Everyone have some experience with music. We usually listen to the music in our houses using cd/mp3 player or computer as source and big speakers in output. Usually, but not always. If we want to go outside, we must buy a pair of portable ear/headphones. I wrote quick review of some types of them.
Tiny, cheap, easy-use – that words describe open earphones so-called “buds”. They're very popular just because they're very portable and low-cost. Sound and isolation are not very good, but price, comfort and portability is like no other.
Next earphones is a big step forward. They're earphones, that fit into ear canal (in package you get several pairs of ear tips in different sizes) and block noise quite well. In “canal” earphones you don't need to play music loudly, because you are listening only your music, not noise around you. They're sound very well and price is not too big.
In Ear Monitors (IEM) – these are the best earphones for professional musicians, or people, who need to listen in most perfect quality. They have armature drivers, that assure great sound stage, instruments separation and audiophile sound.
Custom molded earphones are also IEM, but only one person can use them. You must make a custom molds of your ears to make that, but sound isolation is awesome. Professional on-stage musicians are wearing “customs” (or people, who have hefty wallet ;)).
Okay, that's all about buds, iems etc.. Now it's time for small review of greater brothers of earbuds - portable headphones.
Headphones have bigger dynamic drivers. There are earbuds for 200$ and headphones for 5$, but mostly, over-the-ear or ear-padded headphones are just better than smaller earphones. It's a lot to discuss about sound of them, but I like to write something about two primary types of portable headphones.
First - it's closed headphones. They're mainly constructed for blocking noise around us. These headphones are not always comfortable just because of their build (they're bigger and heavier than open headphones), but the way of playing low frequency ("bass") is quite awesome. They are perfect for walk on the streets or to train or bus.
Second - it's open headphones. In audiophiles opinion, they're much better than closed headphones. They have less effective noise isolation than in-ear or full-size models and less powerful bass, but they are more comfortable, sound is more balanced, dulcet.
So, if you want to go outside and listen to the music, leave your big headphones at home and get some more comfortable and portable alternative.
What is your opinion about that? What are Your experiences with ear/headphones?
