We all love music. Who doesn’t?

So what better way to make music a truly satisfying experience than with some tips and tricks that will amplify your listening pleasure.

A speaker dock

Although you can easily hook up your iPod to an existing home stereo system, it’s not quite the same.

An iPod speaker dock will give you clearer sound because it’s a direct connection from the player to the speaker. Hooking it up to any ol’ stereo will result in quality loss.

A top-quality sound card

If you usually listen to music from your PC, then it’s time to invest in a top-notch sound card. The ones that already come with the computer wasn’t made to give you an experience similar to having a personal orchestra in your room.

Get an internal sound card that comes with surround sound and S/PDIF output. Your ears will thank you for it.

Learn the necessary software

Now that everything’s gone digital, it would be useful for you to spend some time in learning software to improve your music quality.

If you’re transferring old technology like tapes and vinyl’s into mp3 files, use professional software like Cakewalk Pyro to transfer, trim and enhance your recordings.

Just because some of your favourite music isn’t available in digital format doesn’t mean you should forget about it.

You should also fiddle with the settings on your digital music player. Whether you’re using iTunes, Windows Media Player or WinAmp, there’s a whole load of preferences for you to play with.

This will take some time but it also allows you to take your music to a more personal level and figure what works best for you.

You can enhance the bass, downplay the acoustics, boost the vocals, or manually tweak it bit by bit. You can also set it for a gapless playback, giving a smooth transition from each track so there isn’t even a moment of silence. The possibilities here are endless.

The right headphones

Perhaps the single most necessary thing you can do to improve the quality of songs on your iPod is to invest in a pair of headphones.

Anyone who truly knows about sound will tell you earphones that came with your iPod, or any other mp3 player for that matter, do great injustice to whatever you’re listening to.

Look for headphones that provide sound isolation so you can listen at a lower volume and simultaneously block external noise.

In-ear headphones usually work best with mp3 players, although some users are more comfortable using full-size ones instead.

The best in-ear headphones I’ve used are Shure E4c headphones.

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Most of the time, you won’t catch me without a set of headphones on. Whether it’s music at work, or a full sensory experience while gaming, or for extra motivation for a jog around the park, it’s always ON.

So it’s VERY important that I take care of my hearing health. After all, I plan on rocking it out even when I’m in my 70s, thank you.

Here are my tips for a pleasant relationship with your headphones to keep those ear drums happy:

There is such a thing as TOO LOUD

If you’re like me and have sound streaming into your ears all throughout the day, then you know how it feels to be partially deaf when you remove your headphones. It’s like having pillows strapped over your ears.

The rule of thumb is simple: The lower the volume, the longer you can listen to it at one time.

Say, if you’ve got it at 30% of the volume limit, then listening all throughout the day is fine. Anything higher than 50% of the volume limit though, and you need to start timing yourself:

If you’ve set your volume at 80% of the maximum capacity, keep these time limits in mind:

• 1.5 hours for in-ear headphones
• 50 minutes for noise-canceling headphones
• 5 hours for over-the-ear headphones

Turning it down to 70%, though, gives you a lot more listening time:

• 6 hours for in-ear headphones
• 3.5 hours for noise-canceling headphones
• 20 hours for over-the-ear headphones

What a huge difference a slight decrease in volume brings!

What if I need to drown out the noise?

Get a good pair of closed-ear noise-canceling headphones instead. That way, you can keep the volume down AND enjoy hearing the audio details.

I’ve found the Audio Technica ATHANC7 Noise-canceling Headphones to be a very reasonably-priced set that isolates sound yet delivers awesome acoustics. You can find my recommendations for noise-canceling headphones here.

Louder music does not equal a better workout

I get excited when I’m exercising with my headphones on. And I’ll admit I have a tendency to blast the volume up when I’m working out.

But this is one of the most dangerous times to do so, because all that strenuous jumping and running around could make for serious ear damage if you’re using in-ear headphones.

There are headphones specially created for sporting activities. Sennheiser, for instance, has very good headphones that are safe on the ears and easy on the wallet. Check out my Best Headphones for Jogging review here.

When sharing ISN’T caring

Personally, I think it’s a bit gross to share in-ear headphones since the buds are inserted in the ear canal.

But we don’t think too much of sharing full-size or portable headphones.

Newsflash! It’s actually a breeding ground for germs!

When someone coughs or sneezes, germs leech onto EVERYTHING – headphones, notebook, mouse, keyboard, you name it.

Lice can also jump from the head of its original host and infect the next person who uses the headphones.

Get a disinfectant spray and regularly clean your headphones. Avoid sharing whenever possible, but if you must, be sure to clean before and after.

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• Full Size Headphones

Shopping for headphones may not sound very exciting, but believe me, a good set will elevate your listening experience, so it’s wise to make a sound investment.

There are so many types on the market these days, depending on your budget and purpose. Take a look at my post on the types of headphones available to gauge if you’re more suited for earphones, portable headphones or the big momma of them all – full-size headphones.

When shopping around for that perfect set of headphones, here’s what you need to consider:

Bass and acoustics

This is really one of the main reasons you’re buying headphones. To FEEL the bass.

You should be able to distinguish each level of sound clearly and yet when it all comes together, each instrument is crisp on its own but collectively produce harmony.

It’s all pretty subjective though, so don’t stress too much about this. The way we hear sounds and listen to music varies, so what sounds good differs from one listener to the next.

Durability and comfort

Headphone technology is pretty clear-cut; it isn’t going to get that much more advanced than it already is. So a good set should last you for years to come.

With that in mind, quality shouldn’t take a backseat. When shopping around, inspect the build of the headphones. Will the ear cups feel comfortable? Are the ear buds built to last daily use? Are the cables strong?

Keep an eye out for the headband, too. Does it feel comfortable around your neck and over your head? Will it withstand frequent wear and tear?

Just as important as maintaining high standards for quality, you shouldn’t compromise on comfort either. After all, you’ll wear wearing your chosen headphones for extended periods of time.

It should feel comfortable when you’re wearing it. At the store, try a set on for at least 5-10 minutes. That’s only a fraction of how long you’ll really be using it for, and if it’s not comfortable in the store, it definitely won’t be comfortable at home.

Cable design and length

Some headphones have one cable attached to one earpiece while others have a Y-cable that connects to both earpieces. All earphones have a Y-cable.

If you’re fussy about wire clutter, you might want to consider looking for single-sided cable headphones. This cuts clutter in half, compared to sets with double-sided cables that can be prone to getting tangled.

The length of the cable depends on how you’ll be using your device. If your iPod is going to be in your back pocket, a longer cord will more convenient. If you’re hooking it up to your computer, then you might want a shorter one so that there’s less clutter on your desk.

Portability

Earphones are undeniably the champions of portability when it comes to headphones. However, not everyone is keen on sticking little buds in their ear.

Solution: look for larger headphones that have a collapsible headband. By folding your headphones, you can easily store it in your briefcase or bag without any awkward bulkiness.

To make it even more compact, look for sets with folding ear cups, which fold into the collapsed headband. For one of the best portable headphones around, take a look at the Koss PortaPro; it’s got all the criteria for maximum convenience and portability, not forgetting amazing sound quality.

If you prefer to use earphones but hate the long tangled cables, look for models that come with a carrying case. Keeping clutter to a minimum, this also serves as protective storage for your earphones, especially if it’s pricey.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the different types of headphones available. Once you’ve found your perfect set, you will appreciate the beauty of sound a lot more. Check out my best headphones reviews to help you narrow your search.

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Way before iPods ruled the world, the Walkman and Discman were the real deal. Back in the day, headphones weren’t as cool and sleek as it is today.

Back then, it resembled a saucer cupping each ear, making its user look like Princess Leia from Star Wars. Luckily for the stylish geek like me (ahem!), headphones have come a long way in both form and function. Let’s take a look at the different types of headphones on the market today.

Earphones

Earphones

Also known as ear buds or in-ear headphones, these are typically very lightweight and are inserted directly into the ear canal. A decent pair of earphones should provide good sound isolation and precision. You wouldn’t need to play your music at too high a volume either, preventing sound distortion.

Earphones are very compact and portable, given that it’s just two little plugs connected to a wire. A good pair should feel comfortable in your ears, to the point where you might forget you’ve got it on.

You can get a pretty decent pair at $20 – $50, but if you’re willing to fork out the big bucks starting from $500 upwards, you can get excellent earphones that could knock the sound out of any full-sized headphones.

Check out my review for the Best In-ear Headphones: Shure E4a Headphones

Portable headphones

Portable headphones

Also known as clip-on headphones or neckband headphones, these are the ones made famous by the Walkman.

Portable headphones are generally classified by its headband – either over the head or around the neck. Some models are foldable, allowing for better portability.

Sound isn’t quite as isolated with these as it is with earphones, though that’s with good reason. If you’re commuting or taking a jog around the neighborhood, portable headphones ensure your safety, as it won’t drown out surrounding street noises.

These are usually very well priced, with a decent pair going for less than $50.

Here’s my winner for Best Portable Headphones: Koss PortaPro Headphones

Full-size headphones

Full-size headphones

Full-size headphones come in either closed or open back designs. Both types have its own purpose, with the general feature of a full-size pair being large earpieces that cup the entire ear.

Closed-back headphones also function as noise-canceling sets since it’s designed to block out external sound. These provide excellent sound isolation and are well suited for DJ use.

Open-back headphones, however, work the opposite. These let external sound in, and are more suited for indoor use in quiet surroundings. Open-back sets aren’t as prone to sound reflection in the earcups as closed-back models, so these are a safer bet if you won’t be using it outside of your home.

Most people don’t take full-size headphones out, simply because it’s pretty huge and bulky. Unless you’re going for the whole “I’m a DJ” look, I suggest you limit these to home usage.

Wireless full-size headphones are becoming more visible in the market now. As a gamer, I welcome any gadget that doesn’t have annoying wires. However, the sound quality of wireless sets have yet to come close to wired headphones. These models use infrared or radio frequencies to transmit connection, usually causing a loss of quality and interfering with other wireless gadgets you may have.

Prices for a good set of full-size headphones average at $150 and can run up to over $1000. If you’re super serious about sound, full-size headphones are for you.

Take a look at my review for the Best Wireless Headphones: Pioneer SE-DIR800C Wireless Headphones with Dolby Headphone Technology

I’ve also reviewed an impressive set with noise-canceling features: Audio-Technica ATHANC7 Noise-canceling Headphones.

My personal faves:

I use different headphones for my iPod and when playing online games like Starcraft and Call of Duty.

For my iPod, I need highly portable and compact headphones that I can travel with. My picks are the Shure E4c Headphones and the Koss PortaPro Headphones.

To enhance my gaming experience, I rely on full-size headphones like Beyerdynamic DT234Pro Headset.

Consider the purpose of your headphones first and whether you’ll be using it at home most of the time or while commuting.
That’ll help you narrow down your search! Good luck!

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Hi everybody! I’m Ed and this is my Best Headphone Reviews blog. Headphones cannot be absent from my life because of my two hobbies that take up most of my pastime – gaming and listening to music!

I would’ve used speakers for gaming, for the FEEL of bass and surround sound, but when it’s the middle of the night and you don’t want your neighbor to come around banging your door down, a good pair of gaming headphones is not much lesser in terms of sound quality. A plus when using headphones for gaming is that it’s noise canceling, so I’m totally into the game!

Having the best headphones for music is a must. If you haven’t used good quality headphones for music before, you will never know what you missed. For one thing, headphones are light and portable, that practically means that I can bring music with me everywhere I go. I love listening to mp3s when I workout in the gym, go jogging in the outdoors, and even when I commute to work.

There are quite a few types of headphones:

• Earcup or on-ear headphones
• Circumaural headphones or full size headphones
• Supra-aural headphones
• Earbuds or earphones
• Canalphones or in-ear headphones

And there are many different features of headphones for different needs; these include:

• noise-canceling
• bass and acoustics
• surround sound
• wireless
• comfort and healthy hearing features

Don’t worry if you don’t know which type you need or how to choose the best headphones, because I will write more detailed guides and post them here soon enough. I will also post headphone reviews for several headphones brands: Sennheiser, Pioneer, Beyerdynamic, Audio-Technica, Koss PortaPro and so on. If you want to check out my reviews and articles, keep me on your bookmark!