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Wireless earbuds are a piece of technology that leaves behind the annoying wires that knot everywhere with everything and minimize the moves. They have different models that vary in sizes and shapes; thus, some have more components than others. The sophisticated and fine design of wireless earbuds makes me wonder if wireless earbuds have microphones.
Most of the modern earbud models come with a microphone, and even some more expensive earbuds have more than one mic to optimize their quality. The microphone is commonly located in the right earbud or in a case at the wire that connects one bud to the other.
Wireless earbuds offer the same sound quality and features that the traditional wired earbuds have, but with more freedom of movement whenever the user wants to do activities such as running or dancing; they don’t fall from the ear and go unnoticed!
This piece of technology is becoming one of the most favorite features among users, let’s read a little bit more about them!
Table of Contents
Can Wireless Earbuds Have A Microphone?
Technology is in constant change, and the world is leaving behind the wired connection. I can tell how annoying it is to have the traditional wired earbuds; the wire tangles and damages easily, and sometimes the earbuds can break off from the wire!
Wireless earbuds are functional and comfortable, they don’t knot with other objects when they are in my pack or pocket, and work perfectly from a longer distance.
However, the big question here is if the wireless earbuds have microphones. A few years ago, when I thought about wireless earbuds with a mic, it used to come to my mind those movies where bodyguards have a huge earbud that used to go from the ear to the half of the check. But the reality is that earbuds are small, fit in the ear, and are almost imperceptible; and yes, most of them nowadays come with mics.
Earbuds come in different shapes and sizes, but all of them fit in the ear and can go inside (in-ear) or outside (on-ear) of the ear canal, so people can choose their favorite. They create a nice ambient, and most of them block the outside noises.
Wireless earbuds can operate from long distances and still work without interference. Most of them –and all the latest earbuds– connect to different devices via Bluetooth.
The wireless earbuds are divided into wireless and true wireless. Wireless earbuds have a wire that connects one earbud to the other, but there’s no wire connecting the earbuds to the device. Most of them come with volume and call buttons, and placed near these is placed the microphone; this is called in-line mic. Contrary, the true wireless earbuds don’t have any wire, even to connect one earbud to another!
This type of wireless earbuds offers more freedom, and mobility; though, not all of them come with an integrated mic. However, both types use radio frequency to connect to the audio source, this means, there is no form of physical connection to the main device.
Wireless earbuds and true wireless earbuds are comfier than other earphones, I can take them anywhere, and also, I can do any kind of activity while I’m wearing them; there is nothing that restricts my mobility. Yet, keeping the batteries and them charged is somehow annoying, and the battery life of the true wireless earbuds is shorter than others earphones; thus, most of them come with modern charging cases smaller than the size of a hand, and some are even portable!
The sound and microphone quality of the wireless earbuds is the same as the traditional wire earphones, thus, the two remarkable differences between wireless and wired earbuds are the use of batteries and the obvious addition –or lack– of wires. Like so, everything stays the same.
How Do You Know If Your Earbuds Have A Mic?
Let’s start talking about the fact that not all earbuds –or earphones– have integrated microphones. However, it is not that hard to recognize if the wireless earbuds have a microphone.
For wireless earbuds, they come with a wire that connects one earpiece to the other, so, the mic is placed in a band –more like a mini frame or case– at some point in the wire; commonly, in this case, it is also the volume button, and sometimes also have a button to accept incoming calls.
Now, the true wireless earbuds have a mini –almost unnoticeable– whole in one –or both– of the earpiece. However, not all of them bring microphones, so it is always better to check the details of the product.
Now, reading carefully the paragraph above, it is noticeable that wireless earbuds are divided more than with or without a microphone. One of the characteristics to take into consideration to differentiate wireless earbuds is if they have or not wires; just like, some wireless earbuds have wire.
However, both types receive the name of wireless earbuds because there’s a wire that connects them to the sound source (a phone, computer, laptop, mp3, and so on). So, these two types of wireless are:
Wireless Earbuds. This type of earphone comes with a wire that connects one earpiece to the other. Commonly, the wireless earbuds are charged using the typical wire, and not batteries as most people can think.
Also, they have a mini casing in the middle of the wire; this casing has volume buttons, and if the earbuds have a mic, it is usually placed there. However, they use Bluetooth –or other range of radiofrequency– to keep them paired with the main device.
True Wireless Earbuds. They truly don’t have any wires, even to connect one earpiece to the other piece. They offer more mobility and freedom. Also, both earpieces use radio frequency to connect them to the main device (phone, laptop, tablet, etc.).
Also, there is another aesthetic aspect that differentiates one type of earphone from another; and this is the shape of the earpiece, that it can go in-ear, on-ear, or over the ear.
In-Ear Buds. They go directly into the ear, inside of the auditory canal. This type of earbuds doesn’t have to be confused with the In-ear Monitors (IEMs). The tip of the in-ear earbuds goes inside the auditory canal and is made of silicone and has different sizes, but the shame is always the same.
This type of earbuds is the most liked by the consumer since they offer a better sound, block the outside noises, are small, and they are more comfortable than others; thus, there is a minimal probability that they fall from the ear.
On-Ear Buds. They go on the ear, but not inside the auditory canal. They are gently placed on the ear; however, they are prone to fall from the ear if the person makes a violent movement, so, I don’t recommend wearing them whenever someone is doing any kind of exercise.
Though on-ear earbuds don’t cause as much damage as others since they are not invasive, some users tend to use them in a very loud volume because some outside noise infiltrates.
Over The Ear Phone. They cover a big part of the ear, almost all of it, but any part of it goes inside the auditory canal. They have a hook that goes behind the ear and holds the earpiece against the ear; however, they are still earphones and don’t have to be confused with headphones.
They are bigger than the in-ear or on-ear ones, but in comparison with the on-ear type, there is less probability they fall off. Also, they block out the outside noises better.
Where Is the Microphone on Wireless Earbuds?
It is useful to know where the mic is on the earbuds, it helps the speaker to communicate better with the person he is talking with. Also, it is more usual to rub the mic with the cloth, block it with the hand, or cover it with another surface when people don’t know where the mic is, this has happened to me!
Generally, the microphone is placed in the right earpiece when they are true wireless earbuds. If it is just a wireless earbud, the microphone is located in the mini case placed in the wire that connects the right earpiece to the left one; this is named in-line. In both types of earbuds, the microphone has the shape of a tiny opening similar to or smaller than a rice grain; this can be sometimes imperceptible and discreet.
All the components of wireless earbuds are made to be small and discreet, so each earpiece can perfectly fit on the ear. However, wireless earbuds are complex devices, and one earpiece has more components than is thought; thus, it is not easy to disassemble earbuds, and each piece is located with precision.
Wireless earbuds are made of two earpieces that communicate between each other through a wire or via Bluetooth, and simultaneously both earpieces are wirelessly connected to the audio source to deliver the sound. The components that are involved in this process are:
Audio Source. This is a device that sends the data to the primary bud. This data travels as electromagnetic signals (Bluetooth). When the earbud has an integrated microphone, two types of data are sent to the primary bud, the audio source sends stereo music data (A2DP), and voice call data (HFP).
Primary Bud. This earpiece has the most complex structure of both buds, inside of this bud it is a transmitter, a receiver, the microphone, and other internal pieces that make it run properly.
First, the receiver analyzes the data sent by the audio source, then the transmitter sends the information to the secondary bud, and when the microphone is in use, the transmitter sends information to the audio source and the other earbud.
When it is the common wireless earbuds, the information between both earpieces travels through a wire, while for the true wireless earbuds, all the information travel via Bluetooth. Commonly, the primary earbud is the right earpiece and this saves cache data.
Transmitter. In the devices are two transmitters, one is located in the audio source, and the other is placed in the primary earbud. The audio source transmitter sends audio data to the primary bud; then the transmitter of the latter sends data to the secondary bud (through a wire or via Bluetooth), or the audio source when the earbuds have a mic.
Receiver. According to the type of earbud, from one to three receivers can be involved. For true wireless earbuds, the first receiver belongs to the primary bud, and this decodes the data sent by the audio source, then the second receiver is in the second bug, which accepts the information sent by the transmitter in the primary earpiece.
If the earbuds have a microphone, a third receiver is involved, this is located in the audio sources, which decodes the audio information related to the microphone.
For normal wireless earbuds without microphones, just one receiver is occupied. This is located in the primary earpiece, and it decodes the information sent by the audio source, once this is done, the information travels directly through a wire to the second earpiece.
When they have a microphone, a receiver in the audio source device analyzes the audio information sent by the transmitter of the earbuds.
Microphone. Usually, it is just on a microphone and it is placed in the primary bud. The most sophisticated devices have more than one microphone located in both earbuds.
Secondary Bud. This earpiece just receives the data sent by the primary earbud and turns it into sound. In some models of earbuds, a mic is located on it, however, this is unusual and there are just a few versions of this. In this kind of model, inside this earpiece is also a transmitter.
Smart Case. Some models of wireless and most of the true wireless earbuds come with a smart case that works as a charge station. The size of these fit perfectly in a common hand, but they have to be recharged constantly, because every time the earbuds are saved there, they instantly start to charge.
Can You Talk with Wireless Earbuds?
Whenever earbuds have an integrated microphone, the user can talk anywhere, anytime.
Earbuds are a complex structure of technology that involves different small components that make them work properly. Wireless earbuds receive and send the information through radio frequency and sometimes through a wire between the earpieces and the audio source.
The audio source has a transmitter that sends auditory information to the primary earpiece –commonly the right bud–. Then, this earbud decodes and sends information to the other earpiece, it can be through a wire when it is a simple wireless type, or via Bluetooth, sending the information from a transmitter in the primary bud to a receiver in the secondary bud.
When the earbuds use the microphone, other components are involved. Every time the mic is activated, the transmitters in both earpieces send information between each other, and the primary bud sends information to the audio source. Both earbuds are in a constant exchange of information, and these are automatically paired via Bluetooth or through a wire.
All the information sent by the transmitters from the audio source and primary bud is represented as sound reproduced by the speakers. The speaker is made of wire, magnet, and a cone, these are whole inside the bud beside other components such as the transmitter, receiver, battery, and microphone.
The audio source and both earpieces are in a constant and simultaneous exchange of information like a network. Good connectivity between these pieces is important, just a little interference, and the sound will distort.
How Is the Quality of Earbud Mics?
The quality of the mics will change according to the model and brand, thus, if I generalize, there is not a big difference in the quality between the traditional wired earphones the wireless or true wireless earbuds.
There are two types of microphone technology used in earbuds; both of them convert the sound waves into electrical signals. These electrical signals contain the information that is sent through the transmitters. However, earbuds use just one type of microphone, not both at the same time; thus, this doesn’t ensure more quality.
These types of microphones are Electret Condenser Microphones (ECM) and MEMs Microphone (Microelectromechanical System). Both microphones have a diaphragm that moves because of the sound’s vibrations, as a result, the voltage in the electret or capacitor changes; then an audio amplifier converts those into electrical signals. At the end of this process, all these electrical signals are represented as encoded information that travels across the earbud network.
Which are the best Wireless Earbuds with a microphone in 2022?
Whether the earbuds use an ECM structure or a MEMs Microphone, the difference in quality will mostly change because of the models and brand. Expensive earbuds and the biggest brands and companies use better components, then, the quality of the earbuds will be better. So, here is a mini list of the Best Wireless and True Wireless Earbuds with Microphone:
Apple AirPods Pro
The Apple AirPod Pro is the better choice for Apple users. They’re sweat and waterproof resistant, and also cancel the outside noise. The silicone tips came in different sizes to fit better. Thus, both earpieces have dual beamforming microphones, dual optical sensors, motion-detecting accelerometers, and speech-detecting accelerometers.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
One of the better features of the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro + is the long battery life (approx. 22 hours with case). They also fit perfectly in the ear, to block outside noises, and come with a special option to filter outside noises. The earbuds have microphones that isolate the voice from other noises for better communication in-call. Thus, they are compatible with Android and iOS devices.
Sony WF-1000XM4
The Sony WF-1000XM4 comes with an HD Noise Canceling Processor that optimizes the sound experience. They offer a total freedom movement for the user, voice recognition, uninterrupted transmission between the earpiece, and a quick attention mode. They connect perfectly with Android and iOS devices.
Beats PowerBeats Pro
The Beats PowerBeats Pro comes with an ear hook to offer better security and stability whenever the user does any kind of movement. They come in different colors, and they are lightweight. Thus, they have Android and iOS phone control, noise isolation, motion accelerometers and come with a charging case.
Jabra Elite 85t Truly Wireless
The Jabra Elite 85t are Truly Wireless earbuds that offer active noise cancellation and a 4-microphone call technology for more comfortability to users. They are tested to fit perfectly in the ear by having an ergonomic shape. They filter outside noise and use a 4th generation wireless connection for stable communication.
Conclusion
Wireless earbuds and true Wireless earbuds are a comfortable innovating piece of technology. They come in different shapes so people can choose their favorite, though, some of them come with an integrated microphone that makes phone calls easier. Wireless earbuds offer more mobility, and allow you to do different activities when they are in use!