Earbud HeadPhone Review

The ever-popular earbuds used with many iPods and other MP3 players may be more stylish than the bigger and bulkier earmuff-type headphones, but they may also be more damaging to one's hearing, according to a Northwestern professor.

"No one really knows for sure" the levels at which iPod users listen to music, but "what we do know is that young people like their music loud and seldom worry about any decline in hearing ability."

This danger is not confined to MP3 users, such as iPod owners. Earbuds are also used with compact disc players and Walkmans. Audiologists have cautioned about the potential risk of hearing loss associated with such devices since the 1980s. The longer battery life and the greater music storage capacity of MP3 players, in comparison to Walkmans and compact discs, however, encourage longer periods of uninterrupted music listening.

Noise-canceling headphones are another option for those who desire to listen to music for an extended period of time. These devices, while a bit more costly and more visible than earbuds, partially or fully eliminate background noise so that users do not have to crank up the volume of their music for that purpose.

Wireless headphones are the ones where there is no cord to connect the set with source of music. Wireless headphones come with a transmitter base which plugs into the source of audios while the headphone set comes with a built in radio amplifier and a receiver. The nomenclature wireless is reserved for sets operating on Infrared while the cordless is for ones which operate on radio waves.

Infrared limits the distance one can move with wireless headphones. Usually, it not possible to move farther then a few yards away or go to another room, but there are some versions that allow whole house coverage. Cordless headphones allow a better range of movement. When you go to buy a wireless headphone, you should look for wireless headphones which have an on board volume control. This is helpful as you will not need to return to the base unit or audio source to control volume every time. Most wireless headphones are Dolby enabled. This technology is usually not available in simpler headphones which work on cords. Dolby technology gives far better sound quality then common headphones.

While looking for wireless headphones, it is recommended to try them before buying as they need to fit well on your head. Some stores will keep them in factory packaging and will not allow you to try on the wireless headphones. If you decide to purchase them online you, try to choose a name brand that you can trust. Most wireless headphones are adjustable and universal fitting.

Wireless headphones come in different models, which weigh different. Always look for models which are lighter as you may be wearing these headphones for longer period of time.

Most wireless headphones operate on batteries. Since you may use them for long period of time, using plain batteries will be quite expensive. While buying wireless headphone set, try and get sets of rechargeable batteries so that you can recharge them and reuse over a period of time. The better brands have rechargeable batteries and just need to be replaced in the base unit for charging.

Wireless headphones come in four styles:

? Earbud

? Sealed

? Canal

? Open

As a rule, ear bud design of wireless headphones is not the best design as it may cause loss of hearing over time. Open design lowers the sound quality a bit. When you are online or in a store looking for wireless headphones, remember these certain points:

? Wireless headphones which use Infrared are not affected by interference from electric appliances like Plasma TV.

? Headsets which operate on the 95 KHz infrared frequency work well in movie theatres.

? If you wish to use wireless headphones for plasma TV, buy one that operates on 2.3 MHZ.

? Although bigger plush earphones give better sound quality, they heat up faster then smaller ones so they may not be used for very long period of time.

? Most wireless headphones deliver better sound quality then the TV sets.

? Wireless headphones need to be kept clean and dry as possible. Watch were you take them, such as a Jacuzzi or sauna.

Wireless headphones are priced over a very large range. Although you may be tempted to buy the latest version, always look for the features you are getting and how you will use them. Although almost all types of wireless headphones are susceptible to some hiss, wherever the sound is digitally encoded first before transmitting, the voice quality is best.
Wireless headphones are extremely comfortable for people who may need to move a lot while listing to music or watching movies.

? New pair of running shoes

? New socks

? Jogging clothes or athletic wear

? A water bottle

? MP3 player and a good pair of Running Headphones

? New selection of music that is upbeat and positive

These are just a few things that I have put on my list, you can add many other things of course, but I found that music is a great motivator for getting me going. I have just had one dilemma after I got my mp3 player loaded with the good tunes, what type of headset should I wear. I have tried the standard earbuds that came with my mp3 player; it hurt my ears and always got tangled up and broke way too quickly. So what type of headphones would work the best for running? It really is a matter of personal choice, but I considered these things when I choose my pair of running headphones:

1. Will the headphones fit tight on my head and stay there?

2. Do they have a long enough cord that does not get tangled, or pull the headsets down when you get moving?

3. Will the cord be durable enough if the headphones fall off to not break the very first time, or pull out the mp3 player?

4. Does the headset cushions get too soggy from perspiration and become lose or uncomfortable?

5. Will the headphones offer noise cancelling features that will prolong my battery life and not cause ringing in my ears?

6. Is there a quality brand of running headphones made for people with active lifestyles?

7. Which is better a pair of quality in-the-ear type headphones, or ear enclosing headphones? And which one is safer?

I discovered that for me, the Sony Street Style folding neckband headphones were the best type. There are so many types that I choose them because of the name brand and I thought they looked really cool. They offered some extra bass response which I wanted as well. You may find that other types are better suited; it really is a personal decision when it comes to making a choice of running headphones. I have even loaded some motivational speaking into my mp3 player to help get me going in the morning. My hour of power you know.

So whatever brand or type of headphone you add to your exercise routine, it is all good, when you just get up and move, and for me nothing makes my day better than listening to some positive upbeat music, and listening to it without all the hassles and problems that come just using those cheap low quality headphones. I consider it an invaluable investment in my personal well being..

ILuv i301 - Headphones ( in-ear ear-bud ) - black
Experience comfort and great sound quality with this lightweight "In-ear" earphone for your iPod and many other audio devices.PRODUCT FEATURES:Comfortable to wear;Easy to adjust lead length for maximum comfort;Ultra lightweight in-ear design with in-line volume control;High-performance speakers for extended frequency range, lower distortion, and high power handling;Best companion for digital devices - iPod / MD / MP3 / CD Players.

BandD PowerPro 250W Hand Mixer
BandD 250W Hand Mixer, Wire Beaters, Whisk

Emerge Technologies Retractable Earbud with In-Line Mic for VOIP Calling Computer Headset with Microphone (ETAUDIOVOIP)
RETRAK / EMERGE ETAUDIOVOIP Retractable VoIP In-Ear Headset Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) microphone; Great for Internet calling programs; High-quality voice and sound production; Standard PC microphone and headphone plugs; Includes integrated shirt clip; 3.6 ft Retractable VoIP In-Ear Headset

Customer Review: Quality product

I was looking for mono headset to use with Skype phone on my home laptop. I bought and returned three other headsets made by small companies from Radio Shack and Fry's. All those had low quality speakers or weak microphones, and also did not sit tight on the ear (dangling). Then I recalled that I already have high quality retractable stereo headset with crisp sound and very good mike at work so I looked at the brand name and it was retractable headset from Emerge Technology. So I went to their website and discovered that they make mono headset also with premium sound so I ordered one from Amazon. It is indeed high quality headset. You can even use it to listen music. Mike is terrific - sound is crisp and clear. The only problem - ear bud does not seat tight on ear, like say on Jabra or other brand name headsets. I would suggest making this ear bud more ergonomic and thenit will be perfect very compact headset. But it still sits much better that other nonbrandname headsets I bought I returned.

Sennheiser PC 20 Over-the-Head Monaural Headset
SENNHEISER PC20 Adjustable Boom Microphone VoIP Headset Adjustable microphone boom with noise-canceling microphone; Ideal for VoIP, voice recognition and Internet telephony Adjustable Boom Microphone VoIP Headset

Customer Review: Excellent for speech recognition

Due to a temporary disability the only way I can operate a computer is using speech recognition, fortunately Vista has made this possible. I have tried several different headsets and this by far is the best I've found. They fit comfortably and their sound quality is excellent.



I use them for both computer controlled via speech recognition and for VOIP and the work very well for both.

Palm Treo 2.5mm to 3.5mm Stereo Headphone Adapter
Eliminate carrying or buying 2.5mm headphones for travel! JAVOedge's gold plated 2.5mm to 3.5mm stereo headphone adapter is all you need to listen to music on your 2.5mm audio jack equipped Smartphone. Use any 3.5mm (standard size) headphones with your device. Go ahead; the power of choice is yours! Note that devices using 3-prong adapter heads may only produce mono sound with this adapter.

yooZoo iPod iPhone MP3 Earbud Stereo Headphones - Midnight Black

yooZoo iPod iPhone MP3 Earbud Stereo Headphones - Midnight Black
Add some color and style to your iPod, iPhone, or personal electronic device with these quality stereo earbud headphones. With a slim fit 1/8" jack you can rest assured it will fit your iPhone, iPod, MP3 player, or personal electronic device with ease and give you added comfort with the earbud style headphone; ear cushion included. Choose one any of the 5 color options available and add a new look while on the go! Color - Midnight Black

Customer Review:

Designed to compliment Sony Sports Series. Yellow, water-resistant, in-ear headphone 13.5 MM Diameter Driver is small enough to fit inside your ear Frequency Response - 16 - 22,000 Hz Oxygen-Free Copper Cord assures high signal transmission with low noise Nickel-Plated Mini-Plug resists corrosion to maintain high conductivity for best signal transfer Compact storage case