Choosing a quality pair of headphones which look and sound great is certainly a challenge – literally thousands of models and design vie for your attention. Before jumping in and purchasing the most eye-catching pair, there are just two things you may want to consider.
Where and When You’ll be Using Them
The first and possibly most important factor is determining where and when you’ll be using your headphones. Certain styles and designs are more suitable to certain situations; for instance, ‘wrap-around’ style headphones are best suited to the gym and the outdoors, where comfort and functionality are important. Again, for similar reasons, a discreet pair of in-ear headphones would be perfectly suited to more formal settings, like the office. If you spend most of your time listening to your music while you commute, then a pair of headphones such as the Sennheiser PXC300 noise cancelling earphones would be ideal. Functionality and usage play an important role in determining the potential style of your headphones.
Complementing Your Individual Style
Once you’ve decided on the most suitable design, you want to choose “cans” that complement your own sense of style and dress sense. Again, lifestyle may be reflected in these choices – it isn’t about having the most unusual style, but rather matching your audio apparel with your wardrobe. Sticking to well respected brands such as Sennheiser, Bang & Olufsen, and Sony is advisable, although specific ‘pop culture’ brands like SkullCandy offer extremely quirky options. Quality components should always complement stylish appearances.
Stylish and high-end
Some brands produce stylish headphones which would be equally suitable for the home, recording studio and the street. With its mix of gun-metal grey and black tones and honeycomb detailing, the Sennheiser HD800 headphones are both eye-catching and offer exceptional audio quality. In fact, this brand was the 2009-2010 EISA award winner for best product in the category of headphones. Similarly, Monster have collaborated with hip hop legend Dr Dre to produce Beats by Dr Dre, a minimalist design which offers a high-end listening experience. The Quadripole 4 twisted pair cable, and active noise-cancellation feature result in crystal clear treble and strong bass with minimal distortion. These are but a few of the many options available to the style conscious music lover. Remember, good looks often follow from quality design.
Tags for this article: Bang & Olufsen, Headphones, Sennheiser, style
