Choosing headphones for sports

How convenient it is to work out in the gym, surrounded by people united by common aspirations. So it seems only to those who have never tried to completely concentrate on the implementation of a personal program. Everything distracts: loud conversations of others, music playing in the hall, which I do not like at all. But there is a way out. Good headphones for sports will not only allow you to completely isolate yourself from your surroundings, but also quickly tune into a working rhythm with your favorite music.

Types of headphones for sports

Everyone chooses headphones for classes according to personal criteria. However, there are two main groups of such devices.

1. Wired. Models of this class are connected to some kind of sound reproducing device. It can be an MP3 player, a smartphone, a rare mobile CD player. Among the wired models there are a wide variety of technical solutions. Good headphones can be overhead or channel (vacuum), represent a fairly dimensional device or run in the smallest possible sizes.
2. Wireless Models of this class are gaining more and more popularity. The headphones include a signal processing and conversion circuit, which is received via Bluetooth protocol from a smartphone or MP3 player. At the same time, the manufacturer is ready to offer advanced functionality. The electronic circuits of the wireless headphones for the hall are equipped with amplifiers, noise reduction, buffering, interference compensation systems, make it possible to answer a call and adjust the playback volume.

The concepts of the best Sport headphones simply do not exist. Everyone chooses a model for their particular training, personal habits and preferences. The manufacturers, striving to cover the largest possible audience of consumers, offer non-standard solutions and layouts of their products, which Sony, for example, is famous for.

Features of sports headphones

The main feature that the training headphones have is a low weight. This performance trend is very understandable: the less the model weighs, the less it will, so to speak, lag behind the athlete's movements. Therefore, very light channel options are an ideal choice for fitness or other high mobility workouts.

It’s almost impossible to list all the features that wireless headphones for sports or wired models have. And manufacturers are not able to make full coverage to offer the perfect gym solution. For example, sports headphones can be:

• very light, without wires, with fixation of the ear cushion inside the ear canal;
• made with an occipital arch, which is made of reflective plastic for safe night runs in areas of traffic;
• having increased protection against water;
• offering record levels of autonomy;
• equipped with a microphone and means of answering a call on a mobile phone;
• able to read music from a memory card;
• equipped with player control buttons;
• offering listening to the radio;
• equipped with visualization, a kind of light music.

There are also models of bluetooth headphones for sports, designed for universal use. Such products are very convenient in mono headset mode, placed in the ear on a hook, and with a mono earphone attached, and for listening to music while playing sports in stereo mode with isolation from the environment. Therefore, you need to choose a model for the gym in a hurry, carefully, in accordance with the usual nature of classes.

Advantages and disadvantages

In order to somewhat zonate the market for sports headphones, you should dwell on some features of technical solutions to help determine the segment of products for choice.

1. Headphones with an occipital (or located on top of the head) arch - provide reliable fastening of both the ear blocks and the product as a whole. However, control of such a device may be difficult. Some models from JBL have adjustment tools located in the neck or neck area - the buttons are simply inconvenient to press. Also, devices with a bow often weigh a lot to create difficulties when training with high mobility.
2. Headphones without wires (two separate parts, inserted directly into the auricle) - a great option for fitness. They do not constrain movements at all, weigh extremely little, are fixed clearly, with the right choice of size, the ear cushion guarantees excellent sound. However, the main disadvantages are the complexity of management, low autonomy, requirements for the quality of communication, as well as the loss of one of the ear parts, it is easy to lose.
3. Wireless headphones with a separate remote control are the widest segment of popular products. They are very convenient: the blocks placed in the ear are compact, vacuum type, and are well fixed. All parts of the product weigh little, so the likelihood of annoying displacements is extremely small.

Manufacturers offer various combined solutions for those who have not found a convenient option for themselves. For example, a Sony product with vacuum-type headphones equipped with a bow. Unlike the standard semicircular format, this model provides support both on the back of the head or on the top of the head, and on the neck in front for the athlete’s convenience. We can definitely say, making a complete market overview: it will not be difficult to purchase a product that meets any needs.

How to choose

Following simple recommendations and analyzing a short list of parameters, it is not difficult to choose headphones that can lead the personal top of successful models for the hall. At the same time, you should not look for an ideal or focus on the number of advanced technologies used in the device. The task of sports headphones is to be comfortable and not distract from training.

Comfort during training

Good headphones should not:

• slide or move while doing exercises;
• exert excessive pressure on the parts of the auricle;
• change sound quality when shifting;
• have a long wire that can interfere with movements;
• cause accumulation of sweat in the contact area.

The ideal model should weigh a little, provide reliable fixation and convenient control of functions. Therefore, for high mobility training, wireless headsets and sports headphones are recommended. Most models have a vacuum-type ear loudspeaker that fits securely in the channel. At the same time, the ear pads are selected according to individual sizes; they may have protrusions for distributing efforts along the auricle.

Sound quality

Great sound is exactly what an athlete needs. At the same time, strict requirements are imposed on wireless headphones for sports or a wired model:

1. Headphones should reproduce a wide frequency range.
2. There should be no distortion of sound during movements.
3. When listening to music, no sound from the outside should interfere.

It is important that when using headphones, the athlete does not interfere with others. Therefore, a high-quality model simply must fit well and tightly into the ear canal (for a vacuum-type speaker). For monitors, it is advisable to use a soft but breathable seal at the place where the speaker fits the surface of the head.

Reliability

It is important for sports headphones to be protected from moisture. Even if the athlete does not practice in the rain, does not swim, sweat can spoil the electronics.Therefore, when choosing headphones for training, it is recommended that you pay attention to devices with a protection class of at least IPX4. This standard ensures that neither sweat nor rain drops affect the performance of the model.

Cycling athletes and athletes have another problem in the form of dust, which can eventually get inside the headphones. For this kind of training or walking, it is recommended to pay attention not only to the class of protection against water, but also from mechanical particles.

Touching on issues of body durability and protection against falls, sports headphones must have electronic circuits of a special layout. If you drop the device, there will be no malfunction in its operation. And the small mass of the headphones almost guarantees that the case will not crack. Therefore, when choosing a model, you should pay attention to the accuracy of assembly and purely operational convenience.

Design

The structural design of a particular model is the segment where the most fierce battles are played out for consumer preferences. Each person has their own concept of convenience. However, there are general sufficiency criteria that should be considered when buying headphones.

1. Components play a big role. So, for vacuum wireless or wired headphones, it is necessary to have several sets of interchangeable ear pads of different sizes.
2. The possibility of reliable fastening is necessarily evaluated. The easiest thing is with small vacuum headphones: they fit in your ears, but the presence of clothespins in the kit is highly desirable. Devices with sufficiently large electronic units should be provided with a double fastening mechanism: channel ear pads and an ear hook.
3. The number of degrees of freedom and adjustments is responsible for the overall convenience: the configuration of the headphones, the location of the speakers, the position of the product on the head can be changed so that the athlete does not worry. But here the practice of reasonable sufficiency is fully manifested. Therefore, when choosing a model, you should carefully analyze the usual training regime, evaluate the reliability of the joints, it is highly advisable to try out how the headphones sit, to find important and unnecessary adjustments.

The geometric dimensions of the individual functional parts of the structure play a role. For example, a dimensional wired remote control can interfere, and with sudden movements, literally pull out the vacuum loudspeakers from the auricle. The situation is similar for models with occipital arches. Massive and wide fasteners with low-weight head speakers can constantly displace the headphones and make them distracted.

Rating of wired and wireless headphones

From the whole variety of products of modern industry, users have chosen a number of successful models, which are included in the rating of the best headphones for sports.

1. Samsung EO-BG950 U Flex

• Up to 10 hours of playback
• Weight 51 g
• Wireless profiles A2DP, AVRCP, Hands free
• Microphone, headset functionality

Convenient model of a wireless class, the design features of which include a semicircular bow placed on the neck. It houses the battery and all the electronics. Thanks to this, it was possible to reduce the mass of ear loudspeakers to a minimum and thereby ensure the absence of problems with falling out during movements.

2. Huawei AM61

• Frequency range 20-20000 Hz
• Sensitivity 86 dB
• Weight 19.7 g
• Impedance 32 ohm
• Bluetooth1
• 11 mm membrane

Convenient vacuum-type headphones, wireless, lightweight model, uses the most advanced data transfer protocol. The product features include the layout: electronic circuits and a battery are placed in two blocks under each of the ears. Here you can adjust the length of the cord. Thanks to this approach, the headphones do not fall out and do not shift when running and other workouts of high mobility.

3. Koss Sporta Pro

• Frequency 15-25000 Hz
• 60 ohm resistance
• Sensitivity 103 dB
• Distortion at 0.2%
• Weight 62 g
• Folding design
• Wired connection

Lightweight and comfortable wired class model, monitors with full coverage of the auricle. Headphones are not suitable for use at low temperatures, but otherwise won a positive reputation among consumers.

4. Bluedio TE

• Wireless, Vacuum, with mic
• Frequencies 20-20000 Hz
• Weight 16 g
• Up to 4 hours of music playback
• Support A2DP, AVRCP, Hands free, Headset

This lightweight and convenient wireless model weighs only 16 grams. Headphones of the vacuum class have dual fixation mechanics, both in the ear canal and in the shell, which excludes their loss and slipping out. A necklace, case and several pairs of ear pads of different sizes are included in the package.

5. Sony MDR-XB80BS

• Cordless, vacuum
• Frequencies 4-24000 Hz
• Up to 7 hours of music playback
• Water protection
• Volume control
• Ear mount
• 12 mm membrane

A model that is distinguished not only by excellent sound, but also by a high level of convenience when practicing any sport. The electronic part and the battery are located in two parts of the case, made in the format of ear hooks. Users note the quality assembly, rich equipment: several pairs of interchangeable ear pads, cable, neck lace, neodymium class magnets, case.

6. Beyerdynamic DT 880 (250 Ohm)

• Wired Full Coverage Monitors
• Frequencies 5-35000 Hz
• Sensitivity 96 dB
• 250 ohm resistance
• Distortion 0.2%
• Weight 290 g
• Cable length 3 m
• Pressure at 28 N

A model that focuses on enjoying music when connected to a fairly powerful playback device. Despite focusing on a sports audience, the model has some drawbacks that make it difficult to use.

7. Marshall Mode EQ

• Wire, vacuum
• Frequency 20-20000 Hz
• 39 ohm resistance
• Sensitivity 99 dB
• The diameter of the membrane is 9 mm
• Own equalizer

Simple-looking, but providing high-quality sound and comfort headphones of the famous brand with a wired connection. The package includes several pairs of interchangeable ear pads of different sizes.

8. Sennheiser PMX 686i Sports

• One-way wired
• Frequency 18-20000 Hz
• Sensitivity 120 dB
• Resistance 30 ohm
• Distortion 0.5%
• Water protection
• Microphone, volume control

Headphones with one-way wired connection, with open-back earbuds. Sennheiser PMX 686i Sports will be as functional as possible in the hall, having a convenient L-shaped mini-jack connection, low weight and special antibacterial impregnation.

9. Panasonic RP-HS200

• Wire, vacuum
• Frequencies 10-22000 Hz
• Sensitivity 101 dB
• Impedance 17.5 Ohms
• Weight 7.3 g

The model, the features of which include parts of the body made in the ear zone with electronics and a convenient ear mount. The Panasonic RP-HS200 is ideal for any sport, including athletics.

10. Monster iSport Victory

• Wired, vacuum, with additional fixation
• Frequencies, impedance, distortion are not disclosed by the manufacturer
• Microphone, volume control
• Special cable, gold-plated connectors

Wired vacuum type headphones (earplugs). Features of the model include dual mechanics of fastening (ear cushion in the canal and a protrusion inside the auricle). This model should be selected according to individual parameters, ear size. However, the manufacturer took into account possible difficulties and offers not only a few pairs of ear pads, but also clips.

Conclusion

Properly selected, reliable, good-sounding headphones are the key to successful training and enjoyment. However, you should not look for the ideal model, and you need to evaluate some parameters critically. And then the selected headphones will give only joy and not deliver discomfort.

Title	Samsung EO-BG950 U Flex	Huawei AM61	Koss sporta pro	Bluedio TE	Sony MDR-XB80BS	Beyerdynamic DT 880 (250 Ohm)	Marshall mode eq	Sennheiser PMX 686i Sports	Panasonic RP-HS200	Monster iSport Victory
Device type	Bluetooth headphones	Bluetooth earphones with microphone	headphones	Bluetooth earphones with microphone	Bluetooth earphones with microphone	headphones	headphone with mic	headphone with mic	headphones	headphone with mic
View	plug-in (plugs)	plug-in (plugs)	overhead open	plug-in (plugs)	plug-in (plugs), closed	full-sized, half-open	plug-in (plugs), closed	open liners	plug-in (plugs)	plug-in (plugs)
Frequency Response Range	-	20 - 20,000 Hz	15 - 25000 Hz	20 - 20,000 Hz	4 - 24000 Hz	5 - 35000 Hz	20 - 20,000 Hz	18 - 20,000 Hz	10 - 22000 Hz	20 - 20,000 Hz
Sensitivity	-	96 dB	103 dB	123 dB	-	96 dB	99 db	120 dB	101 dB	110 dB
Impedance	-	32 ohm	60 ohm	32 ohm	-	250 ohm	39 ohm	30 ohm	17.5 ohm	16 ohm
Membrane diameter	11 mm	11 mm	-	10 mm	12 mm	-	9 mm	-	12.4 mm	-
Price	from 3350 rub.	from 2500 rub.	from 1700 rub.	from 1500 rub.	from 9500 rub.	from 11000 rub.	from 3600 rub.	from 4000 rub.	from 1050 rub.	from 4250 rub.