Headphones

Types of headphones

This report deals with corded headphones and earphones. If you are interested in cordless headphones, please see our separate report on wireless headphones .

Headphones come in four major types:

Closed, over-the-ear (sometimes called closed-air or closed-back) headphones. These headphones cup the ears and create a seal, minimizing the amount of sound that escapes from the headphones or enters from other sources around you.

Open over-the-ear (also called open-air or open-back) sets. These don't press as firmly to your head, allowing more sound in and out. It's easier to hear outside sounds with open-back headphones. Some feel these headphones offer a more natural sound than closed headphones, but you may annoy people near you because there will be some sound leakage.

On-the-ear headphones lay flat on the ears. Unlike closed sets, they let ambient sound in and out, but not as much as open sets. This type of headphone is lighter than other types.

Earbuds or in-ear headphones have small nodules that fit inside the ear. Fit can be fussy -- what fits one person's ears can fall out of another's -- but earbuds are easy to carry in a pocket or toss in a bag. In-ear canal headphones extend farther into the ear than earbuds. They stay in better, but not everyone is comfortable sticking headphones so far into their ears, and getting the right fit can be tricky.

Reviews say there's nothing wrong with the slight sound leakage of open-air headphones unless you're in an environment where those around you may be disturbed. If that isn't a factor, open-air or on-the-ear headphones are better because they won't hurt your ears or produce listening fatigue as readily as headphones that shoot audio signals directly into your ear canal. Also, important outside sounds won't go unnoticed.

Closed-air headphones trap sound better and circulate it around your ears to produce clean, isolated sound, but experts are cautious about the use of anything in public situations in which you can't hear outside noises -- especially approaching vehicles, sirens, shouting, intercom announcements, etc.

Experts say noise-canceling headphones also work to prevent ear damage, since you don't constantly need to increase music volume to drown out ambient noise. Some manufacturers add noise-canceling technology to open-air or on-the-ear headphones. Be aware that active noise-canceling headphones need batteries to work. The Bose QuietComfort 3, for example, won't work at all if your battery dies.

Best noise-canceling headphones/earphones

Noise-canceling headphones are getting the most buzz lately. Music fans like these headphones especially for planes and trains since they are good at blocking out the drone of engines and just the general background noise of public places.

There are two kinds of noise-canceling headphones: traditional-looking headphones that use an active (electronic) technology to cancel out ambient noise, and in-ear earphones that use a passive noise reduction -- a physical barrier to block outside noise. There is a huge price variance in the latter especially, ranging from about $30 to more than $1,000 for the custom-fit type worn by rock stars onstage so they can monitor sound without damaging their hearing. Some people find it difficult to get a good fit with in-canal earphones; thus, some manufacturers have begun including several sizes of tips so buyers can select the closest size for them. If you have deep pockets, you can visit an audiologist to have a mold made of your ear canals and the earphone manufacturer will use this to customize the monitor to your ears.

If you prefer traditionally styled headphones, or otherwise don't want to stick in-canal earphones so far into your ears, the Bose QuietComfort 3 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones (*est. $350) and the older and larger QuietComfort 2 (*est. $300) are expensive, but many reviewers say they are excellent. Overall, reviews say the traditionally styled Bose headphones work well to reduce ambient noise, though most reviews say in-canal earphones are the best type of headphone for blocking outside noise as long as you are comfortable having a device inside your ear.

Most reviews agree that the two Bose headphones do the job of blocking out outside noise, and that they are better at blocking low noise (like a jet-engine drone) than shrill sounds (like the screaming children on the jet). But the Bose QuietComfort headphones receive mixed reviews on sound quality. Still, an OnHeadphones.com reviewer, a confessed hater of almost all things Bose, likes QuietComfort 2 and says the sound is "above average."

Other top-rated noise-canceling headphones, such as the Sennheiser PXC 300 (*est. $150) , cost far less than the Bose QuietComfort 2 and 3 and also get good reviews. At CNet.com, the Sennheiser PXC 300 is praised for "detailed sound" and "superior bass definition." Editors at Playlist.com say the Sennheiser PXC 300 offers "slightly better sound quality than Bose's popular QuietComfort 2 for a lot less money." HeadRoom, however, says the Sennheiser PXC 300 may not be the best bargain Sennheiser offers – it has only "mildly better sonics" than Sennheiser's lower-priced PXC 250 (*est. $100) . The 7-ounce Bose headphones have full-size earcups that enclose the ears. The Sennheiser PXC headphones, however, are lightweight 2.3-ounce on-the-ear headphones, so your choice might depend on budget and what size headphones you want.

In-ear noise-reducing headphones range from the cheap to custom jobs with stratospheric price tags. The Shure E500 PTH (*est. $500) is expensive, but top rated among non-custom in-ear canal headphones. Like other noise-isolating earphones, these rely on a physical barrier to spare you from outside noise, rather than the electronic technology of traditionally styled noise-canceling headphones. The Shure E500 PTH have a "push-to-hear" button that will let you hear outside noise when you want to. The Shure earphones also have a tweeter and two woofers, so you'll hear deeper bass than less pricey in-canal sets.

Considerably cheaper than the audiophile Shure E500 PTH is the Etymotic ER-6 (*est. $75) , which reviewers say are a great match for iPods and other portable music players. Most reviews say bass is a little thin, but that the Etymotic is a great value. These headphones come with a "fit kit," which includes several ear tips for different ear sizes and shapes. Reviews say these are great at eliminating outside noise.

The Creative Zen Aurvana (*est. $75) won a field test against five competitors in a Money magazine report published in August 2007. A reviewer using a riding lawnmower found he needed to operate these at only 57 percent volume to drown out the 90 decibels of the contraption he rode on. The Aurvana in-ear earphones come with three pads so you can choose the best size. Onheadphones.com gave a "staff pick" to the inexpensive Sony MDR-NC6 (*est. $50) , another budget noise-canceling earphone. Of the three, the Etymotic ER-6 get the best reviews, but experts stress that not every pair of in-canal earphones fits everybody, so you may have to try a few before you find a pair that fits.

Best full-size headphones

If you want what audiophiles call "reference" quality, the closed-back surround-sound Sennheiser HD 650 (*est. $400) get excellent reviews. These are big headphones, better for listening at home than for portable use. CNet.com says the full-size Sennheiser headphones provide a "sweetness … that flatters all sorts of music." In his review for PC Magazine, Mike Kobrin writes, "These very comfortable cans are the best I've ever heard, bar none, and I use them extensively in both of my professional lives: as a musician and an audio reviewer." If you're looking for big, heavy, closed-back audiophile headphones, and price isn't a big consideration, the Sennheiser HD 650 is worth a first look.

Also very highly regarded in this category is the AKG K701 (*est. $400) . Some say these headphones lack a deep bottom end and are probably not the best choice for rock music. However, these are open-back and if you prefer that style (which lets in more ambient noise), you might consider these over the closed Sennheiser HD 650. Most high-quality headphones need to be broken in before they sound their best – it's called "burn-in" – and HeadRoom says these require a lot more than most, at least 200 hours and perhaps even 300.

Both the Sennheiser HD 650 and the AKG K701 weigh in at about 8 ounces, yet are not considered uncomfortable by reviewers, admittedly a factor that will vary by user. Sennheiser headphones rate highly in many categories, and this manufacturer makes and has made a staggering number of models ranging from $10 earphones to the discontinued $15,000 Orpheus.

Another quality manufacturer that produces a wide range of headphones is Grado Labs of Brooklyn, NY. Audio authorities call the 7-ounce, open-air Grado SR60 (*est. $70) one of the best bargains in high-performance headphones on the market. Reviews recommend the Grado SR60's flexibility, saying this set works well both at home hooked up to your receiver, or on the road. PC Magazine's editors give the Grado SR60 headphones a 4 out of 5 rating. One grievance about the top-rated Grado SR60 is the retro styling -- that is, some find them old-fashioned-looking. The Grado SR60 is an open-back headphone that will not spare others from hearing much of what you hear.

So if the $70 Grado is so great, why spend more? What do you get from pricier products, even within the Grado product line? HeadRoom, while saying for "most folks" these Grados "could be the best-sounding headphone" they've heard, explains it this way: "The only detraction is a slight discontinuity in the treble, which gives it a 'sparkly' sound rather than the ultra-smooth top end of extremely well-extended (and significantly pricier!) headphones." In other words, the Grado SR60 is a great value, but its range could be better compared to more expensive headphones like the AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD 650.

The Grado SR80 (*est. $95) are a bit more expensive than the Grado SR60, but experts say the upgrade really isn't worth it unless you plan to use a headphone amp. According to Headphone.com's HeadRoom page, "portable stereos limit the output of headphone circuits to conserve battery power, so they may not be able to drive headphones cleanly at loud levels. The headphone circuitry in home audio components may be distorted or noisy, because the manufacturer designed it as an afterthought." Headphone amps start at about $100 to use with a portable player.

If you don't want to spend even $70 on headphones, Koss makes a wide range of mainly budget-priced headphones, but Koss doesn't generally outperform others in reviews. The Koss PortaPro (*est. $35) gets somewhat better reviews. It gets some nice comments from GearDigest.com's Jean-Pierre Roché, who says they deliver "perfectly balanced, very enjoyable reproduction." The Koss headphones are also lightweight at 2.5 ounces. The earpieces rest on your ears and the sides of your head, so some people might like the tighter fit while others don't.

Most reviewers prefer the Sennheiser PX 100 (*est. $40) among lightweight headphones. Reviews say these 2-ounce on-the-ear headphones outperform their price, with rich, full sound and accurate sound reproduction. These headphones fold up, so they are even more compact, and are considered durable compared with other lightweight headphones. However, travelers should note that these do not cancel outside noise. Both the Sennheiser PX 100 and the Koss PortaPro are "open" headphones and your traveling companions will hear your noise, too.

Earbuds

Most portable electronics, including MP3 players, come with earbuds instead of headphones. Manufacturers have recently been making advances in sound quality and comfort, like new silicon shaping for a better fit. Earbuds don't extend into the ear canal like in-canal noise-canceling earphones. Earbuds don't do much to block out ambient noise, however. We didn't find many reviews for inexpensive earbuds, but there are a few standouts.

Editors at OnHeadphones.com give a positive review to the inexpensive Skullcandy Smokin' Buds (*est. 30) , which extend more into the ear than most earbuds, but don't have the tight seal of true in-canal earphones. Editors write: "As with all in-ears, you have something probing a facial orifice. As long as you're cool with this, the Skullcandy buds are cool with probing you."

Similar in shape to the Skullcandy earphones, Playlist magazine says the Ultimate Ears super.fi 3 Studio (*est. $65) deserves the title of "Most Bang for the Buck."

The Sennheiser CX 300 (*est. $50) don't extend nearly as far into the ear as the Skullcandy or Ultimate Ears earphones. The Sennheiser earbuds are considered a good value by most reviewers, especially by editors at Playlist. The Sennheiser CX 300 comes with ear adapters in three sizes. HeadRoom notes that "bass response seems to be very much affected by the user's choice of eartip and, of course, the overall tightness of the earpiece fit inside the ear canal."

Regular earbuds draw little passion from reviewers. The choice here a year ago, the Sony Fontopia MDR-EX71SL (*est. $30) , has been discontinued. OnHeadphones.com gives the JVC HA-F120 Gumy (*est. $10) , since replaced by the very similar JVC HA-F130, its "editor pick" Rating. Editors say the Gumy is more comfortable than most earbuds and offers decent sound on all but dance music and rap because the bass isn't especially deep.

Important Features: Headphones

Reviews can really help you narrow the field when shopping for headphones, but reviewers stress that if at all possible, you should try before you buy. That's because comfort and fit are entirely subjective. "Reading a review isn't a substitute for listening because individual listening traits are, well, individual," says Gene Pitts, owner of the magazine The Audiophile Voice and a 40-year veteran of evaluating audio.

To test headphones, Pitts advises: "One should take one or three CDs, and play 20 to 30 seconds each of three favorite cuts -- I recommend female vocal, solo acoustic piano and solo cello -- maybe organ if that's what you like." Pitts says you should start with the cheapest headphone you're considering. Once you move up to a more expensive pair and there's no sound improvement, you've found your headphones (the cheaper pair).

Other than a test drive, reviews say to consider the following when shopping for headphones:

• The best headphones sound good to your ears. While reviews may not like headphones with too much bass, some people prefer a lot of bass. Keep in mind that too-heavy bass can cause ear fatigue.

• Because headphones put pressure on your skull, the best designs are lightweight, adjustable and comfortable. Cushions are key here: Foam used in pads can be as rough as sandpaper or as smooth and soft as fabric.

• Headphones can take a lot of abuse, so be sure to look for sturdy materials and solid construction. Some brands use cheaper materials to keep costs down, but you'll end up replacing the set and having to spend more in the long run. Some manufacturers are making cords detachable on higher-end models; this way, if the cord is yanked, it won't injure the headphones.

• Electronic noise-canceling technology works better for low tones (like rumbling traffic or an airplane engine) than for higher tones, such as voices. Reviews say in-ear headphones are better than noise-canceling full-size headphones at blocking the full range of ambient sounds.

Although many audiophiles naturally want to hear more of their music and less of the world outside, safety experts insist it's a bad idea to wear headphones while biking or running in traffic (especially for women). That's because headphones can make you less aware of your surroundings, and less likely to hear warnings such as horns or sirens. They can also make you vulnerable to danger because you may not hear approaching steps.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Corded Headphones	Details from Amazon.com
5	Sennheiser PX100 (*est. $40)	details
4	Grado SR60 (*est. $70)	details
3	Sennheiser HD 650 (*est. $400)	details
3	AKG K701 (*est. $400)	details
1 each	Grado GS1000, Grado RS2 , AKG K26 Pro , Sennheiser HD 280 Pro , Sennheiser HD 595 , Grado SR80 , Beyerdynamic DT 231 , Voyetra Turtle Beach Ear Force HPA , Koss PortaPro , Koss KSC75
# of Picks	Noise-Cancellation Headphones	Details from Amazon.com
4	Bose QuietComfort 2 (*est. $300)	details
2	Bose QuietComfort 3 (*est. $350)	details
2	Sennheiser PXC 300 (*est. $150)	details
2	Sennheiser PXC 250 (*est. $100)	details
1 each	JVC HA-NC100 , Panasonic RPH-HC300
# of Picks	In-Ear Headphones and Earbuds	Details from Amazon.com
3	Shure E500PTH (*est. $500)	details
2	Shure SE310 (*est. $245)	details
1 each	Sennheiser CX 300 , Creative Zen Aurvana , Ultimate Ears super.fi 5 Pro , Shure SE310 , Shure E3c , Shure SE530 , Ultimate Ears triple.fi 10 Pro , Ultimate Ears UE-10 Pro , JVC HA-FX33 , Ultimate Ears super.fi 3 , Etymotic ER6i , JVC HA-F120 , V-Moda Bass Freq , Sony MDR-ED21LP , V-Moda Remix , V-Moda Vibe , Brookstone Retractable Earbuds

When it comes to traditional, full-size headphones, reviews prefer the Sennheiser HD 650 and the Grado SR60. Sennheiser also makes many lightweight headphones that test well, and top-rated in reviews are the Sennheiser PX 100.

Among noise-canceling headphones, the Bose QuietComfort 3 and less compact QuietComfort 2 get good scores for blocking ambient noise and for excellent sound quality. But the Sennheiser PXC 300 is also good at blocking ambient noise, and these headphones cost far less than Bose.

When it comes to in-ear headphones, reviewers prefer expensive Shure in-canal earphones, but the Etymotic ER-6 Isolator is good value. We didn't find much agreement on earbuds, but there are a handful of standouts in reviews.

Sponsored links