So you just got a paycheck. Congrats! Or you just have a couple hundred bucks sitting around. Also, congrats! What are you going to do with all that money? Why not get yourself a nice pair of headphones?
You could buy $29.99 Skullcandy earbuds from RadioShack, but there’s several reasons to invest in hi-fidelity headphones. Hearing details in music is an awesome experience. And great headphones last a long time. We are talking about years. You won’t have to buy cheap ones every month. Quality headphones are costly, but they’re well worth it. Here are few things to look out for when shopping for a pair.
1. Not Beats by Dre
I got Beats Studio headphones as a gift once. They came in the swankiest package I had ever seen for an electronic product. Not to mention, the headphones themselves looked pretty sturdy and flashy. Branding and durability — those definitely are costly qualities. But what about the sound quality?
I see where Beats’ appeal originates — the headphones deliver that addicting DUN-DUN-DUN bass, but that’s pretty much it. When it comes to overall sound, they’re one of the worst you can buy.
If you really do like how they look and enjoy the booming bass, I won’t stop you. But keep in mind, you are missing out on many better options.
2. Reviews, reviews, reviews — and know what you’re looking for
Buying hi-fi headgear is a significant financial commitment, and yes, you want to get the best.
Here are some categories to consider: sound quality, design, comfort, noise cancellation, price and durability. If you’re looking for something that’s not outlandishly expensive, odds are it’s going to be lacking in one or two of these other categories. But there are a lot of brands out there, and it’s fun to explore.
3. Use different pairs for different occasions
I did my share of research and shelling out cash. I have two very premium pairs that I love for different reasons.
First: Audio-Technica ATH-M50 They are about $150 on Amazon, which is half the cost of Beats Studio headphones. These cans are pretty good for lots of uses — the sound doesn’t leak too much, they are absolutely comfortable on your ears, and the balance among treble, mids and bass is impeccable. You can hear all the details at once. I like to wear these while traveling, on the way to my internship, walking around the campus, etc.
And then there’s Grado SR225e headphones. These are about $200. They’re not as comfortable as the Audio-Technica pair, and the sound leaks out big time, so I rarely wear them outside. But they are probably the most immaculate headphones I’ve tried in terms of sound quality. Audio-Technica headphones deliver good sound, but this Grado product is off the charts. Grado is also family-owned with an ethical approach to its business model.
