WHAT TYPES OF HEADPHONES ARE THERE?
OVER-EAR, ON-EAR, IN-EAR, OPEN-EAR? CLOSED, OPEN, OR SEMI-OPEN? WHICH TYPE OF HEADPHONES SUITS YOU?
When searching for the perfect headphones, you will encounter various types. To find the perfect headphones for you, your own ideas of comfort, everyday handling, visual appearance and sound preference should be precisely met. Not only differing taste and preferences, but each person also has an individual sense of hearing.
Should I choose over-ear, on-ear, in-ear or open-ear headphones? Do I need closed, open, or semi-open headphones? These – and probably more – questions often arise before buying your first pair of headphones.
What exactly are the differences between these headphone models, and for what purposes are they particularly suitable? This headphone guide aims to take a brief look at these questions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Over-ear headphones
Over-ear headphones completely enclose the entire ear and rest comfortably on the head with their ear pads, rather than on the ear. The pressure exerted by the headband and ear pads is thus more comfortably distributed.
Over-ear headphones are definitely the right candidates for stationary, high-quality listening enjoyment on your home stereo system, dedicated headphone amplifiers, portable headphone amplifiers in a hotel or on a long-haul flight.
But for use in the recording studio, during YouTube recording sessions or when you want to finish a Netflix series marathon late at night, over-ear headphones are the first choice.
So, if you prioritize uncompromising sound and comfort and want to truly experience and enjoy music, over-ear headphones are the choice for you.
On-ear headphones
As a “best of both worlds” solution, on-ear headphones come into play and are equally recommended for demanding listening sessions at home as well as on the go, or basically in all situations.
Due to their easy handling and smaller footprint, especially when high-quality sound and mobility play a central role, they quickly become a constant companion. On-ear headphones rest directly on the ear, making them more compact and lighter than the primarily home-use over-ear headphones.
So, if you prefer to listen to music spontaneously, whether on your way to work or travelling in a hotel, on-ear headphones will get you to your destination effortlessly.
In-ear headphones
In-ear headphones, unlike over-ear and on-ear headphone models, are inserted directly into the ear canal and are considered the smallest type of headphones.
When the in-ear headphones are properly seated in the ear canal, the distance between the eardrum and the membrane in the headphones is closed and very small. Therefore, only a little energy needs to be exerted by the membrane to achieve a good volume.
If you are looking for easily transportable and space-saving headphones for on the go, for sports, for work, for gaming in between, or simply for listening to music on your daily commute, the in-ear headphone variant is the way to go. Despite their small size, in-ears can deliver enormous sound performance.
Open-ear headphones
Open-ear headphones allow you to enjoy music while simultaneously perceiving ambient sounds. Unlike closed-back headphones that completely enclose the ear or in-ear headphones that sit in the ear canal, open-ear headphones sit outside the ear canal. This allows ambient sounds, such as traffic or conversations, to be perceived while listening to your favorite music or the latest podcast episode.
If you want to learn more about how open-ear headphones work, we recommend our blog post: “What are open-ear headphones? Design, function & benefits simply explained!“
Whether over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, or open-ear headphones, they all share the fact that they can be designed according to the closed, open, or semi-open principle. This affects both the sound profile and their intended use.
Let’s take a closer look at the acoustic designs of headphones:
Closed-back headphones
Closed-back headphones shield external noise with their ear pads and closed ear cups, while also preventing music from leaking out.
They are ideal for enjoying music quietly at home but are also advantageous when dealing with many people in a confined space, whether on the go on a bus or train, in a university lecture hall, or with noise-sensitive roommates.
Closed-back headphone models are also used in the studio for vocal recordings, as otherwise, sound leaking out would undesirably reflect into the microphone.
Open-back headphones
Open-back headphones let those around you know exactly how loud you are listening to music and, more importantly, what your musical playlist currently offers. However, they also allow the heat that inevitably builds up between the ear and ear cup to escape, enabling longer and more comfortable listening sessions.
Open-back headphone models are particularly recommended when the sound emitted by the headphones is not an issue. Therefore, an open design is ideal for home use, where you can fully enjoy an extremely open and spatial sound image without unwanted listeners, which closed models cannot offer.
Semi-open headphones
Semi-open headphones attempt to combine the advantages of the previously mentioned design principles. They allow low frequencies, which are less disturbing, to escape almost unhindered. High frequencies are dampened inside and penetrate to the outside in a softened manner.
The same applies to the increase in temperature around the ear, making longer wear comfortable. They sound very spatial, can be silky smooth and finely detailed, but also powerful in the bass.
Conclusion
Whether for sports, on the go, for ambitious hi-fi enjoyment or as a working tool in the studio – you will find headphones with specific strengths for every purpose. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what requirements you have for your headphones.
In addition to the fundamental decision regarding the design of the headphones, other factors such as connection type, active or passive noise cancellation, integrated microphone, or the ability to detach the headphone cable will influence your choice.