Enjoy Entertainment Without the Wires

BY NICOLE DIGIOSE

Having the wires from your headphones dangle onto your shoulders as you're working on a project can be inconvenient. With wireless headphones, you can listen to your favorite tunes without the hassle of a cord slowing down your productivity.

Wireless headphones contain small speakers, are usually battery operated, and are able to receive signals via a short-distance transmission link. They also have the option to use several wireless transmission technologies, like FM, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. So, not only are wireless headphones convenient, they're useful in different ways. They can be used for remote monitoring, CD and DVD players, home theaters, personal computers, and portable devices like mp3 players and mobile phones. With wireless headphones, you can enjoy all of these possibilities without being tethered to your equipment.

Wireless headphones. Image via amazon.com

How do wireless headphones work?

There are two major methods of transmission for wireless headphones: infrared (IF) and radio frequency (RF).

Both types of wireless technology implement a transmitter and receiver system. The transmitter connects to the audio source, while the receiver is built-in to the wireless headphones.

Devices using an infrared beam transmit sound from the base unit to the headphones, similar to the way a remote control works with a TV. Like a remote control with a TV, the range is limited. Though these kinds of headphones don't work their best while you're wandering around, they're perfect for watching a favorite show or movie.

If you're planning on walking throughout the house with your headphones on, a device using radio frequency is the one to use, since it uses a radio signal. Because it's FM rather than digital, it works just like a radio would, just on a different frequency.

Wireless headphones block diagram

Different kinds of wireless headphones

There are three categories of wireless headphones, depending on how they interact with your ears.

Circumaural headphones, or full size headphones, have circular earpads that surround the entire ear. They can be designed to form a full seal against the head to decrease unwanted external noise. Though they're big, they're usually quite comfortable.

Supra-aural headphones have pads that sit on the ears instead of around them. They're smaller and lighter than circumaural headphones, so they provide less reduction of outside noise.

Lastly, we have earbuds or earphones. These are much smaller, and are placed right outside the ear canal, but don't fully cover it. These common types of wireless headphones are favored due to their low cost, small size, and convenience.

For more information on wireless headphones, or to view Mouser's product list of wireless headphone parts, such as boost converters, headphone amplifiers, and wireless transceivers, click here.