How Do Headphones Work
Headphones work by converting electrical signals to mechanical energy through vibrations. However, it’s a complicated process that requires an array of electronic devices. Modern technology has taken this invention to unimaginable heights in the quest to meet contemporary needs.
Why It’s Important to Know How Headphones Work
Knowing how headsets work can help you to make the right choice between various alternatives. A minor difference in the quality of components can have a significant impact on sound quality. Even two similar headphones will have considerable differences in price, specs, and overall quality.
Related Content: How to make headphones
Converting Electrical Energy to Sound Waves
Headphones rely on transducers to convert electrical energy (audio signals) into mechanical wave energy (sound) through a moving diaphragm. They also move the diaphragm back and forth through electromagnetic induction to produce sound. Most importantly, the sound wave corresponds to the pattern of the original music or speech signal.
An In-Depth Look
For many people, the intriguing question is, ‘how do headphones work?’ After recording sound through a microphone, the digital audio signal is stored in analog data. All speakers have a digital to analog converter (DAC) that converts the data into electrical signals.
That signal is sent through the cables and into the headphones. Headphones rely on the following components to function effectively:
1. Diaphragm
The diaphragm is one of the critical components of a headset as it vibrates at high speed as the electrical signal that passes through it vary in intensity. Diaphragms are made of paper, wood, plastic, and metals. Go for superior materials as they determine the sound quality and protect your hearing from noise.
For most headphones in the market, plastic is widely used since it’s both rigid and light in weight. However, the bio-diaphragm produces the best sound quality as it can withstand intensive vibrations. This resilient material reduces the distortion, lasts longer, and produces a soft, delicate sound.
2. Magnets
Headphones use two magnets (one in each ear cup) attached to the diaphragm. One magnet is permanent, meaning that it stays put while the electromagnet moves back and forth when the polarity switches. When the electromagnet vibrates, the diaphragm does too.
Strong magnets produce good quality sound and require less power to do so. Neodynium magnets are far more superior to their ceramic counterparts in terms of strength. They also have a nickel coating to prevent corrosion.
In addition to the strong magnetic field, they are light in weight, making them ideal for modern headphones. After all, you don’t want heavy headsets that wear you down.
3. Cables and Jacks
The jack allows you to plug your speakers into the output without having to connect any wires. The 3.5mm audio jack is a virtual standard across multiple audio devices. It provides a significant degree of electrical noise insulation.
Gold-plated audio jacks guarantee high reliability in high and low voltage applications. Gold is a hard-wearing material that’s suited for audio frequencies that exceed 5 watts.
Choose a jack with four segments instead of three. Two of the segments are wired to the speakers on either side. The other segments are wired to the earth to electromagnetically shield your earphones from other cables and reduce the distortion.
4. Bluetooth Connections
Bluetooth headphones use radio waves instead of cables to connect to smartphones, gaming consoles, or other electronic devices. They do so by pairing once they are close to each other.
Wireless headphones give you the freedom to play your favorite video games without being tethered to any devices. Also, you can dance with abandon to your favorite songs.
Some wireless headphones come with a wire, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds. Most manufacturers ship a pair of wired headphones too. Since they don’t require batteries, they come in handy as you never know when the battery will run out.
5. Noise Reduction Devices
Some earphones use active noise-cancelling (ANC) technology to prevent noise that interferes with the sound that reaches your ears. Passive cancellation involves reducing the noise through insulating techniques to filter the unwanted sounds.
Sound is usually in the form of waves with high crests and low troughs. The noise cancelling features create a negative image of the background noise such that the waves cancel each other out.
The built-in ANC microphones come with a tested noise cancellation algorithm that detects and filters a wide range of low, mid, and high-frequency noises.
Noise isolation entails forming a secure seal with the foam pads in the ear cups. Earbuds are better than over-the-ear headphones when it comes to noise isolation. They create a better seal while pushed inside the ear canal, thereby lessening the background noise by about 15dB to 30 dB.
If you want to safeguard your hearing, reduce distractions, and enjoy the best audio experience, the noise cancelling technology will surprise you with its beneficial attributes.
Understand How Your Headphones Work
While headphones are becoming increasingly technical, the principles of sound transmission don’t change. Modern headsets are equipped with noise cancellation features and Bluetooth connectivity to improve your comfort levels. By understanding how your favorite headphones work, you'll avoid confusion while searching for a replacement.
