Armature headphones, in contrast to the dynamic type (for example, vacuum), reproduce a variety of sound frequencies more clearly and without interference. The sound in them is distinguished by the depth, richness and naturalness of the melodies.
These models are used not only by professional musicians, they have become firmly established in the life of the average music lover. The accessories have won recognition due to their compactness, exceptional sound quality, and variety of choices (one-, two-, five-driver and more). But even such modern devices have design subtleties, as well as pros and cons, which are worth studying thoroughly before purchasing an audio device.
Useful to know: How to extend the life of headphones: more than 10 tips
What are armature headphones?
To understand what place reinforcement headphones occupy in the hierarchy, let’s designate the most common types. There are differences in many ways: open and closed, overhead and in-channel, wired, wireless and others. They do not directly affect sound quality. It depends on such a detail as the emitter. This is what is found in all headphones that makes the sound good or “not so good”. Based on the type of emitter, headphones are divided into:
- dynamic;
- reinforcement;
- hybrid (or reinforced-dynamic);
- electrostatic;
- electret.
Each type has a different type of emitter and, therefore, a special sound. If they are in-canal, that is, they are placed in the ear canal like earplugs, then there is protection from external noise. When the question arises, which headphones are best to buy, the choice often falls on armature or dynamic ones.
Dynamic models are popular. This type of driver is used not only in headphones, but also in speaker systems. They are capable of maintaining a high sound level, so those who like to “turn it up loud” buy them.
Dynamic ears are the entry point into the world of in-ear headphones, where everyone starts. Then they experiment with other types. As a rule, this is the purchase of armature or hybrid headphones. Other types are not particularly popular due to their cost.
“Armatures” are bought by people who want clarity of sound and detail. They have a Russian name - headphones with a balanced armature. They began to be called reinforcement, inspired by the English version of balanced armature, namely the second word, which is similar to “reinforcement”. If translated correctly, armature is “anchor”. Therefore, the Russian version of the name reflects the essence more, but is used less often - it has not caught on.
What is a headphone driver and how does it affect sound?
Think all headphones are the same? Not really. The fact is that the drivers (speakers) greatly influence the sound you hear.
Headphones are an incredible technology and, without exaggeration, one of the best inventions of mankind!
One of the main advantages of the device is its versatility: the headphones are used by both ordinary people who like to listen to music in bed or on the go, and real professionals who need clean and crisp sound for editing music and video.
The fact is that each headphone model is equipped with emitters (or speakers), which vary greatly in size and are made differently depending on who they are intended for. Speakers, of course, affect the sound that enters the user's ears.
Where did it all start?
It all started about 100 years ago. When reinforcement emitters began to be included in the design of hearing aids, since their advantage is sensitivity and sound amplification. The earmolds were made according to an individual impression. Later, custom headphones began to be made using this principle.
In the 1940s, the armature emitter was introduced into military telephones. The volume of such phones was 20-40% higher than usual. This simplified negotiations during hostilities, where the noise level was off the charts.
Armature headphones, in the form we are familiar with, began to be produced in 1987. And only in 1995 they became available to a wider audience. They were bought by everyone - from audiophiles to world stage stars. Musicians began to call them monitors because they were used to “monitor” the sound on stage.
Types and number of drivers
The modern market is represented by an impressive number of models of reinforcement headphones of different price ranges. In addition to the price, there is another defining characteristic - the number of driver-emitters installed in the earphone.
The miniature body of armature headphones is often considered one of their main advantages. Alas, any acoustic engineer is ready to confidently say that sound requires volume. A case that is too miniature can not only cause a complete lack of bass line, but also cause internal overload of the driver. Such losses can be compensated either by installing additional drivers or by increasing the volume of the case.
Single-driver, dual-driver, five-driver armature headphones - what is their fundamental difference? The answer is very simple: the number of installed emitters. It should be taken into account that more emitters does not mean better sound quality. On the one hand, each additional driver really expands the frequency characteristics of the headphones. On the other hand, it requires additional filters (crossovers), and their excess leads to an increase in phase distortion. In other words, the sound becomes less natural.
The number of installed drivers also affects the potential sensitivity of reinforcement headphones. The more emitters installed, the louder the sound the headphones can produce.
But, often, volume is the main criterion for selecting headphones for performing musicians who are forced to spend several hours in the immediate vicinity of powerful multi-kilowatt equipment. For the average listener, each additional emitter will directly affect the cost of the headphones, but the result may be disappointing.
Peculiarities
At concerts you may notice that all musicians perform with headphones. What do they hear there? For example, a guitarist hears himself, that is, what he is playing, and his bandmates. In total, they hear the song they play themselves and their part a little louder. We won’t go into how exactly this is set up. These are subtleties. Basically, they have the choice of hearing through headphones or through stage monitors (like big speakers). In the second case, the sound is scattered and it is difficult for the musician to hear himself. Headphones make every part understandable, there is no “mess”.
They love the fixtures and purchase them for live performances in public. She does not embellish the picture, but shows the sound as it is, close to reality. High and mid frequencies are well developed, low frequencies are less pronounced. Because of this, the bass is not booming, but clear and articulate.
It’s clear with musicians. But why do ordinary music lovers buy armatures? To hear the true sound of the song as intended. For example, reviews write that dynamic ones embellish it a little. Reinforcement ones, on the contrary, change the sound minimally and operate without acoustic distortion. This is how armatures differ from dynamic models. This way you can check how well the song is recorded.
The sound depends on how the manufacturer himself configures the emitter.
Characteristics
| Device | Four Knowles armature drivers (CI‑22955 + ED‑29689 + SWFK‑31736 × 2) in each earphone |
| frequency response | 20–40,000 Hz |
| Bowl connector | MMCX |
| Impedance | 23 ohm |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB/mW |
| Headphone weight | 5.3 g without cable |
| Colors | Red-blue and black |
| Connection | Wired |
Rating of budget armature headphones
Sodo SD-1005
Price – 1,030 ₽
SODO SD-1005 are large wireless headphones. The soft headband ensures a comfortable fit. The body is made of aluminum alloy, leather and ABS plastic. The headphones operate for 12 hours on a single charge.
Sodo SD-1005
Advantages:
- comfortable fit;
- Bluetooth 5.0;
- built-in radio;
- price.
Flaws:
- not noticed.
Fischer Audio SBA-03
Price — 3,350 ₽
Buying a budget option up to 5 thousand is realistic. These are Russian-made armature headphones with a single driver.
The design is made in classic black color. Compared to its competitors, this is a miniature model. This ensures a comfortable fit for all ear types. The set includes 3 pairs of silicone tips, a case and a cable cover. The cable cannot be changed.
Inexpensive armature headphones have 2 extremes: bass that hits the ears, or vice versa - pronounced upper and mid frequencies, that is, a lack of saturation. The sound of the Model SBA-03 is balanced, with detail, and copes well with mid frequencies. There is characteristic clarity: the bass is quite articulate. According to buyers, there is one drawback - microphone noise.
Headphones are suitable for listening to music at home, in the office or on public transport. The sound will not disturb others.
Fischer Audio SBA-03
Advantages:
- compactness;
- comfortable fit;
- price.
Flaws:
- non-removable and insufficiently durable cable;
- limited frequency range.
Knowledge Zenith BA10
Price – 3,990 ₽
Knowledge Zenith are good at everything - they produce headphones in any price category, simple in design and multi-driver. The headphones reach the buyer in a black classic box made of thick cardboard. The body of the wired Knowledge Zenith BA10 is made of metal and decorated in red and gold. The unusual cubic shape is also striking.
The bass lacks low frequencies and density, although it is articulated. Mid frequencies sound standard, as expected from reinforcement headphones. The upper mids stand out in places. In the high range, the sound is not always satisfying - it is “loud” and hurts the ear, but if you trim the highs with an equalizer, the desired balance will appear. The set is modest - a braided cable, 2 pairs of silicone ear pads, instructions and quality control cards.
Knowledge Zenith BA10
Advantages:
- detachable cable;
- stylish design.
Flaws:
- uncomfortable fit due to angular shape;
- pronounced high frequencies.
Ergonomics
FiiO FA7 are in-ear headphones. They are inserted deep into the lower cavity of the auricle and completely block the passage of the auditory canal. If you've never worn one before, try it on before purchasing. And if you already had in-ear headphones, then the FA7 will most likely suit you, especially considering the ear pads of different sizes.
Non-memory elastic earhooks help keep the headphones in place. There’s no other way to put the FA7 on, and there’s no reason to – without additional fastening, the weight of the cable would pull the headphones down.
Rating of the best reinforcement Bluetooth headphones
Mifo O5 Pro
Price – 6,320 ₽
This model comes from China. The wireless headphones are housed in a red or gray metal box with a magnetic clasp and the Mifo logo. The brand positions its headphones as comfortable for sports, as they do not fall out of the ears during active movements. In addition, the Mifo O5 Pro model is suitable for working with audio.
The headphones are made of 2 materials: metal on the outside, black plastic on the inside. You can tell which earphone it is - left or right - by the blue and red frames, respectively. The case has a built-in indicator that shows how much charge is left. This is signaled by different colors: green – maximum, red – almost discharged, white – half charged.
One charge of the case gives 100 hours. This is enough for 15 recharges of the headphones. The headphones work for 6 hours on a single charge. The set includes a USB cable and 6 pairs of ear pads of different sizes, so that everyone can choose the ones that are comfortable for themselves.
Mifo O5 Pro
Advantages:
- wireless connection;
- Each earphone has 2 volume controls;
- charge status indicator;
- even frequency and amplitude;
- HI-FI quality.
Flaws:
- not noticed.
AC Robin Echo
Price – 6,590 ₽
AC Robin Echo are lightweight, portable Bluetooth headphones. There are similarities with Mifo O5 Pro in terms of characteristics and functionality. The case is made of aluminum and charges via micro-USB. A fully charged case is enough for 15 headphone recharges. This is a phone model with manual volume control via buttons on the body. Using them you can not only change the dynamics, but also switch tracks.
The manufacturer's experiments with electronics affected the sound for the better. You can hear that the emphasis is on high and mid frequencies. But they are balanced so that you can listen at high volumes and the quality does not deteriorate, there is no “sand”. Blue and red LED flashing indicates that the device is paired with another.
AC Robin Echo
Advantages:
- 1 recharge = 6 hours of operation;
- water protection;
- small size;
- good sound insulation.
Flaws:
- unexpressed bass.
AC Robin Mist
Price — 10,990 ₽
The model is equipped with two emitters. Good signal quality draws you into what is happening, which is why AC Robin Mist is used for gaming and watching movies. The detailed sound immerses you in the atmosphere of the plot. Even at low volume, dialogues will be understandable - this is a feature of HI-FI.
The operating time is slightly longer than other rating models – 8 hours. One recharge is exactly enough. Despite the fact that there is no special noise reduction, the headphones partially isolate from surrounding sounds.
The metal storage box is black and small in size - it fits in your pocket. The controls here are atypical and different from other models. One touch – volume control, double – pause and play.
AC Robin Mist
Advantages:
- HI-FI sound;
- Bluetooth 5.0;
- touch control.
Flaws:
- price.
Advantages and disadvantages of an armature emitter
An armature radiator has its advantages and disadvantages compared to a dynamic radiator. The disadvantages include the smaller stroke of the membrane, which is reflected either in a moderate amount of low frequencies or in a relatively low level of overload capacity. For this reason, single-driver headphones with a balanced armature often have a neutral frequency balance without dominance of the low-frequency range or go into overdrive and wheeze at high volumes. Many manufacturers like to compare an armature emitter with a dynamic one, citing the smallest armature emitter and a fairly large dynamic one, selecting them for the same sensitivity and putting an “equal” sign (as, for example, Sony does).
In fact, this comparison is correct if you listen to the headphones quietly, and this comparison will remain correct if you take a larger armature driver and a smaller dynamic one. It is worth comparing the drivers at the maximum sound pressures developed, and we will see that for the same values it is necessary to take drivers of comparable sizes.
Small reinforcement radiators are limited both in the maximum developed pressure and in the frequency range. Large armature drivers can develop greater sound pressure in the low frequency range, but, like large dynamic drivers, there is a limitation in the high frequency range.
Due to the fact that the reinforcement emitters are elongated, they can be placed in parallel, and multi-driver headphones can be made, where, due to the number of emitters, the frequency range is expanded and the threshold for the maximum sound pressure level increases. Making multi-driver systems from dynamic emitters is much more difficult; a dynamic driver always remains a cylinder, with a small height and a relatively large diameter, which makes it difficult to place them next to each other.
There are multi-driver systems of dynamic headphones, but they are either large-sized, like Funny Wang Bags, or difficult to manufacture, like Radius 11/21 due to the use of a single coaxial driver. Plus, there is the need to optimize internal cameras for speakers, which only complicates the process. In multi-driver armature headphones there is a combination of different emitters, where there are a huge number of models with a balanced armature and this affects the relatively low cost of the final products.
There are also hybrid systems, where a dynamic radiator is responsible for the low-frequency range, and reinforcement radiators for the middle and high frequencies. Such models are rare and more exotic. Of the models produced today, these are AKG K3003, Ultrasone IQ. Previously released were the Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 EB (Extended Bass)/M-Audio IE-20.
Top 3 models for musicians
Westone UM1
Price – 7,613 ₽
Westone UM1 are legendary reinforcement headphones. They were first released in 2002 for the segment of professional musicians. Mid frequencies are the strong point of this model. They are nicely brought to the fore, slightly out of the mix, which adds detail to the vocals. Highs are atypical for fittings; there is no usual sonority. This is understandable - only one driver was used in the design to emphasize a certain range.
The set includes a 120 cm long mini-jack cable and several pairs of foam earbuds that straighten in the ear canal and adapt to the individual shape.
Westone UM1
Advantages:
- tonal balance;
- passive noise insulation;
- compact.
Flaws:
- plastic case;
- dull highs and bass.
Shure SE425-CL-EFS
Price — 13,990 ₽
The electronics are represented by two armature emitters, which are coordinated with each other through a crossover. The protection of drivers in case of falls and damage has been thought out. There are 3 pairs of silicone and foam ear pads to choose from. The thoughtful design and earbuds together provide a high level of sound insulation. The transparent body makes the model an unnoticeable but stylish accessory. The cable is removable and fits comfortably behind the ears.
The model does not embellish the sound, but, like other fittings, shows naturalness. If the music is recorded poorly and there are flaws, this will be clearly audible. Mid frequencies are emphasized.
Shure SE425-CL-EFS
Advantages:
- built-in shock absorber;
- design;
- sound insulation;
- a lot of attachments.
Flaws:
- short-lived wire;
- price.
Campfire Audio Ara
Price – 112,990 ₽
In 2022, Campfire Audio pleased music lovers with several new products. One of them is the Ara model. The design is different from previous generations: the corners of the case are rounded for convenience, now they are not so sharp. The titanium case itself does not allow corrosion processes to occur, it is durable, and scratches will be almost invisible. The silver-white color of the titanium is minimalistic yet stylish.
Armature drivers are distributed throughout the entire range. 4 out of 7 drivers reproduce low frequencies. This emphasizes the bass sound and adds richness to the sound. For balance, the other 3 drivers are at high and low frequencies.
The level of listening comfort depends on the material of the ear pads. The set includes 3 pairs of foam and 6 pairs of silicone tips of different sizes, which have a good fit on the ear and protect against external noise. There are several cases available to store your headphones. The main one is made of environmentally friendly material – painted cork. Its feature is moisture resistance. In addition to the main one, the set includes 3 half-mesh covers. To maintain hygiene, a tool in the form of a brush is provided. The MMCX cable with a metal splitter is made replaceable.
Campfire Audio Ara
Advantages:
- 7 reinforcement emitters;
- 9 pairs of nozzles of different materials and sizes;
- frequency balance;
- moisture-resistant storage case;
- durable body material;
- cleaning tool.
Flaws:
- price.
Equipment
In the box we found headphones, a pack of instructions, a hard case and a set of ear pads.
Our test sample differs in configuration from the headphones sold in stores. For example, our kit did not include a zippered pouch or a brush for cleaning the device. But there is a cable for connecting to a source with a microjack interface.
The case with a transparent lid is made of plastic. It looks reliable, it’s not scary to throw it at the bottom of your bag.
A set of ear pads designed in the form of a patch panel for a modular synthesizer deserves special attention.
Here's what it includes:
- a pair of double-flange ear pads providing higher noise insulation;
- two pairs of neutral ear pads in sizes S and L (M are put on the headphones in the box);
- three pairs of ear pads, emphasizing the vocal part of the frequency range, sizes S, M and L;
- three pairs of bass-accentuating ear pads, sizes S, M and L;
- Three pairs of foam ear pads in size M, providing high noise insulation and optimal fit of the headphones in the ear.
We have already seen similar accessories during testing of the FA1 reinforcement and hybrid FH5. FiiO uses the same solutions over and over again, so we will return to previous models in the review text.
Tips for choosing headphones
This article discussed the advantages and disadvantages of armature headphones. Anyone who has already decided that he wants to buy armature headphones is asking the question: how to choose a model that is right for me? To avoid mistakes when choosing, just follow these tips:
- If your budget is limited, choose by price. There are worthy representatives in any price category.
- It makes no sense to buy Campfire Audio: Ara for 112,000 to watch movies or enjoy game soundtracks. You may not see much of a difference. Since they are revealed in another field of activity. For example, in a recording studio or on stage.
- Another option is recommendations from friends or reviews on the Internet and Youtube.
- A win-win option is to choose based on the popularity of models that have a large number of reviews. This way, the future buyer will objectively evaluate each option. As the number of buyers and feedback grows, manufacturers are paying attention and improving the shortcomings in the following models.
- For those who want a balanced sound without an emphasis on the high, mid or low range and are considering a budget option, single-driver headphones are suitable. The cost also depends on the country of manufacture. Finding models from the low price segment is not a problem if you pay attention to Chinese-made headphones. The entire range can be viewed in online stores, and you can order online there.
- If benefits are not just an empty word for you, consider the option with Aliexpress. Study the assortment of stores, as prices vary from site to site. You can save a lot of money.
- Musical preferences also play a role. Fans of club music and bass should refrain from purchasing armature headphones, since the low frequencies are not pronounced enough for this genre. As an option, you can buy hybrid ones, that is, reinforced-dynamic ones. This means that the strengths of each type are combined into a single design.
- For lovers of rock and beautiful vocals, the fittings will be suitable, as the upper and mid frequencies are pronounced, which will emphasize the instruments and voice.
- If the desired sound is natural, you should purchase headphones with a small number of emitters.
- Before purchasing, you need to think about your motivation, that is, what exactly the headphones are for. This will limit your choices and make your life easier. Because it’s easy to drown in countless descriptions, reviews, reviews.
If possible, it is better to come to the store and listen to your favorite track in the desired headphones. Some provide demo models. Since the anatomy of each ear is individual and the idea of the ideal sound is different.
The article presents the best manufacturers of budget headphones that are affordable to many, and individual models for professionals. These are just some of the reinforcement headphone models. A large number of options are higher in cost, and this is justified.
Results
FiiO FA7 is a model that finally breaks the stereotype about the lack of bass in headphones with an armature device. She doesn't have a super objective sound, but she has a musical sound that works well in most genres. The headphones can be used with any consumer audio equipment, but their full potential is revealed with Hi-Fi sources.
The average price of FiiO FA7 is 25,690 rubles.
Go to FiiO FA7 page
