Discover how laboratory testing guarantees top-notch sound, safety, and durability in headphones
Back-to-school sales are appearing all over stores, which means the hunt for the perfect headphones begins. Whether you need them for studying, entertainment, or work, headphones are a small, yet essential, device in our daily lives.
But with so many different types and brands of headphones available, it can be tough to know what products are reliable and will meet your needs. Laboratory testing helps ensure headphones deliver excellent performance, total safety, and a seamless fit for your lifestyle.
Students: Learning and Focus
Good headphones are not just accessories for students; they are tools for enhancing learning experiences. Students need to hear every word of their online lecture or block out study distractions with their favorite songs—poor audio quality can interfere with both aims.
Features such as immersive sound quality and ensuring the devices withstand the hustle and bustle of a busy schedule are ensured through necessary laboratory testing.
When a headphone goes through acoustic testing, laboratories can assess a device’s performance compared with regulatory standards. That is helping consumers minimize missed messaging or distractions generated by bad audio. Laboratories can also measure a device’s accuracy in reproducing sound, focusing on acoustic features like frequency and sensitivity.
Professionals: Work Performance
Noise isolation and cancellation is an important feature for both students and professionals working in crowded areas. Noise-canceling functions typically reduce noise in the low-frequency band such as trains, airplanes, and engine noise, and require extensive testing and development.
Workers are also even more likely to wear headphones for extended periods, making comfort and fit testing particularly relevant. While comfort is subjective, weight, padding, headband tension, and frame tightness tend to influence how comfortable over-ear or on-ear headphones are for users, especially over long listening sessions, according to RTINGS.com.
Parents: Safety and Quality
Parents purchasing headphones for their children want to ensure both safety and value for money. Because headphones are a daily companion for children and adults, undergoing durability testing is a must.
A laboratory test can simulate daily wear and tear events, including folding, bending, stepping on, and dropping the device. Headphones that test well are less likely to suffer premature wear and tear, providing better reliability and resistance to everyday use.
Headphone Testing and Standards
Laboratory testing and standards help ensure the devices will work as intended. Developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the IEC 60268-7 Ed. 3.0 en:2010 standard provides guidelines for testing headphones and earphones. It ensures that these audio devices are evaluated consistently and accurately for their acoustic, electrical, and mechanical characteristics.
Notably, companies such as Underwriter Laboratories Solutions (UL Solutions) have taken steps to establish a set of strict standards regulating electronic and electrical devices.
While compliance with these standards remains voluntary for manufacturers and importers, the presence of a UL certification mark serves as proof of adherence to these benchmarks.
When researching headphones, look for devices that have been rigorously tested and meet industry standards, with transparent safety certification and other documentation. Checking reviews can provide additional insights into a product’s performance and safety.
Choosing the Right Pair for You
Headphones are so much more than just listening devices. Every behind-the-scenes test is important to ensure that your headphones give more than just noise.
So, whether you need headphones for school, work, or even around the house, remember that a good pair of headphones has been tested to meet safety standards and deliver the best audio to your ears.
Contact Laboratory Can Help You
Contract Laboratory can help your company with all types of audio equipment testing by connecting you with our network of certified testing labs. Submit a free test request on our website or call us toll-free at 1-855-377-6821.
See more headphone and audio equipment test requests here.
