Rating of the best headphones with quality sound in 2020

Headphones are a popular gadget with which they listen to music, hold online press conferences, and play computer games. Studying the rating of the best headphones with high-quality sound in 2020, you can analyze the entire range and decide on the right choice in a short time.

When choosing, it is worth considering factors:

• design (form factor);
• connection method;
• place of use;
• specifications;
• build quality;
• cost.

Design

There are 5 models of headphones, which differ in size, weight, membrane diameter.

Liners (tablets, droplets, shells)

They are inserted into the auricle, have a standard shape, often fall out (not everyone is suitable for anatomical structure). Low frequencies (bass) are poorly reproduced. They are the most budgetary option, sold as a set for the phone. Suitable for listening to music "half-heartedly", hearing the noise of the street.

In-ear (plug-in, plugs, vacuum)

Inserted into the ear canal, the sound is directed to the eardrum. Good sound insulation is characteristic - no extraneous noise, high sound quality. The diaphragm diameter is up to 9 mm. The kit consists of rubber (silicone) pads of different sizes for convenience. Expensive options include the removal of an individual impression of the auricle, auditory canal. Used by artists, singers on stage - sound without extraneous noise. It is important to maintain good hearing hygiene and clean the earpieces frequently. Suitable for different phones, players.

Overhead

Fit with ear cushions to ears, but do not completely cover. Diaphragm diameter 15-30 mm. Suitable for player, tablet, gamers.

Ear cushions are the material of the inner side of the earphones that adjoins (full-size - covers) directly to the auricles. Made from foam rubber, velor, leather, leatherette.

Full size (monitor)

Cover the ear completely. Used by professional musicians, sound engineers, recording studios, dispatchers. Diaphragm diameter - 30 mm. High price, large dimensions, weight of the structure are characteristic.

Bone conduction

The emitters adhere to the bone behind the ear, vibrations transmit vibrations along the bone tissue directly to the inner ear (for athletes, hearing impaired).Average sound is characteristic - you can hear music, voices, noise of the environment.

Mountings

In-ear and earbuds are attached with a bow to the auricle, through the neck. Suitable for running, swimming (moisture protection), walking. Relevant for long-haired people, in the cold season (when they wear hats, caps).

Full-size, overhead - have a plastic, metal bow that covers the head from above, from the side. There are arms that can change their length (shorten or lengthen).

Emitters

There are dynamic ones - the magnetic coil of the speaker. The most common, cheap.

Armature - several armature emitters are used for one earpiece. The sound quality is improved. Used by professionals (recording audio studios).

Electrostatic, orthodynamic, isodynamic - time-tested, premium quality reproduction. The disadvantage is poor bass sound.

Hybrid - dynamic, reinforcement of one product. High-quality and detailed sound is characteristic.

Acoustic design

Open - holes in the case, better music reproduction, but audible to others.

Closed - body without holes, the melody is audible only to the owner.

Connection method

Headphones are connected to devices (phone, player, computer) in 2 ways - wires, without wires.

Wired

Broken headphones (75-80%) are due to cable damage. The length of the wire, durability, strength is important. The minimum wire length for portable equipment is 1.4-1.5 m. Special storage boxes, replaceable wires are used for careful storage. For a non-replaceable permanent cable, the thickness and type of braiding are important.

The required cable length is 5-10 m when connecting to TVs at home, recording studios. Connecting to a smartphone, player using a cable, plug - mini-jack 3.5 mm, jack 6.3 mm, USB. The shape of the plug is straight, L-shaped (L-shaped).

The straight plug is suitable for listening to music from smartphones in deep pockets. L-shaped - for tight pockets.

Hands free - hands-free phone control (using a wire).

Wireless

They work via bluetooth, radio channel.

Bluetooth headphones have a good quality of music transmission and require recharging. The radius of action is 9-10 m.

The radio channel operates at a distance of 30-40 m, it is convenient to use at home. It is possible to connect several pairs of headphones to one repeater.

Modern models of headphones and microphones are called headsets. Additional functions - speakerphone, call answering. There are 2 types of headsets:

• mono headset - one earpiece. Suitable for drivers behind the wheel (simultaneous ability to conduct a conversation, hear ambient sounds);
• stereo headset - 2 headphones, microphone. Listening to audiobooks, melodies, videos.

Supports bluetooth 4.0, 4.1, 5.0 version device.

The operating time of the device depends on the battery capacity (100-500 mA). Allocate the time in standby mode (5-8 days), talk mode (18-24 hours).

Allocate bluetooth profiles (support by phone, headphones):

• A2DP - high-quality stereo sound for music, video;
• AVRCP - smartphone control;
• AptX - an additional function of high-quality sound for music lovers;
• Headset - phone control (volume control, answering calls).

Place of use

Before buying headphones, you need to decide which device, for what purposes they will be used.

For a smartphone, a player - in-ear, plug-in models are suitable.

For home, office - full-size, overhead models. Open acoustic design - if there is no one nearby, “closed ears” - if there are employees or family members nearby.

For running, sports - on-ear headphones. When choosing, take into account the method of attachment, pressure on the auricles, material.

For streaming (Twitch, YouTube), games (gaming) - full-size (monitor) models, convenient to use for a long time. Pay attention when choosing:

• microphone (built-in, removable);
• emulation of surround sound (DSP) - simulation of the environment;
• wired (movement restrictions), wireless (needs recharging, heavy).

Specifications

The manufacturer indicates the characteristics on the boxes, instructions for use.

frequency range

A person perceives sounds of 15-20,000 Hz. Range values ​​below 15 Hz, above 22,000 Hz, are not available to the average listener, but will suit the music lover, musician. In headphones, the width of the frequency range depends on the diameter of the membrane. Standard models reproduce bass, treble.

Sensitivity (volume)

Determines the loudness of vibrations, measured in decibels (dB), norm: 20-130 dB. Depends on the magnetic core material. The loudest volume of small models is determined by neodymium magnets. Headphones with a weak magnet, a small diaphragm have a sensitivity of 70-110 dB.

Resistance (impedance)

Shows the resistance of the speaker coil (active, reactive). Measured in ohms (ohms). The listening volume and power consumption depend on the resistance value. Distinguish between low-, high-resistance gadgets. Portable low impedance headphones (smartphones, players) with an impedance of 16-32 Ohm, high impedance - more than 55-65 Ohm. The impedance for monitor headphones is 80-100 ohms low, 250-300 ohms high.

A low resistance value means more distortion, a large value means an economical power consumption. For vacuum, plug-in models, a value of 16-32 ohms is sufficient. For stationary listening - 100 ohms.

Headphones	Frequency response, Hz	Resistance, Ohm	Sensitivity, dB	Weight, g
Plug-in	100-16.000	15-30	70-100	4,8-31,5
Vacuum	18-20.000	16-32	95-110	3,6-32,5
Overhead	18-20.000	16-32	80-115	40-100
Monitor	16-22.000	18-150	90-120	150-300

Additional characteristics:

• Maximum input power is the highest power value. For different models - 1-5,000 mW. Compare with the power output of the device.
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) - shows the accuracy of reproduction. Optimal values ​​for high, middle frequencies - 0.5-1%, low (bass up to 200 Hz) - 5-10%.
• Frequency response (AFC) is a graphical change in loudness from the signal frequency. It is worth paying attention when buying models of medium, high cost.

Effects of headphones on hearing

Hearing aids (outer, middle and inner ear), the perception of various sound waves is individual for each person. Humans are able to distinguish sounds in the 16-20,000 Hz range. When whispering, a sound of 15-20 dB is caught, in ordinary conversation - 30-35 dB. Sound waves of 60-65 dB (screaming) will bring discomfort. According to research by otolaryngologists, waves greater than 90 dB are dangerous for human hearing.

Why are headphones dangerous?

• it is difficult to control the sound level (115-130 dB leads to irreversible damage);
• an increased amount of earwax is produced;
• lead to injury - in models of a closed acoustic type, street noises (signals of cars, trains) are not audible.

How to reduce the load:

• do not increase the volume of music more than 60%;
• use overhead models for long-term use;
• take breaks - listen to silence, manifestations of the forest, the sea;
• use in-channel, plug-in models for 2-3 hours per day, no more than 60 minutes at a time.

Tips for choosing quality models

When buying, you need to consider the following factors:

• what device will be used by the headphones - smartphone, computer, TV, player;
• for what purposes (listening to music, audiobooks, films, online games);
• headset - mobile, stationary;
• ease of use - weight, tightness;
• manufacturer, build quality;
• price (budget, Hi-End - high class);
• listening "live", to evaluate the individual sound quality.

Rating of the best headphones with quality sound in 2020

Popular models of shells, plugs can be selected in brand stores, online stores. Many buyers order new items from aliexpress (aliexpress), where prices are low, a wide range of Chinese manufacturers. High-quality models, according to buyers, should have Bluetooth and a microphone.

10th place Xiaomi AirDots Pro

Plug-in (vacuum), white. Weight: 11.6 g. Supports A2DP, AVRCP, Hands free, Headset, AAC codecs. Charges - 1 hour. Works 3.5 hours (10 hours - case). Communication at a distance - 10 m. Voice dialing functions, volume control.

• water protection;
• emitter - neodymium magnets;
• replaceable nozzles 3 pairs.

• not identified.

9th place Apple AirPods 2 (with charging case) MV7N2

White earbuds. Works continuously - 5 hours (standby - 24 hours). There are 2 microphones. Supports A2DP, AVRCP, Hands free, Headset profiles. You can connect two pairs of AirPods.

• Lightning cable
• Audio Sharing function.

• high price.

8th place Panasonic RP-HF410

Overhead, many colors, fastening - bow on the head. Membrane diameter - 30 mm. Weight - 130 g. Supports A2DP, AVRCP, Hands free, Headset profiles. Acts at a distance of 10 m. Voice dialing, volume control.

• folding design;
• Neodymium magnets;
• different colors;
• price.

• no low volume.

7th place Samsung Galaxy Buds

Plugs (plug-in) in white, yellow, gray and black. Support A2DP, AVRCP, Hands free, Headset. Battery capacity - 58 mAh. Works continuously - 6 hours (20 hours - standby).

• automatic pairing;
• sets of silicone tips (3 pairs);
• protection against water;
• wireless charging case.

• price.

6th Honor AM66 Sport Pro

Gray or red earbuds. Bluetooth, microphone. Weight - 25 g, diameter - 13 mm. Support for A2DP, AVRCP, Hands free, Headset, AAC codecs. The battery capacity is 120 mAh. Works without interruption - 18 hours. Charges for 1.1 hours.

• batteries - Li-Pol;
• lace;
• silicone tips (6 pairs).

• not identified.

5th place JBL TUNE 120 TWS

Plug-in (vacuum, plugs) 6 colors. Bluetooth, microphone. Weight - 73 g. Membrane diameter - 5.8 mm. Charges - 2 hours. They work for 4 hours (12 hours - from the case battery). Battery capacity 85 mAh. Li-Ion battery.

• micro USB cable;
• sets of earbuds (3 pairs);
• iPhone fits.

• weight.

4th place Samsung Galaxy Buds +

Vacuum, 3 colors (white, blue, black). Supports A2DP, AVRCP, Hands free, Headset. Battery 85 mAh. Works without interruption for 11 hours (from the case battery - 22 hours). There is a wireless charging function.

• iPhone fits;
• fast charging (3 minutes = 1 hour of play);
• color selection.

• price.

3rd place OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2

Plug-in. Bluetooth, microphone. 3 drivers. Works without interruption - 14 hours. There is a volume control, voice dialing. Supports aptX, aptX HD.

• fits iPhone;
• reinforcement + dynamic;
• neck strap, replaceable ear pads
• fast charging (10 min. - 10 hours of work)

• flat, tight buttons.

2nd place JBL T450BT

Overhead, closed. White, blue or black. Weight - 320 g, diameter - 32 mm. Fastened with a bow (head. Back of the head). Supports A2DP, AVRCP, Hands free, Headset. Works constantly - 11 hours. Battery capacity 170 mAh, charging for 2 hours. There is a volume control, the function of answering and ending a call.

• micro USB cable;
• folding design;
• price.

• weight.

1st place Xiaomi Redmi AirDots (Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic)

Plug-in, dynamic emitter. Operating range 10 m. Supports A2DP, AVRCP, Hands free, Headset. The battery capacity is 40 mAh, it is charged within 1.5 hours. It works continuously for 4 hours (from the case battery - 12 hours). There is a voice dialing, automatic pairing.

• water protection;
• iPhone fits;
• silicone tips (3 pairs);
• protection against accidental clicks;
• price.

• not identified.

Output

Knowing the functional features, selection criteria, it is easy to choose headphones for any device for various purposes. Particular attention should be paid to the build quality, the influence of models on the hearing of adults and children, so that your favorite activity is enjoyable and does not harm your health.