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