Features
This parameter is indicated only for specialized models that are not related to “ears”
for general use. Nowadays, in headphones you can find the following specialization options:
gaming,
for active sports,
office,
monitor(aka studio),
for DJs,
for children's,
for sleep. Here is a more detailed description of these varieties:
- Gaming. Headphones designed primarily for use in games - primarily with PCs and laptops (a separate type is available for consoles, see below for details). Externally they stand out primarily due to their design - usually quite bright and aggressive. Most of these models have an overhead design, most often in a full-size “Over Ear” format (see “Design”) - this provides maximum immersion into the gaming. There are other design options, but noticeably less frequently. An almost mandatory part is a microphone - for voice communication in online games. In addition, most multi-channel models fall into this category (see “Sound”) - such sound is most important for games.
— For active sports. Headphones good for sports. Such devices must, firstly, have additional fixation in the ears or on the head so as not to change their position during active movements; secondly, do
...n’t be afraid of sweat (and ideally, rain, snow and other precipitation). With rare exceptions, headphones for active sports do not have a wire that could create inconvenience when moving. Sports headphones include earbuds models, earbuds, and some on-ear headphones. They share key character traits - a secure fit and at least some degree of IP water resistance (see "Protection (IP) Level").
- Office. Office headphones are designed for consultants, support operators and other employees who constantly have to deal with voice communications over the phone or the Internet. Accordingly, one of the main features in such models is the presence of a microphone. Also among office headphones, models for one ear are very popular (see “Sound - mono”), which allow you to hear both the interlocutor on the line and the surrounding environment at the same time. Many “ears” for this purpose use a USB connection (see “Connection”) - in the expectation that inexpensive office computers may not have specialized audio outputs at all. In this case, a small control panel for working with IP telephony can be provided directly on the USB plug; it allows, in particular, to accept and reject calls. There are also wireless models (usually with a connection via a radio channel, less often via Bluetooth), as well as specialized solutions connected to telephone sets using specific connectors.
— Monitor (studio). Headphones designed for use in professional sound recording and when setting up audio equipment. They are made only wired. However, the key feature of such models is different: they have the most even frequency response, which gives almost the same sound volume in all frequency bands, and a wide operating range, often exceeding the limits of frequencies audible to humans. Thanks to this, headphones for this purpose are able to clearly identify all the flaws in the sound signal - including nuances that are not noticeable on traditional “ears”; Such capabilities are indispensable in professional work with sound. On the other hand, for the same reason, there is no point in using monitor models for everyday listening to music: they not only reveal various shortcomings of the recording, but also give the sound a specific coloring that is unusual and even unpleasant for the average user.
— For DJ. Headphones originally intended for use by professional DJs when mixing tracks. In many ways they are similar to the monitor ones described above - in particular, they have a very smooth frequency response, providing the most reliable sound, and a wide frequency range. In addition, DJ headphones are usually made in a closed acoustic design and generally have high quality sound insulation, which allows you to maintain good audibility even in quite noisy environments.
- For children's. They differ from “adult” models primarily in appearance - both in smaller sizes and (in most models) in their characteristic bright design. In addition, children's's hearing is more sensitive to loud sound, and too high a volume is extremely undesirable for a child (including for psychological reasons). In light of this, children's's headphones may have corresponding features - for example, slightly reduced sensitivity, which does not allow the sound to be “boosted” to a high level, or a volume limiter, which can only be controlled by an adult.
- For sleep. Miniature headphones of a special anatomical shape, which allows you to calmly fall asleep lying on your side without discomfort in the ear. To reduce ambient noise levels, they are usually designed with passive noise reduction. These headphones can be used both for listening to music and for broadcasting white noise, nature sounds or waves. Advanced models also monitor sleep quality, and the alarm function turns on a wake-up melody at the appointed time. Such headphones are often called electronic earplugs.Waterproof
The headphones have special protection against moisture and dust; also, this clause may specify the level of such protection according to the IP standard.
Not all
waterproof headphones allow complete immersion in water, but in this case this is usually not required — water protection is mainly intended for safe operation in the rain (or during sports activities when the user sweats a lot). But the specific degree of such protection in different models can vary markedly, and here it is most convenient to evaluate it by IP marking. This marking consists of the letters IP and two numbers; moisture resistance is described by the second, last digit, and in modern headphones you can find the following options:
— 2. Protection against vertical drops of water in the working position and when the device deviates up to 15 ° from this position. The minimum indicator that allows us to talk about resistance to rain (however, without strong winds).
— 3. Protection against splashes falling vertically or at an angle up to 60° from the vertical. Provides resistance to moderate rain and strong winds.
—
4. Splash proof from any direction. With such headphones, rain of medium intensity is not terrible, regardless of the strength of the wind.
—
5. Protected against water jets from any direction. Allows you to transfer already a combination of strong wind w
...ith a downpour.
— 6. Protection against strong water jets. It is considered the minimum level that allows you to swim safely (with your head above the surface of the water) wearing headphones.
— 7. Possibility of short-term (less than half an hour) immersion under water to a shallow depth (less than 1 m); continuous operation in immersed mode is not expected. In such headphones, you can no longer only swim, but also dive under water to a shallow depth (plunge with your head), but they are not suitable for full-fledged diving.
— 8. The highest level of water protection actually found in modern headphones (although theoretically there is a higher level, level 9). Allows long-term (more than 30 minutes) immersion under water to a depth of 1 m or more, and even permanent work in a submerged position. And although the latter is not particularly relevant for headphones, however, this degree of protection makes it possible to swim and even dive safely. However, note that specific restrictions on use in such headphones may be different, they must be clarified according to the instructions.
As for protection against dust (it is indicated by the first digit in the IP marking), its level in modern “ears” is indicated mainly in cases where it corresponds to level 4 (protection against objects 1 mm thick or more), 5 (allowed a small amount of dust that does not affect the operation of the device) or 6 (complete protection against dust). Also note that this number can be replaced by the letter "X" — for example, IPX7; this means that no official dust certification has been carried out for this model. However, this resistance in many cases can be assessed by the degree of protection against moisture: for example, devices with a moisture resistance of 7 or 8, by definition, do not let water through — which means that they are also not afraid of dust.Weight
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.
