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Several months ago I bought two children's headphones for my kids, which I fished out as the best option on Amazon. The range of headphones that are specially designed for children is a bit opaque and it was not so easy to find a model that explicitly fits children's ears and that also has a decent sound and works via Bluetooth.
Ultimately, I ended up with the relatively unknown brand "Termichy". In addition to the Bluetooth model, Termichy also has one wired headphones for kids, which even made it to the bestseller on Amazon. So I can't be that wrong with my choice. :-)
Nice design, low price and good sound make the Termichy Bluetooth headphones my recommendation if you are looking for something that you can give the children "on the ears" (photos: Sir Apfelot).
As you can see in the photo, I decided on the pink and green model. In the meantime, however, the green one is no longer available and there is a blue model on offer. In terms of technology, however, they all contain the same thing. I just wanted to mention it in case you're wondering why there are no more green headphones.
But let's get to the technical data, which are quickly ticked off:
In addition to the headphones themselves, the scope of delivery also includes a 3,5 mm jack cable and a micro USB charging cable.
From the outside, the on-ear headphones are relatively simple, but they look pretty good. They are completely in the respective color and consist of different materials - but mainly plastic, synthetic leather and fabric. The headband inside is covered with fabric and padded, which makes it very comfortable. Thanks to the flexible headband and the ear cups that can be slid on wire bows, you can even adapt the headphones to adult heads without thinking that your ears will be pinched off.
Due to the low weight of just 120 grams, you hardly notice it when you wear it for a long time. I think it is especially important for children that they do not have a "pound" of audio technology on their heads.
The ear cups are also padded and covered with soft synthetic leather. As a result, the pressure on the ears is minimal and you don't feel them much even as an adult. It's even more pleasant for the children and doesn't spoil the fun of the hours of "Die Drei ???" marathon.
I was actually looking for simple headphones with no frills, but the Termichy is amazingly the complete opposite. It offers an extremely large number of functions that you would not expect from such inexpensive headphones:
The good thing about the many features is that you don't have to use them if you don't like them. The operation remains simple and is understandable for children. Perhaps a reference to one at this point other of my articles, where it comes to choosing the right children's tablet, because operation for children is an important aspect here too.
Two headphones can be coupled with the audio sharing or music sharing feature. One is connected via Bluetooth and the other "listens" as it were. The volume can be adjusted separately, which makes the feature perfect for long car journeys, if you like to listen to a podcast yourself on your AirPods and the kids insist on Bibi and Tina. ;-)
Of these many options, we actually only use the Bluetooth transmission and the sharing option, since I can normally only transmit audio to a single headphone via iPhone (exception: the Using a bluetooth splitter). Thanks to the audio sharing, both kids in the back of the car can hear the same radio play and I can still keep an eye on my iPhone in the front and use it for navigation, for example.
In terms of sound, I honestly didn't expect much, because at a price of around 20 euros you have to search well with normal headphones to find good on-ear models. With the Termichy headphones, I was accordingly surprised when I tried them out for the first time. The sound is quite good and even the bass is not weak but rather suitable for music. And you can enjoy both the theme song by Pippi Longstocking and spoken audio books without getting ear cancer.
Below you can see the small slide switch that is used to switch the Termichy on and off. It is best to use your fingernail, as it does not protrude far. At the top is the multi-function button that enables song change, volume and switching between Bluetooth and radio mode.
The controls for the headphones are all located below the right auricle. The on and off switch is a slide switch that does not move easily. However, this prevents it from coming loose during transport and the battery from discharging unintentionally.
All other functions are performed using a multi-function switch that looks like a volume wheel, but cannot be turned. This switch can be pressed in and pushed up and down. The long press switches between the modes Bluetooth and radio as well as SD card, if one is inserted. A short press pauses or plays the audio output.
The multi-function button is responsible for many functions: Song forwards and backwards, louder, quieter, pause and play as well as switching between radio and Bluetooth audio playback.
If you press the button upwards briefly, you can switch to another song, for example, or skip a radio channel. If you press down briefly, you switch back a song or jump back a radio channel.
A long press up or down on this button changes the playback volume.
So basically to grasp everything relatively easily and intuitively. My kids have relatively few problems with it and use the headphones without thinking too much.
The Termichy children's headphones can be folded up for transport. The joints are made of plastic, but look very robust. Unfortunately, a transport bag is not included.
Another feature that the headphones have according to the product information is the automatic volume limiter, which should reduce the output to a maximum of 85-93 dB. Of course, I couldn't measure the volume level, but I once played music at maximum volume (iPhone at maximum and headphones at maximum) and then slowly held my ear to it. It was definitely loud and, in my opinion, too loud not to damage the ears in the long term, but perhaps even more volume is actually possible without the function.
In order to get a feel for the statement "85 to 93 dB", I researched various sites, including at the Federal Environment Agency here receive the information that an employer has to use hearing protection at volume levels above 85 dB. Above 85 dB the hearing can be irreparably damaged and above 95 dB noise appears to us as "unbearable". To provide the matter with a few practical examples, I have put together a small list with various sound levels.
Volume in dB (A) | Examples |
---|---|
20 - 40 | Whisper, quiet garden |
55 | Quiet conversations, rain, refrigerator hum |
75 | Vacuum cleaner, faucet noise, washing machine |
85 | Lawn mower, listening to music |
95 | Circular saw, loud music on headphones |
105 | Volume in discos and at events, chainsaw |
Given the background, I would still rate the 93 dB as too high, but I think that if you test how loud it is for yourself, you can put the headphones in the hands of the children.
When used with the iPhone, you can set your own maximum volume by setting this as the volume on the iPhone. The children can then do the subtleties themselves on the headphones, but cannot control it beyond this volume.
In conjunction with the iPhone or iPad, the following information may be of interest: The headphones show the battery level in the display of the iOS devices as a small headphone symbol with a bar. So you are always informed about the current charge status of the battery.
When using the volume buttons, it is important to know that you do not control the volume on the iPhone, but only on the headphones. So if it doesn't get louder, you can always turn up the volume on the iPhone.
With headphones that I use for myself, I usually find this cumbersome, but with children's headphones this is of course a practical control option for parents, because you can set the maximum volume in this way on the iPhone and the children can then do it on the headphones do not regulate beyond this level. So iPhone at 1/3 volume and headphones at full volume were already loud enough in my test to hear the children's disco at home. ;-)
My only criticism of the Termichy children's headphones are the audio announcements that come, for example, when the headphones are switched on or they are ready to be paired via Bluetooth. These are not only spoken in entertaining Chinese English, they are also quite loud. For this reason, I would recommend putting the headphones next to your ears first. Then you're not as frightened as I was when the headphones "screamed" at me for the first time. : D
The Termichy on-ear eavesdroppers are unfortunately no longer available in the pretty green, but in many other color variants.
As for the size and age of the children for whom the headphones fit, I would set the lower limit roughly at 4-5 years. Less, because you couldn't put the headphones on to a three-year-old - that's technically possible - but I wouldn't think it's good because you don't know whether it will answer when it's too loud or too quiet.
The upper limit is likely to be around 14 to 16 years. But here, too, probably not so much because the headphones are too small - ok, they are a bit tight then probably already at 18 - but more because the kids then probably find these eavesdroppers too "uncool" and prefer something from Skullcandy or Beats / Dr. Dre want to have. They look a lot cooler, of course, and make more impression on friends. ;-)
Termichy headphones should be perfect for boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 16. They are comfortable to carry and easy to use (Photo: Termichy).
We've been using Termichy headphones for over a year now and neither of them has given up the ghost so far. The sound is still as good as it was at the beginning and I cannot understand the Bluetooth range criticized by some customers. I have the feeling that it is more because of the device with which the music is sent to the headphones than to the headphones themselves. So I can only make a purchase recommendation for the "Termichys", which is especially true if you what is looking for a good price-performance ratio.
If you're interested in Termichy headphones, you'll find them here on amazon or you can buy it via the lower product box on Amazon. I've only linked the model in pink here, but you can also find other colors as variants on the corresponding Amazon product page.
If you are looking for a model with a cable, you will find it here is the corresponding version of Termichy. This is a little cheaper, but due to the small price difference I would rather take the Bluetooth model, as it is more versatile.
Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He appears as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with problems of a technical nature. In his free time he drives electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with his iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions for current bugs.
The page contains affiliate links / images: Amazon.de