| Headphones are described as a pair of tiny | | | | They are often used by disco Jockeys, DJ mixers and |
| loudspeakers enabling an enhanced music hearing | | | | sound engineers to monitor signal sources. They find |
| experience. They are often available in pairs and very | | | | tremendous use in recording studios as well. DJs turn |
| rarely as a single entity. They are marketed as | | | | off the speakers and use them while talking. This is |
| earphones, ear buds, stereo phones or headsets. | | | | done in order to eliminate acoustic feedback and keep |
| A peek into its history: | | | | track of their voice. At studio recordings, musicians and |
| Its inception dates back to the early twentieth century | | | | singers use them to play in sync with a backing track. |
| when telephone earpiece was developed into the | | | | What`s more, in the military too, professional |
| precursor of the modern day device. The earlier ones | | | | headphones are handy. They are used to monitor |
| however, worked on the moving iron drivers; either | | | | audio signals of varying frequencies. |
| single ended or balanced armature. | | | | Noise cancellation: |
| Types of headphones: | | | | They are equipped with the noise cancellation |
| Depending on their appearance and functionality they | | | | technology and employ an active noise control to |
| may be categorized into the following types: | | | | reduce ambient noise. How it functions is quite simple |
| - Circumaural: Headphones with a circular ear pad that | | | | to comprehend. Essentially, this involves the use of a |
| surrounds the ear. | | | | microphone, placed near the ear. The electronic |
| - Supra-aural: Made functional with pads that sit atop | | | | circuitry generates an "antinoise" sound wave which |
| the ears and not around it. | | | | has a polarity opposite to the sound wave arriving at |
| - In-ear: They are of smaller size and can be placed | | | | the microphone. Destructive interference is formed |
| directly outside the ear canal. | | | | which cancels out the noise within the enclosed |
| - Canalphones: Known as 'in ear monitors' they are | | | | volume of the headphone. This enables optimum music |
| inserted directly into the ear canal. | | | | experience at moderate volume. |
| It is important to have an understanding of the various | | | | The headphones may be used depending on the |
| applications of a headphone. Based on their | | | | functionality, with fixed equipments such as home |
| applications they may be broadly divided into the | | | | theater, CD or DVD players, computers and other |
| following types: | | | | portable devices like digital audio player/mp3 player |
| Cordless: | | | | and mobile phone. Although headphones have become |
| They do not need to be connected via a wire. They | | | | an integral part of a music aficionado's life, it is |
| are made of powered receiver systems of which the | | | | important to know that not all of them are suited for |
| headphone is merely a component. Specific types | | | | you. |
| depending on their technical competencies are used in | | | | Consider the applications, properties of the various |
| events such as a silent disco or silent gig. They may | | | | types and then zero in, on the one most suitable for |
| also be used by professionals. Their easy portability | | | | you. The article provides a brief over-view of the |
| makes them all the more enticing. | | | | different types. Weigh your options and choose them |
| Professional: | | | | right, for an enhanced music hearing experience. |