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A speaker amplifier, or “amp” for short, is an electronic device that boosts an audio signal’s power to a level that can be heard through speakers or headphones. Some form of a speaker amp is necessary regardless of whether you’re playing music from a turntable, a laptop, or a CD player. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need to invest in a standalone amp, as many amps these days are built into the speakers themselves.

In this guide, we’ll review the basics of speaker amplification and help you decide if you need an amp for your setup.

To explain the job of a speaker amp within the context of a home audio setup, let’s start with an example of what an audio signal can sound like 

If you play a vinyl record before connecting or turning on your speakers, you’ll notice a faint sound of music emanating from the turntable itself. Sometimes referred to as “needle talk," this sound is actually the vibration of your record player’s stylus as it runs along the record’s groove. Without amplification, this vibration can sound high-pitched and whisper-quiet. Before you can enjoy it as music, it must be converted into an electrical signal and made louder. Much louder.

A speaker amp is the device responsible for boosting — or 

 — this electrical signal so that it can be heard from your speakers as music. Think of an amp as the muscle of your audio setup, taking a weak signal from your audio device and pumping it up to a level that can drive your 

So, the speaker amplifier’s primary job is to increase the volume of your audio. But an amp has other responsibilities, too. It helps to regulate the level of power supplied to your speakers so they don’t get pushed beyond their limits and damaged. An amp can even shape your sound in various ways, from reducing distortion to adjusting the audio signal’s tone and frequency to suit your preferences (a process known as equalization, or EQ).

A speaker amplifier works by taking a weak electrical signal from your musical source — like a turntable or CD player — and increasing its 

. Amplitude is a measurement of a sound wave’s strength, with higher amplitude sound waves creating louder sounds and lower amplitude sound waves creating quieter sounds.

Once the audio signal is amplified, the amp sends it to the speakers. The powered signal then creates vibrations in the speaker cone, which generate sound waves that your ears hear as music.

Most amps come with controls that allow you to fine-tune the sound and adjust the gain, which refers to how much the audio signal is boosted before it’s sent to the speakers. More gain means more volume, but too much gain can distort the sound quality and result in a phenomenon called “clipping,” whereby the tops and bottoms of the sound wave are chopped off because the amp can’t handle the full breadth of the signal. Not only can this sound unpleasant, but it can also damage your speakers by pushing them beyond their maximum capacity.

Fortunately, most high-quality amplifiers have built-in protections to prevent any damage resulting from excessive gain. These amps may limit the amount of power sent to the speakers to avoid issues like overheating and tearing of the speaker cone.

One point to underline here is that, regardless of its type, an amp relies on electricity to work, so it will need to be either plugged into an electrical outlet or powered by a battery.

Amp placed next to a turntable on a shelf

 to listen to music or watch movies with your 

. But if you’re looking for the amp in your home audio setup and can’t find it, there may be a good reason.

While an amp is always a necessary component, it isn’t always a 

 component. Most Sonos speakers, for example, include a built-in amp so they’re ready to play right out of the box. These are called 

, or powered speakers, because they actively generate their own power and don’t require an external amp.

Speakers without built-in amplifiers are commonly referred to as passive speakers. These speaker types are often used in 

, where the speakers are discreetly installed into a room’s walls or ceiling. Passive speakers require power from an external amp, like our WiFi-enabled 

 will largely depend on your audio setup and your willingness to pair your speakers with an external amplifier. A 

 with in-ceiling or in-wall speakers will likely require a separate amp for power. But you can also achieve phenomenally realistic surround sound with, say, a pair of Sonos 

 speakers, each of which includes six class-D digital amplifiers to power your sound experience.

If you’re set on including architectural or outdoor speakers in your home audio system, you’ll need a high-quality amplifier that can deliver enough power for multiroom listening. That’s where 

 can help. With 125 watts per channel, it has more than enough power to produce high volumes with clear, undistorted sound. Whether your goal is a 

 or a smart home with seamless control, Amp is all the amp you’ll ever need.

What Is a Speaker Amplifier (And Do You Need One)?

They say actions speak louder than words, but that’s cold comfort when you’re straining to hear the dialogue on your favorite TV show. Smart, snappy, and (most of all) intelligible dialogue is the backbone of the best films and shows, but the wrong audio setup can make it hard to parse key conversations between characters.

There are a number of ways to tackle this issue, from tweaking your TV’s audio settings to investing in a proper home theater system. We’ve put together a guide with five steps toward improving and upgrading your TV’s sound, so that you’ll never have to settle for subtitles again.

1. Check the audio settings on your streaming service

If the dialogue in your streamed film or TV show sounds muffled, start by checking the audio settings on your streaming service. Though most streaming services can automatically detect and adjust to the audio capabilities of your device, this doesn’t always work as intended.

For example, many Netflix titles support streaming in 

. But you can’t stream surround sound audio through just any old device — you’ll need a system that supports it, too. Netflix isn’t always great at realizing this, and it may default to 5.1 surround sound even when it doesn’t detect an appropriate 5.1 system. This mismatch may result in subpar sound, so always be sure to check that the audio settings on your streaming service match your setup’s capabilities.

Downmixing is usually a fairly precise process, but it can sometimes result in dialogue that sounds a bit garbled or undermixed. As such, it’s best to make sure that your streaming service’s audio settings match your device’s capabilities. The built-in speakers on your laptop or TV may only support stereo output, so chances are you’ll have to upgrade to a 

 before you can enjoy high-quality streamed audio.

Tip: Look for speech-enhanced versions of your favorite titles

Even if there’s nothing technically wrong with your audio levels, you may want to give the dialogue a bit of extra boost. Maybe you’re watching an action movie with massive explosions and hushed dialogue, or maybe your ears are battling with heavy accents.

If so, we have good news: some services, like Amazon Prime, offer speech-enhanced versions of certain content titles. Check to see if there’s one for your favorite show before streaming.

If everything looks good with the audio settings on your streaming service, your next stop should be the settings menu on your TV. This is true even if you aren’t using your TV’s built-in speakers, as the audio output settings on your TV can also be responsible for gumming up the sounds emanating from your home theater setup.

When it comes to muddy and unintelligible dialogue, the lowest frequencies are often the biggest offenders. The same bass frequencies that add a deep, rich oomph to explosions and orchestral soundtracks can make it nearly impossible to decipher what someone is saying. That’s because most human speech actually falls in the midrange of frequencies, and these can be drowned out if the bass is overemphasized.

So, it may well be that the bass frequencies on your TV are set too high. But instead of fine-tuning the individual frequencies, you might want to first try out some different preset audio modes to see if one solves the issue. Many TVs come with audio modes that specifically emphasize the human voice. Look for a setting labeled “Speech” or “Dialogue”; if you can’t find one, try out other presets that increase the midrange frequencies in your TV’s audio.

Some TVs even offer a feature called dynamic range compression, which essentially levels out sound differences so that quiet sounds are louder and louder sounds are quieter. This can make dialogue louder and more intelligible without actually having to turn the volume up on your TV. Sure, a dramatic cymbal crash or explosion may not have the same chest-rumbling effect, but at least you’ll be able to follow along (and avoid complaints from your neighbors).

Family watching TV with white Beam, Sub Mini, and Era 100 pair

Your TV’s speakers can only take you so far. These built-in speakers tend to be quite small and capable of handling only a limited range of frequencies. If your goal is audio with the highest degree of clarity and detail, consider adding a soundbar.

Even from a position directly beneath your TV, a 

 can create multidimensional audio that immerses you in sound as if it’s coming from all directions. Some premium soundbars, like Sonos Arc, feature Dolby Atmos technology that fires sound in all directions, bringing more clarity to dialogue even if it’s merely a whisper.

Short of adding actual surround sound speakers to your 

, a soundbar is the best way to achieve cinematic sound at home. It’s also a great option if you’re limited on space and prefer a setup without the need for hard wiring, as many soundbars are designed to fit right in whether they’re placed atop furniture or mounted on the wall.

If you’re ready to permanently stomp out the problem of unintelligible audio — and add dramatic clarity to every other part of your audio experience — a multi-speaker setup is the logical next step. A soundbar serves as a perfect basis for this type of setup. From there, you can add a pair of rear speakers and a 

, as its name implies, describes an audio setup that immerses you in sound from multiple angles — left, right, front, back, and above. A surround sound system with Dolby Atmos expands this immersive experience even further, firing sounds skyward so that they reflect off the ceiling and come raining down from above. You can achieve a realistic, spatial audio experience with just a soundbar, but nothing beats a 

Man watching TV with a black Arc and Sonos Ace headphones

Of course, investing in an entire home theater system may not be in the cards. Or perhaps you live in a place with neighbors or roommates who won’t take kindly to a full surround sound system. If you’re watching alone, there’s no faster route to crisp, clear dialogue than a pair of good headphones.

This is true even if you do have an existing home theater setup. For example, with 

, you can swap the TV audio from your Sonos soundbar to your headphones for a private surround sound experience. So, if you’ve exhausted your patience with audio settings menus or simply can’t wait to dive into the latest episode of your favorite show, wirelessly connect your headphones and let the dialogue flow.

Isn’t it nice to know you’re not alone? Trouble understanding TV dialogue is a common complaint, and it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re hard of hearing. Every Sonos product is built to achieve stunningly clear audio, and dialogue is no exception. We turned to Oscar-winning sound engineers to help tune our 

, so that even the slightest whisper rings with clarity. And with added features like 

 available in the Sonos app, you’ll never reach for the subtitles button again.

Black Beam placed under a television; black Sub placed on the floor

How to Hear Dialogue Better When Watching TV Shows and Movies

There’s a lot to love about headphones. For starters, nothing is better at blocking out the bustle of a crowded office or subway car. But the right pair of headphones can do much more than that, inviting you into an immersive listening experience where the music seems to be coming from all around you.

Is it possible to love your headphones too much? We’re not here to answer that question, but we do want to shed some light on some more common questions about headphone safety. So, if you’ve ever wondered how loud is “too loud” or if you should limit your daily listening time, you’ve come to the right place.

Bluetooth headphones are widely considered to be safe for general use, and no study to date has linked Bluetooth technology to health risks.

Wireless Bluetooth devices use a type of electromagnetic radiation (EMF) known as radiofrequency radiation (RF). This is the same kind emitted by smartphones, televisions, laptop computers, and many other common consumer electronic devices.

There are two types of RF radiation: ionizing and non-ionizing. Bluetooth radiation is of the non-ionizing variety. The ionizing type — the kind found in X-rays, for example — can pose some health risks with repeated or prolonged exposure. But non-ionizing radiation is generally thought to be harmless to humans.

How long should you wear headphones at a time?

Listening to loud sounds for an extended period of time can damage your hearing. But how loud is too loud? The answer depends on several factors, including not only the 

Let’s apply this to headphones, which typically have an output ranging from 60 decibels (dB) to about 110 dB. Note that the volume bar on your phone or audio device does not directly translate to decibels, but it’s usually safe to assume that 50–60% of the volume meter puts you in the 80–85 dB range.

 from the World Health Organization, you can safely listen to sounds at 100 dB for only 15 minutes a day. Note that we said 

— not just music. So if your commute involves waiting for a screeching subway train (about 100 dB), you should shave a few minutes off your day’s headphone use, especially if you tend to listen at high volumes.

You can expand your listening time by taking a few practical steps, such as giving yourself short listening breaks and using earplugs to reduce the volume of loud environments such as concerts and sporting events.

We mentioned above that this question depends not just on loudness, but also on the duration and frequency of exposure. With that in mind, some volumes can be safely listened to for up to an hour or more, while others can cause hearing loss within a matter of minutes.

 notes that exposure to sounds of 80–85 dBs (about equal to the 50–60% mark on your device’s volume meter) can cause damage to hearing after two hours of exposure. The duration of safe-listening time goes down from there, with sounds of 95 dBs leading to possible hearing damage after 50 minutes, and sounds of 100 dBs (close to max volume) causing possible hearing loss after only 15 minutes.

Most consumer headphones max out at volumes that are quite a bit higher than the 100 dB threshold, so you need to take some care and avoid the temptation to crank it up. If there’s one song you really need to hear in all its glory, we get it — but try to offset this with listening at lower levels, or for shorter durations.

When it comes to loudness, the headphones you choose matter, too.

A good, snug fit goes a long way in blocking out excess noise, so you can clearly hear music at lower volumes. This is especially true if you typically listen to headphones in a noisy or crowded environment, such as on your commute to work. “Snug” shouldn’t mean “uncomfortable,” though. That’s why Sonos Ace headphones come with memory foam ear cushions and an extendable headband.

Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation, like Sonos Ace, also block out external sounds and make it easier to listen at lower volumes without feeling like you’re missing something.

Can headphones cause a dent in your head?

 have spread throughout the online-gaming community. This term describes an arch-shaped divot imprinted into the skull after wearing headphones for hours, days, or even weeks at a time. Here’s the good news: It is 

 that wearing headphones will cause a dent in your head.

If this happens to you, what you’re probably experiencing is simply a dent in your hair or skin caused by a prolonged period of wear. This can happen with any head accessory, and reports of similar indentations are associated with hats, headbands, and even sunglasses. In any case, it should clear up within a few minutes or hours. If you’re experiencing pain, it’s probably a sign that you should adjust the fit of your headphones or try adding some extra padding by wearing a hat or a beanie under them.

This is probably related to the age-old myth that wearing a hat can cause hair loss, and there is no concrete evidence to back it up.

The legality of driving while wearing headphones varies from state to state, and from country to country. And in many places, it’s not as simple as “yes” or “no.” Some U.S. states, for example, ban over-ear headphones but allow using a single earbud. Other states and countries may also have a law against driving with headphones that provides exceptions for those with hearing impairments.

Before getting behind the driver’s seat with headphones, check with your local authorities. The EU maintains an official website where you can review the 

. In the US and in other jurisdictions, you’ll need to contact local authorities to verify the current road rules.

But is driving with headphones a good idea — even if it’s not explicitly illegal? Keep in mind that listening to loud music while driving can impair both your hearing and your attention on the road, and make you more likely to miss important signals. In almost every case, it’s better just to not.

Listening to music at night can help to block out the constant ringing noise associated with tinnitus, while recorded meditations or ambient noise can also get the mind calm and sleep-ready.

It is generally safe to sleep with headphones on, though a few caveats apply:

 If you fall asleep with headphones in, there’s a good chance you’ll have music pumping into your ears for eight hours or more. That’s a fast track to hearing damage if you’re listening at volumes greater than 80–85 dB. As a general rule, set your headphones at the lowest possible volume before drifting off to sleep. And if you’re listening on Spotify, take advantage of the 

 that automatically turns off your music after you’ve fallen asleep. Other streaming services may offer similar features.

Don’t use noise-canceling features at night:

 Even though you’re sleeping, you want to be in a position where you’ll wake up in case of an emergency. If your noise-canceling headphones may lead you to miss an alarm, a ringing phone, or any other noises that may require your attention, be sure to switch the noise-canceling feature off before bedtime.

 Leaving in your in-ear headphones for extended periods of time can be uncomfortable. It can also trap moisture in your ear canal, creating an enclosed environment that’s ripe for infection. Better to go with over-ear headphones or even an external speaker, if possible.

If you follow the simple guidelines outlined in this post and keep the volume at a moderate level that won’t harm your inner ears, there’s nothing stopping you from wearing headphones all day. And there’s no better headphone for immersive, all-day listening than Sonos Ace.

With a custom-designed driver tuned by music-industry leaders, Sonos Ace surrounds you with hyper-realistic, three-dimensional audio wherever you go. And with up to 30 hours of battery life with Active Noise Cancellation enabled, you can sink into your own portable listening universe and stay there for as long as you please.

The Ultimate Guide to Wearing Headphones

If you’re getting ready to buy your next pair of headphones, you might have questions. For example: Where to even start? Advancements in headphone technology have brought game-changing features such as Active Noise Cancellation and lossless audio streaming over Bluetooth. But they’ve also brought a dizzying marketplace of products vying for your listening attention.

Rest assured. Whether you prefer in-ear or over-ear, wired or wireless, there’s a set of headphones out there for you. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential features to consider before making a purchase, from sound quality to battery life to all the bells and whistles your ears just can’t be without.

The first step in choosing new headphones is narrowing it down to a specific type. There are three general types of headphones, classified by how they fit around your ears:

 are distinguished by their large cups, which form a snug seal over the entire ear. These cups typically have some kind of foam or cushioning for comfort and are connected by an adjustable headband.

 fit on top of the ear, though they don’t entirely envelop it. They tend to be more compact than over-ear headphones, though with a less immersive fit and feel.

 sit inside the ear canal, with a fitted tip that molds to the contours of the inner ear. This is the smallest and most portable style, though a good pair won’t compromise on audio quality and features like Active Noise Cancellation.

For more on how to choose the right type for you, check out our guide to 

over-ear vs. on-ear vs. in-ear headphones

Illustration of in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear

The truth is, headphones aren’t typically a one-size-fits-all. You’re likely to prefer different types of headphones for different occasions.

Maybe a pair of sweat-resistant on-ear headphones makes the most sense for your winter morning runs, and a noise-canceling over-ear pair is what you need when traveling. Don’t make the mistake of thinking a single pair can do everything. Though if you’re on a budget, you might want to prioritize a pair that can 

Consider where and how you use headphones the most, and plan accordingly. This will shape the conversation around the features you prioritize. For example, a wired pair might give you better sound quality when hooked up directly to your record player, but a wireless pair will give you more flexibility when dodging commuters on the subway.

Bluetooth and wireless listening has become a major trend in headphones, to the point where most of the headphones you’re considering are likely wireless. But is there ever a case to consider going with a wired connection?

Yes. Wired headphones still have their strong points, as well as their faithful adherents. True audiophiles who do most of their headphone listening at home may prefer a wired pair, which provides a physical connection to an audio device that may help to ensure more consistent sound quality. And wired headphones continue to be a practical solution for plane travel, as they can connect directly to the headphone jack on most in-flight entertainment systems.

Even so, it’s difficult to pass on wireless technology these days — especially when it comes to 

, which offers lossless audio streaming over Bluetooth and an optional wired connection for when you need it.

You might think that headphones’ best feature is their portability. But the right pair can also achieve one of the richest and most intimate sonic experiences around. Is sound quality important to you, but you don’t know how to define it? Start by considering a few key factors:

 is the extent to which your headphones can reproduce sounds across the full range of audible frequencies. Some headphones are tuned to boost the bass; others are so trebly that you barely get anything in the low end. The best option for most people is an evenly balanced, neutral frequency that doesn’t neglect or overemphasize either end of the spectrum.

 is a somewhat technical term referring to how much your headphones “impede” the flow of electric current running from your headphone amplifier. Higher-end headphones tend to introduce more impedance, and may require an additional headphone amplifier. You should check the impedance on a new pair of headphones before buying them, but in general anything under 25–30 ohms shouldn’t present a problem in most cases.

 refers to how much of the audio output signal “leaks” away into the air before making it to your inner ear. Generally speaking, the better the headphone fits around or inside your ear, the less this is a concern. A tighter fit will also allow you to listen to your headphones at a lower decibel output, possibly reducing your risk of hearing loss.

If you’re looking for high-fidelity quality but don’t want to bother with the technical jargon, check out Sonos Ace. We turned to industry-leading producers, engineers, and artists to help tune the custom-designed driver in our new headphones. They delivered with a hyper-realistic sound experience that gives every part of the mix — from the high end to the low end — its proper due. And if you prefer to fine tune your sound even further, you can easily customize the EQ using the Sonos app.

Another, possibly underrated aspect of headphone sound quality is something called noise cancellation. This benefit blocks out ambient noise — office chatter, traffic, the hum of an airplane cabin — that would otherwise muddy the mix in your headphones.

There are two different types of noise cancellation, though they’re not mutually exclusive:

 comes down to sound-proof materials and a snug fit. Some materials are better than others at physically blocking out (or at least dampening) ambient noise. A well-engineered pair of headphones should use these materials.

 is a more technological solution involving tiny built-in microphones and a speaker. These microphones pick up noise from the environment, while the speaker uses this input to generate oppositional soundwaves that effectively cancel out the noise. This is an active feature that must be switched to “on” with most headphone models, hence the name.

, which are kind of the opposite of noise cancellation. They’re designed to 

 you pick up and respond to ambient sounds in the environment, which can come in handy if you’re cycling or walking on busy streets.

An outside soundwave reaches the headphones. Active Noise Cancellation in the headphones layer a soundwave that opposes the outside soundwave, resulting in no noise entering the ear.

If you’re going wireless, battery life will likely be a top consideration. Nobody wants to be stuck on a long commute with dying headphones.

Over-ear headphones tend to hold a longer charge than in-ear headphones, as they can accommodate larger batteries. In-ears, on the other hand, often come with a small electronic case that can help them maintain a charge for longer.

We definitely thought about battery life when designing Sonos Ace, which provides up to 30 hours of continuous playback with Active Noise Cancellation enabled. And you won’t need to charge them for long, as its fast-charging capability gives you up to three hours of additional battery life in just three minutes.

Just like the clothes you wear, the comfort and fit of headphones tends to be subjective.

Some swear by over-ear headphones, which don’t press against the ears and have a nicely padded fit. While others prefer in-ear headphones for their lightweight feel. Comfort is truly in the eye (or ear) of the beholder, so try a few different pairs out before settling on a style.

Woman sitting in a diner listening to white Ace headphones

If you regularly use your headphones for work meetings or personal calls, call clarity is another feature to pay attention to.

Over-ear and on-ear headphones are a better bet in this respect, as their larger profile can fit multiple microphones — one to pick up and correct for ambient sound, and another to tune into the frequencies of the wearer’s voice. These headphones may also be able to position the voice mic closer to the wearer’s mouth, allowing for a clearer signal.

But it isn’t just the microphones that matter. Software can help, too, which is why we’ve outfitted Sonos Ace with enhanced voice targeting that better distinguishes between your voice and other sounds in the environment. Sonos Ace also comes with background noise suppression, which recognizes background noises (like kids playing in the background of a call) and pushes them down in the audio mix.

Many high-end headphones these days aren’t simply listening devices. They’re also mini computers, complete with software that gives the wearer complete control over their listening experience. The built-in software on Sonos Ace, for example, allows for dynamic head tracking that adapts to the position and movement of your head to make your audio sound even more immersive. Combine this with the spatial audio capabilities of Dolby Atmos, and you get a three-dimensional sound experience that puts you at the center of the mix, wherever you are.

As software updates more frequently than you buy a new set of headphones, the brand matters, too. Go with a brand that releases regular updates and automatically installs them, as this can help to improve the longevity and functionality of your device.

Perfect your personal listening experience with Sonos Ace

Headphones are an intensely personal choice, and only you can judge which is the right one for your lifestyle. But we’ve been dropping hints about the capabilities of Sonos Ace throughout this guide, and that’s because we truly think it’s a game-changing product.

, you’ll enjoy lossless audio streaming over Bluetooth and USB-C, plus connectivity with Sonos home theater and up to 30 hours of battery life with Active Noise Cancellation. That all adds up to a pristine sonic experience whether you’re at home, on the go, or anywhere else in the world.

Things To Consider When Choosing New Headphones

Before you rush into buying your next pair of headphones, consider which type best suits your lifestyle.

Headphones generally fall into three groups based on their shape and fit. 

 form a cup-like seal over the entire ear,

 fit directly inside the ear canal. Each style has its fans — but if you’re undecided and looking for a clear comparison of over-ear vs. on-ear vs. in-ear headphones, you’ve come to the right place.

The first thing you’ll notice about your headphones probably isn’t what they sound or even feel like. It’s what they 

 like. But looks and sound often go hand-in-hand, and the shape of your headphones often influences their comfort level and audio performance. To learn the basics of how style and substance interact here, let’s have a look at the three types of headphones and their features.

Illustration demonstrating the ear coverage of an over-ear headphone

Over-ear headphones are designed with large cups that form a seal around each ear. These cups are typically padded for comfort and connected by an adjustable headband that sits atop the scalp.

The over-ear design has some distinct advantages. The sheer size of over-ears can usually accommodate larger drivers, which can generate deeper bass and a more expansive, three-dimensional soundstage. But bigger isn’t always better. Some listeners may find over-ear headphones impractical for, say, a sweaty workout.

Illustration demonstrating the ear coverage of an on-ear headphone

On-ear headphones occupy a somewhat awkward niche between their bigger (over-ear) and smaller (in-ear) siblings. These headphones sit directly on the ear, and they’re usually padded enough to ensure a moderately comfortable fit.

With its smaller ear cups, the on-ear design splits the difference between comfort and practicality. It may not offer the most immersive sound quality or the most portable experience, but a good pair of on-ear headphones can perform well in a variety of situations.

Illustration demonstrating the ear coverage of an in-ear headphone

In-ear headphones are designed to be inserted directly into the ear canal, with a fitted earbud tip that molds to the contours of the inner ear. But not all in-ear headphones form such a tight seal. A subtype known as concha headphones (or simply “earbuds”) sits at the ear canal’s entrance, which leaks more sound but also puts less pressure on the ear.

The best in-ear headphones can be as capable of blocking outside noise as over-ear headphones, especially with Active Noise Cancellation enabled. Though most people who care about sound quality should probably start with over-ear options, you can technically achieve a high-fidelity audio experience with any headphone type.

What's the difference between on-ear vs. over-ear vs. in-ear?

So, how to choose? That deceptively simple question begs a few others:

Do you care more about audio quality or headphone size?

Are you listening more at home or on the go?

Do you want to shut the world out or stay aware of ambient noise?

How you answer these questions will determine which headphone type is “best” for you, but we’ve made it easy by ranking the options in each major category.

When evaluating audio quality in headphones, we’re looking at a few different things. The first is 

, or how much sound escapes before reaching the eardrum. Another is 

, or the extent to which the headphones can reproduce the full range of audible frequencies, from squealing treble to rumbling bass.

Though you can achieve a high-fidelity experience with all three types of headphones, over-ear headphones tend to better address these criteria. Their bigger footprint can accommodate a driver capable of producing a richer and more sonically expansive experience, as is the case with the custom-designed driver in 

What Is a Speaker Amplifier (And Do You Need One)?

How to Hear Dialogue Better When Watching TV Shows and Movies

The Ultimate Guide to Wearing Headphones

Things To Consider When Choosing New Headphones

Which Is Best: Over-Ear vs. On-Ear vs. In-Ear Headphones

How Do Noise-Canceling Headphones Work?

Active vs. Passive Speakers: Which Is Best For Your Home?

What Is Phase on a Subwoofer (And How to Adjust It)

5.1 vs 7.1 Surround Sound: What's the Difference?

The Beginner's Guide to Surround Sound

How to Get 5.1 and 7.1 Surround Sound with Your Sonos System

What Is a DAC (And Do You Need It for Home Audio)?

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