Wireless headphones or wireless earbuds are smart devices that allow wireless connectivity with devices such as smartphones, stereo systems, smart television, laptop or desktop, smartwatch, etc. almost instantaneously. This allows experiencing hands-free talking or simply enjoying music while working out, or walking, which otherwise is difficult with the wired earphones.
Have you ever wondered how these wireless earbuds work? What is the technology that makes true wireless earbuds, and whether it is the right option for you? Then this article will help you as we will discuss in detail the wireless earbuds technology, their features, and some of the best wireless earbuds that one must explore. Let us begin with knowing how wireless earbuds work.
Also read about: Nokia Power Earbuds Lite: Specs And Review
How Do Wireless Headphones Connect, and Work?
The wireless earbuds or headphones connect to another device without any physical connectivity such as using wires or any cable but based on the transmission of radio signals or IR (Infrared) signals. The type of signal varies from one device to another.
Wireless earbuds for android devices as well as iOS devices are popular and are used almost everywhere, starting from the workplace to fitness centers as its flexibility in terms of functioning allows one to work as well as play or do whatever they want to. Especially gamers enjoy wireless earbuds as it frees them to easily move around instead of worrying about the cable. Another important role that wireless headphones play is ensuring that one can enjoy watching television without disturbing others, which in the case of cabled-headphones is not possible.
As mentioned earlier, Infrared signals or radio signals allow wireless connectivity but the majority of devices connect through Bluetooth technology as it is much safer, easier, and available with everyone using gadgets that aren’t so advanced. Bluetooth technology widens the horizon of wireless connection as one can share data with the devices connected within the specified range of distance with the help of radio signal transmission.
The truly wireless earbuds that support Bluetooth connectivity have a smart computer chip inside that holds the software and Bluetooth radio which are essential for establishing a connection between two paired devices. So, whenever these devices are closer or stay in close proximity, the pair or connect, hence the user can talk, listen to music, etc. which one can do with the smartphone or the specific device, without actually reaching out to it.
Along with the change in the type of device one uses, the process of connecting the wireless earbuds to it differs, but the technology and working remain the same across all of them.
Bluetooth Technology
Now that we know the technology behind the wireless earbud’s connectivity, let us understand what exactly the Bluetooth technology is and how it works. Bluetooth technology is an international standard that is most commonly used across thousands of companies for wireless connectivity.
Bluetooth works on radio frequencies. These frequencies are the same which are in use for scientific, medical, industrial purposes, etc, and are reserved for the same on a global scale. These frequencies are ISM bands. The frequency at which this technology operates is 2.4Ghz and has a certain set of rules, standardization. These regulations ensure that Bluetooth technology doesn’t interfere with other wireless technology such as Wi-Fi, wireless monitoring camera systems, baby monitors, or any other radiofrequency. This is why the Bluetooth protocol that describes everything about Bluetooth technology is important to understand the global stability and success that this technology has gained.
As Bluetooth works on low-powered RF signals or Radiofrequency signals in the range of 2.402 and 2.480GHz, the range of establishing connectivity is smaller. The maximum distance within which the device and wireless earbuds can stay connected is 10 meters or up to 33 feet with Bluetooth 4.0 and below versions, whereas one can enjoy connectivity with the range of 100 feet or up to 30 meters with the Bluetooth 5.0 version.
No physical objects or obstacles will hinder or should hinder, interrupt the Bluetooth signal. So, one can enjoy a Bluetooth connection along with the wireless earbuds by simply placing the smartphone in a room, and moving around without any interruption. There must not be any issue during such usage however, sometimes one might face dips or break in audio. Another feature that Bluetooth supporting wireless earbuds use is the frequency-hopping spread-spectrum (FHSS) method which prevents other devices from using the same channel as yours. One can connect simultaneously to up to 8 devices with 10 meters range once all of them are paired.
Bluetooth Pairing to Wireless Earbuds
The pairing of wireless earbuds for Android as well iOS includes a series of processes that take place at a speed so fast that all of it seems to be instantaneous. When both the smart gadgets come in contact within the range, they automatically communicate in a way that either data sharing is possible or one device takes control over another. The second possibility is the principle implemented in wireless earbuds, as the user can attend calls, listen to music, etc. by using the buttons on the earphones, hence control their phone remotely.
The initial phase of this connection includes the Bluetooth gadget to create a network known as a Personal area network or PAN that allows a minimum of 2 devices to synchronize to the same frequency and sequence. Hence, no matter how many PANs are available at the same location, they will neither interfere nor disrupt other connections, as each of them is unique.
In the process, a couple of steps happens:
Establishing connectivity
The smartphone or any other smart gadget sends data like audio or music to the Bluetooth supporting true wireless earbuds in a stream made of 1s and 0s. Further, the Bluetooth technology sends digital signals to the earphones.
Conversion of digital signal to an analog signal
The earbuds cannot detect, play the digital signal until it is converted into an analog signal. For this conversion, it requires electricity for the drivers or converter to convert, and make changes. After this conversion by the Digital-Analog -converter, the user can hear the music or audio inside the speakers of the earbuds.
Best Wireless Earbuds in 2021
Here are some of the suggestions for the best wireless earbuds which are worth trying, and exploring the hands-free experience.
- Sony WF-1000XM4
- Google Pixel Buds A-Series
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
In this article, we have discussed everything about wireless earbuds, their technology, and general features. Hope this was useful in understanding the working of wireless earbuds.
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