Earphones are indispensable for daily life, such as listening to music while running to raise the mood or listening to English teaching materials while commuting. Still, recently, “wireless” type products are becoming mainstream. However, there are so many types.
Let’s make a reservation right away; in this guide, we will touch on the features of wireless headphones. We will explain the points and mechanisms you should consider when choosing wireless earphones. Know the basics and choose the product that suits you best.
Features of wireless earphones
First, let’s define the basic classification. You can divide all wireless headphones into 3 categories according to signal transmission technology:
- It does not have a cord part (= wire) to connect to a smartphone or audio device (= less). Instead, it uses a wireless communication technology called “Bluetooth” to connect to the device.
- There are no physical restrictions on the distance that can be connected. Wired earphones can’t be farther away from the device than the length of the cord, but wireless earphones can communicate even if they’re a little further away from the device.
- They are equipped with a battery in the earphone body. Wireless earphones communicate wirelessly, so the earphones themselves consume power. When the earphone battery runs out, the connection will be lost, and you will need to charge it.
Bluetooth connection (wireless) earphone
Recently, wireless earphones that connect via Bluetooth have become mainstream.
Since there is no need to connect with a cable, there is an advantage that it is easy to put on and take off and handle.
On the other hand, there are also disadvantages such as “you cannot listen to music when the battery is depleted” and “the sound may be delayed and played.”
The types and specifications are further divided among Bluetooth connection (wireless) earphones.
Truly wireless (left and right separated type) earphones
Completely wireless (separate left and right) earphones are earphones in which both ears are completely independent, and there is no cable at all.
This type of earphone is the mainstream for wireless earphones, including Apple’s AirPods and SONY’s WF series.
Completely wireless (separated left and right) consists of earphones and a case. The case not only stores the earphones but also charges the earphones.
There is no cable even with a mask on, so it is easy to put on and take off, which is also noteworthy these days.
There are many lightweight and compact models, so it is a recommended earphone for everyone that you can carry around with your case in your pocket or bag.
Left and right integrated earphones
It is a model in which the left and right earphones are connected with a single cable, and you can use it by hanging it around your neck when you are not listening to music.
There are many models with low prices, and it is recommended for those who want to try Bluetooth earphones for the time being.
In addition, some models have a neckband on the cable part, which is designed to fit the neck better.
Not only will it be more stable when worn around the neck than the cable type, but it will also have a longer playable time, and you may find it difficult to route the cable.
Wired connection earphone
It is a conventional type of earphone that connects the terminal directly to the playback device.
When purchasing a wired earphone, you should be careful about the connection terminal.
The mainstream terminal is a 3.5mm mini-plug called a “stereo mini plug cable.”
Recently, some earphones can be connected with the Lightning terminal or USB Type-C terminal, so check whether the terminal can be connected to the playback device before purchasing.
Wired earphones are cheaper and have higher sound quality than wireless earphones, so they are popular with people who focus on sound quality.
On the other hand, if you are not careful about handling the cable, it may break and cause a malfunction, so you need to handle it delicately.
Differences in how earphones are attached to the ears
The earphones should be worn on your ears no matter how you connect.
The way you hear the sound and the feeling of wearing it will change depending on how you wear the earphones and ears, so be careful when purchasing.
Canal type earphone
A type that inserts earphones deep into the ear, such as earplugs, is called a canal type.
It has high sound insulation and has the advantage that you do not have to worry about sound leakage even in trains, buses, and airplanes.
It is recommended for those who want to concentrate on music because the deep bass sounds deep, and it is easy to hear even the finest sounds.
Canal-type earphones are used by attaching silicon earpieces.
The earpieces are replaceable, so you can replace them with earpieces that match the size of your ears to create earphones that are comfortable to wear.
Earbuds
Inner ear type earphones do not have earpieces, so wear them to be hooked into the ear canal.
Inner ear-type earphones are recommended when you want to enjoy music casually.
A typical example is EarPods that came with the iPhone in the past.
It is safe to listen to music outside because you can also hear the surrounding sounds.
On the contrary, sound leakage will occur since the feeling of sealing is low.
As for the sound quality, you can hear the high range and vocal sound well, and it is shaky, and you can not enjoy the deep bass like the canal type.
Ear-mounted earphones
Earphones can be hooked on your ears and have a high hold.
It is very stable when worn, so it is recommended for those who want to enjoy music while playing sports such as running and gym.
The ear hook type is further divided into two types, one that can be inserted into the ear like the canal type and the other that is used by putting it on the ear-like headphones.
The headphone type is more like headphones than earphones, so how you hear the sound changes.
How to choose earphones with specifications that suit your needs
To select the earphone that suits your purpose, you need to pay attention to the specifications of the earphone itself and compare them.
The next chapter will explain the specifications that you should pay attention to when considering earphones, along with practical examples.
High-resolution compatible earphones
High-resolution earphones are recommended for those who want to enjoy music with high sound quality.
“High resolution” is an abbreviation of “High Resolution” and means “high delicate” and “high resolution.”
Most high-resolution audio sources are “96kHz / 24bit” and “192kHz / 24bit”, but “192kHz / 24bit” has 6.5 times more information than a CD, so you can feel more realistic.
To enjoy such high-resolution sound sources, the sound source and earphones and playback devices must support high-resolution.
By purchasing high-resolution earphones and purchasing high-resolution audio sources, you will be able to enjoy music with high sound quality.
Earphone with microphone
Earphones with a microphone enable hands-free calling so that you can use them as a headset.
Wired earphones have a microphone and remote control on the cable, and completely independent wireless earphones have a built-in microphone.
With the remote control, even if the playback device is in the bag, you can control the volume up / down, song feed, pause, and playback at your fingertips.
Earphones can be used for purposes other than listening to music, which is a nice feature for those who want to pursue convenience.
Waterproof earphones
Earphones with a waterproof function can be used without problems, even if they get wet with sweat or rain.
Waterproofing is a must if you want to listen to music with earphones when playing sports.
IPX standard compatible earphones
The waterproof performance is expressed by the numerical value “IPX,” The level is divided by “IPX 0-8” according to how strong it is against water.
IPX0 is for those with no waterproof function, IPX4 is for those not affected by water from all directions, and IPX8 is for those that can be used underwater without problems.
AirPods Pro, released by Apple, has acquired IPX4, so if it has some waterproof performance, it can be used without problems.
Noise-canceling function earphone
With earphones equipped with a noise-canceling function, you can drown out ambient noise and concentrate on the music.
Noise-canceling is a built-in microphone that picks up the surrounding sound and outputs the sound of the opposite phase to drown out the external sound.
With noise-canceling earphones, not only is it easier to hear the sound delicately, but it is also possible to create a silent space without playing music.
How noise canceling works: Sound reaches your ears as “sound waves” that vibrate the air. Waves have phases (mountains and valleys), and when the same phase is matched, the waves strengthen each other, and when the opposite phases are matched, they are canceled out. Noise-canceling also utilizes this property, and by picking up the surrounding environmental sound with a microphone and creating sound waves of the opposite phase to it, the noise and environmental sound are reduced.
Driver & Codec to select your favorite sound quality
If you want to stick to the sound quality of earphones, check the driver’s specifications (speaker part that converts data into sound) and codec (method of compressing voice data). You should choose the type of driver depending on which range you want to hear. Also, by selecting the codec that matches the device to be played, you can listen to even higher sound quality.
Choose a driver to suit your music taste
It is mainly divided into three types, and each has a different range of strength. Choose according to your taste in music and what sound you want to hear.
| Type | Feature |
|---|---|
| Dynamic type | The mainstream type is used in many earphones. The feature is that it can produce powerful deep bass. It is installed in relatively inexpensive earphones. |
| Balanced armature type | A type that is often used mainly for canal types. The feature is that it is easier to miniaturize than the dynamic type. Good at expressing mid-high range, but not good at low range. |
| Hybrid type | It is equipped with at least one of the above two drivers. It can express powerful and high-resolution sounds from bass to treble. The price is high. |
Codec that changes the sound quality
If you have a smartphone and earphones with different types of compatible codecs, you will not be unable to connect, but if you choose one that supports your smartphone, you will be able to listen to the best sound quality. Please note that the types are different between iPhone and Android.
| Codec name | Feature |
|---|---|
| SBC | Bluetooth devices are always compatible with standard codecs. Compared to other codecs, the sound quality deteriorates, and the communication speed is slow, so delays are likely to occur when watching videos. |
| AAC | Mainly used for iPhone and iPad. Higher sound quality and less delay than SBC. |
| aptX | Mainly used for Android. It has higher sound quality than SBC and AAC, but there are still few compatible products compared to the two. |
| aptX HD | It also supports playback of “high resolution” sound sources with higher sound quality than aptX. However, the delay is increased compared to aptX because of its excellent sound quality. |
How To Decide Between Wired vs. Wireless Headphones
| Wireless earphones | Wired earphones | |
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Need | Unnecessary |
| Code | None | Can be |
| Communication stability | May be affected by surrounding radio waves | Not affected by the surrounding environment |
| Compatible equipment | Can be connected if it supports Bluetooth | Equipment with earphone jack |
Person who is suitable for wireless earphones!
- People who want to listen to music during crowded trains and sports
- Anyone who wants to get rid of the hassle of code
- People using devices that do not have an earphone jack
The most considerable merit of wireless earphones is that there is no cord. You can use it without worrying when the code seems to get in the way, such as when you are on a crowded train or exercising. In addition, any Bluetooth-compatible device can be connected to be used with most smartphones.
However, in places where radio waves are flying, such as in crowded stations or the city, the sound may be delayed or interrupted due to the interference of other radio waves.
Person that wired earphones are suitable for!
- People who have trouble charging frequently
- People using devices equipped with earphone jacks
Wired earphones have the advantage of not requiring charging. Since it is not affected by the surrounding radio waves, you can maintain a stable connection. Also, there is no audio delay when watching videos or playing games.
Popular manufacturer of earphones
Overseas manufacturers make many earphones, and each company has its sound quality and music genre.
We recommend that you listen to the earphones of the manufacturer you are interested in at the store.
Knowing the earphone manufacturer to some extent, not only when listening to it but also when considering purchasing, will help you understand your preference trends.
Here, we will introduce recommended manufacturers of earphones.
SONY
Sony is a world-famous Japanese manufacturer.
Since it originated in Japan, it is characterized by its specifications that suit Japanese people’s body shape and taste.
The sound quality is, of course, high level, the vocals are easy to hear, and the bass sounds well, so it is a finish that is recommended for everyone.
Even if the sound quality is not your favorite, you can fine-tune the sound quality by adjusting the equalizer app provided by Sony.
BOSE
BOSE is an American music maker developing its business as a pioneer in the audio equipment industry.
It is not uncommon to see BOSE speakers being used even at live venues and event venues.
It has an overwhelming strength in its powerful bass and powerful sound.
BOSE earphones are expensive compared to other manufacturers, but they are still recommended for those who do not want to compromise sound quality.
SHURE
Shure is also a long-established manufacturer founded in the United States. It is no exaggeration to say that the microphones made by Shure are permanently installed in every live house.
As for the sound quality, it is characterized by a flat sound with no bias.
All sounds are heard evenly, and the feeling of faithfully reproducing the original sound is unique to Shure earphones.
In addition, there are many earphones with excellent design, and it is recommended for those who want to use high-performance earphones that are different from humans.
SENNHEISER
SENNHEISER is a German audio equipment manufacturer and a well-known brand used worldwide, such as headphones and microphones.
Although it has no sharp features, its deep sound and soft sound quality prove that it is packed with solid technical capabilities.
The earphones are also used on professional stages, so making them durable is an excellent point.
BEATS
Beats by Dr.Dre is a brand founded by American hip-hopper Dr.Dre and is now part of Apple.
It is an earphone that is good at techno expression with a sound that the bass sounds comfortable.
In addition, the beautiful design is also attractive, and many people buy it with a fashion sense.
The biggest feature is that it is under the umbrella of Apple, so it has the advantage of linking with the iPhone.
It is a recommended manufacturer for iPhone users because of its good connection with the iPhone and the startup of Siri.
Conclusion!
We have introduced the connection method, the difference between types, and the specifications according to the application regarding earphones.
Sound is essential when playing games on a gaming PC and when playing music on a smartphone.
It’s a good idea to know how to check the specifications, etc., so that you can choose the earphone that suits your purpose.
