With people now more savvy than ever about what a good pair of headphones can do for your music, there’s never been a better time to buy a set of quality cans. With manufacturers both old and new filling shelves with top notch products at every price point, consumers have never had it so good! If you’re unsure what your next step should be on your journey to audio nirvana (or if you just want some Christmas present ideas!), have a read of our handy guide on what’s hot in headphones.
In Ears
SoundMagic ES18
The SoundMAGIC ES18 earphones are hard-wearing and offer great value.
SoundMagic’s ES18 earbuds are a fantastic upgrade option for anyone sticking to the tightest of budgets. Using 10mm Neodymium drivers, the ES18 kick out a decent amount of bass and should also offer greater clarity and detail retrieval than the ‘buds usually thrown in with mobile devices.
Click to find out more about the SoundMagic ES18.
Shure SE425
Shure SE425: ‘Another year, and another Award – these really are still the finest in-ears we’ve ever heard at this price.’ What Hi-Fi Sound & Vision award winner 2016 .
For those serious about their audio on-the-go, these In-Ear Monitor (IEM) earbuds from legendary Japanese brand Shure are a must listen. Winner of a What Hi-Fi? Magazine Product of the Year for 2016, the SE425 are one of the best sounding options out there. Shure provide a huge variety of tips to ensure that any ears can get a perfect fit, offering fantastic isolation and even better sound quality.
Click to find out more about the Shure SE425.
Wireless Noise Cancelling
Lindy BNX60
Lindy BNX60: “If you value the functionality, we don’t think you can go wrong.” ‘What Hi-Fi? magazine’. 5-star review. Tested at £90.
From daily commuters to long-haul flyers, noise-cancelling headphones are a great way to take yourself out of noisy environments and back into your music. The BNX60 are an over-ear design that use active noise-cancelling to reduce ambient sounds by up to 85%, meaning your music is clearer and easier to hear. They’re also wireless, connecting to compatible devices by Bluetooth 4.1 where available, further reducing the hassle of portable listening. Brilliant!
Click to find out more Lindy BNX60.
Momentum M2 AEBT
Sennheiser Momentum AEBT: “One of the best gadgets in the world today.” ‘T3 magazine’. August 2016.
Sennheiser’s take on wireless noise-cancelling was always going to be something special, and the M2 AEBT are one of the very best options available. Sennheiser’s own NoiseGard Hybrid technology, the M2 AEBT uses four pick-up microphones to detect outside noise, giving unrivalled noise-cancellation. A built-in battery offers up to 22 hours of playback from a 3 hour charge, with a USB cable provided for charging and a 3.5mm cable for those rare occasions when the battery runs down. Call answering, great build quality and a stylish design help make the M2 AEBT a truly premium proposition.
Click to find out more about the Momentum M2 AEBT.
Over Ear
AKG K550 MK2
AKG K550 MK2: ‘A hugely capable pair of closed-back headphones that just don’t sound closed. Rousingly musical and with no obvious deficiencies.’ What Hi-Fi Sound & Vision magazine.
One of the oldest headphone manufacturers in the world, AKG are a brand always likely to pop up on ‘Best Of’ lists. Their K550 cans have been around for a couple of years now, and continue to impress all listeners in this newer ‘MK2’ iteration. One of the largest sets of ‘phones around, the AKG offer a satisfyingly comfortable fit. Those large cups aren’t just for show, either, with 50mm drive units fitted into them, the K550 are able to offer a solid and deep bass. Their closed back design makes them ideal for listening out and about, but such comfortable headphones will make whiling away the hours at home on the sofa a treat, too!
Click to find out more about the AKG K550 MK2.
Oppo PM3
“The Oppo PM-3 are some of the best portable headphones ever made.” ‘Trusted Reviews – Editor’s Choice’. 10/10. Tested at £350.
From the old to the new, Oppo have taken the headphone market by storm since arriving on the scene a few short years ago. Making everything from headphones, to amplifiers and DAC’s, Oppo have shown themselves to be no slouches in the tech stakes despite their relative infancy. The PM3 are the perfect example of what Oppo are all about. A stylish and comfortable closed-back design, the PM3 are small enough to be a portable option, but perform brilliantly when used with serious amplification, too. Punchy bass, clear, detailed mids and a sweet top end make for an awesome listen.
Click to find out more about the Oppo PM3.
Ultimate
Audeze LCD range
Hand-crafted for the ultimate sound quality, the Audeze LCD-2 headphones meet the highest expectations.
If you’re really looking to push the boat out with your headphone listening, the Audeze LCD range is about as top-of-the-range as you can get! An American brand known for their planar-magnetic headphone designs, Audeze have always been about the high-end. The LCD range use the finest materials available, such as lambskin for the pads and headband and Zebrano wood cups on the LCD-3, to make sure the look, as well as the sound, is out of this world. The planar-magnetic technology that is the heart of an Audeze headphone ensures that the LCD series offer depth, insight and clarity that is almost unrivalled. Truly the pinnacle of headphone listening, these magnificent cans are definitely one to add to your Christmas wishlist!
Click to find out more about the Audeze LCD range.
For these and many other headphones from the world’s biggest manufacturers, call or pop into your local Richer Sounds store today.
Author: Chris, Liverpool store
