest iPhones, the manufacturer has completely abandoned a separate audio output, and the only way to connect headphones is the Lightning port.

- Corporate outlet. A connection connector that is not related to generally accepted standards and is used to a limited extent in the equipment of one or more manufacturers. Such connectors are found mainly among headphones for mobile phones. However, in connection with the general standardization, this option has practically disappeared from the scene. Theoretically, the proprietary connector is also the Lightning described above, but it is separated into a separate category due to the popularity of Apple technology.

The design of the plug provided in the headphones. This parameter is relevant primarily for models with a mini-Jack interface (see "Connection") — the rest of the plugs are made straight in most cases, exceptions are extremely rare.

— Direct. The traditional, most simple and unpretentious option is plugs that do not have any bends. Usually, they are compatible without restrictions with stationary audio equipment, PCs, laptops, etc. But for smartphones and other portable gadgets, this option is not always optimal — it all depends on how the gadget is located in your pocket or case. In some cases — for example, when carrying a smartphone in a regular pants pocket — such a wire can be strongly bent around the plug, which quickly becomes unusable; in such cases it is worth paying attention to L-shaped or curved plugs (see below).

— L-shaped. Plugs angled at 90° in the shape of the letter L. Designed primarily for use with smartphones and other handheld devices: such devices, when worn, can be positioned in such a way that a bent plug is more convenient than a straight one. However, the L-shaped design may also be the best choice for stationary equipment, where the headphone wire approaches the connector at a right angle — for example, this situation is often found in computers and laptops.

— At an angle of 45°. A variation of the L-shaped plug...described above, bent not at a straight line, but at a smaller angle (not necessarily exactly 45 °). It is also designed primarily for pocket equipment, and with such an application, such plugs are considered even more convenient and reliable than traditional L-shaped ones. But for stationary devices, it hardly makes sense to specifically look for a model with a similar connector (although such an application is technically quite possible).

The length of the cable supplied with the headphones with the appropriate connectivity.

The optimal cable length depends on the planned format of the "ears". So, for pocket gadgets, 1 metre or less is often enough, for a computer it is already desirable to have a wire for 1 – 2 m, and preferably 2 – 3 m. And models with a longer cable length — 3 – 5 m or even more — are mainly designed for specific tasks, such as connecting to a TV or using in recording studios.

Recall that in some models the cable is removable (see below) and can be replaced if necessary with a longer or shorter one. Also note that there are extension cables that allow you to increase the length of the main wire; such a cable may even be included in the delivery, this point (and the length of the additional cable) is usually specified in the notes.

The total weight of the headphones; for true wireless models (see "Cable Type"), the weight of each individual earbud is listed.

This parameter is directly related to the design (see above) and some features of the functionality. Thus, the mentioned true wireless devices are very light, their weight does not exceed 25 g. More traditional in-ears and in-ears can be noticeably heavier, up to 50g for in-ears and up to 100g for most in-ears. Overhead models, for the most part, are quite massive: among them there are many models weighing 200 – 250 g, 250 – 300 g and even more than 300 g. It should be noted that a significant weight for false ears is often not a disadvantage, but an advantage: it allows them to stay on the head more securely, creates an impression of solidity and reliability, and most often does not create significant inconvenience.