Here’s a look at the best headphones for listening to music available today.

The headphones neutral and balanced sound signature is also perfect for listening to folk and blues or acoustic music.

Absorbing those epic jazz sessions or symphonies over extended periods never becomes uncomfortable, either.

Person listening to music while wearing headphones

The headphones have a padded headband, while the velour ear pads are incredibly comfortable and breathable.

The Beats Studio3 are no different, and they provide heavy beats for hip-hop lovers.

The Real-Time Audio Calibration feature ensures you barely need to do anything to maintain perfect audio.

A pair of Sennheiser HD 600 headphones

Built-in sensors detect the fit of your head and optimize the sound.

You wont even need to use the app for access to simple controls.

Activating Siri if you need her to change the album is another perk these headphones offer.

A pair of Beats Studio3 Wireless Over‑Ear Headphones

The deep but lean bass is solid and well-defined, reproducing low-end energy without dominating the mids and highs.

The wide frequency response also allows for more precise bass, while screaming electric guitars are sharp and crunchy.

With a 250-ohm impedance, youll need a good amplifier to get the best possible sound from the headphones.

A pair of gray Beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium Edition headphones

Theres also a 600-ohm pair for use with more high-end equipment.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are an excellent choice for lovers of electronic music.

Theyre also another good choice for hip-hop fans and other bass-infused genres.

A pair of white Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones

Noise cancelation is also automatically optimized to suit your environment.

This feature ensures maximum effectiveness, whether commuting or chilling on the couch.

Thanks to the padded headband and soft earcups, your extended listening sessions will be all the more comfortable.

A pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones

you’re able to also activate Alexa to help you find your next mix or take calls.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Many genres rely on a wide soundstage to allow spatial effects to flourish.

However, a small soundstage can have its time and place.

A pair of Sennheiser HD 600 headphones lying flat

One of those times is when listening to solo artists.

However, the closed-back design also provides a strong bass response.

The design also gives excellent noise isolation to enhance the listening experience even further.

A pair of Sennheiser HD 600 headphones viewed from the side

Additionally, with 38-ohm impedance, music fans listening from smartphones or tablets get excellent sound quality.

They are also lightweight and comfortable for extended use.

At the same time, jazz instruments like piano, brass, and woodwind sound warm and balanced.

A pair of folded Beats Studio3 Wireless Over‑Ear Headphones

They are open-back headphones and provide a good soundstage with precise clarity.

The sound signature is neutral and balanced, reproducing the entire frequency range with pinpoint accuracy.

However, this does mean that they are an awesome set of cans for simply listening to electronic music.

A pair of Beats Studio3 Wireless Over‑Ear Headphones viewed from the side

Their precise clarity and detail, along with a thumping bass, more than compensates for the narrowish soundstage.

While they have a closed-back design, the sound separation and localization are better than you might expect.

The bass is also tight and deep, while the mids and highs are sharp and well-defined.

A side view of the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium Edition headphones

On top of their outstanding sound, you’ve got the option to also customize the headphones look.

FAQ

Q: Should I Choose Closed or Open-Back Headphones?

This is one of the most important choices when choosing new headphones.

A face view of the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium Edition headphones

Open-backs allow sound to escape and reflect, which creates more natural and spatial audio.

However, while closed-back headphones typically have a narrower soundstage, their better noise isolation provides punchy low frequencies.

This more refined bass makes them the preferred choice for electronic genres, including hip-hop and techno.

A Face shot of the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones

Q: What Impedance Is Best for Listening to Music?

Choosing the impedance depends on what source you will mainly be listening from.

If you mostly listen from your smartphone or tablet, you should choose a set with a low impedance.

A pair of folded Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones stored in the carry case

Smart devices can drive headphones up to around 50-ohm impedance, though 16-32 is generally considered the most efficient.

Q side view of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones

A pair of folded Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones

A pair of Sennheiser HD 660 S headphones

A pair of Sennheiser HD 660 S headphones lying flat

A side view of the Sennheiser HD 660 S headphones

A pair of V-MODA Crossfade M-100 headphones

A pair of folded V-MODA Crossfade M-100 headphones