The 7 Best Headphones For Music - Spring 2024: Reviews (2024)

1. Best Headphones For Music

   Sennheiser HD 800 S 3

   

   Neutral Sound

   8.5

   Commute/Travel

   4.0

   Sports/Fitness

   5.5

   Office

   4.7

   Wireless Gaming

   4.8

   Wired Gaming

   6.9

   Phone Calls

   1.7

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Open-Back

   Wireless No

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling No

   Mic No

   See all our test results

   The Sennheiser HD 800 S are the best headphones for musicwe've tested. Theycreatean incredibly natural, spacious, and wholly immersive listening experience, makingyour music sound like it's coming from all around you. If you're looking for the best and intend tospareno expense, these premium headphonesare among thebest open-back headphonesyou can buy. 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 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.Their spacious, breathable, and well-padded ear cups will also ensure you don't experience anydiscomfort, even during long listening sessions.

   Since they have a dynamic transducer design, they're less prone to imaging issues than planar magnetic headphones. If you want an alternative to these high-end over-ears, check out the cheaperHiFiMan 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. They can be difficult to find, but the HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version are an updated version that performs very similarly. However, both sets of HiFiMan headphones are bulkier and have less warmth in their bass range than theHD 800 S.

   See our review

2. Best Upper Mid-Range Headphones For Music

   HiFiMan Edition XS 7

   

   Neutral Sound

   8.7

   Commute/Travel

   3.5

   Sports/Fitness

   5.0

   Office

   4.3

   Wireless Gaming

   4.7

   Wired Gaming

   6.8

   See Also

   10 Best Headphones for Music (2023 Review) - MusicCritic10 Best Cheap Over Ear Headphones [ 2023 ] - MusicCritic10 Best Over Ear Headphones Under $100 in 2024 [Buying Guide] - Music Critic10 Best Over Ear Headphones In 2023 - MusicCritic

   Phone Calls

   1.5

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Open-Back

   Wireless No

   Transducer Planar Magnetic

   Noise Cancelling No

   Mic No

   See all our test results

   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 they 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 headbanddistributes the headphones' weight evenly, meaning you won't feel fatigued during long listening sessions.

   They offer a neutral default sound profile that brings extra warmth and boom to your music. Lead vocals and instruments are clearly and accurately reproduced, although a dip in the high-mid range weakens these elements. Although they feel more plasticky than the HiFiMan Arya and many other high-end options, they feel sturdy and comfortable enough for extended 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.

   See our review

3. Best Mid-Range Headphones For Music

   HiFiMan Sundara 2020 7

   

   Neutral Sound

   8.4

   Commute/Travel

   3.7

   Sports/Fitness

   5.3

   Office

   4.5

   Wireless Gaming

   4.7

   Wired Gaming

   6.7

   Phone Calls

   1.6

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Open-Back

   Wireless No

   Transducer Planar Magnetic

   Noise Cancelling No

   Mic No

   See all our test results

   Looking for great sound at a mid-range price point? Check out the HiFiMan Sundara 2020 as a solidmid-range pick for the best music headphones. 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, their mid-range is extremely well-balanced, meaning that vocals and instruments sound present, clear, and detailed.

   These headphones feel comfortable and well-built. They're more comfortable than the pricier HiFiMan Edition XS, but their passive soundstage isn't quite as immersive. However, they're still spacious and immersive, relative to any closed-back headphones,because of their open-back design. Their fit feelsunstable and can slip around if you move your head when listening to music, and they heat up more than other HiFiMan headphones. Fortunately, their low impedance means you won't need a powerful amp to connect them, and you can get the same sound quality from your phone or laptop.

   See our review

4. Best Lower Mid-Range Headphones For Music

   Philips Fidelio X2HR 1

   

   Neutral Sound

   8.4

   Commute/Travel

   3.8

   Sports/Fitness

   5.0

   Office

   4.6

   See Also

   Best headphones for music 2024: Elevate your listening with our top picks

   Wireless Gaming

   4.6

   Wired Gaming

   6.7

   Phone Calls

   1.6

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Open-Back

   Wireless No

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling No

   Mic No

   See all our test results

   For a great listening experience without breaking the bank, try the Philips Fidelio X2HR. These open-back headphones are 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 more thumpyandpowerful than on some pricier open-back headphones. The rest of the frequency range is very neutral, with great fidelity in the mid and treble ranges, makingvocals 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.

   See our review

5. Best Budget Headphones For Music

   Superlux HD 681 1

   

   Neutral Sound

   8.3

   Commute/Travel

   4.0

   Sports/Fitness

   5.1

   Office

   4.8

   Wireless Gaming

   4.5

   Wired Gaming

   6.5

   Phone Calls

   1.7

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Semi-Open

   Wireless No

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling No

   Mic No

   See all our test results

   Looking for audiophile sound on a budget? Look no further than the Superlux HD 681. Theseentry-level audiophile headphones havea semi-open back design that creates a very good passive soundstage while retaining some of the noise-blocking properties of closed-back headphones. As expected at this price point, they have a plasticky build quality that doesn't feel as premium or durable as the Philips Fidelio X2HR. They also lack a detachable cable, so you'll have to purchase a new pair if you damage it.

   They have a bright and analytical sound, so sibilants like cymbals can be overly piercing. That said, they have excellent bass and mid accuracy. The bass is more prominent than on most open-back headphones, so mixes will have plenty of thump and boom. The detailed mids provide plenty of clarity and accuracy in vocals and lead instruments. Their soundstage performance is also on par with fully open-back designs like the Philips and adds an immersive quality to audio.

   If you're willing to spend a little more, the Philips SHP9600 offer an improved build quality, a detachable cable design, and a more comfortable fit. Their balanced mid-range makes them well-suited for genres like classical and folk that rely on accurately reproducing vocals and lead instruments. They can't reproduce as much low bass as the Superlux, but their passive soundstage still feels similarly wide, open, and spacious.

   See our review

6. Best Casual-Use Headphones For Music

   Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless 11

   

   Neutral Sound

   7.2

   Commute/Travel

   8.1

   Sports/Fitness

   7.2

   Office

   7.7

   Wireless Gaming

   5.8

   Wired Gaming

   7.4

   Phone Calls

   6.6

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Yes

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling Yes

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   If you care about your music but don't want to sacrifice features like noise cancelling and portability, consider the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're Bluetooth headphones, which makes them easier to use when you're out and about, and they have an active noise cancelling (ANC) feature that can block out noise like ambient chit-chat or rumbling engines. Theirclosed-back design doesn't leak your music, butthey can't create a passive soundstage that feels as wide or open as similarly priced open-back headphones, like the HiFiMan Sundara 2020. Fortunately, they have a virtual surround sound feature tocreate a more immersive experience, though you need to use it with a compatible streaming service, like TIDAL.

   They deliver much more low-bass than the open-back HiFiMan, which makes them well-suited for genres like EDM and hip-hop. However, it makes vocals and instruments sound muddy and less clear. You can use their companion app with a graphic EQ and presets, which can help you find a more neutral mix. They're also very comfortable and last 37 hours on a single charge, so they'll last through several full workdays without needing additional power. They also have an integrated microphone, which performs passably well, so you can take calls between tracks while on the go. Sadly, the manufacturer has discontinued them, and they can be hard to find, so grab a pair while stocks last.

   See our review

7. Best In-Ear Headphones For Music

   MOONDROP Blessing 3 15

   

   Neutral Sound

   7.8

   Commute/Travel

   5.7

   Sports/Fitness

   6.5

   Office

   5.8

   Wireless Gaming

   4.3

   Wired Gaming

   6.4

   Phone Calls

   2.3

   Type In-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless No

   Transducer Hybrid

   Noise Cancelling No

   Mic No

   See all our test results

   If you prefer an in-ear fit, consider the MOONDROP Blessing 3. These wired in-ear monitors (IEMs) are a lightweight and portable alternative to bulkier over-ear audiophile headphones like the HiFiMan Sundara 2020. You won't get a passive soundstage that feels as immersive or open, but in exchange, you get a more subtle look and better breathability. Each bud features a hybrid driver design with dual 10 mm dynamic drivers toimprove sound quality, especially in the bass range. The result is an extremely well-balanced sound profile, ensuring that audio reproduces with astounding fidelity.

   They're lighter than other MOONDROP models, like the MOONDROP Aria, and sit comfortably in your ear without causing fatigue. They also have good stability due to an over-ear cable design and multiple sizes of included ear tips to help you get the best in-ear fit. The cable's also detachable, so you won't need to replace your whole unit if it gets damaged. These earbuds don't have ANC and do a better job of passively isolating you from nearby conversations or whiny A/C units than rumbly bus engines.

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

   See our review

Notable Mentions

Recent Updates

1. Mar 29, 2024: The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO were added as a Notable Mention, and the article has been checked for accuracy with minor text edits.

2. Mar 01, 2024: Despite testing the Sennheiser HD 25 recently, our picks remain the same. We've checked to ensure they all remain in stock and up-to-date.

3. Feb 08, 2024: We've added the Audeze MM-100 and Beyerdynamic DT-990 PRO as Notable Mentions and checked to ensure all our picks remain in stock.

4. Jan 11, 2024: We've added the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO as a Notable Mention and a note about the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless' availability, given that Sony has discontinued them.

5. Dec 07, 2023: We've checked that our picks remain in stock. We replaced the discontinued Philips SHP9500 with the Superlux HD681 as our budget pick. The Philips SHP9600 have been added as an alternative.

All Reviews

Our recommendations aboveare what we think are currently the best wiredandbest wireless headphones for music to buy for most people. We factor inthe price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to findor almostout of stock everywhere).

If you would like to choose foryourself, here is the list of all our reviews, ranked by their suitability for neutral sound. Be careful not togetcaught up in the details.There are no perfectheadphones. Personal taste, preference, and where you use the headphones will matter more in your selection.