r/HeadphoneAdvice • • Jul 08 '25

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91 Upvotes

Welcome to r/HeadphoneAdvice - a place to help you found the right portable audio gear!

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Budget and location - How much would you like to spend? What are some local or online shops in your country? How much would you like to spend?

Source/Amp - What are you plugging the headphones into?

How the gear will be used - Do you need noise isolation? Will this be primarily for home listening? Do you do a lot of air travel?

Preferred tonal balance - Are you a bass-head, focused on accurate acoustic timbre, looking for sparkly treble, or do you want a tonally balanced pair of headphones?

Preferred music genres - What do you listen to? Provide examples if it's something obscure.

Past gear experience - What have you used in the past? What did you like about it and what didn't you like about it?

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r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 6h ago

Headphones - Open Back Looking to change from Sennheiser 6xx. Life sucks lately and I want fun and excitement. Thinking of Hifiman Ananda Nanos. Thoughts? Maybe something Bose would be good?

7 Upvotes

Hey everyone, so I have a pair of these and the left earpad doesn't stay on anymore. I bought a new pair of official pads to replace them, but they're 50 dollars. So I figured, I'm already spending 50 bucks, what if (for reasons I explain in my last paragraph) I just put it toward a new pair of headphones and sell these ones at an appropriate discount? Before this, I tried the Hifiman Sundara and the 6xx's together when I was choosing my last pair, and stuck with these, even though I liked the sound of the Sundaras too. I chose these Sennheisers because I only have one pair of headphones and they sounded the most "neutral" to my ears while still being objectively amazing quality, which is what I wanted at the time.

Now I don't know what I want. I'm basically going to choose a pair of headphones to POTENTIALLY buy and then I'll just try them and think about returning them versus just sticking with the 6xx replacement pads. I just want some great quality headphones (I don't remember the exact timeline but I remember being unpleasantly surprised at how fast these pads started coming off, within a year I think of just normal use taking them on and off at my PC). I also have been getting into the band Yes again, which I've listened to since I was a kid. I love their songs like Close to the Edge and The Remembering, and it might be cool to just have a different experience with these songs I've loved since I was a kid.

I don't really know what's out there anymore and the only other audio brands I know are Bose and, like, Audio-Technica. I was grinding my way through college the last 5 years and went with Sennheiser cause it's what I've always known. Then I spent the last year caretaking for my sick dad who passed a couple months ago and I just want to do a little retail therapy for myself haha. The Ananda Nano is actually stretching my budget a bit (I have these 6xx's and Airpods Pros so I normally stick to around 200-250), and it piqued my interest mostly because I like the name, design, and "planar headphones" sound fun and exciting to me. I also have a little experience with Hifiman so I trust it to sound good. I heard these emphasize the treble a bit so that might be fun for Jon Anderson's vocals and stuff.

I think I just want some awesome headphones for around the price of Ananda Nanos that I can put on and think "wow life is shitty but these headphones are awesome." Are the Anandas good for that, you think? They definitely look awesome.


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 40m ago

Headphones - Wireless/Portable Looking for good, physically durable wireless headphones for daily use and gaming.

• Upvotes

Unfortunately must say my price range is more on the budget side of 100-200 dollars but i can lean a bit/potentially look for sales, cause i’m not exactly much of a money maker in my current situation

My real big main thing is i just cannot have these things shattering on me in a year’s worth of time; my HS55 Corsairs just broke today due to the flimsy plastic design on the part that connects the ear piece. honestly i personally don’t need or care for any extra features; noise cancelling, built in mic, etc. i just want durable bluetooth headphones that sound good for both music and gaming. i’m not looking for anything too fancy, just a replacement for my HS55s. so really if the feature/quality pool is similar enough to HS55 wireless then they’re good enough for me.

i’ve been doing personal research and have seen ATH-M20xBT, Cloud Alpha, Cloud 3, and Logitech G Pro X all thrown around as suggestions but i’m not sure if any of those are actually durable or good

i also guess it should be specified in case it matters; these headphones will be worn for a massive amount of time daily, as i wear them for online classes and such too.


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 5h ago

Headphones - Closed Back Comparison Question

2 Upvotes

So, for background, I've been doing some research and narrowing down my list of options. I started years ago with Turtle Beach and then moved onto the Corsair Void (Didn't like the bass tuning, was too much), switched to a SteelSeries Arctis Pro, LOVED it and it's honestly my favorite level of comfort + audio, especially for gaming. But the headset top broke eventually so I ended up replacing it with a V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Master.

LOVED the V-Moda audio but the comfort and build quality left a bit to be desired. Tried the E-MU Teak, DT 1770 Pro, and some other options but similar to the Void I didn't like the bass tuning on those.

Finally found the ATH-A990Z and honestly, these have been my go-to for years now. Gaming, music, videos, everything. However, sometimes I feel like the audio and bass could be improved, as well as, the top left head-pad is starting to break. So I'm just looking at other options at this point, and so far, I've narrowed it down to the following choices:

  • Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
  • Sennheiser HD 620S
  • Denon AH-D5200

Please feel free to talk me in or out of, or even suggest other options. Any advice at all would be much appreciated, thanks~

  • Budget max is <$1,000 but obviously, I'm not *trying* to spend hundreds if I don't need to you know?
  • I wish I could use open-back but closed back is necessary due to microphone and production.
  • And for comfort, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro headband is still genuinely the most comfortable headset I've worn in life. So, I wish more options had that design. Didn't like some of the heavier options + leather or velour pads due to the heat.

Uses are primarily gaming so imaging and accuracy is important, as well as video editing, music production. So range + soundstage is important also. I just want something that can hit on all those points, sounds wonderful, and is comfortable. Location is US but I can order in as well if needed.

Thanks in advance~


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 6h ago

Headphones - Open Back Hifiman Ananda Stealth v2 vs v3

2 Upvotes

I've heard some people say the v3 is a downgrade because Hifiman puts the same drivers as the cheaper Edition XS in it. I have the v3 easily available to me but wondering if it's worth seeking the v2 instead. Can anyone tell me if there's a noticeable difference in sound between the two?

I'm upgrading my audio setup and am planning to pair them with a Hiby R4 using the 4.4mm balanced output. I mostly listen to rock and metal, with some classical and pop (like 80s synth stuff). I'd love to hear if anyone has any suggestions for other gear I should use instead, within a similar price range. These will be my first pair of planar open-back headphones, coming from the Sennheiser HD400S

Thanks for your advice


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 2h ago

Headphones - Closed Back Headphones for mixing and mastering?

1 Upvotes

I have been using the BeyerDynamic DT900 Pro Studios for almost 20 years. One side is acting up ans I need a new pair of headphones.

The DT900s are NOT comfertable enough for me to buy them again, unless the newer ones sit different on your ears.

I use HyperX Cloud Wireless is soft pads when gaming, and they are so comfertable.
So im looking for some, where the cups are earshaped and can be used for long sessions at the time.

The sound of the DT900s i like tho at bit to bass heavy in the mix when listening on other stuff.
Price should perferably be what a pair of new DT990s would cost.


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 8h ago

Headphones - Wireless/Portable Clueless wife trying to figure out how to buy my husband new focal bathys..

3 Upvotes

Sorry if this is naive! I’m just a wife trying to surprise my husband..

He had focal bathys which broke and I’m trying to figure out how/where to buy a new pair. I thought I could order online through focal but it seems I can’t and I’m not sure what authorized seller to trust.. hoping someone can help me figure this out. English is also not my first language and I fear I can get taken advantage of if I’m not asking the right questions - thanks!


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 3h ago

Headphones - Open Back Gaming headset for audiophile couples who share a room and need microphones that can filter out each other's voices!

1 Upvotes

Do you have any recommendations for couples who sit together in the same room and game? I'm looking for a headset that filters out my partner's chatter in the background when we're on Discord together. We both currently have the Logitech GPRO X Lightspeed 2, and I also have the Corsair HS80 lying around here. Unfortunately, we often hear each other twice because we keep hearing one another in the background. That’s why we need a headset with very good microphone noise cancellation. I know it’s possible, since the Jabra headphones we use at work can do that. But I can’t wear those for long because they rest on top of my ears, and I need headphones that go over my ears. (I’ve had surgery on both ears and have areas of scar tissue that hurt with constant pressure.) Maybe someone is reading this comment who knows about this and has an idea! <3 Thanks, everyone

Sound: Should be clear and good for Music and Gaming
Usage: PC and Laptop
Budget: 500€ max
Design: Full Size Over Ear


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 12h ago

Headphones - Open Back | 3 Ω Are the Sony MDR-MV1 really that great?

6 Upvotes

Was looking into buying these and unfortunately, I won't be able to try them first.

In every MV1 reddit post everyone raves about how good they are, so for those of you who have tried them: how do they stack up against their competition?


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 5h ago

Headphones - Open Back Please tell which to choose !

0 Upvotes

Use case only iphone or pad . Ok so here is the thing i order cmf but cancelled cause there earcushions are just too expensive and now i am about to consider sony 720n but the things is there build quality only nothing else and there ear cushions are also available online whereas cmf ear cushions are half the price of what its headphone iss !! I am currently using bose qc 35ii i feel like they have less volume also have previously used xm3 but they broke due to hinge issue and there power button also broke since then i have sony trust issue . So please give a good suggestion because sale is about to end and i want immersive headphone which sounds like somewhat xm3 cause i loved there sound and immersiveness also


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 6h ago

Headphones - Open Back Good headphones for sub 180 USD?

1 Upvotes

Im looking for a half decent pair of cans for sub 180-150 USD, i wanting them to kinda easy to drive like you can have a dac with them but you dont need one for them to work, id like a full sound like it doesnt sound real thin and airy, i want them to be very comfy like it just entombs your ear, ONLY WIRED not bluetooth trash, i was thinking a pair of DT 770 80 ohms ive heard those are good, i dont really have a preference on closed or open back, ive heard open back has better sound stage, i mainly listen to 60s/70s rock, but i do sprinkle in some 90s hip hop, i dont plan on ever doing any mixing or anything so im not really looking for a flat sound to hear every single detail, id to be able to find them used so make sure theyre not some rare one off or they just came out or smt


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 10h ago

Headphones - Wireless/Portable Mic/Headphone advice - Wife and I work in same room

2 Upvotes

My wife and I work in the same room, basically right next to each other. Our monitors are back-to-back. We have a small apartment, and it's the only thing that works for us. We frequently have overlapping meetings, and I need a better headphone/mic setup to help minimize her voice on my calls.

My new job uses Google Meet, which has limited built-in noise-cancellation features compared to what Zoom has. Zoom has that voice recognition feature where you can record your voice, and it filters out anything else that isn't your voice. It isn't perfect, but it worked pretty well.

A lot of technology only really focuses on blocking out more ambient background noise like typing, wind, dog barks, etc but not other people's voices.

I currently use AirPods Pro 2's, and they pick up a lot of her voice on calls. I would really prefer not to have to use a headset with a mic- I hate the "call center look" since I'm on video calls a lot.

I'm semi-open to wired buds with a mic potentially, or an external mic. OR wireless earbuds if theres something better than AirPods. Or a pair of headphones that has companion software that you can customize noise to your needs. I will say my work computer has some restrictions on certain softwares but not all. Like Krisp for example, is blocked :(

Thanks in advance!


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 12h ago

Headphones - Open Back Headphones Under 500 for gaming and music production

2 Upvotes

I'm in the market for a new pair of headphones. I previously had the DT 990 PRO and am looking for an upgrade. Preferably under $500 but if it is exceptional I could do more. I use these headphones for gaming, music production, and casual music listening. I would prefer if it could wire into my scarlett solo and also have a wireless option for when I'm on the go. Open back or closed back are fine I don't really care that much about noise suppression.

I'd say the main thing I was missing in previous headphones was a solid low end.


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 10h ago

Headphones - Closed Back Headphone for mixing? (Closed-back)

0 Upvotes

No clue what I’m doing. Current headphones Sennheiser HD600, no DAC/Amp. Doing some amateur Video Editing and want to alter some audio/check levels, and due to environment I need a pair of closed-backs.
I’ve previously tried out Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro and had no complaints about the audio (actually hurt my ears less than the HD600), but returned it because at the time I needed to be able to hear my surroundings.
Budget is $200, but if there’s a headphone really worth it for the price point I can punch upwards.
I just really need a closed-back to be able to hear what I’m doing. Thanks for the help!
Edit: I forgot to mention, I’m incredibly sensitive to clamp force if it presses in the wrong spots. I.e. DT770 was fine, but the hd600 was a bit of a tough acclimation


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 11h ago

Headphones - Wireless/Portable | 1 Ω Looking for comfortable ANC headphones after trying the XM6 and QC Ultra 1

0 Upvotes

I've been looking for over-ear headphones that have really good ANC but are also comfortable. I've tried both the Sony XM6 and Bose QC Ultra 1 and ended up returning both.

The XM6's earcups were too shallow, so the speakers inside kept touching my ears and made them feel almost like on ears. The QC Ultra 1 was better in that regard, but the headband had basically no friction against my hair & they would constantly slide around as well as get hot sometimes.

I've been considering the Sennheiser Momentum 5 but I'm a little concerned about comfort after reading about people experiencing heat buildup.

comfort & decent anc are my biggest priorities (ik i cant get top tier anc as that belongs to bose and sony afaik). Sound quality is a plus, but not nearly as important to me. I'm willing to sacrifice some ANC performance compared to the Sony/Bose flagships if it means getting headphones I can comfortably wear for hours.

Any recs? Anyone love/hate the momentum 5s?


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 11h ago

Headphones - Closed Back FiiO FT1 Hinge Broken Help Me Decide Upgrade or Jury Rig

1 Upvotes

So Currently I love my FiiO FT1's, I am not an audio expert but have owned astro a40's, dt 770 pro and dt 990 pro, got the FiiO FT1's because after 2 years my 770 pros died out of no where. Since I live in a one bedroom and my wife and I take up the living room I need Closed Back Headphones. Recently I broke my FiiO FT1's by the hinge. I can't find a replacement hinge or even replacement headband anywhere. I emailed support asking for a resolution even If I have to pay but to no avail.

I know simple is to just buy a new pair but there is objectively nothing wrong with the headphones and feels like a complete waste buying a new pair and letting these sit. I have jury rigged it so far with a shoe string and some electrical tape but it feels like it can fall apart at any moment (and it gets loose with ware).

Any idea's on replacement parts? Jury rig ideas? or should I just replace them with the FiiO FT1 Pro's and just deal with a little more background noise. Some insight is highly appreciated.


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 11h ago

Headphones - Wireless/Portable My Astro A50's were great but they're broken now.

1 Upvotes

What's the best headphones for Xbox for music? Was looking at Fractal Design Scape till I found out it doesn't work on xbox lol. Needs a mic, and I'm mainly focused on music sounding good. Budget is $200 and below, in USA. I adored the way my A50s made music sound with my custom eq, so I'm hoping I can get another headset that's as reliable without just buying another pair of A50's. Will be used at home ofc. I have earbuds for gym/school. I listen to hip hop mainly, most genres of hip hop, and if you wanna get my exact listening needs in detail I have most music I listen to on my profile. So, all that is to say, would prefer bass leaning headphones (since I have to specify due to the rules).

Edit: Would prefer wireless so I can cook and listen to music.


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 13h ago

Headphones - Wireless/Portable Advice for Headphones For Sleeping with ANC

1 Upvotes

My partner does a lot of driving for his job and I'm usually dragged along with since I work from home most of the time and he likes having company. The problem is that I usually try to sleep on the longer journeys and he refuses to wear headphones while listening to his podcasts. I take a while to fall asleep but it's especially difficult when there is specific noise like a podcast because I can't help but listen to it as well and it keeps me awake. I also usually need white noise at night because I have tinnitus.

I need a pair of headphones or earbuds or something similar that I can wear while sleeping on my side-or leaning against something-that will block out the noise enough that I can't hear the words. I'm not too bothered about sound quality of what's playing in my ears though I would prefer it if it wasn't really bad so I can use them when not sleeping as well. Any advice would be very appreciated.

Edit: forgot to include budget. I'm looking for something on the cheaper end but willing to spend up to £150 for quality and durability.


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 14h ago

Headphones - Wireless/Portable Snagged the Px8 for €420, but as a basshead... am I crazy for wanting MORE bass/punch? (Coming from Nuraphone)

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

When I saw a deal for the B&W Px8 at €420, I couldn't resist. And honestly? The jump in overall resolution, clarity, and pure "cleanliness" compared to my old Nuraphones is insane. The lack of muddiness actually made me hesitate to return them.

However, as a basshead (mostly heavy EDM, hardstyle/uptempo, fast punchy electronic), I’m struggling. While most people on here seem to reduce Bass and treble because they find the Px8 "too dark" or bloated... I’m sitting here with +4, +3, 0, 0, +2 wishing for even more sudden, chest-slamming impact. The Px8's bass lacks that sharp, explosive "shock" factor and raw rumble when a drop hits.

ANC/battery life don't matter to me since I only listen at home.

Before I send them back: Is there anything wireless under €800 that combines audiophile clarity with true basshead dynamic slam?

Focal Bathys? (Better dynamic "slam" / attack for EDM?)

Audeze Maxwell? (Does planar speed deliver that instant sub-bass impact without distorting?)

Or am I asking for something physically impossible without dedicated tactile shakers like my loved mumbly Nuraphone with strong impact?

Appreciate any advice!


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 18h ago

Headphones - Open Back Help Choose: HD 490 Pro vs DT 900 Pro X vs Meze 105 AER vs AR5000 MK2

2 Upvotes

I’m looking to pull the trigger on a new pair of open-back headphones and could really use some real-world suggestions or experiences from the community.

My Use Case & Gear:

  • Usage: Casual music listening and gaming.
  • Source Gear: Directly plugged into a PS5 controller (via the 3.5mm jack) for gaming sessions, and using a basic USB dongle on my phone and Scarlett Focusrite as my audio interface on my computer for casual listening. Would consider getting a dedicated DAC/Amp.
  • Environment: Sound leakage is a consideration—I'd prefer options that tend to lean on the lower side of leakage for open-backs so I don’t completely blast out the room.

Based on my research, I’ve narrowed it down to these four contenders, but each seems to have a slightly different spin according to reviewers:

  1. Sennheiser HD 490 Pro: Love the idea of the unmatched physical comfort (260g) and the dual swappable pads (Producer/Mixer) to change the sound profile. My main worry is if the 130-ohm impedance makes it a bit hard to drive or cuts the headroom too close straight out of a DualSense controller.
  2. Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X: Seems like the safest bet for power efficiency (48 ohms) on a controller and gets highly praised for its tight sound leakage control. However, I’ve heard it’s quite analytical and bright—is it still genuinely enjoyable and smooth for casual music, or does it get fatiguing?
  3. Meze 105 AER: Currently on a great promotional sale ($299). Reviewers describe it as lush, warm, and incredibly fun for casual music with zero ear fatigue, plus it seems effortless to power (42 ohms / 112 dB). How does it handle spatial tracking in games compared to the studio monitors?
  4. Aune AR5000 MK2: The angled drivers throwing a huge, speaker-like holographic soundstage sounds amazing for immersive games and live music. It also seems very efficient (28 ohms), but I'm curious how much it leaks compared to the Meze or Beyerdynamic.

A few quick questions for anyone who has owned or tested these:

  • For those who have plugged the HD 490 Pro directly into a PS5 controller, does it get plenty loud enough if you only listen at moderate volumes?
  • Between the Meze 105 AER and the AR5000 MK2, which one did you find more enjoyable and engaging for general music listening?
  • How easy are these to digital EQ if I want to tweak the sound signatures down the road?

Would love to hear any thoughts, comparisons, or alternative suggestions you might have before I make a trip to a local showroom to test them!

Thanks in advance!


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 14h ago

Headphones - Wireless/Portable Finding headphones on budget.

0 Upvotes

Help me find proper headphones cuz im lost

Need to be wireless.

Mid to low budget something below 300 pln id say? Idk the prices now.

For use at home, commune, walks, cleaning, studying.

Tonal balance idk As long as it sounds good, dont need to be special. Not TOO bass heavy tho?

Also it would be good if they had anc or just blocked some noise out.

Id like them to not have too much sound leakage but also dont want the heavy and bulky over ear ones? Idk Just the on ear type(?) idk what theyre called lol

Would appreciate colour being available in beiges/brown.

Thank u :D


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 15h ago

Headphones - Open Back | 1 Ω Do i go for the fiio JT9 or save for either Tangzu OX demon king or Edition XV? (for 11/11 sale)

0 Upvotes

Hello! hope y'all doing great today, so this is a question im having since im unsure what to go for within my budget of around $350 usd

currently im enjoying my HD600 thru my tube amp but i want more, something a bit more fun without losing the neutral sound, something with extended bass response, wider sound stage and fast, currently the Fiio JT9 seems like the perfect choice but im concerned about the build quality since the headband looks like a common complain, so looking at the next tier, the 2 options i found were the Tangzu OX demon king and the hifiman edition XV, both seem to perform similarly except for the edition XV's narrower sound stage according to some people, but on the graph all 3 look similar.

so which of the 3 is more comfy? any extra suggestions?


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 16h ago

Headphones - Wireless/Portable PS5 gaming headphones recommendations

1 Upvotes

I’m looking for a PS5 gaming headset with a budget of ~200$ or less. I currently have momentum 4s, and while i haven’t bought a dongle yet, from what i can tell there are inherent latency issues with those. I mostly play co-op PvE games like Remnant, Monster Hunter and Darktide, so while spatial audio isn’t as important as in PvP games it’s still nice to have. Low latency is important for sound cues. Mic does not have to be built in but should be a feasible option within the budget. Bluetooth is not a must have. Also a plus (but not a must) if the headphones can do double duty for music. Thanks in advance!


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 16h ago

Poll Need help deciding between budget over-ear headphones

1 Upvotes

I’ve been looking for headphones for my boyfriend to game since his are broken, and needed some advice on which ones to get. For reference, he currently uses the Sennheiser HD 400S, and likes for his headphones to be wired and without a mic.

I’m currently torn between the Superlux HD660 Pro, Superlux HD330 Pro, OneOdio A70, and Audiotechnica ATH-M20x. If anyone has any recommendations on which ones would be best, or different headphones around $50, I’d really appreciate it!!!


r/HeadphoneAdvice • • 17h ago

Headphones - Closed Back Need help deciding between 2 ANC headphones

0 Upvotes

I've owned the Sennheisser HDB630's for a week now. They sound amazing. Unfortunately, they are defective. There is crackling and popping in the left ear cup. So I am in the process of returning them.

I wouldn't mind giving another a pair a go despite the flaw in the ones I currently have.

But I have my eyes on the Sony XM6's.

The battery life isn't as good, and you can't listen and charge simultaneously (unless I'm mistaken). But the ANC I hear is superior, which is important to me..

My main motivating factors in order are: ANC strength, music quality, battery life.

I haven't had an opportunity to hear the XM6's and feel how they feel and test the ANC.

My budget is ~around $500. Also considering B&W PX7s2

So, I'm coming here for advice. Which would you go for? Thanks!