Best High-End Over-Ear Headphones for 2021
Premium headphones are in a league on their own. These headphones, which are favored mainly by audiophiles, are made from the finest materials. They are genuinely luxurious audio equipment capable of reproducing sound signals with the utmost precision. These are over-the-ear headphones with a closed or open back. These pieces, crafted from superior materials such as aluminum and titanium and featuring cutting-edge sound engineering, are intended for those who enjoy music and place a value on quality.
Naturally, these high-end headphones come at a higher cost since each feature is of the highest quality. They range in price between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars. With the amount of money required and the variety of options available for premium headphones, choosing which one to purchase can be difficult. If you're searching for a list of which ones are worth it, you've come to the right place.
Top 7 Premium Earphones To Add To Your Wish List
Our team combed through every pair of headphones we could test and compiled this list of the best over-ear headphones available. Here's our list, along with a brief explanation of why you might be interested in each pair. The list is ranked from best to "bestEST," if that's a term we can use, so scroll all the way down to discover our top pick.
Audeze LCD-1
The Audeze LCD-1 delivers outstanding, stable sound at a fraction of the price of most premium headphones. The over-ear and open-back design provide an impressive soundstage, and the 90mm Planar Magnetic drivers extend the high-frequency response above 40kHz. Naturally, a $399 price tag includes certain drawbacks. But, if you're looking for reasonably priced hi-fi headphones that are more versatile than some of the more expensive choices in the category, the LCD-1 is one to keep an eye on.
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Sound and Performance |
The sound is crisp and straightforward, with an accessible soundstage and clear vocals. Without breakage or distortion, the heavy bass was incredibly well defined, and it perfectly balanced the entirety of the spectrum. |
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Build and Design |
These headphones are constructed from a combination of leather, plastic, and metal. They are neither too light nor too heavy but strike a good balance between elasticity and structural integrity. The outer layer is constructed to withstand the majority of scuff marks and scratches while shielding the interior from damage. Its lightweight frame encapsulates an array of exceptional specs, including an ultrathin diaphragm and Audeze's 90mm PM drivers. |
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Other Features |
This headphone features technological advancements such as ultra-thin UniforceTM Diaphragms and FluxorTM Magnets, both of which are widely used in their higher-end LCD line-up. Additionally, it incorporates their Fazor airflow engineering. There are no additional features or controls, and to experience optimal audio quality, one needs absolute silence. |
Bose 700
The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are incredibly comfortable, have impressive noise cancellation, and perform admirably as a call headset. The new microphones are created to enhance the pickup of your voice and decrease background noise, allowing people to hear you better in noisy environments. Additionally, an adjustable sidetone feature enables you to listen to your voice through the headphones. One downside is that the battery life is not as lengthy as other competitors.
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Sound and Performance |
The sound profile of the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 is mildly bass-heavy and warm. They have an added boom, which will capture the attention of bass-heavy genre fans. |
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Build and Design |
The headband of the Bose 700 is constructed entirely of seamless stainless steel, which ensures its durability. It features a plush, rubberized inner band that is packed with air for added comfort and support. |
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Other Features |
Bose 700 comes with an abundance of features, including hands-free Alexa and Bose AR. Adjustable noise-canceling levels; power-free operation; USB-C charging; transparent mode. |
Bowers & Wilkins PX7
The first thing that strikes you about the PX7 is its lightweight. The sound profile is full-bodied, with fantastic sub-bass that is not overbearing, while its ANC is quite powerful. Plus, the style is appealing, comfortable, and simple to operate.
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Sound and Performance |
It has a lively, relatively flat, greater, and a vivid midrange, but with less bass. Though sculptured sound might not be for everyone and it lacks an equalizer. |
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Build and Design |
PX7's rounded over-ears have the same basic strength as their previous P5 but are now built of ashen and pale structured carbon fiber. The leather-covered memory foam headband, fabric-wrapped ear cups, and subtle Bowers & Wilkins logos add to its high-end feel. |
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Other Features |
Bluetooth 5.0 is built into the PX7, providing a potential range of 800 feet of connectivity which upon testing does work. While the headphones have an efficient active noise cancellation system, it is not as powerful as those from other brands. The advertised 30-hour battery life is reliable as tested. |
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro
The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO headphones are superbly constructed for critical listening. They have the most luxurious appearance and feel of any Beyerdynamic model we've examined so far, and they're a durable, solid option that should last a long time. They're pleasant and have a well-balanced, likable sound, but they can feel a little confining on some heads and slightly harsh on songs that are already rather heavy. Unfortunately, they lack adequate isolation and are pretty large and heavy, making them unsuitable for outdoor usage, as is the case with most open-back headphones.
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Sound and Performance |
Thanks to its open-back design, the DT 1990 Pro is meant for serious, insightful listening at home or in the studio. Although sound can enter and exit, the open-back design gives the DT 1990 Pro an excellent sense of space. The soundstage is also very expansive, enabling even the most casual listener to locate the precise position of each instrument. |
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Build and Design |
The DT 1990 features a more refined and premium style than previous Beyerdynamic versions. The ear cup pads are lined with a plush microfiber material, and the matte grayish color palette looks fantastic and will appeal to audiophiles seeking a great aesthetic. |
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Other Features |
These headphones are not equipped with a control system. If you ever plan to purchase these, you must buy a good amp to power them. |
Sony WH-1000XM4
The WH-1000XM4 is the fourth generation of Sony's noise-canceling headphones. It features a 30-hour battery life, an ergonomic design, and some of the highest-quality sound possible, courtesy of Sony's DSEE Extreme upscaling system. Sony has also boosted one of the previous model's flaws: call quality. Due to the addition of new microphones and enhanced processing, these are suitable for calls.
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Sound and Performance |
They offer exceptional noise isolation efficiency due to their active noise cancellation (ANC) technology and a stylish, premium-looking design. Although their bass-heavy sound profile might not be to everyone's taste, the graphic EQ and settings on the Sony | Headphones Connect app enable you to customize the sound. In general, these reasonably dynamic headphones are a good fit for a wide variety of listeners. |
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Build and Design |
They are among the lightest headphones available, and the ear cups are comfortably cushioned and apply gentle, even pressure to the side of your head, while a plush leatherette headband rests on your head. Although the premium plastic body is well-built and lightweight, it lacks the premium feel associated with many metal and carbon fiber counterparts. |
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Other Features |
These are the best all-around option for the number of users due to the combination of high-quality Bluetooth codecs, superior sound, enhanced noise cancellation, and features such as autopause and Bluetooth multimode. |
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Airpods Max
The AirPods Max are breathtakingly beautiful headphones. I've had a great deal of fun using these in my daily life, and the intelligent features such as auto-pause and transparency mode are beneficial. Additionally, they sound great, are well-constructed, and have long battery life. To get the most out of them, however, you must be an Apple devotee.
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Sound and Performance |
The AirPods Max sounds incredible, with deep bass, bright mids, crisp highs, and a large soundstage for a closed-back headset. Apple retains EQ controls, and you can make specific tweaks to the audio profile. It performs best when both noise-canceling and transparency modes are disabled. |
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Build and Design |
Airpods Max features one-piece anodized aluminum ear cups attached by a stainless-steel headband. Between the cups and your head, memory foam cushions comfortably cover even the largest ears, forming a seal that is both gentle and remarkably efficient at actively blocking out noise. |
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Other Features |
The pairing with the AirPods Max is flawless. I haven't seen any skips or pauses due to the H1 chip. These are equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 and the AAC and SBC codecs. |
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And now, for our top choice for best over-ear headphone…
Beoplay Portal
Beoplay Portal is a premium noise-canceling headphone that combines an exquisite industrial design, pristine audio quality, and cutting-edge core technology to create the first luxury headphone capable of pleasing audiophiles, outdoor enthusiasts, and hardcore gamers all in one product. They're exceptionally good, sound fantastic, and provide seamless compatibility between Xbox and Bluetooth devices. Adaptive noise cancellation and a transparency mode are two of their main features – capabilities that have not been typically associated with gaming headsets.
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Sound and Performance |
The warm base creates a crisp, solid bass, while the midrange strengthens on it, remaining cohesive and well-balanced without overpowering it. The Portal is equally assured in the higher registers. Also, high-frequency content is replicated without any discernible sharpness, making these headphones ideal for extended periods of listening. |
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Build and Design |
Both in design and build, the Portal is an exquisite headset. Both sides are composed of a single piece of machined aluminum, the headband is made of cowhide, and the memory foam cups are lined with genuine lambskin. The top of the cap is covered in soft canvas, but despite these opulent and typically heavy components, the Portal is a lightweight headphone. |
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Other Features |
The Portal features a variety of interfaces: the headphones provide a high-bandwidth, low-latency connection with Microsoft's game console through the Xbox wireless protocol, Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX Adaptive Codec is suitable for mobile devices, PCs are linked via USB-C, and an analog mini-jack connection allows for the convergence of extra players such as DACs or other game controllers. |
Exceptional Sound Performances with Our Top Choices
Given a choice between earbuds and earphones, which are both convenient and comfortable to use, you might as well go for over-ear headphones. Investing in a pair of the best over-ear headphones is still the optimal way to listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks, or if you place a premium on audio quality, soundstage and comfort.
Suppose you are easily distracted by background noise, there are significant benefits to investing in a more specialized and high-end pair of headphones that protect the entire ear canal and completely block out all external distractions. At the same time, over-ear headphones can be a much smarter alternative for your ear health than in-ear headphones if protecting your hearing is a priority. This is because they provide a slight buffer between harsh noises and your eardrums.
That concludes our list of the best high-end over-ear headphones. You may take our word for it, but ultimately the option is yours based on your budget and preferences. Stay tuned for updates on this list as new products launch.