Why Do Headphones Sound Different? (Solved!)

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Headphones are usually pairs of small loudspeaker drivers. Currently, many headphones are wireless. However, some headphones are connected to the devices using jack pins. 

In some cases, one will find that while using Headphones, they give different sounds. Have you ever wondered why it is that way? To get more information about this, keep reading this article as it contains more information about the possible reasons and mitigation strategies.

Damaged Wire

The wire connecting your device and the headphone is very critical in transmitting sound to the headphone. The wire needs to be well connected to your device. 

However, you might find yourself in situations whereby the wire is well connected, but the sound is not as straightforward as you expected. The cause could be internal, and your wire might have been damaged, thus making the audio source unable to transmit sound to your headphones.

If this is the case, you might have no choice but to replace it.

Overpowered Speakers

Every speaker has got its designed limit on volume. If you are using a device with a larger power amp rating than your headphone, automatically, this will affect the sound being produced. 

One must put a lot of consideration into the devices they are using before connecting them to the headphones. The power amp is always indicated on your device manual whenever you buy it.  

If your audio source has a higher power amp than your headphones, you can be sure it will not last long before it gets destroyed.

As a user, you must know the guidelines for handling your device to avoid repair costs.

Wireless Connection Issues

This is a problem that arises mainly with BlueTooth headphones. You might find that your headphones start producing different sounds abruptly due to wireless connection issues. 

This can arise when your existing settings do not match the ones on your headphones. You must ensure that all settings match before making your connection.

On the other hand, there are situations whereby you might have multiple BlueTooth devices turned on. Your headphone may lose connection to the suitable device hence the hindrance. For this reason, one must therefore avoid turning on BlueTooth for multiple devices.

Moisture Damage

Electronic devices should be kept in a cool, dry place. Headphones are of no exemption. They might end up rusting on the terminals, thus affecting sound transmission. You must maintain your headphones well to avoid extra repair and replacement costs. Keep the headphone in dry places.

Accumulated Debris

Your headphone’s durability is affected by maintenance. Debris can be considered dust. Debris usually occurs as a result of the remains of particles. Headphones should be kept clean in a dust-free area. 

This can hinder proper sound transmission because the headphones have speakers with pores, and debris can block such speakers. If such happens, You might need urgent cleaning of your headphones lest they get destroyed, and you forget about it.

Audio Source Issues

There are instances where your headphone might be in good condition, but the audio source is the one causing a difference in sound. 

To notice this, a user might try to use a different audio source to determine whether the problem persists. If it doesn’t, then the source of audio is the one having trouble, and it might need a solution for you to enjoy your music.

Use of Wrong Jack

In most cases, devices differ with the number of jack ports the same as speakers. First and foremost, if you have headphones with a di-jack pin, you should consider using a source device with two ports that fit the headphones. 

While purchasing any headphones, consider one that matches your audio source. You will find that it is only one speaker that is functioning. If a headphone with two pins is inserted into a device with one port, this will cause an imbalance in sound transmission. 

Furthermore, we recommend testing headphones at your respective electronic shops to ensure they function on your device. 

Lack of Enough Ventilation On The Mesh

When obstacles such as earwax and dirt get in the mesh of your headphones, they interfere with sound transmission, thus causing imbalance.

One must handle every electronic device with care. You must always ensure you clean your headphones. However, one must take precautions while cleaning it, don’t blast air in since this can make the dust go deeper inside the headphones, thus causing more damage.

Aging Components of a Device

Headphones are not an exception. As they stay longer, some components get damaged, thus interfering with sound transmission. This damage can result in lifetime destruction of the headphone affected. The only corrective measure here is a replacement.

Poor Connection of Wires

Sound is transmitted evenly with a good connection of wires. Interference of cables can affect the transmission of voices. 

While using your headphones, you must ensure that the wires connecting your headphone and the audio device are correctly put in their required ports to facilitate effective sound transmission.

You should also ensure that the wire being used is in good condition.

Distance From The Audio Source

As it affects Bluetooth headphones, you can’t move further than 100 meters. The speaker’s sounds lose balance when you get past the recommended circle. 

It is, therefore, recommendable that the user revolves within a radius of 100 meters or within any prescribed distance as indicated on your BlueTooth headphone manual.

Physical Barriers

Have you ever had a BlueTooth headphone that, when linked with your audio source, can’t go past any wall since it will affect the sound transmission? That is not a new thing. This is what typically happens with most devices. 

The physical barriers, such as walls, interfere with waves, thus obstructing transmission. We highly recommend that if you encounter such problems, the solution is to keep your audio device next to your headphones and avoid physical barriers.

Use of Outdated Drivers

Many ask themselves, “How do outdated speakers affect sound quality?”

Well, that is why we are here for you. Any electronic device has a driver that runs its operations, so it needs to be updated. 

The driver of your audio source should match that of your headphone in terms of update. This will help improve the quality of sound. If this is not considered, you can expect poor sound quality or no sound if the problem persists.

Low Power

You might find an instance where headphones require more power than your audio source device. In this case, connecting your headphones to a low-power audio source might result in poor sound quality.

Since headphones are power efficient, one must ensure the source device is charged well to work correctly.

Bluetooth headphones are wireless and thus require power. In this regard, you must ensure they are fully charged before using them. 

Conclusion

In summary, the above are just some reasons a headphone may sound different. Some causes have mitigation strategies, as indicated, but some cause destruction. Thus, the only mitigation strategy for destroyed headphones is a replacement. As a good user, you should take note of the issues mentioned earlier and their respective corrective measures to save on the replacement cost.