| You wouldn't take your sports car | | | | Audiophiles (which is a phrase derived from |
| off-roading, neither would you race your | | | | Greek to mean lovers of sound) are people |
| pickup truck around an oval against NASCAR | | | | with a real passion for music. If that |
| drivers. It's a no brainer…you use the | | | | describes you, it probably means that you |
| right equipment for the right job. | | | | have a serious sound system at home. You will |
| | | | want headphones that perhaps have their own |
| For recreational audio enjoyment (like | | | | amplifier and you will definitely want noise |
| listening to music or chatting on your cell | | | | canceling headphones. Noise canceling |
| phone with friends), there are several | | | | headphones are usually closed back headphones |
| different kinds of head phones you can choose | | | | with padding around the side and fit over the |
| from, but just a few that will do the job you | | | | entire ear. They use special circuitry and |
| want them to do. We'll look at some of the | | | | electronics, as well as insulation, to block |
| more common uses for headphones and give some | | | | out exterior noise. Obviously these kind of |
| suggestions as to which headphone might be | | | | headphones are only appropriate in a music |
| the right one for you. | | | | theatre style of home entertain systems. |
| | | | They're also good if you want to watch a move |
| When you are simply hanging out and relaxing | | | | but have to keep the sound down because other |
| – on your own or with friends – a | | | | people want it quiet in the house. |
| regular set of headphones is probably | | | | |
| appropriate: by regular, we mean ones that | | | | Video gaming is increasing in popularity as |
| are commonly found in music or electronic | | | | computer games and game systems compete for |
| stores and are fairly affordable. Often these | | | | you to race or fight villains or play sports |
| are in the earbud style, which means they are | | | | on the screen. Headphones are great for this |
| small speakers that fit into your ear and | | | | because it not only keeps the game from |
| connect with a cord that either goes over | | | | disturbing those around you, it also allows |
| your head in a headband or (more commonly | | | | you to hear elements of the game that could |
| today) are connected under your chin at your | | | | be lost because of background noises or the |
| neck to your ipod. These are appropriate for | | | | way your room deadens that sound. (One |
| casual use because they don't block out | | | | example is in first person shooter games, |
| outside sound so that if your friends decide | | | | where headphones might allow you to hear |
| to go to the mall, you won't be left bopping | | | | footsteps coming up behind you). |
| to the music because you can't hear them. | | | | |
| These are also good if you are out on a bike | | | | Remember that your enjoyment of sound is best |
| ride, for example, and want to be able to | | | | kept turned slightly down. Don't turn the |
| hear the traffic noise but still enjoy music. | | | | music up all the way as permanent hearing |
| These same earphones can be appropriate, with | | | | loss can result from listening to music too |
| a microphone, for your cell phone. | | | | loudly. |
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