Analysis of the Global Consumer Headphones Market, 2018

Consumer headphones have become an important and dynamic consumer technology category that Apple-owned Beats Electronics and Bose have been at the forefront of. This study provides an overview of the global market for consumer headphones used in music and sports. Music headphones are (stereo) headphones designed to enable the highest-quality sound (and other audio content) consumption. The primary use-case is listening to music. Frequently, these headphones also include (multidirectional) microphones that enable them to be used for calls as a secondary application. Music headphones can be corded or cordless, using mainly either a 3.5mm jack or Bluetooth connectivity. Some headphones designed for professional use are included in this analysis. Typically, music headphones are used with mobile devices, tablets, and personal computers. Similar to music headphones, sports headphones are designed to enable high-quality music (and other audio content) consumption. Frequently, these headphones also include (multidirectional) microphones that enable them to also be used for calls as a secondary application. Sports headphones tend to offer additional physical features such as a firm grip, and water and sweat resistance. Sports headphones exist in corded and cordless forms, using mainly either a 3.5mm jack or Bluetooth connectivity. The most common use-case for this type of headphones is the operation in conjunction with mobile devices at the time of engagement in sports activities.