If you’re looking for headphones that let you hear your surroundings, then there are many options available. It’s important to be able to hear what’s going on around you when using headphones and not just sit in a bubble of your own sound.
Why is it important? Well, it could help with safety. You might want to know if someone is approaching from behind or coming up from the side so that you can move out of the way. In this article, we will explore why hearing ambient sounds is an essential part of using headphones as well as some disadvantages and benefits of doing so.
Why are noise-canceling headphones so popular?
Well, that’s because they block out ambient noise so you can hear only the sound coming from your music device. If you want to focus on your work or study, noise-canceling headphones are great.
If you’re listening to music in noisy environments, noise-canceling headphones are great too. If you have never tested noise-canceling headphones then you might be surprised at how loud the ambient noise is that they block out.
Why would you want to hear ambient sounds then?
Blocking out background noises is beneficial in some cases but there are also disadvantages to this approach. Listening to your environment gives you a sense of awareness and allows for situational awareness which helps us stay safe by allowing us time to react if something happens around us.
Ambient sounds headphones allow you not just to listen more carefully but even actually be able to hear certain things better at times than with regular headphones or earbuds.
A few examples where you want to hear your surroundings are while jogging, biking, at the gym, or in crowded places. Most headphones block ambient sound completely but there are some exceptions to this rule that make sure you hear what’s going on around you!
Another example is when you’re listening to something but someone is talking to you. With traditional headphones, it can be annoying or rude if you don’t take them off but with ambient sound-capable ones, the person speaking will know that you are listening and they’ll try not to disturb your music while still being able to talk!
The most important thing about these types of headphones is allowing some outside noise in without taking away from the quality of what’s going on inside.
Noise-canceling vs. ambient sound headphones
Noise-canceling technology works by using microphones on each ear cup to sense outside noise, then they create inverse waves which cancel out the unwanted sounds – pretty cool right? This feature is great for blocking background noises when you want to focus but there’s a downside…
…noise-canceling headphones don’t allow you to hear your surroundings and that can be dangerous.
That is where ambient sound headphones come in! These types of headphones let you listen to music but also hear what’s going on around you without having any microphones built into the unit itself. But there are other alternatives as well, so let’s go over each one and explain how it works.
Types of headphones that let you hear your surroundings
There are different types of headphones that let you hear your surroundings.
Open-back headphones
Open-back headphones allow airflow through the headphone which helps prevent excessive buildup of heat and moisture around your ear but it also lets ambient sounds in too! Open back headphones are popular for some gamers. They provide a more natural listening experience by recreating an open environment with a sound that feels more balanced, clear, and realistic.
The downside to these types of headphones is that they’re not good for blocking outside noise – especially if you want to listen to higher volumes since this can lead to leaking which means everyone will be able to hear what’s going on inside. Additionally, most people find them uncomfortable or heavy after wearing them for long periods because air needs somewhere to escape from so the pressure increases against the head which can become uncomfortable.
A few popular open-back headphones are the Philips SHP9600:
- All new Philips SHP9600 with the perfect blend of performance, comfort, and quality
- Open-back design with spacious sound. Ideal for listening to your favorite music everyday at home
- Perfectly tuned 50 mm drivers deliver crisp bass, balanced midrange, and prstine high frequencies.
- The drivers are engineered to fit the ears natural geometry, ensure no detail is lost.
- Superb comfort and durability. The headband is reinforced with durable steel, which adds just the right amount of tension for a secure fit. The double-layered headband cushion adds real comfort, and the breathable ear-cup cushions are perfect for long listening sessions.
- Connect to any source. From phone to headphone amp with the included 3.5mm gold-plated jacks on the 3 meters long detachable cable. (1/4 inch to 3.5mm adapter included)
- Technical specifications: Open acoustic system | Neodymium magnet type | 32 Ohm impedance | 200 mW maximum power input | 101 dB sensitivity | 12 - 35,000 Hz frequency response
- Wireless communication technology: Bluetooth
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And the Sennheiser HD 599 SE:
- Open back, around ear design. Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Powered by proprietary Sennheiser 38 millimeter, 50 ohm transducers
- Soft, replaceable ear pads for enhanced comfort
- Robust 3 meter detachable cable and 6.3 millimeter j
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Even the Audio Technica ATH AD700X headphones are a great choice from one of the best brands:
- 53 mm drivers reproduce clear treble and midrange. Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Bobbin-wound CCAW voice coils for superior power handling. Impedance: 38 ohms
- Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW . Full open-air type headphones produce no sense of pressure on the ears, resulting in a completely natural sensation
- Lightweight aluminum honeycomb casing with excellent acoustic properties
- Self-adjusting 3D Wing Support provides a comfortable listening experience; total ear-fit design minimizes pressure. Maximum Input Power: 700 mW
- Frequency Response - 20 – 20, 000 Hz and Impedance - 45 ohms
- Connector Type: 3.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Open ear headphones
Another type of headphone that lets you hear your surroundings are open-ear headphones. This type of headphones don’t block or cover your ears at all – they just sit on top of them! They also don’t have ear cups that seal around your ears either which means sound can escape and ambient noise is able to come in easily. If you prefer earbuds instead of headphones, this is your best choice.
They’re typically made from lightweight materials such as plastic, metal, or even wood for a more natural feel against the skin. However, you won’t get much passive noise-cancellation with these types of headphones since their open structure doesn’t block outside sounds very well.
Open ear headphones are popular amongst musicians or people who want to be able to hear what’s going on around them while still being aware of their surroundings, such as joggers, people who do outdoor work, and so on.
Many open-ear headphones work with bone conduction technology. This feature uses the vibration of sound to “transfer” audio through your cheekbones to create an immersive listening experience. It’s great for people who want to hear what’s going on around them but still enjoy music or audiobooks!
Some of the designs even look like glasses or sunglasses which is pretty cool!
Some of the most popular open-ear headphones are the Bose Sport Open Earbuds.
Or if you’re looking for something casual, try the Amazon Echo Frames (2nd gen).
Headphones with ambient sound technology
There are other types of headphones that let you hear your surroundings as well, such as ones with ambient sound technology built in. These units have microphones so they can pick up outside noise levels and adjust accordingly, but instead of blocking sounds as it happens with noise-canceling headphones, ambient sound technology plays it back to you through the headphones so you can hear everything around you as if they weren’t even there.
Similar to the technology found on those audio devices for people who can’t hear well, ambient sound technology serves a similar purpose, but they’re made for listening to music.
In our opinion, these types of headphones are better for people who want to be able to listen and interact with their surroundings without having any music or audiobooks playing in the background at all times. This feature is great for runners, cyclists, construction workers on a break – basically anyone who needs to know what’s going on around them while also listening to music!
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are the industry leaders in terms of small cancelation but they also have ambient sound mode. You can’t go wrong with them:
- Industry-leading noise canceling with Dual Noise Sensor technology
- Next-level music with Edge-AI, co-developed with Sony Music Studios Tokyo
- Up to 30-hour battery life with quick charging (10 min charge for 5 hours of playback)
- Touch Sensor controls to pause play skip tracks, control volume, activate your voice assistant, and answer phone calls
- Speak-to-chat technology automatically reduces volume during conversations
- Superior call quality with precise voice pickup
- Wearing detection pauses playback when headphones are removed
- Seamless multiple-device pairing
- Adaptive Sound Control provides a personalized listening experience
- Updated design relieves pressure for long-lasting comf
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A more affordable option is the Galaxy Buds Pro:
- Intelligent Active Noise Cancellation: Escape and tune in to your own moment of Zen — all with a single tap; Answer calls and instantly switch to talking with voice detection and let in the sounds that matter most with 4 ambient levels
- High Quality Sound: Relive the memories of every beat of your favorite song with an 11-mm woofer and 6.5-mm tweeter built into every ear bud. Earbud Dimension (W x H x D)-0.81 x 0.77 x 0.82 inches. Case Dimension (W x H x D)-1.97 x 1.98 x 1.09 inches
- Water Resistant Workouts: Water won’t ruin your workout; Your IPX7 water-resistant Galaxy Buds Pro can keep the beat going even with a little rain; They’re even protected for immersion up to 3 feet deep for a half-hour
- Crystal Clear Calls: No matter where you are, stay connected whether you’re owning that virtual meeting or catching up with a friend; Our new design reduces background noise, so your voice comes through loud and clear.
- Long Lasting Battery Life: Get the juice you need to jam for hours; Wireless charging case is included, and you can also share your phone’s battery by placing your earbuds on the back of your compatible Galaxy device for on-the-go charging
- Touch Music Control: Control your playlist without reaching in your pocket; Skip songs, launch music and answer calls simply by tapping your buds, so you can stay in the mom
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Apple AirPods Pro with transparency mode
In addition to open-ear headphones and ambient sound technology, there are also some wireless earbuds that emulate this type of experience as well. The AirPods Pro from Apple come with a new transparency mode for which is basically the company’s version of ambient sound technology – it lets you hear your surroundings even while using them wirelessly!
It works by using the microphone on one of the buds and processing sounds through an algorithm so they can be heard clearly in real-time. It doesn’t work every single time but when it does process things correctly, people say they’re very impressed with its accuracy and ability to pick up voices across large spaces such as those found at airports or train stations where there are lots going on!
The only drawback of the AirPods Pro comes in its design. If they fit you well, they’re actually pretty comfortable and fit nicely in the ear, but if they don’t you may experience some discomfort after using them for a while or they’ll simply fall out of your ears, which sucks.
That said, they’re definitely worth checking out if you need earbuds that let you hear your surroundings. We think the transparency mode is pretty cool and makes these headphones perfect for runners or cyclists who want to be aware of their environment while listening to music at the same time!
Here are the AirPods Pro available at Amazon. You can get a renewed pair now for around $170:
- Active noise cancellation for immersive sound
- Transparency mode for hearing and connecting with the world around you
- Three sizes of soft, tapered silicone tips for a customizable fit
- Sweat and water resistant
- Adaptive EQ automatically tunes music to the shape of your
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Wrapping it up – Headphones that let you hear your surroundings are a good thing
There you have it – headphones that let you hear your surroundings in all their different types!
Open-ear headphones are great for people who want to be able to interact with the environment around them, ambient sound technology is perfect for music lovers who need to know what’s going on around them but don’t want silence when listening, and lastly, there are wireless earbuds like Apple AirPods Pro which emulate this type of experience. Pick one that suits your needs best and enjoy hearing everything around you even while using headphones!