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