Best Headphones Reddit 2023

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Here we take a look at the best headphones Reddit 2023 for Professionals as well as the mid-range headphones that give you the daily dose of music. Headphones are a product that evolves rapidly in the current market. New technology and design principles dominate the output audio quality and present some of the most precise and accurate audio output. We compiled the list of best headphones Reddit 2023 picks.

This article will feature the best over-ear headphones for professionals in the music industry or who want to take hearing up a notch. Keep in mind there is a huge contrast in the price for mid-range and professional headphones.

If you are looking to purchase a headphone to get through your day with quality sound we suggest you consider wireless and mid-range headphones or maybe even earbuds. If you need a definitive music reference for a studio, check out our list of best professional headphones below.

Best Wireless Headphones Reddit Picks
sony-wh-1000xm4-wireless-headphones
Best Wireless Headphone
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sennheiser-Momentum-3-Wireless-Headphone
Best Build Wireless Headphone
Momentum 3
Listed below are mostly professional headphone suggestions used in a professional setup.Best Low-Price Professional Headphones Reddit Picks
beyerdynamic-dt-770
Best Low-Price Headphone
DT-770 Pro
akg-k371-wired-headphones
In Popular Opinion
AKG K371
Best Mid-Price Professional Headphones Reddit Picks
hifiman-sundara-headphone
Best Mid-Price Headphone
Hifiman Sundara
beyerdynamic-dt-1990-pro
Best Build Headphone
DT1990 Pro
Best Professional Headphones Reddit Picks
SENNHEISER-HD-800-S
Best Professional Headphone
HD 800S
hifiman-arya-headphones
Best Hifiman Headphone
Arya Stealth

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones

sony-wh-1000xm4-wireless-headphones
Best Wireless Headphone
1
SONY WH-1000MX4
  • High-quality audio
  • Comfortable fit
  • Long battery life
  • User-friendly controls
  • Google assistant and Alexa
  • Bulky design
  • No water resistance
  • App limitations
Design

Leading the line is the Sony WH-1000MX4 with its successful predecessor XM3. The design of the WH-1000MX4 is seamless. Starting with the ear cups which were very comfortable and easy to get used to are much more comfortable compared to MX3, maybe because of the thickness. The headband is much narrow than the previous one but feels the same comfort and convenience. The ever-present functionality is what the Sony WH-1000MX4 is holding its mark on.

The headphones can be connected to two devices at once which the MX3 did not have. AAC Bluetooth codec is what stands between the connectivity that both devices should support. Auto pause is also available, when you remove your headphones, it is detected by the sensor on the left cup and pauses playback.

In terms of basic controls, it is basically the same with both earcups touch-sensitive. Double tapping to pause and swiping for volume with music skips is great and does a seamless job. One of the most highlighted features that worked for us was the ambient mode this is because we commute a lot and when the hands come close to the earcups it activates the feature allowing the surrounding noise to convey itself.

Sound Quality and Noise Cancelling   

Sound quality for the Sony WH-1000XM4 is one of those subtle things Sony also improved over the last model. That’s not to say that the XM3 sounds bad—it sounds great—but the older model definitely has more of a consumer-friendly bump in the low end.

The XM4 is ideal with the way it handled sound and the bass frequencies are much more alike but subtle compared to XM3. The mids are what gets on to a magical level with the XM4 and the detail is preserved with clarity. Vocals are clear and even the subtle notes that can be only heard by a professional pair may easily be recognized.

Also, you can fine-tune using the Sony Connect app and also third-party apps that will give you much more depth and quality suited to your hearing.

Battery Life

Although Sony claims it’s going to hold for 30 hours with continued playback, in our case, it lasted up to 22 hours with the volume not ideal and some sensor functions switched off. Compared to XM3 the battery power is s bit less. Charging takes precedence with 10 minutes of charging you can go on to 5 hours of playtime. For us, this was important for any busy lifestyle.

Overview

The Sony WH-1000XM4 is the overall best headphone Reddit users have picked that does not compromise any of the best characteristics of a headphone. Added to the performance the functionality and the seamless controls give it the edge over the competitors. Sony WH-1000MX3 is a much-awaited arrival for Sony fans and if the sub-bass was a bit up a notch it would be the perfect wireless headphone on any given day.

Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless | Best Headphones Reddit

Sennheiser-Momentum-3-Wireless-Headphone
Best Music Wireless Headphone
2
SENNHEISER MOMENTUM 3
  • High-quality audio
  • Travel and storage friendly
  • Comfort fit
  • AptX LL, aptX and AAC
  • Well-built in design
  • Bulky design
  • No water resistance
Design

Sennheiser always tends to impress in comfort and the Momentum 3 contains genuine leather on the headband with a rich fell fabric on the ear cups. In terms of fit, the Sennheiser impressively does not move and felt more comfortable.

You can find rubberized, matte premium feel material on the Momentum 3. In terms of operational design, the power will initiate once you fold the ear cup towards the headband. Also gives you the convenience of connecting two devices at the same time.

Sound Quality and Noise – Cancelling

Sennheiser Momentum 3 is designed as general-purpose headphones where you can enjoy a bit of the bass and hip-hop and pop music will get its deserved credibility with the Momentum 3. For users who love folk and classical music, you may need a slight adjustment on EQ in the smart control app.

Vocals are much clearer with clarity between instruments and it does produce an admirable low-end while handling bass may sweep over the edge at times. Therefore, adjusting the bass levels will provide assistance to your listening experience.

When compared to Sennheiser professional end headphones the sound stage did seem to impress us, however, you can’t compare a soundstage of a professional headphone to a general-purpose headphone, yet it performed well.

Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is pretty decent when it comes to noise-canceling, where it is able to filter out low and medium-range noise, but however for us when traveling even the cushy and dense mufflers couldn’t hold some of the high-range frequencies.

Battery Life

Sennheiser Momentum 3 did a good 13 -15-hour charge for us in the span of a week. Of course, we are not talking about an entire week’s power on, when traveling it provided a good comfort zone to always zone in for some listening. It also got to the point of surprising us with its battery life when it had its power on till after the journey. It supports fast charging and this will give you a good 90 minutes for 10 minutes of sacrifice.

Overview

Sennheiser Momentum is easily one of those headphones that you will fall in love with. Designed for their build quality and style the headphones do not fall back to impress in sound quality too. This gives a major advantage to Momentum 3 in some of the competitions. However, in terms of noise-canceling, there are better alternatives but those do not offer the premium look and feel that the Momentum 3 offers. In terms of design and style with quality audio Momentum 3 is the best headphones Reddit users recommend.


Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 80 Ohm Over-Ear Studio Headphones

sony-wh-1000xm4-wireless-headphones
Best Low-price Pro Headphone
1
SONY WH-1000MX4
  • High-quality audio
  • Comfortable fit
  • Long battery life
  • User-friendly controls
  • Google assistant and Alexa
  • Bulky design
  • No water resistance
  • App limitations
beyerdynamic-dt-770
Best Low-Price Pro Headphone

1

Beyerdynamic

DT 770 Pro

  • Sound quality
  • Durable design
  • Earpads can be swapped
  • Comfy feel
  • Bulky design
  • Portability
  • Cable extends
Design

If we think about the premium quality build, Beyerdynamic is one of those brands that produce those goods for generations. The DT 770 Pro is no different from the rest. It utilizes metal in almost every part of the headphone, the headband, and the ear cup holders, with a slight combination of durable plastic.

As with most studio headphones Beyerdynamic headphones use velour padding to avoid any inconvenience that will be caused by spectacles. It does not build a lot of heat but may need a break from time to time. Comfort is key with Beyerdynamic and we felt no disturbance in going all the way with the DT 770.

The 80 Ω resistance that the DT 770 works best with an amp, but it is not limited to it. You can use it with your smartphone, but it won’t provide you with the full capability that the DT 770 possesses.

Sound Quality and Noise Cancelling

To begin with, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 gets a bit of blame when the users don’t tend to realize what it can handle. So, some reviews will mislead you very much. However, let’s look at the problem first. The highs on the DT 770 tend to go above. This is much more of a unique character to Beyerdynamic DT 770.

The mids tend to be in the back compared to highs, and the vocals and instruments will be clear. However, if the mixing of a soundtrack is progressed by the DT 770 then your track might end up with a lack of emphasis or over. So, we wouldn’t recommend that. Isolation works well if you are in a quiet place but it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have decent isolation.

Overview

Like the whole review suggests the Beyerdynamic DT 770 is not a headphone for outside. It is best suitable for studio and professional referencing as well. So, if you are looking to get started with a music studio then these are the best headphones Reddit users suggest a match for what you are after. However, don’t choose this if you are looking for casual use.

AKG K371 Wired Headphones Review | Best Headphones Reddit

akg-k371-wired-headphones
In Popular Opinion

2

AKG

K371

  • Neutral sound profile
  • Classic design
  • Not a good fit
  • Noise cancellation
  • Bulky
Design

AKG’s price defined for the K371 is indeed generous for the mid-range professional studio headphones. The build quality and design bring out convenience as much as it proves to be handy. The headphone is designed with a metal bracket that is part of the headband and a plastic holster that is adjustable and carries the AKG brand. The ear cups can be rotated to 180° making the ear cups more efficient to monitor surround sounds.

Rather awkwardly there is a rather noticeable dent shape where the cable locks in which perfectly locks in the cable but when removed looks like a dent. You get three cables different in length and design. 4 ft, 10 ft straight cable along with a coiled cable along with a ¼ inch adapter.

AKG K371 is much more comfortable and compact and also doesn’t feel heavier compared to most mid-range professional headphones. No hotspot is created when wearing it for longer periods of time, but Josh in our team who wears spectacles found it hard to find the perfect fit on the first try but eventually fell in love with them.

Sound Quality and Noise Cancelling

Since the lightweight AKG K371 is light the clamping force that may seal you off from the noise is not much powerful. So, yes, the K731 does not filter out the sound perfectly. But if you need it to be you can always try and replace the ear pads separately as it is conveniently removable.

AKG K371 is muchly appreciable as it handles bass frequencies just under the perfect amount to let the mids swoop in, which ultimately paves way for much more variety of styles from metal to acoustic. Mids work well for our taste yet a bit of over-emphasis wouldn’t hurt. However, the vocals are clear and the soundstage has a bit of depth. However, you are not to compare this with the professional likes of Sundara because it lacks a bit of clarity compared to the open-back headphones.

Overview

The AKG K371 does a decent solid job if you are looking for a good medium professional studio headphone. For its price, it’s a great compromise. The headphones deliver good frequency responses. If you need more clarity and better noise canceling with a good soundstage then you may need to go up a bit higher on the budget. But given the portability, AKG K371 is a decent studio professional headphone.  


HIFIMAN SUNDARA Hi-Fi Headphone 

hifiman-sundara-headphone
Best Mid-Price Pro Headphone

1

Hifiman

Sundara

  • Great value for the price
  • Snug fit
  • Crisp mid-range and upper
  • Exceptional built quality
  • Quality audio
  • External noise
  • Slight treble emphasis
Design     

In terms of design, the Sundara confused us a bit. With the looks, it definitely shows it going to weigh much more than it does. When in hand it’s surprisingly lightweight. The headphones are in design and look industrially engineered and are much safer if they were to have a fall.

In terms of wearability, Sundara feels more comfortable and the industrial look and feel are luxurious. The clamp strength is perfect for the head and it was no issue at all. However, the hotspots formed around my ear after wearing it for longer durations. Sundara is an open-end headphone and unlike closed-end headphones, the people around you can hear clearly what you will be listening to and it does not do a good job of isolating. Therefore, Sundara is perfect in a quiet background or in a studio.

Sound Quality and Noise Cancelling

The sub-bass frequencies are relatively less with more depth. The Sundara always creates a surrounding depth with weight and it was great to hear such depth with sub-bass frequencies. The same goes with the treble as well with high characteristics stand-out rhythm.

The element we loved in Sundara was its bass and we are not even exaggerating it. The kick and punch that we experienced were unlike any other headphones in the price range. Mids of Sundara could be filled with clarity in certain tracks. Sennheiser handles mids the best compared to its Sundara lacked some performance but the continuity and speed are good, yet in the mids, we thought that it lacked its posture from the first impression.

The soundstage of Sundara is something that we have appreciated for a long time in Hi-man headphones. Sundara gives a broad array of sounds with great depth and feels so the soundstage of Sundara is one to praise and hopefully there are not many contenders for this in this price range.

Overview     

These are the best headphones Reddit recommends which are open-end. The great soundstage and the superior bass handling make it the best of the business. There’s no debate that Sundara falls under the best if the budget suits you.   

Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro Open Studio Headphones

beyerdynamic-dt-1990-pro
Best Build Pro Headphone

2

Beyerdynamic

DT 1990 Pro

  • High-quality audio
  • Excellent build quality
  • Comfortable earpads
  • Quality highs and lows
  • Earpads difficult to swap
  • Needs an amp
  • Bulky and not portable

The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro is the leading runner for us in terms of built quality. Feels much more weight when held like a piece of proper audio equipment. The open-back design is also unique and different from a grill-shaped design.

With an all-metal design, the grill shape and the black color break with ear cushions foaming a grey color, which gives a much more stylish look. The amount of air may be restricted to your ear which will eventually build some warmth inside.

Two sets of earpads are included in the case: an “A” version with a neutral frequency response and a “B” version with a small bass boost. Changing pads for the first time might be a frustrating experience, but you’ll quickly discover the ideal method for rotating the pads to ensure appropriate seating.

The “B” pads are the ones that come straight out of the box, and it delivers some quality bass boost which makes a fun upbeat listening experience. However, this elevated bass is not suitable for analytical hearing or precision which is where the “A” pads come in. A much more tamed bass with clear vocals and crisp sound and accurate bass distribution.

Low end

A combination of well-balanced sub-bass frequencies with a warmth of bass in the mid-range bold and sounding more spacious. A bit of treble sharpness is present, however, it balanced off in the “B” pad.

Mid-Range

Tends a little bit toward a linear approach and the instrument sound is much clear and sharper with DT1990. The high-pitch vocals differ from the normal which contains a bit of off-drop at times. Overall, a well-balanced approach.

High-end

The highs on both pads were similarly good, with plenty of clarity in the upper frequencies. It’s not often that a headphone reveals previously unseen aspects of music, but that’s exactly what the DT 1990 Pro accomplished for us.


SENNHEISER HD 800 S Reference Headphone System

SENNHEISER-HD-800-S
Best Professional Headphone

1

SENNHEISER

HD 800S

  • Precision perfect audio
  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable wear
  • HD 800 treble quality
  • Large in design
  • Needs a high-power amp
  • Bass emphasis

SENNHEISER HD 800 S is built for critical listening. The open-end headphones are built with a combination of metal and high-grade plastic. The ear pods are padded with a suede-like cushion for comfort and it sits well over the ear. The ear pods offer plenty of space and a spacious design. In terms of performance, bass delivery is very much in range and consistent.

The mid-range does specifically well and carries a well-balanced tone throughout. The soundstage produces a quality immersive and dimensional experience. The bass of the headphone does not go above the midrange which gives a subtle experience yet a good slam and beat. However, this is not the taste of the EDM fans as the accuracy of and the built objective of the Sennheiser is to capture the detail and analytical elements of music.

Low End

The bass performance does not make much of an impression. The bass did not have the depth that it usually possesses. The balance of it was a bit much over the line. However it produces a decent enough rumble, but for the price range and the competitors clearly, it lacks some components.

Mid Range

This is where the Sennheiser gains its power back and you can get yourself some of the great-sounding vocals and instrument audio with the precise tuning. It produces some quality audio output that balances off in style. For us Sennheiser’s tonality sounded perfect and nothing against its mid-range that we could specifically point out.

High End

High-end also does a good job, yet at times you may experience a slight peak towards the end. This is not a noticeable peak, yet remains very subtle. Some instruments may sound a bit over the edge at times but it’s like the original version of 800 where 800s has managed to keep it under.

All in all the Senniheiser is a well-designed headphone for critical listening and it is perfect to recognize even the fadest tunes. Therefore this is one of the best headphones Reddit recommends for analytical listening.

HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Headphone

hifiman-arya-headphones
Best Hifiman Pro Headphone

2

Hifiman

Arya

  • Leading bass
  • Excellent imaging
  • Good clarity
  • Lightweight
  • Spacious soundstage
  • Large earcups
  • No accessories
  • Slight emphasis treble

The first headphones we review are the Aryans. With a design that is elegant and clearly takes advantage of the natural shape of the ear and the open back design that has a bar shape design with high-grade plastic and a headband made with durable metal, the Arya speaks of durability.

In fact, what makes the Arya special is its design with stealth magnets over the conventional magnet in a normal headphone. The stealth magnet shape allows the sound waves to pass through the magnet with no diffraction and sound reduction or interference which gives a much smoother audio delivery.

Arya with its older versions managed to create an immersive and well-balanced soundstage. The new Arya does give the same with a little bit of clarity and crispiness. Compared to the older versions you can clearly identify the effect of stealth magnets.

The spacious output and the accurate imaging are noticed while retaining the balance. However, compared to the old version it lacked a bit of space between the ear and the source which sounds much straighter.

Low end

The sub-bass frequencies keep their balance and slam, but the mid-bass sounds a bit more heightened and sharp. Like the old version of the Arya you get a surround bass that delivers an immersive experience, yet at times may sound a bit more over the edge.

Mid-range

The mid-range sounds more spacious and much more detailed. The more I listened to I was impressed by the little details I captured in the songs that I completely missed. The mids are where you can hear the crisp and clear notes. You can even notice the slightest touch in the guitar and the vocals in the headphones perform exceptionally well and are crystal clearly heard.

High-end 

The high end retains the bold balance yet slightly fades off towards the end. Compared to the old headphones mostly the sound waves I got a linear motion from the source. At first, I thought that this may harm the sound stage that Arya possesses. But however, it cools off at the end losing a bit more space.