Headphone myths

There is a lot of talk about headphones and earphones. Some of it is true, some borrowed from Hi‐Fi, and some is gimmickry. Here is a guide from the consumer magazine Which. You should read the original article. In summary (in case the link breaks or something), these ideas are wrong,

  • Headphones need to be burned‐in i.e. played for hours, before they sound right

  • Gold connectors improve sound

  • Big bass headphones have the best bass

  • Better Bluetooth version means better sound

  • AirPods only work with Apple devices

  • Amazon Echo Buds are Alexa‐only

  • More expensive headphones sound better and last longer

  • Noise‐cancelling/isolating headphones make the world silent

  • Bigger drivers sound better, and look for neodymium magnets

That said, I would say there is some truth in most of these comments. But if you follow the list, you are on the right track.

Commentary on the list

I comment on, or mildly disagree,

Headphones do not need to be burned‐in

True burn‐in is an idea borrowed from Hi‐Fi, and can take three days, or months. The drivers in earphones and headphones are too small and cheap for burn‐in to make a big difference.

Big bass headphones do not make better bass

If all build is similar, bigger drivers make bigger bass. But the small speakers in headphones can not drive bass properly, ever. How, where, and in what the speakers are mounted matters far more.

More expensive headphones do not sound better or last longer

Expensive headphones do sound better, and sound obviously better to anyone. This comment is more to do with the variability of design and build in the headphone market.

Noise‐cancelling/isolating headphones do not make the world silent

There is a technology called noise‐cancelling. To get that, you need to spend near £200. As for claims of ‘isolation’, well, you are sticking plastic and metal in your ears. Your only question need be, how much will this plastic and metal block outside sound?

Bigger drivers do not sound better

They can make more bass. But yes, that’s not the same thing as better sound.