The 7 Best Headphones For Music - Winter 2022 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 will 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, meaning 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 many phone calls through your headphones. Their touch-sensitive control scheme may also take some time to get used to, though it's intuitive once you've figured it out. If you're looking for extra thump and rumble, these are also among the best bass headphones we've tested.

The Sennheiser HD 800 S are the best music 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 budget-friendly headphones have an open-back design, which helps them create a spacious-seeming, immersive passive soundstage. Their very neutral mid-range response ensures that vocals and lead instruments are reproduced clearly and accurately.

They're decently well-built and very comfortable, with big, well-padded earcups that should easily fit around most ears, so they shouldn't cause fatigue during long listening sessions. They also deliver sound very consistently, so once you achieve the right fit, seal, and positioning, you should hear the same sound each time you wear them. Their cable is detachable, so you don't need to replace the headphones if it breaks.

Unfortunately, like most open-back headphones, their sound lacks low-bass, so they aren't ideal if you want a pair that can reproduce thump and rumble in bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop. Their design also means they leak a lot of audio and don't block out ambient sound. That said, if you're looking for open-back headphones that reproduce vocals and lead instruments accurately, they're a great option.

The Superlux HD 681 are the best budget headphones for music that we've tested. They have a very neutral default sound profile with a touch of extra brightness. Although some people may find sibilants sound overly piercing, they're still well-suited for many audio genres.

These headphones have a comfortable and lightweight fit with large ear cups. Thanks to their semi-open fit, their passive soundstage seems large, natural, and open. While they don't come with much in the way of additional accessories, they have a cloth pouch to help protect them from dust and scratches when you're not using them.

Unfortunately, they have a cheap and plasticky build quality that feels low-grade. They also don't isolate you from much ambient noise around you and leak audio at high volumes. That said, if you're looking for more affordable headphones for music, they offer a more immersive audio experience due to their design.