Buzz
1. Don't Stress About the Brand
In 2014, ConsumerReports.org discovered that Grado headphones outperformed both Beats and Bose in sound quality. And most people have never even heard of Grado.
What does that tell you?
Firstly, outstanding marketing doesn't necessarily make a product outstanding. Dr. Dre may be an iconic music producer, but the headphones he endorses might not be your best choice – especially considering rumors that they cost only around $14 to manufacture.
And here's rule number 1. If you're serious about getting excellent quality with your hard-earned money, don't worry about the brand of the headphones you're buying. And if you care about the brand, just buy the newest one, no need to bother choosing.
2. Choose the Type of Headphones
Modern headphones generally come in 4 common types:
- Over-ear headphones. These types tend to have powerful bass but can be bulky to carry around and may cause disturbance to those around you.
- In-ear headphones are easy to carry in your pocket and can provide excellent sound quality. Even better, many companies offer custom-fit headphones perfectly suited to your ears.
- Noise-canceling and noise-reducing headphones block out external sounds completely or partially. They used to be extremely expensive – especially the noise-canceling type. Nowadays, you can get a pair for as low as $20 – or $200 for a high-end pair.
- Wireless headphones. They operate via Bluetooth and don't require wires, very convenient.
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type of headphones before considering any specific models. Nowadays, most stores help you make the right choice by categorizing headphones into general categories – and Amazon even has additional subcategories like 'foldable headphones'.
3. Read Headphone Reviews
The best way to determine whether a pair of headphones is good or not is to listen to them firsthand – or read user reviews. At the end of the day, a device may be made from great materials, look good on paper, and seem like a steal...
But unless someone you trust has endorsed it, be cautious when ordering online.
4. Buy Your Headphones from a Reliable Store
At first glance, it can be easy to mistake genuine branded headphones for cheap knockoffs. Many online sellers lack integrity and exploit this by selling counterfeit goods resembling the real ones.
Unfortunately, the entire point of nice-looking headphones is that they reproduce music well – and you won't get that with a pair of knockoffs. That's why it's important to buy your product from a store you trust; preferably one recommended by your peers.
