Check headphones for surround sound. Marshall Major II BT: punchy sound without cables

Very often, when buying headphones, many people want to check the headphones for various defects.

The material contained a description of the main types of marriage that may occur. There are situations when you want to make a quick check "on the spot", because even if the store has a high level of service and everything is quickly changed there or the issue is promptly resolved, no one is happy with an extra trip. The second problem is to explain what seems to be a marriage in headphones, because. the verbal description "they play badly" is not always enough for a diagnosis in a service center. They can simply skip the problem and return it as serviceable.

We offer a universal test that will allow you to make an accurate analysis of the main types of defects in headphones in less than a minute. Separately, I would like to note that this not a headphone sound quality test from the series "which is better", this is a test marriage test.

The test consists of 5 tracks. In terms of track order, the first track should come first and is used to set the system volume. Playing tracks in reverse order can damage your headphones, so be careful.

Description of test tracks for headphones

Track 1 - setting the volume and assessing the channel imbalance

This is a normal piece of music (Juan Jurado - Losing Control) played in mono. Before moving on to the rest of the tracks, set the volume to a comfortable level. After that, the volume for other tracks should not change (neglecting this rule can lead to damage to the headphones). After setting a comfortable volume level in the player or headphone amplifier, try to determine if the music is playing in the middle, because. if some sounds or instruments are off-center, then channel imbalance is possible.

In working headphones, the music should sound strictly in the middle (or it's time for you to visit an ENT).

Track 2 - checking the right and left channels.

In the track, it is reproduced by a phrase, meaning the channel that should sound. The words "Left Chanal" should sound only in the left earpiece, and the words "Right Chanal" only in the right.

If both phrases are played in the middle, then the headphones have problems in the jack, where the signal wires of the left and right channels are soldered or the contact of the common wire has come off. If the words “right channel” are played in the left channel, and “left channel” in the right channel, then the channels are reversed in the headphones.

Track 3 - Sliding Tone to Overtones

This is a monophonic sweep tone, it allows you to reveal overtones. In area low frequencies mechanical problems are detected when the membrane touches something. In the high and medium frequencies, problems are quite rare, but are possible if there is a crack in the membrane and resonance occurs at a certain frequency.

Chatter in the low frequency region is most often caused by the presence of a hair that hits the membrane with its tip. Therefore, in case of overtones, be sure to check if there is hair, and if your hair can get into the earphone when you put it on. The second reason is not a tight fit of the headphones. When a small gap remains somewhere and during the reproduction of low frequencies there is a stream of air, which in turn can be heard, or move something in its path.

The beginning of the track is low frequencies, the middle of the track is the middle frequencies and the end of the track is high frequencies. If during track playback an imbalance of the panorama is felt, and one of the channels sounds louder, then it will be possible to offhand determine the source of the problem. For ordinary single-driver headphones, this is definitely a defect, for multi-driver headphones - a failure of one of the speakers or a reinforcing radiator.

At the same time, do not forget that different headphones have their own tolerances for the accuracy of selecting speakers, and there will always be a slight imbalance. Moreover, the imbalance can be caused by a different fit of the headphones or a different pressure of each cup. If the earphones are just unpacked and one of the ear cups is not straightened out, the closer earpiece to the ear will sound louder. The symmetry of the fit on the ear also depends, if the center of the speaker in one earpiece coincides with the center of the ear, and the other one is dressed with a deviation, for example, in height, then the sound of the channels will differ.

Track 4 - Low frequency tone - overtones.

Swipton briefly shows the big picture, but an additional track is given to check for chatter in the low-frequency region.

Track 5 - channel phasing

The track plays pink noise, in phase and out of phase. When playing in phase, the noise should be localized in the middle, and when playing out of phase, either “stick” to one of the channels or not be localized in space. If after the words “phase” the noise is not localized, and after the word the antiphase is localized in the middle, then one of the speakers works in antiphase. Incorrect phasing means marriage (which is bad), where the speaker poles were mixed up when soldering wires.

More on Test Track 4 - Headphone Overload Level and Risk of Headphone Damage

For those who choose headphones over meticulously, the track may come in handy for another test, whether both channels of the headphones go into overload at the same volume. This test is popular with some users, but in the hands of "users" it often leads to non-warranty damage to the headphones. If you increase the volume when playing this track, then sooner or later a bounce will appear when the headphone membrane starts to make high-amplitude movements and this goes beyond the speaker's passport capabilities. In theory, both channels should crackle at the same volume level. If the levels at which bounce begins are significantly different, then only service center the manufacturer can conclude whether this is a defect, or one of the speakers simply has an increased overload capacity, or it should be so if the internal design of the headphones is not symmetrical.

Experiments with speaker overload end in three scenarios - coil burnout, coil tearing off the membrane, or membrane jamming. In the first case, the resistance of the earphone changes to a lower side, and it may well begin to play even louder. If the membrane is torn off from the speaker diaphragm, there will always be a bounce, regardless of the playback frequency. Very often, these headphones click without playing music, just connected to any audio device. As a rule, there is always a little background noise that is not subjectively audible, but it is enough that clicks occur when a partially detached coil strikes the membrane. The impact is sometimes weak, as with touching the hair, and this is clearly visible, like ripples on the water from a tiny drop. A head jam occurs when the speaker deviates beyond tolerance without the coil being pulled away from the head. In this case, the speaker reproduces the sound much quieter and changes its frequency balance. In some cases, this defect can be eliminated if the design of the headphones allows you to straighten the diaphragm.

Jam membrane by the way can be caused by another action. Put on the headphones, and then clap them (as children like to clap their ears with their palms for fun). In this case, the headphones are sharply pressed against the head and due to the compressed space inside the headphones, the pressure acting on the membrane increases. The membrane is crushed by pressure and the headphones are damaged. Some fragile models can be damaged if put on abruptly and apply adequate air compression.

For the incorrect use of this test and the crooked hands of the tester, the author is not responsible.

Frequency response

10Hz >> 200Hz ↓

The first test checks the lower bound of the range. Listen until you start to hear the main low tone. The voice-over tells you what frequency you have reached (English): this number represents the minimum frequency that the headphones under test are capable of. good headphones can reproduce sound as low as 20 Hz, the lower limit of our hearing.

22 kHz >> 8 kHz ↓

The second test checks the upper end of the range. Listen until you start to hear the main high tone. Good headphones reproduce frequencies up to 20 kHz, the upper limit of the human hearing range.

However, keep in mind that this limit decreases with age. If all of your headphones suddenly have the same upper frequency limit, and that frequency is lower than what the manufacturer says, it could mean that your hearing is the cause and not the quality of the headphones.

If you're hearing strange ups and downs, or anything else that doesn't sound like a continuously descending sound, it's most likely your sound card introduces interference.
Quality

Shaking bass ↓

Frequency response deviation ↓

To correctly reproduce the stereo panorama, the left and right speakers must equally reproduce all frequencies in the sound spectrum. Our test plays frequencies from 20Hz to 10kHz and sends them at the same level to both speakers. Throughout the test, the signal should sound right in the center of your head, without any deviation.
binaural test

Knock on the door ↓

Binaural recordings are made by placing microphones directly in the ears. When playing back a recording through headphones, this test assumes that each ear of the listener will receive exactly the same signal as it did when the recording was made. Our test signal consists of a binaural recording of a knock on a wooden door. When comparing headphones, ask yourself how realistic the recording sounds? Do you feel that the door is next to you? Does it sound like a real wooden door?

To date headphones- well-sold equipment. What's more, it's one of the few audio categories that has seen sales growth in recent years. If we analyze the situation as a whole, then everything becomes clear. Smartphones, laptops and traditional hi-fi systems to which headphones can be connected began to appear in the popular market for iPods and MP3 players. Plus, tablets have also been added to this. As is the case with most MP3 players, the headphones that come with tablets often leave a lot to be desired, and if you plan to use a lot of headphones, you should get better ones.

Next, we will consider six pairs of headphones price category up to 10 thousand rubles. As you would expect at this price point, all of these headphones are substantially better than the earbuds that come with the devices. All of them are sensitive enough to work with an amplifier built into a laptop or tablet, but they can just as well be connected to a higher quality amplifier.

The headphones in question differ in size and design. For example, the Solo HD headphones from Beats by Dre are clearly designed for on-the-go use (by the way, in London's trendiest areas, many people wear them). The A500X headphones from Audio Technica, however, use the opposite design concept: classic headphones for home use, which are unlikely to be used with portable devices. The design of the other four models balances somewhere between the two concepts discussed above, they are all different in size and level of portable use.

All six models have an interesting design, and the quality of their workmanship corresponds to the price level. As for the design of these headphones, some of them have a specific design with key benefits that can be very attractive and important for a specific category of users, while other headphones have a more universal design. Since we are dealing with a crowded market sector and we can only look at a limited number of models in this test, some brands present on the market did not take part in the test; among them Grado, Denon and Goldring. None of the models in question use active noise cancellation, and none of them are wireless, since the presence of these characteristics would make these models incomparable with others.

Test Methodology

All six of these models were connected to a variety of equipment, including the iPhone 4, Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus, Lenovo ThinkPad, Furutech ADL Cruise portable USB headphone amplifier, and Naim SuperNait amplifier. In addition, my wife tested all six models with Ableton Live and Kontakt 5 installed on her laptop and DacMagic Plus. All tested models were used at home, on the train and while walking. We have used the most different material for listening: music of different compression levels, from MP3 to 192kHz FLAC, as well as vinyl. I also used YouTube, iPlayer and such music services like Spotify and TuneIn radio.

AKG K540

AKG has a wealth of experience in the professional audio industry and this is reflected in the K540. These headphones have a neutral sound throughout the entire frequency range. Compared to some of the other models in this test, the K540 lacks punch in sound delivery, but the longer you listen to them, the more pleasant the sound seems to be. Depending on the equipment the headphones are connected to, it is possible to equalize the audio frequencies using the equalizer to adjust the sound to suit your preferences, and the neutral sound of the K540 is a great start for the user.

Another standout feature of AKG headphones is the bass. They're not overly bloated, but they give a nice amount of detail that helps a lot to create a sense of realism. Unlike some of the other headphones in this test, which produce a somewhat monotonous, hollow sound, the K540's sound reproduction is more textured and big amount nuances, which makes the sound much more convincing. When playing songs with deep bass, the AKG has no problem playing them convincingly. Vocals and instruments also sound expressive and interesting. In my wife's opinion, this is the best pair of headphones to use with Ableton and Kontackt, which is another sign of their high professional heritage.

Another nice characteristic of AKG is their extremely tolerant attitude towards compressed files. This is ideal given that these headphones are also designed for use with portable devices where MP3 and other similar file formats predominate. The higher the quality of the files, the better the sound quality of these headphones, but I believe that other models in this test were able to extract more from the files in high quality. Using an external headphone amp provides a slight improvement in sound quality, and yet these headphones don't perform much worse on an iPhone or laptop, which makes sense.

In terms of sensitivity, the K540 is average in the group. The volume level reproduced by these headphones will satisfy everyone, but the loudest sound is obtained when connected to an iPhone or iPad, a laptop also produces a good volume. A little less powerful amplifier headphone jack on the iPod classic doesn't produce as high a volume, but the AKG is still a good option for use with most portable devices.

SUMMARY

Given that the AKG is the cheapest model in this test, we were impressed. It provides a neutral and detailed sound reproduction. These headphones can be used with equal success both at home and in the "field" conditions. If you're on a budget of £100 (and you can find the K540 cheaper online), then these headphones are the perfect all-rounder for you.

Main characteristics:

• Frequency response: 16Hz - 24kHz
• Maximum input power: 35mW
• Impedance: 32 ohm
• Sensitivity: 110dB SPL/V
• Cable: 3.00 m

Pros:

• Neutral and detailed sound
• Thoughtful design
• Strength

Minuses

• Somewhat limited sound transmission when playing files in high quality
• Does not fold to a more compact size
• Some users will miss the vibrancy of the sound transmission

Audio Technica ATH-A500X

Audio Technica has a long history of manufacturing studio and professional audio equipment, as do the German brands participating in this test. But the A500X has slightly different characteristics. These headphones produce a warmer, more pleasant sound, and in many ways a much more natural sound reproduction. It would be wrong to say that the A500X gives a bright sound, but I think this is not the most decisive characteristic. But the fact that you can listen to music in these headphones for a very long time is really important.

If you listen to a recording of a speech in these headphones, whether it is a conversation on the radio or a composition in which several people sing, the result will be breathtaking. It's hard not to appreciate the good detail, richness and warmth of sound transmission. The distance between your ear and the membrane is large enough to create a very realistic sense of volume that not many headphones are capable of.

Bass reproduction is also good. Thanks to its large diaphragm, the A500X combines good depth with speed and finesse. These headphones have the best sense of sync of any model in this test. Listen to some rhythmic song, and you will most likely find yourself nodding to the beat of the music (by the way, this is also a great test of how well the headphones stay on your head). When I tested these headphones, my wife was watching the TV series Glee or Cougar City and I tried to drown out this sound with headphones, and I only succeeded with the A500X. However, my wife believes that such noise isolation is more appropriate for studio work than for home use.

As for listening compressed files, then the result is quite acceptable, but what better quality source audio, the better result Audio Technica demonstrates. Using high quality files played on the Songbird player gives an impressive effect, and connecting an external amplifier, such as DacMagic Plus or Furutech, provides an even better result. Of all the headphones we tested, these are the ones that respond most sensitively to the improvement in the quality of the equipment that is used with them.

In terms of sensitivity, the A500x earbuds are able to work impressively well with the iPhone as well as the laptop. Since these headphones do not let much noise in, the set volume level is slightly lower than for other models of headphones, with an equal perception of the volume level. The A500x are better for home use, but they're not too picky about the source they're using.

SUMMARY

If you are looking for headphones that can be used with equal success both at home and on the street, then this model is most likely not for you. The uncompromising design dictates their use only in the home, and in this case, the A500X - best model this test, even taking into account that its price is one of the highest.

Main characteristics:

• Membrane Diameter: 53mm
• Soft and pleasant to the ear design
• Self-adjusting 3D mount
• Gold-plated 1/8-inch (3.5 mm) stereo jack
• Adapter ¼ inch (6.3 mm)

Pros:

• Open, pleasant, lively sound
• Very comfortable
• good construction

Minuses

• Not suitable for on the go
• Too poor sound isolation for closed-back headphones

Beats By Dr. Dre Solo HD

Of all the models in this test, the Solo HD has the most expressive "voice". They really sound different than other models. Whether this is good or bad depends mainly on the personal preferences of the user and the purpose of using the headphones. What makes these headphones special is that they are designed to be used on the go and still sound great.

This is especially evident in the reproduction of low frequencies. The bass is very expressive and really deep. Compared to the AKG and Beyerdynamic, their problem is that they don't get as good detail when reproducing low frequencies. Bass is perceived more as a single deep "note", rather than as a mix of individual details. This is especially felt when listening to music in a quiet environment, but on a noisy street, this drawback is not so important.

The upper registers may seem somewhat muffled compared to the powerful bass, but if you choose source material that lacks pronounced low frequencies (iPlayer programs are a good example), then the sound is detailed and clear in terms of tonality. However, if the bass kicks in while listening, you may hear it dominate other frequency ranges. When listening to songs with powerful bass (as I wrote back in 2001), the result will probably not be at the hi-fi level, but such listening will give you a lot of pleasure.

When upgradating the quality of the source material, the Solo HD doesn't respond as positively as some of the other models reviewed in this test. Similarly, using an external headphone amplifier does not significantly improve the sound quality, which is due to the focus of these headphones on mobile use. Speaking of MP3 and AAC files, by and large they will sound about the same as high quality files; Solo HD headphones are very unpretentious in this regard. As with other models, you can use the equalizer on your iPhone or laptop to even out the sound a bit, but the overall character of the sound will remain the same.

The sensitivity of the Solo HD makes it easy to use with portable devices. There is no need to turn up the volume on the iPhone to achieve good level listening. The built-in microphone is also of very good quality and call quality is excellent. Listening with more serious devices shouldn't cause problems with loudness either.

SUMMARY

If Audio Technica headphones are designed primarily for home use, then Solo HD is the most adapted model for on-the-go use. They are compact, rugged and have some design features that make them particularly suitable for use with portable devices. The sound balance allows these headphones to be used in noisy environments, although not always. It should also be borne in mind that the expressive reproduction of low frequencies is not suitable for all musical compositions. In addition, these headphones have a rather high list price, although the actual selling price is likely not to be that high.

Main characteristics:

• Very strong and durable headphones
• Built-in microphone
• Connectivity to iPhone/iPod
• Folding design
• Glossy, scratch-resistant surface

Pros:

• Perfectly adapted for use on the go
• Reliable construction quality
• Built-in control support from Apple devices

Minuses

• The sound balance is somewhat skewed towards the bass.
• After a certain time of wearing, there is a slight discomfort
• Relatively high price

Beyerdynamic DT660

Beyerdynamic also has a lot of experience in the professional audio industry, and this is reflected to some extent in the sound reproduction of the DT660 headphones. Like the AKG, they sound neutral, but the Beyerdynamic has some quirks that put them in the lead in this test.

The main reason is that the DT660 headphones deliver amazing detail. They can open up something new for you, even in a composition that you know thoroughly. This applies equally to television programs and other non-musical material. The bass is both deep and beautifully defined, giving a real sense of dynamism that brings realism to the music. They also provide an excellent sense of spaciousness and sound space. They don't sound as open as the Audio Technica headphones, although the difference is small. But they have additional advantage: They provide better protection against background noise.

The tone is also very good. Voices and instruments sound very believable, and the overall sound balance is good, with no pressure or undue emphasis on any part of the frequency spectrum. However, there is a caveat here: if you listen to material in poor quality, then Beyerdynamic will reflect all the shortcomings and limitations of this material. But 256kpbs MP3s and services like Spotify sound great.

The use of uncompressed files and high quality material shows what the DT660s are capable of, and they perform equally well with Ableton and Kontakt. Sound quality is also improved when using an external headphone amplifier. These are not cheap headphones, but they are packed with serious technologies and improvements that will be important to you.

In terms of sensitivity, the DT660 headphones work well with all portable devices. These are far from the most sensitive headphones in this test, but thanks to the effective noise blocking, the volume level required from the devices is lower than for most more sensitive models.

SUMMARY

The Beyerdynamic is not the best headphone for home use in this test, nor is it the best for portable use. But the advantage of these headphones is that they are very close to the leadership in both categories at the same time. In home use, they perform almost exactly like the Audio Technica, while still being portable enough to be used on the go. And given the superb build quality, these are great all-round headphones that perform well in all conditions.

Main characteristics:

• Good environmental noise reduction
• Powerful neodymium magnet system
• Closed-back dynamic headphones
• Create surround sound
• Ear pads that allow your ears to "breathe"
• Single-sided, gold-plated stereo mini-jack cable with ¼-inch adapter

Pros:

• Superior sound quality
• Excellent noise isolation
• Good build quality

Minuses

• Quite a lot of weight
• Not the most sensitive

Sennheiser PX360

The PX360 earbuds are definitely in line with the company's vision. Like other Sennheiser models, the PX360s are generally neutral, but they have nice timing, so they sound good when listening to songs at a fast pace. The bass is particularly tight, expressive and deep enough to sound realistic. Like Audio Technica, these headphones will make you nod your head to the music. Good synchronization is certainly an advantage, but, unlike Audio Technica, when listening to slow songs, there is a feeling that Sennheiser is forcing playback, as if he were adding too much pressure to the sound. However, depending on what you listen to, this problem may not affect you.

Vocals and instruments sound good, though these headphones lack the richness of Audio Technica and the unparalleled detail of Beyerdynamic. Smaller size ear cushion means that the membrane is located relatively close to the ear. And this means that the feeling of volume and sound space will be less pronounced than in the case of headphones with large ear cushions, but this is not critical. One of the areas to which these headphones are perfectly adapted is listening to speech; you can listen to speech for a long time without problems.

Sound reproduction remains adequate with all source materials. The PX360 retains most of its advantages when playing compressed files and is quite forgiving of poor quality recordings. Recordings in high quality certainly sound better, but in general the sound reproduction is more or less even with all the sources that you will play. This also applies to their use with Ableton and Kontakt, in which the PX360 headphones behave adequately when mixing. However, the short headphone cord will not allow you to quickly switch between different devices.

The only oddity of the PX360 is its low sensitivity. In order to achieve a certain level of volume in the PX360 headphones when operating from a portable device or an external amplifier, you will need to set the volume on this device significantly higher than when using other headphones. The headphone amp on the iPhone 4 is powerful enough to get the volume you want, but the iPod classic is harder to handle. Beyerdynamic headphones have about the same sensitivity, but due to the high level of noise isolation, they do not need to turn up the volume so much to achieve the desired result.

SUMMARY

PX360 is a rather powerful, thoughtful and high-quality model. Taking into account the declared price (not to mention retail prices), these are powerful headphones that combine good performance on the go and at home. However, Sennheiser headphones have some oddities that affect them. performance characteristics and practicality. A short cord won't be much of a problem for you outdoors, but it can be a little annoying at home. The low sensitivity limits the use of these PX360 headphones with portable devices and forces you to set the volume to a higher level. And yet, in the right conditions of use, the PX360 are excellent headphones.

Main characteristics:

• Neodymium magnets and Duofol diaphragms
• Closed-back design with circular ear cushions
• Foldable headband
• Foldable metal reinforced headband
• Transport case

Pros:

• Thoughtful design for use with portable devices
• Rugged construction
• Lively, energetic sound

Minuses

• Low sensitivity
• Very short cord
• No built-in control

Skullcandy Aviator

It turned out that of all the headphones in this test, the Aviator earphones are the least in line with our expectations. In terms of sonic balance, I assumed that the Skullcandy would oversaturate the bass a bit for more efficient use on the go, but this turned out not to be the case. In fact, they have a fairly smooth sound throughout the entire frequency range with a slight but noticeable rise in the upper mids. audio frequencies. The result was somewhat unexpected, but very pleasant.

This lift means that the Aviator delivers rich and pleasing voices and instruments. The effect will be similar to some tube amps. The sound is not perfectly clear (and my wife noticed that these headphones are not particularly suitable for use with Ableton and Kontakt), but they can listen to music for a long time without any problems. The result is a very curious " by-effect»: Designed primarily for people who play outdoor sports, they sound really good when playing acoustic musical instruments and jazz compositions. I don't know exactly what kind of music the indicated person prefers to listen to. the target audience, but I doubt it is.

The bass isn't as deep as some of the other models in this test, but it's fast, clean and detailed. Interestingly, the Skullcandy website has mostly positive reviews about these headphones, but often users lack more expressive bass, and Aviator headphones in this regard do not sound quite like they expected. It can be noted that the playback speed is sufficient, for Aviator headphones good synchronization; when playing songs at a high tempo, the sound is well controlled and expressive. These headphones don't sound as good as the Audio Technica, but they're still a pleasure to listen to music in.

The Aviator headphones are quite forgiving of low-quality files, they sound perfect when playing 256kpbs MP3 or Spotify. When using services such as iPlayer, as well as Internet radio, these headphones perform well too. Playing high quality files slightly improves the sound quality, as does using an external headphone amplifier. But, as you might expect, the Aviator headphones perform great when used with mobile devices. The quality of phone calls using the corded microphone is quite acceptable, even when receiving a call through the ear pads.

Aviator are relatively sensitive headphones. They sound quite loud with a fairly small input signal. So these headphones will provide you with very high, although not overwhelming, volume when used with most portable devices. They provide sufficient noise isolation, but are much inferior to Beyerdynamic in terms of isolation from external sounds. in a very noisy environment they will be somewhat uncomfortable, but in public transport- quite normal.

SUMMARY

The Aviator headphones surprised us a bit. Their sound does not quite match their appearance. Not everyone will like their design, but Skullcandy tried to approach this issue in an original way, and this is commendable. wearing comfort and Decoration Materials- at a high level. These headphones can be worn for a long time without discomfort. If you want reliable headphones for use with portable devices with a nice warm sound, then the Aviator is a very worthwhile option.

Main characteristics:

• Ear cushions with soft leather upholstery
• Detachable cable

Pros:

• Nice warm sound
• Rugged construction
• Comfortable

Minuses

• Appearance for an amateur
• Not cheap

Conclusion

All reviewed headphones are distinguished by their successful design and good sound, and the choice depends on your musical preferences, on the planned place of use and on the devices to which you intend to connect them. So just because three of the models in the test are unwinnable doesn't mean they won't be perfect for you based on your specific needs.

In particular, this applies to the AKG K540 and Sennheiser PX360. These are the cheapest models reviewed in the test, and both of them have their advantages. Sennheiser Headphones are great for portable use and have a very thoughtful design. They sound impressive, especially when used with a laptop. They are highly recommended. AKG are comfortable and versatile headphones with a very neutral and unbiased sound, they are one of the best headphones For mobile use. Both of these models are good value for money and I would be happy to own any of these models.

Headphones Beats By Dr. Dre Solo The HD and the Skullcandy Aviator have a lot in common in terms of design and use, but in practice they have a few surprising differences. Of all the models reviewed, the Solo HD is probably the best adapted for portable use, and performs best in noisy environments. However, this means that there are certain limitations when using these headphones at home, and for home use this is not the best model. It is also worth noting that this is the most expensive model in this test.

The Skullcandy Aviator headphones combine the original appearance, thoughtful design and robust construction. They are almost as well suited for portable use as the Solo HD, but perform better in the home. And they are also very comfortable. In terms of sound, these headphones surprised me with a warm and pleasant sound that I did not expect from headphones that have skulls on them. However, it made me happy.

Headphones Audio Technica A500X and Beyerdynamic DT660 lead the group. For the avoidance of doubt, if you are looking for headphones exclusively for home use, then Audio Technica is the best model in terms of sound. It has an almost perfectly balanced mix of detail, tonality, and timing, tolerating poor quality source material while responding brilliantly to high quality audio and good supporting equipment. And if we also take into account the exceptional comfort of the structure, thanks to the comfortable “wings” and very low weight, as well as the excellent workmanship of the structure, then we can say that this is an excellent purchase for its price. The problem is that the A500X is not a universal model. It is completely unsuitable for on-the-go use, so if you are looking for a more flexible model, then these headphones have limitations in this regard.

But the Beyerdynamic DT660 headphones demonstrate a truly "stellar" quality. When used at home, these headphones are close to Audio Technica. They provide amazing detail, excellent tonality and good bass reproduction. They are incredibly comfortable and have a solid construction. They perform exceptionally well for on-the-go use (you just have to roll up the long cord). Excellent soundproofing completely separates you from the outside world (and besides, no one else will hear your music). These earphones fold up quite compactly - it is convenient when using in public transport. As the best all-around headphone, the Beyerdynamic DT660 wins our group test.

This page will help you evaluate the headphones and determine which ones are best performance when comparing different pairs. For best result, download the tracks and run them from the player, because your browser and OS may distort the signal.

Before testing, run normal track and set the volume to a comfortable level. Otherwise, there is a chance to ruin the headphones by overloading them.

Frequency response

The first test checks the lower bound of the range. Listen until you start to hear the main low tone. The voice-over tells you what frequency you have reached (English): this number represents the minimum frequency that the headphones under test are capable of. Good headphones can reproduce sound as low as 20 Hz, the lower limit of our hearing.

The second test checks the upper end of the range. Listen until you start to hear the main high tone. Good headphones reproduce frequencies up to 20 kHz, the upper limit of the human hearing range.

However, keep in mind that this limit decreases with age. If all of your headphones suddenly have the same upper frequency limit, and that frequency is lower than what the manufacturer says, it could mean that your hearing is the cause and not the quality of the headphones.

If you're hearing weird ups and downs, or anything that doesn't sound like a continuous descending sound, it's most likely your sound card that's interfering.

Quality

Balance between channels

To correctly reproduce the stereo panorama, the left and right speakers must equally reproduce all frequencies in the sound spectrum. Our test plays frequencies from 20Hz to 10kHz and sends them at the same level to both speakers. Throughout the test, the signal should sound right in the center of your head, without any deviation.

binaural test

Binaural recordings are made by placing microphones directly in the ears. When playing back a recording through headphones, this test assumes that each ear of the listener will receive exactly the same signal as it did when the recording was made. Our test signal consists of a binaural recording of a knock on a wooden door. When comparing headphones, ask yourself how realistic the recording sounds? Do you feel that the door is next to you? Does it sound like a real wooden door?

The microphone is an important part of any modern gadget. It becomes especially popular when it is necessary to communicate via Skype or when recording audio. It is good if it is already built into the device, but sometimes it is much more convenient to purchase this auxiliary item separately, for example, complete with headphones. This will allow you to hear the interlocutor, talk to him and at the same time create a minimum of inconvenience to others. In order to understand how the kit works and check the correctness of its operation, it is enough to connect headphones with a microphone to the connector located on the computer.

There are the following basic verification methods:

• with help operating system windows;
• recording sound;
• via skype.

Using Windows, you can easily and simply check if the microphone and headphones are working. To do this, turn on the headset, select "Control Panel" and click on the "Hardware and Sound" item. A window will open where there will be a tab called “Record”, which is exactly what we need, here are the tools that allow you to record audio. Click on "Microphone" and click on "Listen". Don't forget to check the box "Listen to this device".

Please note that headphones usually have an option to mute the microphone. This is convenient when you are talking on Skype and simultaneously communicating with another interlocutor - you can turn off the headset for a while, and then turn it back on.

If for some reason the headphones do not work as speakers, then you need to pay attention on the sensitivity scale all in the same "Record" tab. If the device is working correctly, green bars will appear on the scale, if it does not work, the bars will be gray. Naturally, in this way, it is possible to confirm or refute the work of the subject, but it is impossible to properly configure it.

Recording sound

Audio recording will also help you test the microphone on your headphones. In order to do this, you need to go to "Start", select " Standard programs”, item “Sound recording” and in the window that opens, click on “Start recording”. After that, we record and save the resulting file in any convenient place. After opening the file, you can listen to the sound and its quality both through headphones and speakers.

Via Skype

Another very convenient way check the headset - do it via Skype, it does not matter if you use this application in reality or not. You can make an express version of the check, or you can spend a little more time. In the first case, it is enough to select any contact from your address book and click on the item "Data on the quality of communication". In the window that opens, you need to select your microphone option and click the "Check" button, after a few moments of recording, the resulting audio will be played back.

In addition to the above option, you can dial through a special call record quality control service. To do this, select "Echo / Sound Test Service" and make a call. The recording lasts 8-10 seconds and plays back after a while. Naturally, in order to use this option, you need Internet access.

In Skype, you can also adjust the volume. This is done through regulators, which automatic settings defaults to manual mode(uncheck the box "Automatic adjustment"), after which all the necessary parameters can be set by yourself. It is better to do this right during a conversation with one of your friends.

These simple ways will help you check the operation of your working set of headphones and microphone in order to understand whether it is suitable for further use or not. As you can see, the check will not take much time, and you can easily handle it yourself.