Wireless Headphone Buyers Guide
Bluetooth and other Wireless Options for your Computer, TV, or iPod
Wireless headphones can change the way you interact with your computer, television, or MP3 music player. This article presents a guide to help you make the right buy!
Wireless headphones are a great investment for a computer user to consider. Being able to crank up the volume on your favorite MP3's or rattle your brain with the sounds of World of Warcraft without waking the rest of the family up can be a great marriage saver. Remember though, that all wireless headphones are not created equal. The style, frequency, and quality of the components can greatly affect your enjoyment when using a pair of wireless headphones with your computer or tv.
Infrared Wireless Headphones: Reliability Suffers
The first significant players in the wireless headphone game were headphones using a signal communicated via infrared signals sent from the base station to the headphones. If you were to block the signal in some way -- such as walking behind a support column in your basement or stepping out of the room for a second -- you would be greeted with an earful of static until you came back into the line of sight of the transmitter.
So what are the benefits of the infrared style of headphone?
Price.
Even today you can still find infrared wireless headphones for sale from many different companies. You will notice that the prices for these headphones average around $40 or less. While there may be some exceptions, just remember that you will get what you pay for.
Radio Frequency Wireless Headphones: The Bluetooth Option
Once wireless headphone manufacturers made the leap from infrared to radio frequency transmitters, the quality and reliability of the signal began to increase. As recently as 5 years ago, the quality of these headphones was still mediocre at best. Even with the listener sitting a foot or 2 from the transmitter, the headphones would emit a low hiss that distracted from low volume passages.
Today however, major manufacturers such as Logitech and Sony have gone the extra mile and created headphones that use Bluetooth wireless technology to transmit the signal. Wireless headphones for the iPod and similar products work just as nicely on your desktop, and the audio quality is often top-notch. Many styles are now available that include wireless microphones built into the headset as well as becoming an excellent choice for online gamers.
The increased quality and functionality, however, comes at a price. Expect to pay between $100 and $150 for the best audio quality.
The Bottom Line
Regardless of your budget, there are options available for you if you want to invest in a pair of wireless headphones for your computer or TV. Just remember that a higher price tag often means better quality and often more listening enjoyment . Consider saving up to purchase the headphone set with the best range, sound quality, and components and always go with radio frequency style transmitters. As always, save the receipt just in case!
