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Best Headphones 2023: Earbuds, Noise Cancelling, Wireless, Premium

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BEST HEADPHONES 2023

We know how important it is to find the best headphones for you; whether they are for your smartphone, music player, laptop, console or hi fi system. Here you can see the best of the best earphones, on ear, full size, Bluetooth, wireless and audiophile headphones to buy right now.

BEST EARPHONES

READ MORE: Best Earphones 2023

1. 64 Audio Volür – £2369.05

What started out as the Nio 2 evolved into a whole new word (and a UIEM) that never existed before. The Volür. The newest Universal must have IEM from 64 Audio. The pulsating heart of this new creation is made up of two new custom 9mm dynamic drivers set in a true isobaric configuration that delivers unprecedented low-frequency capability. The low end of the Volür will simply blow you away, not that the highs or the mids are ignored whatsoever. This new hybrid UIEM from 64 Audio is easily one of the best technical performing earphones that has a “fun” sounding signature in existence today. Those purple abalone faceplates also look fabulous. A must have in 2023.

READ MORE: 64 Audio Volür

64 Audio Volür
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BEST WIRELESS EARBUDS

READ MORE: Best Wireless Headphones 2022

2. Lypertek PurePlay Z5 ANC True Wireless Earbuds – £99.00

Coming hot off the heels of Lyperteks now world famous PurePlay Z3, The Pureplay Z5 has changed the game completely. This is probably the best TWS ANC earphone you can buy for under £100. They have ANC, Ambient mode, wireless charging, accompanying PUREPLAY ANC app with LDX Audio, sound customisation profiles and more. Add to that a fanstastc sound quality and brilliant mics and you can instantly see why the Z5 has made the cut.

READ MORE: Lypertek PurePlay Z5 ANC TWS Review

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BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES

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3. final UX3000 ANC Wireless Headphones – £119

Final have really worked their magic here. Solid build quality, paired with great sound and effective ANC for under £120 is something rarely heard of. Add to that fantastic mic quality and you have an absolute bargain on offer. The UX3000 can be recommend to absolutely anyone looking for a portable over-ear headphone and you will only see smiles on their faces.

READ MORE: Final UX3000 ANC Wireless Headphones Review

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BEST ON EAR HEADPHONES

4. SoundMAGIC P23BT Portable Wireless Headphones – £49.99

How do they do it? SoundMAGIC have once again made a killer headphone for a super price. The P23BT doubles up as a headset too with the included cable and boom mic (great for home office or even gaming). In addition, the headphone is lightweight and comfortable. Add into the mixer an incredibly impressive battery life and a simple ease of use and you have got yourself a bargain. They sound full and warm yet never bass heavy. They really do sound incredible and for a Wireless on ear headphone what more could you want?

WATCH VIDEO: SoundMAGIC P23BT Wireless On Ear Headphone Review

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BEST OVER EAR HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Best Over Ear Headphones 2023

5. Audeze LCD-X Planar Magnetic Full Size Headphones – £1149

The Audeze LCD-X are a real eye-catching headphone. For a retail price that seems crazy at first glance, the bottom line is that the price-performance ratio of this headphones is absolutely fantastic. Not only due to the impeccable manufacture, but also a robust construction, use of high-quality materials and wonderful, detailed sound Loved by Audiophiles and sound engineers alike. If you want to give yourself a birthday or Christmas present, you can safely consider surprising yourself with the Audeze LCD-X.

READ MORE: Audeze LCD-X Planar Magnetic Headphones

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BEST STUDIO HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Best Over Ear Headphones 2020

6. Audeze MM-500 Planar Magnetic Full Size Studio Headphones – £1699

Audeze MM-500 is designed to suit the requirements of long daily listening sessions under almost any condition. World-class studio monitor? Check. Quick reference on-the-go? No problem. Deep late-night listening? Done. With its ease of drive, comfortable fit and trustworthy sound, you can count on the MM-500 to deliver in every situation. The MM-500’s planar magnetic drivers provide realism that audio professionals like Manny “can’t live without.” With lightning-fast transients, accurate frequency response and trusted mix translation.

READ MORE: Audeze MM-500 Planar Magnetic Studio Headphones

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BEST RUNNING HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Best Wireless Headphones 2023

7. Cleer Audio Arc II Sport – Open-Ear True Wireless Sports Earphones- £199

Following the runaway success of the Cleer Audio‘s open ear Arc earphones, the Cleer Arc II SPORT has taken the concept of an open wireless earphone to a whole new level. The new Arc II Sport is superior to its predecessor in every single way. It has a longer battery life, a better, even more secure fit with an improved earhook design and supports wireless hands free and head gesture controls for answering calls and the like. This earphone has been designed from the bottom up for those who want to listen on the move while being simultaneously aware of their surroundings. One of the most stand out changes to the case is the addition of UV-C light that sanitises the earbuds while not in use. How great is that!?

READ MORE: Cleer Audio ARC II Sport – Open-Ear True Wireless Sports Earphones

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BEST GAMING HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Christmas Gift Guide 2023

8. Audeze Maxwell Ps5/Xbox – £319.00/£349.00

With the advent of the PS5 and Xbox X consoles, gamers will want some headphones to maximise their experience. The Audeze Maxwell is a supercharged, reimagined Penrose. Now with 80hr+ battery life, Ultra-Low Latency Wireless with 3X range of traditional 2.4Ghz. As well as first-in-class Bluetooth 5.3. Including an Improved build with an all-new reinforced chassis from aluminium and steel. As well as The adoption of Audeze’s FILTER™ noise reduction technology for clear communications on top of their Award-winning Audeze 90mm planar magnetic drivers. This is the must have gaming headset of 2023.

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SoundMAGIC HP151 Headphone Review – Going One Better

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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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READ MORE: Top 5 Best Travel Headphones for 2017

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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!