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Here we take a look at the best headphones Reddit 2024 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 2024 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 PicksSony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Best Wireless Headphone
1
SONY WH-1000MX4
Design
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have taken a notable leap in design compared to their predecessors. The most visible change is the case: it’s now covered in a canvas-style textile with hard-sided reinforcements inside. The shape has shifted to more of a U than an oval, accommodating the fact that the headphones no longer fold down. While the ear cups still swivel, they do not collapse inward, which may affect portability for some users.
In terms of materials and build, the XM5 are slightly smaller and lighter than previous models. Sony has opted for a 30-millimeter driver made of carbon fiber, as opposed to the 40-millimeter drivers in earlier versions. This contributes to a lighter overall feel. Additionally, the headband and ear cups are constructed from new synthetic leather material, providing a softer and more breathable experience. Memory foam padding ensures the headphones remain comfortable during extended wear, and the roomier ear cups may be more accommodating for those with larger ears.
Sound Quality and Noise Cancelling
Sony has continued to impress with the sound quality of the WH-1000XM5. Despite the reduction in driver size, the 30-millimeter drivers, combined with advanced digital signal processing, deliver a refined audio experience. The bass response is deep and satisfying without any bloat in the upper bass region, and the transition to mid frequencies is smooth. Vocals are lush and present, and there’s a noticeable sparkle in the treble, making the overall sound signature more refined compared to previous models.
The noise-canceling capabilities have also seen significant improvements. Sony’s already best-in-class noise canceling is now even better, effectively cutting out more high mids and treble frequencies. The addition of a second audio processing chip and doubling the number of microphones from four to eight enhance both the ANC and voice call functionalities. The automatic ANC optimization feature tailors noise canceling to the environment without requiring manual intervention, making the XM5 exceptionally versatile in different noisy settings.
For call quality, the XM5 shine with four dedicated beamforming microphones and AI technology that almost entirely eliminates background noise. Whether you’re in a noisy street or near a construction zone, these headphones ensure your voice comes through clearly to the other end of the call.
Battery Life
The WH-1000XM5 maintains the impressive battery life of its predecessors, offering up to 30 hours on a full charge. However, the quick charging feature has been significantly enhanced. With just three minutes of charging, you can get about three hours of playback time, ensuring that even a short charge before heading out the door can last you through a workday or a short flight.
Overview
In summary, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are a worthy addition to Sony’s flagship lineup, making strides in design, comfort, sound quality, and noise canceling. If you own the XM4 and are content with them, there’s no urgent need to upgrade. However, if you are coming from an older model or are in the market for your first pair of premium noise-canceling headphones, the XM5 are a top contender worth considering. They combine advanced features and exceptional performance in a sleek, comfortable package, continuing Sony’s tradition of excellence in the headphone market.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless | Best Headphones Reddit
Best Music Wireless Headphone
2
SENNHEISER MOMENTUM 4
Design
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones boast a modern, sleek design that departs significantly from their predecessor, the Momentum 3. Unlike the vintage-inspired look of the Momentum 3, the Momentum 4s embrace a more contemporary aesthetic that aligns with flagship headphone standards.
They feature robust construction with adequate padding on the headband and ear cups, ensuring comfort during extended wear. The headphone case, praised for its durability and thoughtful compartmentalization, underscores Sennheiser’s attention to detail in design.
Sound Quality and Noise Cancelling
Out of the box, the Momentum 4s deliver an impressive sound experience characterized by a balanced, mature Sennheiser sound signature. The 42mm drivers reproduce detailed highs and deep lows, with a particularly notable mid-range that enhances clarity and presence in vocals and instruments.
While excelling in most genres, these headphones struggled slightly with heavily compressed tracks, yet handled electronic music exceptionally well. The adaptive noise cancelling performs admirably, effectively reducing ambient noise to create a focused listening environment.
Transparency mode, while functional, doesn’t match the top-tier performance of competitors like the AirPods Max but remains serviceable for its intended purpose.
Battery Life
A standout feature of the Momentum 4s is their exceptional battery life, boasting up to 60 hours on a single charge. This longevity sets a high standard in the market, providing weeks of use without needing to recharge, even on standby. The headphones also support simultaneous USB-C charging and audio playback, adding to their convenience for daily use.
Overview
Priced competitively at £299, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones offer a compelling option in the crowded over-ear noise-cancelling headphone market. They excel in sound quality, comfort, and battery life, making them a strong contender against more prominently featured models like the Sony XM4s and Bose QC series.
While the design shift from the Momentum 3 may disappoint fans of the vintage look, the improved comfort and functionality of the Momentum 4s justify the update. Overall, these headphones are a solid choice for audiophiles and casual listeners alike, providing a premium listening experience with few drawbacks beyond minor ergonomic and control quirks.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 80 Ohm Over-Ear Studio Headphones
Best Value Pro Headphone
3
DT 770 PRO
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
Popular Pro Headphone
4
AKG K371
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
Best Value Pro Headphone
5
HIFIMAN SUNDARA
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
Best Build Pro Headphone
6
DT1990 Pro Open Studio
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
Best Pro Headphone
7
Sennheiser HD 800S
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
Best Pro Headphone
8
HIFIMAN Arya Stealth
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.