Top Headphones by Consumer Reviewers

Sennheiser HD280 Professional Headphone (Binaural - Ear-cup)

779 Reviews

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	Price: $99.95
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Pros: Crisp and clear sound, Durable
Cons: Bulky, Expensive, Weak bass

Review: While it is intended for studio monitoring, Sennheiser's HD280 is also great for listening to music and playing games. Its overall sound quality is excellent and its noise isolation feature is phenomenal. On the other hand, its bass can be a little weak but its low impedance and flat frequency response make up for it. Compared to other headphones, the HD280 may seem heavier and a little bulky but its foldable design makes it easily collapsible and allows you to take them anywhere you go. It also features an adjustable headband for a more personalized fit and soft ear pads and rotating cups which provide exceptional listening comfort. On the surface, its closed-back design might seem like a pain due to the fact that it makes it a bit tight but then, its ability to reduce external noise by 32 dB even without pumping up the volume makes it bearable. Plus, its main parts including its cord and ear pads are easily replaceable so you won't ever need to buy another pair. Sennheiser's HD280 is widely compatible with most portable mp3 and media players. In the box, you'll also find a 1/8-inch plug with locking 1/4-inch adapter. Overall, it may be quite expensive but its outstanding quality and superb clarity make it one of the best headphones around.

Monster Cable Beats by Dr. Dre Studio Noise Isolating Headphones - Black (Over-the-Ear, 115 dB, 9.5 oz)

654 Reviews

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	Price: $299.95
	Price: $299.00
	Price: $299.99
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Pros: Great audio output, Versatile, Sleek, Includes iSoniTalk iPhone enable headphone cable
Cons: Too expensive

Review: Notwithstanding the fact that its price is a little stiff, the Monster Cable Beats by Dr. Dre are definitely worth the extra cost if you want to be blown away and move to the beat of your music. Unlike standard headphones that deliver humdrum performance, these studio headphones put the fun back in listening. No matter what the purpose, whether for casual home use or for more professional purposes like mixing and studio recording, the pristine sound and comfort make sure that you're entirely satisfied with the experience. The folding design makes it great for those who are always on the move and the Monster iSoniTalk iPhone-enabled headphone cable puts you in complete control. It has an answer button and a built-in microphone so that you can easily engage in conversations and a mute button is likewise embedded into the unit to make it a one-push affair. Audiophiles who demand the top of the line for their equipment will be amazed with the audio quality and the new level of comfort that the plush ear cushions bring to your ears. The beats define quality and comfort, and are fine tuned to ensure that the voice of the singer or band is loud and clear and that every instrument is heard. Extra-large speaker drivers are used as well as an Advanced Monster Cable headphone cable and a Micro Minijack for excellent noise isolation and durability. The Rigid Tour case makes it easy to carry around and the supplied Monster CleanCloth with AEGIS microbe shield not only keeps your beats sleek-looking but also germ-free. The headphones weigh a total of 260 grams and 270 grams with batteries. It utilizes two AAA batteries and is covered with a One Year Limited Warranty for added peace of mind. The Monster Cable Beats by Dr. Dre provides a perfect balance between style and substance. Money may be a part of the equation but it shines among other high-end headphones with its Scratch-Resistant Gloss Finish and its excellent ability to seal out noise and deliver ultimate audio precision.

Bose IE2 Headphones (Ear Bud, 0.7 oz)

486 Reviews

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	Price: $89.99
	Price: $89.99
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Pros: Great fit, Amazing sound quality, Unique design, Includes 3 sizes of earbud tips and a nice carrying case
Cons: Pricey, Twisted cord, Not noise-cancelling

Review: The IE2, successor to Bose's first generation in-ear headphones, carries the same dynamic sound that Bose is known for. The secret lies in the TriPort acoustic headphone structure that produces natural, powerful sound. Whether you want to use it primarily for calling or together with your Apple devices, there are several options you can choose from that will enhance usability and bring more convenience to your daily activities. The MIE2 cable has an answer/end button and a mic, while the MIE2i includes all the features that the MIE2 has, with the addition of a volume control solidly planted in the inline remote. A carrying case, a clothing clip and an adjustment slider are also provided. The Bose IE2's one-of-a-kind styling perfectly fits your fashionable lifestyle, but the good thing is that it is not just good looks. It can also be every exercise junkie's best friend as it provides all day comfort. It uses an angled plug to match various types of MP3 players and mobile devices, while the exclusive, removable silicone StayHear tips come in three different sizes (S, M and L) for maximum comfort. The black and white twisted cord can be a little fragile, though. It is tangle-free but for the price, we expected a sturdier flat cord. If needed, you can even purchase a 20' extension cable and different sizes of stay-hear tips and original tips. At first, the price of the Bose IE2 may seem pretty steep but when you do the math, you're probably saving yourself a couple dollars since you won't have to buy cheap ones and replace your headphones from time to time. If you liked the previous Bose in-ear headphones, there's a big chance that you'll love this one even more. Sound quality has greatly improved. You can expect rich sound and enough bass. It may not rock the house down but it suits most genres and good enough for private listening.

Audio-Technica Professional Studio Monitor ATH-M50 Headphone (Over-the-Head, 99 dB, 10 oz)

480 Reviews

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	Price: $159.00
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Pros: Excellent sound quality at affordable price, Comfortable padding, Sound Isolation effect creates dimension, Long cord
Cons: Headphone parts may need burn-in time to warm them up, metal band also requires loosening up

Review: For superior audio performance, you could always go for headsets costing hundreds of dollars or more, or you could consider Audio-Technica's ATH-M50 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones. These headphones provide excellent sound quality comparable to models from other brands at a bargain price. Whether for professional sound work or simply for listening to your music player, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50s deliver exceptional sound quality through 45 mm aperture drivers equipped with neodymium magnet systems inside both of its circumaural earpieces. The M50s are capable of rendering the entire range of details of every piece of music that you listen to; in fact, its detail retrieval powers are one of its best attributes, especially with its handling of low end sounds. It's as if Audio Technica somehow managed to fit in two full-size subwoofers into the M50's earpieces. The best thing is, these earphones are able to perform all of these without ever being needed to be plugged into an amplifier. Although the ATH-M50s are not expressly described as having noise-cancelling attributes, the closed back of the earpieces do a nice job of cupping the ears of the wearer and promote a nice isolation from outside noise aside from controlling noise leaks from within. As a bonus, the closed backs of the M50s do not decrease the "soundstage" effect that creates a sense of depth and dimension to the sound. Another notable feature that sets the ATH-M50s apart from the rest of the pack is the ample, comfortable padding around the earpieces and headband that allow these headphones to be worn for extended periods. The padded ring around the earpieces also helps with the noise cancellation effect that was previously mentioned. The premium construction of the ATH-M50 earphones also earns it serious points. The metal band that holds both sides of the earphones together is strong yet flexible, in addition to being padded and covered with pleather. The earpieces themselves can rotate 180 degrees for easy single-ear monitoring and storage, and the cord has a generous 4-foot length tipped with a mini stereo plug. Finally, it comes with a carrying pouch for storage. Audio-Technica's ATH-M50 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones are a great investment to make if you love listening to music or producing it. The solid performance these headphones effortlessly produce are above par in every respect, as well as its construction. A minor complaint, however, is that the M50s require some time to be sufficiently burned in to get the best sound possible. It's a good idea to stretch out the metal frame on the head band as well, since it is a little tight coming out of the box.

Sony MDR-XB500 Extra Bass Headphone (Wired Connectivity - Stereo - Over-the-head)

309 Reviews

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	Price: $77.99
	Price: $79.99
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Pros: Excellent Bass output, Lesser price than other models, Comfortable
Cons: May need adjustment to equalize bass and treble levels for more natural sound, Sound leaks due to open back design

Review: Plenty of headphones are available on the market nowadays, all with varying levels of both price and quality. It goes without saying, of course, that the higher the quality of the headphones, the higher the prices go. For its price range however, the Sony MDR-XB500 XB Diaphragm Driver Extra Bass Headphones appears to be the best in class both in terms of price and output quality. There's a reason why the Sony XB500s carry the Extra Bass tag line, one that is clearly obvious once you try them on, even for the first time. Rich, deep, and warm bass tones envelop your ears, giving life to every beat and note. Using Sony's renowned sound design models, the XB500s use 40mm diaphragm driver units with a "deep vibe" structure that reproduces even ultra-low frequencies in crisp, dynamic detail. It's no slouch in the high end either, boasting a dynamic range extending to a high of 24,000 Hz. The Sony MDR-XB500s employ a circumaural form factor, similar to other monitor-style earphones. While the earcups are heavily padded and look a bit bulky, comfort is definitely never sacrificed, even if the XB500s are worn for long periods. The pads provide ample noise isolation from the outside, but since it uses an open-rear design, the Sony XB500s have the tendency to leak sound. A little modulation on the volume may be in order if these headphones are worn in public places like libraries, or even inside planes. The headband of the XB500s have a metal strip underneath to stiffen it up, so new users could experience a little tightness and tension as the metal gradually conforms to the shape of your head. Sony's MDR-XB500 XB Diaphragm Driver Extra Bass Headphones are perfect for bass-heavy music like hiphop or techno, thanks to its enhanced low ends that actually go below the threshold of human hearing. An added bonus is the lower price of the Sony XB500 headphones, retailing for a few dollars less than other name brands. A minor issue with this model however is that it does seem as if the XB500s give up some of the clarity of its mid-range and highs, especially when it plays clean audio like acoustic music. Some minor adjustments with an equalizer, usually present in media players nowadays, should clear that issue up easily though, and leave the XB500s with pristine sound quality.