There are a lot of options if you’re seeking for excellent headphones for music. Some headphones are more appropriate than others depending on the type of music you enjoy. A more neutral or balanced sound with a large, immersive soundstage may be preferred by listeners of more instrumental or vocal-centric genres, such as jazz or folk. On the other hand, fans of EDM, hip-hop, and R&B might prefer their bass to give their preferred music more thump and kick.
Aria Moondrop
The MOONDROP Aria is an option to consider if you want an in-ear fit. These are wired in-ear monitors (IEMs) with a secure fit and a versatile sound that works with various musical genres. They have a tiny bump in the high bass to give your mixes warmth and explosion. Nonetheless, it doesn’t overpower the lead instruments and singers, and your mixes accurately recreate them. Despite the fact that sibilants like cymbals are dull and lispy, their treble range is underemphasized. Furthermore, because of the way they are designed, they cannot produce an immersive soundstage because sound must activate your outside ears in order to produce a more realistic, expansive, and wide sound.
The in-ear style of these headphones is incredibly comfortable, and some individuals might even prefer the fit over open-back headphones because it can reduce background noise like chitchat. You’ll enjoy consistent audio delivery each time you use them once you’ve found a proper fit with the supplied ear tips. They lack a built-in microphone and won’t effectively cancel out commuter noise like rumbling buses, but you can buy an audio cable with an in-line microphone separately.
Wi-Fi Sony WH-1000XM4
You might favor a set of headphones made for more casual use if you don’t want to give up features like noise canceling and portability. The best wireless music headphones we’ve tested are the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. These headphones contain an ANC feature that can cancel out background noise like chitchat and rumbling engines. These are Bluetooth headphones, making them more convenient to use while you’re out and about. They are cozy and have a battery life of 37 hours. Their bass-heavy sound profile is ideal for genres like electronic dance music (EDM) and hip-hop, but it may turn off listeners who prefer a more neutral sound since it can make some mixes sound muddy and vocalists less distinct. However, they struggle to provide an immersive, out-of-head passive soundstage, even when compared to closed-back audiophile choices like the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO.
However, they function with a companion app that features a graphic EQ and presets for sound modification, unlike the majority of specialized audiophile headphones. Although you must use it with a compatible streaming provider, they include a surround sound capability to help create a more immersive experience. The Skullcandy Crusher Evo Wireless is a better option if you prefer your music with a lot more added rumble and punch. A tactile bass slider on these wireless over-ear headphones allows you to boost the bass in your music. Utilizing it can also give your music powerful vibrations that make you feel like you’re at a live concert. Sadly, they are more prone to bass delivery irregularities than the Sony headphones. They lack ANC as well and have trouble eliminating background noise.
Panasonic SHP9500
The Philips SHP9500 are the best budget headphones for music if you’re seeking for something more cost-effective. These open-back headphones are intriguing if you don’t mind sacrificing build quality for sound. They are perfect for genres like classical and folk that depend on the correct reproduction of vocals and lead instruments since they feature an incredibly balanced and neutral mid-range. Due to their open-back design, they don’t have as much bass as the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO, but they do have a little extra high-bass to give your mixes some warmth. They offer an excellent passive soundstage because of their open-back construction. Although while the soundstage produced by higher-end headphones doesn’t feel as out-of-head or as immersive, it still feels broad, open, and spacious.
These over-ear headphones boast roomy, well-padded ear cups and a highly comfortable feel. Although the cloth cushioning feels like it could rip over time and the swiveling ear cups appear prone to snapping under stress, they are nevertheless relatively well-built. Since their audio wire is removable, you may easily replace it if it is broken.
DT 770 PRO by Beyerdynamic
The greatest lower mid-range headphones for music that we have tested are the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO. These have a closed-back design instead of the open-back options described above, which are more typical at this price range. As a result, they have trouble producing an expansive, immersive passive soundstage, but they are far better at isolating background noise than open-back speakers like the HiFiMan Edition XS. If you’re listening to music in the living room or similar communal location, they also leak less audio, which is pleasant. They can reproduce the thump and rumble in genres like EDM and hip-hop because they reproduce bass better than many open-backs.
Their sound features a little extra treble because they have an analytical sound profile. Although some people might find it too bright, it can help mixes stand out by bringing out the details. The rest of the response is flat and neutral, resulting in instruments and vocals that are accurate, natural, and understandable. The ear cup cushioning on the headphones is plush, and they fit extremely comfortably. If you have a larger skull, they might not be as comfortable because of how tightly they fit.
Conclusion
The wired and wireless headphones we suggest above are what we believe are currently the best on the market for the majority of consumers. We take into account availability, visitor comments, and price (cheaper headphones prevail over more expensive ones if the price difference isn’t significant) (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
Here is a list of all of our reviews, arranged according to how well they are suited for neutral sound, in case you want to make your own decision. Avoid getting sucked into the details. There are no headphones that are ideal. Your choice will depend more on your own preferences, style, and environment where you’ll be using the headphones.
