| Your iPod sounds only as good as the | | | | really considered portable at all and are |
| headphones you use to listen to it. For | | | | best suited for home or studio use. So |
| normal use, the stock Apple iPod headphones | | | | they're fairly uncommonly used with an iPod |
| may work perfectly fine. However at some | | | | or any potable music player simply because |
| point you may wonder is there are any iPod | | | | they're big, heavy and can be uncomfortable |
| headphones out there that could offer crisper | | | | to wear for extended periods of time. |
| highs, more booming lows and better overall | | | | |
| sound quality. With that being said, if | | | | Once you decide which style of headphones |
| you're only going to buy one iPod accessory, | | | | you'd like to purchase, your next major |
| you should make it a new pair of headphones | | | | decision is whether you want them to have any |
| or ear buds. | | | | ability to block outside noise and/or if you |
| | | | want them to be without wires. |
| Whether you're an average listener looking to | | | | |
| replace your ear buds with something that | | | | Noise canceling headphones are great if you |
| comes sans wires, or you are looking for top | | | | travel a lot, are in an all round noise |
| audiophile sound quality, a quick Google will | | | | environment or just want better sounding |
| show that there are a variety of options to | | | | audio. They can also reduce the likelihood of |
| satisfy any ear, and any price range from a | | | | causing hearing loss, because they allow you |
| few dollars to hundreds. | | | | to listen to music at a lower volume and yea |
| | | | they do come in all shapes, sizes and styles, |
| The integral things to look for when | | | | however they are more expensive than a non |
| purchasing a pair of headphones for your iPod | | | | noise canceling set. |
| include the: | | | | |
| | | | Wireless headphones are fantastic because |
| · Ability to accurately transmit the | | | | there's no cord needed so you're free to roam |
| sound | | | | around your home or office and don't need to |
| | | | worry about cords getting caught in earrings, |
| - Comfort level | | | | zippers or being an all round annoyance. A |
| | | | transmitter simply sends a signal to a |
| - Affordability | | | | receiver in the headphone that reproduces the |
| | | | sound in your ear. There are two different |
| - Durability | | | | types of wireless headphones depending on the |
| | | | technology platform they use. |
| There are a few different things you need to | | | | |
| consider. First, what kind or style of | | | | The cheaper models use infrared (IR) |
| headphones do you want? iPod earphones are | | | | technology which transmits an infrared signal |
| usually sold as ear buds simply because | | | | within line of sight of the transmitter, much |
| having a larger, full size pair of headphones | | | | the same way your television remote works. |
| partially defeats the purpose of the iPod | | | | |
| being the size it is and having the | | | | The higher quality, more expensive models use |
| portability it does. Since ear buds fit | | | | an RF or radio frequency signal which allows |
| directly in your ear, comfort can be a bit of | | | | the transmitter to transmit through things |
| an issue if you have overly large or small | | | | like your pants or jacket pocket. The most |
| ear canals so keep size in mind when buying. | | | | popular RF models use Bluetooth technology |
| Ear buds are the most portable, the lightest | | | | which keeps things small, transmits up to 30 |
| to wear and can produce fairly high quality | | | | feet and enables a batter life that rivals |
| sound making them a perfect fit for an iPod, | | | | eight hours. |
| or any portable player for that matter. | | | | |
| | | | Here are some things to watch for when you |
| Another common style of iPod headphone is the | | | | purchase a wireless headphone. |
| supra aural ones. These are simply speakers | | | | |
| surrounded by pads that just sit on your ears | | | | - Weight and comfort, nothing will give you a |
| and are fixed with band that goes over your | | | | headache faster than a heavy, uncomfortable |
| head or behind your neck. Supra-aural | | | | headphone set. |
| headphones are extremely comfortable to wear, | | | | |
| however they are not nearly as portable as a | | | | - Make sure the volume control is easy to |
| pair of ear buds and are not favored by some | | | | access and simple to use. |
| people as they mess up hair or can interfere | | | | |
| with hats or earrings and can fall off when | | | | - Are the batteries rechargeable? Better yet, |
| being active (jogging, doing yard work etc.). | | | | does it come with an adapter that you can |
| | | | plug directly into the wall? |
| The third type of headphones is the more | | | | |
| full-sized circumaural headphone. This style | | | | - Do they come with any type of carry case or |
| of headphones fully covers the ear and is | | | | carry bag? |
| worn over the head. They have the ability to | | | | |
| produce the best sound quality, in part | | | | No matter which style of headphones you |
| because of their size and ability to block | | | | decide to buy, it's always important to try |
| outside noise, and in part because larger and | | | | them out first to ensure that they are |
| better sounding components can be fitted | | | | comfortable to wear and don't cause listening |
| inside them. Because they are the largest of | | | | fatigue. If you aren't able to try before you |
| headphone styles, they are also the heaviest | | | | buy, then make sure they come back with a |
| and the least portable. In fact they're not | | | | money back guarantee. |