Best Headphones for Listening to Music 2023
Nowadays, there are so many genres and subgenres of music around that it can be challenging to describe what you are into. Additionally, with continuous advancements in audio technology, it stands to reason that choosing the right pair of headphones to suit your favorite genre is more complex than you might initially think.
With features such as an open or closed-back design, noise cancelation or sound isolation, and a narrow or wide soundstage to consider, knowing a little before buying the proper set of cans can enhance your listening pleasure considerably.
Here’s a look at the best headphones for listening to music available today.
1. Sennheiser HD 600
For genres that require a flat and balanced frequency response, such as jazz or classical, a pair of Sennheiser HD 600s will significantly heighten your audio experience. With their comprehensive frequency response of 12 to 40,500Hz, you get accurate high pitches and harmonics, letting you hear all the subtle details and hidden nuances. The headphones’ neutral and balanced sound signature is also perfect for listening to folk and blues or acoustic music.
With their flat, accurate sound, you may listen to your choice of music exactly how the artists and composers intended, without any coloration or distortion. While these open-back headphones don’t offer much noise isolation, they do allow more air to pass through the cups for a more natural sound. This flow helps the wide soundstage recreate spatial and tonal qualities and provide an immersive listening experience with instrument separation.
Absorbing those epic jazz sessions or symphonies over extended periods never becomes uncomfortable, either. The headphones have a padded headband, while the velour ear pads are incredibly comfortable and breathable.
2. Beats Studio3
With the legendary Dr. Dre being the genius behind Beats by Dre headphones, it’s no surprise that they tend to be all about one thing—bass. The Beats Studio3 are no different, and they provide heavy beats for hip-hop lovers. However, they are also ideal for other bass-reliant genres, such as electronic, dance, drum and bass, dub, reggae, and any other low-frequency-saturated joys.
They also have excellent active noise cancelation, allowing listeners to quash the distractions of the outside world and completely zone into their tunes. The Real-Time Audio Calibration feature ensures you barely need to do anything to maintain perfect audio. Built-in sensors detect the fit of your head and optimize the sound. You’ll get the best possible audio no matter your head size, ear shape, or even if you just can’t be bothered to straighten the headphones.
You won’t even need to use the app for access to simple controls. You can play, pause, skip, adjust the volume, or even take a call with simple button presses on the outside of the earcup. Activating Siri if you need her to change the album is another perk these headphones offer. Additionally, with up to 22 hours of battery life, you can tune out much longer than you probably should.
3. Beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium Edition
With a laid-back and balanced sound signature, the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pros are an excellent choice for rock fans of all types, from soft to heavy metal. The deep but lean bass is solid and well-defined, reproducing low-end energy without dominating the mids and highs. The wide frequency response also allows for more precise bass, while screaming electric guitars are sharp and crunchy.
While the semi-open design leaks some sound, it still provides enough noise isolation for you to rock out without disturbing others. This design also enhances its wide and precise soundstage, delivering complex prog rock and metal arrangements with more clarity and separation to your ears. Those ears will be comfortable for extended listening sessions, too, with the soft velour earbuds providing plush comfort and breathability.
With a 250-ohm impedance, you’ll need a good amplifier to get the best possible sound from the headphones. However, if you need a pair for listening from your smartphone or tablet, a 32-ohm version is available. There’s also a 600-ohm pair for use with more high-end equipment.
4. Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are an excellent choice for lovers of electronic music. They reproduce house, techno, EDM, drum and bass, and every other electronic genre you can think of with strong and punchy bass. They’re also another good choice for hip-hop fans and other bass-infused genres. In fact, with its built-in equalizer that you can access via the Sony Headphones Connect app, you can tailor the sound to suit any genre you like.
With their advanced noise-canceling technology and 30-hour battery life, you can zone out to epic mixes from your favorite DJ for all-day listening joy. Noise cancelation is also automatically optimized to suit your environment. This feature ensures maximum effectiveness, whether commuting or chilling on the couch.
Thanks to the padded headband and soft earcups, your extended listening sessions will be all the more comfortable. The fit is snug around the head, while the touch controls add convenience allowing you to play, pause, and skip your tunes. You can also activate Alexa to help you find your next mix or take calls.
5. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Many genres rely on a wide soundstage to allow spatial effects to flourish. However, a small soundstage can have its time and place. One of those times is when listening to solo artists. They often attempt to recreate a more intimate listening experience, whether the genre is soul, jazz, country, or any other. If the artist wants a more focused and centered sound, headphones with a small soundstage, such as the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, offer a more precise and detailed sound for a warmer and more intimate experience.
However, the closed-back design also provides a strong bass response. Genres that rely on solid bass and typically have smaller ensembles, such as reggae, ska, and related genres, sound exceptional, too. The design also gives excellent noise isolation to enhance the listening experience even further. Additionally, with 38-ohm impedance, music fans listening from smartphones or tablets get excellent sound quality. They are also lightweight and comfortable for extended use.
6. Sennheiser HD 660 S
With an emphasis on midrange frequencies, the Sennheiser HD 660 S headphones are another excellent choice for classical, jazz, and acoustic music. They delicately reproduce the detail and intricacies of classical music, allowing the listener to appreciate the complexity and beauty of each instrument. At the same time, jazz instruments like piano, brass, and woodwind sound warm and balanced. Country fans will also love them because these headphones enhance guitar twangs and resonate emotional vocals to a level that makes for a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience.
They are open-back headphones and provide a good soundstage with precise clarity. The sound signature is neutral and balanced, reproducing the entire frequency range with pinpoint accuracy. While rock fans may prefer more bass emphasis and fans of electronic genres may also feel the low frequencies inadequate, they are an excellent choice for large ensembles and orchestras.
7. V-MODA Crossfade M-100
With their closed-back and customizable design, the V-MODA Crossfade M-100 headphones are tailored specifically for DJs. However, this does mean that they are an awesome set of cans for simply listening to electronic music. Their precise clarity and detail, along with a thumping bass, more than compensates for the narrowish soundstage. House, techno, dub, hip-hop, drum and bass, R&B, and just about any electronic genre you may name thump through these headphones with a powerful and punchy sound signature.
With a wide frequency response and dual-diaphragm 50mm drivers, these headphones reproduce details and nuances that ordinary headphones can’t deliver. While they have a closed-back design, the sound separation and localization are better than you might expect. The bass is also tight and deep, while the mids and highs are sharp and well-defined.
On top of their outstanding sound, you can also customize the headphones’ look. This gimmick is primarily for the DJ looking to stand out from the crowd, but it’s a fun addition for the regular listener, too. If that doesn’t tickle you, the memory-foam ear cushions and premium headband ensure you can zone out to mix after mix in blissful comfort.
Q: Should I Choose Closed or Open-Back Headphones?
This is one of the most important choices when choosing new headphones. Open-backs allow sound to escape and reflect, which creates more natural and spatial audio. The air passes more freely, while sound waves don’t bounce around inside the cups, creating a wide soundstage. Open-back is an excellent choice for jazz and classical music because the instruments and vocals have spatial separation, making it easier to distinguish between and appreciate different elements of the music individually.
On top of this, open-back is more breathable, and it’s possible to generally wear them for more extended periods. However, while closed-back headphones typically have a narrower soundstage, their better noise isolation provides punchy low frequencies. This more refined bass makes them the preferred choice for electronic genres, including hip-hop and techno.
Q: What Impedance Is Best for Listening to Music?
Choosing the impedance depends on what source you will mainly be listening from. If you mostly listen from your smartphone or tablet, you should choose a set with a low impedance. Smart devices can drive headphones up to around 50-ohm impedance, though 16-32 is generally considered the most efficient.
Listening through a suitable DAP or amplifier would be best to get optimum audio when using headphones with a higher impedance.
