Headphones are simply a set of loudspeakers mounted on or around the head that is driven by one or more electroacoustic transducers. They are basically electronic transducers, which react to an electric signal by producing a corresponding acoustic sound. Headphones provide users with the ability to enjoy their music without physically having to be present at the concert, as it would be impossible to hear the sounds clearly without headphones. It is important to note that there are different types of headphones available on the market, each utilizing advanced technology to offer users with their preferred listening experience. This includes earbud-style headphones, as well as over-the-head headphones and microphones.
In general most people prefer headphones with open-back headphones, as they allow your ears to free from any external disturbances that can affect the quality of your sound. However, other than their freedom from outside noise, open-back headphones also allow you to block out noise from nearby conversations, allowing you to listen more accurately to the music. Other headphones such as over-the-head headphones utilize the principle of active noise cancellation, in which the headphones reproduce sound waves naturally, without filtering them through additional electronics. These types of headphones generally have sealed-cell foam ear cushions that prevent dust, water, and sweat from entering into the ear canal. Sealed-cell foam ear cushions also help to dampen the effects of any vibration that occurs with the headphones themselves.
Headphones are available in two general styles: open-back and over-ear. Open-back headphones generally cover the entire head, including the ears; they are commonly used for exercising, driving, and other outdoor activities. Over-ear headphones, on the other hand, the rest around the ears with a plastic covering over the top. This type of headphone generally has a built-in transmitter and microphone. Some over-ear headphones even feature noise-canceling capabilities, allowing the user to turn down the volume while in noisy situations. The majority of over-ear headphones have foam ear pads that eliminate any noise between the driver’s ear and the microphone.