Ratings: 5/5
Price: $1,230
Beyerdynamic
T1
Near-perfect reproduction, from sparkly
treble to the deepest bass we’ve heard from a sub-$1500 pair of cans, is what
you get here. But to hear these at their best you need to partner them with the
dedicated A1 amp. That $2700 pair offers better sound than any sub-$30K
amp-and-speaker combo we’ve heard…
Best for studio sound –Sennheiser HD 25-1 II Adidas
Originals
Ratings: 5/5
Price: $262.5
Sennheiser
HD 25-1 II Adidas Originals
The HD 25s have been around for ages, but
Sennheiser tweaks the sound and styling every so often. This tie-in with Adidas
brings a particularly gratifying sound tweak – perfectly judged tonal balance,
awesome detail and dynamic, controlled bass. Brilliant.
Best for ear-warming ability – AKG K 550
Ratings: 5/5
Price: $300
AKG
K 550
Huge earpieces with big drivers, a broad
headband and a long, chunky cable – these headphones are designed for at-home use.
They are lightweight and comfy though, even if they tend to make your ears
quite hot over time. Still, that heat’s worth it thanks to a spacious,
speaker-like delivery that excels in terms of fine detail, dynamics and punch.
Best for frequent flyers – Bose QuietComfort 15
Ratings: 5/5
Price: $397.5
Bose
QuietComfort 15
On a plane, a great-sounding pair of
headphones is useless if their sound is drowned out by the plane’s engines or
if they’re too uncomfortable over long periods. Thank heavens, then, for the
QuiteComfort 15s. Not only do they sound superb, they’re lightweight and
cushion-soft, and have perhaps the most effective noise-cancelling on the
market.
A celebrity tie-in of substance – AKG Q701
Ratings: 5/5
Price: $367.5
AKG
Q701
If you want ‘phones with an endorsement of
real merit, try these Q701s from AKG and legendary producer Quincy Jones. Big
and solid yet light, these are for the longest of listening sessions. Thanks to
brilliant transparency and an open, airy presentation, they sound almost
faultless. Don’t worry; they’re available in black and silver as well as this
eye-catching green.
Best for pretending you’re a footballer
– Beats by Dre Pro
Ratings: 4/5
Price: $420
Beats
by Dre Pro
There’s nothing wrong with lots of bass.
It’s just that, if the bass drowns out the rest of the presentation it’s just
not right. These Pros have deep, brain-rattling bass that won’t be to
everyone’s taste – yet through the mid-range and treble they’re surprising
tight, dynamic and exciting.
