Before buying a pair of headphones, a number of crucial factors such as sound quality, comfort, durability, performance and value for money should be taken into considerations to make a smart purchase. And even after all those smart considerations, the possibility remains that the headphone you get might not be the best choice, for the purpose you want it. There are multitudes of headphones available in the market for a wide range of prices and getting the right headphone for the right price for a specific purpose could be a tricky job. To make the task simpler for you, we’ve compiled a list of headphones that are highly rated online for serving well in various categories of purposes.
Bass Headphones
The thing you look for in bass headphones is the ‘boom’ it can provide to rattle your skull, but without compromising clarity and quality across the board. The headphones below are the ones which “bassheads” consider to be the best ones.
1. Sennheiser Momentum 2.0
Sennheiser has been manufacturing headphones since the mid-1940s, so they are no strangers to high end audio. Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 is a notable addition to their lineup which offers a strong bass with crisp and clear high end sound without overpowering other ranges. The design is comfortable, portable and durable. With both wired and wireless configurations available, Momentum 2.0 is one of the best headphones for bass.
2. JVC HA SZ2000
This flagship product of the JVC is deemed one of the best bass headphones out there by many reviewers. Its closed-back over-ear design has all the remarkable Japanese technical expertise poured into it to deliver the best of the bass and high grade refined sound. Although the size is fairly bulky and the chord is a little too short, it is comfortable and well-built for durability. All in all, you won’t be disappointed with it, if the bass is what you are looking for in that price range.
3. Yamaha Pro 500
Another Japanese contender on the list, Yamaha has produced these pairs of cans to be loud. The high power output and 50mm driver on Yamaha Pro 500 allow the headphones to produce rich and balanced bass, packing a punch at high volumes. The sound is loud, even without an amplifier and full of details.
4. Sony MDR-1R
Sony has done some serious job with bass on its MDR-1R model. The MDR-1R headphone delivers a hi-fi sound with deep, thumping bass with crisp and clear sound. It definitely is one among the best bass headsets.
Gaming Headphones
Gamers tend to use their headsets for long playing sessions lasting many hours. Aside from the sound quality, the microphone, the level of comfort and noise isolations are some of the features to look for in any gaming headsets. The list below features the most preferred headsets by the gaming communities.
1. HyperX Cloud II
Many professional gaming teams are opting for the HyperX Cloud II Headsets for their high build quality, comfort and above all, great sound quality featuring virtual 7.1 surround sound. The microphones on these headsets record sound with great quality for any gaming environment. Also, with the 3.5mm plug and a USB adapter, they are compatible with almost all major gaming platforms like PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox. Build to be durable, these headsets can endure the hardcore actions of any serious gamer for years.
2. ASTRO Gaming A40 TR
Astro has been making some of the best gaming headsets for many years now. Astro A40 TR is one of their great products that boasts great sound quality and comfort. It sports a customizable design and so the cables can be changed, if they get damaged. You get the best out of it when you play immersive FPS games.
3. SteelSeries Siberia v2
No other gaming headset in that price range matches the superb performance of Siberia v2. For the price range under $100, the sound quality, microphone and comfort they provide feels no lesser than the higher end headsets. For a gaming headset, Siberia v2 has a well-balanced bass and details in sound, making them appropriate for music too.
4. Sennheiser PC 363D
Like every other Sennheiser headset, Sennheiser PC 363D headsets don’t disappoint. Although they are pricey, the sound quality, build quality and the comfort they offer is unmatched by other gaming headsets and thus, have become the most preferred headset in the PC gaming arena.
Studio Headphones
Studio headphones are designed with music production as the primary target. What music producers want in them is the ability to produce the sound exactly as they intend it to be without artificially coloring the sound. For that purpose, they prefer the headsets with flat frequency response and comfort for the long hours of use, aside from the desired qualities for casual listening.
1. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
These stereo headphones are built for both audiophile listening and professional audio production. The padded ear pads allow these to be worn for long sessions. Not just for studios, their ability to produce clear sound at all volumes with noise isolation and well balanced bass provide a superb listening experience in any kind of environment.
2. Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO-80
Beyerdynamic is the name you can trust for high end audio. DT770 is especially designed for professional audio mixing, but it doesn’t keep you from having a great listening experience. Apart from its crisp sound quality, thoughts have also gone into comfort and durability while designing this headset.
3. AKG Pro Audio K702
AKG has been around since the 40s, manufacturing microphones and headphones for the radio and recording industry. The AKG K702 is specially aimed for professional sound mixing and mastering without resonances and peaks for neutral sound so unlike other headphones, they are a little weak in the bass.
4. Shure SRH840
Shure has made its name in the market for their excellent design and a high quality products. The SRH840 is another great model of headsets designed and built for professional applications with comfort and natural sound quality in mind. Their closed-ear design brings out great details and control in sound while still being natural.
DJ Headphones
DJ Headphones need to have high sensitivity, good noise isolation and deep bass as the environment dictates. Often DJs are required to listen to the monitor speaker in one ear, which the rotating ear cups would help. Listed below are some of the most sought after headphones in the DJing scene.
1. Pioneer HDJ-2000
The HDJ-2000 headset is rated highly by DJs and audiophiles alike, for its capability to reproduce crystal clear audio at all volumes. The bass is excellent and the design is comfortable for long hours of use. No wonder it has become one of the popular tools in many DJs’ arsenal.
2. Sennheiser HD25-1 II
The much trusted German company has designed Sennheiser HD35-1 II for serious DJs, playing their music loud. It has crystal clear sound quality and outstanding noise isolation.
3. V MODA Crossfade M-100
The V MODA Crossfade M-100 for has electrifying bass and high end clarity in the sound it produces. It is amongst the best bass headsets available in the market right now. It also has all the right specs a DJ would want in a headphone, so it is preferred by many renowned DJs worldwide.
4. Beats Pro
Beats lineup can always be trusted to deliver what they promise. The Beats Pro headphones have the deep bass and sustain details and clarity of sound even when the volume is cranked up to the max. Its superior audio quality, great build quality and comfort suggest that it is definitely designed for DJs as well as studio applications. Featured photo credit: Pexels via static.pexels.com
