Music is a universal language that is enjoyed by the vast majority of the human race. We experience music in a wide variety of ways, ranging from the dynamic energy of a live performance to a quiet listening session alone in our home.
There may not be much that you can do to modify the sound you are receiving from your orchestra seat, but the same is not true for your at-home listening experience. Technology has advanced to the point where you can obtain incredibly rich and accurate depictions of sound from a high-end home hi-fi system.
Despite your best intentions and impeccable musical taste, there will be times when sharing your music with others will be discouraged, perhaps by the lateness of the hour. On these occasions, the music lover can resort to the aural solitude that can be found in the use of a nice set of quality headphones.
Headphones allow us to exert absolute control over our audio-environment, and allow us to privatize our public spaces. But when you reach for your headphones you realize that these particular ones don’t afford you the control that you would like. Here are 5 reasons why you might think it’s time that your headphones get an upgrade.
You Are Using Stock Headphones
If you are listening to music on the headphones or earbuds that came with your phone or mobile device you definitely need to consider an upgrade as soon as possible. These inexpensive models are provided by device manufacturers as an introductory means of using their equipment. They provide barely adequate sound quality and are not made to be a durable or long-lasting headphone option.
It makes sense, as the purpose of these headphones are to allow you to make a call or hear the audio on a YouTube video. Neither demands particularly high sound quality to get their point across. On the other hand, when you want to relax and listen to your music, they just don’t cut it. Time to get something that treats your tunes a little better.
You Desire Better Sound Quality
This can be your reason for upgrading no matter how good your current set of headphones performs. There is always room for improvement and as technological advances are made new and better products are produced. The true audiophile owes it to themselves to keep an eye open for new and enhanced ways to experience their music.
If you’re not there yet you can certainly consider professional grade headphones that will require a dedicated amplifier. This will open you up to a whole new dimension of sound quality. Perhaps you want to add noise cancelling technology, or reduce the distortion you are experiencing.
Another direction to explore in your quest for perfect sound is the combination of a high-end set of headphones paired with quality audio cables. The flexibility in sound quality afforded by this type of configuration allows you to create a sound suited to your specific taste.
Your Current Headphones are Uncomfortable
No matter what style of headphones you use, if you wear them for any length of time they need to be comfortable. Comfort can mean quality ear pads and cushions, or an ergonomically designed in-ear model. Over-ear headphones need to have a well-engineered headband. Using headphones that are not comfortable can lead to headaches and at best, a poor listening experience.
It might be worth your time to investigate some of the different options you have for private listening. Very high-quality sound can be produced by a variety of headphone styles that offer choices to suit your lifestyle and listening habits.
Your Friend Sat on Your Headphones
It really doesn’t matter who suggested to break out the Scotch. It happened and next thing its three hours later and you are debating which solo on Miles Davis’ Flamenco Sketches is better and before you know it, there it is. Two halves of a set of headphones, definitely an ugly sight. There’s always duct tape.
But wait. Your friend turns out to be more honorable than you thought and offers to pay for the damage. You consider if this will negatively impact your friendship and decide it will not. You ask Google to get you a price on a new set and get some cash as your friend leaves.
Perfect time to upgrade! Using the old set as a starting point now is your chance to take a step up without it hurting too much. Look at it as a fortuitous episode that is getting you twice the sound at half the price. Something like that.
You Finally Discovered Classical Music
All right, that might be an overstatement. You always knew that it existed. You had heard of Mozart and Bach and knew that symphonies were long and used a lot of instruments. But then one day someone turned you on to something truly exquisite and from that day on you were hooked. And according to the BBC, listening to some classical music daily can improve the quality of your life.
Maybe it was the late string quartets of Beethoven, some of the most sublime music ever composed, that touched your soul. Or perhaps it was an aria in a Verdi opera that brought tears to your eyes. Regardless of the piece of music, you were intrigued to the point where you want to experience that music in as full a sense as possible.
Here is where the high-quality headphones that you are going to obtain when you upgrade will make a real difference in your appreciation of the music. The right set will bring you so close to the music that you will feel the strings of the cello vibrating as the final notes fade out. Close your eyes and drift into the ether.
Conclusion
These are just some of the reasons that you might want to upgrade your headphones. Face it, no reason that you can think of is a bad reason. If it makes sense to you, then go get yourself something nice to heighten your appreciation of the magnificent art of music.
2018 ·
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