How to Choose the Best Silent Disco Headphones
“Silent” and “disco” are two words you wouldn’t expect to be in the same sentence. However, once you get over that thought, you’ll be introduced to an interesting experience. Silent disco refers to an event where people party to music transmitted and heard through wireless headphones instead of loudspeakers. The concept gained traction in the early 90s when people started doing it to lessen noise pollution and bypass sound curfews. However, it wasn’t until 2005 that the term “silent disco” was first used in the Bonnaroo Music Festival. If you’re planning on hosting a party like this, it goes without saying that you’ll need the best silent disco headphones. However, choosing one is easier said than done. Apart from the usual factors like comfort and durability, you also need to consider the wireless technology used, audio channels, and more. Here’s a quick guide to the different factors to look at when buying your own silent disco headphones:
Silent Sound System Starter Package
Key features
In the box: 9 Headphones, 1 Transmitter, 1 Headphones case, 1 Free Headphone Management System Wireless Technology: Radio Frequency (RF) Battery Life: 12 Hours No. of audio channels: 3 Wireless range: 500m LED Lights: Yes – with color-coding
Silent Sound System is one of the industry leaders of silent disco in the US. Their Starter Package has everything you need to get your feet on the ground, and their headphones feature a vibrant and clever design. In line with this, you’ll have to decide whether it’d actually be worth it to buy the headphones instead of just renting them. On the other hand, renting is the more budget-friendly option, especially if your silent disco party is just a one-off thing. This can go for only $200 for 20 headphones and can increase depending on how many headphones you’ll be getting. Aside from that, renting usually comes with technical people to help you set up the headphones so that you can focus on other things. Despite the price, buying and having your own set of silent disco headphones can be a worthy investment that will benefit you in the long run. With your own set, you wouldn’t need to contact other people to rent the equipment repeatedly. You can slowly earn back your investment by organizing parties for a fee or renting out the equipment to others. Besides, although they come with quite a hefty price, you can lessen the financial load by canvassing options and setting a budget. You can also try limiting your attendees to less than 20 at first. From there, you can buy more headphones and increase the number of your party-goers. In fact, there are three leading wireless techs used by silent disco headphones today: Bluetooth, Radio Frequency (RF), and Infrared (IF). Each of these has its strengths and weaknesses, but only one is suitable for silent disco. Let’s learn more about those in this section.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is undeniably the most popular option today, with over 201 Million units shipped in 2021. This is because it costs manufacturers less, and they are widely compatible with a lot of devices today, making them accessible and convenient. They also have clever features like multipoint. Bluetooth isn’t the best choice for silent disco headphones despite its popularity. Using Bluetooth for silent disco headphones means your party venue will be filled with multiple Bluetooth devices fighting within a specific frequency. With this, interference and latency issues are real possibilities. Bluetooth also uses up more battery than RF and IF.
Infrared (IF)
Infrared uses light to transfer signals from the receiver to the transmitter in hindsight. Because of this, Infrared has also been known as line-of-sight technology since they won’t work if they’re not lined up steadily with the transmitter. Infrared technology is capable of producing high-quality sounds. The unique way of transmitting signals through light also prevents any form of radio interference or static. However, IF’s limited range and inability to perform in movement make it less suitable for a silent disco.
Radio Frequency (RF)
Radiofrequency (RF) has been used for the longest time and is still very useful in the audio industry today. RF relies on radio waves that carry sound signals to and from the receiver/transmitter. RF is especially useful for connecting a large group of devices since you can just set them all to the same frequency. This means that there’s virtually no limit to how many headphones you can connect to your transmitter. Radio waves can also transmit signals more than 100 meters away, even to moving objects and through obstructions such as concrete walls. These are characteristics you need for your silent disco, which makes RF the best choice for wireless technology in this case. For example, one channel can be dedicated to fast party music, which people can jump to. Another channel can be pop music that people can dance and sing to. Finally, the third channel can be for chill party music, the kind that fits those who just want to sit down and have a drink. That said, comfort is subjective and can get tricky because of that. But, it usually comes down to these two things:
Adjustability
Adjustability refers to how much of your headphones you can customize on the spot to fit the user. Adjustments can come in the form of adjustable headbands, swiveling ear cups (vertically and/or horizontally), and more. The more adjustment options, the better because it increases the chances of finding the right setting for a specific user.
Padding and breathability
The paddings come in contact with the users’ skin the most, so it’s a significant factor for comfort. You might think it’s easy to just get headphones with overly thick padding and believe that it’s all good. However, this is not the case because you must also consider its implications on breathability. Truly comfortable headphones feel thick and full. But, they should also be breathable enough to prevent heat and moisture build-up in your ears. This is really important in a silent disco where people move around and possibly sweat more. The secret to propper padding and breathability are the materials used. Memory foam is a great option when it comes to this because it can hold the shape of the users’ ears and even absorb heat for that cooling factor. You should also consider getting headphones finished with velour. Velour is a type of plush felt fabric that offers excellent cushion and ventilation. Not to mention, not everyone will take as good care of your headphones as you do. And, you can’t exactly keep an eye on each guest to see how they treat your headphones. When buying, here are three things to look out for to determine the headphones’ durability:
Strong Materials
Everybody knows that materials like steel are strong, but they aren’t exactly light and comfortable to wear. Lightweight but strong plastics such as PVC, PC, and ABS are recommended for silent disco headphones. These materials are strong and should last the test of time — but they’re also light and won’t be much of a hassle on the dance floor.
IP Rating
The IP rating system scores an electronic device’s water and dust resistance. In a silent disco, your guests will most likely dance around and sweat. They can even possibly get into accidents and splash drinks onto your headphones. A good IP rating means your silent disco headphones will survive the wear and tear of a night of partying.
Warranty
The warranty of the headphones does not directly affect their durability, but it is a good indicator of what you’re dealing with. More specifically, the length of the warranty can tell you how much the manufacturer trusts its product. Lifetime warranties tell you that the makers are so confident in their product that they’re willing to service it for that long. On the other hand, short warranties may indicate that the manufacturers are not willing to risk a lot on the product. If you choose a design that feels clean and professional, your guests might feel more reserved and casual. Whereas, if you choose a vibrant and modern design, it will make your guests feel light and active. An excellent feature to look for in silent disco headphones are LED lights. LED lights are often used by gamers and streamers to complete their RGB aesthetic and can usually be found on the earcups. These can also change colors and even pulsate with the music of your different audio channels. The Silent Sound System Starter Package includes nine RF headphones. These headphones are complete with in-line controls that let users switch from any of the three audio channels and control volume. They can also go on for 12 hours which is more than enough for a whole night of partying. The headphones also come with LED lights around the ear cup that change colors depending on what channel the user is in. With this, you can easily track what music your guests are listening to for the night. For its build, these headphones use vegan leather ear pads. These pads are hypoallergenic and easy to clean as well, which can save you a lot of time. The headphones also feature a foldable design for easy storage and even come with a case to safely house all nine headphones in. The free headphone management system is also a great help for those just starting in the business. This printed guide will help you set up and troubleshoot the common problems you might encounter during your event. The only drawback for the Silent Sound System headphones is that these headphones are not guaranteed to work with third-party transmitters. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Party Headphones Silent Disco Bundle
Key features
In the box: 10 Headphones, 1 Transmitter Wireless Technology: Radio Frequency (RF) Battery Life: 12 Hours No. of audio channels: 3 Wireless range: 500m LED Lights: Yes – with color-coding
Like the Silent Sound System, Party Headphones is another well-known silent disco company, servicing the country for 11 years. If you want to buy silent disco headphones, look no further because their Silent Disco Bundle is also one of the best out there. The Silent Disco Bundle from Party Headphones contains 10 headphones that can run for 10-12 hours. And, in terms of design and build quality, these are pretty close to what Silent Sound System does but with slight differences. They are both foldable headphones that feature a soft cushion and a volume dial at the side along with the channel toggle. The placement and style of the LED lights are also identical, but these have six color options which is three more than what Silent Sound System offers. The transmitter included in the package supports only one audio channel but has a channel toggle so that you could assign one transmitter to be channel 1, 2, or 3. Another cool feature of the transmitter is the ability to switch between short and long-range modes. Short-range transmits the audio within a 200-meter radius — saving more battery. On the other hand, long-range can reach more people within 500 meters. Much like the headphones from Silent Sound System, these silent disco headphones will also struggle to work with third-party devices. This is because their transmitter emits a specific signal that devices from other brands cannot easily detect. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Factory Sell Silent Disco Headphones
Key features
In the box: 20 Headphones, 3 Transmitters Wireless Technology: Radio Frequency (RF) Battery Life: 8-10 Hours No. of audio channels: 3 Wireless range: 500m LED Lights: Yes – with pulsating effect
A low budget doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get decent silent disco headphones anymore. The Factory Sell Silent Disco Headphones package offers 20 headphones and three transmitters all below $850. You can also choose from other packages that include anywhere between 2 to 150 headphones and multiple transmitters. The headphones use RF technology and receive signals up to 500 meters away. They can also run for 8-10 hours and support three channels. These headphones feature circular ear cups lined with LED lights that flash along the music being played. The same lights can also change according to the channel. The ear cups can swivel in two directions and also have on-ear controls for power, channel-switching, and volume. The headphones are quite thin and built out of plastic which can be a concern for durability. Parts of the headphones, like the volume dial and the buttons, may also get loose after a while. However, the overall design and build of the headphones allow them to be lightweight and comfortable. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Sound Off GLO 2
Key features
In the box: 15 Headphones, 1 Transmitter Wireless Technology: Radio Frequency (RF) Battery Life: 12 Hours No. of audio channels: 3 Wireless range: 300m LED Lights: Yes – with color-coding
If you’re looking to host more intimate events and you have the budget to splurge for it, the Sound Off GLO 2 is a great choice. These are noise-isolating headphones with a comfortable premium build that will enable your guests to enjoy the music without distractions. On top of that, they also feature Sound Off’s proprietary 40mm drivers with Immersive Dynamic Bass (IDB) technology that produces a bigger bass for a captivating experience. These are features your close friends and family on your intimate event will genuinely appreciate! The package includes 15 RF headphones with 1 transmitter. However, the transmitter can only broadcast up to 300 meters away for optimal sound quality, which is just right for a small gathering. The headphones also come with rechargeable 300mAh batteries that can last for up to 11 hours. Sound Off’s design of the headphones closely resembles that of Silent Sound System’s with the square ear cups and LED lights. They have the same channel switch at the side of the ear cups and a volume dial on the other side. These headphones also feature a gray headband and leatherette ear cushions. The package includes the Sound Off Bolt 2.2 Transmitter that can wirelessly control the LED lights on the headphones and can even accept audio from a Bluetooth source. The fact that they are also battery-powered gives you the option to have your intimate silent discos on the go. In order to have three audio channels, you would need to buy two more transmitters. However, the Sound Off Glo 2 headphones will not work with any other transmitter, which can be a problem considering the relatively high price of the Bolt 2.2. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Talent RF-309
Key features
In the box: 1 pair of Headphones only Wireless Technology: Radio Frequency (RF) Battery Life: 10 Hours No. of audio channels: 3 Wireless range: 500m (depending on transmitter) LED Lights: Yes – with color-coding
If you’re looking for silent disco headphones that you can use on your own, the Talent RF-309 is worth a look. The design and functionality of these headphones can be compared to Silent Sound System and Party Headphones. And, they come in a solo pack. The Talent RF-309 features an adjustable headband and ear pads both lined with soft cushions. You can also dial the volume up or down and switch channels through the on-ear controls. These headphones run with RF and can switch through three different audio channels. Talent RF-309 also have a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) that keeps input and output of signals steady for stability of the frequency. These will allow you to enjoy music for 10 hours without having to keep your audio source close because it can receive audio signal up to 500 meters away. Now, you could run around your neighborhood freely with just the headphones on your head. The LED lights on these headphones can change to three different colors depending on the channel you’re in. These lights may be great during parties but can also be used as a safety light when you’re out at night. In order for these headphones to work, though, you’ll need to buy a transmitter. Unfortunately, the Talent RF-309 only works with the Talent TX-50RF transmitter. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
AYVVPII Silent Disco Headphones
Key features
In the box: 10 Headphones, 1 Transmitter Wireless Technology: Radio Frequency (RF) Battery Life: 8-10 Hours No. of audio channels: 3 Wireless range: 500m (depending on transmitter) LED Lights: Yes – with color-coding
Style plays a big role in a party and that’s exactly what the AYVVPII Silent Disco Headphones can give you. These headphones feature a circular ear cup lined with LED lights that can pulse with the beat of the music being played. More so, you can even send your logo or design to AYVVPII and they’ll print it out on the headphones for you! These headphones aren’t just stylish — they’re comfortable too. The AYVVPII Silent Disco Headphones feature a retractable headband that is finished with a leather cushion. The ear pads are built with the same comfortable material too. Outside of aesthetics, these headphones also have a complete set of features for silent disco. They use RF, they can switch through three different audio channels, and they can run for 8 to 10 hours. The package includes 10 silent disco headphones and a dual-powered transmitter that can broadcast one audio channel up to 500 meters away. And, if you’re not out in a silent disco, you can just attach the 3.5mm audio cable to the headphones and connect it to your smartphone, tablet, or any other audio device. An issue with the headphones comes out when you’re broadcasting three channels via three different transmitters. Doing so results in one of the channels getting interference if the transmitters are within 10 meters of each other. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
