Articles having to do with headphones
The digital age has brought with it digital audio and an incredible variety of new audio devices. Headphones have become increasingly popular with the invention of the portable music player and are used in our daily lives to playback audio from our many digital audio devices. Are headphones analog or digital audio devices? Though headphones…
If you’ve ever seen a larger speaker producing loud sound, you’ve likely seen noticeable vibrations in the diaphragm. Speakers need to vibrate to produce sound waves, and these vibrations are often imperceptible to the human eye and only perceptible to the human ear. How fast do loudspeakers and headphones vibrate? To produce the entire range…
If you’ve ever seen what looks to be a pair of odd-looking headphones that do not go over or even in the listener’s ear, you’ve likely seen a pair of bone conduction headphones. These strange devices serve the same purpose as regular headphones but work on different principles. What are bone conduction headphones? Bone conduction…
If you’ve ever seen a big-time professional musical performance live or on video, you may have recognized one or more balanced armature in-ear monitors in the ears of the performers. In-ear monitors are often preferred over foldback monitors due to feedback considerations, and a great number of professional in-ear monitors utilize balanced armature designs. What…
Of all the headphone types in the world, electrostatic headphones are likely the least understood and the most exotic. These high-end headphones are enjoyed by many audiophiles who are willing to spend the money on a pair. What are electrostatic headphones? Electrostatic headphones are transducers that convert audio signals (electrical energy) into sound waves (mechanical…
If you’ve even gone on a deep search to find a perfect pair of high-end headphones, you’ve likely stumbled upon planar magnetic headphones (or at least the term). The planar magnetic headphone type works a bit differently than the typical moving-coil headphones that make up the majority of the market, providing advantages and disadvantages to…
Wireless headphones have been around since the 1960s. However, in 2004, Bluetooth wireless headphones came onto the market and revolutionized personal audio listening, gaining great popularity among audio consumers and professionals alike. If you’ve ever wondered how your wireless headphones or earbuds play back the audio from your device, then this article is for you….
Headphones, earbuds and headsets have become extremely popular with the rise of portable audio players, smartphones and gaming consoles. If you’ve ever wondered how your headphones work, this detailed article is for you. How do headphones work? All headphones act as transducers that convert audio signals (electrical energy) into sound waves(mechanical wave energy). The headphone…
In an audiophile’s quest to get the best audio from his pair of headphones, he often encounters a time when a headphone amplifier is necessary. For the regular headphone user, a headphone amp is still a consideration when choosing the best headphones for the most desirable listening experience. What is a headphone amplifier, and are…
When listening to music, we humans like it loud. Whether it’s turning up a volume knob or dial, applying more gain, or choosing a more sensitive audio device, perceived loudness is something to consider when choosing the optimal listening experience. What is headphone sensitivity? Headphone sensitivity is a specification that refers to the efficiency of…
Headphones work with AC electrical voltages (audio signals) and, therefore, have impedance. The impedance of a headphone model is critical to its performance yet is often overlooked by users. What is headphone impedance? Headphone impedance refers to the inherent opposition the headphone circuitry has to the flow of electrical current. As the headphones create a…
Sound and audio are made of are created by waves within a range of frequencies. Humans naturally respond to the audible range of frequencies, and headphones are designed with their own range of frequencies that they are capable of producing. What is headphone frequency response, and what is a good range? Headphone frequency response refers…
