Yahoo Autos Fancy Yourself a Music Snob? These Are the Best Wireless Headphones for Audiophiles
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The days of bulky Bluetooth headphones with flimsy ear pads, spotty connections, and subpar sound quality are over.
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Prominent, high-end audio companies and a fresh crop of startups have stepped up to create headphones that let you carry an audiophile experience with you everywhere. The problem has shifted from having too few options to too many, but that’s where we come in.
We’ve compiled this guide to show you the best audiophiles headphones available right now, and help you decide which will fit your needs best. This guide highlights over-ear headphones because their slightly larger size allows them to offer a more immersive experience.
What Are the Best Bluetooth Headphones for Music?
Most Well-Rounded: Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX
Best Sound: Shure AONIC 50
Best Battery Life: Sennheiser Momentum 4
Most Compatible: Anker Soundcore Space Q45
Most Customizable: JBL Live 660NC
1. Anker Soundcore Space Q45
Soundcore, a subsidiary of tech accessory maker Anker, has become a big deal in the world of audio by releasing headphones that sound great at a very reasonable price. Its Q45 headphones are a great example of that.
The headphones support Bluetooth 5.3, which means you’ll face no connection drops on your mobile or PC devices. Soundcore says the headphones can get up to 65 hours of battery life on a single charge plus quick charging features will get you four hours of playtime with just five minutes of charge. In terms of weight, the Q45s come in at just under 300 grams, which is around the average for this style of headphone.
Soundcore says the headphones’ 40mm audio drivers deliver excellent sound. You’ll get deep bass and detailed sound at all volumes. Soundcore says the hardware it uses allows you to also listen to high-resolution audio with no loss of quality.
The Soundcore Q45s support hybrid active noise cancellation, with multiple modes than can be adjusted through the app. In the app, you can also modify EQ, or even turn on transparency mode if you need to tune into your surroundings.
The Q45s are Bluetooth headphones, but they have a 3.5mm audio out if they run out of battery. If you’re new to wireless headphones, this fully-featured pair is the perfect place to start.
Soundcore by Anker Space Q45
2. JBL Live 660NC
JJBL’s Live 660NC are one of the best pairs of wireless headphones in the storied audio maker’s portfolio, and they’re very well-rounded.
They’ve got 40 hours of battery life per charge when active noise cancellation is turned on. The headphones last up to 50 hours per charge when this feature is turned off.
JBL says these headphones feature the company’s “signature sound,” and goes on to say that comes down to “enhanced bass.” If you prefer a more neutral sound, you can adjust the EQ (equalization) inside the JBL My Headphones app (iOS and Android).
These headphones can easily connect with your chosen voice assistant, be it Alexa or Google — Alexa is built-in for quick access. You can also use the 3.5mm audio output, to connect the headphones to your devices via a cable.
If you want a great-sounding, customizable pair of headphones from a well-known company, these fit the bill.
JBL Live 660NC
3. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX
Bang & Olufsen recently updated their Beoplay headphones, improving the technology inside without messing around with their modernist look.
The headphones support Bluetooth 5.1, and get up to 40 hours of battery life on a single charge. The HXs weigh just 0.63 pounds, which makes them one of the largest options on our list.
The headphones have a modern, minimalist look, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts. They’ve got ANC, a 3.5mm cable for a wired connection and sound that will blow you away.
Bang and Olufsen say these headphones produce “pure,” well-rounded sound. The bottom line is you should expect your music to sound clean, rather than hearing hard-thumping bass or sizzling treble.
If you care about looks and audio quality, Bang & Olufsen’s HX are the right pick.
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4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
Sennheiser’s Momentum 4s are a no-compromise pair of wireless audiophile headphones at an impressive price.
The Momentum 4s get you an impressive 60 hours of music playback per charge and weigh just 0.65 pounds, on par with other headphones that made our list.
Sennheiser made the ear pads larger to make sure the headphones fit comfortably for more people. You won’t have to worry about the top or bottom of your ear poking out from the hole in the ear cup — it’ll be totally surrounded by sound.
Speaking of sound, Sennheiser allows you to change the EQ and noise cancellation settings of the Momentum 4s using its app (iOS and Android). If you leave the default settings on, a feature called adaptive noise cancellation will automatically adjust the frequencies it’s blocking out based on what’s happening around you. If you go from sitting in a train car to walking on the street, the headphones will make the appropriate changes for you.
You can access your phone’s smart assistant (Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa) too for a hands-free experience. The touch-sensitive surface will activate your assistant without you having to reach for your phone. The touchpad can also be used for media controls (play, pause, etc.) adjusting the volume, and taking calls.
If you want a smart pair of active noise cancelling wireless headphones, Sennheiser’s Momentum 4s are the way to go.
