Video:Buy Headphones

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Transcript:Buy Headphones

A stellar set of headphones can sound as sweet as full sized speakers, really enhancing the way you hear music. But before you pick-up a pair, here are some tips to ensure you're making a good investment.

First consider the size and shape of the set. There are four different overall styles:

Headphones With Ear Buds

The ear buds or in-ear headphones are these little guys like the ones you get with your ipod. They're lightweight, ultracompact, and they do a great job blocking out outside noise. Oh, and they won't mess with your hair!

But there are disadvantages. The sounds quality isn't as stellar as the full sized headphones, they can cause more discomfort in the ear canal if you're using them for a while, and the dual cable design can create a tangled mess.

Sports Headphones

Another style is the Sports Headphones. Their design makes them ideal for jogging. They usually sit on top of your head or rest behind your head or neck. They're lightweight with decent sound quality and are also generally inexpensive.

The downside to these bad boys is durability. And they do tend to put pressure on your ears.

Ear Pad Headphones

Ear pad headphones are slightly larger. They are very comfortable and some models even fold up for easy storage and portability.But they don't sound quite as good as the in-ear or full size phones.

Full Size Headphones

Full size phones are the biggest and the best of the bunch. These puppies cover your entire ear and are better than the rest at blocking out ambient noise.

The down side is, the size. They can also make your ears extra hot. And let's face it, they're not the coolest looking either. The full sized phones will also cost you more than the other models.

Headphones With Noise Cancellation

You can also look for souped-up styles that have active noise cancellation or passive noise cancellation. No need to crank-up the volume on your music player to block out the sound of sirens, and planes. These guys do the work for you.

The passive pair cancels noise by shielding the ear either by covering it completely or by sealing the ear canal with a pair of ear buds.

The active noise cancellation phones are much more scientific. They use special noise cancellation circuitry to cancel out external noise. That means that you can only hear what you want to hear. Ahhh, a parent's dream!

Before you Buy Headphones

Ultimately, before you buy your headphones, make sure you test them out in the store, Bring a CD you know well and listen to it, using a few different sets of headphones. Listen for clarity, good bass response, and little distortion. After all, hearing is believing. With the right set of phones, you'll get the dynamic sound you've been listening for!

I'm Brett Larson, About Gadgets.