Despite the worst sound quality, Bluetooth headphones are the most common. After all, they can work with any device that has Bluetooth, and no additional signals are required.
- Is it worth buying wireless headphones: pros and cons
- Characteristics and parameters
- Trends in the modern world
- Pros of
- The advantages of wireless headphones
- Cons of wireless headphones
- Wired in-channel headphones
- Does it pay off?
- Controls
- Cases
- Are there any disadvantages?
- Can I use bluetooth headphones on an airplane?
- Which headphones are better wireless or wired
- Disadvantages
- Advantages
- The main advantages
- Features of Choice
Is it worth buying wireless headphones: pros and cons
Young people can increasingly be seen with headphones on the street. Melomaniacs can not tear themselves away from their favorite songs. Now in stores there is a wide range of accessories for listening to music. Even divide the devices by purpose: for normal listening, for gaming, for musical activities, etc. Choosing the right one is not difficult, the industry is constantly providing something new. Wireless headsets have become popular lately. It has many advantages over other analogs.
Characteristics and parameters
A wireless accessory is connected to a source using a specific signal:
The type of signal is what separates the models. Bluetooth devices are the most popular, although in terms of sound quality they are inferior to other types. But such a headset works from any devices that have Bluetooth.
The radio frequency accessory works Only with a home station. They are more suitable for use in the house or apartment. The charge lasts for a full day. The user can enjoy music when the phone is in another room on charge.
In terms of sound quality, the best headphones are considered to work with infrared signal. However, their range of use is limited to 12 meters, which is the lowest figure.
Powered by Built-in or removable battery. The removable element is quickly changed and charged, an additional set is convenient to take on the road. In terms of practicality, the removable battery is better. To charge the built-in battery, you need a power adapter, which comes with the headset.
In terms of cost, wireless models are more expensive than wired ones.
Trends in the modern world
The trend of the modern world is that soon it is planned to to do away with wires. Wireless headphones are not the first step to achieving such a result. Just a few years ago, no one could imagine that modern headphones will work without wires. Therefore, every modern user should understand what to expect when you buy such a wireless accessory.
Pros of
There are a lot of advantages of acquiring such headphones, especially in the use and appearance. Let's break it down in order.
- No problems with wires. And they can be a lot. First of all, now it is not necessary for a long time to untangle the wires, which now and then tend to twist and tangle. Over time, the wires lose sound quality and require replacement of the entire accessory.
- Freedom of action. Now there is no need to be afraid that when you move you can get caught in the wire. After all, it is not very pleasant when something distracts from listening to music or talking with a loved one.
- Aesthetic appearance. Headphones that don't have wires are much more attractive to look at. Beautiful wireless devices attract the eyes of others.
- Independence from your mobile device. The range of wireless headphones allows you to use them even if the phone is charging in another room, which is very convenient. After all, modern society is now simply tied to the outlets that are required to constantly recharge mobile devices.
- Modern models of wireless headphones can have A separate player, memory and battery. They allow you to enjoy them without wasting battery power from your mobile device.
So wireless headphones are another step in ridding humanity of wires. Maybe that's why Apple is releasing its latest smartphone without a proper headphone jack. Some think this is silly, and some think it's a clever marketing ploy to help spread the wireless headset.
There are also a huge number of phone cases on sale today that are additionally a device to recharge the headphone battery. It is very convenient, because the headphones are always near the phone, while recharging its battery. And when the need arises to use them, they will be fully operational.
The advantages of wireless headphones
Let's move on to a breakdown of the benefits and harms of wireless headphones, and let's start with the pleasant – with the pros:
- The obvious plus is convenience. The absence of wires allows you to use the device with comfort. The design does not get tangled in pockets, does not cling to clothing, locks, backpacks. Takes up little space.
- Another plus – wireless "ears" look stylish, you can not argue with that;
- You can listen to music or audio books indoors without carrying your phone. It is lying on the night table, and you can quietly clean up or work out. The most important thing is a sufficient bluetooth range;
- You can connect it to your TV or computer, as long as they have Bluetooth (are there any devices without it now?). You only need to figure out once how to connect bluetooth headphones to the computer, and then, the devices themselves will find each other, giving you comfort and pleasure in listening;
- Many models are waterproof and even waterproof. It means they can run in the pouring rain and swim in the pool;
- There are devices with a built-in player – a big plus, because you do not even have to carry a player or phone to listen to music!
- Reasonable prices. Yes, there are expensive models, but also budget wireless devices are sold in the market today. They can be found in Xiaomi, Samsung, Jabra, JBL and other brands.
Cons of wireless headphones
Recall, we study the pros and cons of wireless headphones Apple, as well as Samsung, and the disadvantages come next:
- The main disadvantage is the quality of sound transmission – wired models handle this much better. However, if you buy a quality device, such as the same Airpods from Apple, you probably will not feel the difference. Unless you are an avid musician with absolute hearing;
- The next disadvantage – the probable harm. We will not deny this possibility at all, so beware;
- Due to the built-in battery, wireless headphones are usually heavier than wired ones. For example, the model from Samsung EO-BG950 U Flex weighs 50 g. If you weigh the Airpods – 4 g, you immediately want to send this minus to the list of pluses;
- A significant disadvantage is the need for regular recharging. As a rule, even in spite of the long battery life (in these models), they always discharge unexpectedly. The so-called "law of meanness" is in full force here;
- A significant disadvantage is that the bluetooth headphones are sensitive to various interference in the street, so the signal can sometimes be interrupted, which is annoying and nullifies all the advantages;
- If you're using an old phone that doesn't have bluetooth functionality, you won't be able to use wireless headphones. At this point, the wired "ears" take away the pluses.
Is it worth it to buy them, you decide. As you can see, the ratio of pros and cons is almost equal. Each person has his own personal preferences, therefore there may be hundreds of opinions on this subject. Why buy Chinese Wireless Headphones, you may ask, and we answer, "Why not?". The Chinese market has long risen from its knees and produces high-quality and reliable equipment. We recommend wireless headphones Xiaomi and Huawei – they are cool, inexpensive, sound great and inexpensive.
Wired in-channel headphones
I don't even know what to write here. Audiophiles returning from a smoke break already understand everything. This point is more for contrasting comparisons with the TWS.
- "microphone effect" in the cold (that's when the wire freezes and you hear clothes touching);
- frayed wire at the connections to the radiators and near the jack, but in headphones from 100 – $150 this happens very rarely;
- For those who are bothered by the wire – the wire.
From myself, I would recommend to pay attention to Queen of Audio Vesper Jade Green and the company 1More. Excellent options for fans of "dark" and balanced sound for the price up to 100$ I can not advise more expensive options, because they need more detailed approach and listening to yourself.
I've listened to a lot of headphones over the years, but now the Chinese are taking over the market. Shure, Etymotic are going into the shadows.
Does it pay off?
There is another funny thing. Many people, buying expensive headphones, listen to streaming audio, where even half of the sound spectrum is not revealed. Budding audiophiles, stumble over the rocks of incompatibility of certain headphones with purchased hi-res players and styles of music. Sibilant fans take "light" players and spit from the high frequencies. Fans of "shobbole", buy armature headphones and complain about the lack of brain-destroying bass.
There are people who buy $300-$400 headphones and listen on their smartphones. Yes, there are a few smartphones with built-in DAC (I have LG G7), it's still an option, but you also need to understand that the DAC in the smartphone will still be a cut version.
Controls
Two models have exclusively touch control – AirPods and IconX. Apple doesn't have much flexibility: a double tap on one earpiece is Play/Pause. On the other – the next track or Siri call, depending on how it is set up. There are no other options.
Samsung has a lot of gestures, and it doesn't matter which earpiece you touch. On the one hand it was hard for me to remember all this, but on the other hand – it's cool that, for example, you can control the volume without reaching for the smartphone.
Sony implemented all the controls on small buttons, not sensors. On the right earpiece you can press the button once, twice or three times in a row. Accordingly, the track will pause, switch to the next or jump to the previous one. On the left earpiece, the same button is responsible for turning on and off Ambient Sound mode, when the microphones capture sounds from the outside and output to the speakers. By the way, these are the only headphones out of all four that do not autopause when one of them is taken out of the ear.
Jabra also has mechanical buttons, but they are not located at the bottom, as with Sony, but on the side – perpendicular to the ear. At the same time, the buttons are quite hard, so every time you need to switch tracks or change the volume, the earpiece is pushed a little deeper into the ear. Not particularly pleasant.
Cases
The design of the cases, I think, is quite recognizable. Can you guess which one is on the picture with photoshopped logos?
The essence of all cases is the same – to charge and store headphones when you don't use them. And although they are set up differently, there is one problem with all of them – you are constantly confusing headphones and their seats when you send them out to charge. It would seem that you take them out and put them in sequentially: first out of one ear and then out of the other, but in real life, somehow not so.
The smallest and lightest case from Apple – 38 grams. No problem fits in the "watch" pocket of jeans. Magnetized cover smoothly opens and closes easily, and the headphones are also held by magnets. When you put them back in place – to recharge – they sort of get sucked into the sockets.
The Samsung case is not much larger in size, so it fits in the same pocket. The difference in weight is not particularly noticeable – 54.5 grams – it is also not much. But this thing opens only by pressing a mechanical button. On the one hand it is annoying to do this every time, but on the other – if you drop the case the lid will not open and the "ears" will not fly apart. Plus, the headphones in the sockets hold the magnets. To charge the "earplugs" you just need to put the contacts on the pins in the shallow recesses in the case.
The Jabra case is also quite compact, but a little more weighty, at 67 grams. The lid closes tightly, without magnets, but on the latch. Headphones fit into deeper than Samsung's cradles, but they also lie there particularly loose. Sometimes you have to open the case again to move the headphones, if the charging contacts do not match.
Sony's case is the largest and not very easy to carry in your pocket (however, in the next version they have already corrected this point by making the case smaller). 100 grams, a solid cover with a strong hinge. To be sure the headphones will not fly out, you have to push them in until they click into the sockets – only then they start charging.
Are there any disadvantages?
Of course, every device has its disadvantages. And wireless headphones are no exception. Consequently, the list of such features includes the following points:
- In contrast to the standard version, these have a lower quality.
- Since they have a built-in base to enhance performance – the battery, you can notice a fair amount of weight.
- Despite modern technology, some phones are not equipped with such a feature as bluetooth. Because of this, it is impossible to connect such an accessory to them.
- In addition, the cost of the presented model is really high. Accordingly, not every willing person is able to afford such an acquisition, which speaks directly to the barrier of availability.
- Another negative trait is the rapid change in the charging rate to minus. This point can cause a lot of inconvenience at a certain point, and sometimes unpleasant difficulties.
- Wired headphones can easily be hidden in a pocket or other small location. Such advantage our representative can not boast, however, as most often produced designs with significant shapes.
Thus, with the purchase of this device, you can face such problems as: periodic and sometimes frequent recharging; rather uncomfortable size and appreciable weight; deteriorated in several times the quality of the reproduced sound, as well as high cost for the products. However, some of them are compensated by the advantages that were described at the beginning of the article. So on the basis of these, the user can make an appropriate decision for themselves.
Can I use bluetooth headphones on an airplane?
This question is considered the most common, because it determines the use of the phone on board the air transport. So, if your device has such a data exchange function (it can be not only bluetooth, but also wi-fi), it is worth avoiding its activation. Consequently, the equipment can be used, but without the inclusion of the described indicators. That is, and the use of headphones is prohibited, because the signal source will be disabled while you are inside the plane.
IMPORTANT! In order not to risk so much, it is recommended to turn off all available cell phones, tablets, laptops and other inventions – electronic structures.
Moreover, this solution will guarantee that you will not create various interferences for on-board devices, as well as directly to the entire system of the aircraft.
Which headphones are better wireless or wired
Each user of the device decides for himself which headphones are better for him to choose, because on the above points, both types of devices have a number of advantages and disadvantages. To finally decide which one is better, you should consider a small tabular list of criteria.
The first criterion is convenience. On this criterion no one wins. The wired headphones can be confused wires, there is a probability of loss. The wireless ones don't have tangles due to the absence of wires, but they are oversized.
The second criterion is autonomy. This criterion is won by wired headphones. They run on batteries, rechargeable batteries, do not need an additional power source, while wireless ones require an additional power source and recharging and have an appropriate base.
The third criterion is sound quality. Both devices have good sound quality. However, the wireless models have high quality only on expensive devices.
The fourth criterion is price. Wired ones are available to everyone, while wireless ones are available to a few.
The fifth criterion is the sphere of application. The cordless models are the best because they can be used freely for computers with phones, TV, gaming, sports, music. But, as mentioned earlier, it is preferable to use expensive models for all purposes, as there is a risk of rapid deterioration of the device.
Wired models lose out in the scope criteria, since good sound quality on a TV requires a greater distance from the screen. Also not suitable for sports because of the lack of freedom of movement.
The sixth criterion is aesthetics. Wires give a messy look to the device, so by this logic, wireless models win in aesthetics.
Disadvantages
One of the main disadvantages of wireless headphones is the fact that large obstacles between the transmitter and the headset can lead to reduced sound quality, even if you are within range. Such obstacles can either be walls or other electronics using the same technology or frequency. In theory, all wireless headphones are susceptible to interference.
Another problem is the increased sensitivity of wireless headsets to physical shocks. Typical headphones can work fine after being dropped, but this is often not the case with wireless headsets. Built-in electronic circuitry makes wireless ones less resistant to drops.
Advantages
The biggest advantage of a Bluetooth headset is the ability to be cord-free, and hands-free, for maximum mobility. How many times have the cables from your headphones snagged on something, pulling your headphones away from your ears, or have you pulled them out of your pocket only to find the cable jack?
No cables means no fuss and no unwinding of the knots they make in your pocket. A wireless headset is a great device for people who run or work out to music. In many cases, losing wires means using less battery. Bluetooth uses low-power signals, and the technology requires very little power.
Losing the cables does not mean that sound quality has to be lost, but as with any set of headphones, this is only true if you do your homework and find a high-quality product. Many of the wireless headsets are equipped with bass boosting technology and noise isolating design so you can feel the beat while listening to music.
TIP! When Bluetooth headphones were released, the sound was uncomfortable and many people said they wouldn't last. Today, you can get the same sound quality with a wireless headset as you would with a corded headset.
A wireless headset is sophisticated and stylish. Many have a sporty design because they hold firmly in place when you work out or run long distances. Even casual listeners can enjoy the sleek design of any style of wireless headphones.
Wireless doesn't always mean it's more expensive. Many of the Bluetooth headphones cost less than 490 rubles, and some even come with a Bluetooth transmitter in case your phone or MP3 player is not Bluetooth compatible. You can spend an amount of money like you would on any electronic device, but even inexpensive wireless headphones are comparable in quality.
The main advantages
Gadgets for listening to music have a compact size, easily fit in your pocket or bag. The service life of the products increases due to the absence of wires, with which problems often arise. You can order quality wireless headphones at an affordable price in the online store. Devices with a robust design provide clear sound.
Models without wires have other advantages:
- they can be combined with a cell phone, MP3 player, TV, laptop or PC;
- Delivers detailed sound;
- provide freedom of action;
- have an aesthetic look; attract the eyes of others;
- independence from the smartphone;
- can be supplemented with a built-in player, noise cancelling mode.
The absence of restrictions on movement will especially appeal to people who play sports and lead an active lifestyle. The headphones wear perfectly, stay perfectly in your ears, and do not cause discomfort. They allow users to go about their business without restricting movement.
With cordless models, you can quickly change tracks, make the sound quieter or louder. The user will have no difficulty answering or rejecting a call. Some gadgets are waterproof and dustproof. Multifunctional devices with noise cancelling mode are a great option for any occasion.
Features of Choice
When choosing wireless headphones, you should pay attention to their design, cost, technical characteristics. The most popular accessories are black and white colors. Manufacturers offer premium products and affordable options. Other parameters are equally important:
- battery capacity and charging technology;
- The presence of noise-canceling technology;
- The way they fit in your ears;
- additional options;
- the presence of sensors, sensors;
- sound quality (frequency of playback, speaker type, codec support);
- control methods, type of panel.
Another selection factor is the range of the headphone connection. Buyers should consider individual requirements in order to choose the most suitable model for themselves. Manufacturers equip devices with such technologies that speed up signal transmission and guarantee high sound quality.
Wireless devices are available in different versions. You need to compare all the characteristics of the product and choose the right accessory.
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