25 Best Wired and Wireless Headphones for 2022

Who invented the first headphones

The work of telephone operators was difficult - they had to constantly hold the phone in their hands in order to interact with the receiver and transmitter. Telephone operator Bella in 1881 came up with a metal structure that held parts of the telephone. The prototype of modern headsets weighed almost 3 kilograms, but it significantly simplified the work of telephone operators.

Some time later, in 1910, the American Nathaniel Baldwin created drawings of the device, which he sold to the US Air Force. This can be called the creation of the world's first headphones. The arc was located under the back of the listener's head and had an adjustable length. In addition, Nathaniel was able to redesign the emitters, increasing their sensitivity.

Types of headphones

Let's look at what types of headphones there are and how they differ.

By food type

There are two main types: wired headphones, which work directly from the device, and wireless ones, which work autonomously. The latter, in turn, are divided into:

• infrared;
• radio models;
• Bluetooth headsets;
• Wi-Fi models.

There are also hybrid models - they can work both wirelessly and with a cable.

Wireless headphones, despite advances in technology, may still have a slight delay in audio transmission. In terms of stability and clarity of playback, wired ones still win. Many musicians, sound engineers and simply lovers of high-quality sound prefer wired models. There is only one drawback that can be noted - this is the restriction of the user’s freedom of movement.

By type of design

At the moment, many constructive types have appeared. It all depends on where, how and for what you plan to use the headphones.

1. In-channel, vacuum or simply “plugs”. Due to the tight fit in the ear canal, they provide sufficient sound insulation, as well as high sound concentration. Various attachments will help you adjust the earphone to suit you.
2. In-ear headphones (“in-ear”, “droplets”, “buttons”). The first portable headphones were released in this form factor. They, like vacuum ones, are inserted into the auricle, but not so deeply. There are no usual silicone tips, but sometimes manufacturers include foam ear pads in the kit. They allow you to slightly improve noise insulation and secure the earphone in your ear more securely.
3. Invoices. Simply put, these are speakers that are attached to the headband. The speaker presses against the ear, hence the name. Most often used with computers.
4. Full size. The design is similar to on-ear ones, except that they do not press against the ear, but completely cover it. Due to this fit, good sound insulation is ensured, and the increased area of ​​the “cups” allows the use of larger drivers for better reproduction.
5. Monitor. Essentially these are the same full-size headphones. They can differ only in a thick ring-shaped cable, a massive headband and enlarged “cups”. They are called monitors because they have a wide frequency range and are used in the field of sound recording, editing and other professional purposes. Due to their almost flat frequency response, they sound rather rough.

By emitter type

There are several types of devices, each of which has its own characteristics.

1. Reinforcement. Used in in-channel models. The basis is a U-shaped magnet, in the field of which there is an “armature” with a copper coil and a diffuser attached to them. The design provides clear sound due to good response.
2. Dynamic. The most common type of emitters. Found in all types of headphones – from in-ear to monitor. The design is simple - a membrane with a coil attached to it and a magnet. With its field it influences the coil, pushing and attracting it. This type is constantly being improved, which allows for improved sound quality with each new model.
3. Electrostatic. They are classified as Hi-End. You won’t find such headphones in household stores; they are used only in professional sound. The sound is produced by a thin membrane located between two electrodes. It oscillates under the influence of a high level of current.
4. Planar (isodynamic, orthodynamic). The basis of the device is the Hale emitter, patented at the end of the last century in the USA. Rectangular membrane made of Teflon film. Aluminum coating in the form of strips is applied on top of it. The membrane is located between two strong magnets and vibrates under the influence of current. This design has high fidelity.

By type of acoustic design

Three types are common: open, closed and semi-open.

1. Open. The emitter is located in a chamber that has slot-shaped openings or a grid. All sounds of the surrounding world will be clearly audible. The sound of such headphones is practically not distorted, since the membrane does not encounter restrictions when moving due to free air circulation.
2. Closed. The headphone body has no holes. External noise is well cut off, and the sound goes directly into the ear canal without scattering or disturbing others.
3. Half open. They resemble a closed type, but the speakers are not completely isolated. External noise is not blocked, so it is better to use them for home listening.

What are Hi Fi headphones?

Hi Fi is short for High Fidelity . This phrase has a translation - high accuracy. The purpose of such headphones is to transmit sound as close as possible to the original source. There are world standards DIN-45500 and IEC 60581, or GOST 24388-88 and GOST 23262-88 for our country, which define the requirements for Hi-Fi class devices. The main indicators by which compliance is determined:

• Distortion of the amplitude-frequency response (AFC) - the smoother the graph, the better;

An example of a good amplitude-frequency response graph

• Harmonic coefficient;
• Signal to noise ratio.

Important Features

Let's look at what characteristics you should pay attention to when choosing headphones.

frequency range

There is no standard as such since the range can be measured in different ways. Rely on your own hearing. The greater the difference between the numbers, the more sounds the headphones can reproduce.

Sensitivity

This is the sound pressure level. It is measured in decibels and ranges from 60 to 140 dB. The higher this indicator, the louder the headphones will play.

Resistance

In other words, impedance is measured in ohms. The higher the resistance, the more powerful the sound source required. But models with high impedance have a lower level of distortion. For use with a telephone, 16-32 Ohms is quite suitable.

Degree of protection

If you are planning to buy headphones for training or are afraid of getting caught in the rain, then you should look at models that are certified with an IPXX rating.

Noise suppression

Closed headphone models have passive noise reduction due to their ability to isolate the ear canal. There are models with active noise cancellation. Their bodies contain microphones that take sound from the environment and transmit it in antiphase - anti-noise. It connects to the noise and they go to zero, making it seem like the sounds have disappeared.

Inexpensive compact wired headphones

This list contains the top vacuum headphones at an attractive price.

1MORE Piston Fit E1009

Dynamic in-ear headphones. They have a frequency range from 20 to 20,000 Hertz, a sensitivity of 100 dB and an impedance of 32 Ohms. The headphones have a microphone and remote control, which allows you to use them as a headset for a smartphone. They are distinguished by their low weight, compactness and accurate sound transmission. The emitter housings are made of aerospace metal.

Advantages:

• high-quality sound;
• strong cord;
• L-shaped plug;
• powerful bass;
• The microphone conveys the voice well.

Flaws:

• flimsy remote control with microphone;
• tangled cable;
• hard ear pads.

Panasonic RP-HJE125

In-ear headphones of a closed design. They are equipped with dynamic drivers with a resistance of 16 ohms and a sensitivity of 97 dB, which produce sound in a wide frequency range from 10 to 24,000 hertz. The special design of the Ergofit emitters will allow you to wear the headphones for a long time without discomfort. A large palette of colors makes it possible to choose a headset to suit your taste. The set includes ear pads in three sizes.

Advantages:

• good sound for the price;
• excellent fit;
• soundproofing;
• reliable plug;
• long service life.

Flaws:

• abundance of bass;
• The wire gets tangled and becomes dull in the cold.

JBL C100SI

In-ear headset with closed-type microphone. The emitters are dynamic. The reproduced frequency range is standard 20-20000 Hz, which is quite enough for high-quality reproduction of most genres of music. Impedance is 16 Ohms, sensitivity is 103 dB, which means that the headphones are capable of producing quite powerful sound. The wire houses a control panel that allows you to answer phone calls and switch tracks directly from the headset. The kit comes with attachments of different sizes, with which you can achieve an optimal fit.

Advantages:

• sound quality;
• fit well in the ear and cut out noise;
• optimal price-quality ratio;
• high-quality assembly.

Flaws:

• not identified.

What headphones to buy for working in the studio

There is no doubt that you will need expensive headphones to work in the studio. The ideal option is the Sennheiser HD 800 headset with a wide frequency range and a pronounced stage. However, there are many more affordable models that meet modern requirements. For example, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro is ready to please with its rich equipment and powerful bass, and the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro has an unprecedentedly low price for its characteristics. The burden of the final choice, as always, lies with the buyer, so we recommend that you once again familiarize yourself with the highlighted advantages and disadvantages of different models in order to choose the best option.

Compact wired headphones with good sound

We analyzed reviews and product characteristics and compiled a rating of in-ear headphones with excellent sound.

Marshall Mode EQ

In-ear headphones with a closed-type microphone. Dynamic drivers transmit sound in the range from 20 to 20,000 Hz, the impedance is 18 Ohms, and the declared sensitivity is 100 dB. This suggests that the headphones are capable of producing loud sound of excellent quality. In addition to the microphone, there is also a control panel on the cable, which makes it possible to answer incoming calls and control music playback. There is also a special button on the remote control for selecting an equalizer - soft, powerful, enhanced bass.

Advantages:

• excellent sound;
• high-quality assembly;
• fit well in the ear;
• braided cable.

Flaws:

• The cord gets tangled.

Sony MDR-XB50AP

Closed-back in-ear headphones. Each earphone contains one dynamic emitter, which is capable of operating in a wide frequency range from 4 to 24,000 Hz. The headphone impedance will be 40 Ohms, sensitivity – 106 dB. On the cable there is a control panel with a microphone and one button, which performs the function of receiving calls and switching tracks. The set includes hybrid silicone ear pads, allowing you to choose the perfect fit for yourself. An L-shaped plug with gold-plated contacts will ensure a high-quality and reliable connection to the device.

Advantages:

• balanced sound;
• case included;
• powerful bass;
• high noise insulation;
• build quality.

Flaws:

• not identified.

Sennheiser IE 4

Headphones from the famous German acoustics brand. They have a closed design, plug-in type. The speakers operate in the range of 10-18000 Hz, impedance – 16 Ohms, sensitivity – 106 dB. Such indicators are quite enough to transmit loud and high-quality sound from a smartphone. The set includes three sizes of ear pads, with the help of which an individual fit in the ear canal is achieved. The manufacturer promises good sound insulation and increased low-frequency bass response.

Advantages:

• natural sound;
• long and durable wire;
• secure fit in the ear;
• strong plug;
• used by musicians.

Flaws:

• not identified.

On-ear and full-size wired headphones

The best models that are suitable for home use with a computer or other sound source.

AKG K 52

Full-size closed-type headphones with dynamic drivers. The speakers have a resistance of 32 Ohms and a sensitivity of 110 dB. With a frequency range of 18 Hz to 20 kHz, the headphones are capable of producing loud, high-quality sound. Due to the optimal characteristics, listening to music of any genre will be comfortable. Despite the rather large dimensions, the device weighs only 200 g, so you will not experience discomfort when wearing the headphones for a long time. The ear pads are breathable, so your ear will not sweat in them.

Advantages:

• studio quality sound;
• good fit;
• long cable;
• 6 mm adapter included;
• high-quality assembly.

Flaws:

• lets noise through.

Sennheiser HD 206

Full-size headphones, with dynamic drivers and a long wire, with a closed design. Speakers with an impedance of 24 Ohms and a sensitivity of 108 dB reproduce sounds in the frequency range from 21 Hz to 18 kHz. The ear pads are made of high-quality leatherette and fit perfectly to the ear, cutting off external noise. The soft headband and light weight of the headphones eliminate discomfort during use. A long and reliable cable allows you to freely use headphones at home or in the studio, and the 6.3 mm adapter makes the device more versatile.

Advantages:

• balanced sound;
• comfortable fit;
• high-quality assembly;
• lungs.

Flaws:

• not identified.

Koss Porta Pro

Open, on-ear headphones from a well-known brand that is distinguished by high-quality acoustics. The speakers produce sound in the frequency range 15 Hz - 25 kHz, their impedance is 60 Ohms, and the sensitivity is 101 dB. Light weight and foldable design make the headphones very convenient for listening outside the home and for transporting them. The foam ear pads fit softly to the ears and are well ventilated, which eliminates the formation of sweat when wearing the device for a long time.

Advantages:

• high-quality sound;
• fit well on the head and do not put pressure on the ears;
• loud;
• reliable headband;
• the most popular model among headphones of this type.

Flaws:

• Foam ear pads wear out over time.

The most powerful (loudest)

Loud music lovers find it difficult to find a really good headset. Most often, headphones sin by going into the upper frequencies, and the bass shamefully falls flat. Or worse: as the volume increases, the sound blurs, turning into a hoarse mess. But not in our case.

Focal Listen

pros

• sit comfortably
• remote control, microphone and replacement cable
• surround sound

Minuses

• twist lock connector

From 9990 ₽

The French make high-quality ears that you can’t find fault with. Even the fact that not every cable is suitable to replace the one included in the kit (1.2 m) does not spoil the picture. They sit perfectly, there is no interference, the music is just fire! 122 dB of pure pleasure.

Beyerdynamic DT 1350

pros

• 129 dB
• won't break
• light, 174 g
• cable 1.5 m

Minuses

• permanent cable

From 22989 ₽

The metal case with metal fasteners is incredibly reliable, and at the same time lightweight. Sits on your head like a glove. The sound is clear, without dips or jumps, with rich bass. The only question is the reliability of the wire.

Westone W10

pros

• reinforcing
• detachable cable 1.28 m, cord for iPhone
• 10 pairs of ear pads, screwdriver
• power 122 dB

Minuses

• 1-way

From 13340 ₽

The headset has a braided wire, reinforcement structure and in-ear placement. Sound insulation is 25 dB, which is quite decent. There is no distortion of the melody, as far as possible with the 1st driver. Overall, a good model for the hobbyist.

Professional headphones

In this list, we have selected the best headphones designed for professional use.

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (80 Ohm)

Full-size closed-back studio headphones with dynamic drivers. The speaker covers a frequency range from 5 Hz to 35 kHz. Headphone impedance is 80 Ohms, sensitivity is 96 dB. The headphones are equipped with bass reflexes to expand the low frequency range. Thanks to the special mounting of the holder, the earcups can be rotated for a better fit to the head.

Advantages:

• velor ear pads;
• balanced sound;
• comfortable fit;
• reliable assembly;
• no discomfort during prolonged wear.

Flaws:

• not suitable for portable use;
• permanent cable;
• demanding on the sound source.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Full-size studio headphones with a closed design. Dynamic drivers operate in the range from 15 to 28000 Hz, have a resistance of 38 Ohms, and sensitivity of 99 dB. This ensures loud music sound with minimal distortion. The driver diameter is 45 mm, which allows it to handle bass perfectly. The headphones come with three types of cables and a 6.3 mm adapter, which makes it possible to connect the device to any source. The wide soft headband and light weight of the headphones (285 g) eliminate discomfort during use.

Advantages:

• good sound insulation;
• wide stage;
• high-quality assembly;
• wide range of equipment;
• high volume even from the phone.

Flaws:

• It's hot for my ears.

Sennheiser HD 650

The selection is completed with open-back headphones. The design is also full-size. The emitters are dynamic and provide sound transmission in the range from 10 Hz to 41 kHz. The device has a high impedance of 300 Ohms. This makes the headphones more demanding of the source, but at the same time reduces distortion during playback to a minimum. The sensitivity will be 103 dB; when connected to a powerful source, the volume will be sufficient. The 3 meter long cable has a 6.3 mm jack at the end. The surface of the headphones is a damped metal mesh, which also adds uniformity to the sound.

Advantages:

• comfortable fit;
• are in demand among professionals;
• robust construction;
• smooth frequency response.

Flaws:

• not identified.

Compact wireless headphones

Let's move on to wireless headphones. In this list, we have selected the best portable models. The headphones are connected to each other by a cable.

Sony WI-C200

Closed in-ear headphones with dynamic drivers. The reproduced frequency range is 20-20000 Hz, which allows you to transmit the sounds of most genres of music without distortion. The device connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth version 5.0 using the AAC codec, which combines high quality and excellent connection speed. The operating time without recharging will be up to 15 hours. The headphones can control music, receive calls and call a voice assistant using a functional control panel.

Advantages:

• autonomy;
• good sound insulation;
• comfortable placement in the ear;
• volume reserve;
• Type-C connector for fast charging.

Flaws:

• In the cold, the cable connecting the emitters becomes dull.

HUAWEI AM61 Sport Lite

A headset ideal for sports. The protrusions on the emitters will ensure a strong fit in the ear, and protection according to the IPX2 standard will protect the headphones from sweat and raindrops. The dynamic driver produces sound in the range from 20 to 20,000 Hz, impedance - 32 Ohms, sensitivity - 96 dB. Coupled with the closed design, this gives the headphones a good volume headroom. They connect via Bluetooth 4.1, and the maximum operating time without recharging is 11 hours. The wire contains a control panel that allows you to answer calls and switch tracks.

Advantages:

• high autonomy;
• fit well in the ear;
• magnetic mount;
• sound insulation;
• Remote Control.

Flaws:

• bright LED;
• weak microphone.

Beats Flex All-Day Wireless

Closed-type wireless headset. Connection is provided via Bluetooth version 5.0. Dynamic drivers produce powerful sound in the range from 20 to 20,000 Hz. The operating time without recharging is up to 12 hours. The earbuds have an automatic playback and pause function. The microphone has a noise reduction function. Thanks to Fast Fuel technology, 10 minutes of charging will allow the headphones to work for another 1.5 hours. The control panel allows you to receive calls and control music playback.

Advantages:

• high-quality sound;
• magnetic mount;
• ideal for iPhone;
• stable connection;
• long working time.

Flaws:

• bass is overstated;
• rigid cable connecting the emitters.

On-ear and full-size wireless headphones

We've read reviews and compared specs to find the best on-ear and over-ear headphones that connect via Bluetooth.

Edifier W800BT Plus

Closed-back over-ear headphones. Connect to the sound source using the latest version of Bluetooth 5.1. The speaker impedance will be 32 Ohms, and the sensitivity will be 100 dB. This allows you to produce loud and high-quality sound. The range of reproduced frequencies is 20-20000 Hz. The headphones are capable of delivering up to 55 hours of active playback without recharging. There is a 3.5 mm jack, which will allow you to connect the headset via wire if it is discharged. The cups contain a microphone, as well as control buttons, so you can talk on the phone, control music and call a voice assistant.

Advantages:

• appearance;
• smooth sound;
• branded application;
• Type-C charging connector;
• comfortable fit.

Flaws:

• fragile headband;
• cannot be folded.

Jays x-Five Wireless

Over-ear wireless headset. Connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth 4.1. Dynamic drivers reproduce sound in the range from 32 Hz to 18 kHz. The sensitivity of the speakers is 109 dB, which provides a good volume headroom. The headphones can work in active mode for up to 20 hours. It is possible to call a voice assistant, receive calls, switch tracks and control volume.

Advantages:

• reception range;
• comfortable fit;
• high-quality assembly;
• possibility of connecting via cable;
• foldable design.

Flaws:

• weak microphone;
• loud sound alerts;
• low noise reduction.

JBL Tune 500BT

One of the most popular headphones of this type. Type – overhead, closed design. Pairing with the device occurs via Bluetooth version 4.1. Dynamic drivers produce sound in the frequency range 20-20000 Hz. The music listening time without recharging is 16 hours. It is possible to call a voice assistant, make and receive calls, and control music. The headphones can be folded for easy transportation. When producing speakers, JBL used Pure Bass technology, which guarantees high sound quality.

Advantages:

• radius of action;
• little weight;
• loud noise;
• fast charging;
• sit comfortably on the head.

Flaws:

• quiet microphone;
• low sound insulation.

Headphone amplifier comparison test

CEC HD53R Ver.8.0, Scythe KamaBay Amplifier SDA-1000, Behringer UB502, Audiotrak Dr.Dac2, Laconic LunchBox Pro, E-MU 1616m PCI, Audiotrak Prodigy7.1, Auzen X-Fi Prelude, Asus Xonar D2 and AD815 based amplifier Typically, when asked whether a headphone amplifier is needed, the answer is often yes. What do sound cards lack, and is an amplifier really always necessary? In this comparative test, we will try to find out how necessary separate amplifiers are if you have sound cards. Individual amplifiers of different types took part in the testing - from transistor to tube.

Test conditions, additional information

Brief description and subjective impressions of using amplifiers

CEC HD53R Ver.8.0
Stated technical specifications

• Output Power: Headphone 1W (6.5V, 150mA)
• Output power: acoustic 2 × 10 W (4 ohms)
• Inputs: balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA
• Outputs: headphones - 2 × Jack 6.3 mm; 2 x 3.5mm Jack
• Outputs: acoustics push terminals
• Dimensions: 218 mm × 258 mm × 57 mm
• Weight: 2.6 kg

The amplifier belongs to the category of “expensive headphone amplifiers”, i.e. The Hi-End class in terms of cost has two independent outputs, which differ in the number of output transistors and operate in class A. According to the measurements obtained, the output power is the same. Output 1 works only for headphone amplification, and Output 2 works both for headphone and speaker amplification.

In terms of dimensions, this is the largest amplifier in the test. The amplifier is also interesting because it has both regular RCA and balanced XLR inputs. Additionally there is an output for speakers. Separately, I would like to say about the terminals for speakers; the terminals use a spring mechanism and are very convenient to use compared to screw terminals. Connecting wires is quick and convenient.

Despite the high cost and Hi-End class, questions arise regarding the quality of work. Firstly, the input is too highly sensitive, and while this can still be understood for RCA inputs, when connecting to balanced XLRs it is necessary to lower the volume at the output of the audio interface. For example, when connecting the E-MU1616m to a balanced input, we had to switch the output signal to a household level and further reduce it by another 15 dB. Otherwise, even at low gain, distortion occurred at the amplifier output.

Dependence of distortion when changing the input level at an output level of 0.1 V

The second feature is that the amplifier shows its best performance only when the volume knobs are turned to maximum and the overall volume is adjusted directly in the sound interface. This is expressed in an increase in harmonic friction and is not critical. But besides this, the maximum undistorted output power is also only possible with a low input signal and the volume knobs turned to maximum. For example, for a 50 Ohm load the difference in maximum undistorted power was 58 mW versus 135 mW. If the growth of the third harmonic can be neglected, then the loss of power for someone can become critical.

Another quibble is that when adjusting the volume, there is a rustling noise, which is often observed when using middle-class variable resistors. So, for example, the Laconic Lunch Box Pro uses a variable resistor from ALPS, specifically to avoid such problems. The manufacturer mentions that this is a normal phenomenon for the amplifier and the problem is not with the resistor. Volume adjustment is done through the OS, and to eliminate rustling, the amplifier must be connected to a grounded outlet. In the test laboratory, grounding was used and did not solve the rustling problem. This should be taken into account by those who do not live in new buildings.

Dependence of distortion on load at 3.9 and 7.8 Ohms for speaker output for 0.1 V

When connected to speakers, the amplifier behaves rather strangely with a high level of distortion. Harmonics of rather high amplitudes are observed in the spectrum; for the third harmonic the level is -30 dB, for harmonics of higher orders the levels are from -60 to -80 dB.

There was a suspicion that the amplifier simply switches the headphone output to the speaker terminals, but measurements showed that at a similar load the headphone output gives a slightly better result. Perhaps the amplifier was defective or this is a defect in the 8th version. The owner of the provided CEC tried to clarify the situation through tech. manufacturer support by phone, and received an answer that since the amplifier is connected to a sound card (that is, to a source of dubious quality by audiophile standards), then the amplifier, by definition, should not work well. The amplifier should work great when connected to a stationary Hi-End player. The owner of CEC connected the amplifier to top-class consumer cards Auzen X-Fi Prelude and Asus Xonar D2. In the test lab, the amplifier was connected to the E-MU1616m and Dr.Dac2, devices that are among the best in their class and do not have any specific problems.

Regardless of what speakers were connected, the CEC's distortion could be heard on almost any material and at any volume. What’s curious is that no matter which input the CEC HD53R Ver.8.0 was connected to—domestic or balanced—it required a significant reduction in the signal from the E-MU1616m, otherwise one channel would start to hiss and then turn off. Only decreasing the level by 15~20 dB restored performance. However, the distortions did not disappear anywhere. In the operating mode of the amplifier as for headphones, there were no such problems. The output power level for the speakers is more than modest, and in fact the output to the speakers is inoperable. For those who are thinking about buying CEC HD53R Ver.8.0 and plan to connect some speakers to it, it is worth agreeing in advance about money-back or listening to the purchase. Recordings of keyboard instruments are well suited as musical material. In this case, distortions are heard most clearly.

I would like to note that such operation of the amplifier is more likely to be a defect, because According to reviews from other owners, there were no complaints about the access to the speakers. As a piece of advice, always check everything, don’t expect that if you buy an expensive item, it will work 100% adequately.

Power graph CEC HD53R Ver.8.0

The headphone outputs provide more adequate results, the only caveat is the need to adjust the volume before the amplifier to obtain maximum output power.

The power level was determined only until the growth of high-order harmonics. The output power is quite high; there will be no lack of gain even with low-sensitivity headphones. In general, it can be considered that the passport data for an output of 1 W is confirmed, the resulting undistorted power for 100 Ohms is about 0.9 W, and perhaps larger numbers would have been obtained with measurements on a larger number of loads.

Distortion level at 1 V into loads of 33, 50, 100 and 300 ohms

At an output level of 1 V, only the lower order harmonics, the second, third and fifth, can be observed. The dependence on the load is expressed mainly only at the third harmonic. At high frequencies, extra harmonics are visible, but these are just interference. As the volume increases, the distortion increases smoothly. The spectrum indicates high signal quality.

Distortion levels at maximum power for 33, 50, 100 and 300 ohm loads

In terms of sound, it is worth noting a high level of quality, both with high-impedance and low-impedance headphones, and more than sufficient power reserve.

However, given the cost of the amplifier, one cannot help but note the disadvantages that users may encounter. Tests have shown that to be completely happy, the signal level must be adjusted before the amplifier, because If you make adjustments in the sound card mixer, then there is a possibility of losing signal quality, from simply reducing the signal/noise parameter to losing the signal bit depth, depending on the implementation of volume control. Accordingly, it is ideal to use an additional pre-amplifier with analog volume control (which will leave only the signal/noise problem). By and large, the quibble is more ideological; many will not notice the difference in the change in sound quality depending on the position of the volume knob, but for fans of the Hi-End concept this knowledge will not bring joy :).Scythe KamaBay Amplifier SDA-1000

Declared technical characteristics

• Outputs: 2 channels for speakers, screw terminals, 1 stereo channel for headphones, mini jack
• Input: RCA × 2
• Digital amplifier YAMAHA YDA138(D-3)
• Output power: 10W × 2
• Max. efficiency: 88%
• S/N: 103 dB
• Headphone amplifier: 50 mW / 95 dB
• Power supply: 12 V (4-pin from PC) or power supply
• Dimensions: 152 × 113 × 41 mm
• Weight: 480 g

The amplifier belongs to the budget series, made on a digital amplifier from Yamaha YDA138-E. Digital amplifiers are used primarily in small-sized amplifiers due to their relatively low heat generation. The downside of digital amplifiers is the subjectively low sound quality of budget models.

The amplifier can work with both headphones and external speakers. For headphones, the amplifier operates in class AB. The front panel is replaceable; an additional one with an alternative color is included in the kit. As for the quibbles about the amplifier, the amplifier is designed only for a minijack and the connector is made in a small recess so that not every adapter can be plugged in all the way.

Scythe KamaBay Amplifier SDA-1000 power graph

The output power level is modest; for high-impedance headphones, the output voltage does not exceed 1 V. Most sound cards, even with high output impedance, give values ​​no lower. With low-impedance headphones, the power is also low.

Distortion levels for maximum power into 33, 50, 100 and 300 ohm loads

In the spectrum one can observe harmonics of higher orders, which, although not of high amplitude, are nevertheless already distinguishable by ear.

It was not possible to measure the output on the speakers, due to the peculiarity of the unfiltered output, quite strong broadband noise was observed, without a load the voltmeter showed 3.9 V rms, with a load of 8 Ohms the noise dropped to 0.7 V. At such a noise density, make an accurate measurement of at least 1 It's difficult in rms. Fortunately, this noise is not audible when connected to different speakers. But there is clearly a lack of output power.

The differences in sound turned out to be so obvious that even an “overly suggestible audiophile” could pass the DBT test. Scythe does not produce such strong distortion at low volumes, but the amplifier has quite a small output power reserve. The main difference between Scythe and LM3886 is at volume, where Scythe does not have large distortions, one can note obvious differences in panorama - the overall sound is more spacious, and at the same time all sources are blurred, there is no clear localization, unlike LM3886. The second difference is that the high frequencies are more emphasized. By the way, similar problems with localization were encountered with CEC HD53R Ver.8.0. This once again shows that all parameters are interconnected - if the amplifier has a lot of distortion, then other parameters will also suffer. In general, it is interesting that distortion can be well masked on pop or electronic music, but in direct comparison with a high-quality amplifier, changes in panorama are felt. For this reason, when choosing an amplifier, it is better not to use such genres; you can easily not hear the distortion and choose a more spacious-sounding amplifier, which will then greatly disappoint.

There is no point in taking such amplifiers instead of active acoustics. Active acoustics often have much more powerful and better-quality amplifiers. By the way, the “modern” Microlab Solo 6 has a standard amplifier that can compete even with mid-power Hi-Fi amplifiers, while the CEC HD53R Ver.8.0 and Scythe KamaBay Amplifier SDA-1000 lag behind both in quality and power. The maximum that the SDA-1000 is enough for is quiet listening to music at night, or for quiet background sound in the office.

In fact, the device is more like a modder's device, where the main advantage is ease of use, impressive appearance and often redundant functionality. However, you should not forget about the modest cost of the device. Behringer UB502

Declared technical characteristics

• 5 balanced line inputs
• 4580 op amps
• Main outputs and headphone and stereo outputs
• Tape inputs assignable to main output or headphones
• External switching power supply

The mixer is budget-friendly and has an advantage over specialized headphone amplifiers - it can work as an additional switching unit between headphones and external active speakers with convenient adjustment of volume levels.

Behringer UB502 Power Chart

Maximum output power is about 150 mW for 300 ohms. At low-impedance loads, distortion increases smoothly.

Distortion levels for maximum power into 33, 50, 100 and 300 ohm loads

The distortion spectrum cannot be called favorable, because There are high order harmonics. However, their level is low, not higher than 100 dB, with a predominance of even harmonics.

The sound is at a good level with sufficient volume headroom. For the price, the quality is good. Audiotrak Dr.Dac2

Dr.Dac2 is a versatile device that can work as an audio interface (via USB), an external DAC, a pre-amplifier for a power amplifier, and as a headphone amplifier.

After the DAC, a Triple OPAMP circuit is used (the circuitry of this solution assumes higher quality) on three NE5532 op-amps. After the Triple OPAMP circuit, the signal goes to the OPA2604AP if the headphone mode is selected, or to the OPA2134PA if the line output is selected. All these op-amps can be changed without soldering. You can separately see measurements of various op-amp combinations for the headphone output.

The dimensions of the device are the most modest of the participants. The amplifier works well with both low and high impedance loads.

You can find out more in a separate review of Audiotrak Dr.Dac2 - an external DAC based on a high-quality Burr-Brown PCM1798 converter with a headphone amplifier.

Audiotrak Dr.Dac2 power chart

There are two headphone outputs, differing in different maximum output power. No differences could be detected in sound quality, either subjectively or in objective tests. The output power level is high, there will be no problems even with low-impedance, low-sensitivity headphones.

Distortion level at 1 V into 16, 50, and 300 ohm loads

According to measurements, the distortion depends little on the load; only below 33 Ohms can one observe a slight increase in the second and third harmonics, as well as the appearance of the seventh, ninth and eleventh insignificant amplitudes. There are no higher order harmonics, this is an excellent result, because Above 1 V is usually required only by low-sensitivity headphones. And even at higher output power, distortion is moderate.

The sound quality is at a very high level. Dr.Dac2 showed some of the best results in this test.Laconic LunchBox Pro

Declared technical characteristics

• Operating frequency range 10–100000 Hz
• Coef. gains 16
• Dynamic range (with a load of 250 Ohms) no less than 100 dB
• Harmonic distortion less than 0.1%
• Nominal input resistance 0.25~2 V
• Dimensions 160×65×130 mm
• Weight 1.3 kg

Tube amplifier, Pro version means the use of selected tubes according to their technical parameters. Taking into account the use of old-made tubes in tube amplifiers, only a small part has retained its standard characteristics and it is these tubes that end up in the Pro version.

Among tube amplifiers, the dimensions are quite compact; during operation, the amplifier body heats up a little more than the rest of the participants, and is not critical for operation.

The amplifier has two operating modes - with a high-impedance load and a low-impedance one.

Distortion levels for maximum power into 33, 50 and 100 ohm loads for low impedance mode

With a low-impedance load, the output power is low, this mode is just an optional mode. The distortion level is quite normal for a tube amplifier, but the output power level is low. With a further increase in volume, high-order harmonics begin to grow. According to the manufacturer, this mode is made only for versatility.

Distortion levels for 300 ohm load

At the high-impedance output, the nature of the harmonics is the same, but at a lower level. The spectrum shows both the maximum level before the growth of high-order harmonics, and the level that is maximum for comfortable listening to the HD650 (green spectrum). As you can see, the level of harmonics is low; only the second harmonic with a level of -66 dB, the third with a level of 78 dB and the fourth with a level of -102 dB are visible in the spectrum. Low-order harmonics are well masked by the fundamental tone and are invisible to the ear.

Laconic LunchBox Pro power chart

There is an opinion that a tube amplifier should give a warm and soft sound, and the overload is unnoticeable or even produces “pleasant distortion.” There is none of this in the Laconic Lunch Box Pro, at least not on such a large scale. When listening to Laconic in undistorted volume mode, distinguishing it from its “transistor counterparts” is not at all easy. And when it comes to overload, a similar wheezing is heard, only with slightly less sharpness. It was not possible to notice anything “pleasant” during the overload.

In general, the conclusion suggests itself that the fundamental difference in sound between a lamp and a transistor, when properly implemented, is more from the area of ​​self-hypnosis, prestige or religious beliefs.

Additionally, I would like to note that Laconic is not overloaded by a high input signal; you can safely connect professional sound cards to it via ordinary adapters without reducing the signal to -10dBV. For audiophiles with high-impedance headphones, this amplifier is sure to please. Quite often, when using a high-quality professional card, there are complaints about excessive detail and sharpness of sound. As a rule, after reading forums where participants are propagated that cards like the E-MU1212m give dry, harsh and monitor sound, many do not know how to miraculously leave a professional card on the one hand, and get a soft and lively sound on the other. If you have become a victim of such self-deception, then looking at the soft glow of the lamps the sound will acquire the necessary liveliness and warmth :).E-MU 1616m PCI

For home use, the card is quite expensive compared to internal solutions from other manufacturers like Asus Xonar, Auzen X-Fi Prelude or X-Fi Elite Pro. Its differences from the E-MU1212m PCI are the use, instead of the internal additional card 0202, of an external Microdock “m” unit with a large number of channels, microphone inputs and a headphone output. The specificity of the interface as a professional one is expressed in a very inconvenient control panel for home use. And of course, there is a lot of “extra” in the block, in the form of multi-channel ADAT inputs/outputs, microphone inputs with 48 V phantom power. If we consider the difference between the E-MU1212m PCI and 1616m PCI only in the addition of a headphone amplifier, then the cost of the Microdock as an amplifier is equal $300.

E-MU 1616m PCI power graph

The output power level is average; at low-impedance loads, as the output power increases, distortion increases smoothly.

At low resistance loads there is an increase in distortion, but there is no obvious overload (which corresponds to a wheezing sound). The power seems to be quite low. Those. With low-impedance and low-sensitive headphones, there may be obvious wheezing, but the quality will be low.

At a load from 100 to 300 Ohms, it is clear that the volume knob has not yet reached the maximum, and the amplifier has already gone into overload. But in fairness, at a high-impedance load the power is quite acceptable for most headphones. Above 300 Ohms, overloading the amplifier is no longer possible.

Distortion levels for maximum power into 33, 50, 100 and 300 ohm loads

There are practically no complaints about the output, the quality is excellent. The only thing is that only for low-impedance headphones with low sensitivity the volume and quality may not be enough.

Detailed test report of E-MU 1616m headphone amplifier

The main misconception of audiophiles is that it is believed that many musicians make music using headphones and, accordingly, the quality of the headphone amplifier must be excellent. In fact, headphones only do rough work. For this reason, manufacturers often make a headphone output “just so”, and the E-MU1616m is one of the best headphone amplifiers among similar cards. Owners of high-impedance headphones will have no complaints about the quality of the amplifier. Audiotrak Prodigy7.1

Audiotrak Prodigy 7.1 belongs to the budget class. Terratec has a similar model - Aureon Space, on which more functional drivers from Audiotrak can be installed by flashing it. With the exception of the form factor of digital inputs/outputs, the circuit design of the cards is the same.

The front output can be used to power a separate headphone amplifier on the TL072. The educational institutions themselves belong to the middle class.

Audiotrak Prodigy7.1 Power Chart

The output power from the line output is low, 2.5 mW into 100 Ohms maximum.

Distortion levels for maximum power into 33, 50, 100 and 300 ohm loads

There is practically no distortion, the only differences are in the level of the third harmonic.

Audiotrak Prodigy7.1 power graph with built-in amplifier activated

When the headphone amplifier is activated, the output power is much higher, around 100 mW into 50 and 100 ohm loads.

Distortion levels for maximum power into 33, 50, 100 and 300 ohm loads

When using the built-in amplifier, an increase in odd harmonics is observed. Thus, if the volume of the line input is sufficient, it is better not to turn on the additional amplifier.

The sound quality is comparable to the UB502 mixer. There is no subjectively striking difference between the regular output on the 4580 and the TL072, however, the sound through a specialized external amplifier is preferable. Auzen X-Fi Prelude

Top card from Auzen using DSP from X-Fi. The headphone output uses an LM4562, which is installed in the crib and can be replaced with another op-amp.

Auzen X-Fi Prelude power chart

The quality of the front output is high, but the output power is very modest; in general, there is enough headroom for the HD650 (with a stretch), but not for the T50RP.

Distortion levels for maximum power into 33, 50, 100 and 300 ohm loads

In the spectrum one can see harmonics of low amplitudes, mainly of lower orders.

Distortion level for maximum power at 33 Ohm load, 0.3 mW

At a low-resistance load, one can observe a slight increase in high-order harmonics, at a very low level, and at a high load, on the contrary, low-order harmonics increase. In general, it is clear that the card will work well with high-impedance headphones, but with low-impedance headphones there may be complaints about both quality and lack of power. In this case, there is no overload at the output.Asus Xonar D2

Top product from Asus on a rebranded controller from C-Media. More details can be found in a separate review.

RC4580 is used as a headphone buffer.

Asus Xonar D2 power chart

Overall, the power output level is modest.

Distortion levels for maximum power into 33, 50, 100 and 300 ohm loads

Due to the low output signal (and therefore low signal-to-noise ratio), harmonics cannot be considered. We can only say that if they exist, they are at a very insignificant level at all loads.

In direct comparison with the Auzen X-Fi Prelude, the quality of the headphone output is slightly lower, and the output power is also slightly lower; with the same volume in the HD650, the Auzen level control is set to 92%. In comparison with the E-MU1616m, a significant difference in output power can be noted: for HD650 it is -12 dB, for Fostex T50RP - 18 dB. AD815 based amplifier

A home-made sample based on the AD815 op-amp also took part in the test.

The appearance of the amplifier does not pretend to be any frills, because... I made the amplifier just for myself. Power is supplied from its own battery.

The estimated cost of such an amplifier, made on your own, does not exceed $100.

AD815 based amplifier power graph

The amplifier develops above average power, up to 272 mW at 33 ohms.

Distortion levels for maximum power into 33, 50, 100 and 300 ohm loads

The nature of the distortion does not change as the power decreases; even harmonics also dominate. Even harmonics are better masked by hearing and their presence is not as critical as, for example, odd harmonics in the Prodigy7.1. In general, the nature of the distortions is favorable.

Subjectively, the sound quality is at a high level through the HD650. The amplifier could not work with isodynamic headphones Fostex T50RP and self-excited when they were connected. There were no problems with other low-impedance dynamic headphones.

Additionally

The comparative testing describes the models that the author had at the same time. The inclusion of models that were before or after testing were not included in the description, but you can additionally familiarize yourself with the results of E-MU 1616m vs Prodigy HD2 Gold vs X-Fi XtremeMusic.

Subjectively, in a direct comparison with Fostex T50RP headphones (isodynamic headphones, 50 Ohm), the X-Fi XM lags behind the Prodigy HD2 Gold and E-MU 1616m both on test tracks with simple test signals and with complex ones. This can well be associated with objective measurements in the form of THD and Multiton spectra. The Prodigy HD2 Gold exceeds the X-Fi XM and E-MU 1616m in volume, but it cannot be said that the X-Fi and E-MU 1616m have no power reserves. At the same time, with other headphones the power reserve may not be enough. Subjectively, the difference in sound between the Prodigy HD2 Gold and the E-MU 1616m is in the nuances; for the E-MU1616m one can note a slightly more legible transmission of reverberation, but the difference is insignificant.

Review of Prodigy HD2 Gold Objective measurements Prodigy HD2 Gold Objective measurements X-Fi XtremeMusic

Results

Based on the results, it can be noted that sound cards without the option of a separate headphone amplifier can provide high quality, but with very modest power. Prodigy7.1 with built-in amplifier solves the problem of low output power, but does not solve the problem of maximum quality. The E-MU1616m has a good headphone amplifier, but without any special miracles, not the lowest distortion at a low-impedance load, and the power may not be enough for all headphones.

Among individual amplifiers, I would like to give the leading place to Dr.Dac2, as an amplifier that copes well with both low- and high-impedance loads. CEC could challenge this place, but a number of oddities bordering on defects and high costs cast doubt on the justification of such a purchase. Perhaps there are no problems noticed in other batches, and the high cost can be justified by an additional speaker output, but as a simple headphone amplifier, the device turns out to be a bit expensive. Laconic LunchBox Pro confidently passed the tests, and is on par with Dr.Dac2, but only in relation to a high-impedance load. A homemade amplifier could challenge the leading position with Dr.Dac2, but the incompatibility with isodynamic headphones let us down. The budget mixer UB502 provides generally good quality and high power, but the KamaBay takes last place from the point of view of a headphone amplifier, because There is no outstanding sound quality compared to individual amplifiers, nor much power compared to sound cards. But still, this is the cheapest participant in the test, the main advantages of which are its appearance and an additional low-power speaker output.

Premium headphones

This selection includes headphones with premium sound quality and performance, which are in great demand among connoisseurs of expensive models.

Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II

Full-size closed-type headphones with active noise cancellation. There is Bluetooth version 4.1, as well as the ability to connect via NFC. Dynamic drivers provide powerful and high-quality sound in the frequency range from 20 to 20,000 Hz. A sensitivity of 115 dB and an impedance of 32 Ohms allow the speakers to operate at high volumes with a minimum of distortion. The headphones can work for about 20 hours on a single charge. If there is no way to charge them, you can connect the headphones using the included cable and continue listening to music.

Advantages:

• excellent noise reduction;
• high-quality sound;
• stable connection;
• reliable assembly;
• control buttons.

Flaws:

• Ears sweat in warm weather.

Marshall Major III Bluetooth

Closed-type on-ear Bluetooth headphones. Supports high-quality aptX audio codec. The battery life in active use mode is 30 hours. The reproduced frequency range is 20-20000 Hz, the speaker impedance is 32 Ohms, sensitivity is 97 dB. It is possible to connect via a 3.5 mm cable. The earcups have a vinyl coating with a handwritten company logo, which emphasizes the premium status of the device. Soft, high-quality ear pads and an adjustable headband provide long-lasting comfort when listening to music.

Advantages:

• juicy sound;
• high-quality assembly;
• autonomy;
• convenient joystick button;
• stylish.

Flaws:

• not identified.

Differences between Hi-Fi and Hi-End

Despite the similarity of names, these two terms have different meanings. So Hi-Fi is when the sound quality corresponds to a certain reference and standard, in other words, the “correctness” of the sound. Hi-End is the “correctness” of the equipment itself, its quality.

Image by Erzetic from Pixabay.com

Hi-End headphones are an expensive product, made of high-quality materials and exquisite design. Their main task is to emphasize the individuality of their owner. Such a gadget does not necessarily have Hi-Fi sound quality.