The popularity of headphones as a device has grown in recent years. If earlier high-quality headphones were produce by companies specialising in audio equipment. Today even for such giants as Apple and Samsung. Having several models of good headphones in their assortment is a matter of prestige. This is not to mention smaller companies. That are trying to popularise technological solutions in the mass market. Which were before known only to one and a half audiophiles. This article will talk about modern types of headphone design. Their advantages and disadvantages. The Headphones Price in Pakistan according to this type of headphones is not worth ignoring.

How are conventional dynamic headphones arranged?

Everyone has these. They first appeared in 1937 – it was the Beyerdynamic DT-48 model. Which, by the way, is still bein produced in a modern revision. In this design, the sound is emitte by a small speaker. Consisting of a moving magnetic coil, a magnet and a membrane (diffuser). The magnetic field moves the speaker membrane. Which vibrates the air and propagates sound waves through the air.

The main advantages of this design:

• They are easy to produce.

• You can make very inexpensive models. Thanks to a simple process technology and available materials.

• If you try and make a high-quality driver. Then it will sound very good, although the price in this case increases tenfold.

The problem is that this design is already a hundred years old at lunch, so it is not without flaws. To understand them, you need to understand how the speaker emits both low and high sound at the same time. Some might think that the membrane moves forward and emits a high note. Then comes back and emits a low note, but this is not the case. In reality, the cone. When moving, for example, forward, performs thousands of micro-oscillations back and forth. Emitting microseconds of a high note and microseconds of a low one.

All this happens so that it seems to the listener to be simultaneous. Of course. With such rapid fluctuations, the quality of the materials is of great importance. The main need is place on the diffuser – for an ideal result, it must be both light (so that it moves) and strong. (So that it does not deform when moving, otherwise there will be distortions).

Of course, it is impossible to create an ideal material for such purposes. So engineers always compromise. Trying a variety of options – from bituminous paper to Kevlar. But, cone distortion is still the most significant in the audio chain. For comparison, if the distortion of an amplifier or audio card is measure in tenths. And hundredths of a percent, then the distortion of a diffuser is measure in tens of percent. The amplitude-frequency response (AFC) of the speaker leaves much to be desire. With humps in one part of the spectrum and dips in the other. Manufacturers have to choose – some headphones play the bass better. Some – the middle, etc. But engineers do not sit still. And have come up with more advanced types of sound emitters that can found in modern headphones.

Electrostatic headphones

In 1959, the Japanese company Stax introduced the world’s first electrostatic headphones. The SR-1. In them, the emitter consists of an ultra-thin membrane made of a composite material. Only a couple of microns thick. The membrane conducts electricity. And is locat between two perforated metal plates that act as electrodes. Static electricity is apply to them. Due to which they create a magnetic field in which the membrane vibrates.

This design has many advantages:

• An ultra-thin membrane weighs orders of size less than the membrane + coil system. In a dynamic radiator, and, thus, oscillates much faster. The sound will be more dynamic, more detailed, the emitter will play out the most subtle nuances of the track.

• The frequency response of “electrostatics” is much smoother. Than the frequency response of conventional speakers.

• The level of harmonic distortion of electrostatics is also much lower. For example. Stax SR-Lambda Professional headphones from 1982 produce only 0.007%. Distortion around 400 Hz – and this at a concert volume level of 100 dB! This is thirty times less than the best example of a dynamic head in B&W 800 Diamond acoustics. Can give out – there is a distortion level of about 0.5%, and this at a cost of 24 thousand dollars.

This is why electrostatic headphones are consider the holy grail among audiophiles. But not everything is as rosy as it might seem – there are also enough minuses.

Price

Due to the complexity of production, even entry-level models cost thousands of dollars. And Sennheiser has completely released the Orpheus HE-1 electrostatic headphones. Which can be purchas for some four million rubles.

Energizer

The need for a special amplifier “energizer”. Such headphones cannot be plug into an ordinary player. Because their operation requires currents of thousands of volts. The corresponding amplifier will also cost a couple of thousand dollars.

Bass

For all its splendour. Electrostatics have their own design flaw and this is the low-frequency component. The fact is that a conventional speaker is better suited to work with a low register. The speakers in subwoofers can overcome up to ten centimetres when moving. Which allows you to reproduce ultra-low frequencies. And the membrane in electrostatics is sandwich between two plates. The distance between which is a few millimetres. This, of course, is more critical for speakers than for headphones. But the latter can also disappoint fans of low-end punch.

It turns out that for most people, the benefits of such a solution do not justify their price. This is where magneplanars come to the rescue.

Magneplanar headphones

The principle of their operation is like electrostatics so. Here the current is supply not to metal plates. In the magnetic field of which the membrane oscillates. But to this membrane itself, sandwiched between two permanent magnets.

Magneplanar emitters are an evolution of electrostatic technology. They have all its advantages – low distortion, flat frequency response and ultra-fast dynamics.

Main disadvantages:

• the production of magneplanar emitters is a little simpler and cheaper than electrostatic ones. And thus the prices are a little more humane – for example. The cost of some Audeze Mobius Carbon is comparable to the cost of top models of dynamic headphones;

• the design eats up low frequencies less;

• There are low-impedance models that do not need a powerful amplifier. Which makes them even more accessible to the average listener. Models like the Oppo PM-1 and PM-3 can be plug into a regular player.

But, magneplanar transducers are still not as fast as electrostatic ones. So audiophiles prefer the latter for ultimate high-end solutions. They are somewhat more dynamic and reproduce better highs. Also, magneplanars must large permanent magnets to operate. Which affects their weight and comfort.

Bone conduction headphones

If you return from heaven to earth and look at what is available to an ordinary listener. Then you should pay attention to Headphones Price in Pakistan and bone conduction headphones. How come? The fact is that a person has two ways of perceiving sounds – air. Through the auricle, and bone, with the help of the inner ear. For example, when Ludwig van Beethoven said goodbye to the first method. (The composer’s habit of dipping his head in a basin of cold water to cheer up). He began to use the second, applying various copper devices to the skull.

These headphones are not attached to the ears, but to the temples. At first, this method of sound perception was use to treat deafness. As well as in the army and sports (for example, among divers). Today it is available to everyone and has many advantages

Advantages

• safety. Among this style’s key benefits. For example, cyclists and drivers can listen to music and hear the road at the same time. Communication with the outside world is not broken;

• waterproof. Some manufacturers make bone conduction headphones for swimmers. Because they are a one-piece construction with no holes where water can get in;

• good sound. Yes, the development of technology has made it possible to create modern devices that not only sound. But sound quite good for their price.

They are arrange quite . As a basis, they usually use a piezo emitter. A similar one handles beeping from the PC case and is locate in many electronic watches. In headphones, it is, of course, more perfect and of high quality. Vibrations from it go to a system of plates that send a signal to the skull.

It sounds quite exotic, but for some it is completely ominous. Many questions immediately arise – but won’t your head hurt from them? Don’t your teeth ache? How do they even feel? Do they pump bass? But here everything is like everywhere else – it depends on the manufacturer and model. For example, today in the mass market the company After Shokz rules the ball. It produces very interesting models of wireless stereo headphones with decent sound. Of course, this is not an audiophile device, but it is difficult for such a device to find a competitor in its niche. Users assure that these headphones are not a replacement for the usual ones. But an addition to them because they expand the experience of listening to music. And make it possible to enjoy it where it seemed inappropriate before. For example, while talking with friends. Or at work – you can communicate with colleagues and at the same time find out something on the phone.

Convenience

As for convenience, here, contrary to expectations, there are solid pluses. They do not press on the temples, and, thanks to their lightweight design. They can spend many hours in them. Moreover, the ears do not get tired in them – there are no ear cushions, after all. We can predict a bright future for bone conduction headphones.

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