r/HeadphonesAdvice

My Sony XM5s broke today, no idea how, but one side is basically completely detached and I'm devastated :') I have a really long flight coming up in a few days and I really need some new headphones before then.

I feel like my XM5s have spoiled me for other headphones, but they're not without their flaws, I love the sound quality, speed charging, and design, but hate that they can't fold and (clearly) aren't very durable (only had them 11 months).

If anyone has suggestions that meet these criteria I would be very grateful for the help:

-Noise cancelling

-fast charging

-pref under £200 (mby wiggle room)

-FOLDABLE! XM5 case is ridiculously huge

-oval/large so they cover the entire ear

-not too obscure so I can get them quickly

-if they come in purple I would weep with joy

Thanks !!! <3

Edit/update: I was able to swap them out for a pair of Sony XM6! thank you for all the suggestions, will definitely keep them in mind for future purchases 💜

Now I'm deciding to buy Sony XM6 as my first flagship headphones, to replace the mid-budget Edifier ones. But when I look at reviews, read feedback, and generally search for information about them, I always come across complaints about the materials and claims about the folding design. I'd like to hear opinions and feedback from users of these headphones: how worn are they? Do they feel like they're about to break or anything like that? How durable do you think they are? And also, I'd like to hear feedback from people who recently bought them (new batches): do they feel flimsy? How long do you think they last? Maybe I'm overthinking it, but for $450 I'd expect more than just one year of use. Thanks for your answers.

Hi guys,

I’m looking for a new pair of headphones! Here are my wants:

Budget: $200-$250

• Wireless
• Long lasting battery and/or fast charging
• Cute/stylish
• Comfy
• Foldable
• Noise cancellation preferred but not needed

I previously had the bright yellow 2018 beats, but they recently died and I think this would be a good opportunity to get better quality headphones! I typically just use them while I shop, work, and sometimes for phone calls, so it’s be nice if they were better for phone calls than my last pair! I love pastels and primary colors :) I’m probably going to buy them off reebelo or some other refurbished tech site. Tysm!!!

I usually don't have any issues using a 3.5 mm jack with my devices, but others only have USB-C inputs. Do you know a good adapter on Amazon that doesn't break after just three uses?

I have the Arya organic headphones and I’m torn between BTR17 and Topping G5.

Hey everyone, I'm torn between these two headphones and could really use some help from people who've tried them.

My two priorities are:

1. **ANC quality** — I want solid noise cancellation for commuting/work

2. **Bass** — I love punchy, deep bass in my music

From what I've read, the Crusher ANC 2 has that adjustable bass slider which sounds amazing on paper, but I'm not sure how the ANC holds up. The Aventho 300 seems more "audiophile" but I don't know if it can satisfy a bass head.

Has anyone used either (or both)? Which would you pick if ANC and bass are the top priorities? Budget isn't the main concern here — just want the best experience for those two things.

Thanks in advance!

I do not know what headphones I should even buy, I want something thats going to have good deep bass and sound clear. Price range is not too strict nothing over $300 AUD preferably (I am only a student). I have tried the beats studio pros but I found them a bit uncomfortable on the ears so I am not sure what I should get now.

I have read that the skullcandies crusher evos have really clear sound but then others say they dont have really clear sound.

Help me

I wanna buy anc headphones

Budget is under 4k strictly

These are for a noisy office.

They need to completely cover the ear not sit on top. Boom mic needs to be good enough to eliminate loud coworkers talking. Budget $40.

Thinking maybe a gaming headset but unsure.

This is my first time considering to buy headphones as I'm more into earbuds. Finally, I'm looking to get one this year as I'm traveling a lot and just recently lost my Jabra in-ear. I've read a lot of good reviews on the Momentum 4 but I'm not sure if it's still worth buying this year. I've also read a lot of positive reviews on XM6 but it's too pricey, though I'm willing to get one if it's worth it! I just need a little help which one to get. Thank you!

Hey everyone, I want to get into the audiophile hobby and I’m looking for recommendations for a good beginner setup. What headphones/headset, DAC/amp, and accessories would you recommend for someone starting from zero?

I’ll mostly use them just for listening music. Budget is no important, but I’m flexible if something is really worth it.

Right now I keep seeing things like HD600/HD560S, DT770/DT990, Sundara, Fiio K7, Schiit stacks, etc., and I honestly don’t know what’s actually best for a first setup.

If you were starting today, what would you buy?

I have lots of professional audio gear that I know well and can make sound decent in a semi treated home studio, but eventually most of us listen to music wirelessly.

I work in the music industry for 20 odd years, dont know if it makes me into an audiophile but I obviously care a lot about sound, and have very specific preferences. At the same, being very familiar with the music making process, I know how many aspects come into play to determine what music hits a nerve with a listener, and a lot of it doesnt necessarily got to do with the Xs & Os.

I have been on a search for the perfect casual listening wireless set up and funny enough at the moment I enjoy most the APP3 for their wide 3D soundstage & imaging, emphesis on sub bass over mid bass in the lows, clean natural vocals and overall balanced, even if digitally processed sound. The ANC is amazing so it's a no brainer to have such a small form factor for walks, flights etc, but I am looking for the a better sound for home listening, something with a wow factor and that could have that emotional impact like a years favourite first good hifi that you love, works for all music and just fits the way you love listening to music.

My main love language in sound similar to what I mention above is:

1. Sub over mid bass- love bass in general but definitely not a bass head in the sense of just want to crank it up over the rest of the spectrum. Would love a sub bass deep enough to feel and I do enjoy it more that thick mid bass focus products (most wireless I tried are like that), in an ideal world I could have that and still have the warmth of mid and upper bass frequencies, but that's not a deal breaker if I had to favour the sub over the mids.
2. Vocals can't be tiny, plasticy, unnatural or too buried behind high and lows and I feel like most models I tried lately can get it right (Pi8, Amiron 300). Its kind of a baseline for sure but I realised that its only a baseline, if the rest of the tuning is lacking you are left with something that get the basic right but there's nothing exciting about going back to it. I also tried and returned the H3 for this reason- amazing bass and nice 3D imaging in terms of hight and depth, but unnatural, kinda boxy vocals no matter what EQ I tried, they made me dance in the house but I listen to a lot of vocal music, and after an hour I would rather go back to the APP3 because of the vocals...
3. Soundstage & 3D imaging: lets face it, as much as that how a lot of us mostly listen to music, wireless is inherently an unnatural form of hearing in general, either something surrounding your or stuck in your ears is just a physical compromise, and until they invent music being projected straight into your brain via telepathic waves or something, there will always be a bit of a claustrophobic compromise in that regard. I never considered the AirPods Pro till I got the 3 as a bd present, but they changed the way I look at this aspect now. They have their issues, but they are wide, the DSP does incredibly well in tricking you to feel like sound is natural and you get used to the whole listening experience, and most importantly they found a way to present music in 3D which compensate the in-the-head feeling I always found. Only problem is, its not a favourite hi-fi experience in any way, just good and functional, not something you would listen to and blow you away when high at midnight looking to fall in love with an album.
4. Air! Im addicted to the high frequencies, specially that very top above 12khz or 15-20khz. I see so many manufactures just rolling those off to play it safe and improve the illusion of treble clarity, and I understand, but there's so much magic in that range. Great producers, and mixing & mastering engineers know to boost the right elements with those frequencies in order to open up the whole freq range, increase imaging, widening the soundstage. There's also psychoacoustic aspects that live in that range, I won't get into it but simplify it say things there a like a voodoo spell that plays strings of emotion and perception in living beings that is needed, not to mention it just technically balances the low end.

I tried the B&W Pi8 today for a lil' while and as good I think they could be if I get used to them, in terms of space they felt noticeably narrower. They had what I perceived to be a good and full freq response but all kind of forward and in your head, which I feel like I can't go back to unfortunately... They also focus on mid bass or at the very least roll off noticeably below 50-60hz, and I know I will always miss that sub range. Although the APP3 missing other things, at least they have that, and they feel more airy and open - it might not be the case at all technically but I aint trying to listen to specs and 1&0s, its a feeling at the end of the day.

I came from years of using Jabras (75s, 7, 8s) to trying the Soundcores, Amiron 300, Pi8, H3s, nothing really hits the sweet spot. I now consider going back to wireless headphones which I always hated for ears getting heated and noises from materials like plastic and hinges. I had the JBL Tour One which was useless for those reasons, but tried the Bose Ultra & Px8 in store and for the few minutes I listened it sounded quite good and full, though it wasn't enough time to consider how would it fair in terms of the points above.

If anyone has something to contribute in terms of codecs, tuning or EQing something like the Pi8 which I could still consider, or other models I never tried like the AZ100 or Status Pro X- pls lmk. In terms of headphones- I never liked it as mentioned but can get the PX8, PX7 S3, H95 for decent deals second hand so dont mind trying again. I always felt like the ones I did try, beyond the physical discomfort which is subjective, sounded a bit linear and my head, mid bass focused and never too airy... Im about to throw money and then get stuck with the trolls of the internet reselling so any advice will be appreciated... Just thinking there must be something out there for me :)

Hi, I am a university student who's really into film and music and I am looking to upgrade my listening experience. I already own a great amp and DAC and got a grado sr80 e form my stepdad as a gift a few years back.

What I am looking for:

- Something under 500 dollars/euro's but preferably closer too 300 euro's ( Ik think that's around 380 dollars)

- doesn't have too be new at all if you have any recommendations on headphones that go for a good price second hand I would probably even prefer that.

- has to be over ear because that's what's been bothering me the most on the grado's

- preferably open back (I like it personally and have no problems with sound leaking where I'll be using them) and planar magnetic (Haven't tried it but just seems cool) but open to suggestions

Anyways if anyone has any tips it would be greatly appreciated.

Please help to find the best quality headphones under 3000.

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a pair of headphones mainly for:

ambient music production,

cosmic / atmospheric lounge sound design,

brown noise,

deep space ambience,

cinematic textures and immersive environments.

I currently use Sony XM4, but even wired they sound a bit too processed/artificial to me for detailed work. I’d like something more natural and immersive.

Another important issue: I’m very sensitive to low-frequency environmental noise and vibrations (especially footsteps from the apartment above me at night).

I already improved sound insulation in my room, but I can still perceive deep structural vibrations while working.

So I’m searching for headphones that:

isolate reasonably well,

help me “disconnect” from external noise,

but still have excellent sound quality and spatial depth for long creative sessions.

I mostly work at night for many hours, so comfort is also extremely important.

At the moment I’m considering:

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro

DT 770 Pro X

But I’m open to other suggestions.

I care more about:

immersion,

atmosphere,

soundstage,

natural listening, than heavy bass or consumer-style tuning.

What would you recommend for this kind of workflow?

This is my first time considering to buy headphones as I'm more into earbuds. Finally, I'm looking to get one this year as I'm traveling a lot and just recently lost my Jabra in-ear. I've read a lot of good reviews on the Momentum 4 but I'm not sure if it's still worth buying this year. I've also read a lot of positive reviews on XM6 but it's too pricey, though I'm willing to get one if it's worth it! I just need a little help which one to get. Thank you!

Hello, I'm comparing the PC38x to the HD560 and don't know what's better. I've narrowed it to these two but they cost about the same and I don't know what the audio difference will be like. I only want to use them for gaming, mostly r6 but some single player games as well. What do you guys think?