Discover the Best Headphones
1. Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Over-Ear Wireless Headphones
Finally, I understand...
Reviewed by O'Deady on B&H Photo Video
This is my third set of Noise Cancelling Headphones. My first was an entry-level set of Sony noise cancelling headphones which significantly improved my ability to enjoy music and movies during flight. I was awed by the Bose QuietComfort 35 predecessors, but could never really justify a $300 purchase. I limped along with the Sony for well over a decade, finally replacing them last year with a mid-price range over-the-ear product from Owlee. The Owlee purchase was an impulse buy on Amazon based upon a referral and an appealing price point. This was a huge step-up for me and worth every penny -- especially when one amortizes the cost over at least ten years of use. I've only used the Owlee on a dozen occasions, but I like 'em a lot. This year, I learned that a very modest startup investment I'd pretty much given-up on was being acquired. I purchased this set of Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones as a reward for my patience (waiting out both the investment and the desire to own a set of Bose noise-cancelling headphones). I've only used them twice so far. Once, at home when I opened the box and then on a long flight last week. I don't know why I waited so long, but I finally understand why my colleagues shelled-out three or four C-Notes for a set of headphones. Of course, now I'll never be able to go back, but QuietComfort 35 is incredibly comfortable, stores flat in a nice case (included) and provides the best quality sound I've ever had onboard an aircraft. Although the product is equipped with a high-quality microphone, I've only experimented with it for cell phone use once and can't tell you whether it is a reasonable way to answer the phone while listening to music at your desk, but I'll let you know when I'm back at my desk. In the meantime, I'm still wondering what took me so long to commit to this purchase, but I'm glad I finally got there. ... More
I should have bought some Bose QC headphones years ago!
Reviewed by Paul on B&H Photo Video
My work productivity has definitely gone up from having these to block out noise, listen to music, and focus on my work. I used to mock people who spent $350 to cancel noise - well, Ive repented. Its worth every penny. Why did I get the QC 35 IIs instead of the Sony WH-1000XM3s? Im glad you asked! Both the Bose and Sonys have stellar sound and stellar noise canceling, yet the Sony edges out the Bose in both categories by a slight margin according to most peoples ears. Whichever headset I chose would be replacing my critical listening headphones and audiophile-DAC for daily listening while at work. This isnt just about audio quality though - its not less than that, but its certainly more than that. For me, I went with the Bose over the Sonys because of multi-pairing. Being able to connect to my phone and my computer at the same time is a huge bonus so I can seamlessly listen to both without a second thought. Likewise, the telephone call quality on the Bose headphones is absolutely excellent - I can take calls on them fearlessly without callers asking me what, what??? all the time. Sonys headphones? Yeah, not so much. Listen to some comparison samples of phone calls from the Sony headset versus the Bose headset on YouTube - the difference is enormous! Last of all, comfort. I wouldnt describe the Sony headphones as uncomfortable, but as someone who often has his headphones on for 7-10 hours a day, the Bose headphones are just amazingly comfy. No aches, pains, or tension. Its like wearing a fluffy pillow on your head. ... More
2. Sony WH-1000XM3
On-Ear Wireless Headphones
Best noise caenclling headphones in the world
Reviewed by Shakil on Argos
These headphones are top notch and easily the best noise cancelling headphones that money can buy, if your someone that appreciates some piece and quiet then your going to love these headphones. I was on the London Underground train and it makes it feel like your in your bedroom because there is absolutely no noise. The audio on the headphones are unbelievable the bass will blow your head clean off if you want it to. The app customisation features also makes this worth the price. ... More
Sony have outdone themselves
Reviewed by MrZee247 on Argos
I usually stick to my two ‘go to’ brands - Apple and Bose, Apple for most tech and Bose for audio. This time I decided to put my brand loyalty aside for a little while and let the reviews guide me. The choice between the Bose 700 and these headphones is a tight one and there were more than a couple of times that I was very close to clicking buy on the Bose. I went with the top of the range Sony headphones in the end and I’m so glad I did, comfort, sound, noise cancelling and style. 10/10! ... More
3. Sony WH-1000XM4
Wireless Noise-Canceling Over-Ear Headphones
Widely regarded as the best. I have to agree.
Reviewed by Steve on Argos
If you Google “What are the best headphones to buy right now”, you will be given a long list of websites all giving their expert opinion. What seems to be most common is that most of these expert reviews point to the Sony WH1000MX4’s as being the ANC Headphone king. I have to agree. The most important factor to me is sound quality. I collect IEM’s so I believe that I know a quality sounding pair when I hear them. The Sony’s have exceeded all my expectations. The sound signature is balanced with rich punchy bass, clear mids and crisp highs. There’s absolutely no sign of sibilance. The MX4’s offer an inviting listening experience. You’ll want to pick them up put them on and enjoy. The Sony Headphone app allows you to customise the sound curve to your liking. For me they sound perfect right out of the box. What ever you’re go to music genre. The Sony’s elevate the experience. When first hearing Guns and Roses Knocking on Heavens door, I got a shiver down my spine. I’m not even a fan of Guns and Roses! At around £300 they ain’t cheap but like the old saying goes “you get what you pay for!” Compared to Apples offering the Sony’s are actually really good value for money and they come with a proper case, not one that looks like a training bra! Considering the amount of tech crammed into these cans they start to pull away from their peers in terms of value. They’re mind blowingly clever with the audiophile pleasing sound quality to go with the tech wizardry. The Active Noise Cancellation works very well blocking out any unwanted external noise. Set up is easy with the very customisable app. The touch controls are responsive and accurate. I could list all the amazing functions the MX4’s have but the review would be way too long. Let me just say if you like gadgets you’re in for a treat. There’s a 3.5mm cable for wired connection. I connected them to a cheap HI RES DAC that I own and again the sound quality went up another notch. Bluetooth sound quality is excellent but when connected to my iPhone the music piped to my ears isn’t full fat HI RES. That said the DSEE Extreme function in the app allows you to to boost compressed audio whilst streaming to sound like it has a higher bit rate. Very clever indeed. The competition is stiff with the likes of Bose and Sennheiser all offering similar priced options. The Apple AirPod Max’s may have the edge in terms of build quality but pound for pound they can’t match the Sony WH1000MX4’s for their sheer all round ability. Long live the King! ... More
A Great Choice
Reviewed by Mark on B&H Photo Video
I purchased these about a month ago. This is my first foray into wireless noise canceling headphones in about five years, I am impressed with the improvements. The sound quality is simply terrific, approximately as good as a set of wired headphones of similar cost. The wireless link is reliable, no interference or dropouts noted though in fairness I usually use these with my phone which is never more than a few feet away. I purchased these in part to replace a set of headphones that I use when I cut my grass. That is a very challenging environment for noise reduction as it contains wide band noise from very low frequencies up to almost the limit of human hearing. The noise is also at a fairly high decibel decibel level, something like 90+dba at 1 m. The headphones knocks the mower noise down to a really surprising level, and even with the noise reduction working that hard the audio still sounds great. I also very much appreciate the touch features of these headphones. My experience with non-phone/computer gesture sensing has not been good. However these sense tap and swipe gestures very reliably. The headphones come in a small zippered case and include accessories such as an airplane adapter and hardwired cable. They charge in three hours or less, usually much less, from USB-C. Sony also has an app available for iOS and android that provides various settings for noise reduction, equalizer, and setting the function of a dedicated button on the headphones. I can't speak to the iOS version but the android version works well, I've had absolutely no issues with it. Overall I think these are a great choice, and well worth the price. ... More
4. Sony MDR-7506
Closed-Back Professional Headphones
Outstanding Clarity
Reviewed by Tim on Guitar Center
Mirror-flat response, very accurate source representation, and absolutely no coloration or dampening exhibited. Very sensitive to the entire frequency spectrum. No audible fatigue noticed after several hours of wear. Excellent Choice.
Great headphones
Reviewed by plague07 on Musicians Friend
You definitely get what you pay for with headphones and after owning these for a few days, I can see why they are rated so highly in the professional field. They sound great and they are affordable. Very light weight and even offer good sound isolation when in use. Comfortable and they fit 100% over my ears even though the ear pieces are on the small side. Includes both 1/8 and 1/4 adapters and a long cord. You wont be disappointed with these.
5. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Closed-Back Monitor Headphones
Excellent
Reviewed by Nate on B&H Photo Video
I use these headphones daily at work. I wear them for about 6 continual hours a day, and I can honestly say that they are not too uncomfortable. Yes, they fit tight, but that is how you get the most sound isolation. They are adjustable, though, and I'm sure the headphones need time to loosen up a little. These headphones do a pretty good job of accurately reproducing source material. Of course, there are more expensive alternatives that are hyper-accurate, but for the cost, these are quite good. You will hear things in these that you will not hear in other alternatives, like extreme low and high frequency anomalies (that you would normally not hear on inexpensive sets). They may even let you hear things you don't want to hear (like a bad mix), so be warned... Overall, I'm quite pleased with these for the cost, and in my application as a professional broadcast-audio engineer, they perform very well. ... More
A worthy addition to my headphone collection.
Reviewed by William Estell on Guitar Center
I have heard so much about these headphones, that I finally decided to pick up a pair. First, I have to admit that I was not very impressed with the visual appearance of these headphones. They're made mostly of plastic and not many metal components to be found anywhere, except for the metal bands that reinforce the headband. These things sound really clean and although I use them primarily for DJ use, I have been using them for all sorts do things and they're still impressing me. They come with THREE different replaceable cables and a pretty nice leather(ish) carrying pouch. The ear pads are made from a very nice material that feels like real leather, and is extremely soft. The foam in the ear pads feels like it could be memory foam but holds its shape very well. Although they are made from all plastic, they have no noticeable noise or "creaks" that are common with headphones like this, although I've only had them for a few weeks. They feel like they are gonna last so I have no regrets with my purchase so far. I'm comparing these up against a few headphones... The Sony MDR7506, Sennheiser HD25, Sennheiser Amperior, V-Moda Croosfade LP2 and I'd say that they're closest to the 7506 in size and shape. The Sony MDR7506 sounds just a touch brighter in the upper mid-range compared to the ATH-M50x. The ATH-M50x sounds completely neutral across the entire spectrum and I can easily focus in on any details I wanted to hear, without effort. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these to anyone without a good set of monitors, and if you're looking for a new pair, definitely check these out. Especially for the price! ... More
6. Beats by Dr. Dre Studio3
Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
A very very good headphone
Reviewed by DaveyR on Argos
These are brilliant headphones to say the least. I’d say the price point wasn’t the best for what they are, but that’s not Argos’ fault, similar/same price on Apple’s website. The battery power is one of the best around, lasts a day and a bit with constant use and sounds great. If your friends are on them and you want to seize control of them, simply connect to them and your device would take priority. I’d definitely recommend them to friends and family. I chose Argos due to the Argos Card. ... More
Great product
Reviewed by Kitkatsox on Argos
I actually bought these specifically for noise cancellation, as my partners snores are up to 59db - whilst they don’t eliminate it entirely, they make a huge difference and they are comfortable enough for me to lie on my side. so if your looking for headphones to play music and immerse yourself into the moment I imagine they are brilliant for that. I listen to tv via Bluetooth and can walk all around house, upstairs and downstairs and signal stays intact ... More
7. Bose 700 & 700 UC
Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Wireless Headphones
It’s a winner
Reviewed by LauraT on Argos
I really struggled with these and the Sony option..I ended up going with my heart and I did not make a mistake..worth every penny..no need to mess with any sound settings as Bose have it spot on..touch controls work really well and the battery life is prefect..survived two flights and buses without the need of a charge (18 hrs no stop travelling)
Best NC headphones now
Reviewed by Hector on B&H Photo Video
They are expensive, yes, and probably if you already have the bose qc ii or the sony xm3 i wouldnt recommend them just because the price. But if you are looking for a new pair of NC headphones, and you can afford them, go for it, you wont regret, these are definitely the ones. Best noice cancelling headphones now, no doubt. I have been on a couple airplanes since i got them, and its amazing how well they perform, you can barely hear the engines of the plane. And while doing some work office, they perform very good as well, you wont have any bad critics about it. Great bose sound, not a lot of base, but thats ok, at least for me, you can gear a lot of clearness in the music and with the noice cancelling feature, it sounds great. In the beginning of july/19 the bose app sucked, and that was a good reason to not buy them, but by now, the app does its job well with the new updates, so you wont have any trouble with that. You still need the app to setup the headphones at the beginning but meh, everybody have a smartphone with internet connection nowadays. In conclusion, if you can afford them, go for it. If youre on a budget, Im pretty sure your wallet will be a little more happy with the xm3, and as far i know, those are really good headphones too ... More
8. JBL Tune 510BT
On-Ear Wireless Headphones
Great for the gym
Reviewed by Shards on Argos
I needed a pair of headphones for the gym after my airpods dropped out my ears and rolled through a railing while i was stretching- that was the last straw for me. Picked up these after days of searching and they are great, the sound is really good, i love headphones that really emphasise the bass and most importantly they stay on your head no matter what. I tend to get a little sweaty on my ears while working out but just a quick wipe and they are good as new. They also stay in place while running as well which is important. ... More
Great sound
Reviewed by Tracy72 on Argos
I bought this headphones due to good reviews. The sound quality is second to none. I use these for the gym and running on the treadmill they do stay in place. The JBL headphones come ready charged so you can use straight away. Battery last for ages, and I still haven't charged them since the purchase. These excellent value for money. I even got a second pair for my husband because he liked so much and mentioned how good the sound quality is. Would likely recommend these to others. ... More
9. Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 Ohms
Closed Studio Headphones - 250 Ohms
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Closed Studio Headphone
Reviewed by Aranos on Musicians Friend
First of all I am a 'so-called' musician... so that lends me to a certain realm of tactful taste. That being said I'll move on...I am listening to these headphones as I scribe this article. They are about 7 years old and have logged a many thousand hours of listening; on musical material from Jazz, R&B, Funk, Classical and a host of stage performances, with no excesses of sonic input to threaten the electronics. Currently, I am listening to "Tribes, Vibes and Scribes, by a Smooth Jazz group known as 'incognito' (just for those who are unaware of the group). Instrumentally, they consist of Guitar, Bass, Drums, Percussion, Keyboards, Synths, Trombone, Trumpet, Sax, Male and Female Vocals. The soundstage on this CD sonically is, tight and onstage front and center, hence the basis of this posted topic. The highs are clear and crisp with detailed transparency. Midrange is 'fluid and roomy' with an immediate sense of 'uncolored presence'. The Bass, well now that is an interesting range, on these phones. Remember they have had a really, really long break-in period. To my ears the Bass is very, very deep and well defined. In this material there are several passages of Bass focused solos and SynthBass backup. Man, it is like being on stage with the musicians. As Steely Dan would say: ?No static at all", ably reproducing the fundamentals 'down to the lowest frequency? of the instruments on this CD. No coloration at all...none whatsoever. Other material that I have been entertained, produced similar or distinctly different soundstages, WYHIWYG...( tight = tight, dispersed = wide and open, muddied = opaque, "What you hear is what you get" with these phones).I am surprised that no one has written a review of these cans, since they are an older version and really are over looked. Theirs is a pleasurable offering of ?price to quality?. Yeah, they are plastic and the cord is coiled and I am listening to them through a TASCAM GT1mkII, but the bell shaped curve most likely does use some similar piece of equipment as well. As stated before, I am a 'musician', without us there would be no 'audiophiles'. By the way, I have listened to these cans with a NAD amp and dedicated HEADROOM and GRADO headphone amps. The sound is even more superb using those pieces of equipment. However, for those of us who enjoy phones for 'whatever their use', these cans kick! My other cans are GRADO 125 and 325i, as well as some real old SONY MDR-V6's which are real crisp and detailed after 15 years of use but have started to become somewhat 'static prone'. These Beyerdynamic 770DT?s are well worth considering if you want a can that will place you on stage with the musicians (a great feeling if you are one) instead of the audiophilic audience several rows back! (p.s. as with any can, leave them playing on a suitable music material at a reasonable volume for several weeks before you attempt to critique any costly headphone?) AND PROTECT YOUR HEARING, which is why most cannot hear any detail sought after on headphones!!!! ... More
Optimum Sound Reproduction
Reviewed by Hoot on Musicians Friend
Without going into too much detail, I have just bought and received my 3rd set of these. Not because they are messing up, but because these things are AWESOME!! I bought one set about 5 years ago for myself, between live sound and also working in a recording studio, I needed some of the best headphones I could find. About a year ago, I bought a second set for my Monitor guy back stage. He absolutely loves these things. And now i've bought a 3rd set for my studio because they have such a true flat response. Everything is present and crystal clear. If a CD doesn't sound good through these, then the CD or recording is to blame. What you put into these headphones is what you are going to hear. These are meant for a more true "Reference" quality type of listening. They aren't meant to be turned up to extreme levels. But then again, what idiot is going to try to destroy a new set of expensive headphones by seeing how loud they will go before the blow? Being a sound engineer and around music for as long as I have been, I've had the opportunity to try out many different kinds and styles of headphones. So far, I feel that these are the best ones yet! ... More
10. Sony MDR-XB50AP
Extra Bass Earbud Headset
Forget everything you know about bass
Reviewed by Ryan Melendez on B&H Photo Video
These things are like having a 2.1 speaker set right in your ears. The bass is PUNCHY, and brought right to the front of your listening experience. Audiophiles/purists might not want to consider these because the mids and highs take back seat to the bass. It can be toned down in your MP3 player's EQ for a more balanced sound though. They sound great when properly equalized, and would make a fine addition to your mobile entertainment experience. Another plus is the wire is flat, and in my experience, doesn't tangle as much as other headphones (results will vary). The headphones have a little weight to them, and can feel uncomfortable if you have them playing heavy bass tracks i your ears for long periods of time. ... More
Good Value - Great Sound
Reviewed by Ken on B&H Photo Video
I was a little apprehensive before buying these. I thought that these might have too much bass for the music I listen to. I like Rock ( Eminem/Aerosmith,U2, Bruce Springsteen, Guns and Roses), Some pop (Taylor Swift, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Adele, Duffy, Jessie J)and New Age. They all sound good. Bass is really good. I'm impressed. I tried the cheaper The House of Marley Smile Jamaica. It had decent bass but middle and high's were very muddy. These are clean and clear from high to low. It has pretty good sound isolation as long as you use the proper size gel piece. I initially used a smaller one and these sounded terrible and I hear a lot of outside noise. I couldn't hear anything on the NYC subways. I changed the gel piece and subway riding is so quiet with just music. ... More