Head phones (earphones)
2008-08-18

                                               

                                            Head phones   (earphones)

Headphones (also known as earphones, earbuds, stereophones, headsets, Handsfree phones or by the slang term cans or face plugs) are a pair of small loudspeakers, or less commonly a single speaker, with a way of holding them close to a user's ears and a means of connecting them to a stereophonic, monophonic or binaural audio-frequency signal source such as an audio amplifier, radio or CD player. In the context of telecommunication, the term headset is used to describe a combination of headphone and microphone used for two-way communication, for example with a telephone. There are many different types of headphone designs, with the listening situation and the needs of the listener determining what type of headphone will be used. Generally, headphone form factors can be divided into four separate categories: Circumaural, supra-aural, earbud, and in-ear.

Circumaural Circumaural headphones have circular or ellipsoid earpads that fit around the ears. This type of headphone is commonly used in recording studios and among audio enthusiasts.

Supra-aural Supra-aural headphones have pads that sit on top of the ears, rather than around them. They were commonly bundled with personal stereos during the 1980s.

Earbuds Earbuds are headphones of a smaller size that are placed directly outside of the ear canal, but without fully enveloping it. They are generally inexpensive and are favored for their portability and convenience. However, due to their inability to provide isolation, they are not capable of delivering the same dynamic range offered by many full-sized headphones and canalphones for a given volume level. As a result, they are often used at higher volumes in order to drown out noise from the user's surroundings, which increases the risk of hearing-loss. During the 1990s and 2000s, earbuds became a common type bundled with personal music devices.

In-ear Canalphones, also called In-ear monitors, are inserted directly into the ear canal. Canalphones, offer portability similar to earbuds, and also act as earplugs to block out environmental noise. There are two main types of IEMs: universal and custom. Universal canalphones provide one or more stock sleeve size(s) to fit various ear canals, which are commonly made out of silicone rubber, elastomer, or foam, for noise isolation. Universal canalphones are typically marketed to casual listeners and are relatively inexpensive. Custom canalphones are fitted to individuals. Castings of the ear canals are made, usually by an audiologist. The manufacturer uses the castings to create custom-molded silicone rubber or elastomer plugs that provide added comfort and noise isolation. Because of the individualized labor involved, custom IEMs are more expensive than universal IEMs.

China Earphone Market Competition As wide applications of PC, MP3 player and portable game players, there is a rapid increase of demands for earphones by customers. But China’s earphone market is at the initial stage. High and middle end markets are taken up by Japanese, American and European brands. China's self-own brand enterprises can only conduct low-level competition in low-end market. At present, China’s most earphone enterprises are still joint ventures and private enterprises, but in scaled enterprises various enterprises such as joint ventures, foreign-funded enterprises and private enterprises all accounts for a certain market position.

In 2008, earphone market competition will be much more acute and domestic-brand earphones will continue to face difficulties. In 2008 market demand is much bigger and this demand will gradually become mature andover-lower end product demand will gradually shrink.