When did choosing headphones get to be so difficult? The choices are mindboggling. In-ear, on-ear, over-ear. Noise- cancelling versus noise reduction. Wired or wireless? Do you need phone functions built in? And then there’s the celebrity endorsement factor to consider. If Premiership footballers are wearing them, does that make them any good? Will a brand backed by 50 Cent be any better than one by Ludacris?
What you choose will ultimately be decided by what you intend to use them for: what works in an office, for example, may not be a good option for sport. Over- ear headphones may be more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time than in- ears; in-ears are less bulky and easier to throw in your bag. Picking one set that does everything well is practically impossible. Here’s our pick of some of the best options out there.
Budget
0 of 6
Sennheiser CX 475
€29.99 There's a fine balance to tread when it comes to budget headphones. Obviously they have to be affordable, but too cheap and you are at risk of poor sound and build quality, which means you'll end up having to buy more after a short time. It's a false economy. If you shop around a bit, though, you can pick up a bargain. Take the Sennheiser CX 475 earphones. These in-ears not only have decent sound quality, but they won't break the bank. They're a comfortable fit in your ear, and although the sound quality wouldn't worry Sennheiser's more expensive headphones, they're certainly worth the outlay. The design is basic but functional, too. They usually retail for slightly more, but shop around for some decent deals.
Sport
Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless
€270 Running headphones need to be uncomplicated, fit well and give good sound; the Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless fits the bill on all fronts. Because they're wireless, there's nothing to tangle yourself up in as you run. They sound great – that's a given – but they also have a built-in heart-rate monitor, so you can tell just how hard you're working on your runs. The Sport Pulse Wireless headphones sit comfortably in your ears, and, more importantly, they stay there as you run.
The drawback, of course, is the price. They can usually be found on sale for a little less than the RRP, but they’re still an investment.
Music
Sol Republic Master Tracks XC
€200 Practically indestructible, the Sol Republic Master Tracks XC are a firm favourite around these parts. They've been tuned by Calvin Harris, intended to sound similar to recording studio acoustics; whether you agree or not, the sound is rich and clear. Master Tracks aren't noise- cancelling but rather noise-isolating, and the earcups are not only comfortable but seal out the background noise pretty effectively. The headband is swappable and can take a bit of a beating without showing any signs of damage, which is a major point in the Master Tracks' favour. The headphones also come with two cables: a regular cable with in-line controls for using with your phone – it works with both Apple and Android devices – and a six-foot-long pro cable that comes with a quarter-inch adapter so you can hook it up to your tablet or smartphone.
High-res audio
Sony MDR-1ABT
€389 High-
res audio may not feature high on your list of priorities right now, but it may do in the future. Whether you see it as a necessary audio upgrade or the music industry’s latest way to extract more money from music fans, it might be something consider if you’re looking at more of a long-term investment in your headphones. The Sony MDR-1ABT headphones support both high-res audio and Bluetooth, so you can go wireless when the mood takes you.
There’s plenty of padding on the earcups, so they’re comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. There are touch controls on the earcup too, so you can skip tracks and adjust volume. There’s a built-in mic for phone calls if you have it connected to a smartphone.
But the most important thing is the sound, and it lives up to its promises. Even with compressed audio such as MP3 it’s impressive. When you use it with the proper high-res audio equipment and tracks, though, it really comes into its own. The difference in quality is noticeable, so if you value the details Sony’s headphones will deliver.
Travel
Sennheiser MM 450-X Travel €445 When you’re travelling, you don’t want anything too bulky to add to your load. So this is where you’ll need something lightweight, preferably as small as possible
and with decent sound to drown out the background noise of your journey. The Sennheiser MM 450-X Travel headphones fit the bill. Lightweight, with a comfortable headband, they’re wireless, connecting via Bluetooth to your phone or tablet, and are noise- cancelling – perfect for long journeys. They also fold up, so they don’t take up a huge amount of space in your bag; and they’re robust enough to take a bit of rough handling on your trips. Controls for music are at your fingertips too.
Also included in the box is an audio cable with an in-flight adapter, so you can skip the airline headset next time you travel.
Office
Plantronics BackBeat Sense €180 When it comes to building audio devices, Plantronics has more than a bit of experience. Its new range of headphones, the BackBeat Sense, draws on all this expertise and has a few surprises tucked away too.
You have a choice of wired or wireless: wired gives you in-line controls for your smartphone, but wireless is far more convenient, especially if you have to move about the office.
All the controls for your audio – track selection, play and pause, volume – are on the left earcup, with power and Bluetooth controls on the right.
It also has a microphone that not only allows you to take and make calls but if you need to hear what going on around you, you can activate it and tune into your surroundings without ever taking off your headphones.
They’re not just good for the office: they’re also handy while travelling, but they don’t fold up small enough to be the best option out there.
Take them off your ears and a small sensor pauses your music until you place them back on.
