You won’t surprise anyone with headphones these days. We will be much more surprised by their absence in the box with the purchased phone or tablet. There are heaps of headphones of all kinds on store shelves. But what types and types of headphones are there? Are there so many of them and how do they differ?
Despite the countless models, all types and types of headphones can be placed into 4 categories:
- In-Ear Headphones
- In-ear headphones
- On-ear headphones
- Over-ear headphones
Most often, the first two types of headphones are combined into one. In my opinion, they should be considered separately, due to the rather serious design differences.
All types of headphones can have either an open or closed design . This greatly affects both the sound and the soundproofing properties.
There is also a type of headphones called monitor headphones .
What are IEMs?
In-Ear-Canalphones, also called earplugs, less commonly ear-monitors or (correctly) IEMs (this name will be used later in the article, because it is very laconic and the author likes it) - these are headphones , very similar in appearance to earbuds, but designed to provide maximum sound insulation to the listener's ear canal. It (sound insulation) is also called sound “sealing” - it has two functions: blocking excess noise and forming a sound area (chamber) to achieve full sound. This sealing is created by a nozzle placed on the earphone nozzle and inserted into the front part of the ear canal. There are also headphones where the attachment is created based on impressions of the owner’s ears - they are called (for Russian-speaking audiences) custom (English: Custom molded earplugs) - such things serve to achieve maximum sound quality and listening comfort. Why choose IEMs? Due to its high portability, high-quality sound and ability to block unnecessary noise. Some models have long been used by audio engineers; musicians performing on stage. Plugs (in Russia this name has taken root more) are a type of IEMs. When manufacturers of in-ear headphones began to rivet them for the general consumer (the iPod generation), the abbreviation IEMs became more popular (not in Russia), replacing the expression “plugs”. In technical language, it is correct to call “plugs” - IEMs. Less commonly, the abbreviation IEMs is used to refer to high-quality in-ear headphones.
Rice. 1. Main components of IEMs.
In-ear headphones - absolutely everything about them!
Modern in-ear headphones, which can also be called earplugs or ear monitors, are very similar in appearance to regular earbuds. At the same time, in-ear headphones were originally developed in order to maximize sound insulation and fixation when used by listeners. An interesting fact - those who prefer vacuum headphones absolutely cannot stand regular earbuds and vice versa. If you decide to give a gift to a loved one in the form of headphones, be sure to pay attention to the headphones that this person uses!
In-ear headphones – what are they?
Sometimes such headphones are called “sound sealing of the ear,” which is not at all surprising, because such headphones perform two main functions - implementing the process of blocking all kinds of unnecessary noise, as well as creating a sound environment for the listener when high-quality and full sound is achieved. And this sealing process is achieved thanks to a special nozzle, which is put on the nozzle of the earphone itself and inserted into the front section of the listener’s ear canal and thereby forms a “vacuum”. It is because of this property that this type of headphones is also called vacuum, and in English-speaking countries the name has been assigned to them - IEMs
. Why are in-ear headphones so popular today?
Today, the popularity of such headphones among listeners is steadily increasing, which is not at all surprising, given their advantages:
— maximum portability; — ensuring high-quality listening; — blocking extraneous noise.
That is why today such in-ear headphones are widely used by audio engineers, musicians and everyone who simply likes to listen to high-quality music and high-quality sound in general.
Are in-ear headphones IEMs... - in-ear?
No no no.
nooo!!! We can immediately highlight the fact that in-ear headphones IEMs are not earbuds, although they are representatives of two main, but completely different types of earphones.
For example, with in-ear headphones, their main difference is the fact that their shape does not allow creating a vacuum effect and they are not able to fit tightly enough into the listener’s ear canal.
The result of this difference between in-ear headphones is that they are not able to provide maximum sealing, retention and noise isolation. It is with vacuum headphones that there is a real possibility of partial installation in the listener’s ear canal, as a result of which the maximum level of sealing is ensured and the listener does not hear extraneous sounds.
But quite often, in many stores, regular or online, employees either do not know or do not understand such simple differences, and therefore simply confuse in-ear headphones and in-ear headphones with each other, misleading customers.
What are the types of transducers for in-ear headphones?
In-channel devices have three types of converters (drivers):
Devices of a dynamic nature, with a moving coil, are placed in the headphones in most headphones. Such converters are distinguished by their small size - around 5-10 millimeters. Such transducers are capable of creating more powerful bass, a property that armature headphones do not have. Reinforcement transducers have higher reproduction accuracy. Ideal for lovers of classical and instrumental music, strings sound especially good in them. Of course, you need to listen to armature headphones not in mp3 format, but through a player and use more “heavy” and high-quality recording formats. There will be no super bass with ba-ba-hulks in them For those who want a good sound stage and pronounced bass, they have come up with hybrid headphones. These headphones use several small converters for each earphone. There are 2 and even 6 driver models! In this case, each driver operates in its own frequency ranges, thus leveling the frequency response. |
Types of attachments (ear pads)
IEMs devices, for the most part, have three types of attachments:
- - using silicone material; (the same ear pads that most often come with headphones)
- - using hard acrylic material; (present in some sets of expensive headphones)
- - using foam material. Most often they are called - Penki
The advantage of foam ear pads is increased sound insulation, warmer and fuller sound, and very good fixation. A great feature is that it adapts to the shape of your ear canal. Yes, they are the coolest! They have only two disadvantages. 1- You will no longer wear silicone. 2- The service life of foams is less than that of silicone. Because the material is porous and when used they are crushed with your fingers. If you use them daily for about 6-10 hours, then one set will last you about a year. Foams are indispensable for those who constantly fall out of silicone headphones and for those who sleep with headphones
With or without microphone?
If you use headphones with a smartphone, then of course it is advisable to immediately choose models with a built-in microphone. But, if you listen through the player... then why do you need a microphone? Nowadays, most manufacturers produce models with a microphone designed for mobile devices. Just a few years ago, there were different plug pinouts for Apple and Android and separate lines were produced for each platform. And if I used headphones for Apple on an Android device, the volume did not switch or the microphone did not work at all. Now manufacturers have found a solution... Most modern wired headphones come with one button :)) And all that remains is to use this button to the maximum - it practically turns out to be Morse code : one click... two clicks... three clicks... and the button is “covered”.
Technologies are moving forward! Now every self-respecting manufacturer produces a line of wireless headphones. It is in them that the convenient volume control panel and mode switching have returned. Because Since Apple and Android are friends with Bluetooth, the issue of compatibility is a thing of history
The latest trend is True Wireless headphones with a charging case. We talked about them in great detail in the review “TWS headphones - how to choose.” Conclusion: For smartphones we take it with a microphone, but for a player it is better to choose without a microphone.
Wired or wireless?
To answer this question very briefly, the difference is in sound quality and dependence on charging.
The sound in wired headphones will always be better. Now in more detail...
If you listen to mp3, streaming audio, VKontakte playlist, etc., choose
any
headphone option you like. Ideally, always carry wired and wireless ears with you. They don’t take up much space, but leaving the house without headphones…. no problem!
For those who listen to high-resolution audio through a player and are inclined towards wireless models, be sure to pay attention to the support for codecs in the player and headphones. AptX, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, AAC, etc. It is important that both devices support the codec that is important to you. The losses are actually decreasing.
What types of fastening are there?
Standard
ear canal fit. Suitable for everyday use. If you use regular silicone attachments, then don’t expect super fixation from them.
BTE
— additional fixation on the ears, which will be useful for those who often tug, touch the wires with clothes or hands and the earphone falls out of the ear.
Fastening with tongues
inside the auricle. For some, this type of attachment is not suitable due to discomfort or specific ear anatomy. The tongue fits into the auricle like a spacer. The headphones themselves visually become more massive. This type of support is well suited for active sports that require jumping, bending and twisting.
Neck mount
- a specific type of fastening, which in 90% of cases is used for sports models. Very often combined with a behind-the-ear attachment and a tongue. Thus, a uniform fixation is created from the ear to the back of the head and in the auricle itself. These headphones are quite difficult to lose . Most often, headphones with this mount are chosen for active running or very active cardio exercise.
What other “bells and whistles” are there?
- Waterproof - some vacuum headphones can be used for swimming in the pool.
- Touch control - found on TWS headphones.
- Voice control - many headphones are friends with Siri, Alice, Google Assistant and you
- Acoustic design - most vacuum headphones are closed type, but there are also open acoustic type or combined ones. “Open” headphones are suitable for cyclists, skiers, snowboarders... who need to monitor the situation around them while riding...
- Active noise cancellation - we talked about it in detail in the review. You need to be careful with this option!
Selected manufacturers and their features:
Audio-Technica
- for lovers of smooth frequency response without distortions
Koss
- for fans of simple American style and rich sound.
Motorola
- excellent TWS lineup. Really great!
JBL
— be like everyone else The most popular brand in the Russian Federation, but far from the best! There are good models, but this is 10% of the entire range.
Knowledge Zenith
— who wants to try armature or hybrid headphones and understand the difference.
Pioneer
— Good production, there are excesses towards the bass. Who loves booze and ba-bahalki - look at the assortment
Sennheiser
- a classic proven over the years! Good sound, quality and they have a 2 year warranty. The new models are quite good
Shure
- more suitable for those who listen to high-resolution audio through a player. Very good clear sound. Often used by musicians to monitor sound.
Sony
— Always a good rich sound. Bass dominance. Appearance, ergonomics, functionality - at their best!
Soul Electronics
— Many high-quality modern models. They look very stylish and expensive. The sound is very pleasing!
That's all! Choose headphones in our catalog using filters - it’s very convenient. The choice is very large. We really hope that this article will be useful to you.
Are IEMs earbuds?
No. IEMs and earbuds refer to two main but different types of in-ear headphones. For the latter, the transducers are small enough to fit tightly in the ear, and as a result, they are not “sealed”.
Rice. 2. Various types of liners.
Earbuds and earplugs are worn as open-back headphones, often outside the ear canal. They can be attached with a headband or a clip (clip) for greater comfort.
Rice. 3. Various types of IEMs.
Only IEMs are designed to be partially inserted into the ear canal to create an “airtight” seal. Previously, most (websites, stores, people) often confused two completely different types of headphones due to their misunderstanding.
Headphone housing design
As a rule, headphones are divided into four types based on their housing design.
Earbuds
Regular earbuds are familiar to everyone.
This type is known to everyone from inexpensive smartphones and old players. Previously, before the advent of other options, these were the most common headphones. Nowadays they can be found mainly on tour buses and other places where individual headphones, which cost a little more than 12 kopecks, need to be handed out.
The main disadvantage will be the low sound quality in inexpensive models and poor insulation from external noise. Because of this, the sound quality will suffer even more. At the same time, if such headphones are made well, then in a quiet room they will sound relatively good.
A variety of such headphones can be called analogues that gained popularity after the release of EarPods. They are often bundled with OPPO smartphones and sold in inexpensive stores.
In-canal
In-ear headphones are the most popular.
In-ear headphones, also known as earbuds or earbuds, began to gain popularity a little over 10 years ago and have since become the most common way to listen to music for billions of people.
The main advantages of this type of headphones include high sound quality, good protection from external noise and pronounced bass. The only downside will be individual intolerance. I personally heard an opinion about such headphones, which boiled down to the fact that a person does not like it when a finger is stuck in the ear. To each his own what can be said.
For greater convenience, we can advise you to try changing the ear pads (the same rubber part that goes into the ear). Typically, a set comes in three sizes, but some manufacturers include up to a dozen options, and the most expensive models are even equipped with different types of ear pads - rubber, silicone, foam, and so on.
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I used these headphones for a long time until I switched to other options. Although I still carry wireless in-ear headphones with me. They are especially convenient for use during sports.
Invoices
Not everyone loves on-ear headphones, but they also have fans.
On-ear headphones are quite common among those who do not want to insert something into their ear. The essence of such headphones is that two headphones are applied to the ears, connected to each other by a headband. There are relatively inexpensive models of decent quality.
Among the main design differences between these headphones, one can note the presence in more expensive versions of a comfortable soft headband and soft ear pads (the part that is adjacent to the ear). There are also differences in sound quality and, as a rule, they directly depend on the cost of the headphones. The rule “the more expensive, the even better” generally works here.
What many people don’t like most about these headphones is that they put pressure on the ear, which becomes very tired even after a short time of use. I am one of those people and prefer to refrain from using this type of headphones.
Full size
Over-ear headphones either cover the entire ear or even fit it inside them.
This category is a little broader than it might seem at first glance. It is usually considered that full-size headphones are those that cover the entire ear, unlike on-ear headphones, but still rest on it, and not on the head, placing the ear entirely inside itself.
The second option is sometimes called monitor-based, but I have a different opinion, which is becoming increasingly common lately. According to this opinion, monitor headphones do not stand out as a separate group and also belong to full-size. Here, as you like, but they are really closer to the full-size subtype. I myself mostly use these Bose QC35II headphones. They are good because they do not put pressure on the ear and allow you to use them comfortably for a long time.
Another advantage of such headphones will be higher sound quality. The membrane of earbuds and plugs usually has a size of about 10 mm, overhead ones up to 20 mm, and full-size ones about 30 mm. Some professional models even go up to 70 mm.
Bone conduction headphones
This type of headphones can hardly even be called headphones. They are simply applied to the skull in the temple area and transmit vibrations to the bone. The principle of operation is based on the fact that we hear part of the sound not with our ears, but with vibrations of the skull, which are transmitted to the inner ear.
It seems like there are headphones, but it seems like there aren’t. But there is still sound.
Such headphones have not gained wide popularity, although they allow for greater safety, for example, when riding a bicycle. When using them, an interesting effect is achieved when the sound seems to come from the head. That is, he is simply there and that’s all. It feels very unusual.
While we're talking about headphones, here's a selection of the best smartphones for listening to music in 2022.
Sometimes such headphones are used by the military in conjunction with systems that read vibrations of the larynx. Such means of communication do not provide high quality, but they have their advantages, which can be important during battle or special operations.
Types of converters
There are two main converters (sensors, drivers) that are used in IEMs: dynamic and balanced armature (BA; in Russia - armature).
Rice. 4. Dynamic converter.
The dynamic transducer (moving coil) is often found in low-end IEMs due to its simplicity and low cost, unlike armatures. As a rule, the size of the former is much smaller, ranging from 3 to 6 mm in diameter. The dynamic transducer is known for its ability to create more powerful bass because... During sound playback, more air moves in it, due to the available free space (which “rebar” headphones with several transducers cannot boast of), which is felt by the human ear. It is worth noting that some well-known manufacturers use a dynamic transducer in their IEMs, but the sound quality remains relatively low, and this should be remembered.
Rice. 5. Dynamic converter (inside and outside).
Armature headphones have the advantage that the reproduction accuracy in them is much higher, the frequency range is smaller, to eliminate this drawback, they use several dynamic converters in each headphone, which solves this problem, each driver operates on its own frequency range, increasing the total range , thereby leveling the frequency response. The disadvantage of multi-converter headphones is their high price and large size.
Monitor headphones
A separate category of headphones, which at first glance can be confused with full-size ones. You can really call monitor headphones full-size, because with their ear pads they completely cover the ear. The main signs that you are looking at monitor headphones: a large, powerful headband, considerable weight, a thick, often ring-shaped, long cord and the absence of any hint of portability.
The category of these headphones is intended exclusively for sound engineers, but not for music lovers. Monitor headphones have a wide frequency range and reproduce sound without unnecessary “embellishments” or post-equalization. In other words, your favorite songs that have delighted you for years with their sound may seem dull, boring and distorted on monitors.
Depending on what sound source is installed in the headphones, they are divided into 4 categories.
Nozzles
Rice. 6. Options for ear tips.
In IEMs type headphones, as a rule, there can be three types of tips: soft plastic (English flanges, sleeves), foam (English foam) and arbitrary shapes (English mold) with hard acrylic or soft silicone material (there are also hybrid, soft and hard forms, but less often).
Soft plastic nozzles come in two types: universal and size-dependent. Universal ones come with two or three protrusions, this allows them to be inserted into the ears to the required depth, achieving the notorious “tightness”. Often headphones with such tips cause disturbance to the listener with their impact. Size-dependent soft plastic attachments are more comfortable, as they have three sizes: small, medium and large. The user chooses what suits his ear size.
The highest “sealing”, and as a result, the best comfort and noise insulation for foam nozzles. This shape gives a fuller, warmer and more pleasant sound than plastic or silicone. Foam nozzles also have two types, related to size. It is worth noting that attachments of this type cannot be cleaned and require replacement after several weeks of use. Some manufacturers even produce similar attachments (with different types of foams) for separate sale, in addition to the standard ones.
The black foam tips from are the most popular [not an advertisement] on the market and provide greater comfort based on (subjective) experience. Often models have a size, which is indicated by dots on the bottom of the earphone: one dot is small, two dots are medium, three dots are large. Manuals are always supplied with the headphones.
Wired
Wired headphones have high quality sound reproduction. Despite the fact that the entire evolution of headphones is inseparably linked with the wire directly connected to the emitter, in parallel with the development of the headphones themselves, the speaker cables used were also improved.
Wired headphones can include all of the above types of designs with different types of emitters and acoustic design.
Nozzle size
Rice.
7. Nozzles of various sizes. Choosing the right tip size ensures perfect “sealing”, which in turn leads to maximum comfort and excellent sound. Using a large size tip will cause ear pain after a few days, and using a small size will result in a lack of sound insulation and a predominance of high frequencies due to air leakage.
It happens that a person cannot find the right size of nozzle for a long time, because some ears are very susceptible to foreign bodies. In this case, you will need to follow a few tips to reduce the discomfort of this problem.
7. Attachments: comfort factors
We focused on “sealing”, comfort and sound quality in silicone and plastic tips (we won’t say anything about foam tips, because they are very comfortable and cause discomfort to the smallest part of listeners). Let's look at some factors.
Factor 1: partial and full landing
Some headphones (such as the EP-630 and CX-300) allow the tip to be inserted fully, but not deeply into the ear (approximately 8-9 mm), which creates less isolation but greater comfort for the user.
Rice. 8. Creative EP-630 and Sennheiser CX 300 respectively.
Most other headphones require a deeper insert from the listener (more than 9 mm). Such a fit, as already mentioned, will create a good seal, therefore better “sealing”, as a result, sound insulation, but at the expense of convenience.
Factor 2: nozzle material
Often, attachments are made of soft plastic, silicone or polyvinyl chloride. Silicone is the softest of all attachments and, as a result, more comfortable, but not all silicone attachments have the same softness.
Rice. 9. Nozzles made of soft plastic, silicone and PVC respectively.
Factor 3: Nozzle thickness
A simple rule that states that the thinner the material on the nozzle, the better, but again at the expense of sound insulation.
Factor 4: Nozzle Design
The location of the converter also plays an important role. In general, if it is hidden compactly, which allows the earphone to have a small size, then this is good. This is why headphones with multiple transducers are considered uncomfortable.
Rice. 10. Ultimate Ears Superfi and Triplefi series headphones (with multiple transducers), respectively.
Let's look at the factors using illustrative examples.
Example 1: Ultimate Ears with single tip - shallow fit, hard and thick tips, large earpiece = not very comfortable, but good noise isolation. Example 2: Sennheiser CX300 headphones with a single tip - not deep fit, soft, thin, small earphone size = comfortable, average noise insulation. Example 3: Etymotic ER-6i headphones with a triple tip - deep fit, soft and thick, small earpiece - not so comfortable, but excellent noise insulation. Example 4: Sleek Audio SA6 headphones with a double tip - deep fit, soft, slightly porous tips of medium thickness, small earpiece = comfort and excellent noise isolation. Example 5: Head-Direct RE1 headphones with double tip - deep insert, medium softness and thickness, small earphone size = excellent comfort and good noise isolation.
Rice. 11. Headphones according to the example.
It is important to remember that it always takes time to get used to a particular attachment, so there is no need to rush into decisions. Personal preferences in sound change more often than in convenience and this must also be taken into account. It also happens that a person falls in love with the sound, not paying attention to the inconveniences, and then, when the euphoria from the sound disappears, forgotten worries come to him.
Rating of wired and wireless headphones
We present to your attention the top 15 best models from the headphone-plug category in three cost categories in rubles.
Up to 1000
Panasonic RP-HJE125
pros
- sound quality
- durable and convenient wire
- They sit quite comfortably in their place
- affordable price
Minuses
- not found
From 343 ₽
JBL C100SI
pros
- clear sound
- microphone on wire
- button to answer the phone
- quality of ear pads
Minuses
- low microphone
From 390 ₽
Sony MDR-EX15LP
pros
- classic design
- smooth frequency response
- build quality
- sound detail
Minuses
- the wire becomes dull in the cold
From 370 ₽
Awei A920BL
pros
- good sound quality
- magnets on headphones
- greater autonomy
- If you lose connection with your phone, it turns off after a minute
Minuses
- it is necessary to select ear pads for a tight fit in the auricle
From 960 ₽
Philips SHE3900
pros
- build quality
- comfortable to wear
- cost-quality ratio
- wire strength
Minuses
- not found in 2 years
From 599 ₽
Until 2000
Sony MDR-XB50AP
pros
- detailed sound layout
- original design
- quality of materials
- durable, tangle-free wire
Minuses
- no complaints
From 1389 ₽
Sennheiser CX 200 Street II
pros
- minimalist design
- sound quality
- reliability of materials
- high noise insulation
- anti-freeze wire
Minuses
- weak ear pads
From 996 ₽
Many users mispronounce the name of the German company - it is read in Russian as Sennheiser.
JBL T110BT
pros
- clear sound
- greater autonomy
- fits securely in the ear
- stable connection to the phone
- large volume reserve
Minuses
- after 2 years of use no
From 1280 ₽
Philips SHE3855
pros
- attractive design
- built-in microphone
- excellent sound insulation
- reliability of materials
- L-shaped plug
Minuses
- discomfort with long-term use
From 517 ₽
Xiaomi Basic (RM 25)
pros
- nice design
- famous brand
- sit tightly in place
- convenient to use
- high sound quality
Minuses
- not detected
From 390 ₽
Up to 3000
Sony MDR-EX450
pros
- great lows and soft highs
- high sensitivity allows use with mobile devices
- many ear pad options
- L-shaped connector
Minuses
- not detected
From 1544 ₽
Marshall Mode
pros
- great sound
- microphone in the optimal place
- The wire is soft and does not get tangled
- There is a control panel with a metal clothespin clip
- good sound insulation
Minuses
- not found
From 2681 ₽
Sennheiser CX 2.00G
pros
- laconic design
- convenient microphone
- three button remote control
- excellent sound insulation
- good sound with massive lows
Minuses
- not found
From 1748 ₽
Philips SHB5850
pros
- lungs
- fits perfectly in the ears
- high quality sound
- the remote works great
- battery is powerful
Minuses
- The location of the battery is not thought out
From 2550 ₽
Meizu EP51
pros
- good sound
- fit tightly and do not fly out
- voice dialing
- iPhone support
- high autonomy
- water protection
Minuses
- not found
From 1520 ₽
Maintaining appearance and care
Maintaining a set of headphones in decent appearance can increase the quality of the initial “sealing” and the service life of the headphones.
First of all, remember that there is no better way to preserve the life of your headphones than by regularly cleaning your ear canal. For universal headphones, contamination of the tips promises the appearance of excess noise and deterioration in sound quality, because Small debris contributes to improper air distribution. To avoid this, you need to either replace the nozzles with new ones, or use special tools to clean them.
Clean your headphones and cable at least once a month. If you play sports with headphones, then you need to do this more often, especially in those areas where the wire touches the skin. This will make your headphones more durable.
Never use cleaning fluids or bleaches containing alcohol. All you need to do is use a damp cloth and soap.
To clean the tips, be sure to remove them from the headphones. To do this correctly without damaging them, grasp the nozzle with your thumb and forefinger and use a twisting motion to pull it out of the transducer nozzle. Do not pull on the attachments as this will often cause them to break and become damaged.
Remember that a headphone cable, like any other cable, will eventually become rough and crack. The more you take care of your headphones, the longer they will last you. However, different manufacturers use cables of different quality: an externally flimsy and poor-quality cable can sometimes be very durable, and sometimes the situation is completely the opposite. Ideally, in the future it is better to use a replacement cable; In addition, a high-quality (very) detachable cable can increase sound quality.
It is recommended to wash soft plastic attachments in warm, soapy water. Be careful not to allow moisture to enter; even if the headphones are wet once, you will not be able to properly repair them to their previous condition. If you do get your headphones wet, it is recommended to leave them in a ventilated area for 1–2 days—this will help the moisture evaporate.
Always wait until the headphones are completely dry before placing them in your ear.
Experimentally, it was revealed that when cleaning the headphone tips with hydrogen peroxide (in liquid for 15 minutes), their service life increases noticeably.
On-ear headphones
They are named so due to the fact that the earphone, as you would expect, “is placed” on the auricle. On-ear headphones are more of a compromise. They are a very good combination for those who need high-quality sound and at the same time a sufficient degree of portability.
If you are looking for not very expensive, but high-quality on-ear headphones, I recommend taking a closer look at the Superlux headphones.
3.1 Sound
In-ear headphones are not as large as full-size headphones, but for the size of their drivers, they can provide much better sound quality than their smaller brothers.
Due to the fact that the sound source is located behind the ear, and not in it, it is easier for the sound (audible) image to form outside the head. This contributes to a better perception of the depth and height of the sound stage.
This allows you to use on-ear headphones for professional applications as well. So there are monitor over-ear headphones. What are monitor headphones, read the article .
3.2 Comfort
When it comes to noise isolation, many over-ear headphones smoke nervously on the sidelines. The peculiarity of their design is such that many of them cannot fit tightly to the auricle. If the headphones are open, then they have no sound insulation at all.
In most models, when listening to music on the subway, you can hear the subway much better than the music. Although there are also models with decent sound insulation.
For this reason, more and more manufacturers are releasing models with active noise reduction. How active noise canceling headphones work
Over-ear headphones usually have dimensions equal to or smaller than the auricle. At the same time, they are pressed directly against the ear, so they can cause discomfort when worn for a long time.
3.3 Portability
On-ear headphones are much more portable than over-ear headphones. For even greater portability, many headphones are made foldable. Often the headphones also come with a small pouch or carrying case.
Static electricity
Using plugs you can get a discharge of electrostatic electricity.
In cold conditions with low humidity, static charge can accumulate on the body, although the ears only touch the plastic parts of the headphones, there are also metal parts that are located nearby; static charge, which usually has a high voltage, is capable of jumping from one place to another. If the charge reaches you, it will not harm you, although it will cause unpleasant sensations.
It's important to note that these types of discharges are quite rare and do not mean that your headphones are faulty; If you are regularly exposed to electrical shocks, then most likely your cable (sheath) is damaged, and this is already a warranty case.
Best wired in-ear headphones
Despite the obvious convenience of wireless headphones, many users still give their voices to classic technologies - the usual wired version. The sound quality will definitely be better in this case - it is not affected by external interference. If you have made a firm decision to get wired in-ear headphones, the rating of the best-selling models will help you with your choice.
5Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro HD
The Chinese giant Xiaomi has long won the attention of a huge number of consumers in our country, thanks to the excellent quality of its products and affordable prices. And it is not surprising that it is the Mi In-Ear model with the long name Headphones Pro HD that opens our top. This cool development covers even the highest frequencies of the audible range - up to 40 kHz - in fact, this is already ultrasound. But we had to slightly reduce the sensitivity threshold to 98 dB/mW and increase the impedance to 32 Ohms - the usual search for compromise solutions. This does not mean that the quality suffers, especially since the price for this model is very attractive!
4Sennheiser IE 4
But, nevertheless, developers from the “heavenly Empire” do not yet reach the quality of recognized masters in the field of sound transmission. In particular, the German Sennheiser IE 4 generations demonstrate higher-level performance, although they cover a smaller dynamic range: from 10 to 18,000 Hz. Some experts say that the human ear still does not perceive the lower and upper bands of the spectrum keenly, and there is no point in artificially inflating the characteristics - it is better to concentrate on the quality of the assembly and materials. For example, Sennheiser offers gold-plated 3.5 mm connectors and a harmonic distortion of 0.3% - an excellent indicator for this price range.
3Fisher Audio Eterna Pro
Fisher has recently introduced its new development - wired in-ear headphones Audio Eterna Pro. This model is good not only for its high performance, but also for its unique design - a rarity for headphones in general. These dynamic headphones are perfect for those who are used to feeling powerful and “thick” sound not only from open speakers: the nominal sound pressure for this model is 350 mW. The set includes replaceable ear pads and a storage case - girls won’t have to untangle the cable for a long time when taking the headphones out of their purse.
2Marshal Mode EQ
The next headphone model in our rating can be a wonderful gift for a person who is professionally involved in music or sound engineering. The Marshall brand needs no introduction. Super authentic design of the Mode EQ model, proprietary molding on each earphone, gold-plated L-shaped 3.5 mm jack and protective screens in places of maximum cable bend - this is the signature of the manufacturer. But the surprises don’t end there: the set includes as many as 4 pairs of interchangeable ear pads and there is an active equalizer mode - set your own custom settings that allow you to highlight this or that frequency band from the general dynamic range.
1Shure SE215
Of course, the first place in the rating is deservedly occupied by the most technologically advanced development of 2022 - Shure SE 215. If you try to describe the engineers’ approach to creating this model, then it might be the phrase “maximum effect”. The lowest characteristic impedance in the series is only 10 Ohms, the lowest sensitivity threshold and algorithms for suppressing external noise by 37 dB (and this, by the way, is more than 1000 times!) You can choose one of the color options: the most popular is transparent plastic with multi-colored veins - looks very impressive. Of course, the package includes a storage case, and the number of replaceable ear pads is 3 pairs.
Warm-up (eng. burn-it) IEMs
There is no definitive answer, yes or no.
In general, the topic of warming up is a bit religious in nature, and here, the answer is mostly no, although there are people (if you search on thematic forums) and even tests where IEMs actually showed signs of improvement after warming up. In general, this is very easy to check, because The warm-up time for IEMs is an order of magnitude shorter than that of any other headphones and amounts to a maximum of a couple of days (more precisely, no more than 50 hours) of random music playback at normal volume.
Cable noise and bone conduction
Often, you can hear two types of complaints from demanding owners of IEMs - when the user hears unpleasant sounds caused by vibrations of the IEMs that touch clothing or other objects;
the second - if translated literally, it will sound like “bone conduction” - a phenomenon when noise in headphones (occurring inside the body) appears when walking, running, eating food, etc. You can solve the first problem by buying a clip (or better yet, not one) and attach the cable properly. There are also special cables that do not care whether they touch it or not. Often, even on top-end headphones you can find a low-quality cable, so in this matter, before purchasing, it is better to first look at thematic forums or listen, “check” the cable to ensure that it meets your needs. The second problem has not been solved to date, but, as is correct, the listener eventually gets used to the noise in the background, or walks more slowly (changes shoes).
Portable amplifier for IEMs
Do I need a portable amplifier for IEMs?
— Yes, in order to sound better, but for a small part of the headphones. These are often high-impedance IEMs, for example the Etymotic ER4S can be paired with an amplifier, but the increase in SQ will be barely noticeable unless you have incredible hearing or are in the final stages of audiophilia. Resistance and sensitivity are the easiest way to determine whether headphones need an amplifier - if the characteristics are less than 50 Ohms and 98 dB, respectively, then IEMs certainly do not require amplification.
Hissing and whistling
Occasionally, IEM listeners may hear slight interference at low volume levels, similar to hissing.
Because Most IEMs are very sensitive, meaning they easily pick up electrical noise when other headphones ignore it. There is no actual fix for this vulnerability, but if you add a resistor to the input line (to increase the resistance and reduce sensitivity), it may work. Some sources (one type of HDD on an iPod) produce more electrical noise. Whistling. IEMs in the frequency range from 1KHz ~ 10kHz have some “whistles” or “hisses”, which is very subjective. The problem seems obvious - the headphones produce a very sharp high-frequency sound, which, after prolonged listening, can irritate and tire the listener. There are two solutions - equalizer and customization and (or) selection of other attachments and filters.
Over-ear headphones
Over ear (around the ear) or circumaural in English, are the largest. They are rightfully considered the highest quality among all types.
As they say, a big piece makes your mouth happy, and in this case, your ear. But why are they better?
4.1 Sound
The main reason why over-ear headphones provide the best sound is obvious - their size. To be more precise, the size of their speakers. Typically, the driver diameter of full-size headphones is more than 40 mm in the case of dynamic drivers.
It is much easier for dynamics of this size to fully play out the low-frequency component. As a result, the bass in them is more developed, rich and deep. Many of these headphones have a frequency range of 8-10 Hz.
But the size of the headphones allows the use of other, more “exotic” types of speakers. For example, these could be iso- or ortho-dynamic drivers, condenser-type speakers, and others.
But it’s not just the size of the speaker; the full-size design allows you to create good noise insulation and eliminate losses due to a loose fit.
It is also easier to implement various systems of acoustic filters and sound guides in such headphones to give the frequency response the desired shape. This is why monitor headphones are most often full-size.
4.2 Comfort
These headphones can also be called the most comfortable among all types. They do not act or put pressure on the auricle, but frame it, pressing the soft ear pads directly to the head. Even if the ear pads are not as good as you would like, you can sew them yourself .
Your ear creates its own “microclimate”. However, this can create some problems when used in warm and hot weather - the headphones will simply be hot.
4.3 Portability
In terms of portability, everything is somewhat worse here. Most over-ear headphones are designed for home or studio use. Very rarely, full-size headphones come with a pouch or case.
Of course, there are enough models that can fold quite compactly. But if compactness is your priority, it’s better to take a closer look at the previous types.
It's not just about compactness. Most full-size headphones have high impedance and require a more powerful amplifier, so not all players can fully drive most full-size headphones.
An interesting representative of full-size headphones are the HD668 headphones from Superlux . This is a Chinese company that accurately reproduces famous headphone models at prices several times cheaper than branded ones.
Service life and non-warranty cases
Don't expect $500 headphones to last 5 times longer than $100 headphones.
The average service life is usually written in the warranty condition. High cost is not an indicator of durability. After a breakdown, in 90% of cases the buyer (if the breakdown meets the terms of the warranty agreement) is provided with new headphones, because replacement is unprofitable for the manufacturer, because requires a good technical base, which is often only available on the production line.
In general, it’s better to draw an analogy with cars. If you do not have enough financial resources, then do not buy expensive IEMs, because... they are no less susceptible to breakdowns, but require more care (due to their technical structure), everything: a more difficult search for parts, their high cost.
IEMs and health
IEMs are often mistaken as some sort of health hazard.
There are two reasons: partial hearing loss and ear infections. Here, again, it’s a matter of proper use. Firstly, it is logical that if you listen to music at high volume for a long time, this will lead to hearing loss, regardless of what headphones (speakers) were used. IEMs have the advantage of not having to turn the volume up to maximum to overcome external noise. The default volume on most players should suit the needs of the average listener. Also, it should be considered incorrect guesses that hearing may deteriorate due to the fact that the sound is closer to the eardrum. There are several studies on the topic of safety: 1, 2.
Secondly, by inserting any object into your ear, your body will react with increased production of earwax. This is a protective reaction against increasing bacterial populations in a humid environment; It is recommended to clean the ear canal regularly. Actually, the less often you take off your headphones, the more wax you accumulate, and if there is noticeable hearing loss, you should immediately consult a doctor, excluding listening to in-ear headphones for this period, because this can lead to damage to the gray tympanic membrane, and as a result, hearing loss.
One important thing to note is that people, even if they don't expose themselves to loud music, can still have problems when listening to music for very long periods of time. There is a study that even at low volume (45 ~ 55dB), listening without affecting hearing is harmful to health: people are prone to developing serious diseases, both physical and psychological. It is not recommended to listen to music continuously, even at low volume; loving music 24/7 is directly harmful to your health.
To summarize: keep your ears clean, do not listen to music for too long (for example at night, and then on the way to work, at work, from work, at night...), do not turn up the volume (there are a lot of studies where it has been proven that this significantly reduces hearing over short periods of time) - remember, hearing loss is an irreversible disease; maintain common sense over emotional pleasure.
Acoustic design of headphones
Closed headphones
Identifying closed-back headphones is not at all difficult. There is not a single hole or slot on their body. This usually allows for better isolation from external noise, but in the city such headphones can be more dangerous.
There is also an opinion that closed headphones are more dangerous to health, since they have a greater impact on the eardrum, but this opinion has been refuted many times.
As always, any technology has pros and cons. The closed design has good sound insulation.
It is also worth noting that closed headphones can be of any type and with any type of emitter. The same applies to open-back headphones.
Open headphones
It’s not difficult to guess that open headphones are the opposite of closed ones. That is, there are holes or slots on their body to make the membrane less dependent on the pressure inside and the penetration of external sound inside. Sometimes this is a side effect, and sometimes it is the opposite by design.
The holes on the body are different.
An evolutionary continuation of open headphones can be considered headphones with a microphone on the outer part of the body, which allows you to turn on the transparency mode and hear everything that happens outside without removing the headphones. There you can even combine the advantages of closed and open design. The user will choose what he needs.
Frequency characteristics of IEMs
An interesting fact is that many people say that IEMs are full of detail, precision;
however, the range of most of these headphones, if you look at the characteristics, actually does not exceed 16kHz. Although the human ear's audible range of sound is somewhere in the region of 20Hz to 20,000Hz, most adults (after ~20 years of age) cannot actually hear sound above 16kHz; High frequencies are considered to be the range from 5kHz to 16kHz - all the details are there, with most of them in the lower region.
Perhaps smart and well-read listeners will object here, because although people cannot hear sound above 20kHz, they can feel the presence of ultrasound (harmonic distortion), which has a positive effect on SQ. However, given that almost all popular audio formats are limited to 20kHz, we can conclude that most music is already limited within this limit; and, as a result, you don’t need to trust the new sound from headphones if their range goes beyond 20kHz.
Are IEMs worth the money?
It often turns out that regular (on-ear) headphones sound better than IEMs at the same price. However, IEMs have their own advantages over other types of headphones, such as noise isolation and portability, which are also worth considering. You have to decide what your priorities are, what is best for you: SQ, portability or something else? What, when and where are you going to use your headphones? Once the decision is made, you need to decide on a budget and go to some audio forum (doctorhead.ru, pleer.ru, hi-fi.ru), look for what you want or ask people (for the thousandth time ).
What to choose if you have a budget?
IEMs can be broken down into price categories (subjective).
Lowest class in the segment, up to $50
, a sort of budget level - this includes dynamic IEMs, which provide relatively poor noise isolation (they often have a single flange tip, not foam). Their sound is slightly better or at the same level as that of earbuds. Usually in such models the bass predominates; sometimes you also come across headphones with good high frequencies. In general, everything is very similar to earbuds, but with insulation.
Price from $50 to $100
, - essentially entering the class, the first level of real IEMs. There are dynamic headphones with the best SQ, and single-sided armature headphones. Any earbuds under ~$100 are worse than headphones in this category.
Price from $100 to $300
, - middle class IEMs. Here there are headphones with dynamic and two-way (armature) transducers. For most music lovers, these are high-end headphones. With this budget, you can find custom headphones or assemble them (by ordering modding) for yourself. Perhaps the best value for money among IEMs.
The price is higher $300
, - headphones of the highest class, - Hi-End, if officially. Often, in this range the price is clearly overpriced (it can easily be over $1000). As for quality, in reality there are no special advantages compared to what the manufacturer advertises and how it positions itself.
Be careful. Firstly, you need to look at the official price, on the manufacturer’s website and specifically for the country where the headphones were produced, or in which country the company is based - often manufacturers for some countries (including Russia) inflate the cost. Secondly, price is often determined by demand.
And, most importantly, do not trust the instructions above 100% (the market price cannot reflect the value): it happens that great IEMs can become undervalued, or not great ones can become overvalued. The best way to choose is to go to the store and listen, or read the relevant forums, ask experienced people.
1.Earbuds
In-ear headphones, popularly called shells. For quite a long time they were the most common type of headphones, especially for portable ones. But the noisy world has forced many to switch to plugs.
I don’t know how they look like shells. Rather, the following picture fits this name better:
But let's get back to the topic. Today there are also many supporters of this performance. Probably, the love for this type of headphones is partly due to the products of the well-known Apple company.
By and large, their EarPods, like AirPods ( review ), are also more shells than plugs.
1.1 Comfort
As the name suggests, headphones are placed in the ear. To ensure greater tightness, some manufacturers use rubber rings. To reduce irritation of the ear with hard plastic, foam tips are used.
With or without pads, these headphones cannot boast of noise isolation, so in most of these headphones you will hear most of what is happening around you, and you will probably listen to the tracks on your player with others.
Another problem of this type is that headphones do not always match the size and structure of your ear. This leads to the fact that for some the headphones are too small and fall out, while for others they crush...
1.2 Sound
Such headphones usually have a dynamic driver with a diameter of 10-15 mm. Previously, when similar current headphones appeared, due to the lack or high cost of production technologies for such small speakers, their mid frequencies were very high.
Given the loose fit of the headphones to the ear, low and high frequencies suffered even more. This even led to sound engineers artificially increasing low and high frequencies when recording music.
Also in fashion was the V-shaped equalizer setting, which today in many equalizers is referred to as “Rock”. And all because rock music has a lot of midrange frequencies. And there were already plenty of them in the shells.
Now we have already learned how to make high-quality speakers even in smaller sizes. However, the problem of a loose fit has not gone away, so today manufacturers are trying to make a dip in the mid frequencies and raise the low and high frequencies.
1.3 Portability
The headphones definitely have no problems with this. They easily fit both in your pocket and in other small secluded places. I wouldn't recommend wearing headphones anywhere. Small debris can get into their holes, which will ruin their life and yours.
Custom headphones
Rice.
13. UE11 Pro, costing over $1000 (but not all that bad). This is a product created from scratch in an acoustic laboratory: specialists calculate all the factors affecting sound and create headphones that best suit both the shape of your ears and your perception of sound.
As a rule, headphones in this category break records in price among others, but not without budget brands (for example, “mylivewires”), of course; - high quality and at an affordable price, unlike, for example, products, sometimes even the same hardware component is used.
There are a few things you need to know before purchasing custom headphones.
For headphones to impress you, they need to be properly “fitted” to your ears, but even the most perfect fit with the most ideal headphones cannot compare to real professional, “audiophile” headphones. In addition, the “adjustment” may have to be done several times, because the material (less often the ears) can become deformed, which will lead to another waste of money - all this clearly confirms the main disadvantage of IEMs - high cost.
For a very long time it was considered what material (soft or hard) the nozzles should be made of in order to create the best comfort and seal; and lately the trend is more towards soft attachments, even among professionals. However, there are studies that believe that there is no clear advantage between the materials, arguing that this is the Streisand effect.
Unlike conventional IEMs, the product life cycle is quite short and is estimated to be around 4 years, but there is no definitive answer on this matter; — a lot depends on physiology. The reason is interesting - your ears will grow and change. As a consequence of this, you simply will not be able to insert them one “fine” day. You will need to make a new impression, and so on for several years. It happens that some companies do not make new tips for old headphones (remolding), but offer the same, new model at a discount (or without, which is less common). There are also companies that will make tips for you, even if you don’t have their headphones, it’s just profitable for them.
Perhaps many will be interested: how does the manufacturer know the shape of my ear, if he is located somewhere in another country, but has never been to Russia - everything is simple - you make a cast (~ 1 thousand - 3 thousand rubles) and send to the manufacturer.
What types of headphones are there?
There are other ways to divide headphones among themselves, but everything is clear there. For example, there is no need to explain what “wired” and “wireless” headphones are. Although, it is worth noting that the higher the Bluetooth version for wireless headphones, the higher the sound quality and operating range will be. The most expensive models are equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, but it can also be found in more affordable models. Naturally, for them to work properly, the smartphone must also support this protocol.
If you go into deep detail, you can find another 100,500 characteristics of headphones, but you need to understand what they are needed for. Dynamic drivers in any housing are quite suitable for everyday listening. If you want to bother with uncompressed formats, warming up and other audiophile stuff, you need to delve into this issue. If there is no such desire, you can simply buy headphones at the nearest supermarket. But it’s better to test the headphones before buying. Finding a store that offers this option is usually not difficult.
Among ordinary mass consumer headphones, the rule “more expensive means better” generally works. Just remember that the transition to more expensive headphones is one-sided. You simply won’t be able to go back later and will always buy something better. It doesn't take long to become an audiophile.
List of manufacturers
And finally, in order. Universal IEMs:
- AIAIAI
- AKG
- Apple
- Atomic Floyd
- Audio-Technica
- BeyerDynamics
- Bose
- Brainwavz by MP4Nation
- Creative
- Cresyn (Korea)
- CrossRoads (Singapore)
- Denon
- DUNU (China)
- EarSonics (France)
- ECCI (China)
- Etymotic
- Final Audio Design (Japan)
- Fischer Audio (Russia)
- Future Sonics
- Grado
- Head-Direct / HiFiMAN
- Hippo (Singapore)
- JBL (USA)
- j-phonic (Japan)
- JAYS
- JVC
- Kenwood
- Klipsch
- Maximo
- MEElectronics
- Microsonic Music
- Monster
- NuForce
- Ortofon (Japan)
- OVC (China)
- Phiaton
- Phonak (Swiss)
- Radius (Japan)
- Sennheiser
- Shure
- Sleek Audio
- SonoCore (Korea)
- Sony
- SoundMAGIC (China)
- Spider
- SunRise-Audio (Vietnam)
- Thinksound
- Ultimate Ears
- V-moda
- ViSang (China)
- Vsonic (China)
- Westone
- Woodees
- Xears (Germany)
Custom IEMs:
- 1964 Ears (with reshell service, US)
- Advanced Communication Solutions (UK)
- Alien Ears (with reshell service, US)
- Ambient Acoustics (Ukraine)
- Canal Works (Japan)
- Clear Tune Monitors
- Compact Monitors (Germany)
- DRM Earz
- EAR inc.
- EarPower (Italy)
- EarSonics (France)
- EarSound Customs
- Fabulous Earphones (Germany)
- Fidelity Custom Earphones
- Fisher Hearing (with reshell service, US)
- FitEar (Japan)
- Future Sonics
- Insono (France)
- JH Audio
- Kozee Solution (with reshell service, US)
- LiveWires
- Microsonic Music
- Minerva Hearing Protection (UK)
- Puretone Music
- Rooth (with resehll service, China, via Japan distributor)
- Sensaphonics
- Sleek Audio (with custom artwork service)
- Spiral Ear (Poland)
- StarKey
- Thousand Sound (China)
- Ultimate Ears
- Unique Melody (with reshell service, China)
- WanXuan (Hong Kong)
- Westone
- Xtreme Ears (Brazil)
