It's best to know what you’re buying!
- Closed-Back Headphones
- Open-Back Headphones
- On-Ear Headphones
- Over-Ear Headphones
- In-Ear Headphones
- Earbuds
Closed-back headphones are, you may have guessed it, headphones with a closed back.
These create a much more isolated feel from external noise and creates a much more noise-cancelling sensation, this also helps keeps the sound in! So, if you often seem to turn heads on public transport when your bass-filled drop hits, these may be a better option to keep a bit of that sound in! These may not be the most natural-sounding headphones as your ears are enclosed, but there are some amazing ones out there! The only common downside is if you’re wearing them on a hot day, it's regular you will end up with possible sweaty ears!
Open-back headphones
are similar to the closed-back types, they just have an open back instead! Duh!
These headphones are much more natural sounding, but they let a lot more external noise in, and out! If you’re a fan of listening to loud music in public or on transport, these may not be the best option for you! But on the other hand anywhere indoors or where your music cant get on people's nerves, these are a much more clear option, with a more outdoors and less enclosed feel. If you still want a breeze on your ears, these are the ones!
are a much more portable version of over-ear headphones. Similar style and shape, they just rest on your ears instead of over them.
These aren’t the main first choice for many people, they do let a lot more noise in and out, and they can really get a lot more uncomfortable in a much shorter period of time from the other types, the only real upside to these is the portability. You often see on-ear headphones used in call centre’s and can be really helpful for headsets.
Over-ear headphones
sit around your ear (over it). These are over-ear headphones that submerge your ears, surrounding them with sweet sounds.
These are much comfier for longer periods of time, as these are not actually pushing on your ears at all. As the headphones are sealed around your ears, the sound is often a lot clearer, and there is less interruption from outside noises as much, also preventing sound leakage.
In-ear headphones
comfortably rest inside your ear, allowing you to listen to music more discreetly, while not having to carry around bulky headphones that rest on top of your head.
Maybe over and on-ear headphones ruin your perfected hairdo? Or maybe you just prefer not having to carry around bulky headphones? These are perfect, they rest well in the ear, which creates a helpful sound barrier from the outside. There are two main types of in-ear headphone, the first in the standard Apple starter type headphones, these are usually a universally comfortable fit, but you definitely let in and out lots of unnecessary noise. The other, is earbud types, that have a rubber sleeves that are on the headphones, allowing a much more perfect and enclosed fit. The earbuds, are a lot more noise-cancelling and can have a really good bass-filled sound to them. It's always important when using any headphones, especially in-ear headphones that are projecting the sound down your ear canal, that you keep the noise at a safe level, not for anyone else’s, but your hearing’s sake. Both of these types of headphones are perfect for doing sports or just general day-to-day use!
Now it’s up to you
Now you know the few main points to help you with your newly educated decision, it can be a real hassle picking from thousands of different options. Luckily as time progresses, we are also seeing a huge rise in great Bluetooth options for each type of headphone, for the prime wireless listening experience.
We think if you're always out and about and enjoy listening to music while being active, in-ear headphones and earbuds, are really your best bet. You don’t want to break your brand-new headphones, it's best to get ones that suit what you're doing.
