AOpen HP-590 Vibration Headphones

Review by Harry Lam on 07.22.03
Product provided by AOpen, MSRP: $24.95

Specifications:

Definitions:

Driver Unit - The primary speakers on a pair of headphones are called the drivers.  These speakers provide the bulk of the audio.  Generally, a larger driver size is better (for headphones), although the quality of the part is also something that should be considered.

Vibration Unit - This is the vibration unit on the AOpen HP-590 Vibration headphones.  This is a low frequency unit that has been designed for a greater amount of cone movement.  Since the cone on the speaker has a greater amount of freedom, more air is moved with each tone, creating the vibration sensation.

Frequency Response - This is the range of audio frequencies in which a device can produce.  20Hz - 20KHz is the band of hearing for an average person, however just because a device offers a wide frequency response does not make any implications about the quality of the device.

Impedance - This is essentially a measure of how much "power" a pair of headphones requires.  The more professional headphones usually have a higher impedance, signifying the need for an headphone amp or something similar.  The AOpen HP-590 vibration headphones have a pretty normal impedance for typical use with portable electronics and computer audio.

Sensitivity - This is the lowest perceivable difference in volume for this pair of headphones.

Input Connection - The 3.5mm plug is the standard one used on CD players, computers, etc, while higher grade audio electronics use the 6.3mm plug (think of the plug on a guitar amp).

Control Features - AOpen is referring to the vibration controller that is on the speaker wire.

Operation Voltage - Simply put: the vibration part of the headphones takes a AA battery.

Rated Output Power - This is the rated output power of the headphones (also known as RMS).  Basically this is a rating for the constant power of the headphones.  Generally, the higher this number the better.

Max Output Power - This is the maximum output power of the headphones (also known as PMPO).  This is a rating for the peak power of the headphones (usually for a few ms at most).  This number usually should be taken with a grain of salt (as the cheaper manufacturers of speakers and headphones will advertise this number as their wattage whereas the "true" value is 1/1000th of the actual).

Accessories - The AOpen HP-590 headphones come with a carrying pouch (which is comparable with the carrying pouches that come with other headphones) and a battery for the vibration unit.