At first, Bluetooth headphones pissed off many music lovers due to poor ergonomics and the need to come to terms with a number of conditions. But gradually wireless models pull up to wired.

It's time to test best models both categories. CHIP finds out which devices are best suited to a particular musical preference, which are the most convenient, which have the best equipment, and which are the most portable.

Headphone design: overhead or oversized?

Overhead, as the name of the type of construction suggests, is superimposed on the ear. For example, how is our optimal choice. Full-sized, like the test winner of the category, fully wraps around the ear. Both types of acoustic design are divided into closed and open.

Closed-back headphones are more common, they reproduce low frequencies more assertively, and music sounds warmer and less detailed in them than in open ones. Open ones let sounds pass through the holes in both directions, so that a person hears background noise and is not completely disconnected from the outside world. At the same time, those around him are also forced to listen to his music, and not everyone likes this.

Playback low frequencies strongly depends on the size of the emitter. Many models are equipped with emitters with a diameter of about 40 mm and, reproducing sounds with a frequency of 20 Hz, they can reach lower frequencies than a person can usually hear without straining.

Glossary: ​​Headphones

> Construction type: on-ear
The earbuds fit over the ear for a compact overall design

> Design type: over-ear
The earbuds fully fit the ear, so they are larger than the over-ear headphones. The sound stage is also more voluminous in comparison with overheads in full-size ones.

> Type of acoustic design: closed
The sound stage of the headphones is isolated, the headphones block out external noise, resulting in a warm and rich sound

> Type of acoustic design: open
The headphones let in both external and internal sounds, and the sound insulation is relatively weak. Open headphones reproduce transparent realistic sound

> Input sensitivity
Measured in decibels, the sound pressure level of a signal with a power of 1 milliwatt. The higher the value, the higher the volume

> Impedance
Frequency-dependent AC resistance determines sound quality and maximum volume

> Emitter
Loudspeaker built into the ear cup, consisting of magnet, moving coil, diaphragm and housing

Power: the role of impedance

Headphone volume is determined primarily by sensitivity, which indicates the sound pressure level that headphones can produce per milliwatt of power, and is expressed in decibels per milliwatt (dB SPL / mW, where SPL is the sound pressure level).

The second important parameter is the headphone AC impedance or impedance determined by the variable coil: the lower the impedance, the more power from the input voltage. Low impedance models are recommended for portable players - with impedance below 100 ohms.

The flip side of the coin: the lower the impedance, the more distortion the amplifier gives. Top-end headphones often have an impedance of about 600 ohms and require powerful amplifier- the smartphone is too small for this.

Wires or bluetooth?

No doubt the wires in the headphones are annoying. Technology wireless communication seemingly promises to rectify the situation. It is important to know that audio streams are transmitted via Bluetooth not without loss: they are compressed using the SBC or aptX codecs, therefore, in terms of sound quality, due to the truncated dynamics and detail, such headphones do not reach the level of wired ones. For fans of pop music and rock, as a rule, this is not a problem, but listening to dynamic classics or jazz can interfere.

Wired headphones transmit sound in an analog way from the amplifier output, so distortion digital signal and compression artifacts are negligible. Plus, they don't need batteries or rechargeable batteries.

Sound quality: Bluetooth tries not to leave the wires

The most important criterion for headphones is playback quality. Depending on the style of music, each listener has their own individual preferences. Lovers of classical and jazz music should look for a model that distinguishes all sound and spatial nuances. Open wired headphones are best suited for these genres. For pulsating beats, pop, rock or hip-hop, choose closed systems with rich, warm sound.

Of the Bluetooth headphones, we were most impressed by the JBL Everest 300, delivering a differentiated multi-faceted sound experience with bright and powerful highs and lows. JBL masterfully reproduce even classics such as Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, interpreted by Max Richter, with great power for Bluetooth headphones. , and the test winner also made a good hearing impression.

Of the wired, the model transmits audio signals best of all. Perfectly balanced sound: these headphones reproduce as accurately as possible individual instruments and they are correctly positioned in a three-dimensional sound picture. The same can be said about the more expensive Sony MDR-100AAP and our optimal choice.

Comfort: no pressure

The headphones should fit well. Ideally, not feel at all. Therefore, they must have soft ear cushions on the inside of the cups and a pad on the headband. It is very comfortable to carry, for example, light ones. But not all headphones fit every head shape. So, JBL Everest 300 and can be unpleasant to crush if a person has a big head. For those who do not wear glasses, over-ear headphones are often recommended because they do not constrict their ears. Those who wear glasses usually prefer overhead - they compress the temples of the glasses less. But, to be sure for sure, it is better to try different options yourself.

Buttons on the cord or on the case allow you to control music or telephony functions. The highly sensitive touchpad on the earcup has gone even further: as soon as you lightly touch it (for example, when changing position), some function is accidentally triggered, and you have to listen for a long time to the noise from touching, responding in the cups, and very annoying.

Headbandless headphones: miniature earplugs for maximum sound

If you listen to music on the way to work, the headband headphones may be too bulky for you. Then the output will be headphones without a headband: in-ear - small capsules that enter the ear canal and completely plug the ear. This provides good sound insulation. There are also plug-in headphones (aka "earbuds"), which are placed in the auricle. For sports, intra-canal is preferable, since they are held more securely. True, they can create a feeling of pressure.

Inserts like Apple earpods are not suitable for everyone: they can easily fall out if they are loosely inserted into the auricle. The ideal option would be earplugs that are tailored by hearing care professionals to your individual ear shape.

Bluetooth devices are unrivaled in portability - they do not have a cable that gets tangled or interfered with. Top representatives: and recently introduced. Wireless "plugs", as a rule, also use Bluetooth, and this is their main problem: the human head strongly drowns out the signal, which is reflected in the sound.

The Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) technology, which, for example, is equipped with the Bragi The Headphone, works better. However, during the first test, we often observed a connection break. But what we liked: the audio control allows you to control the damping of environmental noise - this feature is integrated into the Smart Fitness system on the more expensive Bragi The Dash model. Tiny in-ear capsules mate separately to the turntable. In appearance, they are almost invisible, however, they are equipped with a built-in microphone for phone calls. But such a tiny technique costs a lot - as much as 300 euros (about 20,000 rubles).

Package contents: not always good

For wired headphones, a detachable cable is desirable, as on the Noontech Hammo S: if damage is detected, it can be easily replaced. You can also connect longer cords or twisted cable. Most of the devices are foldable, so they are easy to transport. However, not all earbuds come with a dust and dirt cover or case.

In order not to take off the headphones every time the phone rings, most models have built-in microphones with control buttons. Only the model is devoid of these pleasures from Bluetooth headphones. provide a noise canceling function, which, however, only imposes a constant background noise, which can interfere with listening to calm tracks, and cause headaches in sensitive people.

Portability: up to 26 hours of music playback

Tested wireless headphones on average withstand 24 hours of operation without recharging. In reality, they need to be plugged into the mains every day. He is the best at managing the received energy, working up to 26 hours without recharging. The battery charging time is also impressive - 90 minutes. For the test winner, for example, it takes an hour longer to fully charge the battery.

Leaders of our test

AKG Y50: perfect sound and ergonomics

With or without a wire - Austrian manufacturer AKG knows what great headphones should be. makes an indelible impression, getting the maximum number of points on almost all criteria. The device inspires respect for its very neat execution, first-class ergonomics and a good complete set in the form of a soft case and an adapter. As for the most important criterion - sound - the headphones reproduce excellent detailed, balanced sound, for which they receive a well-deserved hundred points. Moreover, the AKG Y50 is not the most expensive headphone in the test.

Pros: The best sound, excellent value for money, high ergonomics, excellent equipment

Minuses: Despite the excellent grades, high frequencies could be a little livelier

Marshall Major II: for hard rockers and beyond

deliver impressive sound and some of the best ergonomics we've ever tested. Bright, but not annoying high frequencies produce a light sound. The headphones, which visually perfectly match the guitar amplifiers of the same manufacturer, are especially good at reproducing rock and pop music. Only too resonant low frequencies and, compared to the rest of the test participants, not very high volume prevented them from getting more points. However, in terms of configuration, the headphones could also gain points: for example, there is no carrying case.

Pros: Impressive sound, very comfortable, stylish performance, very good buy

Minuses: Quite strong bass, cut-down package bundle, no carrying case

AKG Y50BT: Very balanced sound

The oversized headphones impressed with their sound balance during testing. Compared to the wired counterpart, there is a little lack of openness and transparency - this is a minus wireless technology... But when playing songs with pronounced mid frequencies, the headphones are distinguished by excellent voice reproduction. sit firmly on the head without squeezing it, but 300 grams of weight are felt. The device is characterized by a good package and battery endurance - the operating time without recharging is more than 26 hours. However, the battery takes a relatively long time to charge - as much as 2.5 hours.

Pros: Balanced sound, very good voice reproduction, good battery endurance

Minuses: Quite bulky and heavy, compared to the Y50, lower quality sound reproduction

Marshall Major II BT: punchy sound without cables

Unlike their wired counterpart, they are more in the tradition of world famous guitar amplifiers: the headphones produce a rich sound, ideal for heavy riffs. The sound of the wireless version is distinguished by the relative prevalence of bass. Due to the fact that the headphones fit perfectly, you can enjoy your music for hours - the endurance of the battery allows. The British only missed a little with the bundle - so, the bundle does not include a case for transportation. The box contained only the actual headphones and cable. But given the affordability of the price, you can put up with this.

Pros: High volume, subtle treble, good battery endurance, very comfortable, bargain

Minuses: The predominance of low frequencies is audible in the sound, there are some shortcomings in the equipment

This page will help you evaluate your headphones and determine which ones have best performance when comparing different pairs. For the best result, download the tracks and play them from the player, because your browser and OS may distort the signal.

Before testing, start a normal track and set the volume to a comfortable level. Otherwise, there is a chance to ruin the headphones by overloading them.

Frequency Response Range

The first test checks the lower end of the range. Listen until you hear the fundamental low tone. The voice-over tells you what frequency you have reached (eng.): This number represents the minimum frequency that the tested headphones are capable of. Good headphones can reproduce sound from 20 Hz, the lower limit of our hearing.

The second test checks the high end of the range. Listen until you hear the main high-pitched tone. Good headphones can reproduce frequencies up to 20 kHz, the upper end of the human hearing range.

However, keep in mind that this limit decreases with age. If all of your headphones suddenly have the same upper frequency limit, and this frequency is lower than indicated by the manufacturer, this may mean that the reason is your hearing, and not the quality of the headphones.

If you hear strange ups and downs or anything else that doesn't sound like a continuous descending sound, it's likely yours. sound card interferes.

Quality

Balance between channels

To correctly reproduce a stereo panorama, the left and right speakers must equally reproduce all frequencies in the audio spectrum. Our test reproduces frequencies from 20 Hz to 10 kHz and sends them at the same level to both speakers. Throughout the test, the signal should sound right in the center of your head, without any deviation.

Binaural test

Binaural recordings are made by placing microphones directly in the ears. When playing back a recording through headphones, this test assumes that each ear of the listener receives exactly the same signal as it did when it was recorded. Our test signal consists of a binaural recording of knocking on a wooden door. When comparing headphones, ask yourself how realistic does the recording sound? Do you feel like the door is next to you? Does this sound like a real wooden door?

The microphone is an essential part of any modern gadget. It becomes especially popular when it is necessary to communicate via Skype or when recording audio. It is good if it is already built into the device, but sometimes it is much more convenient to purchase this auxiliary item separately, for example, in a set with headphones. This will allow you to hear the interlocutor, talk to him and at the same time create a minimum of inconvenience for others. In order to understand how the kit works and check the correctness of its operation, it is enough to connect headphones with a microphone to the connector located on the computer.

There are the following main ways to check:

• with help operating system Windows;
• recording sound;
• via skype.

Using Windows, you can easily and simply check if your microphone and headphones are working. To do this, turn on the headset, select "Control Panel" and click on the item "Hardware and Sound". A window will open where there will be a tab called "Recording", which is what we need, here are the tools that allow you to record audio. Click on "Microphone" and click on "Listen". Do not forget to check the box "Listen to this device".

Please note that headphones are usually equipped with a microphone mute feature. This is convenient when you are talking on Skype and at the same time talking with another interlocutor - you can turn off the headset for a while, and then turn it on again.

If the headphones for some reason do not work as speakers, then you need to pay attention on the scale of sensitivity all in the same "Recording" tab. If the device is working correctly, green stripes will appear on the scale, but if it does not function, the stripes will be gray. Naturally, in this way, it is possible to confirm or deny the work of the subject, but it is impossible to adjust it correctly.

Recording sound

Recording audio will also help you test the microphone on your headphones. In order to do this, you need to go to "Start", select " Standard programs", Item" Sound recording "and in the window that opens, click on" Start recording ". After that, we make a note and save the resulting file in any convenient place. Having opened the file, you can listen to the sound and its quality both through headphones and through speakers.

Via Skype

Another very convenient way check the headset - do it via Skype, it doesn't matter whether you use this application in reality or not. You can make an express version of the check, or you can spend a little more time. In the first case, it is enough to select any contact from your address book and click on the item "Communication quality data". In the window that opens, you need to select your version of the microphone and click the "Test" button, after a few moments of recording, the resulting audio will be played.

In addition to the above option, you can dial through a special call recording quality control service... To do this, select "Echo / Sound Test Service" and make a call. The recording lasts 8-10 seconds and is played back after a while. Naturally, in order to use this option, you need Internet access.

Skype can also adjust the volume. This is done through regulators that automatic settings By default, they are switched to manual mode (uncheck the box "Automatic adjustment"), after which all the necessary parameters can be set by yourself. It is better to do this right during a conversation with one of your friends.

These simple ways will help you test the operation of your working set of headphones and microphone in order to understand whether it is suitable for further use or not. As you can see, the verification will not take long, and you can easily handle it yourself.

Very often, when buying headphones, many people want to check the headphones for various defects.

The material contained a description of the main types of marriage that can occur. There are situations when you want to make a quick check "without leaving the checkout", because even if the store high level service and there they will quickly change everything or quickly resolve the issue, an extra trip does not make anyone happy. The second problem is to explain what seems to be a marriage in headphones, tk. the verbal description “they play badly” is not always enough for diagnostics in a service center. They can simply skip the problem and return it as working.

We offer a universal test that will allow you to make an accurate analysis of the main types of defects in headphones in less than a minute. Separately, I would like to note that this not test the sound quality of headphones from the series "which is better", this test is test for possible marriage.

The test consists of 5 tracks. In terms of track order, the first track should be the first and is used to set the volume of the system. Reversing tracks may damage the headphones, so be careful.

Description of test tracks for headphones

Track 1 - setting the volume and assessing the imbalance of the channels

This is a regular piece of music (Juan Jurado - Losing Control) played in mono. Before moving on to the rest of the tracks, set the volume to a comfortable level. After that, the volume for other tracks should not change (neglect of this rule can lead to damage to the headphones). After setting the volume to a comfortable level in your player or headphone amplifier, try to determine if the music is playing in the middle. if some sounds or instruments are off-center, then channel imbalance is possible.

In working headphones, the music should sound strictly in the middle (or it's time for you to visit the ENT).

Track 2 - check the right and left channels.

The track is played by a phrase that means the channel that should sound. The words "Left Chanal" should sound only in the left earpiece, and the words "Right Chanal" only in the right one.

If both phrases are played in the middle, then the headphones have problems in the jack, where the signal wires of the left and right channels are soldered or the common wire contact has come off. If the words “right channel” are reproduced in the left channel, and “left channel” in the right channel, then the channels in the headphones are reversed.

Track 3 - sliding tone on overtones

This is a monophonic sweep tone that brings out overtones. In the low frequency region, mechanical problems are detected when the membrane touches something. In the region of high and medium frequencies, problems are quite rare, but they are possible if there is a crack in the membrane and resonance occurs at a certain frequency.

Bouncing in the low frequency range is most often caused by the presence of a hair that hits the membrane with its tip. Therefore, in case of overtones, be sure to check if there is any hair, and if your hair can get into the earpiece while wearing it. The second reason is not a snug fit of the headphones. When a small gap remains somewhere and during the reproduction of low frequencies there is a flow of air, which in turn can be heard, or move something in its path.

The beginning of the track is the low frequencies, the middle of the track is the mid frequencies and the end of the track is the high frequencies. If during the playback of a track, an imbalance of the panorama is felt, and one of the channels sounds louder, then you can quickly determine the source of the problem. For ordinary single-driver headphones, this is definitely a defect, for multi-driver headphones - a failure of one of the speakers or a reinforcing radiator.

At the same time, do not forget that different headphones have their own tolerances for the accuracy of the selection of speakers, and there will always be a slight imbalance. Moreover, the imbalance can be caused by a different fit of the headphones or a different clamping of each cup. If the headphones are just unpacked and one of the ear pads is not straightened, then the closer the earpiece to the ear will sound louder. The symmetry of the fit on the ear also depends, if the center of the speaker for one earphone coincides with the center of the ear, and for the other one is dressed with a deviation, for example, in height, then the sound of the channels will differ.

Track 4 - Low frequency tone - overtones.

Swipton skims the big picture, but an extra track is given to check for bounce in the low frequency range.

Track 5 - channel phasing

The track reproduces pink noise, in phase and out of phase. During playback in phase, the noise should be localized in the middle, and during playback in antiphase, it should either "stick" to one of the channels or not be localized in space. If after the words “phase” the noise is not localized, but after the word antiphase it is localized in the middle, then one of the speakers is operating in antiphase. Incorrect phasing means a marriage (which is bad), where the speaker poles are reversed when soldering wires.

More on Test Track 4 - Headphone Overload Level and Headphone Damage Risk

For those who choose headphones overly meticulously, the track may come in handy for another test, whether both channels of the headphones go into overload at the same volume. This test is popular with some users, but in the hands of “users” it often leads to non-warranty damage to the headphones. If you increase the volume while playing this track, then sooner or later bounce will appear when the headphone membrane begins to perform high-amplitude movements and this will go beyond the speaker's passport capabilities. In theory, both channels should crackle at the same volume level. If the levels at which bounce begins are significantly different, then only service center the manufacturer can conclude whether this is a defect, or one of the speakers simply has an increased overload capacity, or it should be so if the internal design of the headphones is not symmetrical.

Experiments with speaker overloading end in three scenarios - coil burnout, coil tearing off the diaphragm, or diaphragm jamming. In the first case, the resistance of the earphone changes downward, and it may well start to play even louder. If the membrane is torn off from the speaker diaphragm, there will always be bounce, regardless of the playback frequency. Very often, such headphones click without playing music, they are simply connected to any audio device. As a rule, there is always a small background noise, which is subjectively inaudible, but this is enough to cause clicks when a partially detached coil hits the membrane. The impact is sometimes weak, as well as with the brushing of the hair and it is clearly noticeable, like ripples in the water from a tiny drop. A diaphragm jam occurs when the speaker deflects out of range and the coil does not detach from the diaphragm. In this case, the speaker reproduces the sound much quieter and changes its frequency balance. In some cases, this defect can be corrected if the design of the headphones allows you to straighten the diaphragm.

Jamming of the membrane to the word can be caused by another action. Put on the headphones, and then slap on them (as children love to slap their ears with their palms for fun). In this case, the headphones are sharply pressed against the head and due to the compressed space inside the headphones, the pressure acting on the membrane increases. The membrane is crushed by pressure and the earpieces are damaged. Some fragile models can be damaged if they are abruptly put on and the air is compressed appropriately.

For incorrect use of this test and the curves of the hand of the tester, the author is not responsible.