Terms to know when shopping for headphones

I used to think headphones were simple. Grab whatever I had lying around and voilà — music to my ears! While it's entirely possible to remain happy with your simple in-box, in-ear headphones, taking it to the next level can be incredibly intimidating.

When I decided to upgrade, I discovered that what we put in, on, and over our ears is a remarkably nuanced science with a vocabulary all its own. Here's a list of terms I compiled that would have helped me in my own quest for the perfect pair.

cans This is the colloquial term for headphones. Don't hesitate to use the term to search for information online. It may sound silly, but employ it liberally if you've got a specific question you'd like to pose to a headphone pro. He'll take you seriously, even if it sounds a little funny.

audiophile A headphone enthusiast is sometimes called an audiophile. If he tosses around the word "cans," odds are he's an audiophile.

circumaural headphones This kind of headphones are designed to fit over the whole ear. They are also known as "full-size" or "over-ear" headphones.

earcup Full-size or circumaural headphones have a cup, sometimes made out of a leathery material. The earcup fits over the whole ear and hugs the headphones to your head.

earbuds / earphones Popularized by the iPod, this style of headphone rests at the entrance to the ear canal.

in-ear headphones Very similar to earbuds, in-ear headphones are actually inserted into the ear canal. While this can prove uncomfortable depending on your comfort preferences, in-ear headphones generally offer superior sound quality and isolation to earbuds. 

supraural headphones Also known as on-ear headphones, this style was more popular in the '80s and '90s before the rise of the earbud. Supraural headphones often have foam padding that sits flat against the ear.

closed vs. open headphones Closed or closed-back headphones are designed to keep sound from getting in or out. These are great for situations when you'd like to keep your music to yourself, like when riding public transportation. Audiophiles believe this design isn't the utmost for preserving sound quality. On the other hand, open-back headphones are designed to allow airflow into and out of the earcup. Music enthusiasts prefer this style of headphones for its natural ambient quality and "soundstage," a term I'll get to below.

sealed headphones All closed headphones are not necessarily sealed, but all sealed headphones are closed. Sealed headphones are intended to be "noise-canceling," blocking out outside noise for the listener and minimizing sound leakage. Read the fine print when shopping, because this bit of terminology can get a little sticky.

noise-canceling headphones This breed of headphones is always closed and sealed, and its design prioritizes noise reduction for the listener. Noise-canceling headphones are battery-powered, utilizing an electric circuit to counteract outside noise. These can be overkill if a simple sealed design might be sufficient, but it's all about your hierarchy of listening needs.

noise-isolating headphones This design doesn't use batteries but still emphasizes sound isolation to improve listening integrity. With the in-ear noise isolating variety, placing the headphones in your ear canal creates a kind of seal that prevents noise from exiting or entering. This style isn't ideal for joggers or commuters who might need to keep their wits about them, so keep safety in mind 

wireless headphones Often used in home theaters, wireless headphones forgo the cabling of wired models, allowing listeners to enjoy unencumbered entertainment within a certain radius to a power base station. While this style isn't known to rival the sound quality of its wired peers, wireless headphones offer distinct advantages for home listening.

Y cables Some headphones come with a "Y cable," essentially two cables that plug in to each ear of the device. Be sure to decide if this is a priority in advance, as many people prefer single-sided cabling to keep things tucked out of the way.

bright vs. warm Headphones featuring prominent treble are sometimes referred to as "bright." Headphones with more pronounced bass than treble are said to have a "warm" sound.

soundstage Soundstage refers to the ability of a pair of headphones to replicate the physical layout and spacing of instruments and vocalists. Very good headphones strive to accurately render this effect. If when listening you close your eyes and could imagine looking at a stage and seeing the performers positioned on it, you probably are hearing a well-rendered soundstage. 

coloration So-called "colored" sound is the enemy of audiophiles seeking the truest sound possible. Many less expensive headphones prioritize bass and boost treble because that's something many consumers want, but this is technically a flaw called coloration. Higher-end headphones tend to prioritize the "true" sound, valuing the articulation of individual instruments over unrealistically booming bass, for example. 

burn-in A contentious phenomenon that some people swear by and some dismiss as imaginary. "Burning in" headphones refers to the process of listening to them at a relatively loud volume for 10 or more hours. Proponents of this system claim that after this burn-in phase, the true sound comes through. Some people insist on this process before even using headphones normally, while others suggest that 10 hours of normal use does the trick just fine.

Still baffled by all the headphone hullaballoo? Let us know what you'd like to learn in the comments!

[Image credit: skippyjon, Francis Bourgouin, jennaddenda]

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