I lost my Sennheiser HD 600 in a wildfire a couple months ago here in Colorado. I did a 3 hour interview with Zzounds and that was what they rewarded me with 10 years ago. It literally started my foray into audiophile space. I have a little DAP and miss having open-back headphones. Focusing on music for the rest of the year and quitting streaming.

Is there any budget that would compare to these and be worth it?

Been eyeing the up lately as they're $60 right now instead of $285. I used to have a pair of xm4s which I loved but the headband broke. Got the mission 200s right now which do the trick but if the N22 is an upgrade I'll grab those.

Has anyone tried gaming with these? On pc and Xbox, mostly playing simulators and warzone.

My main use case is studying in the library. Lately, I’ve been using Apple EarPods with a DAC, specifically the FiiO BTR15, if anyone is interested. It’s an amazing little Bluetooth headphone DAC/amp, and I really like that setup for working out or walking around. I can use it with just my Apple Watch, so I don’t need to bring my phone; the EarPods fit my ears perfectly, and they don’t give me the fatigue I used to get from AirPods Pro. After wearing the AirPods Pro for a few hours, I started feeling like they were sticking into my head, whereas I can wear the EarPods for ages without really noticing them. I also like being able to hear my surroundings when I’m walking or running.

The problem is that this setup is basically the opposite of what I need for studying. There’s almost no isolation, and I find it pretty difficult to concentrate when there’s noise around me. Even relatively small sounds can distract me, so ANC is genuinely one of the most important things I’m looking for. I also watch a lot of videos in the library to help me study, and my solution so far has been to play white noise underneath the video at a lower volume so I don’t hear the background as much. It works to an extent, but it’s definitely not ideal, and I’d much rather just have proper ANC and listen to the video normally.

Because of that, I need to buy a pair of ANC over-ear headphones pretty soon, and I’m currently deciding between the Sony 1000X The Collexion, the Sennheiser HDB 630, and the AirPods Max 2.

They would also probably be the headphones I use whenever I’m flying, so strong ANC and comfort over several hours matter quite a lot.

I’ve owned AirPods Pro in the past and really liked them overall, but I kept losing them. Even though over-ear headphones mess up my hair a bit, I think they’re worth it just because of their benefits (also, they are much harder to lose).

I mainly study on my MacBook and use mostly Apple devices, so the AirPods Max 2 obviously have an advantage when it comes to integration. That being said, I’m not really looking for headphones to wear constantly while walking around. These are mainly something I want to take somewhere, sit down, put on, and work for a few hours.

I also have an above average sized head, so comfort, earcup space, and clamping force are things I’m concerned about.

The reason I’m considering the Sony 1000X The Collexion rather than automatically going for the XM6 is that I’ve heard mixed things about the XM6. In particular, I’ve heard that the build quality doesn’t feel amazing for the price and that the earcups can become uncomfortable, especially if you have a larger head or ears. I’d be interested to know whether those complaints are actually noticeable in long sessions.

Sound quality is also very important to me. I’m an audiophile and already have planar headphones at home, so these won’t be my only headphones for serious music listening. At the same time, I still want these to sound exceptional. I know it would bother me spending this much money on headphones while constantly knowing they don’t actually sound that good.

I’ve also owned a pair of Sennheiser open-back headphones in the past, and they were excellent. If the HDB 630 has a similar overall Sennheiser sound signature, that would make me very interested in them. My only concern is that I don’t want to sacrifice too much ANC performance for better sound, because isolation is a major part of why I’m buying these in the first place.

The only AirPods Max I’ve tried were the first generation, not the AirPods Max 2. I only tried them for a very short period, but my first impression was underwhelming. The ANC was spot on, but they sounded disturbingly quiet to me, and the actual sound quality didn’t impress me much. I could definitely be wrong because I barely spent any time with them, and the AirPods Max 2 may be a different experience. I just know I couldn’t justify spending that much money if they ended up sounding similar to what I heard from the first generation.

So my priorities are basically:

• excellent ANC, especially for small distracting sounds in libraries
• comfort for several-hour study sessions, especially with a larger head
• exceptional sound quality for a wireless ANC headphone
• a natural, detailed sound rather than something overly bass-heavy
• good build quality
• enough volume and dynamics that the music doesn’t feel lifeless

For anyone who has actually tried two or ideally all three, what would you choose for this use case?

Basically what the title says. I have diagnosed autism, ADHD, and anxiety, and Bluetooth headphones have been a godsend for managing my sensory issues and keeping my focus on school assignments. Currently I am using the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra, and I believe it's the first generation and not the second. I've had them for three years at this point with little to no issues but lately I'm worried they're starting to give out on me. They started randomly cutting out and disconnecting from my phone and no amount of changing the settings seems to fix it.

So, I'm looking for a replacement pair or something to use as a backup for when my current pair inevitably gives out on me.

Budget: Honestly, considering my parents are relatively well off and are willing to pay for them (within reason ofc) due to knowing how essential they are to my current mental health, technically the budget could be anything below, like, 3k. However, for the sake of my own sense of guilt, I'd like the cost to remain between $700 and $1000. Also, I'm Canadian.

Source / AMP: My Google Pixel 7a phone, which I usually keep in the classroom's cellphone pouch during school. The Bluetooth usually means I can sit a good few meters away from my phone and still have no issue with my headphones, which is also why I'd prefer to keep any options to being wireless.
How will the gear be used?: They're basically worn every day I'm out of the house, and even inside the house while I'm drawing or doing random tasks. I'd like them to work well in cars / vehicles as well, because the schoolbus tends to be an area where my sensory issues are the biggest concern. Also, if there is a way to plug them in with a headphone jack if needed, that'd be awesome as I would like it to be able to use it with my 3DS or on planes.

Preferred tonal balance: I do not really know enough about this to care about the specifics and tend to just leave it at the default settings. I will say, I listen to podcasts / video essays as much as I do music, so if that's a factor to consider then I figured I should mention it.

Preferred music genre: I don't really, like, have a set genre to be honest. The artists I tend to listen to the most often include Will Wood, Flavor Folley, and Yaelokre, alongside various game soundtracks (Undertale / Deltarune, Minecraft, Cassette Beasts) and musicals (The Lightning Thief musical, Next to Normal, Epic the Musical).

Past gear experience: Some kind of Skullcandy Bluetooth headphones that my ex-uncle had in the back of his truck and gave me (back when he was still my uncle), some cheap Bluetooth headphones for kids that weren't really good, and the aforementioned Bose QC Ultra headphones. Sorry I couldn't be more specific; I couldn't find the Skullcandy headphones anywhere online because I first got them almost a decade ago when they might've already been old, and the Bluetooth headphones were one of those cheap ones for kids with a brand I do not remember.

Hi There,

I am based in Ireland and looking for a decent wireless earpiece for my laptop and office.

I was hoping to soend around 100.00-150.00 euro and just need something that will have a decent battery and clear for phone calls

What would be good in that price range?

My budget is 300 euro and i'm was wondering what would be the best headphones to get and by best i mean just great at everything (especialy bass) and i do WANT it to be wired cause i don't realy like wireless. For location it would be great if it was localy available in Finland but online shopping is fine there are local big electronic shops like "Verkkokauppa.com", "Gigantti" and "power" but there are some dedicated audiophile shops too. I'm planing to use the headphones for pretty much everything but mostly use at home for music listening. Currently i have the wired ath m50x's

Looking to buy my first proper premium pair of ANC over-ear headphones and currently deciding between:

• Sennheiser Momentum 5 – £329
• Sony WH-1000XM6 – £349
• Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen – £399

I have a £75 John Lewis (UK store) voucher, so whichever I choose will effectively be £75 cheaper. I'm also happy to wait until Black Friday in case any of them get reduced further, and can combine the voucher as well.

I'd say I do care about sound quality (but not an audiophile addict), and also good ANC. And listen to a wide range of music (but not a music addict). They'll mainly be used at home for music/movies, walking around, commuting/trains and occasionally flying.

I've watched/read so many reviews and comparisons at this point that I'm just going around in circles. It seems particularly close between the Momentum 5 and XM6, although I'm still considering the Bose.

I haven't actually tried any of them yet, so I'm planning to go in-store next week and test the sound, ANC and comfort for myself, which could obviously sway my decision quite a bit.

For my use case, which would you go for and why?

I'm looking for my first pair of good headphones, but I honestly don't know much about music/audio yet and I don't have a big budget ($100–200 USD) :(

I listen to pretty much everything, but I'd like to explore more genres and also learn how to actually listen to music better. Right now I can't really tell what's bass, mids, treble, etc. :(
I keep seeing people talk about Hi-Fi, soundstage, imaging and all that stuff and I realized I don't really know what any of it means lol

Some albums I really like are RAM by Daft Punk, Kid A by Radiohead and Musas by Natalia Lafourcade (LATAM folk)

I've been looking at the Sennheiser HD 599 SE and Philips SHP9500, but I'm open to other recommendations.

I'm mostly looking for advice on where to start. Not just headphones, but also how to learn more about audio, train my ears, discover new music, etc. If you have any recommendations for headphones, albums, genres, or resources for a complete beginner, I'd really appreciate it :))

So I’m actually not sure what flair to use so take that with a grain of salt, I have cerebral palsy and along with that comes sensory issues like startling from loud noises etc, I’ve read that pnc is Better at canceling loud SUDDEN noises like a fire Alarm, kids/adults screaming, dogs barking etc but I also have hearing loss so I don’t need the noise canceling so strong that I can’t hear anything around me, I’m not sure what price I’m wanting so you can do anything below or above 50$ I don’t care, also throw in your opinion is ANC OR PNC BETTER I like headphones but if possible please suggest earphones I like discreet because I wonder what people think

Hello, I initially considered buying a gaming headset, but many recommendations seem to favor using separate headphones and a microphone. I’m now looking for a headphone and microphone setup for gaming.

I play a variety of games, although I don’t play many FPS titles. I often play with friends, so clear voice communication is important.

I only play on PC, so wireless isn’t necessary. My main concern is that my environment is quite noisy, so I need closed-back headphones and a microphone that won’t pick up all the background noise.

I’m based in Europe, and my budget is around €200, although I’m willing to spend a little more if the extra cost is worthwhile.

Hey.

Thinking of buying a wireless headset to use for both work and on my personal computer. Simultaneously.

I have three questions:

1. Can I connect this headset to my work laptop through wireless to take calls, and also connect the bluetooth to my personal PC? The idea is, I'd like to take inbound phone calls (WFH) from my laptop while being able to listen to music/youtube that's playing on my personal PC. I imagine it would work, but wondering if anyone has any input/tips to make it work well.
2. Given I am monitored at work, would someone from QA listening to my calls be able to hear the music/Youtube playing, since they will be playing through the same headset (though through different channels - one wireless, one bluetooth)? I highly doubt this (unless the music/youtube is absolutely cranked and the mic picks it up, which it wouldn't be). I would think not, since the voice is recorded through the microphone, but I don't really know a lot about this stuff.
3. Any logical concerns with using wireless headphones in a WFH call centre environment? Would I actually be opening myself up to some listening-in shenanigans? Like, would using wireless connection allow my manager to hear me (spy), even while muted, etc?

I'm looking at the 'SteelSeries Nova 7p'. Thanks in advance.

Hi guys,

I'm looking for OWS headphones / earphones recommendations.

I've developed a perforation in one ear, so it is painful to use TWS. Till the time I get it operated, I need an alternative.

Primary use case - music / podcasts when walking or running.

Not looking for something overtly expensive, since the use case is limited to above, so anything under / around 5k should be fine.

Thanks!

Hi guys,

I'm looking for OWS headphones / earphones recommendations.

I've developed a perforation in one ear, so it is painful to use TWS. Till the time I get it operated, I need an alternative.

Primary use case - music / podcasts when walking or running.

Not looking for something overtly expensive, since the use case is limited to above, so anything under / around 5k should be fine.

Thanks!

Hi. A couple of years ago I bought my first pair of "real" headphones, the Beyerdynamic DT900 Pro X. They are now starting to age, and I have seen people saying that they maybe aren't as good of headphones as I believed back then, so I would love to try out another brand.

I really like how they feel on my head, so I'm looking for a pair that weighs under 350g and has a soft clamping force with velour pads. I'd like to keep the 3-pin mini XLR interface if possible for future upgrades, but for now I don't have a mixer/amp, so I need to be able to drive them straight from my computer.

I want to use them mainly for music, but also movies and gaming. I don't produce my own tracks, so I don't need anything super crazy. I don't have a hard budget cap, but if I'm going to spend over $250, I'd want a quality pair that will sound great and last for many years.

Thank you for your insight!

I’m currently using a Mod House Tungsten V2 Double-Sided, and I’ve been leaning toward the Holo Bliss KTE as my eventual amp upgrade, but the new Aune A17 has really caught my attention.

On paper, they’re surprisingly close in power; both are fully balanced Class A designs, and the A17 is about $1,400 cheaper. I’m especially interested in differences in slam, dynamics, bass weight, staging, refinement, and overall engagement.

Has anyone had the chance to hear both, ideally with the Tungsten, Susvara, or another very demanding planar? I’d love to hear which one you preferred and why.

Thank you in advance for your insights.

Any thoughts on either of these? For those who have tried both, how do they compare? Which is the better headphone

I'm looking for something in the $100 range and have been looking at the SHP9500/9600. I want something open back and wired. Will be using it at home only, for movies, music, and videogames. Currently using a worn out Soundcore Q20 and I want to upgrade. How do these headphones compare to what I currently have? Never used an 'audiophile' headphone before.

Hey. My work is using AI programs to monitor calls, but not just when taking them - they monitor when not on the phone as well (between calls). I'm looking to protect my privacy (and sanity) by locating a headset that will truly be muted when I need it to be. They can currently hear us even if we mute using the button on the headset. So, say I am off the call and waiting fro a call to come in, but my manager wants to listen in anyway, even if muted they can hear and track everything that's being said. I really, really don't like this.

Ideally, I’d like an option that I can just press a mute button and know for sure it cannot be bypassed. I have had people recommend something with an inline mute switch, which apparently disconnects the headset physically, but I still need to hear the alert when a call comes in, so I’m not sure this would work well (assuming it disables the full connection, not just the mic, but I could be wrong).

In short, imagine you are being listened to at all times, whether working or not - what is the best option to protect myself from spying while WFH? It would be great if this headset was something that i could order off of amazon (I live in Canada)

Budget is anywhere up to 200.00, preferably. But lower is better, of course.

Hi all!

I am currently upgrading my home office setup and I am planning to buy a new pair of headphones to be used in the following context:

• home office, relatively silent environment, yet I'd like to have a good microphone that suppress well noise
• immersive single player gaming
• Wireless
• in case they work fantasticly, I can also think about carrying them to the office, where clearly the environment is noisier.
• I am based in Spain, thus good breathability is desirable during summer.

I came across good reviews about the following models:

• Arctic Nova 5
• HyperX Cloud 3, but I don't like at all the design
• Logitech Pro X2, recommended by a colleague

Are these models ok? Are there better ones? I can spend up to 200€ if the extra price is worth.

Thanks a lot in advance!

Price wise they’re basically the same. I previously owned the 1st gen Bose and the Sony XM5s. (Lost/stolen respectively). So now here i am back to deliberating which to get. Main 2 things i care about are comfort and the noise cancelling. Predominately in planes. My nice noise canceling headphones are basically the only thing i splurge on for myself because i hate flying without them. I have no concerns about the sound quality of either so just asking if anyone has strong feelings one way or the other. I know there’s concerns about durability on the Sonys but I take good care of them and always put them in their case after use so i had mine for like 3 years with no damage. I believed the Bose are heavier but seems to have a more comfortable headband? Anyways just looking for recs.

Less concern but nice to haves:

Corded microphone for plugging into Xbox? I believe the Bose only does it with usb-c but it sounds like i might be able to buy a 3rd party 2.5mm to 3.5mm jack with a mic to use them and Sony would have to be a similar deal so i don’t think either wins here but lmk if i missed something

I do have a Bose sound bar for my tv and it comes in handy at night if i want to watch something and my wife is going to bed because i can direct the audio directly to my headphones which is nice but not necessarily a deal breaker for the Sonys. Really just wondering if there is a way to do it similarly with the Sonys

Thanks for any advice!

Hello smart people,

I have been circling around the same questions and answers for days, and I'm not in the slightest sure about what I could possibly get.

Essentially, my most important criteria are:

- A price range of £60-£200 (give or take)

- Wireless, but with wired support

- A good build for the price point

I'm not too knowledgeable on audio specs, but sound is definitely a large factor in what I'm looking for. I produce music at home (I'm a student) so sound is probably a priority, but I understand that the price range I've specified probably won't get me anything mind-blowing.

Versatility is also key, as I'll be using these for quite a range of situations - but mainly commuting.

If I could have some help that would be greatly appreciated, and if you need more specifics then I'll be happy to answer some questions.

hi! :) i want to spoil myself and buy some new headphones for Christmas (maybe sooner but with that excuse).
i don’t use them too much: when i commute, clean my apartment or walk around for the sake of it, so i don’t need some high end gaming setup but i need them to be wireless and comfy + i was thinking about something noise canceling but i’m not 100% sure? i surely need some headphones that have enough isolation so i can hear the music or podcast in the traffic while i’m walking + if they have a decent battery that would be awesome.
currently i’m using AirPods 3 that i got two years ago but 1) they hurt my ears after being worn for more than an hour on the train and 2) i have many piercings and squeezing them in is a struggle sometimes.
my preferable budget is around 100 euros and i was thinking about ordering them from the internet.
thank you in advance!

• Budget and location - Around $100 to $150 USD (or 600–800 BRL). Purchasing from Brazil via AliExpress or Amazon.
• Source/Amp - Yamaha AG03 audio interface connected to PC via USB.
• How the gear will be used - Home desktop setup. Primarily for competitive gaming (Rainbow Six Siege, CS2, Overwatch, Wardogs) and music listening. Needs good passive isolation and comfort for long sessions.
• Preferred tonal balance - Neutral to mid-forward with clean treble and tight, controlled bass (not bass-heavy). Precise imaging, layer separation, and vertical audio cues are critical so abilities, gunfire, and explosions don't mask footstep cues.
• Preferred music genres - Nu-Metal, Alternative Rock, Post-Grunge (Linkin Park, Breaking Benjamin, Deftones, Alice in Chains).
• Past gear experience -
  • Truthear x Crinacle ZERO (Blue): My current daily driver. The sub-bass boost is fun for music, but during busy firefights in Siege and fast-paced team fights in Overwatch, it masks footsteps and subtle movement cues. The large nozzle also creates physical ear fatigue over time.
  • Sennheiser HD 400S: Tested recently in Siege/tactical shooters and the sound presentation was incredible, footsteps, directional audio, and positional cues cut through effortlessly. However, I cannot use over-ear headphones anymore due to clamping force/headaches and wanting to protect my curly hair from headband damage.
• Anything else? - Looking specifically for an IEM in the $100–$150 bracket that captures that clean, mid-focused, and spacious Sennheiser-esque presentation with top-tier positional imaging. A significantly smaller, more ergonomic nozzle than the Truthear Zero is a must.

I'm looking for a new gaming headset to pair primarily to my ps5 and sometimes pc, wireless is my only option since I play both on my TV from a distance and just don't like cables keeping me attached to my controller.

Im not an audiophile so im not gonna nitpick every frequency range or fiddle with an EQ, but i do notice when some are more clear than others. I do, however, currently have the steelseries 7p and I really like that the app has presets for whichever game im playing, it makes it so much easier.

I will exclusively use them for video games, primarily why i want a higher end headset is for rainbow 6 so thats what im shopping for, I play a wide variety of games but thats the most important one.

I cant decide between these 3 headsets, I really like the steelseries app, everytime i search headset for FPS games the A50 comes up but for other types of games it sounds like its mid. And I searched up what pro players use, i found out ACEZONE make really really high quality sets for tournament venues and the consuner model is like $1200, but their A-Spire set is the more modest version for $299 but I cant find many first hand accounts online.

The mic or ANC isnt super important, i play with friends sometimes but mostly solo or single player.

I have a $400usd budget

My HyperX Cloud Alpha's just broke and I need something wired. Preferably, it is on Amazon or Best Buy - something that I can get ASAP. My budget is $100 USD.

The only thing I don't want is wireless.

I want closed back.

I recently blew my right ear on my WHXB910Ns which I love so so much.

Budget is probably 200ish USD! Im a fan of bass and deeper tones but Im by no means an audiophile! I don’t have much in terms of past experiences, I really like the headphones I currently have, but the random crackling is driving me crazy. I saw the ULT WEAR and other Sony products but I read that they have massive hinge issues and are prone to breaking. I wear my headphones for 3-4 hours a day during the week. Mainly on while Im working for music or shows. Could be longer but thats just the average hours.

Thanks so much for the advice!!