Headphones That Cut Out External Noise

Canalphones

- those that fit directly into the ear channel

- are probably the best choice if you want to cut out peripheral noise.

When these headphones are used in a very noisy environment they are much safer for the user since the volume does not have to set very high.

The canalphones cut out much of the background noise thereby alleviating the need for volume which potentially could damage the listener's hearing.

Imagine having to communicate with colleagues in an airport. The background noise of airplanes landing and taking off is incredible and the volume would have to be set at excruciatingly painful levels.

Then imagine this going on 10 hours per day every day. The hearing of the listener would surely be damaged very soon.

Or what about that busy sales office with phones, people and copy machines clattering away all day. The canalphone allows the listener to set the sound at a comfortable level without damage to the eardrum.

The canalphone is also good for home use. If the kids are noisy, the TV on, the vacuuming being done, you can shut yourself off from all of this noise and listen to that seminar that you have to write a report on!

Young people are the inadvertent victims of hearing loss through inappropriate sound levels. What better way to help them than replacing their headsets with the canalphones.
Not only do they look 'cool' but they ensure the noise does not have to be too loud. Read more...

Headphones Around or On the Ear?

Headphones come in four styles but for the avid music listener the choice really comes down to two styles.

Circum-aural

- pads that sit around the ear, or supra-aural

- pads that sit directly on the ear.

Both have good and bad points and choice can also depend on how much you want to pay.

With the supra-aural headphones the user can feel that the instrument is playing next to the ear giving good and sharp clarity However, this may sound strange to some people since we are used to a more muffled sound.

With the circum-aural headphones the sound is just that

- a little muffled

- but it is a more natural sound.

Imagine sitting in a concert hall. You are not right next to the instruments so you don't get that sharp clarity that the "supra" headphones give.

Of course, the choice is up to the user and what they want out of their headset.

Then there is the headphone that is used primarily in the recording studio. These are usually full sized "circum" style headphones that have soft material on the ear pads to block out sound.

Some have a built-in switch to automatically cut the sound when the headphone is taken off. A much needed feature if recording is going on.

No matter which is your preference on headphones, perhaps the one thing that people do not consider is comfort. If you live in hot climes be sure to get the sets with velvet type pads. Plastic can get very sticky. Read more...

Which Headphones Are Right for You?

There are many headphone sets on offer but they basically fall into four different categories - in-ear, earbuds, supra-aural or circumaural.
All have their different uses and are usually used in specific instances.

Recording studios and the like usually use the circumaural headphones. These have those large round earpads that fit over the ears completely and cut out peripheral sounds. Real sound enthusiasts sometimes use these too.

Supra-aural headphones are the foam rubber covered headsets that sit on the outside of the ear and used to given free with personal stereos or on airlines. They were the cheap and cheerful alternative in those days.

Earbuds are the headphones that are the bane of commuter's life! They sit on the outer part of the ear but does not cut out peripheral noise.

Users usually pump up the volume to compensate for this and leave fellow travelers with the incredibly irritating overflow of tinny sound.
These headphones can cause damage to hearing and also cause distraction when crossing roads or similar. The volume is set so high that normal everyday sounds are drowned out.

Very dangerous!

Last but not least are the in-ear headphones sometimes known as canalphones. As the name implies they are placed directly into the ear canal giving good quality sound and banning peripheral noise.

It may be that you will want a different set of headphones for different circumstances. Be aware though that some are dangerous in both hearing loss and where accidents can occur. Choose wisely. Read more...