Things You'll Need:
- Money to buy headphones
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Step 1
You need to assess two things when buying a pair of headphones: what you need them for, and how much you are willing to spend. See the "Resources" section below after reading the rest of the article to see my headphone recommendations.
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Step 2
There are many different types of headphones: over-the-ear headphones, noise-cancelling over-the-ear headphones, earbuds, noise-cancelling earbuds, and noise-isolating earbuds. Buying the right headphones for you all depends on what you need your headphones for.
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Step 3
EarbudsMany people are familiar with the iPod's headphones. These are basic earbuds. Basic earbuds are generally the cheapest and portable (making them good for traveling). You can get a good pair of earbuds for around $10. If you are looking for cheap headphones, then basic earbuds are probably the right kind of headphones to buy for you.
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Step 4
Noise-Isolating EarbudsNext, we'll look at noise-isolating headphones. These are also portable, but are a little bit more expensive than regular earbuds. Noise-isolating earbuds help to reduce the amount of higher-frequency noises (such as peoples' voices) you hear while you are listening to music. These are the right headphones to buy for people that need quiet while listening to music.
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Step 5
Noise-Cancelling EarbudsNoise-cancelling earbuds are the most expensive of the earbuds. They incorporate a technology which literally cancels out external noises (generally lower-frequency noises such as jet engines) so you can listen to music without being bothered. Noise-cancelling earbuds generally also include a noise-isolating mechanism which helps cancel out higher-frequencies. These are the right headphones to buy for those who need absolute silence while listening to music.
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Step 6
Over-the-ear headphonesOver-the-ear headphones are generally for more professional uses. They are larger than earbuds, and usually more expensive. However, they usually offer better sound quality. Over-the-ear headphones also isolate sound quite well.
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Step 7
Noise-cancelling over-the-ear headphonesFinally, we have noise-cancelling over-the-ear headphones. Generally quite expensive, they offer the best quality of sound, combined with the fact that you won't be able to hear any outside noises.
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Step 8
Whatever you choose, make sure you do your research as to what headphones are right for you. Buying the right headphones is a good investment that you will not regret taking the time to research.
