| There are a number of ways to categorize | | | | listener's ear canal forming a "seal" giving great sound |
| headphones, but when most people talk about the | | | | isolation. Like anything, they do have a downside. |
| different types, they generally mean the different | | | | Some users find them uncomfortable, especially after |
| ways of wearing 'phones.Here I'll discuss all of the | | | | prolonged use, plus their excellent sound isolation does |
| different types available and weigh up their | | | | lead to a detachment from the sounds we are used |
| advantages and disadvantages.Full size headphones: | | | | to, particularly traffic!Earphones: Earphones or earbuds |
| Sometimes called circumaural, these are the classic | | | | are similar to in-ear headphones except they sit |
| "cans". Generally big and comfy, they go around the | | | | outside the ear canal rather than in it. They're generally |
| ears giving great sound quality. You don't see them in | | | | the cheapest type of headphones but often give |
| the home as often anymore, although some | | | | relatively poor sound quality. They are particularly |
| audiophiles swear by them. These 'phones remain an | | | | popular at the moment with the white cabled iPod |
| essential part of any recording studio and seem to be | | | | versions (and their copies) dominating the high |
| popular among those who want to listen to their iPods | | | | street.Earclip/behind the head headphones: Earclip and |
| while looking like an extra from That 70's Show.Ear | | | | behind the head headphones are a bit of an oddity in |
| pad headphones: Ear pad headphones are quite similar | | | | this list. To be honest, these headphones could be any |
| to full sized headphones but are smaller and sit on the | | | | of the above types but either secured behind the ear |
| ear rather than over it. In the trade, they are referred | | | | or joined at the back of the head. So, for example, ear |
| to as supra-aural and tend to have a slightly poorer | | | | pad headphones that clip over the ear are now |
| sound quality than full sized 'phones but are a lot more | | | | becoming much more popular than traditional |
| portable due to their size. This style of headphones | | | | over-the-head band headphones. Their popularity is |
| was very popular in the 80's but lost ground as | | | | quite recent and they gain a lot of use in the "sport |
| earphones became more popular. They're now going | | | | headphones" market.Ian Strachan loves music and is |
| through a renaissance, particularly due to the popularity | | | | passionate about getting the best sound quality |
| of behind the head or earclip versions.In-ear | | | | whenever he listens. Find out all the latest news and |
| headphones: This type of headphone is gaining | | | | information about headphones and earphones at |
| popularity due to their excellent sound quality and ability | | | | Headphone News. |
| to block out external noise. They sit directly in the | | | | |