Welcome to Ask Jerry. Here we will talk about all the questions that will be useful in your life. I’m Jerry. I’ve spent most of my life working in technology. I have a background in engineering and R&D, and have covered Android and Google for the past 15 years.
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What is the difference between cheap and expensive earphones?
Larry asks:
Hello, Jerry!
What’s the real difference between cheap earphones and earphones from supposedly better brands like Sony or Apple?
I admit my hearing isn’t the best anymore, but I can’t tell a difference. My cheap wireless earbuds are very reliable, pair well, and hold a charge. Why pay $200 for a name brand?
thank you
Hi Larry! I have a confession to make here, but I’d like to start with that. I hate discussions about headphones. I make a living from mobile technology, and headphones are my only hobby and I spend all my spare money, so I was very happy to see this question arrive in my inbox. 🙂
This is an important question because wireless earbuds are available from a variety of brands and at all price points. Not everyone wants (or can afford) to spend a lot of money on them, but there are some very big differences. These may make a difference for some people. I see three places where more expensive brands can differentiate: sound, features, and comfort.
Making great-sounding earphones is difficult. Because there is very little of everything inside the earphones. Also, Bluetooth can be a complex element to begin with. There are also wired earphones, some of which sound really great, but we’ll talk about that in another article. We’re talking about wireless Bluetooth earphones.
More expensive sets are likely to use higher quality drivers with a wider range between treble and bass. Our ears (especially when we’re young) can hear very small differences in frequency, so being able to cover a wider range can have a big impact on what we hear. The difference in quality of miniature parts can be very large. The difference in sound quality may not be as obvious to you, but it is for many people. The higher the price, the higher the parts and design costs, and the better the sound quality.
Another big difference is the “extra” functionality. Things like noise cancellation and audio passthrough are relatively expensive add-ons that require additional hardware and additional design costs. Other brands go a step further and add dedicated buttons or logic to interact with voice controls. What’s more, none of this interferes with the audio quality.
When you add in a few extra dollars here and there, add together all the costs associated with adding features, making it work as intended, and testing everything, the retail price goes up. Personally, I don’t need features like the latest Pixel Buds or AirPods, but many people find them essential and are willing to pay extra.
Finally, I think this is important everyone — You want your earbuds to stay in place and fit comfortably. We’ve all experienced earbuds popping out over and over again, and it can be especially frustrating when your hands are full or you’re exercising.
A lot of thought goes into good design that works for most people, but it still doesn’t work for everyone. Proper fit also affects sound quality, as earbuds are designed to keep the driver a certain distance away from the inner ear system.
There are many different methods a company can try to ensure the right fit. For example, including multiple sets of chips or using an over-the-ear design, but still requires a lot of design work. I think this is the most important feature of any headphone, and I’m willing to pay extra for a pair that fits “just right,” and many people agree with me.
It seems to me that you were lucky. I found an inexpensive pair of earphones that was perfect for me. We recommend purchasing an extra pair in case you lose one. I used to have old Soundcore earphones that weren’t that expensive and I loved them. After dropping one of the pairs into the Chesapeake Bay, I found out they discontinued production.
There is no best earphone for everyone, and some people will end up spending more than others. Once you find a set that works for you, be sure to buy a similar one when you need to replace it. And please don’t drop it into the sea.
