By Sergeant Ryan Adams
When I was serving my fourth tour in Nam, the plane rides back and forth from the states used to be murder. All there was to do was sit back and count your scars, or try to remember the names of your friends that died face down in muck while “Charlie” sat back and laughed in his palace of trees. Luckily for the coddled youth of today’s pansy society, there are portable headphones that can turn a flight from a trip to hell and back, to a fun adventure with your favorite music. Even though these little babies are a great way to pass the time and avoid flashbacks that you are trying to repress, it doesn’t mean that they are easy to buy. Before picking out a pair, read my guide on what to look for when buying a new pair of magical ear speakers.
Closed Ended Vs Ear Bud
This is the first thing you should look for when buying headphones and will quickly cut in half the amount of models that you will have to consider. Basically this is a personal preference, but also something to consider when you are deciding what you are going to be using your headphones for. Closed ended headphones are the models that come over the ear, and tend to have better sound quality, but be much bulkier and harder to transport. These were the models that we used in Nam when communicating if a soldier had fallen. My model got quite the workout. The ear bud models are popular for people on the go, and the newer models that actually fit in the ear canal and block sound, actually get decent sound quality, but tend to be quite expensive. When choosing a model, think about what you are primarily going to be using your phones for. If you are a DJ or using your headphones for a personal theater, closed ended are for you. If you are always on the go and looking to take up less space in your survival pack, then the ear bud models are your best bet. They are also good if you need to stay camouflaged when battling enemy snipers as they don’t stick out as much in the underbrush.
Noise Cancellation
Some of the higher end models come with a noise cancellation option. This unique and ingenious invention takes out ambient background noise, such as the sound of an airplane, letting you listen without having to ruin your hearing by cranking up the volume. Keep in mind that they will most likely not stop the screams of your dismembered comrades, or stop the voices in your head. This option tends to be available mostly on closed ended models, but has started making its way into ear bud models.
Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones are a great way to eliminate extra wires around the house as well as listen to music in every room. If you are considering going wireless, keep in mind that range is limited and that sound quality can be diminished when passed through the air. These models can also be more expensive then normal headphones, but are optimal if you want to stay organized and listen to your music all over the house.
General Specification
As with speakers, the bigger the driver and the more power your headphones can handle, the better and more ranged your sound quality will be. Make sure that you look at the range of bass and treble your phones can handle before plunking down the money for the,
As with all electronics, when purchasing a new pair of headphones you should never purchase the cheapest model, otherwise risk complete buyers regret. You should consider the purchase as much or more important then the object that will be delivering the music, so when you purchase your next MP3 player, put an equal amount of time and research into the player and the phones. Rest easier knowing that you can count on Newbie for the best reviews and prices on headphones, as well as all other forms of electronics.
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