The best over-ear headphones for every taste and price
First of all, Thanks to Jeff Dun (Insider Picks) for this article.
Over-ear headphones are for those who want to bathe in music.
As redundant as it may sound, they're made to be heard. They're bigger, heavier, and much less portable than
their in-ear or
on-ear cousins as a result, but they make up for that with sound that is usually far more vivid and detailed. Their circumaural — "around the ear" in Latin — nature chews up space and often heats up ears, but also gives your audio the most clarity, volume, and bass possible. It creates some natural noise isolation, too.
Especially on the pricier side of the market, great over-ear headphones help you find the life in your music, then fall in love with it all over again. You can use them on the go — you'll certainly want to, at least — but they're best suited for the office and, to a greater extent, kicking back at home. Their focus on overall quality makes them the most expensive headphone category of the bunch, but the return on investment with a good pair of cans is usually more than worth it for an audio enthusiast. They're things to be proud of.
You're looking for maximum audio performance here first and foremost, but you'll want to supplement that with good looks and a build that's comfortable for hours at a time. If a pair can fold up or block out lots of external noise, that's nice too. This is an incredibly competitive field, but all that means is that you'll have a wealth of great options to choose from.
That said, we do have our preferences. Much like our other guides, we've combined hands-on testing with the opinions of various headphones experts around the web to find the best full-size cans available today. Once again, we've split them up by price, then assigned them a BI Rating. (
Check here to learn more about the latter.) Finally, we've added a new budget level to highlight the ultra-premium side of the vast over-ears market. Regardless of what you're looking for, though, here are our favorite over-ear headphones for every budget.
BI Rating: 8/10
AmazonSuperlux HD-668B Semi-Open Headphones, $42.50.
Let's make this clear up front: There aren't as many great budget options in the over-ear market as there are in the in- and on-ear ones. If you're buying a device that's inherently designed for high performance, you should expect to pay a little bit more for the privilege.
The
Superlux HD-668B proves that the market isn't totally barren, though. They don't come from the most recognizable brand in the world, but they do provide a stunningly accurate and transparent sound that simply doesn't feel like it belongs to a $45 headphone.
They're not lookers, and their highs can get a little too bright at points, but getting this level of warm detail at this price point makes those flaws more bearable. The whole package is comfortable enough, and the fact that they come with an easily detachable cable is a nice perk.
Pros:
- Highly affordable
- Defined, revealing sound
- Detachable cable
Cons:
- Treble can be a little overdone
- Made from cheap materials
BI Rating: 8/10
MonopriceMonoprice 8323 DJ Style Headphones, $29.99.
Monoprice has earned a cult following across many tech disciplines for selling oddly capable products at rock bottom prices, but how they've been able to sell a competent pair of full-size headphones for as low as $20 in some places is beyond us. The
8323 Hi-Fi DJ Style Headphones have a generally smooth and balanced sound profile with rocking-yet-measured bass and crisp highs.
There are the expected negatives: They get muddied in the mids during less straightforward tracks, they act like small saunas for your ears over time, and their sound feels more contained than we'd prefer. But they do fold up neatly, they come with a long detachable cable, and they're actually sturdy considering how much plastic they use. Also, hello, they're $30. Temper your expectations appropriately and they're a treat.
Pros:
- As inexpensive as you can get for above-average full-sizers
- Smooth and strong sound with solid bass
- Detachable cable
Cons:
- Uncomfortable for extended sessions
- Weak soundstage
- Can't expect too much quality at this price
BI Rating: 9/10
AmazonSennheiser HD 598 Over-Ear Headphones, $147.92.
Sennheiser's
HD 598 isn't new, but time hasn't been unkind to it in the slightest: It still carries an expansive, ultra-clean, and airy sound in a lightweight, highly comfortable build. It's an exceedingly pleasant headphone, superbly balanced and distortion-free, with highs that sparkle and mids that are constantly clear. We dig the retro-style look of them, too, though that won't be a universal sentiment.
If there's a downside to these cans, it's that they're very much designed to stay at home. Their width and detail makes them great for movies and gaming, but their lack of any included carrying case or accessories makes them a pain to travel with. Also, while its bass is rich, this kind of sound signature doesn't go out of its way to get especially forceful lows. So EDM or hip-hop lovers may want to look elsewhere. Nevertheless, after dropping from $250 to $150 over the years, this is another fantastic value.
Pros:
- Precise, polished sound
- Light and snug
- Luxurious design
Cons:
- Not ideal for mobile use
- Sound signature isn't for bassheads
BI Rating: 9/10
Audio-Technica's ATH-M50 might be the single most beloved pair of headphones among audio enthusiasts, and its follow-up, the ATH-M50x, only improves upon that icon. The appeal here is one of balance: Between its thick and comfy earpads, wide and dynamic sound, and affordable price, the M50x is just a good buy more than anything else.
Its bass can get a bit too boomy at points, but everything here is solid for the money. That it's nicely portable and fitted with a detachable cord is even better. There's a clear line of separation between this and the more premium options below, but for someone looking to get into high-end audio without breaking the bank, the ATH-M50x (or its less defined but cheaper sibling,
the M40x) is a great starting point.
Pros:
- Well-made, compact, and comfortable for extended sessions
- Fairly well-balanced and punchy sound
- Detachable cable
Cons:
- No inline controls or mic
- Bass can lack refinement
BI Rating: 8/10
SonySony MDR-7506 Professional Headphone, $79.99.
We've told you this before, but
Sony's MDR-7506 is the gift that keeps on giving. The DJ-style cans haven't been touched since their introduction in the early '90s, yet they remain popular today, thanks to a wonderfully natural and nuanced sound signature that works with any genre of music. (Or any other kind of audio, to be honest.) That sound skews on the thin side, but it's lively, and eternally balanced.
Beyond that, the MDR-7506 is comfortable, built well enough to last for years, and easily foldable. Best of all, it's a great value: Judging purely by sound, it surpasses many headphones twice as expensive. These things were designed for studio use in 1991, so the long coiled cable here won't play nice with a smartphone on the go. However, they've been a recording industry standard for 25 years, and that doesn't happen without excellence.
Pros:
- Nicely natural sound
- Durable and comfortable
- Great value
Cons:
- Not ideal for mobile use
- Sound signature might be a little lean for some tastes
BI Rating: 10/10
OppoOppo PM-3 Planar Magnetic Headphones, $399.
With a business built on high-end Blu-ray players and Android smartphones, Oppo isn't the likeliest source of commendable full-size headphones. The Chinese company bulldozed those expectations with
the PM-3, however. These soft, refined-looking cans use a less common type of driver — planar magnetic, hence the "PM" — that essentially allows them to push out super accurate sounds with little distortion and great bass response, among other touch-ups.
Inner Fidelity has a more scientific description if you're interested.
Normally, planar magnetic drivers are reserved for the highest of the high-end — like the PM-3's bigger brother,
the $1,000 PM-1 — but the PM-3 brings one down to a (relatively) affordable level with spectacular results. This is the
Wirecutter's current pick for best $400 headphone, and it's easy to understand why: Its sound is as well-rounded and malleable as its fancy tech suggests, but it's also comfortable, well-built, stylish, and packed with useful accessories. Its intensely natural sound works wonders across frequencies, but it doesn't sacrifice portability in the process. Its cost seems steep at first, but the PM-3's pure quality almost makes that $400 tag look like a bargain.
Pros:
- Spectacularly detailed, well-rounded sound
- Simple yet high-end looks
- Comes with a nice case and accessories for either iOS or Android
Cons:
- Might be a tight fit on larger heads
- Soundstage could be wider
- Bass, while accurate, isn't the most impactful
BI Rating: 9/10
East DaneMaster & Dynamic MH40 Over Ear Headphones, $399.
If Oppo's PM-3 is the peak of this price range's sound, Master & Dynamic's MH40 is the peak of its design. These are arguably the best looking full-size cans on the market, and like their on-ear sibling, every bit of their lambskin, leather and metal finish screams high-end. You look at them, and suddenly its $400 asking price feels a little more reasonable. Headphones aren't just about sound quality for many people, and these are a top choice for the aesthetically-conscious audiophile.
That said, there's no looks versus sound tradeoff here. The MH40's punchy sound is fantastic, too, with tight and thumping bass, sharp treble, and a generally smooth profile. It could stand to have a little more juice in the upper-mids, but for the most part it keeps things transparent, spacious, and detailed. The only other concerns have to do with its fit, since larger-headed people may have some issues getting it to stay on comfortably. You may want to try before you buy, but either way this is another impressive offering from the young manufacturer.
Pros:
- Gorgeous design
- Dynamic, clean sound
- Built-in mute button, inline remote, and replaceable earpads
Cons:
- Might be a difficult fit for larger heads
- Upper mid-range could be a little more forceful
BI Rating: 9/10
V-Moda's Crossfade M-100 is not the best sounding headphone in this price range. Its mids lack presence, its bass is too much for lots of people, and its whole signature is heavily sculpted and unnatural. Similarly priced cans like the
PS4 M4U 1,
Beyerdynamic DT-990,
Sony MDR-1A, and
Bowers & Wilkins P7 are more balanced by comparison, so if you want sound that's a little more universally fantastic, try looking there.
But the M-100s are just too fun to be ignored. That V-shaped, bass-forward sound is so forceful, so dynamic, that it amplifies any sort of low-end groove to its fullest extent without ruining the rest of the mix. Its transparency in the mids is dashed a bit as a result, but it redeems itself somewhat with highs that are nice and rich. This is a good time headphone, and it's only aided by a design that's rugged, unusually portable, and handsome all at once. If you're into bass-centric music in any way, the M-100s will bring a smile to your face.
Pros:
- Fun, lively sound with thunderous bass
- Built like a tank
- Compact and highly mobile
Cons:
- Bass-heavy sound isn't for everyone
- Some mids get swallowed
- Can make ears sweaty over time
BI Rating: 10/10
AudezeAudeze LCD-3 Headphones, $1,945.
If you absolutely need the highest quality possible from your cans, and you're either loaded or horrifically irresponsible with your money, the
Audeze LCD-3 may be the single most well-regarded pair of headphones available today. They push an obscene $2,000, but, somehow, their lifelike sound and gorgeous wood and leather build makes that price tag justifiable — if only for a moment.
Review after
review after
review notes that listening to the LCD-3 is akin to having an actual performance hardwired to your ears. Like the Oppos above, it uses a planar magnetic driver for enhanced accuracy and realism. And indeed, it's tremendously clear, with a super wide soundstage, very smooth mids, and bass that's deep and powerful without being unnaturally overwhelming. Everything sounds as it's supposed to, where it's supposed to.
It's important to note that these are open-backed headphones, so their inherent inability to keep out ambient noises means they're best suited for quiet places at home. If you want a good chunk of this quality at a lesser price, Audeze also sells a lesser version of the LCD-3 called
the LCD-2 for $995. Either way, you're paying to approach the summit of headphone performance.
Pros:
- Lifelike sound
- Stunning design
- Detachable and replaceable cable
Cons:
- It's $2,000
- Open-backed design means they're best suited for the home
- Big and heavy
BI Rating: 10/10
AmazonSennheiser HD 800 Full Size Headphones, $1,298.99.
The pinnacle of Sennheiser's vaunted HD line, the
HD-800s might also be the most adept headphone in the world at revealing all the details of your recordings. Its imaging — effectively, the way it allows you to visualize the placement of the sounds being played — is among the best ever created. Its sound is impossibly balanced, deep, and defined. With its flexible headband and big, soft earpads, the hardware itself is widely regarded as one of, if not the most comfortable pairs of headphones ever made. It even looks nice.
All of this is to say that the HD-800 is one of the finest audiophile-grade headphones out there. It's priced accordingly at $1,600, but you'll really need to spend more than that to find a good headphone amplifier to get the most out of it. (It can almost be too accurate, to the point of soullessness, without one.) If you're going all in, though, it'll be worth it.
Pros:
- Wonderfully clear sound
- Huge soundstage
- One of the most comfortable full-size headphones ever made
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Really need an amp to get the best quality out of it
- Usual caveats with open-backed design
BI Rating: 9/10
Sony's flagship MDR-Z7 can't touch the sound quality of big hitters like the two above, but it can get you a suitably huge soundstage, supreme build quality, and a wonderfully cozy fit for half the price. The first of those is especially impressive given that this is a closed-back headphone, which inherently tend to keep sound trapped within the seal of their cans.
And even if it doesn't pack ultra-high-end sound, the MDR-Z7 is still exceptionally transparent and natural sounding compared to most high-end competitors. Like the best audiophile-grade headphones, it presents your recordings close to exactly as they are — the rough ones will sound harsher than ever, and the good ones will sound prettier than you knew they could. It's all very pleasing and detailed.
Its depth and accuracy means that this isn't one for the bassheads — though the lows here are mostly tight — but it does make this an especially great headphone for catching all the details in not just music, but movies and video games too. It's a great choice for anyone looking for a warmer sound that'll work wonders with a home theater.
Pros:
- Big, articulate sound that's great for all media
- Light, and highly comfortable over extended sessions
- Good looking and very well-built
Cons:
- Might sound too thin for some
- Long cables and lack of carrying case confine it to home use
