13 Common Earphone Myths Busted!

Last Updated on 19 March, 2023 by Darshan Chana

Earphones are a great way to enjoy your music and audio content on the go. However, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about them that can stop people from enjoying them to their full potential. For instance, some have to worry about potential hearing loss while trying to enjoy their favourite rock song.

Common Earphone Myths

But is that a fact? In this article, I’ll debunk some of the most common earphone myths out there. Once you’re done reading, you can enjoy your music worry-free or get a good upgrade without anything hindering you.

 

Myth 1: The Earphones That Have The Widest Frequency Range Sound Best

The Earphones That Have The Widest Frequency Range Sound Best

The best earphones have a wide frequency range to reproduce sound as accurately as possible. Many people believe that these earphones will have better bass and highs because they cover the entire spectrum of sounds from low to high pitches.

In reality, the frequency range doesn’t have much of an impact on sound quality. The most important factor is the quality of the audio drivers, which determine how accurately sounds are reproduced. So, don’t be fooled by a wide frequency range – it doesn’t mean that the earphones will sound better.

 

Myth 2: Too Much Sweat Can Damage Earphones

Myth: Too Much Sweat Can Damage Earphones

Sweat can indeed damage earphones, but only if they’re not waterproof. If your earphones are sweat-resistant or waterproof, then you don’t have to worry about them getting damaged by sweat. Most of these sweat-resistant earphones are safe to use under light rain, too. You can gauge their resistance by taking a look at the IP rating. So, if you’re a fitness lover and enjoy sports, don’t let this myth stop you from booming blood pumping music in your ears as you work out.

 

Myth 3: All Earphones Can Fit In Every Ear

myth: All Earphones Can Fit In Every Ear

It’s not true that all earphones can fit in every ear. Some earphones are designed to fit smaller ears, while others are designed for larger ears. There are even custom-made earphones specifically designed to fit the individual’s ear size and shape. So, always check if the earphones you get are a good fit for you, or you won’t be able to enjoy them to their full potential. They’ll either keep falling out or worse, the audio will overlap with ambient noise from the outside, ruining your experience.

Recommended Reading: Which are the Best Earbuds in India (2023)? Top 11 Picks

 

Myth 4: Every Noise Cancelling Earphone Is The Same

Every Noise Cancelling Earphone Is The Same

Noise-cancelling earphones work by using tiny microphones to pick up ambient noise. The earphones then create a sound wave that is the exact opposite of the ambient noise. This sound wave is played back through the earphones, which cancels out the original noise. However, not all noise-cancelling earphones are the same. Some are only good at cancelling certain types of noise – like low frequencies – but not others.

Not to mention, there are two different types of noise-cancelling earphones: Passive and Active. Passive noise-cancelling earphones work by using sound-proofing materials to block out ambient noise. On the other hand, active noise-cancelling earphones use digital signal processing to cancel out ambient noise. Before deciding on a pair of noise-cancelling earphones, always consider all these factors.

 

Myth 5: In-Ear Earphones Have Bad Effects On Your Hearing

myth: In-Ear Earphones Have Bad Effects On Your Hearing

This is the most common earphone myth out there, and it’s completely false. In-ear earphones do not have any bad effects on your hearing. In fact, they can actually help improve your hearing because they create a seal between your ear and the earphone. This seal blocks out ambient noise from the outside, which allows you to listen to audio at a lower volume. This is helpful for people with mild or moderate hearing loss, as it can help them hear audio more clearly.

The only way you’ll damage your hearing is if you turn the volume up too high on your earphones when your ears are sealed. So, always be mindful of the volume level and don’t have it cranked up at full blast.

Recommended Reading: Top 9 Best Bluetooth Earphones Under 2000 in India: 2023 Trending

 

Myth 6: Only Expensive Earphones Sound Good

Only Expensive Earphones Sound Good

This is another common earphone myth, and it’s simply not true. There are a lot of great-sounding earphones that are affordable and within reach of most people. In fact, there are even some high-end earphones that sound worse than some mid-priced earphones. That’s because the sound quality of earphones is not solely based on the price. It’s based on various other factors, such as the type and quality of the materials used to construct the earphones and their drivers.

So, don’t be discouraged from buying the best earphones under 2000– they can still sound great! Just make sure to do your research beforehand.

 

Myth 7: Loud Sounds Damage The Earphones Themselves

myth: Loud Sounds Damage The Earphones Themselves

This is another false earphone myth. Even if you do run earphones at loud volumes, you won’t have to worry about damage as long as you avoid keeping the volume up for hours on end. They won’t have any problems producing loud audio for a short while because they’re quite robust and made of durable materials. When you move to the risky volume levels, your device will also alert you most of the time. You can still get pretty loud volume without reaching the alert level, though.

If you’re careful with your earphones, they can last a long time. The only way to truly damage your earphones is by treating them poorly – such as bending the cables or plugging them in and out constantly. So, be gentle with your earphones, and they’ll last a long time.

 

Myth 8: Noise Cancelling Earphones Can Get Rid Of All Noise

myth: Noise Cancelling Earphones Can Get Rid Of All Noise

Noise-cancelling earphones can cancel out a lot of ambient noise, but they won’t get rid of it all. They only cancel out the low frequencies, such as wind and engine noises. They don’t usually affect higher frequencies like the voices of people talking nearby. That’s mostly so you can remain aware of your surroundings and not face any risks to your safety.

Of course, higher-end earphones with active noise cancelling are a different story – they can usually cancel out more ambient noise, and you can modify them as well. If you’re at home, you can set such earphones to fully eliminate ambient noise while setting them to block out less noise when outside to avoid accidents.

Recommended Reading: 9 Best Bluetooth Earphones in India 2023 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

 

Myth 9: Earphones With Multiple Drivers Are Better

myth: Earphones With Multiple Drivers Are Better

In some cases, that can be true as multiple drivers can offer a more balanced and accurate sound. However, that’s not always true. Some earphones with multiple drivers can have poorer sound quality than earphones with a single driver. It depends on the construction of the earphones and how well the drivers are tuned.

Not to mention, the drivers in these earphones might not always be right for your music taste; some can produce certain types of sounds better yet be bad at producing others. So, you should do proper research on earphone drivers before buying any multi-driver earphones.

 

Myth 10: Wire Quality Impacts Sound Quality

myth: Wire Quality Impacts Sound Quality

This myth has some truth to it, as wire quality can impact sound quality. However, the impact is not as significant as you’d think. In most cases, a good-quality wire will only make a small difference in the overall sound quality.

It’s usually not worth spending too much money on upgrading the wire quality of your earphones unless you’re an audiophile, as the difference in sound quality will be minimal. If you’re a casual user, you won’t feel this difference.

 

Myth 11: Gold Plated Connectors Result In Better Audio

myth: Gold Plated Connectors Result In Better Audio

This is another myth that has some truth to it. Gold does have a higher conductivity than other metals, so it can result in better sound quality. However, this only occurs if the gold connectors are good quality and not corroded. If the gold connectors are not well-made, they might not make much of a difference at all in terms of sound quality. So, you should put some time into analyzing the connector if you see a pair of earphones with a gold plated connector. That way, you can make sure that they can truly deliver the sound quality they advertise.

Recommended Reading: 11 Best Earphones Under Rs 1000 in India – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

 

Myth 12: Higher Frequency Range Means Better Audio

myth: Higher Frequency Range Means Better Audio

This is another audio myth that is not always true. Many people believe that the higher frequency range a pair of earphones possesses, the better the audio quality will be. However, this is not always the case. There are some earphones with a higher frequency range that have poorer sound quality than earphones with a lower frequency range. That’s because higher frequencies can be harder to reproduce properly, and if they’re not reproduced well, you’ll hear piercing and tinny sounds.

It really boils down to the construction of the earphones and how well the drivers are tuned. So, don’t just go by what the frequency range says on the box.

 

Myth 13: Some Earphones Come With Cables That Don’t Tangle

Some Earphones Come With Cables That Don't Tangle

This is definitely a myth. There is no such thing as earphones with cables that don’t tangle. All earphones come with cables that tangle; it’s just a matter of how often they tangle. Some people might not experience too much tangling with their earphones, while others might have to fight against the cable every time they want to use their earphones. It can be like that because of how you put your earphones away and how often they’re moved around. If you’re about to buy a pair of wired earphones and want to avoid too much tangling, you can focus on those with firmer cables.

 

Final Word

So, now you know the truth about these common earphone myths. Because of what you’ve read here, you can use your earphones more freely without worrying about bogus claims. And, if you’re actually planning on purchasing a new pair, you can get something that’s genuinely good.

That’s all for now. I’ll get back to you with a lot more cool things you can know about earphones in my next post. Have a nice day!

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