Which headphones are best for a smartphone. The best headphones for your phone. Over-ear, closed-back smartphone headphones

Listen to your favorite tracks or an exciting audiobook wirelessly, while maintaining complete freedom of action while jogging, walking, commuting or traveling? Easily! In response to the needs of users, manufacturers have flooded the shelves with wireless headphones of different shapes and sizes, with different characteristics and prices. Earlier it was believed that the sound quality in them is inferior to wired counterparts. Let's not be cunning that today, alas, such an alignment of forces persists, but the gap is rapidly closing and when using bluetooth headphones you can already count on decent sound quality. Let's try to figure out what indicators determine the quality of the product, what is important to pay attention to when choosing and try to determine the best wireless headphones for phone.

Everyone has long been accustomed to the fact that Apple sets fashion in the world of smartphones. When iPhones without the traditional 3.5mm jack came out last fall, it sparked a controversially bewildered response from millions of users around the world. At the same time, the turnover of the release of wireless headphones increased, although they were sold before that. It looks like a new era is coming - the era of wireless headphones, so the sound quality in them will increase day by day.

How do you know if you have really good wireless headphones in front of you? If the sound quality is a largely subjective concept, then a lot of parameters can be assessed very objectively. So, when choosing, consider the following factors:

They often try to determine the sound quality frequency range... Supposedly, the wider this range, the better. First, a wide range does not always indicate purity and balance of sound. Secondly, we will not be able to hear sounds with a frequency below 100 Hz and above 10-12 kHz.

Now let's get down to the most thankless job and try to name the best wireless headphones. Ungrateful, because you can't please everyone, especially when it comes to the perception of sound. Another challenge is the vastness of the market. But with all this, we tried to choose the most interesting models that you should definitely pay attention to when choosing.

It is worth distinguishing between bluetooth headphones and bluetooth headsets. The first ones only allow you to listen to music, the second ones - to make calls, they also transmit the voice.

The best wireless earbuds of 2017

Marshall Major II Bluetooth

A short list of the advantages of these headphones looks like this: foldable design, supports AptX, the presence of a cable in the kit for converting wireless headphones into wired ones, excellent design and about 30 hours autonomous work ... At the expense of autonomy, this is not an exaggeration - in front of us is simply a beast.

Headphones got a built-in microphone, voice dialing and joystick button, which greatly simplifies management. Users have commented on how cleverly designed this button is. The headband is sheathed in eco-leather, and the manufacturer speaks of gold-plated plugs. The headphones have a foldable design, but even when folded, they do not become very compact - they are unlikely to fit into a pocket. The main feature of the model is the battery, which charges for three hours and lasts for 30 hours, i.e. if you listen to headphones for 4-4.5 hours a day, they will last for a week. The sound quality is very good: when you connect an audio cable, the sound is perfect, but without wires everything is at the same level. Of the minuses, the price is about $ 160.

Apple AirPods

It would be foolish not to include Apple AirPods in our ranking. They sound, of course, perfect, however, and are expensive. Weighs just 4g in-ear headphones, they are not connected with a wire, unlike many analogs, which explains such a compactness. We won’t say that losing such headphones is a piece of cake - only the lazy didn’t say that. To be careful, you can do without losses and enjoy all the advantages of Apple headphones, and there are, it should be noted, a lot of them.

Work on technology Bluetooth 4.2, equipped with two microphones, provide instant access to Siri, easily connect to a smartphone. Battery life is 5 hours, but when using the charging case, you can expect 24 hours of battery life. Charging speed, stability of operation, sound quality - everything is at its best. It is difficult to find fault with them, the only drawback is the high price, as well as for all apple - about $ 215.

JBL T450BT

A very popular model of on-ear headphones. Among the main advantages are the presence of a microphone and buttons with which it is easy to pick up and hang up. The model uses Bluetooth 4.0 ... The autonomy is average - 11 hours, but users note that the headphones are light and comfortable, do not put pressure on their heads and play music decently, you can only find fault with low frequencies... The quality of the plastic and folding system we refer to the advantages. At a price of 50$ a very decent option for a music lover who needs good sound, freedom of action and a low price is important.

Meizu EP51

This is the same example when Chinese manufacturers are beginning to actively respond to the increased demand in the market. The company tried to do everything with high quality and, most importantly, inexpensively, but did not take into account some of the little things, so the product turned out to be not quite perfect. However, this did not prevent him from becoming popular, because the price in relation to quality is beyond praise here.

These in-ear headphones weigh nothing at all - 15.3 g, i.e. they are completely imperceptible. The model works on technology Bluetooth4.0 and supports technologyAptx, which already promises good sound quality. In addition, the manufacturer put a microphone and buttons with volume control on the headphones, which at a price of 40$ not bad at all. In the shortcomings, users write down the lack of noise reduction and not the highest autonomy. Someone complains about the ear pads, someone, on the contrary, is happy with them - everything here is subjective and ambiguous. In general, the guys from Meizu were able to present a worthy alternative to the famous headphones from Apple and provide excellent sound quality at a low price.

Sony SBH70

Sony wireless in-ear headphones are average in terms of lightness - 25.7 g, but they have a lot of proprietary chips. First, the model has active noise cancellation system, secondly, there is support for NFC, thirdly, there is a microphone in the headphones, and thanks to the buttons, you can easily answer calls.

Headphones positioned as sports and in many ways repeat Sony specifications SBH-80. The gadget has a stylish bright design, is comfortable to wear and use, not afraid of water(!). The headphones are assembled perfectly, in terms of autonomy they show themselves very well, as for their form factor - about 8.5 hours of work... It takes about 2.5 hours to charge. You can understand the charge level by the color indication. Noise isolation in the headphones is imperfect, but there are no complaints about the playback quality - everything is up to par. The price is about $ 70.

Harman / Kardon Soho Wireless

These headphones are striking and eye-catching - their appearance is really outstanding. The sound quality does not spoil the impression of the picture - melodies of any genre in these headphones sound perfectly, accurately and cleanly. The model comes in a nice leather bag, where the user will find an audio cable to connect the headphones directly to the sound source if they are discharged. The ear cushions are made of leather, they are quite miniature.

The model received the module NFCfor instant connection with a smartphone. Controlled by a touch-sensitive surface on the right earcup. The sensor behaves well in use, but such a control cannot be called the most comfortable. The headphones received aptX support and a good battery life of 10 hours. Price about $ 215 - model can be advised for those who value not only high-quality sound, but also premium appearance or is looking for a solid gift for a music lover.

Pioneer SE-MJ553BT

This is a more budget solution, but budget does not mean bad. For $ 65, the user gets a comfortable headphone with a microphone and a foldable design. Autonomy is good - about 15 hours with a charging time of about 4 hours. Users note the quite decent sound quality and the convenience of the headphones - they sit like a glove. Considering the low cost, it is even inconvenient to find fault with the device, but the disadvantages include the work on Bluetooth 3.5 technology and low noise isolation.

Philips SHB5850

Philips range includes lightweight compact wireless earbuds weighing only 12 g. The manufacturer has equipped them with a system active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 4.1, a microphone and a fairly convenient control and dialing system. Noise isolation works really well, the sound in the headphones is excellent and loud, you can talk in them without any problems, the battery lasts for 10 hours. Users complain about trifles, such as the lack of magnets or clothespins, some have headphones that tend to fall out of their ears, but at a price of $ 60, the model can be called very good.

AKG Y50BT

Another good option for on-ear headphones. They have well thought-out and reliably made cups, they fit the ear perfectly, and so that when you walk you can even hear your steps and there are no extraneous sounds(even your own voice is inaudible, which is not very good, however, during a conversation). They come with a cable, so you can use them as wired headphones if necessary. The sound is clear and spacious, the entire frequency range is audible, the build quality is excellent, as is the design. 1000mAh battery- the real pride of the model: even with active use, you often don't have to charge the headphones. Of the minuses, only the inability to use them for sports can subside. Everything else is solid pluses. The price is about $ 150.

Bose QuietComfort 35

Finally - an option for the most demanding users of the quality of music. Full-size headphones with active noise cancellation weigh 310 g. Noise cancellation works in the best way here - the user is left alone with himself even in the noisiest and most crowded places. The sound quality is excellent when listening to music from any direction. The set includes a cord for connecting to the device if necessary. Build quality, listening comfort, autonomy about 20 hours... The only drawback is the high price - from $ 340.

There are a lot of reviews and reviews on the network, but it is better, of course, to listen to the sound of this or that model in the store on your own.

Faced a situation when your favorite branded headphones suddenly break down, but you want to listen to music? Or when there is absolutely nothing to give to a music lover friend for his birthday? Or when there is simply a lack of finance, and good headphones are desperately needed? If so, you definitely need to read this article. In it we will tell you about good inexpensive headphones for your phone. And if the above cases are unfamiliar to you, read it anyway! You never know what fate will prepare and at what moment you will need high-quality cheap "ears".

The portability and mobility of the phone, I think, is clear to everyone. You can't take your own computer on a long journey, and the age of mp-3 players is long gone. However, there is still a stereotype that the sound quality on phones leaves much to be desired. This is completely untrue. This fact became obsolete five years ago, and maybe even more. Today, phones are in no way inferior in sound quality to computers, and sometimes even surpass them. Indeed, manufacturers modern smartphones very demanding on sound quality. Pre-installed system Dolby Atmos doesn't surprise the current user in the least.

Are expensive headphones always better than budget ones?

If you buy a headset, why not buy an expensive one?

This question is a common thing. People are thinking, and if they really take headphones for the phone, why not choose expensive ones from a well-known brand? The answer to the question lies in the wording itself. Modern society is ready to overpay huge sums for the brand. Well-known manufacturers actually don't need to maintain the quality of their hardware. Moreover, the companies will not lower the price. Headphones of mediocre sound quality and production are priced in the premium segment - and all because of the brand.

What is the situation in the budget segment?

Manufacturers of budget "ears" are forced to constantly raise the bar for quality: otherwise no one will buy their products. A good price / quality ratio is largely manifested in this segment. These headphones, as a rule, are not made by the most popular companies on the market, which means that they just need to show themselves in their best light.

Advantages and disadvantages of budget models

Advantages:

  1. Inexpensive cost.
  2. As a rule, the best price / quality ratio.
  3. If they break, do not mind. New headphones from the low-end segment can be purchased for less than expensive refurbished ones.
  4. No overpayment for the brand.
  5. Cheaper consumables and components.
  6. If you are not a music lover, you most likely will not hear the difference between devices with a low price and with a high price.

Disadvantages:

  1. You might not be lucky. Yes, many cheap models are quite good. Many, but not all. Remember this when you are going to buy an unknown "Chinese" without reviews.
  2. Lack of service. Most likely, you will not find an office that will repair your device under the factory warranty.
  3. Not best design... Famous brands pay very close attention to design, which cannot be said about little-known ones.

How to choose

So you've decided to get yourself a headset. The question arises: how to choose it? Several parameters affect here:

  1. The weight. Trivial, but important. Your listening experience will directly depend on the weight. Someone likes to feel the equipment, someone is more comfortable with weightless devices, which are practically not felt by the ear.
  2. Sensitivity. The higher this parameter, the higher the volume and the lower the load on the phone speaker.
  3. Connection type. The headset can be either with a standard 3.5 Jack connector, or with more specific ones, like USB Type C or Apple's Lightning. Bluetooth systems are gaining popularity.
  4. For variants with Bluetooth - operating time. Devices with this type of connection must be constantly recharged. The preference should be given to the models with the longest battery life.

Rating

If you do not want to shoulder the responsibility of choosing on your own shoulders, we have prepared a rating of budget models for you. Let's start at the end.

This wireless product can be purchased from the popular aliexpress online store.

  • Style - in-the-ear.
  • The length of the wire between the inserts is 1.2 meters.
  • With a microphone.
  • Sensitivity - 105 decibels per mW, error 3 dB.
  • Bass boost function.
  • There is noise reduction.

  • Intrachannel type.
  • With a microphone.
  • They have a resistance of 32 ohms.
  • The sensitivity is 42 decibels / mW.
  • Wireless, connection range - up to 18 meters.
  • They have a frequency range from 20 to 22,000 hertz.
  • Design copied from Apple Earpods.
  • Pure sound.
  • Sits comfortably in your ears.
  • Good quality built-in microphone.
  • A hiss is sometimes heard when turning the music on / off.
  • Low battery life. They are active for only 40 minutes without recharging.

These headphones can also be ordered from Aliexpress. Their main feature is the absence of a wire between the auricles. Please note that they are sold one at a time, which means you have to order twice.

  • There are control buttons and volume control.
  • The resistance value is 15 ohms.
  • In-ear headphones.
  • Frequency range: from 20 to 24,000 Hz.
  • Has a sensitivity of 122 (+ -3) dB per megawatt.
  • Quality bass.
  • Long-term charging: 4-5 hours of use.
  • Neat packaging.
  • Low cost.
  • A bit ridiculous.
  • Severe, fall out of the ears when playing sports.
  • Weak magnet.
  • Slightly muffled sound.

You can also order this model from Aliexpress via the link.

The cost of the headphones is higher than that of the above devices from the top. It starts at 1690 rubles.

  • Type: plugs, closed.
  • Resistance: 16 ohms.
  • 3.5 Jack connector.
  • Sensitivity: 106 dB / mW.
  • Frequency response range: 4 - 24000 Hz.
  • Weight: 9 grams.
  • The cable is 120 centimeters long.
  • There is a microphone.
  • Good noise reduction.
  • Moisture protection.
  • Soundly made.
  • High quality and clear sound even at low volume.
  • Inconvenient microphone placement and poor quality.
  • Bulging too much out of shells.
  • The predominance of high frequencies.

I would also like to note that the headphones are really waterproof. They can literally be washed under the tap.

The price tag for them is small, starting at 300 rubles.

  • Closed inserts.
  • Connector: Mini Jack 3.5 mm.
  • Connector shape: straight.
  • The sensitivity is 103 decibels.
  • Has a resistance of 16 ohms.
  • Range: 12 - 23,500 Hz.
  • Pure sound.
  • Low price.
  • Nice appearance.
  • Compactness.
  • Fragility. However, the price of the new pair is not high.
  • Short cord.
  • Poor wire material.

In addition, we will say that these headphones have an impressive color range - 5 color options.

  • Frequency range: 20 to 20,000 hertz.
  • Connection type: wireless.
  • Headphone type: in-ear.
  • The cord is 60 centimeters long.
  • They operate without interference within a radius of up to 10 meters.
  • They have a built-in microphone.
  • Very light and small.
  • Sound good at low frequencies.
  • Catchy appearance.
  • Sensitive microphone.
  • They are uncomfortable in the ears.
  • Connection unstable, possible crashes.

  • Weighs 170 grams.
  • Cable type: Mini Jack 3.5mm.
  • View: full-size.
  • Supports bluetooth connection.
  • Resistance: 32 ohms.
  • Audio frequencies: 20 - 20,000 Hz.
  • The sensitivity is 105 dB.
  • Battery life: 9 hours.
  • Connection radius: 10 meters.
  • Foldable headphones.
  • Undistorted sound.
  • Light weight, easy to transport.
  • Stable connection when connected via bluetooth.
  • Poor sound insulation.
  • Low volume level.
  • Ears sweat after prolonged listening.

The peculiarity of this model and its main difference from the rest are not earbuds, but full-size headphones. They do not tire their ears so much, and some people do not buy in-ear headsets on principle. Also, the undoubted individual feature was the ability to connect both via Bluetooth 4.0 and via a standard cable.

  • Type: plug-in, closed.
  • Frequency response range: 20 to 20,000 hertz.
  • Resistance: 16 ohms.
  • They have a sensitivity of 103 dB / mW.
  • Headphone jack: 3.5 mm Jack.
  • Connector shape: straight.
  • Cable length: 1.2 meters.
  • In the presence of a built-in microphone.
  • Clean, high quality sound.
  • Nice microphone.
  • Good build quality.
  • Beautiful appearance.
  • Comfortable.
  • Low cost.
  • Decent soundproofing.
  • Uneven distribution of loudness across frequencies. You will have to equalize yourself on the EQ.
  • The wire is often tangled.
  • Inconvenient location of the microphone and call acceptance button.

The set includes 3 pairs of interchangeable ear pads. Available in 3 colors: red, black and white. The reviews for this model are extremely good.

  • Closed, plug-in.
  • Sensitivity: 97 decibels per megawatt.
  • Weight: 4 grams.
  • Frequency range: 10 to 24,000 hertz.
  • Resistance: 16 ohms.
  • Wire: Mini Jack.
  • Connector shape: L-connector.
  • Cable length: 1.1 meters.
  • Very high quality / price ratio.
  • An impressive range of frequencies.
  • Convenience.
  • Possibly the best sound for under $ 10.
  • Soundproofing.
  • Flimsy wire.
  • No microphone.
  • There is no volume control button.

These headphones, in addition to ergonomics, also have a huge range of colors. On this moment there are 8 variants of these headphones on the market in different colors.

And, finally, rightfully recognized as the best headphones among the budget segment.

The price for these headphones starts at just 415 rubles.

  • Built-in microphone.
  • Plug-in (plugs).
  • The range of reproduced audio frequencies: 20 - 20,000 Hz.
  • Sensitivity: 98 dB / mW.
  • The resistance is 32 ohms.
  • Headphone jack: standard 3.5 Mini Jack.
  • Connector shape: L-shaped.
  • Cable length: 120 centimeters.
  • Stylish and eye-catching design.
  • Comfortable earbuds.
  • A light weight.
  • Good sound quality.
  • Convenience.
  • Rich bass.
  • Clear microphone sound.
  • The wire is connected only on one side, which is a little constraining in movement, but it is easy to get used to it.

These headphones are designed primarily for sports activities, since the occipital arch allows you to make any movement. At the same time, the sound quality is not lost, and the headphones do not fly off. The model is presented in 5 colors, and a lot can be said about its design: it is truly cosmic. As they say, it is better to see once than hear many times.

Conclusion

So, you realized that budget phone earbuds are not always inferior to products from the premium segment. You also learned what factors affect the quality of headphones and how to choose them correctly. You also looked at our list of the 10 best cheap headphones. What are you waiting for? Music is urgent!

Name
Device typeheadphones with microphone
headphones with microphone
headphones

Bluetooth headphones with mic
headphones with microphone
headphones
headphones with microphone
Frequency Response Range20 - 20,000 Hz
4 - 24000 Hz
11 - 22000 Hz
20 - 22000 Hz
20 - 20,000 Hz
20 - 20,000 Hz
10 - 24000 Hz
20 - 20,000 Hz
Sensitivity105 dBA
106 dBA105 dBA
- 105 dBA
103 dBA97 dBA98 dBA
Impedance32 ohm
56 Ohm
16 ohm
- 32 ohm
16 ohm
16 ohm
32 ohm
Diaphragm diameter- 12 mm
8.6 mm
10 mm
40 mm
9 mm
10 mm
-
Pricefrom 1200 rubles.from 1650 rub.from 450 rublesfrom 950 rub.from 900 rublesfrom 500 rublesfrom 400 rublesfrom 450 rubles
Where can I buy

The ideal headphones are those that fit comfortably and sound good. It's also good if they are cheap. For amateur music lovers, not DJs, good = loud. It does make a difference, but overpowering bass that hits your ears will only ruin your listening pleasure. Loudness should go hand in hand with quality.

How to choose loud headphones for your phone

Headphone models are divided into 3 types: standard "droplets" (or "pills"), vacuum earbuds (or "plugs") and large overhead. The last two types are more popular than the first, and may belong to different classes, therefore, it is difficult to understand from one form of a headset whether it has a high-quality sound.

Sensitivity is responsible for the volume in the headphones. In good models, it is at least 100 dB. However, other factors also affect how loud the music sounds:

  • The location of the product membrane. Vacuum plugs can boast of being close to the ear, but they also put the greatest strain on the human hearing aid. Overhead models, correctly selected for the shape of the head, fit well. "Pills" do not sit tightly and distribute part of the sound to others.
  • Diaphragm diameter. The larger it is, the better, but the “earplugs”, given that they are inserted directly into the ear, have a maximum value of 12 mm. In large studio models, the diaphragm can be up to 70 mm.
  • Frequency range. It is considered excellent from 20 to 20,000 Hz and above, but this indicator is not perceived by everyone. People in their 30s have a range of up to 18,000, so there is no point in overpaying.
  • Headset class. It determines not only the loudness, but also the quality - the detail - of the sound. Headphones for phone with good bass, but without halftones, will provide hearing impairment instead of music enjoyment. Ideally, for high-quality sound, you need to take powerful studio and hi-fi models, but full-size overheads with high technical characteristics are also suitable for amateur music lovers.
  • Headphone compatibility with equipment on which music is played. Buy a hi-fi grade headset for an inexpensive mobile phone doesn't make sense. These models have high impedance and require a powerful sound source. It is better to buy a product that is balanced in terms of cost and quality, rather than looking for the loudest headphones for your phone. Average impedance for portable equipment 16-40 ohms.

Loudest headphones

In 2019, manufacturers are focusing on portability and comfort, but loudness remains a decisive factor in choosing a headset. Best headphones with bass are presented in the tables below.

With microphone

The presence of a microphone adds new specifications to the standard list. It is important that the sound is not only played loudly, but also recorded. Most suitable models:


Overhead

They can be medium and large, but smaller ones will work for the phone. In addition to the high quality of the following models, they are distinguished by their versatility - you can always connect a headset to a PC:


Wireless

These headphones are suitable for people who are constantly on the move (for example, athletes). Common disadvantage wireless models- high energy consumption. However, the advantages of loud phone earbuds in this category outweigh this disadvantage:

Name

Price, rubles

Specifications

Price

Plastic, beige, foldable. Sound frequency - up to 40,000 Hz, microphone sensitivity - from 100 to 8,000 Hz.

Comfort, equipment, noise isolation, intuitive touch control, modern codecs for sound transmission without loss of quality.

Price.

Bluetooth JBL T450BT

Overhead bluetooth earphone with microphone and diaphragm 32 mm. Foldable design, sound frequency 20–20,000 Hz.

Sound, functionality, durability of the case.

Not found.


Large

The loudest headphones are just big because they have a large membrane. True music lovers will love these models of overhead headsets:


Choosing headphones for a smartphone is a task with an asterisk. We offer practical advice that will help save money, nerves and time.

Smartphones are equipped with basic headphones, so you shouldn't expect a powerful sound from them that excites the mind. Choose headphones for your smartphone extremely difficult, it all depends not only on technical characteristics the gadget itself and the chosen accessory, but from personal preferences, hearing and financial capabilities. You can choose high-quality headphones for a smartphone in any price segment (both among cheap and expensive niche brands). The main thing is to know what parameters to look at.

How to choose headphones for your smartphone?

What are headphones for?

A stupid question, but it must be answered. Because an honest answer will help determine the price segment and type of headphones.

To choose headphones for a smartphone, we will answer the following questions:

  • what kind of music do we listen to, where do we pull from- if most often you listen to the radio, then even the complete headphones will cope with the task perfectly. The same sources include: audio recordings on social networks, SoundCloud, Google Music and others. cloud services... If your music is there, buy niche ones for such purposes Harman kardon it makes no sense.
  • where do we listen to music- not all forms of earbuds are equally well suited for different types of activity. Wired headphones are uncomfortable in the gym, and in-ear headphones (vacuum or in-ear) do not provide the same noise isolation as over-ear (full-size or on-ear / over-the-ear) headphones outdoors. For the gym, we choose inexpensive wireless headphones, for the street - in / on-ear.
  • whether headphones will be used for conversations- not all headphones for smartphones are equipped with a microphone; it will not work to talk on the phone through such headphones. Niche headphones designed for high-quality music reproduction (Parrot ZIK) are not equipped with a microphone. They are designed only to enjoy quality sound.
  • wire / wireless- wireless headphones for a smartphone are convenient, but in the basic price segment they do not provide the required sound quality. Good wireless headphones with quality sound are expensive. We advise you to consider Marshall Major II (about $ 150), Harman Kardon (about $ 200), Parrot ZIK ($ 270-400).

Wire damage- the main reason for failure and purchase of new headphones for a smartphone. Wired headphones from expensive brands are equipped with detachable wires, which makes it easier to solve the problem when the cable breaks or kinks.

What type of earbuds for a smartphone should you choose?

Over-ear / on-ear headphones differ from earbuds in diaphragm size. The larger the aperture (the actual source of the reproduced sound), the higher the quality and its volume. However, the larger aperture size determines the size of the headphones themselves. The average aperture size of earbuds is 9mm, studio on / over-ear - 30mm, amateur full-size - 15mm.

In-ear headphones combine several classes of headphones for smartphones. Some are located in the auricle:

Others penetrate the ear canal (for which they are called "intracanal"):

It is the latter that provide the best sound quality due to a deep fit in the ear and cutting off external noise. Good headphones are completed with replaceable pads different diameters for a perfect fit (however, as practice shows, finding the ideal-sized headphones for a smartphone is a task with an asterisk).

Over-ear headphones provide noticeably better sound quality and detail. Over-the-ear headphones for a smartphone are divided by the type of bowl: closed, open, semi-closed. For heavy music, closed bowls are preferred. The sound resonates in an enclosed space, and the bass provides better response. Open bowls provide greater clarity and lightness of sound, better transmitting stereo effects.

Over-ear, closed-back smartphone headphones

Over-ear open-type smartphone headphones

Comfortable fit of the smartphone earbuds

One of the most important parameters in choosing headphones for your phone, and the main reason not to order headphones online. The earphone itself should fit snugly into the ear and not fall out of the auricle when turning the head, while walking, bending or running. The rim of the on / over-the-ear headphones should not squeeze your head and fall off in motion, otherwise you can simply forget about the pleasant enjoyment of sound.

For example, Sennheiser Momentum In Ear has the following intricate earpiece shape:

It is not securely attached in the ear, strives to fall out during active turns of the head. Not compatible with headwear and hoods. The earphone itself sits in the ear canal quite deeply, the overlay is too soft, which leads to sound distortion, you have to get used to and adjust.

When choosing a full-size headphone, it is also important to pay attention to the rim materials. "Headband" is made of plastic or metal. Plastic mounts are less practical and often break. Finding spare parts for headphones is very difficult.

Which headphones for a smartphone sound better

One advice. We go to the store and listen. The sound quality only partially depends on the declared technical characteristics, to a greater extent the design and materials affect the sound quality. Let's look at the characteristics that you will see either on the box or in the product card (price tag) in the store:

frequency range

The ear is able to distinguish sound in the range from 15 to 22,000 Hz. Ideally, headphones should cover the entire range, but this does not guarantee high quality. In the given example, we see that the proposed headphones for a smartphone reproduce sound in the range from 15 to 22,000 Hz.

Impedance or resistance

Electrical impedance or impedance is the more important parameter. If you choose headphones for a smartphone, then it is worth considering that the higher the resistance of the accessory, the more powerful the input signal will be required to swing the membrane. In simple words, high impedance headphones need a more powerful sound source than a regular smartphone. In the example shown, the headphone impedance is 18 ohms. They are really cool smartphone compatible and make clear, loud, rich sound.

Sensitivity

Sound pressure level and sensitivity are characteristics responsible for how much loud noise you will hear in the headphones. Average sensitivity of simple earphones for a phone is from 100dB. The sensitivity of the headphones is determined by the power of the magnet used in the construction. The earbuds use a low-power magnet, and so, their sensitivity is lower, the sound volume is achieved due to the proximity of the earphone itself to the eardrum. We stop being clever - the higher the value, the louder the headphones will be.

Frequency response

Frequency response (AFC) displays the correspondence of the input signal to the headphones for a smartphone and the volume of the sound at the output. The smoother the graph and the smaller the peaks and dips in the sound curve, the higher its quality. However, it is worth remembering that tests are conducted in a laboratory environment, each brand conducts tests in a different way. That's why this parameter can only be taken into account when comparing models of the same brand. This parameter is of no practical use when choosing headphones for a smartphone.

Noise canceling technology

Cheap headphones use passive noise canceling technology due to the design and materials of the ear cushions, which provide a tighter contact between the headphones and the ear canal or head. Headphones with passive noise canceling transmit sound above 37dB (that is, they suppress sufficient quiet noise, but loud sound will already be missed).

Middle-class headphones for smartphones are equipped with an active external noise cancellation (ANC) system, in which unwanted sound is eliminated by a similar wave with an opposite phase. Headphones ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) equipped with a microphone that picks up, processes noise from the outside and generates sound signal phase reversed to suppress background sound. However, it should be borne in mind that the active noise cancellation system distorts the sound a little and limits the sound range of the headphones. The system is able to suppress up to 70% of ambient noise.

Memo to the user

  • Cheap headphones for a smartphone will never compare in sound with headphones of expensive brands.
  • For music from social networks and radio the most ordinary headphones will do, it makes no sense to bother with the selection of technical characteristics.
  • It is not possible to choose headphones for a smartphone online. The sound quality depends largely on how correctly and comfortably they sit in your ears.
  • When choosing headphones for your phone, you should pay attention to remote control and OS compatibility... So, headphones for an Android smartphone can only start and stop playback on iOS phones, but will not be able to adjust the volume and switch tracks.
  • The comfort of the headset itself is equally important. The buttons should be easily distinguishable by touch, the movement should be clear in order to easily control tracks (often the Play button is programmed to switch tracks: double tap switches one track forward, triple-press - one track back). If the button is inconvenient, and the move is barely discernible, then you will not be able to control the music playback.