True audiophiles are strict about sound quality and make serious demands when buying headphones. Well, there are many worthy options on the market.
Contents:
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What are the best headphones for sound quality
For clear and rich sound transmission, you need headphones with high acoustic performance and smart design. In our rating there are wired and wireless models that have earned positive feedback from music lovers and professionals. Although here you should rely on your own taste and, if possible, listen to each model live.
Sennheiser HD 650
Open acoustic monitors
The Sennheiser HD 650 full-size open-ear headphones are admired by all lovers of high-quality sound, and are rightly considered to be among the best in this regard.
Reasons to buy:
- stylish design;
- excellent sound;
- long audio cable;
- Low weight and durability at the same time.
The full-size headphones are styled in a strict, classic style. The headband with profiled foam padding is adjustable in size on both sides. The elongated open cups are equipped with ear cushions wrapped in velvet fabric.
A cable with a 3.5mm jack is used to connect to the source. The sound quality is ensured by hand-selected drivers with tight tolerances and an optimized magnet system with minimal distortion.
The entire frequency range is detailed and clear, with no embellishment or excessive bass richness. The monitor-like natural reproduction makes the Sennheiser HD 650 ideal for recording studios and music listening at home.
Quad ERA-1
Audiophile Planars.
The Quad ERA-1 headphones are built with planar-magnetic technology for superior sound. The model plugs into any sound source, but an amplifier is required to reach its full potential.
Reasons to buy:
- impeccable workmanship;
- detachable cable;
- excellent dynamics;
- high resolution.
The headphones are made in the best Quad tradition: the adjustable metal headband is covered with soft leather, full-size round cups are equipped with a grille for unimpeded air circulation.
The kit comes with two pairs of removable ear cushions that completely cover your ears, but vary in size, shape, and material. By changing them you can influence the sound, making it more open or, conversely, more bassy and focused.
Inside the cups are powerful drivers that consist of a thin diaphragm and two magnetic arrays. This technology allows for minimal distortion, a wider frequency range and crystal clear sound.
Despite the considerable weight (420g), the Quad ERA-1 Planar doesn't squeeze your head, so it's easy to wear all day. The headphones are designed for listening to music of different genres in high quality and have no other functions. The standard cable is connected via a 3.5mm jack.
Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus
Versatile earphones with mic
The German brand's Custom One Pro+ headphones change the sound depending on the user's preferences. Full-size model with closed cups is perfect for home and professional work.
Reasons to buy:
- quality components;
- comfortable ear cushions;
- powerful microphone;
- 4 sound profiles;
- light weight.
The basis of the frame is a metal headband, covered with soft leather overlay, secured with Velcro. The elastic band does not create pressure and securely holds the accessory on your head.
The round sealed cups with gentle ear cushions fit snugly around the ears and provide excellent insulation. Each earcup has a switch that changes the sound character. It adjusts the depth of the bass in four positions making it rich, booming, trembling or smooth.
The overall soundscape is made up of just that bright bass, a noticeable midrange and slightly drooping upper frequencies. The swivel cups do not fold inside the headband, so the headphones take up a lot of space when stored.
The low impedance in the Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus allows you to connect to any smartphone, player and delivers punchy sound suitable for most popular music styles.
The kit comes with a detachable 1.5m wire with a standard 3.5mm plug, a 6.3mm adapter, and designer interchangeable ear cushions.
FiiO FA7
Wired headphones with armature drivers
The FiiO FA7's powerful speaker system and good isolation allow you to listen to your favorite songs with perfect sound detail without disturbing those around you.
Reasons to buy:
- compact size;
- comfortable and snug fit;
- magnetic clip;
- interchangeable ear cushions and fabric pouch included.
The bodies of these headphones are made on a modern 3D printer. Through the translucent material you can see all the details of the construction. Silicone ear cushions fit snugly over the ear canal and flexible behind-the-ear attachment keeps the earplugs in place during sports activities.
Each headphone contains four Knowles armature transducers. They produce tight and firm bass without dominating other frequencies. The armature is excellent in the midrange as well. A four-channel crossover is tuned for each band. Crystal clear sound is perfect for vocals and instrumental music.
The small, lightweight FiiO FA7s are well-built, quiet and offer great sound at a reasonable price. The twisted 1.2m long soft braided interchangeable cord doesn't get tangled or stiffen in the cold.
Beats Solo Pro
Wireless active noise cancelling headphones
The Solo Pro's main feature is carefully calibrated speakers that convey all the details of complex compositions, including classic instrumental parts.
Reasons to buy:
- Spectacular appearance;
- several color options;
- wireless connectivity;
- strong bass;
- ergonomics.
Solo Pro anodized aluminum headband is covered with matte plastic and faux leather. The headband adjusts to the size without jerking. The round overlay cups are decorated with the manufacturer's logo.
Calls, track selection, and voice assistant calls are controlled through the touchpad on the right cup. Beats has a new Apple H1 chip built in, featuring low power consumption and fast connectivity to Bluetooth devices.
Active Noise Cancellation blocks out external sounds on public transportation, the subway, and during flights. To hear your surroundings, you can turn on transparency mode. With sound isolation working, the battery lasts for 22 hours. If you turn off all unnecessary functions and leave only playback, the battery life of the headphones increases to 40 hours.
Beats Solo Pro's signature sound with rich bass, clear mids and treble, and excellent overall detail is suitable for both classical and modern music. If you wish, music can be shared by connecting two pairs of headphones at the same time and activating audio sharing.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT
Wireless studio level headphones
The ATH-M50xBT headphones deliver quality and versatile sound that delights professional musicians and sophisticated audiophiles alike.
Reasons to buy:
- solid design;
- easy operation;
- rotating cups;
- Effective passive noise cancellation;
- sturdy build.
The exterior styling is typical of Audio-Technica. The wide metal headband covered with eco leather can be adjusted to any head shape. The large, full-size, closed cups are hinged and rotate on two axes.
Inside are 45 mm diameter dynamic drivers with copper-clad aluminum voice coils and rare-earth magnets. The headphones support AAC and aptX audio codecs.
Touching the left ear cup adjusts the volume, invokes the intelligent assistant, and selects songs to listen to. At the bottom of the body are bluetooth activation trigger, connectors for charging and audio conduit.
The battery life of the headphones in playback mode - 40 hours. If the battery is low, you can connect the cable and continue listening. For advanced settings on your phone or tablet install the proprietary application Audio-Technica Connect.
Sony WH-1000XM3
Good autonomy and the presence of ANC
Full-size Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones support most codecs and guarantee excellent sound quality at any volume. Built-in microphones neutralize ambient noise and transmit the speaker's voice without distortion.
Reasons to buy:
- Robust build;
- comfortable fit;
- wide frequency range;
- large number of supported codecs;
- beautiful storage case.
Plastic over-the-ear headphones are available in black and beige. The matte housing is scratch-resistant, although it leaves fingerprints. The pivoting cups rotate in different directions, and the padded headband is height-adjustable. The ear cushions are made of synthetic leather, with a lush filler inside. The accessory folds up compactly.
The touchpad on the right cup is responsible for receiving calls and selecting music. The headphones support LDAC, AptX HD, SBC, AAC codecs. Quick connectivity via NFC technology is available, and there is a 1.2m cable with a gold-plated stereo mini-plug for wired connection.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 provides surround, open sound for all instruments and maximizes vocal clarity. Thanks to this, the listener is immersed in the music scene as if he or she were in the same room with the performer.
In the mobile app for Android and iOS you can adjust the equalizer, adjust the sensitivity of microphones to improve sound quality, change the level of noise reduction.
V-moda Crossfade Wireless 2
Original design and premium sound
V-Moda puts a serious emphasis on product quality, so the Crossfade Wireless stands out for its ruggedness and great sound transmission.
Reasons to buy:
- rugged housing;
- good passive noise cancellation;
- detachable cable;
- high-capacity battery;
Crossfade Wireless from V-Moda brand is designed for DJs, sound engineers and ordinary people who want to enjoy quality music without wires.
The Crossfade headband is made of a wide metal plate and covered with leather. On the inside there is a soft pad of breathable material. Extended full-size cups are mounted on special plates and rotate in different directions. Connection to the device is via Bluetooth or through a cable with a microphone that comes with the headphones.
On the right side of the body are buttons that control playback, next to it is a trigger that puts the accessory in pairing mode. Inside the cups are 50 millimeter dynamic drivers with two diaphragms. Thanks to them, the model broadcasts a balanced sound with rich mids and clear bass.
Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro Onyx Black
In-channel headphones with three ANC modes
Anker Soundcore's compact yet powerful audio headset delivers deep and clear sound, is easy to control, and is enviable for multitasking.
Reason for purchase:
- Comfortable in-ear fit;
- aptX support;
- app that expands the headset's capabilities;
- Qi wireless charging;
- handy case.
The small Bluetooth headphones look like ordinary earplugs with a "stalk", the body of which is covered with glossy plastic. There is a neat inset with engraved Soundcore series logo.
Each earpiece has microphones and a sensor that responds to the removal or insertion of the ear cushions into the ears. The touchpad on the housing allows you to play music, answer calls, and activate the Siri voice assistant.
The drivers, designed with PureNote technology, are coated with 10 hardened nano layers for incredible audio fidelity and clarity. An adjustable equalizer and different sound profiles give maximum richness to any song.
With noise cancellation turned on, the headphones work in standalone mode for 6 hours. If you turn it off, you get an extra hour to use them. Plastic storage case supports Qi wireless charging.
Sennheiser PXC 550-II
Adaptable noise isolation
Full-size, closed-ear headphones deliver bright, natural sound at any volume and create a comfortable sound space in the noisiest places.
Reasons to buy:
- Stylish design and collapsible construction;
- touch control, plus voice prompts;
- "smart" noise control;
- personalization of settings in the application Sennheiser Smart Control;
- support for advanced codecs (aptX-LL, aptX, AAC).
The earpiece of these headphones is wrapped in eco-leather with an inner lining. Massive swivel cups of brushed plastic slightly tapered to the bottom. The attachment point has the company logo and model name. The puffy ear cushions are removable and can be replaced if necessary.
All controls are on the right cup. There is also a Bluetooth switch, microphone jacks, USB port, and LED indicators showing battery charge and active pairing.
Dynamic speakers deliver detailed and lively sound without unnecessary accentuation of the lower frequencies. You can hear every single nuance of the instruments and get a real musical pleasure.
Active noise cancellation compensates for office noise and rumble of public transport, but almost does not cut off high-frequency sounds. Many functions can be adjusted in the Smart Control app. With its help update the firmware, call the voice assistant, adjust the acoustics and noise reduction mode.
What influences the sound quality of headphones
To buy headphones that meet all your needs, decide exactly where you will use them - at home or outdoors. For home use, large full-size models with a long cable are suitable, and for walks and travel - compact portable devices, preferably supporting Bluetooth-connection of the new generation.
Design type
Full-size accessories with circumaural ear cushions available in one of three styles:
- Open - allow air and outside noise through wide openings in the cups, broadcasting natural surround sound and expanding the soundstage.
- Closed - have no output holes, so they provide passive isolation and allow you to focus on your audio recording and listening.
- Semi-open - with small holes or "openness" adjustment mechanisms. They combine all the advantages of open and closed copies.
Portable devices include earmuffs, vacuum and overhead headphones.
EarmuffsThe external ear is in demand for people who listen to music from a smartphone and do not expect premium sound - there is no point in considering them here.
VacuumIn the ear canal, they create a strong barrier to ambient noise and can impress with clear high frequencies and deep, penetrating bass in the vacuum created.
Overhead headphones deliver loud and punchy sound with an impressive frequency range. However, they are closer in size to encompassing designs, so their portability is conditional.
If you are going to wear the headphones for several hours in a day, you should be comfortable in them. So be sure to try on the model, make sure it is light, does not squeeze your head or chafe your ears.
Technical characteristics
The sound quality is directly influenced by the technical specifications of the headphones. When buying pay attention to the following data:
Frequency range
The ear of the average person picks up sound in the frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, so these values are sufficient for good headphones. But at the boundaries of the range distortion is already possible. To make them go into the zone of "inaudible", it is worth looking for a model with an extended frequency response.
Resistance (impedance).
Indicates whether the accessory is compatible with your amplifier and is measured in ohms. The higher the impedance, the more powerful the incoming signal must be, otherwise the headphones will sound too quiet.
For example, models that connect to the player and phone have an optimum value of 16 to 50 ohms. Studio headphones interacting with a powerful sound source - more than 100 ohms.
Despite these requirements, it is better to look at high-impedance headphones. If you are looking for the perfect sound without distortion - they will provide it.
Sensitivity
Depends on the size of the speaker diaphragm and indicates how loud the sound can be. The standard value is 100 dB. At a lower figure, playback may seem too quiet, especially when connected to portable devices.
Distortion level
Determines sound quality and is measured as a percentage. In the frequency range from 100 Hz to 2 kHz, the allowable distortion is approximately 1%, and if frequencies are below 100 Hz, 10%.
Speakers
The sound is produced by special drivers that are installed inside the headphones. They are divided into several types according to their design.
Dynamic
The most common type. They consist of a diaphragm with an attached coil and wire in a constant magnetic field. Under the influence of alternating current, the membrane moves and transmits sound signals.
Armature
Their main part is a balanced armature made of a ferromagnetic alloy. A U-shaped metal plate moves around its axis inside a magnetic field and produces sound waves. The armature's sound is clean, but lacks emotionality.
Planar
These are considered among the best in terms of sound, but they are not cheap either. Here, the diaphragms consist of a film diaphragm encased in a magnetic array. A distinction is made between isodynamic and orthodynamic planar transducers according to the shape of the diaphragm.
The diameter of the diaphragm varies from 3.5 to 70 mm. The larger the size, the better the sound quality, although for vacuum drivers, 6 mm speakers remain optimal. In full-size accessories you can install the maximum size radiators, in overhead - the average (up to 40 mm).
Rating of the best brands
In order to listen to music brought real pleasure, choose models of famous brands that have proven themselves as manufacturers of high-end audio equipment.
Leading positions in this market are:
- Sennheiser;
- Beyerdynamic;
- Sony;
- Audeze;
- Bose.
Buying headphones from these companies, you can count on impeccable sound quality, comfort and durability of use. True, their models are not cheap, but they are worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are wired or wireless headphones better for sound quality?
Wired headphones with an audio jack provide better sound quality due to the direct and uninterrupted transmission of the signal, which does not require encoding/decoding. Hybrid models, which connect via wire when close to the source and via bluetooth when remote, are not a bad option.
Which headphones are suitable for a certain genre of music?
We have included in the review only high-quality and in a sense universal headphones with premium sound, so they cope well with different musical genres. But in order to achieve the perfect performance, consider certain criteria:
- For rock music, a wide frequency range, low tonality and a quality bass system (such as the Beyerdynamic Custom One presented in the review) are important.
- For metal - energetic and dynamic sound without booming, that is, with a clear playback of the bass. Here Sennheiser HD 650 is the best.
- Classical compositions are easy to listen to, when the sound is clear, detailed, it clearly captures every instrument and its location in space. To convey this can headphones with open cups.
- The wide scene and expressive upper frequencies are not too urgent for rap - a dynamic and powerful delivery without unnecessary embellishments is enough. The best way to do this are monitor headphones.
Do I need extra features in my headphones to listen to music?
You do not need extra features in headphones for studio work. Besides undistorted natural sound, they only need good passive isolation that cuts out external noise.
In portable models, additional configurations are welcome because they make the devices more practical and multifunctional. At the very least, they can replace a telephone headset for conversations.
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