Headphones buying guide - CNET Reviews

A long, long time ago, before the Age of the Walkman came along and revolutionized them in the 1980s, headphones were big and clunky. In those bygone days, headphones were stay-at-home things, relegated to late-night, LP music listening. That was then; the latest generation of slimmed-down headphones injects high-resolution music or home-theater sound directly into your ears.

The distinctions of portable and home headphones are melting away, but the following rundown of headphone types will clarify your buying options. How you intend to use your headphones--for music, home theater, or gaming--and where you plan to do your listening--at home or on the go--will narrow the range of possible types you'll want to research. The four major form factors are listed below, from the smallest (or most portable) to the largest, which are the least portable.

There's no wrong headphone style; whether you prefer snug-fitting earbuds or full-size, padded ear-cup models is a matter of personal preference. Choose the one that best fits your needs and your idea of comfort.

Types: Earbuds | Sports headphones | Ear-pad headphones | Full-size headphones

Earbuds are commonly issued as freebie 'phones with portable players, but higher-performance 'buds can offer sonics that rival full-size models. Their tiny earpieces rest on the outer ear or need to be inserted into the ear canal; some models include ear clips for a more secure fit.

Upside: Ultracompact and lightweight; can provide moderate to excellent isolation from external noise; little to no interference with earrings, glasses, hats or hairstyles.

Downside: Sound quality and bass response often not comparable to those of full-size models; can cause discomfort over periods of extended use; some models are difficult to insert and remove; the idea of putting foreign objects in the ear is counterintuitive and uncomfortable for many people; dual-cable design means more possibilities for tangled wires.

Portability: Highest.

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Also known as: Fashion headphones; vertical headphones; behind-the-neck headphones; clip-on headphones; neckband headphones; Walkman-style headphones; portable headphones.

This loosely defined category usually refers to lightweight models with two general headband styles: standard vertical bands that arch over the head or horizontal designs that extend behind the head or neck. Some sport headphones have an ear clip or attachment in the place of a head- or neckband. These headphones are almost always open-backed designs (such as the ear-pad models, below), with good reason: if you're jogging, the last thing you want to do is completely block out the ambient noise of the street around you.

Upside: Behind-the-neck designs won't interfere with your hairstyle or your hat; usually stay put during running or jogging.

Downside: A lot of stylish, slender headphone designs aren't all that durable; some behind-the-neck designs exert higher-than-average amount of pressure on your ears.

Portability: High.

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Also known as: Supra-aural headphones; open-backed headphones; semi-open headphones; closed-back headphones; on-ear headphones.

These headphones rest on your outer ears and run the gamut from inexpensive portables to high-end home models. While ear-pad headphones can have closed designs that cover the ears, they are never fully sealed as are full-size circumaural models (see below).

Upside: Comfortable; less prone to overheating ears than full-size 'phones; some models fold up for easy transport.

Downside: Less effective noise isolation than in-ear or full-size models; less powerful bass compared with full-size headphones.

Portability: Medium.

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Also known as: Circumaural headphones; closed-back headphones; ear-cup headphones; over-the-ear headphones.

The tech-speak description for this type of headphone is circumaural--it includes any 'phones with ear cups that fully enclose your ears. Because of their size and their acoustic isolation, full-size headphones are often considered to be better suited to home use rather than as a portable option.

Upside: Large 'phones offer potential for maximum bass and loudness levels; effectively block outside noise.

Downside: Large size is cumbersome for portable use; some full-size models can be uncomfortably hot and make your ears sweat; ear cups and headbands often interfere with earrings, glasses, and hairstyles.

Portability: Lowest.

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