Listen, music aficionados! Wired headphones may not be in fashion these days but they are decidedly better in sound quality than their modern wireless versions.
This assessment was made by an expert panel in a joint international test conducted by the ICRT (International Consumer Research and Testing) of which the Consumer Council is a member.
A total of 22 wired (14) and wireless (8) headphone models were tested for their acoustic and other performances, and ease of use.
It turned out that in the overall rating on a scale of 5, the two samples achieving the highest rating of 4.5 were both wired models.
This was followed by seven other wired models with a score of 4. Only one wireless model was able to score a rating of 4.
At the lowest end of the score were one wired and three wireless models all of which received a rating of 3.
Further, the test indicates that price is not necessarily a reliable indicator of quality. In fact one of the top performers was priced at a modest $180, and the other at $1,540.
The most expensive model, a wireless infrared priced at $2,550, was among the lowest rating of 3 (though the test did not cover all the features which this model claims to possess). The cheapest model, a wired sample at a mere $90, did slightly better with a score of 3.5.
According to the test, wired headphones are generally louder and less corrupted with noise. They are also more capable of delivering loud music without much distortion.
In the case of wireless headphones, the test found the infrared type (IR) to be operable in a small vicinity whereas the radio frequency type (RF) was found to be operable up to over 100 m and a range of two floors from the transmitter.
Consequently, RF headphones could be more vulnerable to interference from similar models in the neighbourhood. Thus usually two or three selectable channels are available for RF headphones to reduce the effect of interference.
Past research by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) has shown that listeners tend to increase the volume in order to gain the same level of satisfaction as they would have listening to the same music with open loudspeakers.
Headphone users are, therefore, advised to be wary of the potential risk of permanent damage to their auditory system under prolonged enjoyment of loud music.
In view of the potential hazard, parents should ensure the volume of music their young children listen to via headphones be kept at an appropriate level.
Further, as a matter of safety, keep the volume of the music low if you are listening to it on the streets so as to stay alert to the siren of any approaching vehicle.
Meanwhile, 13 models of DECT cordless phones were put to a test for evaluation and comparison of their electrical safety and performance.
All models passed the safety test with satisfactory result. But they varied rather substantially in terms of coverage, versatility and ease of use.
The Consumer Council reserves all its right (including copyright) in respect of CHOICE Magazine and Online CHOICE ( https://echoice.consumer.org.hk/ ).