Looking for a new pair of headphones can be very confusing, there are so many to choose from – how do you know you are getting the best for your money?
There are lots of things you can look at when deciding, but the main place to start is whether you will benefit from Open or Closed Back. It’s easy for some people to say that one is better then the other, but this isn’t the case – it really depends on how you will use them. If you are looking for a pair of headphones to commute to work with then an open back design won’t be ideal, unless you want the whole carriage to listen to your guilty pleasures. So here is a quick run down on the differences between Open and Closed back headphones.
Closed Back
The main benefit you get from a closed back headphone is sound isolation, this reduces the amount of sound that leaks out for others to hear and it also helps block outside noises so they won’t interfere with your listening. This is something that is very important when using headphones in public e.g. commute to work, travelling or even at home with other people in the room. Generally closed back headphones have a narrower soundstage (compared to open back) but you get a punchier sound with heavier bass. One downside of closed back headphones is that your ears can get warm very easily, especially compared to open backed headphones – Using velour earpads instead of leather can reduce this but this will reduce the amount of sound that is isolated.
Open Back
These headphones certainly don’t isolate sound, being open back the sounds comes out from them like mini speakers – some more than others. They will also allow you to hear what’s going on around you, so this won’t be ideal for noisy environments. The benefit from this is that you get a very natural sound, your ears will keep cool due to the air flow and they give a wide soundstage – this is particularly good for live recordings as you really feel like you’re right there. Being open backed you will notice a loss of bass compared to a closed back alternative, the bass has a more natural feel to it because the driver housing is vented so the sound can breathe.
How To Choose
The best question to ask yourself first is ‘how will I use these headphones?’ and from there you will know whether to go for open or closed back. So if you’re using them at home and there won’t be anyone else around then open back will be a good place to look, but if there is a chance that you will also want to use them on the odd commute to work then overall closed back will be the most suitable.
Most portable devices can transmit a Bluetooth signal, especially the most recent ones. Whether you use a smart phone or DAP (Digital Audio Player), Bluetooth will allow you listen to your music and answer calls wirelessly. Thanks to this technology you won’t be sacrificing audio quality for convenience, being a digital signal you will get an extremely clear connection and with the standard of Bluetooth headphones out there (especially those that are apt-X compatible) the result can be as good as wired headphones. Here are my picks for the best Bluetooth wireless headphones available in our store.
Sennheisers flagship Bluetooth headphone does it all, they are full size so they are very comfortable and they isolate sound very well, they have built in active noise cancelling, they have a microphone so you can answer your calls – and they do all of this wirelessly! The sound is as you’d expect from a Sennheiser headphone – warm and smooth with great detail and an overall enjoyable sound. They also have apt-X compatibility so the audio quality will be even clearer when paired with an apt-X compatible device.
These headphones are Denons answer to the high end Bluetooth headphone. They have noise cancelling, device controls on the ear cups, apt-X compatibility and they are very comfortable. They are perfect for travelling as they are smaller than a your average full size headphone and they can fold flat, this works very well with the carry case supplied. The Denon sound has great bass and sparkly highs with a smooth midrange – Very fun to listen to.
For those of you who like your gadgets, the Parrot Zik is the ultimate Bluetooth headphone. As well as having noise cancelling and a very refined sound, they can control your device with the use of their touch sensitive ear cups. The headphones are also sensitive to movement and when you remove them from your head the music will pause automatically! They also come with a free smartphone application suite – here you can adjust the EQ, check battery life and make the most of their Concert Hall Effects. FUN FUN FUN!
The PX210 BT is perfect for those of you that don’t need noise cancelling or apt-X, but still want a great sounding Bluetooth headphone. They are great value for money as you still get the typical Sennheiser sound without all of the extra features.
In-ear headphones are becoming more and more popular, so it makes sense to have an in-ear Bluetooth headphone. Jay Bird have done this very well with a great sounding earphone that has a fairly balanced yet warm sound. They are also very comfortable and come with a number of different ear tips. Another great feature is that they are very secure in the ear, so they are popular amongst the more active user too.
Volume have come up with an extremely versatile portable headphone that is not only wireless, but has a built in microphone so you can also take calls. These headphones will connect to your device using the built in Bluetooth technology and hey presto! You have a great sounding wireless headphone that can control your smart device, take calls and is very comfortable… All for under £60!
Using headphones while on the go is something that nearly all of us do, and with iPhones being used as portable media centres, you don’t want to have to unplug your headphones to take a call. The quality of portable headphones has gone up so much that you don’t have to sacrifice sound quality for the option of an in line microphone – Here is my pick of the best iPhone compatible earphones availablein our store.
The Audiofly AF33M delivers superb sound at a strong consumer value, the entry-level AF33M is an excellent multi-use in-ear earphone and offers best in class for value-conscious consumers that want a superior sound experience. Audiofly have come up with their own in line microphone placement, so instead of the mic and control being together they have separated them for ease of use and better voice transmission. When it comes to value for money, nothing beats these!
The Sennheiser OCX658i Clip-On Sports Earphones are the perfect choice for those of you that want a well built, great sounding sports earphone and in line microphone to be used with your iPhone. The earclips of the OCX658i stay secure to your ears so you no longer have to worry about them falling out or dislodging when you are pounding along on the treadmill. The earphones are also sweat and water resistant so they will be able to handle all you’ve got to throw at them!
The SoundMAGIC E10 gets voted the best in ear earphone for under £50 on a regular basis, so it makes perfect sense to go for the SoundMAGIC E10M. Still coming in under £50; the E10M gives you impressive sound quality with tight, full bass and crisp detail. Along with great sound quality you also get an in line microphone and controls for iPhones, an amazing combination for those of you on the go.
Volume have come up with an extremely versatile portable headphone that is not only wireless, but has a built in microphone so you can also take calls. These headphones will connect to your iPhone using the built in Bluetooth technology and hey presto! You have a great sounding wireless headphone that can control your iPhone, take calls and is very comfortable… All for under £60!
For those of you who want crystal clear detail and the best in sound isolation then the Etymotic HF3 is the earphone for you! The HF3 has superb build quality and with the amount of different ear tips supplied, you can find the perfect fit and possibly one of the highest levels of isolation in this price range. The sound you get from the Etymotics is not very bassy at all, these headphones concentrate more on detail and clarity giving a very crisp sound to the listener. The HF3 also come with an in line microphone and controls designed specifically for iPhones.
If in ear earphones aren’t for you, then the Sennheiser Amperior Headphones are a superb choice for portable listening and iPhone control. These headphones are designed with pro DJs in mind, so the sound is very punchy with plenty of good quality bass and great detail. They are extremely comfortable and very sturdy, just what you would expect from a high end brand like Sennheiser. To top it all off, nearly everything on the Amperior is replacable and spare are easily purchased from the Sennheiser Spares website, so there is no need to worry about catching your cable in the door!
Listening to music while being active is very popular, whether it’s running, at the gym or you just want a secure set of earphones. The good news is that there is no need to compromise on sound when shopping for a Sports Headphone. Here is a list of my favourite sports headphones available at hifiheadphones.co.uk:
If you are looking for a cheap solution to your sports earphone needs then these Philips earphones will certainly do the job. The clip-on design ensures a secure fit, they are also waterproof so you don’t need to worry about sweat damaging them. For the price you really do get a lot for your money.
These are quite possibly the best sounding earphones for under £50, they are also great for sports due to the over-the-ear cable design – this makes them very secure on the ear. They are very comfortable, especially when paired with Comply foam tips.
The CX680 is a great alternative for those of you who don’t like either clip-on or over-the-ear earphones. These earphones sound great and use their innovative EarFin Holding System for a secure fit. Being sports earphones they are also sweat and water resistant and come with an in-line volume control.
The OCX685i are Sennheiser’s most recent edition to their sports earphone line-up. They have it all – Clip-on design with great isolation, reinforced cable and a great natural sound. They are also sweat and water resistant and come with an in-line microphone and controls for portable Apple devices. Need I say more?
Volume have designed a stunning Bluetooth headphone that is a perfect wireless alternative for sports use. They are lightweight, very comfortable and secure on the head. The sound is superb and as long as your audio device has Bluetooth enabled then you can listen to music, control volume and skip tracks from the headset and also take calls without having to hold your phone. They come in a vibrant selection of colour ways and all for only £69.95!
Studio headphone enquiries are becoming more and more common, especially with people being able to set up their own home studios on a low budget and with limited space. Depending on what you will be using the headphones for, there a few qualities you should look for.
For mixing, the best would be a neutral headphone which doesn’t colour the sound – this way you will get a clear representation of your mix. You will also want good separation and a wide sound stage, this will help with panning and getting an accurate stereo image.
For recording, the main quality to look for is isolation – better isolation will stop sound from leaking and will also block out other sounds from the studio. Comfort and a secure fit is also important, you may be using the headphones for long periods of time and you don’t want them slipping off (mainly for drummers).
Either way you want them to sound great! Here is my choice of the best Studio Headphones:
These Headphones are quite possibly the best you can get for mixing. They are extremely accurate, they have a very wide and natural sound stage and they are very comfortable – you barely realise that they are even on your head!
Beyerdynamic is one of my favourite brands, and the T1s are their flagship model. They are superb for mixing. Slightly darker sounding than the HD800s, they are very popular as a studio headphone. Having a darker sound just means that they are a bit smoother and not quite as bright, which can be a good thing as some people don’t like headphones being too accurate. The T1s are also very comfortable and will get more so over time.
The Ultrasone Signature Pro is possibly the best all round studio headphone we do. The Signature Pro has great isolation due to it being a closed back headphone and having high quality leather pads, they are also extremely comfortable so you can have them on your head for long periods of time. Not only are they great for recording, they are also great for mixing. Ultrasone use S-Logic technology to give the listener an open back headphone experience, giving you a wide sound stage and superb separation.
If you are looking for a mixing headphone on a budget then this is the one to go for! The DT880 has a very neutral sound and being a semi open headphone, they have good sound stage and separation. The sound is very detailed and uncoloured, bass notes are clear without being muddy and the top end sparkles. The velour pads supplied also make the DT880 very comfortable.
TOP PICK! – In my opinion, GermanMAESTRO have created the best value for money studio headphone you can get. The GMP 8.35 D has the best isolation I have experienced and it is practically indestructible. They can also be used for tracking and mixing due to them having great detail, punchy bass that doesn’t bleed into the rest of the mix and very crisp midrange.
The DT770 is an old studio favourite, they have a very clear, airy sound with a wide sound stage. Great separation and imaging lets you hear the most complex recordings with great detail and warmth. They have great isolation and are very comfortable. Very hard to fault at this price.
We get a lot of people looking for headphones to use in an office environment, mainly to block out the sound of other colleagues so they can concentrate on their own work. A common misunderstanding is that Noise Cancelling Headphones are best for this purpose – this is not the case. Noise Cancelling Headphones are good for cancelling out low frequency humming such as airplane engine noise but they don’t do so well with the higher frequencies that come along with people talking while you’re trying to work.
Depending on whether you want in-ear or full size, the main quality to look for is passive sound isolation – this will essentially block out external sounds without the need of active noise cancelling. It’s worth noting that you probably won’t get complete sound isolation from a pair of earphones or headphones, they are designed mainly for sound quality – but certain models do this better than others.
For those of you on a budget, the Shure SRH240 A are extremely hard to fault. They sound great, as good as headphones going up to £100. They are also closed back and due to having leatherette earpads they also supply a good amount of isolation for the price.
These are probably the best if you want to go down the in-ear route. The Etymotic hf5 is the next step up from the mc5. They do everything their little brother does, but better. The overall sound has more body to it, clearer mids-highs and a wider sound. The isolation has also been improved with an upgraded housing design and a more durable cable.
These headphones are designed with drummers and bass players in mind, so the build quality is extremely good and so is the isolation. The sound quality is impressive, with their own S-Logic technology they deliver a wide and crisp sound with deep bass.
TOP PICK!!! The GermanMAESTRO GMP 8.35Ds are my favourite all purpose headphone. They are practically indestructible, their sound quality is stunning with a neutral sound that delivers a great punch with the lower frequencies and great levels of detail on the higher end. Most importantly (for this article) they have superb sound isolation, possibly the best I’ve experienced from a headphone.
A strong contender to the GermanMAESTROs, the Beyerdynamic Custom One Pros are stylish, comfortable and “drumroll please…” have great sound isolation. They also have superb sound and this can be customised with the use of the bass ports on the ear cups. They are also very sturdy and come with a replaceable cable.
And finally… Now if you still feel that you want active noise cancelling then this is my recommendation. The PSB M4U 2 has it all! As well as its built in active noise cancelling, it has amazing passive sound isolation. They are very comfortable and the sound quality is superb – deep bass and sparkly highs without being fatiguing. Also keep an eye out for their little brother, the PSB M4U 1. They are they same design but without the active noise cancelling, so they will also be cheaper.
This is a question that comes up a lot at HiFi Headphones, so here is our easy guide on setting up TV wireless headphones.
Before you go and buy your wireless headphones it is important to find out what audio outputs
your TV has. This is the best starting point as it will determine which wireless headphones are
compatible and if you need any extra devices, such as a DAC.
Based on the type of outputs, there are two types of TV’s:
TVs with analogue output:
Headphone Output/Jack
This is the most commonly known type of audio output, but not necessarily the best. Using the headphone output on your TV will cut the sound from the built in speakers so only you (or anyone else connected to the wireless system) will be able to listen to the TV.
The majority of TV wireless headphones come with a mini jack cable so there won’t be any problems connecting them via the headphone socket.
RCA Phono
This output is generally located at the back of the TV and has two circular sockets, one red and one white. This provides a pure line out signal and therefore won’t interfere with the built in speakers. This is probably the best option as the majority of wireless headphones out there use analogue inputs, and most of them will include appropriate adapters to connect to the RCA phono output.
Even though there will always be a way of connecting TV wireless headphones to the RCA phono socket, some models come with their own adapter to make this easier. Here are a few that I would recommend:
A lot of modern TVs now only have digital audio outputs, this is either as optical or coaxial. If your wireless headphone transmitter only accepts analogue audio then it’s not the end of the world, you can buy a device called a DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter). This device will sit in the chain between your TV and wireless headphone transmitter. You will need a digital cable to go from the TV to the DAC, this will be either optical or coaxial depending on the output. Then from the DAC you will need an RCA phono cable to feed into the transmitter.
With digital outputs becoming more and more popular, there are now headphones that can take a digital signal and convert it to analogue with their own built in DAC. This way you get a much higher quality of sound. Here are a couple that I would recommend:
With such a wide range of TV wireless headphones and accessories on the market at the moment, it doesn’t matter what TV you have; there will be a wireless headphone out there for your set up.
