The 7 Best Headphones For Music - Spring 2023 Reviews

The Sennheiser HD 800 S are the best headphones for music that we've tested. If you're looking for the best and intend to spare no expense, these premium headphones are among the best open-back headphones we've tested. They create an incredibly natural, spacious, and wholly immersive listening experience that makes your music sound like it's coming from all around you. Their well-balanced sound profile will also please audiophiles. Their very neutral mid and treble response makes vocals and lead instruments sound clear, present, detailed, and airy, though some may find them to be a little too bright. However, their high price point and added costs (since you'll need an amplifier to get the most out of them) can put them well out of reach for most people.

They're very well-built, with a sturdy-feeling design made of high-grade plastic reinforced by a metal frame and a braided detachable audio cable. Since they have a dynamic transducer design, they're less prone to imaging issues than planar magnetic headphones. Their spacious, breathable, and well-padded ear cups will also ensure you don't experience any discomfort, even during long listening sessions. If you want an alternative to these high-end over-ears, check out the cheaper HiFiMan Arya. They utilize planar-magnetic drivers instead of more common dynamic drivers and deliver more low bass and a more neutral sound across the range. However, they're bulkier and don't have as much warmth in their bass range as the HD 800 S.

The best upper mid-range headphones for music we've tested are the HiFiMan Edition XS. Unlike the Sennheiser HD 800 S, they use planar magnetic drivers instead of dynamic drivers, which are more common. Thanks to this design, they can reproduce bass more accurately than competitors at this price point and create a better representation of their soundstage. On the other hand, their transducer is more complex, resulting in more minor deviations in sound reproduction between units. They have a bulkier and heavier design than the Sennheiser and feel less premium. However, their ski-band headband helps distribute the headphones' weight evenly, meaning you won't feel fatigued during long listening sessions.

They offer a neutral default sound profile that brings a touch of extra warmth and boom to your music. Lead vocals and instruments are reproduced clearly and accurately, although these elements are weakened by a dip in the high-mid range. Although they feel more plasticky than the Arya and many other high-end options, they still feel sturdy and have a comfortable enough fit for hours-long listening sessions. However, if your head is on the small side, their large ear cups and frame might result in a less comfortable fit. On the plus side, their sound delivery is consistent from use to use.

Looking for great sound at a mid-range price point? Check out the HiFiMan Sundara 2020. They're the next generation of the HiFiMan Sundara 2018 and have redesigned ear cups that are more comfortable. Otherwise, the two models are nearly identical. Both feature the same neutral sound profile that's versatile for different kinds of content. While they lack the low-bass needed to get into EDM and hip-hop due to their open-back design, the mid-range is extremely well-balanced, meaning that vocals and instruments sound present, clear, and detailed.

These headphones feel comfortable and well-built. While they're more comfortable than the pricier HiFiMan Edition XS, their passive soundstage isn't as immersive. They can also trap in quite a bit of heat and aren't as breathable as their predecessor or other models in HiFiMan's lineup, resulting in potential discomfort over long listening sessions. Additionally, they're unstable and can slip around if you move your head when listening to music. Fortunately, their low impedance means you won't need a powerful amp to connect them and can get the same sound quality from your phone or laptop.

If you're looking for a great listening experience without breaking the bank, the Philips Fidelio X2HR are the way to go. These open-back headphones are a bit bulkier than the HiFiMan Sundara 2020 and have a less immersive passive soundstage. However, they offer a much lower bass extension, making genres like hip-hop and EDM sound thumpier and more powerful than on some pricier open-back headphones. The rest of the range is very neutral, with great fidelity in the mid and treble ranges that make vocals and instruments sound crisp, clear, detailed, and present.

These headphones are mostly made of plastic but still feel well-built and durable. They clamp tighter on the head than most Philips headphones but won't cause discomfort during long listening sessions. Their low impedance also means you can get great-sounding audio without an amp. You can use them with your laptop and phone without changes in audio quality.

The best headphones for music that we've tested in the budget range are the Philips SHP9500. These open-back headphones have an extremely balanced and neutral mid-range, making them well-suited for genres like classical and folk that rely on accurately reproducing vocals and lead instruments. Although they lack more bass than the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO due to their open-back design, they have a touch of extra high-bass to add warmth to your mixes and a great passive soundstage. Although it doesn't feel as out-of-head or as immersive as the soundstage created by higher-end headphones, it still feels wide, open, and spacious.

These over-ears have a very comfortable fit with roomy and well-padded ear cups. They're also decently well-built, although the fabric padding feels like it could rip over time, and the swiveling ear cups seem prone to breaking under stress. Their audio cable is also detachable, so you can easily replace it if it gets damaged.

If you don't want to trade features like noise cancelling and portability, you might prefer headphones for more casual use. Consider the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless, the best wireless headphones for music we've tested. They're Bluetooth headphones, which makes them easier to use when you're out and about, and they have an ANC feature that can block out noise like ambient chit-chat or rumbling engines. They're comfortable and have a 37-hour battery life, so they'll last through several workdays without needing a charge.

Their bass-heavy sound profile is well-suited for genres like EDM and hip-hop but might disappoint fans of a more neutral sound for music since it can make some mixes sound muddy and vocals less clear. They also struggle to create an immersive, out-of-head passive soundstage, even when compared to closed-back audiophile options like the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO. That said, unlike most dedicated audiophile headphones, they work with a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization. They have a surround sound feature to help create a more immersive experience, although you need to use it with a compatible streaming service.

Then again, if you like your music with a lot of extra rumble and punch, it's worth checking out the Skullcandy Crusher Evo Wireless instead. These wireless over-ears have a haptic bass slider that can increase the bass in your audio. Using it can also add intense vibrations to your music, giving you the feeling of being at a live show. Unfortunately, they're prone to more inconsistencies in bass delivery than the Sony headphones. They also lack ANC and struggle to block out background noise.

If you prefer an in-ear fit, consider the MOONDROP Aria. They're wired in-ear monitors (IEMs) with a comfortable fit and a neutral sound suitable for different music. They have a slight bump in high bass to add warmth and boom to your mixes. It doesn't overwhelm vocals and lead instruments, though; they're reproduced clearly in your mixes. Their treble range is underemphasized, though sibilants like cymbals are dull and lispy. They can't create an immersive soundstage either, as their shape bypasses your outer ears, which need to be activated by sound to create a more natural, wide, and large sound.

Their in-ear design is very comfortable, and some people may even prefer the fit compared to open-back headphones as it can help block out some background noise like ambient chatter. Once you get a good fit with the provided ear tips, you'll get consistent audio delivery each time you use them. They won't block out commuter noise like rumbly buses, and they don't have a mic built-in, although you can purchase an audio cable with an in-line mic separately.

If you're still looking for more in-ear headphones, check out our best-sounding wireless earbuds article!