In the current society of IPod and Mp3 technology, consumers have come to be discerning with their choices of headphones and or earphones. There are more models and brands coming out on the market on a regular basis that choosing one has become a quite daunting task. Flash back to the 1950s. The first ever headphone for a portable music gadget was invented in 1958. The suitcase-size portable phonograph did not catch on but the headphone that came with it became a hot commodity since it supported stereo sound and was designed specifically for listening to music. From then on headphones technology caught on like wild fire in the world of movie and recording studios. The headphones were large and totally cumbersome. It was not until the 1980s that the headphones assumed a lighter and portable “look” as people trot around with their portable Walkman.

The evolution of headphone designs continued. For one, they are no longer called headphones. The gadget is known as a headset, earphones, earbuds, stereophones or the hipper and cooler “cans “. The headset is combination earphone and microphone geared to instant communication via the internet or any two-way communication module.

All portable music and video players are equipped with its own earphone or headphone. For the sake of economics, earphones are the likely minute speakers included in an Mp3 or iPod. More often than not, the earphones do not last and the iPod or Mp3 owner is left with the option of buying a new pair of “mini loudspeakers”. Which one would is the better option, a headphone or an earphone?

Creative HQ 1400 Headphone

Headphones have large cups that cover the entire ear. The headphone is worn like a headband and new models are lightweight. The cups that serve as the listening device are designed for ergonomics so that it can be worn for hours on end without feeling uncomfortable. Some models have volume control too. Though the device is still quite bulky for use in jogging and other such sports, a headphone is safer to use as it does not blare sound inside your ear. There are noise canceling headphones and you can practically be deaf to outside sound. The sound you get from a headphone is a left and right balance and if truth be told the acoustic quality is better.

Creative Earphone EP 830

Earphones or earbuds are listening devices that you plug right outside your ear canal. The sound produced is more isolated and sorts of reverberates inside your head rather than from an outside source. You can opt to set the music player volume on low and you won’t have a problem with clarity. However, since it has no noise cancelling feature but can minimize outside background noise, you have to turn on the volume if you can’t hear well due to external noise. The earphone is so portable and “invisible” you can wear them anywhere, anytime doing any form of activity, water sports and activity excluded (at least for now).

So which is the better choice? The decision depends on the user and the activity it is intended for.