How To Choose Wireless Headphones

Performance

True Wireless only sells wireless earphones. You have a choice of two types:

• Plugs – the most common type of True Wireless headphones. They are inserted directly into the ear canal and the rubber extensions perfectly insulate unwanted noises. However, long-term loud listening can become uncomfortable over time.
• The pips – are placed in the auricle just in front of the ear canal. They are more gentle on the ears, but find it harder to insulate against surrounding noise.

Battery life

Battery life is often very good with True Wireless earphones. At the same time, it depends on the capacity of the headphones themselves and the capacity of the charger. Please note, that a higher price does not always mean a longer battery life.

The battery capacity of the headphones shows how long the headphones will last without charging.

• The cheapest True Wireless earbuds, or those that have a case with sufficient capacity last for less than 5 hours. Suitable for regular users or, for example, for running.
• More than 5 hours is the capacity that has become almost standard on True Wireless headphones. The most common values are 5 to 7 hours. We recommend this capacity for longer trips or for watching movies.

The battery capacity of the case is often several times higher than the capacity of the headphones. When you put the headphones in the case, they will start charging automatically.

• Less than 10 hours will suffice for any regular listener. However, recharging can be quite frequent and become annoying.
• The capacity of around 20 hours should be sought by anyone who wants to enjoy long listening, but at the same time not spend too much. This endurance should be good enough for almost everyone.
• Around 30 hours and more, is only offered by a handful of headphones, however, it is manufactured. They are suitable for anyone who does not want to stay constantly charging or, for example, travels to unpopulated/ uncivilised areas.

Frequency range

It is stated in Hertz (Hz) and is one of the most important parameters when choosing headphones. The larger the frequency range of the headphones, the better the sound. The normal range of headphones is 20 Hz - 20 kHz, the lower limit of the frequency range expresses bass response. Higher end headphones tend to have a larger range, so they display very low frequencies more faithfully. However, in order for the value of the frequency range to be meaningful, it should be stated with the corresponding attenuation value.

Connection

True Wireless earphones are connected exclusively via Bluetooth, so they can be connected to all mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets, etc. You may encounter a problem when connected to a desktop computer, as they are often not equipped with this technology. However, Bluetooth adapters solve this problem.

Microphone

A microphone is standard on every True Wireless headset. Unlike conventional wireless headphones, which usually have a microphone on the bridge under the neck, True Wireless headphones have a microphone directly in them. This eliminates another reason why a cable would be needed, so you can make carefree calls.

Also choose wireless headphones according to your phone

When choosing wireless headphones, take your phone into account. Wireless headphones can usually be paired with any phone. Nevertheless, it pays to choose headphones made by the same manufacturer of the phone for better system optimization.

The above is doubly true for Apple phones. You can add any wireless headphones to your iPhone, but if you choose Apple Airpods 2019 or Apple AirPods Pro, you won't have to adjust anything, the headphones will be paired immediately. At the same time, you will be able to enjoy a number of tweaks/ options from the unified iOS ecosystem.

How are wireless headphones different from "classic wireless"?

The problem with classic wireless headphones is that the headphones are not able to work on their own - they are connected by a bridge where the battery is located. True Wireless technology solves this in its own way. The battery is directly in the headphones, so no additional cables or structures are needed over the head.

What to do if I lose my wireless headphones?

First of all, you would have to try pretty hard to lose them. Great attention is paid to their ergonomics, so the headphones usually hold great in the ear. The problem is not exercise, or movement with the headphones in but if you are unlucky enough to lose your wireless headphones, many manufacturers offer you a replacement.

Performance

When choosing a Bluetooth headset/headphones, think about how you will use them.

• Bluetooth headphones are best suited for use with a laptop or computer. Their sound is often the best and the insulation of the surrounding noise is also good.
  They are divided into in or over ear headphones. The in-ear headphones are much more compact, but less comfortable. Headphones over the ears are more suitable for watching movies or playing games. At the same time, they insulate the sound well. However, sweating can be a disadvantage of prolonged use.
• Almost all Bluetooth headphones are suitable for travel. If you want to save space, we recommend earbuds. But if you prefer sound quality, over-head headphones are the best.
• For sports, you need to ensure that the headphones do not fall out of your ears. Earbuds, especially those with a clip on the ears, work well for this. Thanks to their construction, they rarely fall out and the rubber pads also dampen external noise well.

Construction

Open
For a more faithful reproduction of music with less distortion, choose headphones with an open design. They let more sound out of the headphones.The reverse is also true, you will be more aware of the surrounding noise. They are therefore suitable for those who do not require perfect sound insulation.

Closed
On the other hand, you can enjoy music with headphones with a closed construction without interference even on a noisy street. And loud music will also disturb those around you much less. However, for better isolation, the sound does not have the possibility of propagating into free space, but is reflected. These inexpensive headphones sometimes result in slightly distorted sound due to unbalanced sound delivery and less bass due to limited deflection of the membrane.

Semi-closed
The semi-closed design is a compromise between open and closed headphones. At normal volume, they will partially attenuate the surrounding noise, and again, the surroundings will hear your music to some extent.

Battery life

Battery life on single battery headphones varies greatly from model to model. Even the shortest-lasting headphones are able to stay in operation for several hours. If you use wireless headphones mostly at home, their durability is not so important. Conversely, if you travel often, you will need longer battery life.

The battery capacity of wireless headphones shows how long the headphones will last without charging.

• Up to 10 hours – short battery life without problems will be enough for home use and for short trips.
• 10 to 20 hours – the golden mean. It will satisfy the needs of every regular user, both at home and on trips.
• Over 20 hours – great endurance, suitable for demanding listeners. Even on longer trips, you won't have to recharge your headphones often.

Frequency range

It is stated in Hertz (Hz) and is one of the most important parameters when choosing headphones. When choosing, it is usually the case that the larger the range of the headphones, the better the sound delivery. The normal range of headphones is 20 Hz – 20 kHz, the lower limit of the frequency range expresses bass response. The lower limit of this range is lower for higher quality headphones. The bass is thus reproduced much more faithfully. Some manufacturers also implement a vibration function in their overhead headphones. This feature then deepens the bass enjoyment even more. However, in order for the value of the frequency range to be meaningful, it should be stated with the corresponding attenuation value.

Sensitivity

Acoustic performance of headphones, which is given in dB/Wm. The higher the sensitivity, the better the sound reproduction. A higher value also means a higher volume, so your headphones will play louder. For devices with low output power, such as MP3 players, headphones with a high sensitivity value above 100 dB / mW and a low impedance up to 80 Ohms are suitable.

Impedance

Impedance affects how loud the headphones will play. Wireless headphones with impedances up to 100 Ohms have a higher volume and are also suitable for portable players, as a lower impedance does not require such a high voltage. Higher quality headphones have an impedance above 100 Ohms. They are not suitable for mobile phones without a preamplifier, because they require a more powerful signal source.

Connection

The advantage of wireless headphones is freedom of movement. Bluetooth headphones have a range of about 10 meters from the music source. The sound quality usually does not change within that range, but at a much longer distance the signal may start to drop out. The Bluetooth signal is also too weak to pass through obstacles effectively, so the range through walls can be significantly shortened.

You can usually easily connect a Bluetooth headset to any mobile device (mobile phone, tablet, laptop, ...). Problems may occur if you want to connect the headphones to a desktop computer or smart TV. For these devices, you must first purchase a Bluetooth adapter.

Microphone

• Tilting - can be tilted when not in use, so it does not get in the way.
• Retractable - if necessary, it can be easily extended, then retracted.
• Detachable - easily separates from the headphones so as not to get in the way.
• In-line - a control panel on the cable with the microphone is a solution suitable for earbuds.

Can I listen with Bluetooth headphones through a cable?

Some Bluetooth headphones offer this option. The package then comes with a headset/jack/USB cable, which you can connect to your laptop and listen to via cable, just like with ordinary headphones. You will most likely read whether the individual headphones have a cable socket in the product description.

Does connecting to mobile devices depend on the operating system?

Usually not. Bluetooth headphones can be connected to all mobile devices that support the same version of Bluetooth. Therefore, the problem should not occur with any equipment manufactured after 2010.

Performance

When choosing radio frequency headphones, keep in mind that they are only manufactured with a headband or connecting cable. It is further divided into headphones in and on the ears.

The in-ear headphones are much more compact, so they are more suitable for travel. However, this design is less comfortable, especially with longer use.

On the ear headphones are much more comfortable and better at sound-absorbtion. On the other hand, they are often harder to fold.

Construction

Open
For a more faithful reproduction of music with less distortion, choose headphones with an open design. However, they let the sound out of the headphones more, so when you listen louder, those around you will hear your music. The reverse is also true, you will be more aware of surrounding noise. They are therefore suitable for those who do not require perfect sound insulation.

Closed
On the other hand, you can enjoy music with headphones with a closed construction without interference even on a noisy street. And loud music will also disturb those around you much less. However, for better isolation, the sound does not have the possibility of propagating into free space, but is reflected. These inexpensive headphones sometimes result in slightly distorted sound due to unbalanced sound delivery and less bass due to limited deflection of the membrane.

Battery life

Battery life on a single battery varies greatly from model to model. Even the shortest-lasting headphones are able to stay in operation for several hours. If you use wireless headphones mostly at home, their durability is not so important. Conversely, if you travel often, you will need longer battery life.

The battery capacity of the headphones shows how long the headphones will last without charging.

• 10 - 20 hours – standard endurance for radio frequency headphones. It will satisfy most users, whether listening while exercising or just listening to music.
• Over 20 hours – great endurance ideal for more demanding users, such as streamers. If you can't afford it or just don't want to charge your headphones often, look for headphones with a longer life.

Frequency range

It is stated in Hertz (Hz) and is one of the most important parameters when choosing headphones. Simply put, the larger the frequency range of the headphones, the better the headphones reproduce sound, i.e bass and treble. The common range of headphones is 20 Hz – 20 kHz, where the lower limit indicates bass reproduction. For many higher quality headphones, the lower limit is set below 20 Hz. The bass is thus reproduced much more faithfully. Some manufacturers also implement a vibration function in their overhead headphones. This feature then deepens the bass enjoyment even more. However, in order for the value of the frequency range to be meaningful, it should be stated with the corresponding attenuation value.

Sensitivity

Acoustic performance of headphones, which is given in dB / Wm. The higher the sensitivity, the better the sound signal reproduction. A higher value also means a higher volume, so your headphones will play louder. You will probably use radio frequency headphones mainly for your computer, so you can afford to buy headphones with a lower sensitivity below 100 dB / mW, as the output power of the sound card is sufficient.

Impedance

Impedance affects how loud the headphones will play. Headphones with impedances up to 100 Ohms have a higher volume and are also suitable for portable players, as a lower impedance does not require such a high voltage. Higher class headphones have an impedance above 100 Ohms. The sound from them is better and you don't have to worry about anything if you use the headphones for a computer. The performance of the sound card should be ample.

Connection

The advantage of wireless headphones is freedom of movement. The sound quality of radio frequency headphones is comparable to Bluetooth headphones, but radio frequency headphones usually have a greater range. Their advantage is also good transmission of radio waves through material, so you will still be able to hear well even through walls.

Radio frequency headphones with a USB transmitter have a range of about 10-12 meters from the playback device, the type with a transmitting station up to 100 meters from the station. Of course, you need a USB port to connect a USB transmitter, so such headphones are suitable for a laptop, computer or smart TV. For those with a broadcasting station, there is nothing to worry about. You can connect almost anything to it using a jack, optical cable or RCA.

Microphone

• Tilting - can be tilted when not in use, so it does not get in the way.
• Retractable - if necessary, it can be easily extended, then retracted.
• Detachable - easily separates from the headphones so as not to get in the way.

What is the difference between Bluetooth and RF headphones?

The biggest difference is in range. While Bluetooth headphones reach only a few meters and their signal can be degraded by passing through walls, radio frequency headphones do not have this problem. Whatever model you choose, the signal passes easily through material. The advantage of the broadcasting station is the huge range.