Types of Headphones
There are three main types of headphones: Dynamic, Electrostatic, and Planar magnetic.
The most common type of headphone is the dynamic headphone, which uses a miniature cone just like the ones used in regular cone speakers. Dynamic headphones tend to be able to produce bass more effortlessly than electrostatic and planar magnetic headphones, due to the increased amount of air being moved. The downside of most dynamic headphones is that they tend to sound “slow” in the bass and music does not have the speed and detail of a good planar or electrostatic headphone. There are exceptions to this generalization, of course.
Electrostatic headphones are renowned for their speed and unmatched detail retrieval. They are in many ways, the ideal technology for a headphone driver. The major downside of electrostatic headphones is that they run on very high voltages, and require a specialized energizer to work. Additionally, many electrostatic headphones are lighter on bass when compared to their dynamic and planar counterparts, due to the limits of the excursion of the diaphragm.
Planar magnetic headphones use a large, ultra thin membrane combined with magnets on either side to produce sound. This type of headphone offers many of the benefits of an electrostatic headphone, with the added benefit of being able to produce more bass. While there are examples of top tier headphones of every kind, planar magnetics are quickly becoming one of the most popular types of headphones for audio quality on the market. Planar magnetic headphones also are much more efficient than electrostatics and many dynamic headphones, so they can be run off of a phone or small amplifier without issue.
Which Type Should You Choose?
The type of headphone that is best for you will depend mainly on your listening habits and your budget. If environment and cost aren’t a concern, electrostatic headphones, and some TOTL planars will provide you with the highest level of detail. If the environment is a concern, then going with a good closed back dynamic or planar headphone is a great option. Another important aspect to consider is amplification. If you want to be able to use your headphones on your phone, for example, then a planar (and some dynamics) will allow you to play music without issue. Electrostatics and a significant amount of dynamic headphones require powerful external amplification to sound their best.
Open Back, Or Closed?
A headphone can either be a fully sealed (closed) design, a semi-open design (think vented), and a fully open design (little to no seal). In terms of sound quality, open back headphones are renowned for their expansive soundstage and more natural presentation. The major downside of having an open-back headphone is two-fold: it is hard to achieve deep, thumping bass from an open back design due to the lack of reinforcement from the walls of the cup. Additionally, open-back headphones tend to leak a lot more sound than closed or semi-closed designs, which may make not make them suitable for use in public spaces. A semi open design lies somewhere in the middle in terms of functionality and performance and really depends on the manufacturer. Most high-end headphones are designed to be open or almost fully open. Closed back headphones, while not usually able to achieve the wide soundstage and natural sound of open-backs, still have some pros. Closed-backs don’t suffer from the lack of bass that open-backs often have, and they will better isolate you from your surroundings than any other design type. If your listening habits don’t allow for sound to leak into your environment and vice versa, then closed backs are the way to go. One other major issue with closed backs is that you can sometimes hear the enclosure that the driver is in. Sometimes, the enclosure acoustics are accounted for in the timing and frequency response of the driver, but in my experience, enclosures on cheaper closed backs are not as inert as is necessary to avoid colorations to the sound. Keep this in mind when shopping for closed backs, since build quality of the cups is of upmost importance.
Earpads
Earpads can drastically change the effective tuning of a headphone. Some companies spend lots of time working on the earpads as a part of the headphone sound. I can’t say this is always the case. If you like most of the attributes of your headphone, but just want to change certain things about the tuning, aftermarket pads are a great way to do so. Any potential buyer should also realize that the earpads, as well as the shape of the headphones, are designed for the general population, not you specifically. Not every headphone will create a proper seal on your head, but it might on someone else’s. This is another reason why it is important to try things for yourself in order to make informed choices, because these variables impact the user experience, and significantly so in some cases. Headphones have varying degrees of adjustability, and this is a feature that certainly should be considered when purchasing.
Conclusion
Headphones offer a high-quality audio experience in a more affordable, portable, and less disturbing way than speakers. Headphones have improved tremendously in recent years, and a set of cans <$1000 can provide a very satisfying experience with the right electronics. Deciding which headphone best matches your use case and tuning preferences, is the most important part of any purchase. For those who can push past the drawbacks of current headphone technology, investing in a TOTL pair of headphones can offer a level of resolution that speakers cannot currently compete with in the same price bracket.