1

Project Report

On

A study report on consumer behaviour for headphones

Mumbai University

M.G road, Fort, Mumbai-400023

University Of Mumbai for partial Completion Of Degree Of

Bachelor Of Business Management Studies

Under The Faculty of Commerce

By

Mr. Satpurush malhar

Under the guidance of

Prof. Mr. Pratik Shah

Vande Mataram College Of Art Science And Commerce

Jai Hind Colony Old Dombivli-421202

Janhvi Multi Foundation

Address: JMF Sanskriti vihar, Dr.Namade Road, Dombivli, Kopar Cross Road, Dombivli (W),
421202 Dist. Thane.

Maharashtra. Tel: 0251-2463809 Mob: 9221457415, Email: jmfdegreecollege@gmail.com

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Jahnvis Multi Foundation's

Vande Mataram Degree College
Of Arts, Commerce & Science (CS & IT)
(Affiliated to University of Mumbai)
NAAC ‘B’ Grade (Valid from 04-03-2019 to 03-03-2024)

Address :- JMF Sanskriti Vihar, Dr. Nemade Road, Dombivli, Kopar Cross Road,
Dombivli (W) – 421202, Dist Thane, Maharashtra, Tel: 0251-2463800, Mob
9221437415,8655030889 www.vandermalaramellege.com, Email :
jmf_degreecollege@rediffmail.om

Certificate

This is to certify that

Ms/Mr ____________________________________________________
Has worked and duly completed his/her Project Work for the Degree of
Bachelor in Commerce (Accounting and Finance)
Under the Faculty of Commerce in the subject of
(___________________________________________________________)
And his/her project is entitled
(___________________________________________________________)
Under my supervision.

I further certify that the work has been done by the learner under my guidance and no part of
it has been submitted previously for any Degree or Diploma of any University.

It is her/his work and facts reported by her/him are personal findings and investigation.

The Co-ordinator The Principal

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MY INTRODUCTION

My name is Satpurush malhar. I live in Mumbai, Maharashtra. At present, I am pursuing

Bachelor of Management Studies from the University of Mumbai. I always try to be
progressive and do the necessary job that makes our lives meaningful. Two things that I
always learn is – from my mistakes and new things.
Meanwhile, for my college project, I have made a study report on A study report on
consumer behaviour for headphones with the help of Prof. Pratik Shah. Any feedback is
welcome. Hope you like it!
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DECLARATION

I, the undersigned, hereby declare that the Project Report entitled "A STUDY REPORT ON
CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR FOR HEADPHONES " written and submitted by me to the
VANDE MATARAM DEGREE COLLEGE, in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the
award of degree of Bachelor of Business Management under the guidance of
(PROF.PRATIK SHAH) is my original work and the conclusions drawn therein are based on
the material collected by myself.

Signature
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Apart from the efforts of ours, the success of any project depends largely on the
encouragement and guidelines of many others.
I take this opportunity to express gratitude to the people who have been instrumental in the
successful completion of this project.
I would like to show my appreciation to our Principal Dr. Rajkumar Kolhe. I would also like to
thank Prof. Manisha Yadav for sharing her knowledge.
Also, I feel grateful to my Project guide Prof. Pratik Shah. Without his encouragement and
guidance the project would not have been materialized.
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● INTRODUCTION

● HISTORY

● APPLICATION

● ELECTRICAL CHARATERISTICS

● SPECIFICATIONS

● AMBIENT NOISE REDUCTION

● TRANSDUCER TECHNOLOGY

● BENEFITS AND LIMITATIONS

● HEALTH AND SAFETY

● POPERTIES

● DATA ANALYSIS

● FINDINGS

● CONLUSION

● REFERENCE

● BIBLIOGRAPHY
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INTRODUCTION

Headphones are a pair of small loudspeaker drivers worn on or around the head over a
user's ears. They are electroacoustic transducers, which convert an electrical signal to a
corresponding sound. Headphones let a single user listen to an audio source privately, in
contrast to a loudspeaker, which emits sound into the open air for anyone nearby to hear.
Headphones are also known as earspeakers, earphones] or, colloquially, cans.Circumaural
('around the ear') and supra-aural ('over the ear') headphones use a band over the top of the
head to hold the speakers in place. Another type, known as earbuds or earpieces consist of
individual units that plug into the user's ear canal. A third type are bone conduction
headphones, which typically wrap around the back of the head and rest in front of the ear
canal, leaving the ear canal open. In the context of telecommunication, a headset is a
combination of headphone and microphone.

HEADPHONE ON STAND

Wireless headphones
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BONE CONDUCTION HEADPHONESHeadphones connect to a signal source such as

an audio amplifier, radio, CD player, portable media player, mobile phone, video game
console, or electronic musical instrument, either directly using a cord, or using wireless
technology such as Bluetooth, DECT or FM radio.

The first headphones were developed in the late 19th century for use by telephone
operators, to keep their hands free. Initially the audio quality was mediocre and a step
forward was the invention of high fidelity headphones.

Headphones exhibit a range of different audio reproduction quality capabilities. Headsets

designed for telephone use typically cannot reproduce sound with the high fidelity of
expensive units designed for music listening by audiophiles.

Headphones that use cables typically have either a 1/4 inch (6.35mm) or 1/8 inch (3.5mm)
phone jack for plugging the headphones into the audio source. Some stereo earbuds are
wireless, using Bluetooth connectivity to transmit the audio signal by radio waves from
source devices like cellphones and digital players.

As a result of the Walkman effect, beginning in the 1980s, headphones started to be used in
public places such as sidewalks, grocery stores, and public transit.

Headphones are also used by people in various professional contexts, such as audio
engineers mixing sound for live concerts or sound recordings and DJs, who use headphones
to cue up the next song without the audience hearing, aircraft pilots and call center
employees. The latter two types of employees use headphones with an integrated m
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HISTORY

Headphones grew out of the need to free up a person's hands when operating a telephone.
There were several iterative products that were predecessors to the "hands-free"
headphones. By the 1890s the first device that is unmistakably a headphone was made by a
British company called Electrophone, which created a system allowing their customers to
connect into live feeds of performances at theaters and opera houses across London.
Subscribers to the service could listen to the performance through a pair of massive
earphones that connected below the chin, held by a long rod.

French engineer Ernest Mercadier patented a set of in-ear headphones in 1891, Mercadier
was awarded U.S. Patent No. 454,138 for “improvements in telephone-receivers…which
shall be light enough to be carried while in use on the head of the operator.

Nathaniel Baldwin of Utah in 1910 invented a prototype telephone headset due to his
inability to hear sermons during Sunday service. He offered it for testing to the US Navy,
which promptly ordered 100 from Baldwin. Wireless Specialty Apparatus Co., in partnership
with Baldwin Radio Company, set up a manufacturing facility in Utah to fulfill orders. His
innovations were the basis of “sound-powered” telephones or phones that required no
electricity, which were used during World War II.

Brandes radio headphones, circa 1920

Headphones originated from the telephone receiver earpiece, and were the only way to
listen to electrical audio signals before amplifiers were developed.
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These early headphones used moving iron drivers, with either single-ended or balanced
armatures. The common single-ended type used voice coils wound around the poles of a
permanent magnet, which were positioned close to a flexible steel diaphragm. The audio
current through the coils varied the magnetic field of the magnet, exerting a varying force on
the diaphragm, causing it to vibrate, creating sound waves. The requirement for high
sensitivity meant that no damping was used, so the frequency response of the diaphragm
had large peaks due to resonance, resulting in poor sound quality. These early models
lacked padding, and were often uncomfortable to wear for long periods. Their impedance
varied; headphones used in telegraph and telephone work had an impedance of 75 ohms.
Those used with early wireless radio had more turns of finer wire to increase sensitivity.
Impedance of 1,000 to 2,000 ohms was common, which suited both crystal sets and triode
receivers. Some very sensitive headphones, such as those manufactured by Brandes
around 1919, were commonly used for early radio work.

In early powered radios, the headphone was part of the vacuum tube's plate circuit and
carried dangerous voltages. It was normally connected directly to the positive high voltage
battery terminal, and the other battery terminal was securely grounded. The use of bare
electrical connections meant that users could be shocked if they touched the bare
headphone connections while adjusting an uncomfortable headset.

In 1958, John C. Koss, an audiophile and jazz musician from Milwaukee, produced the first
stereo headphones. Previously, headphones were used only by the US navy, telephone and
radio operators, and individuals in similar industries.

Smaller earbud type earpieces, which plugged into the user's ear canal, were first developed
for hearing aids. They became widely used with transistor radios, which commercially
appeared in 1954 with the introduction of the Regency TR-1. The most popular audio device
in history, the transistor radio changed listening habits, allowing people to listen to radio
anywhere. The earbud uses either a moving iron driver or a piezoelectric crystal to produce
sound. The 3.5 mm radio and phone connector, which is the most commonly used in
portable application today, has been used at least since the Sony EFM-117J transistor radio,
which was released in 1964.] Its popularity was reinforced with its use on the Walkman
portable tape player in 1979.

Brandes radio headphones,circa 1920

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APPLICATION

Headphones may be used with stationary CD and DVD players, home theater, personal
computers, or portable devices (e.g., digital audio player/MP3 player, mobile phone), as long
as these devices are equipped with a headphone jack. Cordless headphones are not
connected to their source by a cable. Instead, they receive a radio or infrared signal encoded
using a radio or infrared transmission link, such as FM, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. These are
battery-powered receiver systems, of which the headphone is only a component. Cordless
headphones are used with events such as a Silent disco or Silent Gig.

Sennheiser HD 555 headphones, used in audio production environments (2007)

In the professional audio sector, headphones are used in live situations by disc jockeys with
a DJ mixer, and sound engineers for monitoring signal sources. In radio studios, DJs use a
pair of headphones when talking to the microphone while the speakers are turned off to
eliminate acoustic feedback while monitoring their own voice. In studio recordings, musicians
and singers use headphones to play or sing along to a backing track or band. In military
applications, audio signals of many varieties are monitored using headphones.

Sennheiser HD headphones
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In the professional audio sector, headphones are used in live situations by disc jockeys with
a DJ mixer, and sound engineers for monitoring signal sources. In radio studios, DJs use a
pair of headphones when talking to the microphone while the speakers are turned off to
eliminate acoustic feedback while monitoring their own voice. In studio recordings, musicians
and singers use headphones to play or sing along to a backing track or band. In military
applications, audio signals of many varieties are monitored using headphones.

Wired headphones are attached to an audio source by a cable. The most common
connectors are 6.35 mm (¼″) and 3.5 mm phone connectors. The larger 6.35 mm connector
is more common on fixed location home or professional equipment. The 3.5 mm connector
remains the most widely used connector for portable application today. Adapters are
available for converting between 6.35 mm and 3.5 mm devices.

As active component, wireless headphones tend to be costlier due to the necessity for
internal hardware such as a battery, a charging controller, a speaker driver, and a wireless
transceiver, whereas wired headphones are a passive component, outsourcing speaker
driving to the audio source.

Some headphone cords are equipped with a serial potentiometer for volume regulation.

Wired headphones may be equipped with a non-detachable cable or a detachable auxiliary

male-to-male plug, as well as some with two ports to allow connecting another wired
headphone in a parallel circuit, which splits the audio signal to share with another participant,
but can also be used to hear audio from two inputs simultaneously. An external audio splitter
can retrofit this ability.
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Applications for audiometric testing

Various types of specially designed headphones or earphones are also used to evaluate the
status of the auditory system in the field of audiology for establishing hearing thresholds,
medically diagnosing hearing loss, identifying other hearing related disease, and monitoring
hearing status in occupational hearing conservation programs.] Specific models of
headphones have been adopted as the standard due to the ease of calibration and ability to
compare results between testing facilities.

Supra-aural style headphones are historically the most commonly used in audiology as they
are the easiest to calibrate and were considered the standard for many years. Commonly
used models are the Telephonics Dynamic Headphone (TDH) 39, TDH-49, and TDH-50.
In-the-ear or insert style earphones are used more commonly today as they provide higher
levels of interaural attenuation, introduce less variability when testing 6,000 and 8,000 Hz,
and avoid testing issues resulting from collapsed ear canals. A commonly used model of
insert earphone is the Etymotic Research ER-3A. Circum-aural earphones are also used to
establish hearing thresholds in the extended high frequency range (8,000 Hz to 20,000 kHz).
Along with Etymotic Research ER-2A insert earphones, the Sennheiser HDA300 and Koss
HV/1A circum-aural earphones are the only models that have reference equivalent threshold
sound pressure level values for the extended high frequency range as described by ANSI
standards.
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Audiometers and headphones must be calibrated together. During the calibration process,
the output signal from the audiometer to the headphones is measured with a sound level
meter to ensure that the signal is accurate to the reading on the audiometer for sound
pressure level and frequency. Calibration is done with the earphones in an acoustic coupler
that is intended to mimic the transfer function of the outer ear. Because specific headphones
are used in the initial audiometer calibration process, they cannot be replaced with any other
set of headphones, even from the same make and model.

HEADPHONES CORD
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ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Electrical characteristics of dynamic loudspeakers may be readily applied to headphones,

because most headphones are small dynamic loudspeakers.

Impedance

Headphones are available with high or low impedance (typically measured at 1 kHz).
Low-impedance headphones are in the range 16 to 32 ohms and high-impedance
headphones are about 100-600 ohms. As the impedance of a pair of headphones increases,
more voltage (at a given current) is required to drive it, and the loudness of the headphones
for a given voltage decreases. In recent years, impedance of newer headphones has
generally decreased to accommodate lower voltages available on battery powered
CMOS-based portable electronics. This has resulted in headphones that can be more
efficiently driven by battery-powered electronics. Consequently, newer amplifiers are based
on designs with relatively low output impedance.

The impedance of headphones is of concern because of the output limitations of amplifiers.

A modern pair of headphones is driven by an amplifier, with lower impedance headphones
presenting a larger load. Amplifiers are not ideal; they also have some output impedance
that limits the amount of power they can provide. To ensure an even frequency response,
adequate damping factor, and undistorted sound, an amplifier should have an output
impedance less than 1/8 that of the headphones it is driving (and ideally, as low as possible).
If output impedance is large compared to the impedance of the headphones, significantly
higher distortion is present. Therefore, lower impedance headphones tend to be louder and
more efficient, but also demand a more capable amplifier. Higher impedance headphones
are more tolerant of amplifier limitations, but produce less volume for a given output level.
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Historically, many headphones had relatively high impedance, often over 500 ohms so they
could operate well with high-impedance tube amplifiers.

In contrast, modern transistor amplifiers can have very low output impedance, enabling
lower-impedance headphones.

Unfortunately, this means that older audio amplifiers or stereos often produce poor-quality
output on some modern, low-impedance headphones. In this case, an external headphone
amplifier may be beneficial.
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Sensitivity

Sensitivity is a measure of how effectively an earpiece converts an incoming electrical signal

into an audible sound. It thus indicates how loud the headphones are for a given electrical
drive level. It can be measured in decibels of sound pressure level per milliwatt (dB
(SPL)/mW) or decibels of sound pressure level per volt (dB (SPL) / V). Unfortunately, both
definitions are widely used, often interchangeably. As the output voltage (but not power) of a
headphone amplifier is essentially constant for most common headphones, dB/mW is often
more useful if converted into dB/V using Ohm's law:

{\displaystyle \mathrm {dB(SPL)} /\mathrm {V} =\mathrm {dB(SPL)} /\mathrm {mW} -10\cdot
\log _{10}{\frac {\mathrm {Impedance} }{1000}}}{\displaystyle \mathrm {dB(SPL)} /\mathrm
{V} =\mathrm {dB(SPL)} /\mathrm {mW} -10\cdot \log _{10}{\frac {\mathrm {Impedance}
}{1000}}}
Alternatively, online calculators can be used. Once the sensitivity per volt is known, the
maximum volume for a pair of headphones can be easily calculated from the maximum
amplifier output voltage. For example, for a headphone with a sensitivity of 100 dB (SPL)/V,
an amplifier with an output of 1 root mean square (RMS) voltage produces a maximum
volume of 100 dB.
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Pairing high sensitivity headphones with power amplifiers can produce dangerously high
volumes and damage headphones. The maximum sound pressure level is a matter of
preference, with some sources recommending no higher than 110 to 120 dB. In contrast, the
American Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends an average SPL of
no more than 85 dB(A) to avoid long-term hearing loss, while the European Union standard
EN 50332-1:2013 recommends that volumes above 85 dB(A) include a warning, with an
absolute maximum volume (defined using 40–4,000 Hz noise) of no more than 100 dB to
avoid accidental hearing damage. Using this standard, headphones with sensitivities of 90,
100 and 110 dB (SPL)/V should be driven by an amplifier capable of no more than 3.162, 1.0
and 0.3162 RMS volts at maximum volume setting, respectively to reduce the risk of hearing
damage.

The sensitivity of headphones is usually between about 80 and 125 dB/mW and usually
measured at 1 kHz.
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SPECIFICATIONS

Headphone size can affect the balance between fidelity and portability. Generally,
headphone form factors can be divided into four separate categories: circumaural (over-ear),
supra-aural (on-ear), earbud and in-ear.

Headphone size can affect the balance between fidelity and portability. Generally,
headphone form factors can be divided into four separate categories: circumaural (over-ear),
supra-aural (on-ear), earbud and in-ear.

Connectivity
Wired
Headphones with soldered headphone jack cables.

Wireless
Wireless on-ear headphones. Often has an inbuilt headphone jack.
Wireless over-ear headphones. Often has an inbuilt headphone jack.
Wireless earphones connected via a neckband.
True wireless
True wireless earbuds have no cord to keep each bud connected to each other. They rely on
wireless technology such as Bluetooth to transmit audio from a hardware device.
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Ear adaption
Circumaural

Circumaural headphones have large pads that surround the outer ear.
Circumaural headphones (sometimes called full size headphones or over-ear headphones)
have circular or ellipsoid earpads that encompass the ears. Because these headphones
completely surround the ear, circumaural headphones can be designed to fully seal against
the head to attenuate external noise. Because of their size, circumaural headphones can be
heavy and there are some sets that weigh over 500 grams (1 lb). Ergonomic headband and
earpad design is required to reduce discomfort resulting from weight. These are commonly
used by drummers in recording.

EAR ADAPTION
CIRCUMAURAL
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Supra-aural

A pair of supra-aural (on-ear) headphones

Supra-aural headphones or on-ear headphones have pads that press against the ears,
rather than around them. They were commonly bundled with personal stereos during the
1980s. This type of headphone generally tends to be smaller and lighter than circumaural
headphones, resulting in less attenuation of outside noise. Supra-aural headphones can also
lead to discomfort due to the pressure on the ear as compared to circumaural headphones
that sit around the ear. Comfort may vary due to the earcup material.

EARPHONE SIT IN THE OUTER EAR

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In-ear headphones
Main article: In-ear monitor

In-ear monitors extend into the ear canal, providing isolation from outside noise.
In-ear headphones, also known as in-ear monitors (IEMs) or canalphones, are small
headphones with similar portability to earbuds that are inserted in the ear canal itself. IEMs
are higher-quality in-ear headphones and are used by audio engineers and musicians as
well as audiophiles.

The outer shells of in-ear headphones are made up of a variety of materials, such as plastic,
aluminum, ceramic and other metal alloys. Because in-ear headphones engage the ear
canal, they can be prone to sliding out, and they block out much environmental noise. Lack
of sound from the environment can be a problem when sound is a necessary cue for safety
or other reasons, as when walking, driving, or riding near or in vehicular traffic.] Some in-ear
headphones utilize built-in microphones to allow some outside sound to be heard when
desired.

Generic or custom-fitting ear canal plugs are made from silicone rubber, elastomer, or foam.
Such plugs in lower-end devices may be interchangeable, which increases the risk of them
falling off and getting lodged in the ear canal. Custom in-ear headphones use castings of the
ear canal to create custom-molded plugs that provide added comfort and noise isolation.[22]

Some wireless earphones includes a charging case.

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Open- or closed-back
Both circumaural and supra-aural headphones can be further differentiated by the type of
earcups:

Open-back

Open-back headphones have the back of the earcups open. This leaks more sound out of
the headphone and also lets more ambient sounds into the headphone, but gives a more
natural or speaker-like sound, due to including sounds from the environment.

Semi-open

Semi-open headphones, have a design that can be considered as a compromise between

open-back headphones and closed-back headphones. Some[who?] believe the term
"semi-open" is purely there for marketing purposes. There is no exact definition for the term
semi-open headphone. Where the open-back approach has hardly any measure to block
sound at the outer side of the diaphragm and the closed-back approach really has a closed
chamber at the outer side of the diaphragm, a semi-open headphone can have a chamber to
partially block sound while letting some sound through via openings or vents.

Closed-back

Closed-back (or sealed) styles have the back of the earcups closed. They usually block
some of the ambient noise. Closed-back headphones usually can produce stronger low
frequencies than open-back headphones.
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Headset
Main article: Headset (audio)

A typical example of a headset used for voice chats

A headset is a headphone combined with a microphone. Headsets provide the equivalent
functionality of a telephone handset with hands-free operation. Among applications for
headsets, besides telephone use, are aviation, theatre or television studio intercom systems,
and console or PC gaming. Headsets are made with either a single-earpiece (mono) or a
double-earpiece (mono to both ears or stereo). The microphone arm of headsets is either an
external microphone type where the microphone is held in front of the user's mouth, or a
voicetube type where the microphone is housed in the earpiece and speech reaches it by
means of a hollow tube.
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Telephone headsets

Sony Ericsson Cordless bluetooth headset

Telephone headsets connect to a fixed-line telephone system. A telephone headset
functions by replacing the handset of a telephone. Headsets for standard corded telephones
are fitted with a standard 4P4C commonly called an RJ-9 connector. Headsets are also
available with 2.5 mm jack sockets for many DECT phones and other applications. Cordless
bluetooth headsets are available, and often used with mobile telephones. Headsets are
widely used for telephone-intensive jobs, in particular by call centre workers. They are also
used by anyone wishing to hold telephone conversations with both hands free.

For older models of telephones, the headset microphone impedance is different from that of
the original handset, requiring a telephone amplifier for the telephone headset. A telephone
amplifier provides basic pin-alignment similar to a telephone headset adaptor, but it also
offers sound amplification for the microphone as well as the loudspeakers. Most models of
telephone amplifiers offer volume control for loudspeaker as well as microphone, mute
function and switching between headset and handset. Telephone amplifiers are powered by
batteries or AC adaptors.
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Communication headsets

Lightspeed Aviation 30 3G ANR Aviation headset used by aviators[28]

Communication headsets are used for two-way communication and typically consist of a
headphone and attached microphone. Such headsets are used in a variety of professions as
aviation, military, sports, music, and many service-oriented sectors. They come in all shapes
and sizes, depending on use, required noise attenuation, and fidelity of communication
needed.
 27

Ambient noise reduction

Unwanted sound from the environment can be reduced by excluding sound from the ear by
passive noise isolation, or, often in conjunction with isolation, by active noise cancellation.

In-ears are among those good for noise isolation.

Passive noise isolation is essentially using the body of the earphone, either over or in the
ear, as a passive earplug that simply blocks out sound. The headphone types that provide
most attenuation are in-ear canal headphones and closed-back headphones, both
circumaural and supra aural. Open-back and earbud headphones provide some passive
noise isolation, but much less than the others. Typical closed-back headphones block 8 to 12
dB, and in-ears anywhere from 10 to 15 dB. Some models have been specifically designed
for drummers to facilitate the drummer monitoring the recorded sound while reducing sound
directly from the drums as much as possible. Such headphones claim to reduce ambient
noise by around 25 dB.
 28

Active noise-cancelling headphones use a microphone, amplifier, and speaker to pick up,
amplify, and play ambient noise in phase-reversed form; this to some extent cancels out
unwanted noise from the environment without affecting the desired sound source, which is
not picked up and reversed by the microphone. They require a power source, usually a
battery, to drive their circuitry. Active noise cancelling headphones can attenuate ambient
noise by 20 dB or more, but the active circuitry is mainly effective on constant sounds and at
lower frequencies, rather than sharp sounds and voices. Some noise cancelling headphones
are designed mainly to reduce low-frequency engine and travel noise in aircraft, trains, and
automobiles, and are less effective in environments with other types of noise.
 29

Transducer technology

Headphones use various types of transducer to convert electrical signals to sound.

Moving-coil

A typical moving-coil headphone transducer

The moving coil driver, more commonly referred to as a "dynamic" driver is the most
common type used in headphones. It consists of a stationary magnet element affixed to the
frame of the headphone, which sets up a static magnetic field. The magnet in headphones is
typically composed of ferrite or neodymium. A voice coil, a light coil of wire, is suspended in
the magnetic field of the magnet, attached to a diaphragm, typically fabricated from
lightweight, high-stiffness-to-mass-ratio cellulose, polymer, carbon material, paper or the like.
When the varying current of an audio signal is passed through the coil, it creates a varying
magnetic field that reacts against the static magnetic field, exerting a varying force on the
coil causing it and the attached diaphragm to vibrate. The vibrating diaphragm pushes on the
air to produce sound waves.
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Electrostatic

Electrostatic loudspeaker diagram

Electrostatic drivers consist of a thin, electrically charged diaphragm, typically a coated PET
film membrane, suspended between two perforated metal plates (electrodes).

The electrical sound signal is applied to the electrodes creating an electrical field;
depending on the polarity of this field, the diaphragm is drawn towards one of the plates. Air
is forced through the perforations; combined with a continuously changing electrical signal
driving the membrane, a sound wave is generated.

Electrostatic headphones are usually more expensive than moving-coil ones, and are
comparatively uncommon. In addition, a special amplifier is required to amplify the signal to
deflect the membrane, which often requires electrical potentials in the range of 100 to 1,000
volts.
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Due to the extremely thin and light diaphragm membrane, often only a few micrometers
thick, and the complete absence of moving metalwork, the frequency response of
electrostatic headphones usually extends well above the audible limit of approximately 20
kHz.

The high-frequency response means that the low-midband distortion level is maintained to
the top of the audible frequency band, which is generally not the case with moving coil
drivers.

Also, the frequency response peakiness regularly seen in the high-frequency region with
moving coil drivers is absent. Well-designed electrostatic headphones can produce
significantly better sound quality than other types.[citation needed]

Electrostatic headphones require a voltage source generating 100 V to over 1 kV, and are on
the user's head. Since the invention of insulators, there is no actual danger. They do not
need to deliver significant electric current, which further limits the electrical hazard to the
wearer in case of fault.
 32

Electret

An electret driver functions along the same electromechanical means as an electrostatic

driver. However the electret driver has a permanent charge built into it, whereas
electrostatics have the charge applied to the driver by an external generator.

Electret and electrostatic headphones are relatively uncommon. Original electrets were also
typically cheaper and lower in technical capability and fidelity than electrostatics. Patent
applications from 2009 to 2013 have been approved that show by using different materials,
i.e. a "Fluorinated cyclic olefin electret film", Frequency response chart readings can reach
50 kHz at 100db.

When these new improved electrets are combined with a traditional dome headphone
driver, headphones can be produced that are recognised by the Japan Audio Society as
worthy of joining the Hi Res Audio program.

US patents 8,559,660 B2. 7,732,547 B2.7,879,446 B2.7,498,699 B2.

 33

Planar magneti

Planar magnetic (also known as orthodynamic) headphones use similar technology to

electrostatic headphones, with some fundamental differences. They operate similarly to
planar magnetic loudspeakers.

A planar magnetic driver consists of a relatively large membrane that contains an embedded
wire pattern. This membrane is suspended between two sets of permanent, oppositely
aligned, magnets.

A current passed through the wires embedded in the membrane produces a magnetic field
that reacts with the field of the permanent magnets to induce movement in the membrane,
which produces sound.
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Balanced armature

Balanced armature transducer with armature balanced and exerting no force on diaphragm
A balanced armature is a sound transducer design primarily intended to increase the
electrical efficiency of the element by eliminating the stress on the diaphragm characteristic
of many other magnetic transducer systems.

As shown schematically in the first diagram, it consists of a moving magnetic armature that
is pivoted so it can move in the field of the permanent magnet. When precisely centered in
the magnetic field there is no net force on the armature, hence the term 'balanced'.

As illustrated in the second diagram, when there is electric current through the coil, it
magnetizes the armature one way or the other, causing it to rotate slightly one way or the
other about the pivot thus moving the diaphragm to make sound.
 35

The design is not mechanically stable; a slight imbalance makes the armature stick to one
pole of the magnet. A fairly stiff restoring force is required to hold the armature in the
'balance' position. Although this reduces its efficiency, this design can still produce more
sound from less power than any other.

[clarification needed] Popularized in the 1920s as Baldwin Mica Diaphragm radio

headphones, balanced armature transducers were refined during World War II for use in
military sound powered telephones. Some of these achieved astonishing electro-acoustic
conversion efficiencies, in the range of 20% to 40%, for narrow bandwidth voice signals.

Today they are typically used only in in-ear headphones and hearing aids, where their high
efficiency and diminutive size is a major advantage. They generally are limited at the
extremes of the hearing spectrum (e.g. below 20 Hz and above 16 kHz) and require a better
seal than other types of drivers to deliver their full potential.

Higher-end models may employ multiple armature drivers, dividing the frequency ranges
between them using a passive crossover network. A few combine an armature driver with a
small moving-coil driver for increased bass output.

The earliest loudspeakers for radio receivers used

balanced armature drivers for their cones.
 36

Thermoacoustic technology

The thermoacoustic effect generates sound from the audio frequency Joule heating of the
conductor, an effect that is not magnetic and does not vibrate the speaker.

In 2013 a carbon nanotube thin-yarn earphone based on the thermoacoustic mechanism

was demonstrated by a research group in Tsinghua University.

The as-produced CNT thin yarn earphone has a working element called CNT thin yarn
thermoacoustic chip.

Such a chip is composed of a layer of CNT thin yarn array supported by the silicon wafer,
and periodic grooves with certain depth are made on the wafer by micro-fabrication methods
to suppress the heat leakage from the CNT yarn to the substrate.[citation needed.
 37

Other transducer technologies

Transducer technologies employed much less commonly for headphones include the Heil Air
Motion Transformer (AMT); Piezoelectric film; Ribbon planar magnetic; Magnetostriction and
Plasma-ionisation.

The first Heil AMT headphone was marketed by ESS Laboratories and was essentially an
ESS AMT tweeter from one of the company's speakers being driven at full range. Since the
turn of the century, only Precide of Switzerland have manufactured an AMT headphone.

Piezoelectric film headphones were first developed by Pioneer, their two models used a flat
sheet of film that limited the maximum volume of air movement. Currently, TakeT produces a
piezoelectric film headphone shaped similarly to an AMT transducer but, which like the
Precide driver, has a variation in the size of transducer folds over the diaphragm.

It additionally incorporates a two way design by its inclusion of a dedicated

tweeter/supertweeter panel. The folded shape of a diaphragm allows a transducer with a
larger surface area to fit within smaller space constraints.

This increases the total volume of air that can be moved on each excursion of the transducer
given that radiating area.

Magnetostriction headphones, sometimes sold under the label Bonephones, work by

vibrating against the side of head, transmitting sound via bone conduction. This is
particularly helpful in situations where the ears must be unobstructed, or for people who are
deaf for reasons that don't affect the nervous apparatus of hearing

. Magnetostriction headphones though, are limited in their fidelity compared to conventional

headphones that rely on the normal workings of the ear. Additionally, in the early
1990sFrench company called Plasmasonics tried to market a plasma-ionisation headphone.
There are no known functioning examples left.
 38

Benefits and limitations

Headphones can prevent other people from hearing the sound, either for privacy or to
prevent disturbing others, as in listening in a public library. They can also provide a level of
sound fidelity greater than loudspeakers of similar cost

. Part of their ability to do so comes from the lack of any need to perform room correction
treatments with headphones. High-quality headphones can have an extremely flat
low-frequency response down to 20 Hz within 3 dB

. While a loudspeaker must use a relatively large (often 15" or 18") speaker driver to
reproduce low frequencies, headphones can accurately reproduce bass and sub-bass
frequencies with speaker drivers only 40-50 millimeters wide (or much smaller, as is the case
with in-ear monitor headphones)

. Headphones' impressive low-frequency performance is possible because they are so much

closer to the ear that they only need to move relatively small volumes of air.
 39

Marketed claims such as 'frequency response 4 Hz to 20 kHz' are usually overstatements;

the product's response at frequencies lower than 20 Hz is typically very small.

Headphones are also useful for video games that use 3D positional audio processing
algorithms, as they allow players to better judge the position of an off-screen sound source
(such as the footsteps of an opponent or their gunfire).

Although modern headphones have been particularly widely sold and used for listening to
stereo recordings since the release of the Walkman, there is subjective debate regarding the
nature of their reproduction of stereo sound

. Stereo recordings represent the position of horizontal depth cues (stereo separation) via
volume and phase differences of the sound in question between the two channels. When the
sounds from two speakers mix, they create the phase difference the brain uses to locate
direction.

Through most headphones, because the right and left channels do not combine in this
manner, the illusion of the phantom center can be perceived as lost. Hard panned sounds
are also heard only in one ear rather than from one side.
 40

Binaural recordings use a different microphone technique to encode direction directly as

phase, with very little amplitude difference below 2 kHz, often using a dummy head. They
can produce a surprisingly lifelike spatial impression through headphones

. Commercial recordings almost always use stereo recording, rather than binaural, because
loudspeaker listening is more common than headphone listening.

It is possible to change the spatial effects of stereo sound on headphones, to better

approximate the presentation of speaker reproduction, by using frequency-dependent
cross-feed between the channels.

Headsets can have ergonomic benefits over traditional telephone handsets. They allow call
center agents to maintain better posture without needing to hand-hold a handset or tilt their
head sideways to cradle it.
 41

Health and safety

Dangers and risks

Product testing - headphones in an anechoic chamber

Using headphones at a sufficiently high volume level may cause temporary or permanent
hearing impairment or deafness. The headphone volume often has to compete with the
background noise, especially in loud places such as subway stations, aircraft, and large
crowds. Extended periods of exposure to high sound pressure levels created by headphones
at high volume settings may be damaging to hearing;Nearly 50% of teenagers and young
adults (12 to 35 years old) in middle and high income countries listen to unsafe levels of
sound on their personal audio devices and smartphones.[36] However, one hearing expert
found in 2012 (before the worldwide adoption of smartphones as the main personal listening
devices) that "fewer than 5% of users select volume levels and listen frequently enough to
risk hearing loss."
 42

The International Telecommunication Union recently published "Guidelines for safe listening
devices/systems" recommended that sound exposure not exceed 80 decibels, A-weighted
dB(A) for a maximum of 40 hours per week. The European Union have also set a similar
limit for users of personal listening devices (80 dB(A) for no more than 40 hours per week)
and for each additional increase of 3-dB in sound exposure, the duration should be cut in
half (83 dB(A) for no more than 20 hours, 86 dB(A) for 10 hours per week, 89 dB(A) for 5
hours per week and so on. Most major manufactures of smartphones now include some
safety or volume limiting features and warning messaging in their devices. though such
practices have received mixed response from some segments of the buying who favor the
personal choice of setting their own volume levels.

The usual way of limiting sound volume on devices driving headphones is by limiting output
power. This has the additional undesirable effect of being dependent of the efficiency of the
headphones; a device producing the maximum allowed power may not produce adequate
volume when paired with low-efficiency, high-impedance equipment, while the same amount
of power can reach dangerous levels with very efficient earphones.

Some studies have found that people are more likely to raise volumes to unsafe levels while
performing strenuous exercise.A Finnish study recommended that exercisers should set
their headphone volumes to half of their normal loudness and only use them for half an hour.

Other than hearing risk, there is a general danger that listening to loud music in headphones
can distract the listener and lead to injury and accidents. Noise-cancelling headphones add
extra risk. Several countries and states have made it illegal to wear headphones while
driving or cycling.

There have also been numerous reports of contact dermatitis due to exposure to in-ear
headphones such as Apple AirPods.The contact dermatitis would be caused by in-ear
headphones that contain gold, rubber, dyes, acrylates, or methacrylates.However, there
have been no studies done to prove that exposure to in-ear headphones will cause contact
dermatitis, rather that there is a correlation between in-ear headphone use and contact
dermatitis cases.
 43

Occupational health and safety

Hearing risk from headphones' use also applies to workers who must wear electronic or
communication headsets as part of their daily job (i.e., pilots, call center and dispatch
operators, sound engineers, firefighters, etc.) and hearing damage depends on the exposure
time.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends sound
exposure not exceed 85 dB(A) over 8 hour work day as a time-weighted average.

NIOSH uses the 3-dB exchange rate often referred to as "time-intensity tradeoff" which
means if sound exposure level is increased by 3 decibels, the duration of exposure should
be cut in half.

NIOSH published several documents targeted at protecting the hearing of workers who must
wear communication headsets such as call center operators firefighters,
and musicians and sound engineers.
 44

PROPERTIES

Headphone Drivers. This is a very important aspect, if not one of the most important, when
choosing a headset. ...
Sensitivity/Sound Pressure. Ideally, headphones are made with good sound sensitivity. ...
Impedance (Electrical Resistance) ...
Frequency Response. ...
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and Noise.
 45

1. Headphone Drivers

This is a very important aspect, if not one of the most important, when choosing a headset.

The driver of a headset is the element that transmits electrical/audio signals and converts
them into audible sound waves for the listener. Drivers are usually made up of magnets, a
wire/coil, and a membrane/diaphragm.

Electrical signals cause the diaphragm to vibrate, and these vibrations cause sound waves
that are audible to the listener.

Manufacturers usually specify the diameter of the drivers used in the production of
headphones measured in millimeters. It is generally considered that the larger the driver’s
diameter, the better the sound quality produced. This is especially important for low tones.
 46

The diameter of the speaker is also crucial when it comes to the type of headphones. For
example, suppose it is an over-ear headset.

In that case, a speaker of at least 40 mm is considered the best choice, while for in-ear
headphones, an approach called “dual driver” is used (which simply means that more than
one driver is used, usually two; one for medium and high sound waves while the other is
used for bass and low sound waves).

Similarly, the type of connector used is as important as the speakers used. Manufacturers
most frequently use materials such as stainless steel, gold, chrome, and bronze. The type of
material used determines the quality of the electrical conduction that occurs.
 47

2. Sensitivity/Sound Pressure

Ideally, headphones are made with good sound sensitivity. This is what the term “sensitivity”
means: the ability of the headphones to detect sound, even at the smallest change/volume.
This term is used interchangeably by manufacturers with sound pressure.

They are used to indicate how loud the headphones can be. Sound pressure levels are
used to measure the sensitivity of headphones, usually stated in decibels per milliwatt
(dB/mW). In contrast, sensitivity indicates how efficiently an electrical signal is converted into
a sound wave.

To better understand this concept as it relates to different sound levels, I will give some
examples. Normal car traffic is about 81 dB, a loud scream or voice is about 107 dB, while a
plane taking off is about 132 dB. Most headphones are manufactured in the range of 85 to
120 dB/mW sound pressure level.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration postulates that the pain threshold for
sound is around 120dB, so listeners are generally warned of the dangers of prolonged
exposure to sound above 85dB, as this can lead to hearing loss and ear canal cancer.
 48

The sensitivity of a headphone is important because it helps to understand how to regulate

the volume and how the volume affects the voltage.

Sensitivity, expressed in decibels per voltage (dB/V), is directly related to frequency. For
example, to change the volume by 6 dB, the voltage must be increased up to two times.

Sensitivity also affects volume as a function of resistance. Higher sensitivity and lower
resistance give a higher volume, although this means that there may be some extra noise
(perhaps from the amplifier, etc.).

This extra noise will only be heard when there is no music playing, so it may be noticed.
Nevertheless, headphones with higher sensitivity are generally considered louder.
 49

3. Impedance (Electrical Resistance)

Most headphones operate on electromagnetism. So it’s important to understand how

electrical resistance (or impedance) affects sound quality and the type of headphones you’re
about to buy.

Impedance is measured in Ohms and affects the power of headphones in that the higher the
resistance, the more power is used to power the headphones.

High-end and premium headphones have a higher impedance (at least 300 Ohms) and
require an amplifier to power them. In contrast, headphones used for mobile devices have a
relatively low impedance (40 ohms and below) and require less power.

This may seem like an advantage, but low-impedance headphones require more current,
which creates vibrations that in turn generate sound. For this reason, there may be an
audible background hiss or crackle when using low-impedance headphones

. This can lead to performance problems, so impedance is significant because a poor match
can frustrate your experience.
 50

4. Frequency Response

Frequency response is a term used to indicate the range of sound frequencies that
headphones can produce. Frequency response is usually measured in Hertz (Hz), with the
higher number representing the frequency that produces high notes (usually indicated as
“Bright”) and the lower number indicating the amount of bass produced (usually indicated as
“Dark”). Most headphones have a stated frequency that corresponds to human hearing
frequency, usually between 20 and 20,000 Hz.

In simpler terms, the frequency response is a graph of volume as a function of frequency:

Frequency Response Curve – Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (250-Ohms) | Source:

Reference-audio-analyzer.pro
The graph of a frequency response curve doesn’t really translate into good sound quality, but
the frequency response is important in that it helps you choose the type of headphones you
need for a particular type of music. So if you want to listen to music with a lot of basses,
choose headphones that support low frequencies.

It’s important to note that the frequency response of headphones is always wavy at the
higher frequencies, so the notes produced by the headphones may sound a little sharp at
those frequencies. But most headphones don’t have much difference between high and low
frequencies.
 51

How to choose headphones based on their frequency response?

Choose the type of headphones that interest you, for example, IEMs or monitor headphones.
Determine the type of sound you want to get, the sound signature you prefer (warm, bright,
“V” shaped, balanced, smooth, dark, etc.). And finally, look at the frequency response.

If you want bass: Look for ones that emphasize low frequencies and fall late into the deep
bass.
If you need headphones for singing, look for ones that emphasize the mid-range
frequencies, so there’s no big rise and fall.
If you like trebles, look for headphones with good extension in the higher frequencies that
decays slowly or is more or less flat in that section.
 52

Where do you find the frequency response of the headphones?

The frequency response curve is mainly found on the headphones box. If you can’t find it on
the box, it can sometimes be found in the documentation inside the box or on the
manufacturer’s website.
But often, as in the case of non-audiophile models, the manufacturer does not share this
feature. If all methods fail, try searching on Google “headphone name + frequency response
graph” and go to “Images”, or search the headphone’s model on headphone frequency
response databases such as:

Crinacle.com
Reference-Audio-Analyzer.pro
DiyAudioHeaven (for more in-depth analysis)
 53

5. Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and Noise

This characteristic is sometimes divided into THD and noise. Noise characteristics are
usually noise isolation and/or noise cancellation.

While THD refers to the amount of distortion, noise factors refer to the amount of noise the
headphones can accommodate or prevent. THD indicates the distortion of the sound, usually
when the headphones are used at a high volume.

Headphones generally produce sound through vibrations of the speaker diaphragm;

however, at high volumes, the diaphragm may not vibrate fast enough, resulting in sound
distortion

. Total Harmonic Distortion is often expressed as a percentage. The lower the THD, the
better the quality of the headphones. Most headphones have a THD of 1%, or even less, for
high-end products.
 54

Noise isolation refers to the ability of the headphones to block out external sound. This ability
is found in on-ear, closed-back, and in-ear headphones, as they typically seal the ear canal
during use.

That’s why it’s important to use the correct size ear tips when using in-ear headphones.
Noise isolation is not limited to frequencies and does not require external power. It is passive
and appears in more affordable products.

Noise cancellation, on the other hand, is a bit more technical than noise isolation. Noise
cancellation is the ability of the headset to trap sound, create a reverse wave and send it
back into the headset through built-in microphones and a DSP microchip. This feedback is
what effectively cancels out the sound.

Noise cancellation is very effective for low frequencies, less effective for medium
frequencies, and not effective for high frequencies. This means that you can still hear
high-frequency sounds while your headphones cancel out low-frequency sounds. It is
necessary to mention that noise cancellation often requires a battery, and its overall
effectiveness is variable.
 55

Most of these technical characteristics are indicated on the product box. However,
manufacturers have their own measurement standards, even though these standards
usually mean the same thing, yet carry different units.

And if the above specs seem too technical, remember that when you buy headphones, one
of the most important factors to consider is the diameter of the speaker (the main component
of the headphones), how well it can sound in terms of notes (how much bass it can produce
and vice versa), how much power it will need to work, and how well the headphones can
block out sound.

With all of this information at hand, you can buy a new pair of headphones like a pro
because you now understand the device’s technical specifications.

And the final note to boost your confidence? No one will call you an amateur if you share
these tips with a friend who is also looking to buy a new pair of headphones!
 56

DATA ANALYSIS

Report Overview
The global earphones and headphones market size was valued at USD 25.1 billion in 2019
and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.3% from 2020 to
2027. Rising consumer preference for enhanced audio experience, growing music industry,
coupled with mobile technology and internet penetration, are some of the primary factors
driving the market.
 57

To learn more about this report, request a free sample copy

Technological advancements such as the emergence of notch-less smartphones are
anticipated to fuel the growth of wireless earphones over the forecast period.

Additionally, rising consumer inclination towards stylish and attractive designs is expected to
boost the sales of earphones and headphones over the forecast period.

Introduction of true wireless earbuds has brought about a paradigm shift in the way people
listen to their music.

These earbuds provide a user with a tangle free experience while listening to music as there
is no wire connecting the left and right earpieces. The earbuds are compact and can be
carried around in a charging case,

making them extremely portable. The styling and portability of these products have made
them popular among the young crowd, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts, which is expected
to drive the market.
 58

Technology developments are primarily driven by surging consumer demand for style and
high-fidelity. Introduction of advanced features like active noise cancellation (ANC) and near
field communication (NFC) is expected to offer a user with enhanced listening experience
and fluidity in connectivity with their music devices.

For instance, presence of active noise cancellation (ANC) technology in earphones and
headphones eliminates the background noise, thus improving sound quality. Near field
communication (NFC) establishes the connection between the wireless headphones and
music device by just tapping them to each other. Such advanced features are anticipated to
fuel the market growth.

Usage of earphones and headphones for fitness activities under various environmental
conditions, like rain and dust, has propelled the manufacturers to add durability to their
products. Several companies have manufactured their products with a certain (ingress
protection) IPX rating, which is a safety rating to offer protection against dust and water. For
example, IPX1 rated device is resistant to water droplets and can be dripped with water for
10 minutes.

The level of protection ranges from the number 0 to 9 and increases with the highest level
being IPX9, which offers protection against the spray of water from a high-pressure nozzle.
Similarly, in the case of dust, the rating ranges from IP0X to IP6X, with IP6X being the
highest. In some cases, the product may be resistant against both dust and water.

For instance, products with an IP57 rating are dust tight and water resistant to high pressure
sprays. Presence of such useful features and some significant development in product
technology is expected to keep the product in demand over the forecast period.
 59

Product Insights

In terms of revenue, earphones dominated the market with a share of 53.0% in 2019. This is
attributed to the comfort in hearing music, low cost, and compact size. The lightweight
design and portability of earphones make them a preferred choice for fitness and sports
enthusiasts.

Additionally, earphones provide good passive isolation from external sound, which translates
into an immersive music listening experience for the user and is expected to drive the
segment.

The bulky size and cost have reduced the popularity of the on-ear and over-ear headphones
in recent years. However, technological advancements in these headphones with features,
like active noise cancellation (ANC) and rich bass signature, make them a preferred choice
among the audiophile community.

The large-sized ear cups allow the manufacturers to equip the headphones with dynamic
and electrostatic sound drivers, resulting in enhanced and clear sound quality.

Companies like Bose Corporation, Sony Corporation, Sennheiser GmbH & Co. KG, and
Skullcandy.com are engaged in improving the design and styling of their headphones by
offering foldable headphones, leather ear cup cushions, and better build quality, which is
expected to keep the headphones trending among the users.
 60

Price Insights

In terms of revenue, the 50 to 100 USD segment dominated the market with a share of
39.2% in 2019. This is attributed to the technological developments in this segment, which
are primarily driven by growing consumer demand for style and high fidelity. Additionally,
short product replacement cycle results in positive impact on the earphone and headphone
adoption.

Rising demand for enhanced sound quality experience, coupled with economic volatility
associated with these devices, is driving the adoption of 50 to 100 USD earphones and
headphones.

The less than 50 USD segment is anticipated to witness significant growth in terms of
volume over the forecast period on account of rising adoption, particularly in the emerging
economies, including India, China, Brazil, and the Middle East.

Wide availability of these products under this price category on e-commerce websites and
retail outlets is likely to boost the segment sales. Additionally, presence of multiple players in
the low range category is expected to drive the segment. Premium brands like
Skullcandy.com, Xiaomi, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Sony Corporation, and JBL are some of the
players offering their products in the low to mid-range price segment.
 61

Technology Insights

In terms of revenue, the wireless segment dominated the market with a share of 76.2% in
2019. This is attributed to the introduction of true wireless earbuds and technological
advancements in Bluetooth connectivity of wireless devices. Wireless earbuds were first
introduced by a company named Bragi, based in Munich, Germany.

Meanwhile, the launch of AirPods from Apple, Inc. in 2016, shifted the momentum entirely
from wired products to wireless products. Besides, local players like boAt, Zebronics India
Pvt. Ltd., Xiaomi, Boult Audio, GoNoise, and Portronics, and MiVi are engaged in offering
wireless earphones at lower prices, which is further expected to drive the segment.

Furthermore, introduction of smart features like voice assistance, gesture recognition, fitness
tracking, and wearing detection for play and pause of music is expected to increase the
adoption of wireless earphones and headphones. Nowadays, wireless earphones and
headphones are also equipped with better Bluetooth technology to facilitate better
connectivity at long distances and enhanced battery life for long hours of listening.

Such advanced features and continuous innovations are anticipated to drive the market for
wireless products. However, wired products are expected to maintain their market share in
future owing to the low price, zero latency, and better audio quality offered by these devices.
 62

Application Insights

In terms of revenue, the music and entertainment segment dominated the market with a
share of 41.6% in 2019. This is attributed to the rising adoption of earphones and
headphones for casual music listening, usage by audiophiles, and listening and creating
sound effects in the music and entertainment industry.

The virtual reality application segment is expected to witness significant growth over the
forecast period owing to the growing adoption of earphones and headphones across the
education, construction, business, and armed forces sectors primarily for training purposes.
For example, in armed forces, the headphones are generally used along with simulators to
provide realistic sound experience during training.
 63

The fitness segment is expected to witness high adoption of wireless earphones, with the
inclusion of fitness trackers and heart rate monitoring in the earphones.

The fitness trackers allow the athletes and individuals to monitor and plan their daily
workout regime, diet, calories burnt, and distance covered.

The heart rate monitoring technology measures the heart rate through the ears and
transmits the beats per minute (BPM) data to the smartphone application,

which can be used to plan the workout. Brands like Bose Corporation, Jabra, Sony
Corporation, and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. have introduced fitness tracking and heart
rate monitoring.
 64

Regional Insights

In terms of revenue, Asia Pacific dominated the market with a share of 29.7% in 2019. This
is attributed to high penetration of smartphones and rising disposable income in the region.
Furthermore, various key business players are investing significantly in China owing to the
emergence of low-cost technology and availability of cheap labor in the region.

However, increasing availability of counterfeit products designed and manufactured,

especially in India, has enabled various key players to establish their manufacturing facilities
in the region, thereby resulting in market growth.

North America held the second largest market share in 2019, followed by Europe. This is
attributed to the already established market, coupled with high technology penetration in
these regions. Companies in this region are focused on investing in R&D and continuous
innovation in product development.

Furthermore, presence of major industry players in the region, such as Apple Inc., Bose
Corporation, GN Store Nord A/S, Harman International Industries, Incorporated, and
Sennheiser GmbH & Co., KG, is expected to drive the market across North America and
Europe.
 65

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market is highly fragmented and is characterized by high competition with the presence
of major global players. These companies particularly focus on enhancing the product quality
by adopting advanced and innovative techniques to enhance their market presence and
expand their geographical reach.

For instance, in September 2018, Skullcandy, Inc. announced the launch of a new wireless
headphone known as Riff Wireless. Riff Wireless headphone is lightweight, includes a
bendable band, and is equipped with Bluetooth and Rapid Charge technology.

Similarly, various key players are increasingly focusing on enhancing their network and
customer base in order to cope with the growing competition from new vendors. For
instance, in September 2018, Beats by Dre announced its merchandising and marketing
partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Through this partnership, Beats by Dre aims to be the official and the only wireless speaker,
headphone, and audio partner for NBA. Some of the prominent players in the earphones and
headphones market are:

Apple Inc.

Bose Corporation

Harman International Industries, Incorporated

Sony Corporation

Sennheiser Electronics GmbH & Co. KG

GN Store Nord A/S

Skullcandy.com
 66

Earphones & Headphones Market Report Scope

Report Attribute

Details

Market size value in 2020

USD 34.8 billion

Revenue forecast in 2027

USD 126.7 billion

Growth Rate

CAGR of 20.3% from 2020 to 2027

Market demand in 2020

514.5 million units

Volume forecast in 2027

1335.7 million units

Growth Rate

CAGR of 14.6% from 2020 to 2027

Base year for estimation

2019

Historical data

2016 - 2018

Forecast period

2020 - 2027
 67

Quantitative units

Volume in million units, Revenue in USD million, and CAGR from 2020 to 2027

Report coverage

Volume and revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and
trends

Segments covered

Product, price, technology, application, region

Regional scope

North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; MEA

Country scope

U.S.; Canada; U.K.; Germany; France; China; India; Japan; Brazil; Mexico

Key companies profiled

Apple Inc.; Sony Corporation; Bose Corporation; Sennheiser Electronics GmbH & Co. KG;
Skullcandy.com; Harman International Industries, Incorporated; GN Store Nord A/S

Customization scope

Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analysts’ working days) with purchase.

Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope.

Pricing and purchase options

Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase
options
 68

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts volume and revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels
and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities from 2016 to 2027 in
each of the sub-segments. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has
segmented the global earphones & headphones market report based on product, price,
technology, application, and region:

Product Outlook (Volume, Million Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

Earphones

Headphones

Price Outlook (Volume, Million Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

Less than 50 USD

Between 50 to 100 USD

Above 100 USD

Technology Outlook (Volume, Million Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

Wired

ANC

Others

Wireless

ANC

Bluetooth

NFMI

Smart headphones

Others

Application Outlook (Volume, Million Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

Fitness/Sports
 69

Gaming

Virtual Reality

Music & Entertainment

Regional Outlook (Volume, Million Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

North America

U.S.

Canada

Europe

U.K.

Germany

France

Asia Pacific

China

India

Japan

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Middle East & Africa

 70

FINDINGS

HOW TO FIND WIRELESS HEADPHONES

Find My Headphones app hides all the technical details of your headphones and uses the
simple Cold, Warmer, Hot approach to track your lost wireless headphones. Using the
Bluetooth signal emitted from your headphones, the app calculates an approximate distance
from you to your headphones or earbuds.

• Launch Find My Headphones.

• Follow the step by step setup instructions (very important).
• Your headphones will show on the Seen Devices screen if they are nearby. Tap on them.
• Walk around slowly. As you move closer to your lost headphones, the tracker will change
from Cold to Warm to Hot.
• When you are about 3-5 feet away from your headphones the tracker will display Hot.
Simple as that. You found your lost wireless headphones!

*Our app relies on Bluetooth signals to track wireless headphones. Your headphones must
be out of the case, powered on, and broadcasting Bluetooth in order to be found. Find My
Headphones has a range of 75-100ft. Headphones and earbuds with a dead battery will not
broadcast Bluetooth and can't be found.*

Find My Headphones will work even if you've already lost your headphones! We recommend
downloading the app as soon as you buy your wireless headphones to find them quicker.
Your battery could run out if you don't act fast!
 71

BENEFITS

• Find your lost AirPods or other headphones in seconds - not days or hours.

• Works even if you lost one earbud. Find My Headphones can find the one lost earbud. To
track the missing one, put the earbud you have in its case so it doesn't broadcast Bluetooth
and interfere with the signal.

• Avoid spending hundreds of dollars replacing your lost wireless headphones.

• Make finding your device fun, not stressful. Find My Headphones uses the Cold, Warm, Hot
game.

• Use this Bluetooth headphones scanner any time you or your friends need to locate lost
wireless headphones.

• Extremely easy to use. Anyone, any age, can navigate the app. Step by step instructions
included.

• Fantastic app support. Contact us if you need help.

 72

FEATURES

• Can locate any missing wireless headphones broadcasting a Bluetooth Low Energy 4.0
signal
• Works indoors and outdoors
• Displays the last time your missing device was seen by our app
• Works with hundreds of wireless headphones, headsets, and speakers from brands like
AirPods, Beats, Bose, Jabra, Jaybird, JBL, Apple
• Extremely user friendly and easy to use. Technical knowledge of your devices not required!

Find My Headphones app can locate all Bluetooth 4.0 wireless headphones, including:
Apple AirPods
Beats Solo 3, Powerbeats 3, BeatsX, Beats Studio, Beats Pill
Bose AE2, Bose Soundlink, Bose SoundSport, Bose Revolve, Bose Color 2
Jabra Move, Jabra Classic, Jabra Storm, Jabra Extreme2, Jabra Mini, Jabra Talk, Jabra
PRO
Jaybird Freedom 1/2/F5, Jaybird X3 Sport, Jaybird Run
JBL Everest Elite/100, E65BTNC, J46BT, T450BT, E45BT, JBL Reflect Countour/Mini

Hurry! Download now to find your lost headphones before the batteries run out!!
 73

CONCLUSION

I think this project might change the future of learning.

I did not get a chance to observe students in class with headphones due to limited resources
and time.

With additional resources I think I would be able to prove my theory that headphones help
kids from being distracted in class. Some teachers thought that the headphones might be a
distraction, but others say they don't.

So maybe they thought that the headphones wouldn't be that much of a distraction. Some
teachers and students thought this might be something worth exploring.

As a kid, I know that a lot of new things are exciting to us and what kid would not want to
have headphones in the classroom? I arrived at this project idea when my mum would try
talk to me with the television on and received no response from me as I was so distracted
and couldn't hear her.

a lot of kids like me have a hard time with that type of distraction. My mum bought a set of
wireless TV receiver headphones that allow you to hear the TV even when the TV is muted.
This gave me the idea that maybe focusing all attention through listening with headphones
would work. I wonder....

I had fun doing this project and would like to see it grow into a bigger project
 74

REFERENCE

from the original on 19 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.

Stanley R. Alten Audio Basics Cengage 2011 ISBN 0-495-91356-1 page 63
"Headphones : The Ultimate buying guide - Hi-fidelity headphones". StereoCompare.
Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
Sullivan, Mark (7 January 2016). "It's True: Apple Will Drop Headphone Jack To Make The
iPhone 7 Slimmer, Says Source". Fast Company. Archived from the original on 2016-08-29.
"Rewind: How the Walkman changed the world . . ". independent.
"A Partial History of Headphones". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
Heffernan, Virginia (7 January 2011). "Against Headphones". The New York Times.
Retrieved 2020-12-27.
Smith, Caspar (30 October 2011). "Now hear this: the history of headphones". The
Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 September 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
"Founded 1958 - World's First SP/3 Stereophone". koss.com. Archived from the original on
13 September 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
"Sony history 1960s". Sony official website. Archived from the original on 2016-02-05.
Description of 3.5mm earphone jack in described model:
"Vintage Sony 1960'S EFM-117J Radio". WorthPoint. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
Arce, Nicole (2020-07-22). "How To Use Two Or More Headphones On PC or Mac
(Wired/Bluetooth) - Headphonesty". Retrieved 29 May 2021.
Hearing conservation manual. Hutchison, Thomas L., Schulz, Theresa Y., Council for
Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation. (Fifth ed.). Milwaukee, WI. 2014. ISBN
978-0-9863038-0-7. OCLC 940449158.
Handbook of clinical audiology. Katz, Jack, Chasin, Marshall, English, Kristina M., 1951-,
Hood, Linda J., Tillery, Kim L. (Seventh ed.). Philadelphia. 2015. ISBN 978-1-4511-9163-9.
OCLC 877024342.
"ANSI/ASA S3.6-2018 - Specification for Audiometers". webstore.ansi.org. Retrieved
2020-11-13.
 75

1. How often do you buy headphones product ?

Once in a week
Several times per month
Several times per half years
Several times per year

2.Do you use any headphones?

Yes
No
Sometimes
Never

3.Which headphones do you prefer ?

Boat rockerz
Bassbuds
Apple airpod
Mi airpod bass

5.Do you like to recommend you're headphone to your friends or family ?

Yes
No
Sometimes
Never

6.does price matter to you ?

Yes
No

7.What is your favourite pattern to headphones?

Wired earphones
Bluetooth (wireless)
Gaming headphone
Other:

8.Since how long have been using your headphone?

Less than six month
 76

More than one years

More than years
9.Will you be using the headphones primarily with ?
Phone
Tablet
Other:

10. When do you use your earphones most?

Fitness
Gaming
Virtual reality
Music entertainment
Other:

11.Please tell us your favourite headphones brand below?

Mi
Boat
iPhone
Option 4

12.Are you satisfy with your headphone ?

Yes
No
Sometimes
Never
 77

BIBLIOGRAPHY

This bibliography is a list of works consulted, derived from both popular and academic
literature. For a comprehensive bibliography of sources cited in our research, please see the
Paper.

Popular Literature
An Introduction to Noise Cancelling Earbuds. Noisecancellingearbuds.net. Retrieved from
http://www.noisecancellingearbuds.net/

Apple, Inc. Apple In-Ear Headphones. Retrieved from http://www.apple.com/ipod/in-ear-

headphones/

Blue, L. (2008). How Bad Are iPods for Your Hearing? Time. Retrieved from
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1827159,00.html

Headphone Basics – Choosing the Right Pair (2005). Practical-Home-Theater-Guide.com.

Retrieved from http://www.practical-home-theater-guide.com/headphones.html

Macur, J. (2007). Rule Jostles Runners Who Race to Their Own Tune. The New York Times.
Retrieved from
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/01/sports/othersports/01marathon.html?_r=1

Taylor, J. (2010). Technology: Alone in a Crowd, High-tech Style. Psychology Today: The
Power of Prime. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-power-
prime/201011/technology-alone-in-crowd-high-tech-style

Using an iPod while Driving: Drexel Professor Studies Impact on Driver Performance (2007).
Physorg.com. Retrieved from http://www.physorg.com/news94144625.html

Academic Literature
Bull, Michael (2000). Sounding Out the City: Personal Stereos and the Management of
Everyday Life. New York: Oxford.

Benoit, M. et al. Engineering Silence: Active Noise Cancellation. Retrieved from

http://www4.ncsu.edu/~rsmith/MA574_S10/silence.pdf

Blesser, B. (2007). The Seductive (Yet Destructive) Appeal of Loud Music. Hearing (Loss)
and Related Issues, Canadian Electroacoustic Community, Montreal, 9.4.

Crane, R. (2005). Social Distance and Loneliness as they Relate to Headphones Used with
Portable Audio Technology. California State University Humboldt.
 78

Hassanein, K., Head, M. (2005/6). “The Impact of Infusing Social Presence in the Web
Interface: An Investigation Across Different Products”. International Journal of Electronic
Commerce (IJEC), 10(2), Winter, 31-55.

Kistler, D.J. & Whiteman, F.L. (1988). Headphone simulation of free-field listening. I:
Stimulus synthesis. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Volume 85, Issue 2, pp.
858-867.

Peng, J., Tao, Z. & Huang, Z. (2006). Risk of Damage to Hearing from Personal Listening
Devices in Young Adults. The Journal of Otolaryngology, Volume 36, Number 3, 2007

Rämö, J. (2009). Evaluation of an Augmented Reality Audio Headset and Mixer. Helsinki
University of Technology.

Sethia, V. (2002). Noise Cancellation in Earphones. Electronic Systems Group, EE Dept, IIT
Bombay.

Walker, B.N. (2005). Evaluation of Bone-Conduction Headsets for Use in Multitalker

Communication Environments. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 49th Annual
Meeting, 2005.