Headphone Heaven... Finding the Right Model

If you like to listen to music, there are probably timesultimate home entertainment theatre system (for either
when you prefer to listen to music on your own rathermusic or movies).
than share it with the world (and admittedly, there areIf you do want to hear higher quality sound while you're
times when the world would prefer not to share yourwalking around and listening to your ipod, you may
music with you!). When you want to keep the sound inwant to consider a headphone called a canalbud. Like
your head, you need headphones.an earbud, these go in your ears but they are slightly
Headphones come in a variety of shapes and sizesdifferent. Earbuds usually look like half circles and are
and are designed for varying levels of sound quality,essentially speakers that go just on the outer edge of
convenience, and affordability.your ear canal. Canalbuds, on the other hand, look
The common headphones that you will likely use formore like small tubes and they go inside your ear canal
listening to music on a portable CD player or an ipod orin the same way that ear plugs might go inside your
your phone are probably earbuds. These small, circularear canal. The result? More exterior sound is
head phones fit right into your ears. They don'tdeadened from the outside world and the music you
eliminate outside noise, which makes them appropriatehear has a better sound. The only drawback is that
so you can still hear your stop on the subway or listenthese canalbuds are more expensive than earbuds to
for oncoming traffic if you're riding your bike. They arethey are really for the serious listener only.
very lightweight and affordable. In fact, most listeningHeadphones can really make the difference in your
devices that offer headphones with them offermusic enjoyment. The best kind of headphones are
earbuds.ones that do block out a fair amount of noise from the
If you are a true audiophile in that you love musicoutside (even if you don't get noise canceling
– not just the tune but the deep intricaciesheadphones). The reason is that the volume has to be
– you will likely want something a little better. Ifturned up louder to compensate for exterior noise and
you are at home, consider using noise cancelingthe louder the volume, the greater chance of
circumaural head phones which completely enclose.permanent hearing loss. Instead, spending a little extra
The ear is surrounded by a comfortable padding andand finding headphones that do a good job of blocking
the headphone itself has special wiring to keep exteriorout quite a bit of sound will result in enjoying the music
sounds out. Although these don't look very cool whenmore clearly at lower volumes so your hearing will last.
you're walking around on the street (not to mentionEnjoy your headphones…find ones that suit your
that you won't hear anything but the music with themneeds.
on), they are perfect if you are trying to create the