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Sonos on alansa johtava amerikkalainen ääniteknologiayritys, joka tunnetaan parhaiten uraauurtavista langattomista monihuoneäänijärjestelmistä. Niiden ansiosta kuuntelijoiden on helppo suoratoistaa musiikkia ja muuta sisältöä koko kodissaan. Yritys jatkaa innovointia ja luo langattomia kaiuttimia, kotiteatterijärjestelmiä, kuulokkeita, arkkitehtonisia komponentteja ja integroitavia kodin äänentoistojärjestelmiä, jotka mullistavat tapoja, joilla ihmiset kuuntelevat ja yhdistävät ääntä.

There’s a lot to love about headphones. For starters, nothing is better at blocking out the bustle of a crowded office or subway car. But the right pair of headphones can do much more than that, inviting you into an immersive listening experience where the music seems to be coming from all around you.

Is it possible to love your headphones too much? We’re not here to answer that question, but we do want to shed some light on some more common questions about headphone safety. So, if you’ve ever wondered how loud is “too loud” or if you should limit your daily listening time, you’ve come to the right place.

Bluetooth headphones are widely considered to be safe for general use, and no study to date has linked Bluetooth technology to health risks.

Wireless Bluetooth devices use a type of electromagnetic radiation (EMF) known as radiofrequency radiation (RF). This is the same kind emitted by smartphones, televisions, laptop computers, and many other common consumer electronic devices.

There are two types of RF radiation: ionizing and non-ionizing. Bluetooth radiation is of the non-ionizing variety. The ionizing type — the kind found in X-rays, for example — can pose some health risks with repeated or prolonged exposure. But non-ionizing radiation is generally thought to be harmless to humans.

How long should you wear headphones at a time?

Listening to loud sounds for an extended period of time can damage your hearing. But how loud is too loud? The answer depends on several factors, including not only the 

Let’s apply this to headphones, which typically have an output ranging from 60 decibels (dB) to about 110 dB. Note that the volume bar on your phone or audio device does not directly translate to decibels, but it’s usually safe to assume that 50–60% of the volume meter puts you in the 80–85 dB range.

 from the World Health Organization, you can safely listen to sounds at 100 dB for only 15 minutes a day. Note that we said 

— not just music. So if your commute involves waiting for a screeching subway train (about 100 dB), you should shave a few minutes off your day’s headphone use, especially if you tend to listen at high volumes.

You can expand your listening time by taking a few practical steps, such as giving yourself short listening breaks and using earplugs to reduce the volume of loud environments such as concerts and sporting events.

We mentioned above that this question depends not just on loudness, but also on the duration and frequency of exposure. With that in mind, some volumes can be safely listened to for up to an hour or more, while others can cause hearing loss within a matter of minutes.

 notes that exposure to sounds of 80–85 dBs (about equal to the 50–60% mark on your device’s volume meter) can cause damage to hearing after two hours of exposure. The duration of safe-listening time goes down from there, with sounds of 95 dBs leading to possible hearing damage after 50 minutes, and sounds of 100 dBs (close to max volume) causing possible hearing loss after only 15 minutes.

Most consumer headphones max out at volumes that are quite a bit higher than the 100 dB threshold, so you need to take some care and avoid the temptation to crank it up. If there’s one song you really need to hear in all its glory, we get it — but try to offset this with listening at lower levels, or for shorter durations.

When it comes to loudness, the headphones you choose matter, too.

A good, snug fit goes a long way in blocking out excess noise, so you can clearly hear music at lower volumes. This is especially true if you typically listen to headphones in a noisy or crowded environment, such as on your commute to work. “Snug” shouldn’t mean “uncomfortable,” though. That’s why Sonos Ace headphones come with memory foam ear cushions and an extendable headband.

Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation, like Sonos Ace, also block out external sounds and make it easier to listen at lower volumes without feeling like you’re missing something.

Can headphones cause a dent in your head?

 have spread throughout the online-gaming community. This term describes an arch-shaped divot imprinted into the skull after wearing headphones for hours, days, or even weeks at a time. Here’s the good news: It is 

 that wearing headphones will cause a dent in your head.

If this happens to you, what you’re probably experiencing is simply a dent in your hair or skin caused by a prolonged period of wear. This can happen with any head accessory, and reports of similar indentations are associated with hats, headbands, and even sunglasses. In any case, it should clear up within a few minutes or hours. If you’re experiencing pain, it’s probably a sign that you should adjust the fit of your headphones or try adding some extra padding by wearing a hat or a beanie under them.

This is probably related to the age-old myth that wearing a hat can cause hair loss, and there is no concrete evidence to back it up.

The legality of driving while wearing headphones varies from state to state, and from country to country. And in many places, it’s not as simple as “yes” or “no.” Some U.S. states, for example, ban over-ear headphones but allow using a single earbud. Other states and countries may also have a law against driving with headphones that provides exceptions for those with hearing impairments.

Before getting behind the driver’s seat with headphones, check with your local authorities. The EU maintains an official website where you can review the 

. In the US and in other jurisdictions, you’ll need to contact local authorities to verify the current road rules.

But is driving with headphones a good idea — even if it’s not explicitly illegal? Keep in mind that listening to loud music while driving can impair both your hearing and your attention on the road, and make you more likely to miss important signals. In almost every case, it’s better just to not.

Listening to music at night can help to block out the constant ringing noise associated with tinnitus, while recorded meditations or ambient noise can also get the mind calm and sleep-ready.

It is generally safe to sleep with headphones on, though a few caveats apply:

 If you fall asleep with headphones in, there’s a good chance you’ll have music pumping into your ears for eight hours or more. That’s a fast track to hearing damage if you’re listening at volumes greater than 80–85 dB. As a general rule, set your headphones at the lowest possible volume before drifting off to sleep. And if you’re listening on Spotify, take advantage of the 

 that automatically turns off your music after you’ve fallen asleep. Other streaming services may offer similar features.

Don’t use noise-canceling features at night:

 Even though you’re sleeping, you want to be in a position where you’ll wake up in case of an emergency. If your noise-canceling headphones may lead you to miss an alarm, a ringing phone, or any other noises that may require your attention, be sure to switch the noise-canceling feature off before bedtime.

 Leaving in your in-ear headphones for extended periods of time can be uncomfortable. It can also trap moisture in your ear canal, creating an enclosed environment that’s ripe for infection. Better to go with over-ear headphones or even an external speaker, if possible.

If you follow the simple guidelines outlined in this post and keep the volume at a moderate level that won’t harm your inner ears, there’s nothing stopping you from wearing headphones all day. And there’s no better headphone for immersive, all-day listening than Sonos Ace.

With a custom-designed driver tuned by music-industry leaders, Sonos Ace surrounds you with hyper-realistic, three-dimensional audio wherever you go. And with up to 30 hours of battery life with Active Noise Cancellation enabled, you can sink into your own portable listening universe and stay there for as long as you please.

The Ultimate Guide to Wearing Headphones

Jos et ole koskaan ajatellut kaiuttimien yksittäisiä komponentteja, saatat hämmentyä kuullessasi termin ”kaiutinohjain”. Kaiuttimen sijaan kaiutinohjain on se, joka toistaa ääniaallot, jotka kuulet musiikkia kuunnellessasi. Sanaa kaiutin käytetään usein lyhenteenä koko järjestelmälle, joka sisältää muun muassa kaiutinohjaimet ja virtapiirit, jotka lähettävät äänet oikeisiin paikkoihin, sekä kaikki komponentit sisältävän kotelon.

Jos kaiutinohjain ei ole kaiutin, mikä se oikein on?

Kaiutinohjaimet ovat komponentteja, jotka värähtelevät ja muodostavat ääniaaltoja — aivan kuin kaiutinjärjestelmän moottori. Useimmissa kaiuttimissa on lukuisia erikokoisia ohjaimia, joista suurimmat (subwooferit) käsittelevät matalia bassoääniä ja pienimmät (diskantit) korkeampia taajuuksia.

Miksi ohjaimia on monen kokoisia? Ja kuinka monta ohjainta on ”riittävästi” 

suuren toistotarkkuuden äänijärjestelmälle

? Näihin kysymyksiin vastaaminen on aloitettava siitä, miksi ohjaimet ovat ylipäätään olemassa.

Kaiutinohjain muuntaa kaiuttimen, kuulokkeiden tai muiden musiikkisoitinten tuottamat sähköiset signaalit fyysisiksi ääniaalloiksi, jotka korva kuulee. Ilman kaiutinohjaimia kaiuttimesta ei kuuluisi ääntä, eikä äänijärjestelmällä olisi lainkaan tarkoitusta.

 sisäinen mekaniikka voi vaikuttaa hyvin monimutkaiselta, kaiutinohjaimet tuottavat ääntä yksinkertaisen syy-seuraus-sarjan avulla. Kun sähkösignaali virtaa musiikkisoittimesta ohjaimeen, se luo magneettikentän. Tämä magneettikenttä saa kaiuttimen värähtelemään edestakaisin. Tämä edestakaisin värähtely luo ääniaaltoja, jotka lopulta saavuttavat korvasi.

Kaiutinohjain on oikeastaan eräänlainen äänen kääntäjä. Ilman sitä musiikki olisi vain sarja sähköisiä signaaleja, jotka eivät 

miltään. Ohjaimen tehtävänä on ensin tulkita nämä signaalit ja sitten toistaa ne ääniaaltoina. Siinä on useita erikoiskomponentteja, jotka yhdessä tekevät tämän toiston mahdolliseksi.

Tämä saattaa kuulostaa kovin tekniseltä, mutta kaiuttimen komponenttien tunteminen voi auttaa havainnollistamaan ohjaimen toimintaa. Pääkomponentteja ovat:

 on johto, joka vastaanottaa musiikkisoittimen sähköisen signaalin.

 luo magneettivoimat, jotka käynnistävät ohjaimen liikkeen.

 on suuri kartio tai kupu, joka liikkuu edestakaisin ääniaaltojen luomiseksi.

 ympäröi ohjainta ja pitää puhekelan ja kalvon oikeissa asennoissa äänen tuottamiseksi.

Käsi käyttämässä valkoisen Era 100 -kaiuttimen kosketussäätimiä

Henkilö loikoilemassa tuolissa ja kuuntelemassa Sonos Fiveä ja Sonos Sub 4 -subwooferia

Korkeat ja matalat äänet ovat erilaisia, koska ne tuotetaan eri pituisilla ja eri taajuusalueiden ääniaalloilla. Valitettavasti ei ole olemassa yksittäistä ohjainta, voisi tuottaa koko ääniaaltojen alueen ilman vääristymää, koska ohjaimen muoto ja fyysiset ominaisuudet vaikuttavat sen kykyyn toistaa tiettyjä taajuusalueita, kuten matalia tai korkeita ääniä.

Erilaisia ääniä varten on olemassa erityyppisiä kaiutinohjaimia, ja niiden ominaisuudet määräytyvät pääasiassa niiden muodon ja koon mukaan. Pienemmät ja kevyemmät ohjaimet voivat värähdellä nopeasti ja toistaa korkeataajuisia ääniä, kun taas matalien äänien toistoon tarvitaan suurempia ohjaimia. Näiden eri ohjaintyyppien nimet vastaavat niiden tuottamien äänien tyyppejä:

 ovat pieniä, tavallisesti kupolin muotoisia ohjaimia, jotka toistavat korkeataajuisia ääniä (kuten lintujen viserrystä) värähtelemällä nopeasti. Muotonsa ansiosta ne pystyvät levittämään nämä taajuudet tasaisesti ympäri huonetta. Erikoismallit, kuten suuntaavat torvet, voivat luoda erilaisia tilavaikutelmia.

Keskialueen ohjaimet ovat kartiomaisia kaiuttimia, jotka toistavat parhaiten matalien ja korkeiden taajuuksien välisiä ääniä. Ne eivät pysty käsittelemään äärimmäisiä taajuuksia, mutta ne toistavat ääniä, joille ihmiskorva on herkin, kuten ihmisääniä sekä kitaran ja pianon kaltaisia instrumentteja.

Bassokaiuttimet ovat äänijärjestelmän suurimpia kaiutinohjaimia. Kun kaipaat 

 eli bassokaiutin on oikea valinta. Bassokaiuttimilla on usein omat, erilliset kotelonsa, jotka ovat riittävän tilavia tukemaan ja tehostamaan bassokaiuttimen lähettämiä (fyysisesti hyvin pitkiä) bassoääniaaltoja tarvittavalla tasolla.

Yleinen sääntö on, että mitä enemmän kaiuttimella on ohjaimia, sitä paremmin se pystyy tuottamaan ääniä laajalla taajuusalueella. Lisäohjaimet voivat myös edistää 

, jolloin eri ohjaimet voidaan sijoittaa toistamaan ääntä eri suuntiin, mikä täyttää koko huoneen mukaansatempaavalla äänellä.

 -kaiuttimessa on kaikki jokapäiväiseen kuunteluun tarvittavat ohjaimet. Siinä on kaksi suunnattua diskanttikaiutinta, jotka luovat kirkkaan ja tarkan korkeataajuusvasteen ja 

, sekä yksi diskanttikaiutin keskiäänitaajuuksien ja syvän basson toistoon.

Jos haet todella mukaansatempaavaa äänikokemusta, 

 saattaa olla sopivampi valinta. Tämän ensiluokkaisen kaiuttimen muotoilu mahdollistaa neljä diskanttikaiutinta korkeiden ja keskialueen taajuuksien kuunteluun. Kaiuttimessa on yksi eteenpäin suunnattu ja kaksi sivuille suunnattua keskialueen diskanttikaiutinta sekä yksi ylöspäin suunnattu diskanttikaiutin, joka heijastaa ääntä katosta ja tuottaa 

. Lisäksi kaiuttimessa on kaksi suunnattua bassokaiutinta tasapainoiseen matalien äänten tuottamiseen.

Voit yhdistää Era 300 -kaiuttimeen esimerkiksi yksittäisen 

 -bassokaiuttimen ja äänipalkin, jossa on vielä enemmän ohjaimia. Nämä kaikki lisäävät äänen selkeyttä ja mukaansatempaavuutta. Kun kyseessä on esimerkiksi seitsemän diskanttikaiutinta, kuusi keskialueen kaiutinta ja nelimoottorisen, kaksikalvoisen bassokaiuttimen sisältävä 

 -äänipalkki, suuri määrä eri suuntiin osoitettuja ohjaimia mahdollistaa innovatiivisten tilaääniteknologioiden kuten 

Kaiutinohjaimia on kaikenkokoisia ja -muotoisia. Niiden avulla voidaan tuottaa ääniä laajalla taajuusalueella.

Yksittäisessä kaiuttimessa voi olla vain yksi ohjain, kun se on osa erilaisia komponentteja sisältävää monen kaiuttimen järjestelmää. Monipuolisemmissa kaiuttimissa, kuten Era 100- ja Era 300 -kaiuttimissa, on todennäköisesti useita ohjaimia, jotka toistavat ja sekoittavat yhdessä kappaleen ääniprofiilin eri osatekijöitä.

Muista tämä: ohjaimet eivät ole vastuussa vain niistä taajuuksista, joita kaiutin pystyy tuottamaan, vaan myös 

 mukaansatempaavasta laadusta. Jos olet kiinnostunut kaiuttimesta, joka syventää musiikkikokemustasi, ota yhteys Sonosin asiantuntijaan 

Mikä on kaiutinohjain?

Some people look at a wall and see only a boundary, a limitation. Others look at a wall and see a vast sea of possibilities — at least as far as sound is concerned. For those in the latter group, installing in-wall speakers is perhaps the most logical way to turn their audio dreams into stunning, immersive reality.

In-wall speakers are generally installed at (or slightly above) ear level within the walls of a home. Because they share the same horizontal plane with the listener’s ear, they’re capable of delivering a level of sonic clarity that’s ideal for home theater and surround sound applications. And in-wall speakers can also blend in seamlessly with your home’s decor.

This combination of premium audio and clean aesthetics makes in-wall speakers an enticing option — either as a standalone system or as part of a larger audio setup. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about in-wall speakers so you can decide if they make sense for you.

The question of whether in-wall speakers are “worth it” implicitly acknowledges an important fact. Yes, in-wall speakers generally require more time, energy, and forethought to install than traditional floor or wall-mounted speakers.

With that said, in-wall speakers can certainly be worth it to those who don’t want to compromise on sound or aesthetics. 

 combine a premium sound experience that perfectly blends in with your home.

In-wall speakers seamlessly integrate with your home and sound system

One advantage of in-wall speakers is that they can sound great as a standalone speaker solution for both music and home theater. Their shape, design, and positioning within the room all contribute to a focused sound with crisp high frequencies and rich mid and low ranges.

You can also integrate Sonos In-Wall speakers with other Sonos speakers to build a 

 for home theater. You have two options to use in-wall speakers as part of your home theater setup:

Sonos In-Wall speakers + a Sonos soundbar + Sonos Amp.

 In-wall speakers cover the rear and surround channels, while a Sonos soundbar covers the front channels. Sonos Amp connects to the soundbar and supplies power to the rear and surround speakers (including your in-walls).

Sonos In-Wall speakers + two Sonos Amps. 

This setup involves (at least) two pairs of Sonos In-Wall speakers. One pair serves as the front channels, while the other pair serves as the rear/surround channels. Each pair is powered by its own Amp. If you add a subwoofer, this would be a 4.1 surround sound system, as Amp produces a “phantom” center channel with the front two speakers.

In-wall speakers require special installation

Installing in-wall speakers is not as straightforward as setting up a wireless speaker that does not require installation. You’ll likely need to 

, as you’ll also need to install Sonos Amp, cut holes in your walls for the speakers, then run speaker cable from the speakers to Amp. Different wall materials and space dimensions may affect what’s possible in terms of installation, and a pro can help you design a custom configuration you’ll be happy with for years to come.

The realities of installation mean that you’ll want to consider if you’re actually ready for in-wall speakers. If you’re renting your home or plan to move out in the next couple of years, it may not make sense to invest in architectural speakers just yet. When you uninstall them and move them to a new space, you’ll likely incur additional costs for the removal, repair, and reinstallation.

There’s a flip side to this. If you do own your home, installing architectural speakers can be well worth the investment. Not only will you get high-quality sound and clean aesthetics, but you may never need to uninstall or reinstall your speakers again. This applies even if you decide to move or sell, as a great pair of installed architectural speakers can even raise the value of your home.

A professional installer installing Sonos in-wall speaker in the bathroom

 or AV receiver to power your in-wall speakers.

Like other architectural speakers, in-wall speakers are 

speakers. This means they don’t have a built-in amplifier that provides power. If you want an all-in-one speaker solution that doesn’t require an external amplifier, you may 

Why don’t architectural speakers come with built-in amplifiers? Wouldn’t that be easier?

It comes down to space and physics. Passive speakers are generally larger in size, which allows them to offer significantly better performance. Powering speakers of this size requires larger and more robust amplifiers. But integrating such an amplifier into the speaker itself would significantly increase the speaker’s weight and footprint, creating installation difficulties. Hence the reason why architectural speakers are typically passive.

The good news is that you can easily power In-Wall Speakers by Sonos and Sonance with 

. In fact, we specifically designed Amp with these speakers in mind.

Amp provides safe and reliable overdrive protection for up to three pairs of Sonos passive speakers. And if you’re using it with Sonos In-Wall or In-Ceiling speaker pairs, you can use the “Detect Sonos Architectural” function in the Sonos app to enable digital signal processing (DSP) and Trueplay. The DSP optimizes the EQ, providing a more robust sound, while Trueplay tailors the speakers to your home, resulting in a custom sound experience that takes advantage of the space’s unique acoustics.

The exact number of in-wall speakers you need depends on how you want to use them.

If you plan to use them primarily as part of a 

, a single pair of in-wall speakers should suffice. This gives you left and right surround channel speakers, which you can pair with front speakers positioned near your television to create a 

 (depending on the front speakers you use).

For distributed audio throughout the home, most installations involve two pairs of speakers (four total) for every Amp, which should be enough for a variety of use cases. You may consider adding a pair of speakers to each room in a 

, such as a bedroom or bathroom, as Amp is capable of reliably powering up to six total Sonos Architectural speakers.

If you’re unsure about how many speakers you need for your particular use case, we recommend 

. They can walk you through the different options and give an expert opinion on how to achieve your desired sound solution.

Where should I place my in-wall speakers?

If you plan to use in-wall speakers as surround channels in a home theater setup, you should generally place them on the side walls, two to six feet (0.6m to 1.8m) behind your desired listening position and five to seven feet (1.5m to 2.1m) from the floor. You can find a diagram of this position in the 

Sonos In-Wall by Sonance installation manual

Sonos in-wall home theater surround sound placement diagram

Of course, the exact dimensions and configurations of your space may play a role in determining the best placement for your speakers.

In general, you’ll want to leave at least two feet (0.6m) of space between your in-wall speaker and the wall that runs perpendicular to it. In other words, don’t mount it too close to one of the room’s corners. This ensures that the sound waves don’t bounce off the side wall before they cover the rest of the space, which could result in distortion, reverberation, or a small time-sync issue.

It’s worth consulting with a professional installer to ensure that your home’s unique acoustics also factor into the speaker placement. Wherever you place your speakers, using Sonos Amp unlocks the power of 

. This helps them adapt to the contours of your space, so your content always sounds the way it should. (Just note that Trueplay™ only works if all of the speakers connected to Amp are of the same type).

Yes! If you crave a look that truly blends in with your home, you can paint the grilles of your Sonos Architectural speakers.

This is not as difficult as it may seem. In fact, it’s quite easy. The speaker grilles are attached magnetically and completely cover the exposed speaker frame, so all you need to do is remove the grilles, paint them, and reinstall them once the paint has thoroughly dried.

You’ll need to take some steps to prepare the grilles for painting, such as removing the scrim cloth from the grille’s underside and priming the grille with a metal primer/bonder in a spray can.

You can find detailed grille painting instructions in the 

Sonos In-Wall By Sonance installation manual

If your in-wall Sonos speakers are connected to Amp, you can control them directly via the 

Don’t want to use your smartphone or tablet? While Sonos doesn’t produce hardware specifically for controlling speakers, you can choose from a range of third-party controllers. Look for the 

 to ensure that the controller of your choice can seamlessly connect with your Sonos home sound system.

Person on the phone sitting on a couch next to Sonos in-wall speaker

 fall into the same “architectural” category as in-wall speakers. But that doesn’t mean they’re exactly the same.

For starters, the obvious: in-ceiling speakers are installed in the ceiling, not the wall. This actually makes them a much more popular and widely adopted option than in-wall speakers, if only because people are often more hesitant to put holes in their walls than in their ceilings. Beyond that, in-ceiling speakers are usually easier to install, since there’s often a crawl space or attic to work with.

So, should you just go with in-ceiling speakers and call it a day? Not necessarily. If you’re looking for a more immersive experience, in-wall speakers can be a great complement to in-ceiling speakers. They’re especially great for delivering a more focused sound, as they’re positioned directly at the level of your ears.

A sound system that blends into your home

When crafting the perfect home environment, it’s not just the sound that matters. In-wall speakers deliver the best of both worlds: a premium sound solution with an aesthetic that blends in seamlessly with your walls and home furnishings.

, including in-ceiling speakers and our weatherproof outdoor speakers. Combine all of them to create a whole-home audio system that amplifies every experience, from watching movies on the couch to hosting guests in the dining room and back patio.

For help installing and designing your Sonos architectural system, 

Sonos in-wall speaker next to a person reading on a chair next to a fireplace 

The Beginner’s Guide to In-Wall Speakers

If you’re getting ready to buy your next pair of headphones, you might have questions. For example: Where to even start? Advancements in headphone technology have brought game-changing features such as Active Noise Cancellation and lossless audio streaming over Bluetooth. But they’ve also brought a dizzying marketplace of products vying for your listening attention.

Rest assured. Whether you prefer in-ear or over-ear, wired or wireless, there’s a set of headphones out there for you. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential features to consider before making a purchase, from sound quality to battery life to all the bells and whistles your ears just can’t be without.

The first step in choosing new headphones is narrowing it down to a specific type. There are three general types of headphones, classified by how they fit around your ears:

 are distinguished by their large cups, which form a snug seal over the entire ear. These cups typically have some kind of foam or cushioning for comfort and are connected by an adjustable headband.

 fit on top of the ear, though they don’t entirely envelop it. They tend to be more compact than over-ear headphones, though with a less immersive fit and feel.

 sit inside the ear canal, with a fitted tip that molds to the contours of the inner ear. This is the smallest and most portable style, though a good pair won’t compromise on audio quality and features like Active Noise Cancellation.

For more on how to choose the right type for you, check out our guide to 

over-ear vs. on-ear vs. in-ear headphones

Illustration of in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear

The truth is, headphones aren’t typically a one-size-fits-all. You’re likely to prefer different types of headphones for different occasions.

Maybe a pair of sweat-resistant on-ear headphones makes the most sense for your winter morning runs, and a noise-canceling over-ear pair is what you need when traveling. Don’t make the mistake of thinking a single pair can do everything. Though if you’re on a budget, you might want to prioritize a pair that can 

Consider where and how you use headphones the most, and plan accordingly. This will shape the conversation around the features you prioritize. For example, a wired pair might give you better sound quality when hooked up directly to your record player, but a wireless pair will give you more flexibility when dodging commuters on the subway.

Bluetooth and wireless listening has become a major trend in headphones, to the point where most of the headphones you’re considering are likely wireless. But is there ever a case to consider going with a wired connection?

Yes. Wired headphones still have their strong points, as well as their faithful adherents. True audiophiles who do most of their headphone listening at home may prefer a wired pair, which provides a physical connection to an audio device that may help to ensure more consistent sound quality. And wired headphones continue to be a practical solution for plane travel, as they can connect directly to the headphone jack on most in-flight entertainment systems.

Even so, it’s difficult to pass on wireless technology these days — especially when it comes to 

, which offers lossless audio streaming over Bluetooth and an optional wired connection for when you need it.

You might think that headphones’ best feature is their portability. But the right pair can also achieve one of the richest and most intimate sonic experiences around. Is sound quality important to you, but you don’t know how to define it? Start by considering a few key factors:

 is the extent to which your headphones can reproduce sounds across the full range of audible frequencies. Some headphones are tuned to boost the bass; others are so trebly that you barely get anything in the low end. The best option for most people is an evenly balanced, neutral frequency that doesn’t neglect or overemphasize either end of the spectrum.

 is a somewhat technical term referring to how much your headphones “impede” the flow of electric current running from your headphone amplifier. Higher-end headphones tend to introduce more impedance, and may require an additional headphone amplifier. You should check the impedance on a new pair of headphones before buying them, but in general anything under 25–30 ohms shouldn’t present a problem in most cases.

 refers to how much of the audio output signal “leaks” away into the air before making it to your inner ear. Generally speaking, the better the headphone fits around or inside your ear, the less this is a concern. A tighter fit will also allow you to listen to your headphones at a lower decibel output, possibly reducing your risk of hearing loss.

If you’re looking for high-fidelity quality but don’t want to bother with the technical jargon, check out Sonos Ace. We turned to industry-leading producers, engineers, and artists to help tune the custom-designed driver in our new headphones. They delivered with a hyper-realistic sound experience that gives every part of the mix — from the high end to the low end — its proper due. And if you prefer to fine tune your sound even further, you can easily customize the EQ using the Sonos app.

Another, possibly underrated aspect of headphone sound quality is something called noise cancellation. This benefit blocks out ambient noise — office chatter, traffic, the hum of an airplane cabin — that would otherwise muddy the mix in your headphones.

There are two different types of noise cancellation, though they’re not mutually exclusive:

 comes down to sound-proof materials and a snug fit. Some materials are better than others at physically blocking out (or at least dampening) ambient noise. A well-engineered pair of headphones should use these materials.

 is a more technological solution involving tiny built-in microphones and a speaker. These microphones pick up noise from the environment, while the speaker uses this input to generate oppositional soundwaves that effectively cancel out the noise. This is an active feature that must be switched to “on” with most headphone models, hence the name.

The Ultimate Guide to Wearing Headphones

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The Ultimate Guide to Wearing Headphones

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