There’s a lot to consider when buying new headphones. Some things are obvious, some are not.
Make sure you get the best pair for you, with these easy tips and tricks.
Before we get going, if you’re curious about the value of high-end headphones, or have questions about headphones in general, first check out Are Expensive Headphones Worth It?, What Are The Best Headphones?, Glossary of Headphone Terms, Best Headphone Test Tracks, Noise Cancelling Vs. Noise Isolating Headphones, and 10 Headphones Better Than Beats.
This is perhaps the most obvious, but what type of headphone are you considering? In ear (“earbuds”) and over-ear are the most common, but don’t forget about on-ear, which for many are more comfortable than in-ear, but far more portable and convenient than over-ear.
Fit is crucial. Not every headphone will fit every ear and head. If you can, try before you buy. Awesome reviews are irrelevant if the headphones don’t fit right.
In-ear headphones tend to come with multiple tips, of different sizes and usually different shapes. Most people will be able to find one pair of tips that fit… but not always. With on- and over-ear it’s the size of the band, and design of the ear cups that’s the major factor. I’ve reviewed plenty of headphones I’ve found comfortable, only to get someone leaving a comment that they didn’t.
This largely goes along with fit, but if you’re planning on wearing the headphones for several hours in a row (not just during a commute, say), fit becomes extra crucial. Specifically, where to they pinch or press? If it’s the softness of the earpads, they’ll probably soften a bit with use, but “hard” isn’t going to magically transform into “soft”.
Here, it’s best to check online user reviews (one of the only times I’ll say that). Usually you’ll be able to find people who have had the headphones for weeks or months, and they’ll discuss how they’ve loosened up.
Do you really need noise cancelling? No, seriously. The sad truth is there’s no perfect headphone for everything. For the same money, non-noise cancelling headphones will almost always sound better. Even spending more money, there will always be a tradeoff. There are some good-sounding noise cancelling headphones, but these rarely, if ever, offer as powerful noise cancellation as other models .
This article is from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffreymorrison/2015/03/16/dont-buy-new-headphones-before-you-read-this/