STOW, OH, September 29, 2015 - In-ear headphones have become so popular that you probably can't go a day without seeing someone wearing them - or listening to them yourself. Small wonder - they're the perfect companion to portable music players, smartphones and other devices. However, a big part of ensuring they sound and feel their best is to make sure they fit properly.
Audio-Technica's new YouTube video, "How to Customize Your Fit With SonicFuel Headphones," shows listeners how to get the perfect fit from in-ear headphones. Audio-Technica's SonicFuel headphones are designed to fuel listeners' passion for music wherever they go with models like the ATH-CKX5iS and ATH-CKX7iS, which have an in-line controller with microphone and volume adjustment for managing phone calls and music/video playback.
While the video uses Audio-Technica's SonicFuel headphones as examples, the principles of fitting the eartips apply to any in-ear headphones that come with different sizes of eartips. SonicFuel in-ear models come with XS, S, M and L-sized ear tips to fit any wearer. These models also feature A-T's exclusive 360-degree rotating eartips that adjust to the angles of the listener's ear canals, to enhance the comfort and perfect seal.
"If your in-ear headphones aren't fitting properly, aside from not being as comfortable as they could be, you won't hear them at their best," noted Crystal Griffith, Audio-Technica Consumer Marketing Manager. "They need to have a tight seal to deliver enough bass and have the right frequency response."
"Equally important, the wearer needs to choose the right size ear tips for their ear canal. What most people might not realize is that sometimes wearing different sizes of eartips in each ear might be the most comfortable, since peoples' ears are not symmetrical. Finally, it's important to make sure the headphones are stable and secure, as the video demonstrates."
In-ear headphones are designed to provide noise isolation, meaning the eartips should feel as snug as possible without feeling uncomfortable. A medium-sized ear tip comes on the headphones, but even if that feels like it's the right size, wearers should take the time to go up and down in size to make sure they're getting the best combination of comfort and audio clarity. Griffith notes, "If you can hear too much of the outside world around you, then the tip may be too small. On the other hand, if the ear tip hurts your ears over time it's likely the ear tip is too large."
Audio-Technica's ATH-CKX5iS, ATH-CKX7iS and other SonicFuel in-ear headphones also feature ergonomic C-tip earpieces that nestle in the ear for a stay-in-place fit. The C-tip should lay comfortably in the curvature of the ear. It can be helpful to use a mirror to make sure the C-tip is snug within that C-shaped part of the ear. The C-tip should not be too difficult to put in place but also shouldn't look or feel loose.
"It only takes a few minutes to make sure your headphones are fitting properly," concluded Griffith. "It's time well spent for getting the most out of your personal music listening."
Audio-Technica offers a wide selection of in-ear headphones, including product lines like its SonicPro® range featuring a Hi-Res Audio-certified model; SonicSport® earphones that are designed to stay securely in place even during exercising; and QuietPoint® active noise-cancelling headphones.
