What Makes a Headphone/Headset Perfect for Workplace or Home Office for Remote Work

The marketplace is flooded withheadphones of different styles, brands, and specifications which makes it difficult for buyers to make the right choice. Read this blog, it will equip you with the knowledge to make the right decision.

The use of headphones has increasingly become a necessity in order to maintain an enabling working atmosphere whether at the workspace or at home while doing remote work. Though some managers don’t allow headphones because they think it is anti-social or it impedes inter-personal communication, the majority of managers do encourage the use of headphones.

Some important benefits of using headphones:

 

  • I. The biggest benefit of the headphones is that their design works as a cushion and mitigates the noise pollution at the home office or workspace. They help you create your own work zone. So much so that some latest models of headphones are intelligent enough to separate sources and send signals to neutralize the external sounds. That makes acoustic isolation a real-time experience.
  • II. Headphones do provide both comfort and health. In a digital-first business atmosphere where the online business has necessitated frequent interaction with customers via phone calls and other channels. Attending several calls a day would eventually strain your shoulders and neck. You can perform these kinds of tasks without any stress with good-quality headphones.
  • III. Headphones are also instrumental in boosting the productivity of employees. The last thing you would expect at the workspace is distraction or interruptions. The use of headphones and resultant noise cancellation helps you focus on your work. You can type faster and experience a smooth thought process which leads to boosting your productivity.

Differences Between Headphones and Headsets:

Headsets:

Though headsets and headphones are quite similar in form and function, there are some differences that are worth understanding. Headsets are basically headphones that are additionally equipped with microphones. Microphones can be attached to the boom which can be removed at will or positioned as per the comfort of the users. There are also headsets where microphones are In-Line whereby microphones are connected to computers and other devices integrated listening and speaking experience.

 

The headsets generally find their applications in voice-over IP communication like skype, call centers, as well as online gaming. Their listening experience is not as immersive as headphones and they don’t provide complete auditory isolation as headphones do.

Headphones:

Headphones are primarily designed for noise abatement and immersive listening experience. They don’t have separate microphones and are not used generally for voice-over IP communication. Their primary use is to provide a personalized and perfect listening experience.

 

Technical Specifications of Good Headphones:

Understanding the specs that are mentioned by manufacturers or online sellers is important for making the right decision. Here are some specs that warrant your attention:

1.Electrical Resistance or Impedance:

Impedance is important specs that can impact the sound quality of your headphones. Impedance is resistance to current and is measured in ohm. Headphones possess generally impedance in the 8-600 ohms range. As a thumb rule, the higher the impedance, the better the sound quality. The low-impedance headphones which have 40 ohms or less impedance are suitable for ordinary use but for professional tasks, a higher impedance would be required. Background hiss or cracks in the sound can be experienced with low- impedance.

 

2.Monaural vs Binaural:

This spec is generally associated with headsets. In the monaural model, there is only one speaker and the user remains connected to both worlds: digital and physical. In the case of binaural headsets, there are two speakers and the user cuts off completely from the surrounding atmosphere. If you are working in a large workspace where there is a lot of interaction, binaural headsets would be a better option.

 

3.Frequency:

The frequency that your headphones support does have an impact on the sound quality and your listening experience. If you are a bass lover, go for that equipment that supports the lower frequency. But if you want to have an excellent trebling effect or like to listen to sound in a brighter and more detailed manner, you should go for headphones that support higher frequencies. Frequency is measured in Hz and it ranges from 150Hz to 1500Hz which is the audible range for humans.

 

 

4.Driver Diameters:

Headphone drivers are components in the headphones that convert audio signals into sound. They are usually made of magnets, wire/coil, or diaphragm/membranes. The diameter of drivers is measured in millimeters. Though drivers alone cannot determine the sound quality, they can impact with close collaboration with impedance, frequency response, and other specs. As a rule, the higher the driver size, the higher strong the sound quality particularly in bass and sub-bass range. Different types of headphones have different sizes of drivers: in-ear headphones have 8-15 mm, and on-ear and over-ear headphones usually have a standard range of 20-50mm. hence, if you prefer higher bass, go for those headphones which have a larger driver diameter.

 

5.Jack Size

It is the connection point between headphones and computers, mobiles, or other devices. Jack Size is also known as a connector. There are generally three sizes: 3.5 mm, 2.5 mm, and 6.35 mm. The majority of headphones are provided with a 3.5 mm jack and plug size that is compatible with most devices. As a general rule:

  • 6.35 mm are bulkier and used for professional performance and other professional audio services. Headphone amplifiers, audio interfaces, analog to digital audio converters, and field recorders are equipped with a 6.35 mm jack and plug size.
  • 3.5 mm Jack & Plug size is available with laptops, smartphones, tablets, field recorders, aux audio connections in automobiles, and mixing consoles. Hence, if you are going to use headphones for these devices, make sure it is equipped with a 3.5 mm Jack & Plug size.
  • 2.5 mm Jack size is less common but it is still used in some video cameras.

Nowadays, wired headphones are equipped with a USB-type C connector which has significantly reduced the importance of Jack sizes. But it is still important to have an understanding of them.

 

Some facts about Morgan Ingland Ltd:

Morgan Ingland Ltd. is a leading e-commerce firm in the UK that deals in every kind of IT hardware. Particularly, we provide cost-effectively headphones/headsets to our valued customers. Our inventory has a full range of headphones/headsets including but not limited to monaural, binaural, circumaural, supra-aural, wireless, or Bluetooth-supported headphones, and many more. Feel free to contact us in order to avail cost-efficient headphones/headsets and their accessories.