buying guide: 10 best over-ear headphones available today

Best over-ear headphones

Update: The top over-ear headphones are always in flux. Check out the latest list that includes the all-new Sony MDR-1000X.

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Compared to on-ear and in-ear headphones, which are loved for their portability and generally low asking-price, over-ear headphones tend to be the best option to get if you’re looking for the most immersive sound experience and don’t mind a bigger set of headphones.

Each kind of headphones has its perks, but people gravitate toward over-ear headphones for a few key reasons: their sound and comfort. If you’re ready to bite the bullet on a set of expensive over-ear headphones, check out our list of the top-ranking options on TechRadar.

Oppo PM-3

1. Oppo PM-3

Closed back planar magnetic headphones from the gods

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Stunning sound quality Great isolation Faux leather earpads Less precision than open-back cans

The Oppo PM-3’s are a truly stunning pair of headphones. Make no mistake, we’ve reviewed a lot of headphones in the last 10 years but none have we become more fond of than the PM-3.

They’re equally comfortable being plugged into a headphone amp at home as they are commuting through the hustle and bustle of a big city, and they stand head and shoulders above rival products from bigger brands. We really can’t recommend them highly enough, they’re just amazing.

Philips Fidelio X2

2. Philips Fidelio X2

Brilliant headphones for a brilliant price

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div class=”icon icon-plus_circle _hawk”> Brilliant sound

Superb value Lacks extras

The Philips Fidelio X2’s are a superb pair of headphones offering premium comfort and build quality with a sound that rivals even the most vaunted audiophile cans.

Best over-ear headphones

3. Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro

Recording studio pedigree, at a price

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Beautifully crafted soundscape Sleek design They’re a bit bulky

The Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pros are a stunning pair of headphones. Are they expensive? To some no, to most yes; but for the sheer listening experience they deliver you’d be hard pressed to take them off after putting them on, even using them with portable HRA players and mobile phones.

That said, they really do push the boundaries of what you can do with a dynamic driver. All praise to Beyerdynamic for putting together such a wonderful product.

Audio Technica ATH MSR7

4. Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7

These over-ear headphones bring both performance and value

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Elegant design Includes lots of goodies Incredible sound performance No inline volume control

It can be an expensive journey if you’re looking for a set of headphones that sound as good as they look. That’s why Audio-Technica’s MSR7 are a sight (and sound) to behold if good sound and sharp build quality are priorities.

These wired headphones retail for $250 (£199, AU$349), which isn’t cheap, but we think you’ll love these. Why? First off, the sound is incredibly well-balanced, pushing out crisp highs and deep lows without distortion. Second, the build materials and included goodies help to offset the cost.

Sony MDR-ZX770BT

5. Sony MDR-ZX770BT

Affordable wireless headphones that deliver big

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Comfortable fit Fantastic battery life Cramped soundstage Light on bass

Sometimes, sacrifice isn’t necessary. Sony’s wizards stuffed a glut of features, cool design and a long-lasting battery into the MDR-ZX770BT, making this cheap set of wireless headphones a must-buy.

Sennheiser Momentum Wireless

6. Sennheiser Momentum Wireless

Incredible audio fidelity backed by a serious price

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Best-in-class sound Everlasting battery life Finicky multi-function button Terribly pricey

These no-holds-barred wireless headphones are oozing with positive qualities, but for many, they’re almost prohibitively expensive. However, if you’re an audio lover that can spare the expense, do not hesitate on this comfortable, hard-working set of headphones that will likely last for years.

Best Over-Ear Headphones

7. Bose QuietComfort 35

Bose cut the wires off its flagship cans with great success

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Broad and clear soundstage Amazing noise cancellation Active EQ an acquired taste Boring looks

Bose has finally brought its fantastic noise-cancelling technology to a pair of wireless headphones and it’s done so without any of the traditional drawbacks of wireless headphones. They sound great, and their battery life is long enough for all but the longest of flights.

At $349.95 (£289.95 / AU pricing tbc) the QC35s sit firmly at the premium end of the spectrum, but if you want the best noise-cancelling headphones available right now then you can’t get any better.

Best Over-Ear Headphones

8. Sony MDR-1000X

Noise-cancelling headphones that care about Hi-Res Audio

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Quick Attention mode Noise cancellation Lengthy battery life Finicky Ambient Noise mode

The MDR-1000X are definitely the closest competitor to Bose’s QuietComfort series I’ve ever had the pleasure of testing. Some high-end codecs (LDAC, AAC and aptX) help the 1000X sound even better than the QC35s, but ultimately the noise canceling is a bit less effective in Sony’s pair of cans.

What should drive your decision on whether to buy the MDR-1000X is your music player – if you’re a Sony Xperia owner, you’d be hard-pressed to find a pair of headphones that sound as good as these with noise canceling tech built-in. Even if you’re not, Sony’s wares are still worth a listen – and maybe a purchase – if you aren’t too put out by its $400 (£330 or AU$700) price tag.

bowers and wilkins p7

9. Bowers & Wilkins P7

Possibly the most regal looking headphones out there

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Wonderful sound Replaceable parts Poor audio isolation Not kind to big ears

The P7 offers wonderful sound, and if you couldn’t tell, they look dashing. Dressed to the nines in leather and shiny metal detail, the prowess expressed in design carries over into the robust sound quality pumped out of the drivers. But for nearly $400, we recommend finding a set to try on before taking the big plunge.

Best over-ear headphones

10. Denon AH-MM400

Walnut-finished with serious audio quality

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Great all-round audio experience Well-built, well-designed chassis The walnut finish will be divisive

Denon’s AH-MM400 headphones really impress. They do just miss out compared with the more expensive Oppo PM-3 headphones in a straight fight on separation and complete audio detail, but at this rarified end of the audio market the differences are marginal; you’d have to listen hard to discern where the planar magnetic drivers of the Oppos pull ahead of the standard dynamic drivers in the MM400s.

But that doesn’t stop the MM400s from being a lovely pair of headphones, with great, natural sound and a warmth of tone that easily justifies their price.

We’re constantly reviewing new over-ear headphones, but let us know if there is a set that you’d like us to take a look at.

Source: techradar.com

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4 Comments

Reply Mrs. Era Flatley II October 1, 2016 at 11:43 pm

Agreed, for what they are, (Studio Monitors) they simply can't be beat for the price. If you're looking for iPhone friendly cans to block out noise, maybe beats would be a better fit lol.
Reply Benny O'Keefe October 1, 2016 at 11:47 pm

Would completely agree. I find them a little loose on my head, and the isolation isn't great (even compared to my HD280s), but the response and flat, even sound is unbeatable at the price-point.
Reply Jan Huel October 2, 2016 at 2:24 am

Nice article but list is not updated from long time. I found latest list of Top 5 Over Ear Headphones in 2016 Here: http://www.beautyz. org/best-headphones-and-earbuds-for-2016/. . . List has some quality Headphones!!!
Reply Miss Kailee Rosenbaum MD October 2, 2016 at 6:53 am

How do you not have the ATH-M50x's here? They're the best, if not tied for the best headphones for under $200. I dont understand how you could not include those.