Comfort and Headphones

Perhaps the last thing that anyone would think of when it
comes to buying headphones is comfort. With all the
information out there on the net and in shops no one tells
you the most obvious fact and that is ‘try it on before
your buy it’.

It is all very well spending upwards of $1,000 dollars -
for you super rich out there! - on a new set of headphones
only to find them so uncomfortable that you avoid putting
them on!

So what do you look for in comfort? Well, first decide if
you like the sound right inside your ears or outside. If
outside, do you want the ‘circum’ style which sits around
the ear or the ‘supra’ style which sits right on the ear?

All have good points and bad points and it is up to the
user which style to buy.

The circum style sits around the ear and gives a slightly
muffled sound as if the user is sitting in an auditorium
whilst the supra style feels like the instruments are right
there next to the ear.

Whichever one is preferred make sure that the material on
the ear pads is comfortable. Many have leatherette style
coverings which can get a little sweaty in hot conditions.
Velvet style pads do not have this problem.

For portable headsets personally I don’t like ear bud
styles because they make my ears hurt!! Having tried them
out on several occasions I have to vote for the other
styles mentioned here.