Choosing a quality wireless headset: a comprehensive walkthrough

Choosing a quality wireless headset: a comprehensive walkthrough

Wireless Headphones - Making the Best Choice, Even on a Budget

Navigating the labyrinth of headphones can be a challenge. To avoid frustration, it's crucial to know what to prioritize. Let's break it down to keep things simple.

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Bluetooth Technology

The support for data transmission methods determines device compatibility. Once a game-changer, wired models have largely been replaced by Bluetooth ones, conserving battery life and connecting seamlessly to smartphones, tablets, and more.

Up-to-date Bluetooth versions offer enhanced energy efficiency and sound quality. The latest offering is Bluetooth 5.4, found in budget-friendly options like the TECNO Buds 4 and Buds 4 Air.

Ensure that both your devices - headphones and the transmitting device (smartphone, tablet, PC) - support the same Bluetooth version. Data transmission will be limited by the older version if they don't.

Affordable Bluetooth 5.4 Headphones

• Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6 Play, 1,184 rubles →
• TECNO True 1 TU01 Air, 3,368 rubles →
• Honor Choice Headphones Pro, 3,400 rubles →
• OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro, 5,000 rubles →
• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3, 6,501 rubles →

Notably, the Bluetooth LE Audio standard, introduced in Bluetooth 5.2, allows for the use of the new LC3 audio codec, which offers better sound quality at lower bitrates than the standard SBC codec. However, support must be implemented on all devices in the chain and is not mandatory for Bluetooth 5.2, 5.3, or 5.4.

Audio Codec Support

Audio codecs encode and decode audio data, determining how information is compressed and transmitted. Both headphones and the transmitting device must support the same codec for optimal performance.

Here are the key options to keep in mind:

SBC - The most widely used audio codec, mostly for music over Bluetooth.AAC - Another popular audio data processor, primarily used on Apple devices, but also on Android smartphones.aptX - A codec by Qualcomm that guarantees CD-quality sound.aptX HD - An improved version of aptX, providing higher sound quality.aptX Low Latency - A specialized codec for transmitting audio with minimal lag (around 40 ms), used for gaming and movies, but gradually being replaced by Adaptive.aptX Adaptive - A universal codec from Qualcomm that combines the capabilities of aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Low Latency.LDAC - A codec by Sony, considered an alternative to aptX / aptX HD.LHDC - A high-resolution codec popular in devices by Huawei, Xiaomi, and other Chinese brands. It offers high bitrate sound (up to 900 kbps), but requires support from both devices.LC3 - A codec from the Bluetooth LE Audio standard that is more energy-efficient and slightly improves sound quality compared to basic SBC.

Audiophiles may want to focus on aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, and LHDC for higher sound quality, although the difference may not be noticeable to everyone.

Good Headphones with Different Codecs

• Huawei Freebuds 5 with LC3 and LDAC codecs, 5,223 rubles →
• Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro with LDAC codec, 9,002 rubles →
• Baseus Bowie H1i with LHDC codec, 4,558 rubles →
• Creative Aurvana Ace 2 with LC3 and aptX codecs, 13,768 rubles →
• Lyambda LTW200 with aptX HD codec, 9,890 rubles →

Form Factor

In terms of design, all wireless headphones have internal and external types. The former are miniature earbuds like AirPods, "in-ear" with silicone tips, or sports models with a wire or headband (like the Huawei FreeLace Pro 2 or Sony WI-C100).

Internal headphones generally trade sound quality for mobility, making them suitable for activities and on-the-go use.

External headphones are larger, less comfortable, but offer longer battery life and usually have superior sound quality. Almost all models feature ear cups with ear pads and a headband connecting them.

Headphones of this type can be on-ear or over-ear. The latter fully enclose the ear, which can lead to ear sweat after long use. Worth noting are the new clip-on headphones, like the Huawei FreeClip, providing a unique blend of comfort, open construction, and convenience for extended wear.

Sound Isolation and Noise Cancellation

Noise can disrupt enjoyment and cause distractions during phone calls, so look for headphones with good sound isolation. At minimum, consider models with internal “plugs” that seal the ear canal and block some noise or external headphones of the closed type. Closed headphones offer reliable sound insulation in both directions.

Notable is active noise cancellation (ANC), which automatically blocks some environmental sounds (like road noise or airplane hum) for enhanced comfort, particularly in noisy environments.

Though ANC consumes battery power and increases cost, it's now found in budget-friendly options. See headphones with good noise cancellation below.

TWS Headphones with Good Noise Cancellation:

• Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, 6,358 rubles →
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, 16,870 rubles →
• OnePlus Buds Pro 3, 14,782 rubles →
• Sony WF-1000XM5, 18,430 rubles →
• Apple AirPods Pro 2, 19,283 rubles →

Battery Life and Charging

Carefully consider battery life before making a purchase. Technical specifications usually indicate the number of hours a device can last without charging.

Some stationary models can surpass 30 hours without charging, whereas in-ear ones typically last 5-7 hours. You can find models with a 10-20 hour reserve. TWS (True Wireless) variants are convenient as they can be charged on-the-go, like during work commutes. Larger headphones typically require an outlet, power bank, or laptop to charge.

Many Bluetooth headphones' cases support wireless Qi charging, enabling recharging even from smartphones that support reverse charging.

Good Wireless Charging Headphones:

• Anker Soundcore Liberty 4, 746 rubles →
• Marshall Minor IV, 9212 rubles →
• Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4, 10867 rubles →
• Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, 11395 rubles →
• JBL Live Beam 3, 17692 rubles →

Microphone Presence

Many modern headphones come with built-in microphones for hands-free calling. Give attention to the number and placement of microphones, as proximity to the mouth influences call quality.

The following TWS headphones offer good microphone performance: CMF Buds Pro 2, OnePlus Buds Pro 3, Marshall Minor IV.

Many full-size models feature detachable microphones, primarily targeted at gamers or office workers who frequently communicate online.

Audio Characteristics

Choosing wireless headphones often leaves sound quality evaluation to technical specifications. Consider these three key audio parameters:

Headphone Sensitivity. Essentially the volume of headphones. Choose a model with a sensitivity of at least 95 dB to avoid purchasing ones that are too quiet. Frequency Range. The spectrum of sounds that headphones can reproduce, with human hearing detecting signals within the range of 20 to 20,000 Hz. Supporting this range or a broader one is a clear advantage, but doesn't guarantee quality. Impedance (impedance). Affects the volume and overall sound quality. For most mobile devices, headphones with an impedance of 16-32 ohms are ideal. For home audio equipment, devices with a higher impedance are typically preferred.

Even when headphones share identical specifications, they can vary greatly in sound quality. As with wine, remember - sound quality is in the ears of the listener!

Buyer's Checklist:

1. Determine the environment and usage of the headphones: home, office, on-the-go, or during workouts. This will impact your choice of form factor: in-ear, on-ear, over-ear, clip-on.
2. Check the Bluetooth version. As new versions emerge, power consumption, connection stability, and support for modern features improve.
3. Find out which codecs your smartphone supports for optimal sound quality.
4. Pay attention to noise cancellation. Good passive isolation already provides benefits, but active noise cancellation (ANC) can significantly improve comfort, especially in noisy environments.
5. Evaluate battery life to ensure your headphones will last without charging for extended periods. A perk is support for wireless charging.
6. Check microphone placement if you plan to make frequent calls or participate in video calls.
7. Look at sound characteristics, but be wary. Specifications can provide general insights, but they don't reveal the whole picture. Sometimes, it's better to listen once rather than to read ten times.

• The latest Bluetooth technology, Bluetooth 5.4, is found in budget-friendly options like the TECNO Buds 4 and Buds 4 Air, offering enhanced energy efficiency and sound quality.
• Audiophiles may want to focus on codecs like aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, and LHDC for higher sound quality when considering wireless headphones, although the difference may not be noticeable to everyone.

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