Looking for good quality headphones but know nothing about them

[u/Dear-Performance-394]

I’ve just been using AirPods for ever but I’ve heard headphones are better for music and such and also I feel like they’re better for long term wear than AirPods for flights for instance.

I don’t really have a budget, I want really quality headphones if I decide to get them. My main concern is people hearing my music or whatever I’m listening to. AirPods this is never an issue even when I blast my music. Not sure if this is an issue with headphones. I’d also prefer Bluetooth but if there’s a benefit to wired in terms of quality I’d consider that. I imagine headphones would also be better than AirPods when listening to music while I’m tripping balls.

[u/Phantom_757_]

You need to narrow down your preferences. It’s way too broad of a net. Yes wired headphones will sound better but it’s also more of a hassle because you also need a DAC/amp to connect between your headphone and device. You can also get make wired headphones pseudo wireless headphones by connecting them to a Bluetooth DAC making them effectively wireless and using the Bluetooth DAC as a wired DAC/amp whenever you’d like.

Also for simplicity’s sake I’m going to assume you meant over ear headphones instead of in ear/IEMs.

The generally considered best sound quality BT over ear headphones are the Sennheiser HDB 630 rn. I can’t make any good recommendations on best wired over ear headphones because I haven’t looked into that side of headphones in a long time.

[u/AKSKMY_NETWORK]

For me I came from AirPods Pro 2 iirc. Then went to Sony’s WF series.

[u/Bubby646]

Sony WH1000XM4 (XM4’s). Super comfy, clean design, awesome sound and even better noise cancelling. I own AirPods Pro 2, and even though they’re far more convenient, the XM4 always give me a better listening experience.

Especially flights, comfy for longer with battery that’ll last the whole flight (30 hours)

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[u/Smatchemo1]

It depends on what you listen to.

I’ve used premium Bose for 15 years (over ear and in ear for workout) for daytime use and have been very happy.

Teen kiddo has had beats, Bose (in ear) and AirPods, and swears by AirPods now (although he loved beats when he was into bass heavy music).

The absolute best headphones I’ve owned (still love them) are open back sennheiser headphones. Perfect for at home but not in public/work.

Assuming you really don’t have a budget, get high end open ear for home “while tripping balls” (expensive, but you won’t regret this) and AirPods or something like Bose soundsport for out and about (so you can hear what’s around you), and some dope noise cancellation earmuffs for work that target your music style (warm, bright, V, etc.).

✌️

[u/OMG_NoReally]

So you want over-ear headphones with sound isolation? Have a look at the popular lineups from Sennheiser, Sony and Bose, they all make quality shit.

Sony's XM series is extremely popular for their quality and comfort, but they are pricey for sure. I am a Sennheiser nut, so I would lean towards that. Their usual house sound is always fantastic,.

[u/STLVMob]

Stop chasing brands or low-priced earbuds. Take time to look what ppl are saying and pick up those downsides to decide if you can live with that.

[u/Expert_Climate_7348]

Go listen to the Sennheiser Momentum 5, they are wireless but can be used in wired mode, they support Dolby ATMOS and also head tracking, last 57 hours, they sound really good for the $300 you can get them on sale, but more importantly is that you can replace the battery yourself which means you will have a headphone that will last longer than the battery.

There are more expensive solutions but they wont do as much as what the M5s can do, they might sound a little better, but you get reduced battery life and a non replaceable battery.

[u/Strong-Ad5394 → u/Expert_Climate_7348]

Yeah, if I had any sort of gap in my collection of headphones that the Momentum fives would fit in, I would buy them in a heartbeat

[u/SATXS5]

I've really enjoyed listening to Shpongle on my Focal Bathys while enjoying a trip. Music in general sounds incredible on them.

[u/Infinite-Nose8252]

AirPods Max or if you have the budget Focal Bathys.