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Expert Earphones and Headphones Reviews

Best Full Size Headphones To Buy In 2017 – Expert Reviews

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Steve

Best Full Size Over-Ear Headphones 2017

We’ve have some of the best full size hi-fi headphones from under £100 to over £1000 from 2017. The reviews are designed to help you choose from the massive selection of hi-fi and audiophile headphones available with open back and closed back designs. From established brands like Beyerdynamic and Sennheiser, to new creative brands like MrSpeakers and Audeze.

Scroll down for in depth reviews of our favourite full size open back and closed back headphones.

Shop: Visit our Full Size Headphones Store

Best Full Size Headphones Under £50

Edifier H840

The closed-back Edifier H840 has audio quality which belies its entry-level price. Low-cost headphones can emphasise the bass a little too much but the Edifier H840 has a good balance throughout the frequency range, with midrange and treble coming through with impressive clarity. Bass is there too, and prominent enough to give a bit of weight to those basslines without stealing the show.

Build quality is also impressive for headphones at this price; they are quite rugged, but light and comfortable as well.

They can be used either in the home or as a portable model, since the closed-back design offers good isolation from exterior sounds and the H840 can be powered sufficiently by a phone, or a portable music player.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

If you’re on a budget, there is no need to compromise on sound quality. For the asking price, the Edifier H840 represents amazing value.

Best Full Size Headphones Under £150

Sennheiser HD461G (Android) or HD461i (Apple)

Sennheiser’s HD461 models come in two flavours, depending on whether you have an Apple handset (with a headphone socket!) or an Android handset. Designed primarily for portable use, the HD461 models can also be used with home equipment as they will still work in standard 3.5mm stereo sockets.

Also, the cables are available separately as spares, so if you change your phone from one type to the other, you only need to get the appropriate cable for full functionality with your new handset.

The design is light and comfortable with a sound akin to what Sennheiser generally prefers; a warm comfortable sound with enough sparkle at the treble end to keep things interesting and vibrant, but without any danger of listener fatigue. The HD461 design hsa a little bit of extra bass than usual however, so if you’re a bass fan then these are worth a try.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

For a bassy accompaniment at home or on the move, the HD461i (or HD461G) will give full functionality with your handset, whether Apple of Android. With spare cables available too, there is no need to change your headphones if you change your phone (iPhone 7 notwithstanding!).

SoundMAGIC HP151

The new HP151 from SoundMAGIC is perfect for those who want to treat themselves to some excellent sound and build quality, but without breaking the bank. The HP151 comes with a sturdy carry case and an extension cable for more options if listening at home, but is otherwise suitable for portable use, being of a closed-back design. Be aware however that whilst the HP151 will work well with commercial genres, classical or similar may require more amplification than a phone/handset can provide on its own, as those music types generally have quieter recordings, with less dynamic compression applied during production.

The HP151 sound has a good amount of well controlled bass from its 53mm drivers, and midrange/treble are clear and present. It’s a comfortable sound, and it is not likely that listener fatigue will set in.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

The HP151 is a fantastic all-rounder, with a bassy yet crisp sound. It has a spacious and wide presentation considering the closed back design, and it looks really good too!

READ MORE: SoundMAGIC HP151 Full Review

Best Full Size Headphones Under £350

Final Sonorous III

Final makes some excellent-sounding headphones with great build quality too. Their closed-back Sonorous range encompasses many models, but the Sonorous III is a point of interest as it gives some amazing sound quality for the price. With slightly boosted bass and treble, the Sonorous III gives a little added shine to your tracks without going overboard. The low impedance of this design makes it suitable for using with a portable device or phone, for enjoying your collection in the home, or out and about.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

The Sonorous III is a favourite here for its relaxed, natural sound. However the Sonorous II is also noteworthy as a more neutral version, giving a more faithful rendition of your recordings and particularly suitable for classical and acoustic performances.

Best Full Size Headphones Under £800

Now we start to enter the price range of diminishing returns; for instance, headphones costing £800 will not sound twice as good as those costing £400, but if you are intent on raising your headphones game, these smaller improvements are still worthwhile to make your music collection come alive again.

Beyerdynamic Amiron Home

Beyerdynamic has impressed us for many years and continues to do so with new models such as the Amiron Home. With sterling build quality and sound quality alike, the open-back Amiron Home does everything well. All frequencies are very well balanced with each other, with treble a little gentler than quite a few of Beyerdynamic’s previous models.

So the sound is natural and smooth; ideal for relaxing at home (where else?), and quite suitable for any music genres that can be thrown at it.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

The Beyerdynamic Amiron Home is a real treat to use, and is as comfortable to wear as it is to listen to.

MrSpeakers Aeon

A relatively new maker, MrSpeakers has certainly caused a stir with their line of planar-magnetic models recently. Not least with the Aeon, a lightweight design which hits heavy with some excellent sound quality. The design lends itself well to portable uses, although additional amplification may be required if using with a phone.

The sound is fairly well balanced with a little extra bass and lovely clear midrange and treble. The Aeon is well suited for all genres, but a real treat with anything likely to get you moving!

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

If your portable audio game needs updating, the MrSpeakers Aeon is one to look at, although the Aeon is equally enjoyable if you like to stay put.

READ MORE: MrSpeakers Aeon Full Review

Best Full Size Headphones Under £1000

Focal Elear

Focal’s recent additions to their lineup show a slight move away from the generally brighter sound of their previous models, to a gentler more laid-back sound which nevertheless gives detail in spades. The Elear is an exquisitely comfortable model to wear also, and gives the impression of the venerable HD650 but with a little bit of extra treble presence.

The Elear is not a light model at 434g, so this may be worth bearing in mind but the sound is very pleasing indeed.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

French company Focal has produced a real hit with the Elear, and it is easy to understand how; they’re great fun!

READ MORE: Focal Elear Full Review

Pioneer SE-Monitor5

Pioneer’s new SE-Monitor5 is where headphones start to get sumptuous and luxurious! Build quality is like an executive car, and the plush padding is much the same. The SE-Monitor5 may be a little heavy for some at 480g but they are made for relaxing at home and swallow up the sides of the head with their huge earcups.

The sound is as you would expect from Pioneer at this price, with well-controlled bass doing just what it needs to according to the music genre being enjoyed. Higher frequencies follow suit and remain faithful to the music, only to add a little bit of extra excitement and glamour to proceedings, whilst staying very relaxing.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

The SE-Monitor5 is incredibly comfortable and bound to please anyone who gives them a listen.

READ MORE: Pioneer SE-Monitor5 Full Review

Best Full Size Headphones Over £1000!

If you have got bored of circling Switzerland in your yacht then you’re probably lost, but you may be wealthy enough to consider the following models for your floating games room! These higher priced models may seem as steep as a black route ski slope, but those who accept no compromise will find the following offerings very interesting.

Sennheiser HD800S

Sennheiser is no stranger to premium headphones, and has followed up on the excellent HD800, released a few years ago. Some felt that the HD800 is incredibly detailed but at the cost of a certain amount of musicality, so Sennheiser now has the HD800S which offers a little more in the way of ‘soul’. Bass is very responsive to what different music genres need without overdoing things, and midrange/treble give some excellent soundstage and imaging with a slightly gentler presentation when compared to the older HD800.

The HD800S is however just as comfortable as its older brother the HD800; these models can be worn for hours on end with no trouble.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

The HD800S is a very popular model and with good reason; it’s as enjoyable as it is comfortable and has a fair amount of visual impact as well.

READ MORE: Sennheiser HD800S Full Review

Audeze LCD-4

Audeze has plenty of models, but at the top of the range we have the planar-magnetic LCD-4. Top notch build quality is to be expected at this price, including unique drivers which feature NASA technology in their nano-scale diaphragms. These light, thin diaphragms can move very quickly with no inertia, making transient response times very fast, and bass precise with nice extension and very good control.

Made from 30 year old Macassar wood, the earcups are set off by bright silver grilles making the LCD-4 a treat to look at as well as to listen to. As well as the excellent bass, midrange and treble follow in good order with a smooth transition between, but with perhaps a slightly recessed midrange, putting bass and treble at the forefront of the presentation.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

For the last word in headphones, this may need to be your first stop!

Focal Elear Audiophile Headphone Review – No Definition

Posted on August 11, 2017 by Steve

Focal Elear Open Back Headphone Review

Focal has caused a stir recently with their two new additions; the Utopia and the Focal Elear headphones. In the hunt for a snappy title, we have found that the word ‘Elear’ has no definition in either English or French, so we had to make do with a click-baity title instead.

With the Utopia at a wallet-wilting £3499, the Elear has missed out on a lot of attention due to its less sensational price. However, £899 is still a fair whack for a pair of headphones so let’s see if we can define ‘Elear’ here.

Pros:

Excellent clear sound
Strong, well made cable
Great presentation, beautiful!

Cons:

Some may find them heavy

Design and Appearance

The Focal Elear comes in a very impressive looking box, although it won’t stand up to much use without starting to look scruffy, as it’s made of paper-coated wood or card. Given the Elear’s intended uses however, we don’t imagine that it will need to go back in very often. The headphones themselves are very well built, with great styling. Imagine the Sennheiser HD600 being designed by a Frenchman and the Elear would not be far off.

Durability and Build Quality

The Elear is of relatively light construction in terms of the way the components fit together. For instance the headband and earcups have a little bit of give to them, but this is down to helping achieve a good fit rather than poor design. Whether these parts loosen in years to come, time will tell but we don’t think so. That’s where the lightness ends though, as the Elear weighs in at a relatively hefty 434 grams (15.3 Oz – nearly a pound!).

Also the cable is quite substantial; it makes most other cables look like spider silk but it’s not cumbersome; ‘reassuringly lavish’ probably fits. It’s a rubber-coated affair and matches the headphones very well.

Comfort

There’s plenty of padding under the headband and with the soft and pliable earpads on the Elear, no particular part of the head registers discomfort. These headphones can be worn for hours depending on your neck muscles; those 434 grams can start imposing themselves after a while.

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SoundMAGIC HP151 Headphone Review – Going One Better

Posted on May 5, 2017 by Steve

SoundMAGIC HP151 Headphone Review

SoundMAGIC needs no introduction for many; this brand has had tremendous success in recent years, not least with its full size offerings such as the HP100, HP150 and the open-back HP200. The SoundMAGIC HP151 promises to be a new and improved version of the HP150, with a few changes here and there.

Pros:

Nice styling and low-key design
2.5m cable more suited to indoor listening
Great sound

Cons:

Phones/handsets may struggle without amplification

Design and Appearance

Gone is the ‘tactile’ grey covering on the outside of the earcups, yokes and headband which the HP150 had; now it’s plain black plastic. Also the earcup ‘swivel’ feature of the HP150 is gone; the earcups are now fixed. Perhaps it was a bit tricky for those who aren’t DJs? The rest of us shouldn’t need to swivel too much anyway.

Another difference is the cable; it’s still a straight one but comes in at a longer 2.5m, as opposed to the original 1.5m (you can buy the shorter HP150 cables separately which will fit if needed). The extension lead which the HP150 had is no longer included.

Durability and Build Quality

Construction is from plastic and feels very solid, there are no squeezy or squeaky bits. The cable has decent strain reliefs and is rubber coated and slinky, not sticky.

The supplied case is a semi-rigid affair with a little pocket for keeping the supplied aircraft and 6.35mm adapters if needed, and will protect the headphones between uses. Just don’t sit on it.

Comfort

The SoundMAGIC HP151 is a light and comfortable headphone, thanks to its light construction, generously upholstered headband and earpads.

Suitability for intended application

The HP151 can be used quite successfully when on the move, but many handsets will not have sufficient power so a separate headphone amp may be required, or a dedicated player with a little more power than the average phone.

Otherwise it’s one for at home or in the studio.

Sound characteristics

The SoundMAGIC HP151 is a bit of a crowd pleaser; the overall balance is tilted slightly towards the warm but details are quite appreciable, and tape hiss comes through from those old recordings so there’s little roll-off with the treble. Note: for those interested in a comparison with the HP150, there is no difference other than the earcup and headband design; it’s the same great sound.

Bass

The big 53mm drivers give a nice thump to the HP151’s low bass; it doesn’t steal the show but gives a nice foundation, bass frequencies are given a bit of heft and authority without giving the impression of a bass-heavy headphone. Control is fairly tight; it’s a breezy, carefree bass with fun on its mind, but always makes it home in time for tea.

Mids

The midrange is all there with a slight dip in the 1kHz -2KHz area; there’s no noticeable holes or gaps in the frequency response as there may be with other models. It’s a gentle lowering to shun any shrillness and makes for an inviting and clear presentation. With the detail here and the aforementioned bass quality, the harmonics here can really bring instruments to life.

Similarly, vocals are clear and rather enjoyable with subtle details giving a really good representation of any performer’s unique character.

Treble

There’s plenty of sparkle, shimmer and zing here; it’s certainly a clear triple! It’s not overbearing, and gives just the right amount of presence for full enjoyment of those high frequency details. It’s a great balance between brightness and mellowness.

Soundstage & Separation

The width reaches out beyond the earcups a little way and gives a nice impression of space; both higher frequency detail and bass are able to jump out and give our ears a little tweak when the music dictates it; very nice. Separation is great too; classical pieces are rendered very nicely with clear harmonics preserving the character and positioning of everything, even with a lot going on.

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Music genres good for and why

The HP151 works with everything. Many genres were tried and none failed; bass heavy rap, acoustic, classical, dance; it’s a clear pass for this one.

Summary

If you are looking for a general use headphone with good isolation, look no further. Any and every music type sounds excellent with plenty of space and the feeling that these headphones are enjoying themselves just as much as the listener is!

Grado GS2000e Audiophile Headphone Review

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Steve

Grado GS2000e Open Back Headphone Review

Grado has enjoyed tremendous success over the years with various models, but has never departed from their basic headphone design as illustrated by the Grado GS2000e. It’s unusual in this world of fashions and fads that Grado has kept so faithful to this design but it’s obviously working for them! So is the GS2000e without match, or is it matchwood?

Pros:

Nice neutral sound
Fantastic imaging and soundstage
Comfortable

Cons:

Ungainly standard cable which cannot be removed or replaced

Design and Appearance

Indeed there are no surprises here; we may as well expect our US cousins to drive on the proper side of the road as revise this design. There is a tweak though; the GS2000e is a slightly different shade of brown. The slightly differing colour is due to the mixture of woods in this model. Mahogany to give the sound a bit of a polish, and maple which makes it more syrupy.

..Or perhaps the maple gives a brighter presentation which is held in check by the mohogany, for a clear and well-balanced sound.

The cable is still a non-removeable serpent-like affair which threatens to restrict the oxygen of careless music lovers, so there’s no change there.

Durability and Build Quality

Despite our gentle teasing, the cable is up to the job and there are no concerns regarding quality. The cable is stout with a heavy duty coating; it might have come off the Brooklyn Bridge itself. The 1/4 inch jack is military grade and the headphones themselves, while being light and comfortable, are made to last. They probably won’t appreciate being sat on though.

Comfort

Some have complained about comfort issues with some other Grado models, but the GS2000e benefits from the large earcups; any clamping force is distributed over a wider area. Also with glasses, there are no points of pressure which are making themselves known. However, after a couple of hours things might start to feel a bit claustrophobic in there!

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Suitability for intended application

The Grado GS2000e is definitely one to keep at home; they isolate exterior noise as if they weren’t there at all, and your music will be broadcast as if you’re a Public Access TV show. But for those quiet moments at home, they are just perfect.

Sound Characteristics

The GS2000e has a slightly understated sound when compared to the GS1000e; the emphasis on bass and treble is reduced, which makes the midrange more of a centrepiece. Harmonics and therefore imaging will be a little stronger on the GS2000e, thanks to the relatively present midrange.

These were tested using a Chord Hugo.

Bass :

Bass goes deep, and is clear. It’s not there in quantities to make fans of dance music jump, but does a good job of reproducing what’s there. It is also very detailed and well controlled.

Mids:

This is the focus of the GS2000e’s sound; they do come across as reasonably neutral with perhaps a tad of extra presence at the upper end of the midrange. There is generally no sign of sibilance here however, although the odd recording may give a bit of trouble depending on the mastering.

Detail is superb, further enhancing soundstage and imaging. The sense of space with acoustic or classical recordings is wonderous.

Treble:

That feeling of ‘air’ we know from the entry-level Grados is not so forced but is still there, and the detail is amazing. However it’s not pushed at us so much; we need to peer inside and dig it out, which is much more enjoyable.

Soundstage and Separation

Soundstage is excellent and much the same as the GS1000e; however separation/imaging is slightly enhanced on the GS2000e, due to the relatively present midrange.

Music genres good for and why

The GS2000e is probably better for acoustic music, classical recordings and the like; the neutral sound does not lend itself well to dance and pop genres when compared to other lower-cost headphones, but these can easily be enjoyed when the wearer gets used to this setup.

Also, older recordings are given good treatment; the smooth treble is quite forgiving which makes the Grado GS2000e perfect for fans of vintage music and old vinyl.

Summary

Grado’s GS2000e is a worthy addition to their lineup, and a good idea for those who fancy a more neutral version of the GS1000e.

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