Do you love listening to music? If so, you probably have a pair of headphones that you use at home, outside, or at the gym.
You might think that one pair of headphones is just like any other pair, but you’d be wrong!
Nowadays, headphones come in all shapes and sizes. You can get big studio headphones that cover your ears completely, or you can get small earbuds that are totally wireless (like Apple’s AirPods).
But the most important part is the technology inside the headphones. And in 2020, there are some amazing new advances that will make your music sound better than ever before. Here are five examples of some exciting new headphone technology.
1. True Wireless Technology
True wireless headphones have been around for a few years. But for the first time, we’re seeing all the big headphone companies jump into the true wireless game, and the competition is getting hot.
But first, what is true wireless tech?
True wireless headphones are different from regular wireless headphones. Here’s how:
- Wireless headphones: The headphones are connected to each other, but they are not connected to your device.
- True wireless headphones: The headphones are not connected to each other or to your device. There are no wires at all.
You can now enjoy the convenience of true wireless earbuds more easily than ever before. And You can get a lot of additional perks like a better fit, strong wireless connectivity, and access to your phone and apps with voice commands.
The costs have dropped a lot too, so you can get a great pair of true wireless headphones for much cheaper than before.
2. Waterproofing
You’re supposed to be able to take your headphones on the go. And now, you can do that more easily than ever thanks to advanced weatherproofing and waterproofing.
Most older earbuds only had protection up to IPX4, which protects against sweat and light splashing. But now, many headphones have waterproofing up to IPX6 or even IPX7, which means you can shower and swim while wearing them.
You can learn more about the IP rating system here.
I don’t know about you, but swimming underwater while listening to music sounds like a cool experience.
Of course, this will also make a big difference for swimmers, runners, and people who shower at the gym.
3. Graphene Speakers
I’m a technology geek, so when I heard about graphene nanotechnology used in speakers, I had to learn more.
Some brands are still making speaker drivers from paper. This is a popular material because it’s thin and cheap, but it’s not very strong. Also, when it comes to tiny true wireless earbuds, paper is still pretty big.
Graphene changes everything. This allotrope of carbon is 1000 times thinner than paper and 200 times stronger than steel. Can you even imagine that? I can’t.
But you don’t have to be able to imagine it to hear the difference. Ultrathin and super-strong graphene improve the volume and clarity of the sound. Plus, it minimizes artifacts and interference because it’s much more sensitive than paper.
4. Battery Life
I like to listen to music on repeat, so I need a battery that will last as long as I want to listen.
If you’re using normal headphones with wires, then they don’t have a battery. But, if you’re using wireless headphones, the battery is a big deal.
A lot of wireless headphones could only last for 2-3 hours a few years ago. Now, many brands are achieving 6 or more hours of playback with just one charge.
Another good thing about true wireless earbuds is that they usually come with a carrying case that doubles as a charger, so even if the battery doesn’t last that long, the headphones are always charging when you’re not using them.
5. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Active noise cancellation is technology that blocks sound from outside the headphones so you can listen to your music in peace. It’s really useful if you’re listening while someone else is watching TV, if you’re trying to study, or if you just want to get away from it all.
ANC has existed for a while, but now you can find it in wireless and true wireless headphones too.
And, more ANC modes are coming out. Some headphones feature a pass-through mode that allows some sounds to pass through and blocks others.
But the most fascinating advancement I saw was a pair of true wireless headphones that use built-in artificial intelligence to manage the ANC. The AI uses the headphones’ microphone to listen to sounds in your surroundings and filter through the ones you need to hear, like sirens and alarms. They can even recognize voices that are talking to you as opposed to normal background voices. I can’t wait to try this tech someday!
Good Headphones Make Life Better
I don’t just love to learn about headphone technology because I’m a tech geek. I learn about it because I’m a music lover too. And I know that when your music sounds better, you can enjoy it a lot more. The next time I look for a new pair of headphones, I’ll definitely be choosing a pair with some of the advances on this list!
Happy listening!
Categories: Geeks and Nerds Stuff
