Choosing a bluetooth headset. Advantages and disadvantages of wireless headphones

It's a lucky day - you decided to buy yourself wireless headphones to listen to music without annoying wires and find complete freedom. You went into and were very surprised at the huge assortment of demons wired headphones... What should you choose a bluetooth headset or headphones? Hundreds of models at very different prices, because they must be somewhat different from each other. Let's take everything in order and understand how to choose bluetooth headphones that suit us and which ones should be avoided.

Communication types of wireless headphones

There are 3 types wireless that are used in the creation of headphones:

Infrared communication channel;
Radio channel;
Bluetooth.

Infrared communication channel

First of all, manufacturers began to make wireless headphones with infrared channel communication. As you guessed, this technology works by transmitting light, which means that there should be no obstacles on the path between the transmitter and the headphones, and even a bright sunlight may noticeably disrupt performance.

You have an IR signal source that you have to connect to a sound source, such as a TV, over a regular wire. And in the headphones there is a receiving sensor. The IR source sends a signal directly to the headphones. If even a small object appears on this path, the signal is immediately lost. This technology is simple, cheap, but also very unreliable, suitable only for home use in very limited conditions. It is for this reason that manufacturers today almost do not produce headphones with this type of connection. But if you find an unsold version in some store, it makes sense to buy such headphones for watching TV.

Advantages:

Headphones with an IR transmitter are inexpensive;
If there are no obstacles in the signal path, you will get a clear and pleasant sound;
Low energy consumption.

Flaws:

Signal quality is critically dependent on the line of sight from the source to the headphones; it also does not work well in bright sunlight;
Small radius of action - up to 10 meters.

Radio channel

Wireless headphones with a radio channel for data transmission are a great solution for stationary use. But they still need a separate transmitter, which greatly limits their mobile use. But the range stable work can reach an impressive 100 meters.

Sound quality with small external electromagnetic interference can be very good, but the problem is that in modern cities we are constantly surrounded by a lot electromagnetic radiation from a variety of devices. Therefore, not all wireless headphones with a radio channel can transmit clear sound, on the contrary, most likely background sounds will be mixed into the signal, background sounds may occur. White noise and other distortions.

In addition, this technology consumes a significant amount of energy for operation, so manufacturers build in headphones powerful batteries to achieve acceptable battery life. This leads to a significant increase in the weight of the headphones.

Advantages:

The signal travels well through walls and obstacles;
The radius of action can be up to 100 meters.

Flaws:

High power consumption;
Susceptible to interference from external sources electromagnetic radiation;
Very often, noise in headphones generates background white noise and distortion.

Bluetooth

The third type of wireless earbuds works with wireless protocol transmission bluetooth data... Today it is the most popular protocol supported by all modern phone, laptops, computers and even televisions.

The main advantage of Bluetooth is a stable connection, data is almost not subject to distortion when sent from the source to the headphones. True, the range is limited to 10-20 meters, but you do not need additional transmitter sound, the headphones can directly connect to the phone or computer.

However, Bluetooth has features that you need to be aware of before choosing headphones with this type of connection. There are several types of codecs that encode data (in our case, music) for transmission over the air. The standard codec is present in all devices with Bluetooth and it works with all Bluetooth headphones, but the quality of the transmitted music can be called average, because the musical material is additionally compressed for transmission.

To obtain good quality music, your source (for example, phone) must have support for codecs: aptX, aptX HD, LDAC or SBC. If your phone supports one of these codecs, and your headphones support them, you can count on high quality sound from your headphones. If these codecs are supported by only one device, you will receive sound transmitted using the standard protocol.

Advantages:

Low power consumption, many wireless earbuds can last up to 30 hours on a single charge;
Compatible with all mobile devices that have a Bluetooth module on board;
The ability to connect two pairs of headphones to one audio source, provided that the source supports the Multipoint function;
The radius of confident reception is up to 20 meters;
Ability to transfer high quality sound subject to codec support: aptX, aptX HD, LDAC or SBC.

Flaws:

Have early versions Bluetooth protocol(version 3 and below) signal transmission may be unstable and with low quality sound.

Profiles and codecs of wireless Bluetooth headphones

When choosing wireless Bluetooth headphones for your phone, it is very important to pay attention to the data transfer codecs they support. I recommend buying only headphones that clearly indicate on the box that they support codecs: aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, or AAC. In doing so, you must make sure that your phone also supports the same codecs as the headphones. Only in case of mutual support of one of the codecs will you get high sound quality when listening to music.

Most often, there are phones and headphones with support for the aptX codec, which is more than enough for listening to music in mp3 format 320 kb / s or any streaming services.

The highest audio quality can be achieved using the aptXHD and LDAC codecs.

SBC

Sound processing using SBC methods has a lot in common with the well-known MP3 compression, but the priorities are arranged in a slightly different way: the main task- not so much to minimize sound loss as to simplify calculations. Everything should be fast, simple and easily doable even for the most flimsy mobile processor. As a result, SBC manages with sound without further ado - for example, frequencies above 14 kHz are simply cut off during conversion, as a result of which frequency range narrows markedly. Not surprisingly, even with an equal bitrate with MP3 (and SBC allows bitrate up to 320 kB / s), SBC-encoded audio sounds noticeably worse.

LDAC

LDAC is a codec developed by Sony and this moment it is the most advanced type of music transfer that is capable of transferring even Hi-Res recordings. In fact, when using LDAC, you will get sound quality comparable to wired connection... Among the shortcomings, it can be noted that today this codec is available only in devices from Sony: phones and headphones.

aptX HD

The main advantage of aptX is its ability to transmit a full-band music signal in close to CD quality (16 bit / 44.1 kHz). This is "close" quality, not true CD quality, since aptX uses compression to reduce latency due to encoding and transmission. Classic aptX uses 4: 1 compression and the data transfer rate is 352 kbps.

Now let's go directly to aptX HD. In essence, it is a modernized and improved aptX with the ability to stream higher quality music.

Its development was spurred by the rise in popularity of Hi-Res audio; it supports formats up to 24 bit / 48 kHz, the compression ratio remains the same (4: 1), the data transfer rate has increased to 576 kbps.

AAC

Due to more complex algorithms, AAC really saves more musical information than mp3, and even more so SBC. Not surprisingly, its inclusion in the set of codecs supported by the A2DP profile significantly improves the sound of Bluetooth speakers and headphones. The main thing is to make sure that the AAC codec is supported by both "blue-tooth" devices: both the one that serves as an audio signal transmitter and those that what works at his reception. If from a pair of such devices the AAC encoding is able to understand only one thing - the A2DP profile automatically rolls back to the base codec. With obvious sound implications.

Bluetooth protocol profiles

It is worth paying attention to the support of the following profiles:

A2DP ( Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)- transfer of two-channel audio from the source to the reproducing device. Can use various codecs to compress the audio stream. It is this profile that is used to transfer music.
AVRCP (Audio / Video Remote control Profile)- allows you to manage standard functions TVs, systems home theater etc. A device supporting the AVRCP profile is capable of performing the functions of a wireless controller. Can be used in conjunction with A2DP or VDPT profiles.
GAVDP (General Audio / Video Distribution Profile) - baseline profile providing audio transmission for A2DP and VDP.
HFP (Hands-Free Profile)- used to connect a headset and a phone, transmits only mono sound.
HSP (Headset Profile)- allows the connection of the headset to the phone. The functions of dialing, answering a call, ending a call and adjusting the volume level are provided.

Wireless Headphone Form Factor

Headphone manufacturers have flooded the market by now wireless models all headphone form factors: full-size, on-ear, in-ear, collar and fully wireless models.

Your choice should come down to how you intend to use the headphones.

And for outdoor use, everything will be decided by your personal preferences and requirements for compact design.

Over-ear headphones are characterized by the fact that the ear fits completely inside the ear cup. The ear cushions do not press on the ear itself, therefore such headphones are distinguished by a good passive, high level comfort and excellent quality sounding.

On-ear headphones look like full-size headphones, but the earcups fit over your ears. So they are good balance between a full-sized driver on the inside and a more compact exterior on the outside. Well suited for listening to music on the go, however, most likely you will not be able to listen to headphones for 3 hours or longer due to ear fatigue. You will have to take a break.

In-ear headphones are the smallest, they are inserted into the ear canal. Ideal form factor for sporty and compact outdoor models. Also perfect for those who fundamentally dislike large headphones.

Below I have described the main points that you should pay attention to when choosing bluetooth headsets and headphones for a smartphone or computer.

Convenience

One of the main criteria when choosing wireless Bluetooth headphones is convenience and comfort. No matter how great the sound of the headphones, you will not be able to enjoy it if you are not comfortable. When buying, first of all ask the headphones to try on. Each person has their own head and ear shape, and various combinations make it impossible to unify the shape of the headphones. Therefore, I highly recommend that you try on several pairs of headphones and make sure you are comfortable with them.

When choosing full-size and overhead models, pay attention to the headband - whether it is pressing on the head. If you feel that you are pressing slightly, be sure that after an hour of listening this feeling will become much worse and you will be very uncomfortable. Headphones, like shoes, must be chosen so that they do not cause any difficulties in use at all. Even the smallest detail that now seems insignificant during long-term use of headphones can cause serious discomfort.

Pay attention to the cups of the headphones lying on your ears, how the pressure is distributed over the ear cushions on your head. Try to adjust the length of the headband right away to achieve the perfect fit. If even after several attempts you cannot reach good level comfort - feel free to switch to another model, no matter how well the seller or friend speaks about the current headphones. Comfort comes first.

If you are trying on in-ear headphones, be very careful when choosing the size of the ear pads. Not only the comfort level depends on this, but also the sound quality. Only you ear cushions are able to give maximum comfort. If the ear cushion in-ear headphones selected correctly, you should not feel the headphones in your ear at all, or feel them minimally. If you are trying on in-ear wireless headphones and you are acutely aware of them in your ear - either try different ear pads or a different model of headphones. So these, for some reason, do not fit your ear.

Appearance

The appearance of wireless headphones is one of the top priorities for many people when choosing. If you choose headphones for home use, you can only focus on own taste... But if you choose headphones for use outdoors or during sports, I highly recommend choosing the most compact models.

I think no one wants to look like a Cheburashka on the street, so compact models are preferable to elaborate and bulky ones.

When choosing in-ear headphones, pay particular attention to their appearance and the type of in-ear or in-ear attachment. You should be satisfied with absolutely everything, otherwise the headphones will only annoy you and you will not get any pleasure from the music.

Manufacturer

Whenever possible, try to choose headphones from well-known brands. This is due not only to the workmanship but also to the ergonomics. This is probably not obvious to you, but large companies spend a lot of money creating a comfortable earphone shape. They are really trying to make headphones so that they are as comfortable, beautiful and functional as possible.

Another benefit of buying headphones from famous brand consists in high-quality assembly and good materials... Do not forget about the guarantee. Have big brands have either their own service centers or contracts have been concluded for the maintenance of their equipment. While if you buy you will have nowhere to return them under warranty in the event of a breakdown.

Battery capacity

Wireless headphones are powered by the energy built into them battery... The larger its capacity, the longer the headphones work. Modern headphones capable of working up to 30 hours without recharging. In-ear wireless headphones usually last up to 10 hours. they have small batteries built in.

Pay attention to the battery life, because the less it is, the more often you have to put the headphones on charge. And the higher the chance that the headphones will go down at the most inopportune moment and you will be left without music.

Many wireless headphones have a wired connection, but who takes it with them? Very few, I think, so always keep an eye on the battery level and charge your headphones regularly.

Additional functions

When choosing wireless headsets and headphones, pay attention to the additional features they are equipped with.

For example, if you want to connect 2 pairs of headphones to your phone at the same time, or your phone and a computer to the same headphones, these devices must support the Multipoint function. This is a very handy feature. For example, you have a laptop and a phone, you decide to work in a coffee shop, or you are on the train and do not want to disturb others. You can connect your laptop and phone to headphones, so you can listen to music from your computer and don't miss a phone call.

One more additional function became an opportunity to call voice assistant your phone, it could be, or. Headphones should have this feature if you need it and are used to it. Any manufacturer proudly writes about such support on the packaging, so if it is there, you will not miss it.

Radius of action

When buying, be sure to pay attention to the wireless range of the headphones. Have different models it can vary significantly. Some inexpensive headphones can work stably no further than 5 meters from the sound source, while others continue to work freely at a distance of 20 or even 30 meters. It depends on the Bluetooth module and antennas that are built into the headphones.

Bluetooth headphones have one unpleasant feature: if you put the phone in the left pocket of your pants, and the headphone receiver is located in the right cup, you may experience signal interference, although the distance from the phone to the headphones is less than a meter. This happens if the phone, or headphones, is placed weak antenna... Therefore, the declared operating range of wireless headphones can indirectly show you whether there will be interference when normal use or not. The longer the range, the better.

Sound quality

At selecting bluetooth headphones you need to listen to them very carefully. After all, the sound quality depends not only on bluetooth version and supported codecs, first of all it depends on what drivers are inside the headphones and what shape and what materials the bowls are made of. By the way, this is another reason to buy headphones only from well-known companies, even in inexpensive models they try not to use really bad materials and bad drivers.

Listen to how the headphones sound, if they do not suit you - do not buy. Many people think that using the equalizer you can adjust any headphones, but this is not the case. You can't make a bad driver sound like a good one. Using the equalizer, you can only slightly change the character of the sound, but the quality remains the same.

Most main criterion when choosing the sound quality - so that you like it. I highly recommend that you listen to several models before buying, even if they are more expensive than the headphones that you are going to buy. You have to compare the sound and understand which ones you like best. There are quite a few inexpensive headphones that sound good, you just need to find them. Unfortunately, reading reviews and reviews will not help you much with this. In the reviews, you will find out the opinion of the author, but whether you personally like the headphones - you can only understand by putting them on and listening.

Microphone quality

The vast majority of wireless headphones are equipped with a built-in microphone that is used for phone calls. If you are going to make frequent calls using headphones, pay attention to the voice quality. Not all headphones have a good microphone position or good quality. I had headphones for testing that played music well, sat comfortably on my head, but it was simply impossible to talk with their help - the interlocutors heard me disgustingly.

So do not hesitate, connect Bluetooth earphone to the phone right in the store and make a test call to a friend, ask how he hears you. If you cannot make a call, then open the phone voice recorder app and record the sound from the microphone of the headphones, this is also a good way.

Active noise cancellation

V Lately more and more manufacturers began to produce. And this is correct, because headphones with active noise reduction are significantly superior to the usual ones in terms of the comfort of listening to music in a noisy environment, for example, in the subway or on the street.

In short, the system active noise cancellation tries to dampen the noise that gets inside the headphones from the outside. The headphones are equipped with a microphone that constantly picks up the noise around you; inside the earcups there are special speakers that create the same noise as outside, but in antiphase. Thus, when these sounds meet, they cancel each other out. Due to this, you almost stop hearing what is happening around you.

This is very useful for your hearing organs, because what do you do on the subway if you listen to music in conventional headphones? That's right, you turn up the volume to start hearing the music. But now imagine the stress on your eardrums, which continues to hear the loud sound of the subway train and music at an increased volume. This is a very serious strain that can easily lead to hearing loss. Active noise canceling systems allow you to listen to music at normal volume, thus significantly reducing the strain on your ears and keeping them safe for the future.

Active noise canceling systems in wireless headphones from different manufacturers work with different intensities, some are better, some are worse. But we can definitely say that not even very efficient system shumodava is better than without it, especially when traveling to public transport and on the noisy streets of the city.

Price

Of course, when choosing a bluetooth headset for your phone, it is very important to consider the price. Try not to chase after cheapness, because headphones will directly affect your ears and I think that no one wants to hear noise and hum from cheap headphones instead of great music.

Moreover, cheap headphones can damage your hearing organs, this is no joke.

Try to find some compromise between the price and the capabilities of the headphones, choose models from famous brands and then you will not be disappointed.

If you give general recommendation at the cost of which bluetooth headphones to choose, I recommend choosing from 5000 rubles and above. Yes, there are several good models cheaper, but in general case you need to watch headphones more expensive than 5000 rubles. Here I mean the products of famous world brands. Buying headphones Chinese manufacturers always a lottery, you can guess, but most likely you will be disappointed with the sound quality, build or appearance.

Choosing a Bluetooth headset for your phone is not that big today challenging task... Yes, a few years ago - it was whole science... But, these days, a wireless headset of almost any manufacturer is of a fairly high quality.

This allows you to significantly narrow down the range of requirements. Despite the fact, the answer to the question of how to choose a Bluetooth headset will help you get the best quality and most convenient accessory for your smartphone. In addition, you can also connect a Bluetooth headset to your laptop, computer or tablet.

What is Bluetooth: Video

The principle of choosing a wireless headset

As with the choice of any other equipment, first of all, you should pay attention to the parameters. To begin with, it should be noted that there are two types of Hands free:

Stereo.
Mono.

As you probably guessed, the first option is a dual-headphone device. Such headphones are often used for listening to music and can be connected not only to a smartphone, but also to a computer. Read how to connect wireless headphones to your computer.

In turn, mono means one speaker.

How to choose a Bluetooth headset? Stereo or Mono? It all depends only on your desire. It is only worth noting that if you like listening to music, then stereo headphones sound much nicer. So, in more detail about these two types.

Mono earphone

This type of wireless headset is generally only used for voice communication- for conversations. Of course, you can turn on music, but you must admit that it is not very pleasant to hear it with only one ear.

But, a clear advantage lies in the fact that when talking on the phone, you can freely perceive the people around you. This is critical for drivers who need to hear the world around them in order not to be distracted from the road.

These headphones may have a built-in radio receiver. This extra bonus for music lovers. There is also a disadvantage in the presence of a built-in radio, since this is an additional energy consumer, due to which the battery is discharged faster.

But, this drawback is insignificant, since the FM-receiver consumes very little charge. Moreover, if the headset has a built-in battery that can be charged, then such a minus will not cause you any inconvenience.

Types of stereo headphones

A stereo headset is divided into several types according to the type of fixation on the head:

Liners.
Plug-in (better known as "Vacuum").
Overhead.

How to choose a Bluetooth headset by the type of fixation? Here you need to know their structure and some of the nuances.

The earbuds are shaped like droplets.

However, there are certain disadvantages of this form:

They often fall out due to poor fixation.
Poor sound quality due to loose fit to the ear.

The benefits include compact size and simplicity in operation. They are also completely safe, even with long-term use, unlike in-ear headphones.

The fact is that the plug-in version has the shape of a plug (earplugs) and is placed in the ear canal.

With prolonged use, you may experience discomfort and even ear pain.

To avoid this, you should take a responsible approach to the choice of this type of headset, and pay special attention to ear pads. But in defense, it should be said that such headphones sound good.

The on-ear type of headphones differs in that it is fixed on the user's head with a bow.

They can be closed, open or semi-closed type... This type is most convenient for home use and listening to music, since they have the largest dimensions of all the options presented.

Which Bluetooth headset it is better? It all depends on your requirements, financial capabilities and conditions of use. One or another type of headphone will be most comfortable in the appropriate environment.

Bluetooth headset for car speakerphone: Video

Bluetooth version

You should also pay attention to the Bluetooth version, as this affects the quality of the headphones. There are several parameters here:

Connection speed.
Energy consumption.
Immunity.
Signal quality.

Headset - transfer of all sounds from the phone (music, SMS, call and so on).
A2DP - transmits high-quality stereo sound. Best for music lovers.
Multipoin is the most useful function, which allows you to connect headphones to two or more devices at the same time. If you have two phones or have a tablet and a smartphone, then this opportunity will be very useful and convenient for you. If your smartphone does not see the headphones, read

Answering the question, which Bluetooth headset is better to choose, it should be noted that you need to look at all the above parameters. In addition, do not forget to check the battery life, the type of interface for charging, the ability to control the volume, the presence of noise cancellation, the sensitivity of the microphone and the function of its mute. Also try on the headset to be comfortable.

If your smartphone does not see Bluetooth headphones, look for a solution to the problem.

How to find out the Bluetooth version: Video

The headset differs from traditional headphones by the presence of a microphone. This allows you not to bring your phone to your face when you need to talk to someone. If you are interested in choice of headphones for phone, then a separate material is devoted to this. Here you will read about which type of headset is better than the other and other aspects of such a difficult choice.

In the world of portable technology, technology has existed for a long time Bluetooth... It is designed to output sound to wireless devices... In particular, a phone equipped with this technology can interact with a bluetooth headset. And everyone has Bluetooth support modern smartphones and even push-button telephones, on this account is not worth worrying about. Let's take a look at the main benefits of wireless and wired headsets.

A Bluetooth headset for a phone usually has a minimum size, for some it will be a plus. But the most important thing is that such a device allows you not to depend on your smartphone. Many models even allow you to make outgoing calls and receive calls without taking your phone out of your pocket. And the most best wireless headsets endowed with even wider functionality - for example, they can stop music when you take the earpiece out of your ear. Actually, it is in the price tag that the main drawback of such a solution lies. Bluetooth headsets are expensive. Sometimes very, very expensive. We must not forget that they work with a battery, which forces the user to regularly charge their headset. A rare model operates on a single charge for more than ten hours - most often the battery is discharged after six to seven hours of talk. Well, some models do not want to work longer than five hours at all! And these are not necessarily the cheapest headsets - high-budget models can have such a disadvantage. Also, you should be aware that there are not only stereo, but also mono headsets, consisting of one earphone.

Wired headsets may be easier to connect, but their cable gets confused. The only exceptions are rubberized wires, but they cause inconvenience with their thickness (and in the cold they can stop bending altogether). Also, the cable in the fabric braid does not get confused. Wired headsets are by far the most popular. The reason for the success is to be found in the relatively low price tag.

Stereo or Mono?

If you are faced with the choice of a Bluetooth headset, then the first step is to decide on its type. Stereo headsets are expensive, but they allow you to comfortably listen to music. They also have disadvantages. The first is a short autonomous work- usually even use does not help newest version wireless standard... Well, the second drawback is present in the method of connecting two headphones to each other. It can be a wire, a neck hoop, or something else. Also, such devices can be endowed with an ear mount. All these devices have varying degrees ease of use. And here it is impossible to advise anything concrete, since different people there will be completely different reactions.

Recently, headsets have begun to appear in the form of two headphones separated from each other. In particular, such a product was released by Apple.

Mono headset much simpler in design. It consists of one earpiece and an ear clip. Somewhere under the body is a microphone, which sometimes even knows how to perceive voice commands. Similar device it weighs very little - usually less than ten grams. At the same time, the talk time can be seven to eight hours. This parameter is quite enough, since mono headsets are most often used while driving or in the office. The device does not hold very tightly on the ear, but no one will run with it or do other sports. As almost never happens, waterproof mono headsets - for the same reasons.

Overhead and full-size models

The best sound quality is given by full-size and overhead headsets... But they are too big, you can use them outdoors, but with certain problems... It should also be noted that wired headsets of this kind may have resistance over 80 ohms, as a result of which the sound will simply not reach the speakers, unless you connect headphones to a device with an amplifier. In short, there are a lot of nuances here that must be reckoned with.

Bluetooth version

This is only relevant for wireless headsets. They all function with Bluetooth one version or another. The higher it is, the less energy is consumed, and also the higher the range. But you need to understand that the Bluetooth version is a mutual parameter. That is, a modern module must be installed in your smartphone that supports a high version of this wireless standard, otherwise the "two" or "three" will be involved. Below you can see how they differ different versions from each other:

2.0 - an outdated standard, which can now be found only in the cheapest push-button mobile phones;
2.1 - Bluetooth of this version has become a little more energy efficient, but it is no longer built into modern smartphones either;
3.0 - the data transfer speed increased to 24 Mbps, which seriously affected the sound quality, while the power consumption increased slightly;
4.0 - the creators managed to significantly reduce the amount of energy consumed;
4.1 - the radius of action has slightly increased.

Modern technologies

Many wireless headsets slightly more functional than it seems. They can support the following Bluetooth profiles:

Aptx- digital audio codec that allows you to listen to music in the very high quality close to AudioCD. But not every smartphone supports this codec.
A2DP- this technology allows you to receive full-fledged stereo sound on a Bluetooth headset.
AVRCP- this profile allows you to remotely interact with your smartphone. Also, with its help, service information can be displayed or voiced on the wireless headset - for example, the name of the caller.

They were a must-have accessory for busy businessmen, for whom the convenience of talking without having to take the phone out of their pocket is very important. But today, wireless headsets are ubiquitous - largely due to the significant cost reduction, ease of use and a huge number a wide variety of models that are produced by hundreds of manufacturers.

A good headset should be secure and fit comfortably in your ears. But if, for example, you love listening to music, then you need to approach the choice from one side, and if you just need to quickly receive voice calls, then the selection criteria will be slightly different.

Below we will consider the most important characteristics Bluetooth headsets, and then we will bring to your attention a dozen excellent models that are on sale in our catalog.

Key features to look out for

Traditional Bluetooth headsets, which are attached to one ear, have only one sound channel - mono. Such models are designed specifically for those who need to be constantly in touch because of their professional activity... They are very compact and lightweight (often - only about 10 g), but listening to music on such headsets in acceptable quality will not work - simply because there is only one earphone. The controls for such headsets are located directly on the body.

Stereo headsets are suitable for almost everyone - they offer high-quality two-channel sound, and usually handle calls just as well. The microphone and their controls can be located both on the body and on the wires - it all depends on the design. For obvious reasons, these models are usually heavier and not nearly as compact as traditional models.

Bluetooth version

When choosing a Bluetooth headset, you should not consider models that support protocol versions older than 3.0. Bluetooth version 3.0 and higher is enough for both a sufficiently high-quality transfer of music (as far as the protocol itself allows), and for conversations without any serious distortion. As a rule, newer versions of Bluetooth imply more economical battery consumption, but in this regard it is better to rely on reviews and tests. specific models- the operating time depends more on the battery capacity and the internal logic of the headset.

Not so long ago, the Bluetooth 5.0 standard was finalized, which provides even greater efficiency, but headsets with its support have not yet been released.

Range of action

In 99% of cases, you will use the headset when the phone is either in your pocket or on the table. But if you are going, for example, to constantly move within the office, and the phone will be in your workplace, then the range will be an important parameter.

Almost always, manufacturers indicate the maximum range, which in real conditions is greatly reduced (up to 50%) due to walls, doors and other obstacles - this must be taken into account when choosing.

Headphone type

By the type of construction, the headsets are divided into plug-in ("plugs") and overhead.

The former are more compact and comfortable to use. At one time, their sound was considered very inferior to the sound of overhead models, but in last years the development of technology has made it possible to bring its quality closer to the quality of "full-size" headphones. In this regard, everything strongly depends on the specific headset.

On-ear headsets offer high-quality sound - they completely cover your ears and better protect them from outside world... In addition, they often have more capacious batteries... At the same time, they are more bulky and heavy.

3.5mm headphone jack

Some models (mostly overhead) have a 3.5mm audio output so that they can be used as a wired one in the event of a low battery. In addition, there are models without headphones included, which are a small plastic case with an audio output.

Availability of support NFC technology allows you to quickly connect the headset to the phone - for this, it is enough to bring it to it at a close distance, after which pairing will occur automatically. A very useful function for those who are always pressed for time.

A2DP, AVRCP

Support for the A2DP profile allows the headset to receive a higher signal quality. For conversations this is not so important, but for listening to music it is almost necessary. At the same time, even the sound quality of A2DP is inferior to the sound quality of conventional wired headphones due to the peculiarities of the Bluetooth protocol.

The AVRCP profile allows you to remotely control media devices such as TVs or music centers with Bluetooth support.

Battery

Most often, Bluetooth headsets are used standard for the mobile device industry. lithium ion batteries... They are quite capacious and provide long work talk time - up to ten hours (in some cases - even more).

Lithium polymer batteries are used less often - they are more expensive, but weigh a little less. In addition, they do not take shocks well.

Additional features

If you use several smartphones at once, then the headset should support Multipoint technology, which will allow it to switch between devices without any problems.

The most demanding audiophiles can choose a headset with support for the Apt-X codec, which makes music sound almost indistinguishable from MP3 sound. Music lovers may also like a separate DSP chip that processes the signal, lowering the noise level and raising the volume.

It is worth paying attention to the number of microphones in the headset. If there are two or more of them, then additional ones are usually used to ensure the operation of the noise reduction system - this makes the sound insulation good even in "plugs". Thanks to noise cancellation, it will be easier and more enjoyable to listen to music and conduct a conversation.

Finally, fans of sports and healthy lifestyle should pay attention to headsets with a waterproof case. Most are sweat and rain resistant, and some can even be used underwater.

Wired headsets are headphones with a microphone. Often, the headphones in such headsets are made in the form of plugs or earbuds, and the microphone is located slightly below the wire.

Some of the headsets are produced by phone manufacturers and can only be connected using the native connector. Some companies produce universal headsets that connect using a standard 3.5 mm jack.

The main advantages are the low price and the ability to use it with any phone, even an outdated model. The disadvantage is that the design of the microphone adds unnecessary noise, for example, when it touches clothing.

Bluetooth headsets - wireless headsets that connect to the phone using a wireless module Bluetooth communication... The advantage is that they provide more comfort and freedom of action due to the absence of wires. Disadvantages: more high price, the battery needs to be charged.

It should be noted that wired headsets are gradually giving way to Bluetooth headsets as more comfortable and modern. Consider further the features wireless headset.

Bluetooth versions

2.0 - obsolete option;
2.1 - added lower power consumption;
3.0 - increased data transfer rate to 24Mbps, which is comparable to Wi-Fi;
4.0 - combined all the previous advantages;
4.1 - increased radius of action has been added.

A type

Bluetooth headset can be realized in two ways.

Mono headset- represents one earpiece. It is mainly used for telephone conversations. Convenient for use while driving, because allows you to hear the world around you.

Stereo headset- Consists of two headphones and a microphone. The sound is divided into two channels, which allows you to listen to high-quality music or watch videos.

The main types of headphones in stereo headsets:

liners- very compact, do not interfere with movement, but due to the small size of the sound-reproducing membrane, the sound quality is acceptable only for expensive models;
plug-in ("plugs")- they are inserted directly into the ear canal, hold well and perfectly isolate from external sounds, but require some getting used to;
waybills- completely or partially cover the ears, give the best quality sound.

When choosing the type of headset, you should decide for what purposes it will be used and in what conditions. If you need to lead telephone conversations while driving, then choose the mono headset as the most comfortable. If you also want to listen to music, watch video files, then it is better to purchase a stereo headset with high-quality headphones.

Working hours

Usually the running time is indicated by two digits. The first is the working time in talk time, the second - in standby... Both of these characteristics depend on the capacity of the battery. On average, it is 100-500 mA, standby time 5-8 days without recharging, talk time - up to 24 hours.

Some models of headsets are equipped with removable batteries: you can buy a spare one and replace it if necessary.

Almost all headsets are suitable for use on iOs and Android. Through dedicated mobile applications you can display information about the charge of the headset on the smartphone screen.

Profiles

Bluetooth profile is a set of functions available for a specific Bluetooth device. To perform these functions, the profile must be supported by both the headset and the mobile phone.

Headset- allows you to listen to all sounds of the phone using the headset, from confirmation of operations to playing music, as well as control many functions of the phone, for example, change the volume, make calls directly from the headset, etc.

A2DP- it is necessary to transfer high-quality stereo sound to the headset from the phone for listening to music or watching videos.

AVRCP- allows you to remotely control functions mobile device, display service information, for example, the name of the caller.

Aptx- audio codec, used to listen to music from mobile phone in the highest quality, close to AudioCD. If the phone does not support this codec, then the headset works normally.

Functions

Call waiting / holding- allows you to receive a call on the second line without interrupting the current conversation.

Last number repeat- allows you to automatically dial last issue if it was not possible to get through to him.

Noise suppression- the property of the microphone to transmit the voice as clearly as possible, automatically filtering out extraneous noises.

Automatic pairing- the ability to simplify the connection of your headset to a second device without entering a PIN code. For example, in a car, you can connect a headset to a player if it has a built-in Bluetooth module.

Mute the microphone- the ability to turn off the microphone if necessary.

Vibrating alert- the mode is convenient if, for example, the headset is in your pocket.

Multipoint- the ability to use the headset with multiple devices.

External control unit- especially useful for music lovers, it makes it possible to control listening without a phone.

Most of the headset functions must be supported by your mobile device.

Manufacturer

The group of budget solutions includes headsets, Acme, Arctic Cooling, Gemix and many other little-known brands. As a rule, such products do not possess good sound, large quantity functions quickly breaks down. The price for such headsets is comparable to budget models higher quality brands.