By Freya Hoare
For those who aren’t participating in the recent resurgence of vinyl, and instead choose to indulge in streaming platforms like Spotify; if they don’t want to be annoying on public transport, headphones or earbuds are a must.
A resurgence in wireless Bluetooth headphones and earbuds has happened over the last decade. Many young people are beginning to trail back to the origins of wired headphones. Their choices can be down to how affordable and accessible these things are to obtain, and less on the actual sound quality.
Wires are chic now?
Young people have begun to prefer wired headphones due to the aesthetic of them. A wire is shockingly considered chic and effortless by influencers who also use them for their microphone. Wired headphones have a simplicity to them due to the lack of the incessant charging that wireless headphones need.
Barista and music fan Alicia Crane said: “They both have their pros and cons but I prefer wireless headphones due to their convenience of not having a wire, but the idea of charging them is a hassle. I am looking to buy a pair of wired headphones for plane journeys so I don’t have to worry about my wireless headphones falling out and getting lost when I sleep, because that has happened.”
Wireless headphones, which sound like a good idea due to not having to worry about the wires dangling from each ear, can actually be a hindrance. Connectivity issues with the Bluetooth which allow the headphones to actually connect to a device can prove to do more harm than good especially if the headphones have had prolonged use.
How Much?
On the other hand, many users of wired headphones and earbuds say there is a difference in the quality of streaming. While they can be accessible for young people and are seen as a cheaper alternative, the Sony WF-1000XM6 retail for £249. These are highly regarded as the best overall according to What Hi-Fi due to the incredible audio quality sound and the noise cancelling feature.
Terry Buchanan, a long time audiophile, said “I have tried everything from cheap headphones to the £599 Audio-Technica over ear headphones at Hi-Fi shows and you can really tell the difference. When I listen to music through headphones, which is rarely now as I prefer to use my speakers I look for a way to replicate the sound quality between headphones and speakers and unfortunately the more you pay, the easier it is to replicate.”
Ultimately, between generations as always there is a difference between the consumers. However, with young people preferring trends and practicality over sound quality, it is easy to say that, whatever the price point, wired headphones are making a comeback.
A discussion with music journalists Freya Hoare and Izzy Hurcum about which headphones are better.
