If you love listening to music, it’s important to know the difference between a headset and a headphone. Most people believe that headsets and headphones are similar. However, this is false. There is a big difference between headsets and headphones. The main difference is that headsets have a microphone that allows you to talk. Headsets are mostly used in video call and video conferencing. On the other hand headphones have a Mic that is not visible. They are mostly used for listening to audio files. For a better understanding of these two devices, let’s have a comprehensive comparison of the two.
Headphones
What Are Headphones?
Headphones have two simple speakers attached to a band. When you wear a headphone, the speakers cover your ears. They offer an immersive music experience because the sound is delivered right into your ears.
They work by vibrating large segments of air within the room to recreate the sound. They move small amounts of air around your ears creating a personalized and confine soundstage experience for you. Most headphones offer the best sound quality. They allow you to hear the finest frequency range.
Types of Headphones
According to how the ear cups rest on the ears, we can categorize headphones into two:
- On-ear headphones
- Over-ear headphones
In one-ear headphones, the ear cushions sit directly on your ears. The earcups are thus much smaller. This reduces the weight of the device making them ideal for outdoor use. However, they have to clamp your head with force to stay in place. This makes them uncomfortable especially when wearing them for long hours. The soundstage is constrained since they funnel sound directly into your ear canal.
On the other hand, over-ear headphones have large ear cups with larger ear cushions. They thus only sit on the outer ear. This makes them comfortable to wear even for long hours because they also don’t clamp your head with a tight grip. They also feature more expensive soundstage because of the larger space the drivers are given to work with. Over ear headphones are often regarded as superior to on-ear headphones because they are more comfortable and offer better sound quality.
Closed-Back vs. Open-Back
Headphones and headsets can further be categorized as either closed back or open back. Let’s use closed back and open back headphones for illustration
- Closed-back Headphones: These headphones have earcups that are entirely sealed from the outside. This ensures that sound has only one direction to move towards – your ear.
- Open-back headphones: These headphones have earcups constructed with a material that doesn’t form a perfect seal. This means music produced by the driver escapes through the earcup.
Both have their advantages and disadvantages
Open back headphones allow you to hear yourself while the headphones are on. This can be a benefit if you try to speak while using them. For instance, gamers prefer using open-back headphones because they allow more spacious and immersive sound. In addition, you don’t have to shout while communicating in online matches.
These headphones are also ideal for people who want to stay aware of their surroundings while listening to their favorite jams. They won’t allow you to miss the doorbell. Lastly, their open nature helps with ventilation.
On the other hand, closed-back headphones offer better sound isolation. Although the large soundstage in open back headphones offers a great experience for the person using the headphones, it offers not such a good experience for the person sitting next to them in public transportation. Closed back headphones trap all the sound making them ideal in environments where ambient noises can interfere with the audio of the headphones. In addition, their bass is more powerful because it’s directed only towards your ears. Besides the narrow soundstage, closed back headphones are prone to overheating because of lack of ventilation.
Features of Headphones
Sound Quality
Headphones have a superior sound quality especially in low and mid-range. They have better sound quality because they block out the ambient noise of the background. Those with noise cancelling features give you a comprehensive music experience.
There are two types of noise cancelling headphones. They could be either active noise cancelling headphones or passive noise cancelling headphones.
If you purchase good headphones, then the sound quality is guaranteed. For sure, the main difference between headsets and headphones lie in sound quality.
Performance
Headphones have a better performance than headsets. This is because they offer different sound features allowing you to use them anywhere. They allow you to connect to different devices so that you can hear your music on the go. Wireless headphones are ideal for you if you work out or jog daily. Besides, using headphones that have an integrated Mic makes your phone calls clearer because most have noise isolation and noise cancellation features.
Comfort and Convenience
Headphones are comfortable even if you are wearing them for long hours because they fit right on your ear. Most of them are lightly weighted allowing you to wear them for long hours.
Wireless headphones are also ideal for use in studios. Although they are convenient, their main downside is that they may not easily fit in your pocket or small bag. This means you will need an extra case for carrying them. In addition, some headphones lack an integrated Mic making it difficult to use them for video conferencing. However, they are still popular among millennials.
Headsets
What Are Headsets?
Headsets are similar to headphones but have a microphone attached to provide you with an interactive sound experience. Headsets are also known as head-worn audio devices with a Mic. Some headset models allow removing the Mic. They are mostly used as computer and telephone headsets.
Features of Headsets
Sound Quality
Headsets also offer great audio experience. Bigger headsets have better sound quality because they have bigger drivers. Headsets are ideal for gaming because you will hear the sound clearly. You can also use them for video/voice calls.
Performance
The performance feature can also be used to differentiate headphones and headsets. Ideally, headsets come with a Mic and can thus be used in text-to-speech or calling. They have perfect sound allowing you to talk without any hindrance. Gaming headsets give you value for money because you can feel every action when playing a game with your friend.
Comfort and Convenience
The attached Mic makes headsets more convenient than headphones. The attached Mic makes your speech more clear. Some headset models have a removable Mic while others come with a fixed Mic. If it comes with a detachable Mic, you can remove it and use the headset as a headphone or use it for talking and making calls with the Mic on. Headsets are also comfortable because there is no added pressure around your headset while using the headset.
Headsets vs Headphones: Physical Differences
Headsets have built in speakers connected with a band and Mic. The most common use of headsets is in call centers. Because of their design, they deliver a stereo sound. On the other hand headphones are connected by two cushioned earpieces and a band. Most headphones are comfortable, you won’t feel any pressure on your ears. Headphones are available in every size and color. This allows you to choose one according to your preferences.
Headphones are wider than headsets. They thus have large drivers allowing them to produce perfect stereo sound quality. Bigger headphones deliver better sound. The sound quality in open back headphones is exceptional. This is why most DJs and mixing artists use them. Closed back headphones are the best for travelling and camping as they are portable.
Headsets or Headphones: Which to Buy
Why You Should Buy Headsets
Headsets are ideal for call centers and gaming purposes. They offer immersive sound quality. The microphone makes the sound clear and crisp. There are specific headphones for gaming : they offer you complete clarity so that you enjoy playing with your opponents. If you want a headphone with an attached microphone, then the perfect choice for you is a pair of headphones.
Why Should You Buy Headphones?
Travellers prefer headphones because they are portable. Open headphones give you a surround sound experience making them ideal for use in the studio. Headphones are available in many forms, so you can choose according to your preference. There are foldable headphones that allow you to carry them along with you in any case.
The Perfect Version
It is always challenging to choose between a perfect headset and headphone. The brand and quality are important factors to consider. If you choose the best quality, you won’t have issues with the sound quality of the headphones or headsets.
Branded headphones tend to last longer than unbranded versions. This also goes for headsets. Invest in the best brands to experience the best sound. The integrated Mic in headphones also provide a good range. However, if you are looking for clarity when talking, then headsets are perfect. Both headphones and headsets are available in different colors and sizes allowing you to choose one that fits your needs.
When buying headphones or headsets, you need to do some feature comparison. Make a comparison of different models to know which ones fit your needs. Look for a perfect option and choose the best.
Conclusion
When all is said and done, headsets and headphones are two different electronic gadgets that most people use interchangeably. Knowing the difference determines whether you are going to enjoy using them or not. I hope this article has helped you distinguish between these two terms. Keep it here for related content.
