What's the
Difference Between These In-ear Audio Devices?
Although companies
like to stretch these definitions to fit their marketing needs, the difference
between earphones and earbuds essentially boils down to this: earphones (also
called in-ear headphones or in-ears) are inserted into the ear canal, while
earbuds rest outside the ear canal.
Earbuds
Earbuds usually do
not have cushions, although they can. They are meant to be held in place by the
concha ridge at the center of your outer ear, rather than sitting inside the
ear canal.
They are often
one-size-fits-all, which may not be comfortable to wear. Depending on the shape
of your ear ridges, they may not fit securely and may fall out frequently. That
is annoying, especially if you are wearing them for sports and exercise. Some
have wings or loops to tuck under the ridges of the ear to help keep them in
place.
Earbuds allow in
ambient noise so you can hear what is going on around you. You don't feel
sealed off from your environment. That provides a small measure of safety for
outdoor exercise such as running or walking while wearing earbuds.
Earbuds have
generally not had the same performance as high-end headphones, often lacking
bass and sounding tinny. If you're
buying ear buds, the good news is they are often less expensive than earphones
and in-ear headphones. If you want something for the gym that you don't care if
you step on them on the treadmill, or if you need the thirty-umpth pair for
your teenager, ear buds are your friends.
Earphones - In-ears - In-ear Headphones
In-ears often
feature different sizes and types of ear cushions to achieve the most
comfortable fit possible. Examples of cushions include memory foam, rubber, and
silicone. Some are shaped to lock into the concha and have a protrusion that
extends further into the ear canal.
As with earbuds,
you may find that they fall out if the fit is not snug enough, and they may not
be comfortable if the fit is too tight. The kind that is designed to lock into
your concha may be more secure, but you may also be trading off some comfort.
Some high-end earphones are custom fitted to your ear with an ear mold done by
an audiologist.
The wires may
extend straight down, or they may be designed to go up and over the ear, or swivel
for either configuration.
Don't let their
small sizes fool you -- earphones can get into the extremely high end of the
price and performance spectrum.
Wireless Earbuds and Earphones
Wireless versions
of earbuds and in-ears often have a larger earpiece to accommodate the
Bluetooth mechanism and controls, or have them on a thicker behind-the-neck
cord. This adds additional bulk and weight. Another factor with wireless audio
devices is that they are powered and need to be recharged after a few hours of
use. With the iPhone 7 eliminating the audio jack port, many more designs will
enter the marketplace for wireless earbuds and in-ears.
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