How to choose headphones for your computer? As easy as pie!

Headphones for a computer are deservedly considered a “must have” accessory for every advanced user of modern devices. They not only help to “plunge” into the process, isolating the listener from the surrounding noise, but also help to avoid conflicts in families, allowing the PC user not to interfere with other extraneous sounds created. What accessory can rightfully carry the title of “best computer headphone”? What technical indicators should be based on the choice of headphones for the computer? And also, which manufacturers of stereo “ears” deserve the trust of the buyer? Let's get it right.

Main settings

Before starting a review of technical specifications, the computer user should decide what kind of "ears" will satisfy his needs to the maximum. In the modern market of accessories for electronics, two main types are presented:

• cable (imply the presence of wire);
• wireless (Bluetooth, IR, radio headphones).

In terms of sound quality, most wireless headphones lose due to the possible presence of various kinds of interference when they are directly used. Comfort of use due to lack of cable is the main advantage of this type of device. However, using it in front of the PC screen, minimally moving around the room, the user is unlikely to be disturbed by the wire, and poor-quality sound, on the contrary, can cause unpleasant emotions from using the acquired “ears”. Accordingly, choosing good headphones for a computer, you should not make the type of accessory the determining criterion. The indicators related to the technical component of the device will be much more informative.

1. Range of reproduced frequencies. Cheap or expensive, with or without a microphone, used exclusively for programs such as skype, or as a device that plays music of various genres - all headphones reproduce exclusively those frequencies that can be perceived by the human ear - from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Giving preference to an accessory with declared parameters significantly higher than those indicated, the buyer risks overpaying for the marketing “trick” of the manufacturer or, in the worst case, getting distorted sound.
2. Resistance (impedance) is one of the indicators that determine the quality and volume of sound reproduced by the “ears”. High-resistance devices require their use with powerful stationary devices or a good amplifier. They are commonly used in record studios. Headphones for PC, used at home, should have an average impedance of 32 to 100 ohms.
3. Frequency response (AFC) is a curve that describes the accuracy of the transmitted frequencies. To obtain the most accurate transmission of the audio stream, you should give preference to an extremely smooth frequency response graph.
4. Harmonic Distortion Factor (THD) is the most objective criterion for sound quality, reflecting possible inaccuracies in transmitting audio to the user's ears. Headphones included in the top best have an indicator of 0.5% or lower.
5. Sensitivity guides the buyer in the characteristic volume of the accessory. With all the same initial conditions, a device with a large indicator in question will sound significantly louder. Correctly selected "ears" for the computer will ensure the comfort of their use with average sensitivity values ​​- from 100 to 120 dB.

After analyzing the range of headphones offered by manufacturers in terms of technical components, the buyer should pay attention to the properties of the accessory, which are important directly when using it with a PC:

• type of;
• mounting method;
• microphone.

Headphones are divided into devices of open and closed type. Based on this indicator, the best headphones for the computer will be closed, not letting the sound out and providing the listener with “bass” transmission of the audio stream. An open accessory, despite the audibility for others listening to user content, have a more “clean” sound.

Advanced headphone manufacturers most often use 4 main methods of fixing the product, which one should be chosen based on your own preferences:

• sliding (“cups” are connected by dense, darkened arcs covering the upper part of the head);
• occipital (“arm” holding the structure on the user's head, located on the back of the head);
• earloop ("cups" are attached directly to the ear of the listener through the earhooks or clips);
• plug-in (headphones are placed in the ear canal).

The importance of having a microphone provided should also be determined by individual needs. Obviously, when purchasing a headset for communication via Skype, the buyer should first of all pay attention to his presence. In other cases - to watch movies, listen to music, games, priority will be given to loud and inexpensive “ears”, regardless of the opportunity to communicate with them.

List of top "ears" for PC

To determine the model of an accessory that best meets the basic needs of an advanced computer user, a rating of popular “ears” of 2019 will help. Knowing the main positive and negative aspects of their use, it will not be difficult for a buyer to choose the ideal headphone for himself, with a minimum number of shortcomings, for a computer.

Sennheiser PC 2 CHAT

• Type: overhead
• Frequency range: 42 Hz - 17 kHz
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• Sensitivity: 95 dB
• The presence of a microphone - there is
• Cable length - 2 m
• Weight - 55 g

Razer Kraken Pro 2015

• Type: Overhead, Full Size
• Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• Sensitivity: 110 dB
• The presence of a microphone - there is
• Cable Length - 2 m / 1.3 m
• Weight - 293 g

Sennheiser G4ME ONE

• Type: overhead, open
• Frequency range: 15 Hz - 28 kHz
• Resistance: 50 Ohm
• Sensitivity: 116 dB
• The presence of a microphone - there is
• Cable Length - 3m / 1.2m
• Weight - 312 g

Gembird MHS-780B

• Type: Overhead, Full Size
• Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• Sensitivity: 105 dB
• The presence of a microphone - there is
• Cable length - 1.8 m
• Weight - 320 g

A4Tech Bloody G501

• Type: Overhead, Full Size
• Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• Sensitivity: 100dB
• The presence of a microphone - there is
• Cable Length - 2.2 m
• Weight - 590 g (in package)

Defender Warhead HN-G110

• Type: Overhead, Full Size
• Frequency range: 20 Hz - 28 kHz
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• Sensitivity: 106 dB
• The presence of a microphone - there is
• Cable Length - 2.1 m
• Weight - 210 g

Philips SHM6500 / 10

• Type: Overhead, Full Size
• Frequency range: 16 Hz - 22 kHz
• Impedance: 16 ohms
• Sensitivity: 93 dB
• The presence of a microphone - there is
• Cable length - 2 m
• Weight - 210 g

Logitech G933 Artemis Spectrum

• Type: Overhead, Full Size
• Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Resistance: 39 Ohm
• Sensitivity: 107 dB
• The presence of a microphone - there is
• Connection Type - Radio Channel
• Battery life - 12 hours
• Cable length - 3 m / 2 m
• Weight - 374 g

HyperX Cloud Stinger

• Type: overhead, closed
• Frequency range: 18 Hz - 23 kHz
• Resistance: 30 Ohm
• Sensitivity: 102 dB
• The presence of a microphone - there is
• Cable Length - 1.3 m / 1.7 m
• Weight - 275 g

Ritmix RH-516M

• Type: Overhead, Full Size
• Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• Sensitivity: 105 dB
• The presence of a microphone - there is
• Cable length - 3 m
• Weight - 205 g

In choosing a headphone for a computer, it’s more to be based on the intended purpose of the chosen accessory. Bearing in mind the information analyzed in the above article, even a novice PC user can easily choose for himself a headset that meets the basic requirements for design, functionality, cost and technical characteristics.

Title	Sennheiser PC 2 CHAT	Razer Kraken Pro 2015	Sennheiser G4ME ONE	Gembird MHS-780B	A4Tech Bloody G501	Defender Warhead HN-G110	Philips SHM6500 / 10	Logitech G933 Artemis Spectrum	HyperX Cloud Stinger	Ritmix RH-516M
Frequency Response Range	42 - 17000 Hz	20 - 20,000 Hz	15 - 28000 Hz	20 - 20,000 Hz	20 - 20,000 Hz	20 - 28000 Hz	16 - 22000 Hz	20 - 20,000 Hz	18 - 23000 Hz	20 - 20,000 Hz
Sensitivity	32 ohm	32 ohm	50 ohm	32 ohm	32 ohm	32 ohm	16 ohm	39 ohm	30 ohm	32 ohm
Impedance	95 dB	110 dB	116 dB	105 dB	100 dB	106 dB	93 dB	107 dB	102 dB	105 dB
The weight	55 g	300 g	312 g	230 g	258 g	210 g	210 g	378 g	275 g	-
Membrane diameter	-	40 mm	-	40 mm	40 mm	40 mm	40 mm	40 mm	50 mm	40 mm
Price	from 770 rub.	from 6800 rub.	from 9900 rub.	from 400 rub.	from 2300 rub.	from 475 rub.	from 2000 rub.	from 11700 rub.	from 3550 rub.	from 470 rub.