Getting started

At home, almost any good headphones will do. They can allow you to enjoy a late-night movie without disturbing your sleeping spouse or listen to music while the kids run amok in the background.

Portable headphones let you take the show on the road. If you'll be using an iPod or portable DVD player in a crowded plane, consider a noise-canceling model that can reduce unwanted ambient noise.

Some headphone models, such as closed, over-the-ear headphones, tend to block outside noise. So do insert-style earphones that are inserted into the ear canal, forming a seal against outside sounds, much like an earplug. Active noise-canceling models use battery-powered electronic circuitry that can reduce extraneous noises to various degrees. Use this headphone guide to find the right pair for you.

Types

The type of headphones you buy depends mostly on your lifestyle and somewhat on your budget. Some people buy different types of headphones for different uses, such as a pair to wear while exercising and another for listening to high-fidelity music. Here are the types of headphones to consider.

These headphones are usually larger models that look like earmuffs, with earpieces connected by a headband. Most are corded, with wires that run from 3 feet to 8 feet long so they can be connected to an audio source such as a receiver or TV. Some can be folded for storage and come with carrying pouches. There are also battery-powered wireless models that pick up radio frequency or infrared transmissions from a base unit that connects to an audio source. Home/studio headphones come in a few basic designs:

Available in a variety of styles, all are lightweight, small, and may be foldable so they can be tucked away in a pocket or purse when not in use. They come in a variety of styles:

Wireless models, once rare, are now increasingly common, and typically use RF, infrared (IR), or Bluetooth wireless technologies. Most home models have a battery-powered headset and an AC-powered transmitter that connects to your audio or video gear. RF models can transmit signals through walls and floors, enabling you to use the headphones in other rooms or even outside. But they are also subject to interference from other devices, such as cordless phones and microwave ovens, that operate on the same frequencies (often 900MHz or 2.4GHz). Several RF technologies are used, including: FM (analog) or digital spread spectrum

Wireless headphones that use infrared technology, much like a TV remote, require a direct line of sight to the transmitter. Bluetooth is a type of digital spread-spectrum technology, and the typical model has an operating range of about 30 feet within the home.

Portable wireless headphones generally use Bluetooth to connect to smart phones, such as an iPhone or BlackBerry, or Bluetooth-enabled portable media media players, such as a second-generation iPod Touch. Bluetooth technology used in headphones (and other hi-fi audio uses) should employ the A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) or ¿advanced audio" feature, rather than the narrow-band voice-quality mode used for wireless cell phone headsets.

Noise-canceling headphones are a good choice for anyone who doesn't want to be disturbed by outside noise. Any headphones with a closed design that fit tightly over your ears or inside the ear canal will block some noise by creating a seal. This is called passive noise reduction. Closed design over-the-ear and insert-style earphones tend to block more noise than do open design, on-ear, and ear-bud-style headphones. Models with active noise-canceling technology go a step further. These battery-powered headphones use tiny microphones to monitor noise frequencies, and then produce those same frequencies out of phase in an effort to cancel them.

We've found that the effectiveness of noise reduction technology can range from very good to poor. In general, we found the most effective noise-reduction in models that combined passive noise blocking with active noise cancellation. Some models let you turn off noise reduction; these will work without batteries. Others work only with noise canceling activated, and thus they can't be used for listening to music if the batteries die. And in some cases, you can use the noise-canceling feature even when you're not listening to music, simply to reduce outside noise.

Features

With headphones, comfort is crucial, so look for headphone or earphone features that will enable you to adjust or customize the fit. Ease of use and maintenance also matter, so look for the headphone features mentioned below.

Adjustable headbands can provide a better fit on your head, while models with foldable and collapsible bands might be easier to carry.

Having ear cups that pivot, or choosing earphones that come with different-sized adapters, foam pads, or canal tips can you to help achieve a proper, comfortable fit.

These can be replaced or washed, making it easier to maintain headphones.

Smaller, lighter headphones are generally more comfortable than bulkier models, though there could be a tradeoff in sound quality.

Compared with a Y-exit cord, models with a single-exit cord reduce tangling. Also, some come with asymmetrical cords, where one cord is longer or shorter than the other.

A volume control is useful, especially if you're sitting far from the source, such as a TV. Some controls are on the headphone's earpiece, while others are along the cord's length.

With active noise-canceling designs and wireless models, a user-removable battery is a plus, because it will eventually have to be replaced.