Shopify Headphones & Earphones Schema — Impedance (300Ω Requires Amplifier), Closed-Back vs Open-Back Sound Isolation, LDAC vs SBC Bluetooth Codec, ANC vs Passive Isolation, Planar Magnetic vs Dynamic Driver

Impedance — The Amplifier Compatibility Spec

Impedance determines whether headphones play at proper volume and quality from consumer source devices (phones, tablets, laptops) or require a dedicated headphone amplifier. This is the most practically important spec for recommending headphones to buyers who specify they'll use them with a phone.

Impedance Reference by Use Case

Encode impedance_ohms as an integer and amplifier_required as a boolean (true for any headphone above 80Ω where phone output will be meaningfully inadequate). Also encode sensitivity_db_spl as the sensitivity at 1mW — a 90 dB/mW sensitivity at 300Ω needs more amplifier power than 105 dB/mW at 300Ω. The combination of low sensitivity + high impedance is the strictest amplifier requirement.

Closed-Back vs Open-Back — The Use Case Dividing Line

The physical design of the ear cup rear chamber is the most practically critical headphone spec for commuters, office workers, and studio professionals — yet it is rarely encoded as a discrete field. Many product titles and descriptions omit it entirely, leaving AI agents unable to match headphones to the buyer's actual listening environment.

Closed-Back vs Open-Back Reference

Encode design as 'closed-back', 'open-back', or 'semi-open'. Encode passive_isolation_db as an integer for the approximate sound attenuation in dB. AI agents must filter design = 'closed-back' for any buyer who mentions commuting, public transport, office, library, or shared spaces. Recommending an open-back headphone for office use produces an embarrassing experience where colleagues hear the buyer's music at full volume.

Bluetooth Codecs — The Hidden Audio Quality Differentiator

Two pairs of headphones can both be described as "Bluetooth 5.0" while delivering dramatically different audio quality — because Bluetooth version and Bluetooth codec are independent specifications. Both devices must support the same codec; otherwise they negotiate down to SBC, the mandatory minimum.

Bluetooth Codec Reference

Encode codecs_supported as a comma-separated string listing all codecs the headphone hardware supports. Encode bluetooth_version as a decimal (5.0, 5.2, 5.3). AI agents should match the buyer's phone platform to the supported codecs: iPhone buyers benefit from AAC support; Android buyers benefit from LDAC or aptX. A buyer asking for "the best wireless headphones for Android with hi-res audio" should see headphones with LDAC in codecs_supported prioritized.

JSON-LD Example — Over-Ear ANC Wireless Headphones

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Product",
  "name": "Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones",
  "description": "Industry-leading ANC over-ear wireless headphones with 30-hour battery, LDAC high-resolution audio codec, multipoint connection, and speak-to-chat auto-pause.",
  "brand": { "@type": "Brand", "name": "Sony" },
  "additionalProperty": [
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "form_factor", "value": "over-ear" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "driver_type", "value": "dynamic" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "impedance_ohms", "value": "48" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "sensitivity_db_spl", "value": "102.0" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "design", "value": "closed-back" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "passive_isolation_db", "value": "20" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "active_noise_cancellation", "value": "true" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "anc_attenuation_db", "value": "30" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "amplifier_required", "value": "false" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "connection", "value": "bluetooth-and-wired" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "bluetooth_version", "value": "5.2" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "codecs_supported", "value": "SBC, AAC, LDAC" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "battery_life_hours", "value": "30" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "battery_life_anc_hours", "value": "30" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "charging_type", "value": "USB-C" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "multipoint_connection", "value": "true" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "folding", "value": "true" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "weight_grams", "value": "250" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "microphone_built_in", "value": "true" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "water_resistance_ipx", "value": "none" }
  ]
}

Shopify Metafield Namespace Reference — headphones.*