It’s nearly summer, which means it’s time for an upgrade if you’re still using the flimsy white earbuds that came with your new iPhone. The only problem? Buying a quality set of headphones can be a tricky thing unless you really do your homework. Head over to any electronics aisle and you’ll more than likely be bombarded by a kaleidoscope of cords and hollowed out plastics that can mislead consumers and make for a subpar listening experience.
To rectify the problem, we enlisted the audiophile expertise of Peter Hahn, creative director and partner of Turntable Lab and its sister site Headphone Lab. We asked him a few questions about what to watch for when shopping, as well as what specific headphone types he recommends for various listening situations.