The difference between Headphones and Earbuds
Headphones versus headphones versus earphones versus earphones
Headphones, earphones, and earphones - what's the difference after all?
Headphones is a term used for a device that features drivers connected by a headband and worn over the head. It is also used as an umbrella term that includes all other terms.
Headphones are basically headphones with microphones.
Hearing aids are small devices that fit directly into the ear canal.
Headphones can be anything and everything depending on who you ask, so we avoid using the term.
If you need a new pair of cans to take your music listening experience to the next level, you likely already have a basic idea of what you need.
This may not include a specific model (this is where our product reviews come in most helpful) but you probably know what type of device you want. It could be a pair of headphones, earbuds, or maybe a headphone. Or it could be earphones, in-ear headphones, over-ear headphones, or something else entirely.
If you're not following, don't worry. Honestly, we'd have an easier time communicating its meaning if we called it a pair of earmuffs attached to a headband, a pair of earmuffs attached to a headband with a microphone sticking out from one earbud, or a pair of those tiny headphones that stick into your ear canal.
Things will be simpler this way. These descriptions may sound stupid, but ironically, their use is sometimes less likely to cause misunderstanding than using formal terms like headphones, earphones, etc.
The reason for this is simple: there is no universally agreed model for indexing these audio devices that everyone should adhere to.
So, when someone says “earphone,” two completely different listeners can imagine two different devices: on-ear headphones and in-ear headphones. We wouldn't be surprised if there was even a third option that we forgot to consider.
So, we are here to set the record straight by putting together the terms we use and why. This is the most common usage of these terms so it should prepare you for most situations, but just know that again, this is not an exact science, so some people may use other definitions; Nothing we can do about it ...
Without further ado, let's get started.
Table of contents
headphones
Regarding how the earpieces are placed on the ears, we can distinguish two types of headphones:
On-ear headphones
Over-ear headphones
With the earbuds, the earbuds fit directly over your ears. This allows the earpieces to be much smaller, which helps in reducing the weight of the device as well as making it more suitable for outdoor use.
However, this also means that on-ear headphones have to tighten your head more forcefully to stay in place, which is not really a positive trait, in terms of comfort. Since it is converting the sound directly to your ear canal, its sound can be tied.
Conversely, over-the-ear headphones feature larger earbuds with larger earbuds, so they generally only sit on the outer ear. This, in turn, makes them more comfortable when wearing them for long periods of time, as they don't have to hold your head in a tight grip. They also have a more spacious sound stage, thanks to the more space provided for drivers to work with.
Since they win in terms of comfort and sound, over-the-ear headphones are often considered to be better than on-ear headphones. However, they are generally avoided for outdoor use due to their large carton frame.
Headsets
If we're clear about the definition of headphones, nothing is easier than explaining what a headphone is - headphones with a built-in microphone. This microphone can be detachable or non-detachable, stationary, movable, bendable ... it doesn't matter. If it has a microphone, it's a headphone. (Unless we're talking about the earbuds with a microphone - the earbuds are pretty much their thing, as you'll see.)
Since adding a microphone makes the headset more impractical for general use than most regular headphones, it typically uses an over-ear design, but those designers enough for an on-ear headphone can still find some.
Headphones offer the advantage all other solutions offer two-in-one - comfort - but they come with standard damage as well - less focus. In this case, Jack's approach of two major deals from either leaves headphones with lower sound quality, or lower sound quality per dollar, to be more accurate.
Since its total price tag doesn't just take into account the overall build but the addition of the microphone, the $ 50 headphone will always look worse than the $ 50 headphones.
This is why we only recommend headphones over headphones to users who really plan to make good use of the microphone.
Headphones
Finally, we have headphones.
These are small devices that go straight into the ear canal. It features the smallest drivers and the most restrictive acoustic space, but it makes up for with being feather-light and providing unparalleled mobility. They also judge in terms of freedom of movement, which is why they are preferred by athletes.
The earbuds usually come with several silicone heads. Finding the advice that gives you the perfect option is critical if you plan to exercise while using it (it's also important to listen to music regularly), but accessing it can be a problem.
Some people swear by the earbuds and can wear them for days on end without any discomfort, while others experience a pain in the ear when the word is mentioned.
In terms of sound quality, they don't hold a candle in headphones and headphones, but again, they serve a completely different kind of consumer so that's not really an issue.
The earbuds come in three distinct connection flavors:
Wired
Wireless
True wireless
Follow this link if you want to know the difference between wireless and true wireless.
Different models
Various types of portable listening devices
Basically, the three main types of portable listening devices are:
headphones
Headsets
Headphones
At least that's how we see them. We follow this model because it's the one that potential buyers are most likely to be interested in, given that these three types of devices all cater to different audiences.
This is not the case with another popular model that classifies headphones into:
On-ear headphones
Over-ear headphones
In-ear headphones
We have already explained which over-ear and over-ear headphones are, and in-ear headphones are just synonymous with earphones. This model is the most straightforward, but it does not take into account the presence or absence of a microphone. This is why we only use the terms on the ear and on the ear as secondary adjectives.
We start by presenting the device as a headphone or a pair of headphones and then explaining how they rest on the ears, rather than the other way around.
As for the earphones, there isn't much we can say. We're not even sure we know what that means. Sometimes it is synonymous with earphones. Other times it is used as an umbrella term for all devices we have mentioned so far.
And there may be instances when it used to mean something else entirely. Our advice is to avoid using this term as it generally only causes confusion.
The back is closed opposite the back opening
Closed back versus open back headphones
On a somewhat unrelated but still noteworthy note, we want to clarify the difference between closed and open back devices. This can refer to both headphones and headphones, but we'll use the previous term for simplicity.
Closed Back Headphones - The design of these headphones features fully sealed external ear cups. This means that the sound has only one direction and that it is moving towards your ear.
Open Back Headphones - The ear cups for these headphones are made of a material that does not form a perfect seal (usually some kind of net). This means that the music produced by the driver is not completely directed to your ear; Part of it escapes through the other side of the ear piece.
They both come with advantages and disadvantages.
Open-back headphones have the advantage of allowing you to hear yourself while the headphones are on, which can be helpful for anyone trying to talk while they're in use. For example, many players enjoy using open-back headphones as they allow for a more spacious and immersive sound with the added benefit of not having to shout while communicating in online matches.
Likewise, these headphones are great for people who need to be aware of their surroundings. Maybe you want to enjoy your music or play a game but are waiting for your handover? Open back headphones will not allow you to miss the doorbell.
Last but not least, the open nature of these headphones also helps with breathability.
In contrast, closed headphones provide better sound isolation. The larger sound stage of open-back headphones is great for the headphone-wearer, but not so much for the person sitting next to them on public transport. Closed headphones completely circumvent this problem by trapping all sound.
This also makes it superior in any environment where ambient noise threatens to interfere with headphone sound.
Moreover, the bass is stronger since it is directed towards your ear and nothing else. The main downside of closed headphones, aside from the narrow sound range, is overheating due to lack of ventilation.
These terms do not conflict with any of the others, but we believe they should be mentioned in this article as well. Choosing between a closed back and an open back can be just as important as choosing between over-the-ear or over-ear devices, or choosing between getting headphones or a headphone.
conclusion
Headphones versus headphones versus earphones versus earphones
In conclusion, headphone terminology can be somewhat confusing at first. Even after you have a solid understanding of it, it can still be problematic at times. We don't even know what the earbuds are.
We hope this article helped you distinguish these terms. There is a lot to consider when shopping for a new pair of boxes, whether it's headphones or headphones, on-ear, over-ear, closed-back, or open-back ... the only exception to this are earphones that are easy to understand that are difficult to confuse with any another thing.
The terminology used on this site is to your advantage. However, it is not the only one like we said, and you are of course free to choose which one makes things easier for you.
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