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Best On Ear Headphones To Buy in 2017 – Expert Reviews

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Best On Ear Headphones 2017

Best On Ear Headphones 2017

Looking for a new pair of on-ear headphones?  We’ve collected the best on ear, open back, closed back and portable headphones to buy in 2017 and reviewed them to help you choose.

Shop: Visit our on-ear headphones store

Read More: Best In Ear Headphone Buying Guide

Best On Ear Headphones under £50

SoundMAGIC P22C

SoundMAGIC takes a lot of beating in this price category – the brand is a natural at making low cost headphones which sound much pricier.

The P22C model is a lightweight portable with a flat tangle-free cable and good isolation. Ideal for travel and holidays, these will fit right in to any bag or backpack when stored in their low profile travel case. The P22C included a microphone for phone usage and the remote is compatible with both Android and Apple devices.

Sound is impressive for this price point, with plenty of detail and a good kick to the bass without overpowering the mid range.

Engaging and fun-sounding, the P22C will make the absolute most of the output from any portable player.

Edifier P650

The Edifier P650 is a smartphone friendly, easy to carry portable headphone that punch above their weight and price.

Offering a well balanced sound with a little added kick down low, the midrange is clean and detailed and the treble isn’t far behind. The bass does not have the most sub-bass rumble but for a quick and easy to use, on the go headphone they offer great sound.

What impresses most is their ability to portray the whole frequency range in a well controlled and balanced manner, too many budget headphones overload you with muddy bass, yet these offer plenty of detail but are also easy to listen to; a no brainer at this price point.

Koss PortaPro

The simple design and great sound keeps them viable while the open-back design, whilst not being the best for isolation of course, is perfect for those who wish to be aware of what’s going on around them such as joggers, and muggers.

The sound is generally well balanced between bass and treble, although the midrange can seem a bit distant and mushy. Bass is perhaps a bit on the heavy side, but it will definitely satisfy those who want a bassy sound. The Koss Porta Pro Classics offer a warmish sound overall.

Be aware though that their open-back nature means that they will be of limited use in noisy environments.

READ MORE: Koss PortaPro Full Review

Best On Ear Headphones under £150

B&W P3 Series 2

B&W have a long history of making excellent hifi products, and this has trickled down into their headphones.

The P3 are superbly built with an elegant and sophisticated look, the P3 really do impress. Lucikly they are not all about the look either, as the P3 offer a smooth and effortless sound that is akin to their house speaker sound. Offering excellent full bodied bass response with a non fatiguing and slightly sweet midrange and treble.

Comfortable, well built with a smooth and pleasing sound signature, the P3 are perfect for on-the-go use.

Sennheiser HD25-1 II

The HD25-1 II are one of the most well known on-ear headphones, this is partly due to their popularity as a DJ headphone. Used by DJ’s and sound engineers globally the HD25-1 II are a rugged portable headphone that will last for years.

Offering an immediate and aggressive sound they won’t give you a wide soundstage but will give you an engaging and detailed signature. The bass is tight and digs deep with excellent control and presence, the midrange is smooth yet very detailed and the treble has good extension and is very well placed in the mix.

If you are looking for a smooth laid back sound, the B&W are probably a better choice, but if you want a fun, upfront and engaging listen the HD25-1 II is for you. All parts are easily replaceable too, should anything ever break.

Grado SR80e

The Grado SR80e are a definite improvement over the SR80i, with a slightly warmer, more balanced sound. Their retro styling may not appeal to all, but underneath the looks is a fine sounding open-back headphone. The undisputed king of headphones for rock music, these are sure to get you toe tapping and head banging in no time.

These will not appeal to bass heads, they fair better with music that is played on real instruments. They have long been favourites for people that enjoy rock music due to the speed and control of the sound.

At the price point I still think Grado hold their own with a well balanced, aggressive and detailed sound, there is nothing quite like them.

READ MORE: Grado SR80e Full Review

Best On Ear Headphones under £250

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 2.0i

The Momentum series are hugely popular with on the go commuters, and for good reason. Offering stylish looks, a comfortable fit and a smooth easy to listen to sound.

Built to last with replaceable parts, the Momentum has slightly retro looks and comes in an array of colours. With playback controls on the cable you no longer have to take your phone out of your pocket. The sound is dynamic and punchy, offrering a slightly bass driven sound without sacrificing the midrange and treble. Engaging and fun are the best word to sum up the Momentum 2.0i.

Good looks and great sound, it is easy to see why the Momentum 2.0i is so popular with commuters. For Android users there is also the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0G.

Beyerdynamic T51i

The T51i have been around for a while now and are still excellent on-the-go headphones. They have a sturdy and sophisticated look, and offer a well balanced and detailed sound.

The T51i again tilts towards an easier to listen to sound, with a slight bass boost that gives the whole sound a little added body. There is sufficient detail across the range to keep them from sounding boring and what comes to mind when you put the T51i on is refinement.

With excellent build, comfy fit and refined sound the T51i has a lot to offer.

READ MORE: Beyerdynamic T51i Full Review

Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2

Leather earpads and a metal headband, the P5 Series 2 screams quality and luxury. The earpads are soft lambskin leather with memory foam inside, like cushions against your ears.

Like the P3 the P5 Series 2 has the typical B&W house sound, which is smooth and effortless. Offering a well balanced but slightly rich sound with superb separation and articulation, from highs to lows these sound very refined and grown up.

The P5 Series 1 look stunning, have replaceable cables and a smooth effortless sound, what is not to like?

READ MORE: Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 Full Review

Best On Ear Headphones Over £250

Audeze Sine

Built from leather and metal, the Audeze Sine are built to last and also come with detachable cables. Using planar magnetic drivers they take a little more power than most phones can output, so they are best used with a high quality music player.

Give them a good source and the Sine in return give you excellent audio with snappy dynamics that can keep up with the most demanding of music. The bass is full yet superbly controlled, the midrange is where these excel not allowing the lows to affect them. Guitars have excellent power, and vocals come across with plenty of detail. The highs are present and well defined, but never become too hot and harsh.

The Sine are a mighty fine sounding on-ear headphone when driven well, and give you a full and detailed sound all

Master & Dynamic MW60 Headphone Review – Bluetooth Beauties

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Master & Dynamic MW60 Bluetooth Headphone Review

Since coming on the scene recently, Master & Dynamic has certainly made an impact with their simple designs and solid build quality. The Master & Dynamic MW60 fits right in then, being as nice to hold as it is to look at. But how nice is it to listen to? Being Bluetooth, the MW60 will be subject to the same limitations and design challenges as its competitors’ offerings, but how have Master & Dynamic coped with these?

Pros:

  • Stunning looks
  • Bulletproof build quality
  • Intuitive controls

Cons:

  • Bass a little out of place depending on genre
  • Earpads can be dislodged
  • Relatively hard to power in passive mode
  • Non-removable internal battery

Design and Appearance

As mentioned in a previous review*, Master & Dynamic products have some lovely styling and have quite a theme running through their range. They’ve taken design cues from the first half of the 20th century and with the incorporated 21st century Bluetooth technology, we have the best of both worlds. Flash Gordon would have used these headphones.

If I was to mention that the Master & Dynamic MW60 is over engineered, I don’t mean that it’s heavy or clunky. Next to a lot of the competition though, it feels as though a lot has gone into this model in terms of the feel of it. It’s like the interior of a new Jaguar car. Plush upholstery contrasts with distinct metal features, making a strong impression of palatial swankiness.

Durability and Build Quality

It’s worth noting that when even the USB charge cable has a braided fabric covering, the standard is quite high! Similarly, there’s a cable for use with the MW60 when the battery is empty (or we just want to save power) with the same covering.

This reviewer tries to imagine what a year or two’s wear and tear is likely to do, but with the MW60 it’s tempting to imagine these after more like 50 years. The paint on the corners may rub off a bit and the earpads might bit a bit more shiny, but apart from any accidental damage, the build quality of the MW60 makes it easy to see them lasting forever.

Given that there’s a non-removeable battery however, it’s unlikely that the full wireless capability will last this long without servicing.

The earpads are firm and well upholstered; they are kept in place by magnets so care is needed when handling the headphones. They won’t fall off without help though!

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READ MORE: Meze Neo 99 Headphone Review

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Comfort

The earpads of the Master & Dynamic MW60 are excellent. Firm yet yielding, they give a great seal and there’s no hint of discomfort whilst wearing glasses either. The headband is quite narrow though; whilst it is padded, the padding could have done with being a bit thicker.

Sound Characteristics

The sound of the MW60 is fairly neutral for a wireless model; there’s a bit of a bass bump but not too much. It’s leaner than a majority of similar designs out there but the MW60 not bass light by any means. The overall tuning is warmish, but with enough presence up top to please sparkle junkies too. With the power off and the cable used instead, the Master & Dynamic MW60 is a little bit subdued but just fine if you’re in a low-power pinch. Some handsets may not have the power to get the MW60 to a decent volume level whilst in this passive mode however, especially if listening to classical music or acoustic genres with less dynamic compression than commercially produced tracks.

  • Bass

There’s plenty of rumble and thump going on here; on certain tracks there can be a bit more presence here than intended though. Double bass gets picked up quite strongly for instance, and kick drums go low with power enough to give a feeling of pressure changes on the ears. With most modern genres this works very well and drives things along very nicely.

  • Mids

The midrange on the MW60 is clear and maybe a little emphasised here and there; vocals appear quite prominent but there’s no obvious problem with sibilance. Depending on the genre, vocals can sound quite intimate and backing vocals have an impressive width.

  • Treble

There’s a limit to the amount of detail which is possible through a wireless Bluetooth connection, so there is a bit of graininess here but the MW60 does a good job of it. Cymbals and hi-hats are there alright, and fit in with the rest of the sound but don’t expect a great amount of shimmer or airiness here.

  • Soundstage and Separation

While there is a nice amount of width on display with bass and midrange frequencies, it’s tempting to think that some of it is due to an internal DSP (digital signal processing) function rather than the design of the headphones themselves. This is borne out by using the cable with the MW60 turned off; there is still a bit of width here but noticeably less. Separation is pretty good but sometimes there can be a bit of midrange congestion with a lot going on. Where treble is concerned, we aren’t in any doubt that these are closed-back headphones but they’re designed to be wireless so this is pretty standard stuff.

Music genres good for and why…

Whether in wireless or passive mode, the MW60 really works best with commercial genres such as rap, dance and pop etc. Acoustic genres and classical can be affected with bass frequencies being picked up a bit too much, and these quieter music types tend not to be very loud in passive mode with the cable.

Summary

If you want wireless but not tasteless, then the Master & Dynamic MW60 is a contender. Its build and styling belongs to another era, but it has 21st century technology under the hood and will please those who want classic good looks and no gimmicks.

Best Portable Travel Headphones for 2017

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Best Portable Travel Headphones for 2017

Summer is round the corner so we thought it was about time to suggest some great travel headphones for your journeys abroad, long train trips and flights to distant lands. Or a stroll down to the supermarket.

Here we have chosen 5 of our best portable headphones ideal for travel and listed them in price order with a video review at the bottom of the page, ranging from low cost on ears, Bluetooth headphones and noise cancelling headphones. Here goes.

Pioneer SE-MJ503T – £14.99

This £15 portable on ear is superb value. They deliver a big and energetic sound and they fold up for easy storage. The headphones also have an in line mic with smartphone controls making them versatile too.

Koss PortaPro Classic – £39.99

The Koss PortaPros have been around for a long time now and with good reason too. Not only do you get impressive sound, the open back design helps deliver a natural soundstage and you can still hear what’s going on around you – this makes them popular for sports.

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READ MORE: Koss Porta Pro Headphone Review

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Lindy BNX-60 – £89.99

For years Lindy has been offering superb headphones at low prices – now they have stepped into the world of Bluetooth and really know what they’re doing. The BNX-60 gives you superb sound, Bluetooth connectivity and noise cancelling all for under £100!

B&W P3 Series 2 – £119

Bowers & Wilkins design their headphones to look and feel great. The P3 is light and comfortable, and deliver a punchy and energetic sound. They also isolate very well so you won’t be interrupted while enjoying your favourite tunes.

Sennheiser PXC550 – £329

The ultimate portable headphone. Sennheisers PXC550 does it all – Bluetooth connectivity, advanced noise cancelling and a touch sensitive trackpad makes them one of the most feature packed wireless headphones around. Their sound definitely won’t disappoint either.

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READ MORE: Sennheiser PXC550 Bluetooth Headphone Review

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Sennheiser PXC550 Bluetooth Headphone Review – Welcome to the Fold

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Sennheiser PXC550 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphone Review

Sennheiser has certainly established itself within the wireless and noise cancellation markets in recent years with it’s ‘MM’ series and earlier models in the ‘PXC’ line, but the Sennheiser PXC550 promises to make things a little more swish with its swipeable control.

Since so many executives are zipping from airport to airport without even the chance to shave, the easy and intuitive operation of the PXC550 gives control of volume and a track skip feature too, freeing up time for more champers and hampers at 30,000 feet. So will Sennheiser eclipse the success of Bose and their popular models such as the QC35 in this field? The evidence is plane.

Pros:

  • Great build quality
  • Effective noise cancellation
  • Fully featured ‘swipeable’ controls
  • Cable included for wired/passive listening

Cons:

  • Cannot be used when turned off (unless battery is empty)
  • User needs to remember to fold down earcups to turn off
  • Wearing around the neck is not that comfortable

Design and Appearance

The Sennheiser PXC550 is quite smart looking but not too flashy though; the PXC 550 means decorum, not decoration. This reviewer can be a little self-conscious when sporting such things in public, but the PXC 550 should feel right on any shrinking violet’s bonce. Bowers & Wilkins has had great success with its portable range such as with the P5 and the wireless P7, and the PXC 550 is similar in looks with its black and silver motif.

They’ve done away with the power button and the simple act of unfolding the earcups turns the PXC 550 on. Fold them down again to turn it off. It may be possible to wear the headphones around the neck between uses, but blood flow to the head may be restricted. If you’re in the habit of just removing headphones and putting them down, you’ll have a few flat battery moments until you lose that habit.

Functions are announced by a British female voice; Sennheiser has settled on one that’s not too prissy, but you get the feeling she won’t stand for too much nonsense so don’t press too many of the wrong buttons.

Durability and Build quality

The PXC550 is mainly constructed of high quality plastic with a metal-reinforced headband and some other brushed metal flourishes; the construction is what’s to be expected from Sennheiser at this price point. It’s very nice indeed. There is a cable for use with the headphones when the battery is empty but this could have been better implemented (we’ll come back to this).

Comfort

The Sennheiser PXC 550 sits nicely on the head and there’s no problem with fit, although the earcups are quite snug. Those with large ears may find an issue with this. They may be fine for mooching around in airport lounges and the like, but anything too active may lead to a bit of sweat being shed. This is a problem with any closed-back isolating model of course.

Suitability for intended application

The PXC 550 is a fully featured model; the manual runs to 50 pages and there’s all sorts of little things Sennheiser has thought of. For instance, the PA systems on flights may cut in if you’re listening to the aeroplane’s audio and sometimes this PA audio is a lot louder. The Sennheiser PXC550 knows about this and reduces the volume.

However, given the ‘fold-out’ method of turning the headphones on, there is no clear way of using the cable in order to conserve battery life. If you’re wearing the headphones, then they’re turned on.

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READ MORE: Bowers&Wilkins P7 Wireless Headphone Review

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Sound characteristics

Impressions are of the PXC550 in ‘active’ mode; a decent listen in passive mode will require the battery to be drained fully.

Overall, we have the typical Sennheiser sound but with perhaps a little more upper midrange presence; not a problem but vocals and some instruments can be a bit shouty at times.

The effect of the noise cancellation feature does mute the detail just a little bit when compared to when this feature is turned off, but it has its own benefits of course. The noise cancellation is actually very good indeed and should be quite adequate in many situations.

  • Bass

Bass starts nice and low; it gives a very deep and wide sense of space if called upon, but stays out of the picture with genres which don’t need it so much. It’s well controlled and stays put; there’s good definition where it meets the midrange and these higher frequencies are unaffected by any bass bleed.

  • Mids

Mids are slightly recessed against the bass, but again this is of no concern as the midrange is clear and uncluttered. However there is a little more presence in the high-mid area, which may give fricatives such as ‘s’ sounds a little more energetic when compared to some of Sennheiser’s wired models.

Vocals are clear and textured, with backing vocals being very good too; there’s a sense of a few singers spaced out nicely during parts with backing vocals.

  • Treble

The Sennheiser PXC550 is not an especially airy or crisp-sounding model; but for a wireless closed-back headphone it does OK.

Treble stays faithful to the Sennheiser tradition; it doesn’t draw undue attention to itself but instead appears as an extension of the midrange. There is a seamless transition between the two making quite a neutral sound within the upper part of the PXC 550’s frequency range.

If you like to listen to saxophones but prefer not to hear every bit of spittle within the mouthpiece, then the PXC 550 may be for you.

  • Soundstage and Separation

The sound of the Sennheiser PXC550 is good and wide from the rumble of certain bass notes right up to the lustre of hi-hats. It surrounds the listener very well. Instruments and voices are very clear and can be pictured within a 3D space quite plainly; this is one of those things that is affected by the noise cancellation however, but it’s par for the course.

Music genres good for and why

While all types of music will be acceptable the PXC550, it probably suits genres such as pop, rock, r&b; the commercial genres generally.

Summary

The Sennheiser PXC550 is excellent at noise cancellation; watch out Bose! Also the build quality is what we’d expect of a premium Sennheiser product; it’s light but solid. If you can get past the ‘fold-down’ means of turning the unit off, the PXC 550 is definitely a player in the contest for the ultimate wireless/noise cancellation model. It’s a great companion for long and short flights, and certainly beats solo air travel.

Koss Porta Pro Classic Headphone Review – Venerable Vibes

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Koss Porta Pro Portable Headphone Review

It’s not often that a headphone model hangs about for over 30 years; in fact it only happens about every 30 years or so. Joking aside however, there must be a reason why the Koss Porta Pro continues to be a popular model; even in our era of flying cars, food pills and teleportation.

The simple design and great sound keeps them viable while the open-back design, whilst not being the best for isolation of course, is perfect for those who wish to be aware of what’s going on around them such as joggers, and muggers.

Pros:

  • Small and foldy
  • Decent enough sound
  • The name has a ‘pro’ in it
  • Light and comfortable

Cons:

  • Boomy bass can be out of place
  • Midrange could use more presence
  • Some ‘lesser’ phones may struggle to power these

Design and Appearance

The design has not changed since the Apple Macintosh, and it shows. However with current tastes, this works in the Porta Pro’s favour. The bold solver rings and utilitarian headband may even add a touch of 70s retro styling too.

This model is rated at 60 ohms impedance, which together with the 101dB sensitivity makes them less useful with low-powered phones and the like, although those by most popular brands (Samsung, Apple etc.) should have the power.

Durability and Build Quality

Being intended for portable use, the Koss Porta Pro Classic is light and svelte, if a bit inelegant. During normal use, it’s difficult to spot any vulnerable areas in the design. There are no strain reliefs on the cable where it exits the headphones, but the cable is held in place within the driver housings themselves to prevent accidental yanking.

There is a strain relief at the jack end of the cable, and this terminates in an angled jack which is perhaps a 70 degree angle, at a guess. This appears to be a relatively new tweak in the design.

Comfort

Light or firm? Whether you’re reassured by a vice grip or you can’t stand the pressure, there are three settings on the Porta Pro Classics which allow the drivers to be pushed outwards, making things a bit looser.

The headband has had a few criticisms regarding its tendancy to entrap and pluck hairs out of the heads of unsuspecting listeners, but there’s been no problem with this so far.

Other than that, these are ‘wear and forget’ headphones.

Suitability for intended application

Is there only one intended application? Apart from the obvious portable uses, the Koss Porta Pro is equally enjoyable when used as an open-backed headphone at home or in the office. The comfort level also makes this a nice choice for some pillow action too.

Sticking to portable uses though, the headphones fold up to a very small size and can go in a pocket between uses for instance. This makes them a very sensible choice for the itchy footed.

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VIDEO REVIEW: Our Top 10 Best Sports Headphones and Earphones for 2017

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Sound characteristics

The sound is generally well balanced between bass and treble, although the midrange can seem a bit distant and mushy. Bass is perhaps a bit on the heavy side, but it will definitely satisfy those who want a bassy sound. The Koss Porta Pro Classics offer a warmish sound overall.

  • Bass :

As above, the bass can be a little overpowering depending on your genres or tastes, and its a bit loose too. There’s not much definition and it’s hard to know where the midrange starts; it’s easier to figure out where the bass stops! However with a lot of pop and rock, this gives a hearty thump which is certainly in keeping with those genres.

  • Mids:

The midrange isn’t completely invisible but there was the feeling that the volume needed to be increased as not enough of the music’s ‘meat’ was getting through. This is fairly typical of entry-level equipment; however it does the job, and will pass muster for anyone who is used to spending under £50 on headphones.

  • Treble:

Higher frequencies are well balanced with the rest but not too prominent; percussion and the like make themselves known without making a nuisance of themselves, and it’s a smooth transition from the midrange. A little more presence at the top end would have been good to enhance the open-back nature of the Koss Porta Pro Classics, providing a bit more airiness.

  • Soundstage and Separation:

Being open-back, this model has a fairly wide sound but it’s not exceptional. The definition of midrange harmonics does not quite make for a convincing presentation in terms of separation, but it’s an enjoyable one nonetheless for the asking price.

Music genres good for and why

The Koss Porta Pro Classics give quite an impressive sound when it comes to stuff which benefits from the bass on offer, such as dance, R&B, hiphop, pop etc. Jazzy genres may depend on the type; swingy stuff with a double bass is fun, but if there’s a lot of midrange action, it might feel a bit flat.

Classical and acoustic music may benefit from a tighter, more subdued bass but if you enjoy a mixture of styles then it’s quite acceptable to listen to whilst on the move, but you may hanker for something a little clearer if relaxing at home.

Summary

The Koss Porta Pros are still very popular after more than 30 years, even amongst people who own other headphones costing an arm and a leg. They are seen as a decent low-cost model for use out and about and are quite practical, given that they fold up into a neat package between uses. Be aware though that their open-back nature means that they will be of limited use in noisy environments.

Bloc and Roc Galvanize S2 Headphone – Review

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Bloc & Roc are relatively new arrivals in the headphones world; hailing from London, they may have just been delayed in traffic – but they’re here now with models such as the Galvanize S2. Aerospace-grade aluminium and 40mm drivers promise a well-built and impactful experience; so does the Bloc and Roc Galvanize S2 soar like a bird, or blow up during launch?

Pros:

Solid, yet light construction
Fabric cable
Decent quality jack
Sturdy carry case

Cons:

Cable is not detachable
Some may prefer more brightness

Design and appearance

Like those planes and rockets, the Galvanize S2 is designed to be light and functional with a no-nonsense approach and spartan design ethic. Everything within its payload has been justified and the design whittled down, making an incredibly light and comfortable pair of headphones. However for those not intent on staying within their baggage limit, a 24 carat version is available – we have the ‘plane’ black version here for this review.

Durability & build quality

Despite the lightweight construction and materials, the Galvanize S2 gives a strong impression of ruggedness. The fabric cable again gives a nod towards hardiness and the jack has a strong metal construction, much like the best jack plugs out there.

Comfort

A lot of portables either suffer from poor isolation or too much in terms of clamping force, but the Galvanize S2 gets it just right. These headphones can be worn for extended periods without any problem. Those with glasses may have issues much like with any on-ear model, but glasses can be readjusted once the headphones are in position, to avoid any discomfort.

Sound isolation

Very good for an on-ear model – the Galvanize S2 attenuates rather than blocking everything out; but particularly with music playing, the outside world is effectively sealed off. People nearby will not be disturbed by your music. There’s not much sound escaping the earcups even at higher volumes.

Portability

The Galvanize S2 can go wherever you go – Hifiheadphones will stock the version with a strong outer case included, so the headphones are very well protected in a bag or case.

Sound characteristics:

The Bloc and Roc Galvanize S2 is a warm-sounding headphone, but mid-range detail is definitely present with a decent amount of control.

  • Bass

Bass is plentiful but tight and well textured; it doesn’t get on the wrong side of the music and puts in more of an appearance when the music calls for it. It can go down very low too; dance music and similar bass-driven genres will be well enhanced.

  • Mids (e.g. vocals, acoustic instruments):

The relatively smooth top end opens up the midrange for harmonics and vocals; acoustic tracks are a treat along with those featuring wind instruments and strings.

  • Treble (e.g. high hats):

Although the treble end of things is toned down a little, details are not sacrificed. Bells still jingle, and cymbal crashes still smash, but without impinging on the excellent midrange and lower frequencies.

  • Soundstage & Separation

As well as the clear midrange on the Galvanize S2, there’s a tremendous sense of space which goes along with it; reverbs make us almost agoraphobic. Soundstage is very good for a closed-back headphone, and separation is excellent.

Music genres good for and why

As mentioned above, the Bloc & Roc Galvanize S2 is well suited to many genres; dance and rap music both benefit from the midrange and bass emphesis, while acoustic tracks are enhanced by the excellent sense of space and harmonics reproduction within the midrange. Rock music too. Right now I’m trying the Galvanize S2 with some classic Italian cinema music – Armando Trovaioli’s theme to L’Arcidiavolo – and there’s woodwind jumping right out at me. It’s as good as I’ve heard.

Summary

The Bloc and Roc Galvanize S2 is one of those headphones which gets better the longer it’s worn. The way it brings instruments and performances to life is quite something for an on ear portable – quite uplifting! With this sort of power and finesse, the Galvanize S2 can certainly rocket.

 

Best Portable On Ear Headphone Showdown

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For this showdown we decided to look for the best portable on ear headphone in the £200 to £300 price range, and for the next month we are offering 10% off all of the headphones mentioned – just add the code ‘showdown2014’ to your checkout for this offer!

For us there were three contenders:

  • Sennheiser Momentum
  • Aedle VK-1
  • KEF M500

We found that they all had their own qualities and sound signatures but there was one that stood out as the overall favourite – here is a break down of our reviews for each headphone:

Sennheiser Momentum

The Full-size Momentum from Sennheiser is the big brother to the smaller on-ear Momentum; the last word in luxurious, portable listening with sumptuous earpads made from real leather. These headphones are fantastic for separation, and they have a very wide soundstage which belies their closed back design. Sound isolation is high; the leather pads excel in keeping unwanted noises out, while social isolation is low due to the handy Apple mic and controls.

Read the full review HERE.

Aedle VK-1

A great newcomer to the Portable Headphone range – The Aedle VK-1 has real punch with weighty bass and cracking midrange. Not only do they sound exciting, they look it too! They are easy enough to drive off a portable device and are very comfortable. So if your looking for a portable on ear headphone with an exciting sound, great bass and stylish looks then look no further.

Read the full review HERE.

KEF M500

KEFs addition to the portable range of headphones is sleek, comfortable and most importantly sounds great! Clear detail with tight bass and crisp mids – They also fold up for easy storage and come with a spare cable for iDevices. The KEF M500 is extremely well built and feels solid, the pads are soft and they isolate very well.

Read the full review HERE.

Final Verdict

The KEF M500 is our overall favourite!

Ultra portability with their folding design, tough carry case and great isolation along with clear crisp sound makes them the ultimate portable headphone.

 

Best Headphones for Portable Players

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Listening on the go is becoming more and more popular – especially that now you can store your whole library of lossless audio on to a compact player like the FiiO X3, FiiO X5 or even the Astell&Kern AK120.

With the potential to have the highest quality audio in your pocket you will want to complement that with the headphones you use. This article will cover how to choose a portable headphone and suggest some of our favourites.

When buying headphones or in ear earphones for a portable player there are 3 main qualities you will be looking for:

Compact

As you will be more than likely using the headphones while travelling you will want them to be small enough to fit into a bag or even fold up for easy storage. You will also want them to be a size that won’t get in the way whilst moving from busy train to busy train.

Closed Back / Sound Isolating

As these headphones will probably be used in public, you won’t want the sound of your guilty pleasures spilling out to the rest of the train carriage – nor will you want to hear the loud music being played by the youths at the back of the bus. Closed back or sound isolating headphones are perfect for this, as they reduce the amount of sound leaking and help block out external noise.

Easily Driven

The majority of portable players such as iPod, iPhone, Samsung, Sony etc. can give great sound quality but they don’t have the most powerful headphone amps on them – when this is the case you want a headphone that is easy to drive so you can get a good volume out of them without maxing out your player.

In ear headphones

The ultimate portable solution are in ear isolating earphones as they tick all the above qualities – here are a selection that I would recommend:

SoundMagic E10 (£34.99)

The go to in-ear for under £60.

Final Audio Heaven II (£89), IV (£199) and VI (£599)

Refined sound with great bass and sharp detail.

Shure SE112 (£46), SE215 (£96) and SE315 (£159)

Well balanced sound with superb midrange. Great isolation and secure over the ear fit.

On the ear

SoundMAGIC P30 (£69)

Best budget portable headphone.

Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear (£169.96) and Full Size (£259.99)

Warm, smooth sound and superb build quality.

KEF M500 (£249)

Clear detail with tight bass and crisp mids. Folds up for easy storage.

Full size over the ear

GermanMAESTRO GMP 8.35 D (£160)

Practically indestructible and one of the best for isolation. Great punchy sound.

Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro (£169.96)

Adjustable bass ports for customizable sound. Another great one for isolation.

Beyerdynamic T70p (£438.95)

Neutral sound with crystal clear detail.

Beyerdynamic T5p (£880)

Studio quality sound on the go.

Ultrasone Edition 8 (£1099)

Audiophile quality sound with superb isolation.

Open back

Now if you don’t need complete sound isolation and would prefer an open backed headphone then there a some very good ones to choose from:

Koss Porta Pro (£29.95)

The classic portable headphone.

Grado SR80i (£99.95)

These are very hard to beat for under £100. HiFi quality sound on the go.

SoundMAGIC HP200 (£229)

Smooth and fun sounding with great detail. Very comfortable and good isolation for an open back.

Headphone amplifier

And finally… If you have got your heart set on a headphone that is more difficult to drive then do not fear! Adding a portable headphone amplifier into the chain will solve this issue.

FiiO E12 (£109.99)

Lots of power, bass boost, sturdy build quality and detailed sound.

So hopefully this article has helped you decide on your new headphone – but if you have any questions then do feel free to get in touch and we will be happy to help!

Best Wireless Portable Headphones – Top 5 – Buying Guides

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Best Wireless Portable Headphones

Cabling is a reliable, efficient and inexpensive way to get audio from one place to another. Since we live in an age of wireless technology many people would like to break free from electronic chains as they go about their daily business. Our best wireless portable headphones selection provides plenty of options to choose from, let’s have a look at five of the best wireless sets for commuting, travelling and general use.

Sennheiser MM550-X TRAVEL Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones

This is the Sennheiser portable that does it all and at £300 most people would be expecting that. Build quality is excellent, they are more a model of German Efficiency than a statement of urban sophistication. The Sennheiser MM550X are circumaural with soft pleather earpads for long listening sessions in comfort. Despite the generous cups the unit is small sized, easily transportable. The right earcup is laden with controls, not surprising given the list of available functionality – CD quality apt-X, NoiseGard sound cancelling technology, TalkThrough (a button turns on the external microphone so you can talk without removing the headset), Invisible microphone, cable option when power runs out, neodymium drivers, SRS WOW HD technology, integrated track and volume controls. Extremely flexible headphones with impressive technology, of course as with all wireless headphones, not all of the money goes into sound quality. The MM550Xs pair with a phone easily, charge over USB, and they fold into a portable carry case.

Denon’s AH-NCW500 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

Denon’s AH-NCW500 Globe Cruiser on-ear headphones feature a 40mm driver, an integrated amplifier and AAC and aptX decoding for CD quality audio over a wireless connection. Much smaller than a full size set of cans, you shouldn’t feel self conscious as the aesthetics are more gentlemans club than superstar DJ. The design’s control wheel also allows you to effortlessly control Apple iPhone, iPad or other Bluetooth devices. The AH-NCW500 has advanced noise cancellation circuitry via Bluetooth 3.0 wireless or a wired connection, actively eliminating unwanted ambient noise, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your music, wherever you travel. They are available in silver and black and come with a hard-shell carry case with a soft fabric finish. Since the headphones themselves do fold flat, the case remains reasonably thin.

Parrot Zik Wireless Active Noise Cancelling Smartphone Headset

Beautifully designed and filled with technology, with plenty of opportunity to adjust the sound to taste. The Parrot Zik, designed by Philippe Starck, is a wireless headphone with gesture control, noise canceling technology and their very own app. Designed to be a gadget fan’s dream audio accessory, they have a host of featuresincluding a sensor that pauses the music when you take them off. Pairing the headphones up using Bluetooth is simple and gives a decent range but the Ziks also feature Near Field Communication (NFC) for quick pairing – a first for headphones – although your music player will need this technology too. With your Parrot Zik headphones you get a Micro USB cable and a Protective pouch. The Parrot Zik will also enable you to make and receive calls when paired to your phone, they use several microphones along with a bone conduction to enable your voice to cut through surrounding noise.

SoundMAGIC WP10 Digital Wireless Headphone with DAC

The SoundMAGIC WP10 is a full size digital wireless headphone, supplied with a very small transmitter for use on the move or to transport the unit easily. There are a large selection of supplied accessories including a mains charger, the tiny transmitter unit, a USB cable, a mini jack 3.5mm to RCA cable, a short 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable and a long 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable. You can keep all this in the excellent rigid carry case also included. This is a very clever set of headphones, the transmitter also contains a USB DAC for superior sound from your PC or Mac, connection cables for pocket sized media players and RCA for home Hifi connection. Should you run out of battery power while out and about it is possible to use the included cable to carry on listening. The headphone itself has the same incredibly comfortable pads as the excellent HP100 and HP200 wired Full size headphones, is reasonably lightweight and has a well thought out set of controls on the left ear cup. Sound quality is well above any RF headphone and superior to that of Bluetooth headphones as the WP10 uses a 2.4G 16 bit CD quality connection. The sound signature is generally bright and clean with deep but restrained bottom end.

Volume DH-B38 Bluetooth Headphones

Bluetooth headphones for under £100 often seem a bit bargain basement, the Volumes tick all the boxes for functionality, do not compromise on quality and still come in at a cheap price. A small yet comfortable on-ear, lightweight and durable. The big surprise is that they sound great with impressive stereo imaging for an on-ear. This high-spec, low price philosophy underpins the Volume collection of Bluetooth headphones with mic and on board controls. The headphones themselves are very light and do not clamp making them pretty comfortable for on-ears, the soft leatherette ear cushions are shaped well. Features include a high quality omni-directional mic, Class 1 Bluetooth – giving up to 100m range and the ability to fold flat for storage. Listen to music, answer and end calls without having to touch your phone and they should easily fit into an already cramped bag too. Because of their longer than average range they would also work well for listening around the house or getting out in the garden. Low weight and comfy fit means they also work very well in the Gym. A typically warm feel, punchy smile curve EQ with much more detail than you would expect. The bass will handle everything from chart pop to huge electro bass lines, Classical and Acoustic don’t sound bad either as there is some sparkle here too. The sound is fun and involving but not too aggressive for everyday use or long journeys.