The 7 Best Headphones For Music - Summer 2021 Reviews

The best headphones for music with extra bass that we've tested are the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. These comfortable Bluetooth over-ears have an overemphasized bass response that may be perceived as a little boomy by some listeners but should please fans of EDM and hip hop who crave some extra thump and rumble.

They're compatible with the Sony | Headphones Connect companion app, which grants you access to a graphic EQ as well as audio presets to fine-tune your listening experience. They have a remarkably effective ANC system that filters out a wide range of ambient noise, from passing trucks to the high-pitched hum of an AC unit, so you can enjoy your music even in loud or crowded environments. While they should last for over 37 hours on a single charge, they come with a 1/8" TRS audio cable, allowing for passive audio playback if you've run out of battery.

Unfortunately, their integrated microphone delivers sub-par recording quality and makes your voice sound thin and muffled, so they may not be the best option if you also happen to make a lot of phone calls through your headphones. Their touch-sensitive control scheme may also take some time to get used to, though it's quite intuitive once you've figured it out. If you're looking for extra thump and rumble, these are also among the best bass headphones that we've tested.

The Sennheiser HD 800 S are the best headphones for soundstage that we've tested. These premium open-backs generate 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 should also please audiophiles, as 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.

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. Their spacious, well-padded ear cups should ensure you don't experience any discomfort, even during long listening sessions. They're also fairly breathable, so your ears shouldn't sweat too much while wearing them.

Unfortunately, they're very expensive. That's without mentioning an amplifier is needed to get the most out of them. As to be expected for a pair of open-backs, they do an awful job of blocking out ambient noise, so they're particularly ill-suited for listening in a loud environment. Still, considering their ability to provide an impressively well-balanced and immersive listening experience, these are among the best open-back headphones we've tested.

The Philips SHP9500 are the best headphones for vocals and instruments that we've tested. These open-back headphones create a very good passive soundstage that can help immerse you in your favorite tunes. Their mid-range is also incredibly neutral and accurate, ensuring vocals and instruments sound clear, present, and detailed.

These headphones are very comfortable with large, well-padded ear cups that don't trap in a lot of heat. They don't feel too tight or heavy either, so you shouldn't feel too much fatigue if you're wearing them during long listening sessions. Although they're a bit plasticky, their headband is reinforced with a thin metal frame, which makes them feel a bit more sturdy.

Unfortunately, like most open-back headphones, they struggle to reproduce a thumpy low-bass and don't block out almost any background noise. They also leak a lot of audio, which could annoy others around you. That said, if you're looking for headphones that reproduce vocals and instruments accurately, they're a suitable choice.

The Superlux HD 668B are the best budget headphones for music that we've tested. These headphones have a semi-open enclosure, which helps create a large and spacious soundstage that feels like it's coming from outside your head. While they're not really designed for casual use, their design helps immerse you in your favorite music.

These headphones have a neutral, although somewhat bright sound profile that can help bring out the detail in vocals and lead instruments. While they lack a bit of low-bass, they still add a bit of extra boom and warmth to your mixes. It shouldn't be too overwhelming, though. Thanks to their detachable audio cable design, you can easily replace their cable if it gets damaged. Superlux also includes an additional TRS cable in the box too, which is nice.

Unfortunately, while they're decently well-padded, some users may find they fit a bit tight, which could be fatiguing if you're listening to audio for long periods of time. They also have sub-par build quality as they're made of cheap-feeling plastic and don't feel very sturdy. That said, if you plan to mostly use them indoors, they offer a fairly neutral sound profile at a budget-friendly price.