Over-ear headphones are the leader in sound quality. Most often, they are purchased for the home because of their impressive dimensions and inconvenience of transportation. Among modern models there are wireless, foldable, with convenient covers and cases included. They are more versatile, but is it worth paying more? And what is it worth overpaying when purchasing such headphones? The price difference can be significant. I figured out how budget full-size headphones differ from top-end expensive ones, and I made a rating of the best full-size headphones in 2019, based on expert opinion and customer reviews.
JBL Live 650BTNC
Opening the rating are full-size active noise canceling Bluetooth headphones. The sound is worthy for the price of 7980 rubles. The emphasis is on low frequencies and bass. Hybrid connection - Bluetooth v. 4.2 or mini-Jack 3.5 mm cable (included). You cannot use headphones as a headset over a cable. Bluetooth works up to 30 hours. Push-button control + touch panel for calling the voice assistant. Features - branded Ambient Aware and TalkThru. The first mixes the surrounding sounds into the music if you need to hear something. TalkThru lowers the volume for a comfortable conversation.
Pros:
- price;
- ergonomics;
- carrying case included;
- convenient control;
- good sound;
- active noise cancellation;
- Ambient Aware and TalkThru technologies;
- autonomy;
- stable connection;
- hybrid connection;
- simultaneous connection with two devices.
Minuses:
- lack of aptX;
- inability to use headphones as a headset via cable;
- light whistle ANC;
- microphone quality;
- inconvenient location of the voice assistant call button.
A feature of the Ambient Aware and TalkThru models is a strong difference in sound with ANC and without it, when many people lack bass, especially rock lovers. There is nothing fundamentally better in this price segment.
Pioneer SE-MS7BT
Compared to the JBL Live 650BTNC, they have an extended frequency range (9-22000 Hz via Bluetooth, 9-400000 Hz via cable). Supports aptX. Due to this, the sound is clearer, more detailed. There is no active noise cancellation. From the standpoint of design and assembly materials, this model has a soft headband and ear cushions with high-quality eco-leather trim. The outer surface of the bowls - metal anodized and decorated with laser engraving, looks expensive. An NFC chip is built in for easy connection. Therefore Bluetooth v 3.0. puzzling. Equipping the headphones with an advanced pairing module and an outdated Bluetooth version is a strange decision of the manufacturer. Price - 8500 rubles.
Pros:
- price;
- design;
- good materials, build quality;
- good sound;
- aptX support;
- stable connection;
- Multipoint;
- NFC.
Minuses:
- awkward design;
- backlash of buttons;
- Bluetooth v 3.0;
- weak bass;
- no noise cancellation;
- microphone quality;
- small volume reserve;
- not the highest autonomy (12 hours);
- lack of a charge indicator.
Good earbuds that will not work except for bass lovers. For such music lovers, I recommend the JBL Live 650BTNC or more expensive balanced sounding models.
Marshall Monitor
A model that appeared on the market 6 years ago and has not yet lost its relevance. The good sound quality speaks in favor of buying it - headphones with excellent branded sound. F.T.F. system - felt inserts in the cups over the emitters. They can be removed, then the sound will become more pure, bass. You can connect the cable to any bowl, and use the free connector to share music with someone nearby. Price - 8800 rubles.
Pros:
- ergonomics;
- quality of materials and workmanship;
- good sound;
- good sound insulation;
- control panel on the cable;
- good microphone.
Minuses:
- overpriced;
- sometimes wires get in the way;
- demanding on the sound source, recording quality;
- great resistance. May sound bad with smartphones.
An excellent offer for those who are in no hurry to give up wired headphones. A model with great sound. 91% of Yandex. The market is recommended for purchase. But the price is too high. For about the same amount, you can get a Bluetooth model that sounds no worse - Pioneer SE-MS7BT.
Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC
Headphones of a famous brand that amaze with their attention to detail. The design and ergonomics are well thought out: foldable design, convenient push-button control, adaptive noise cancellation, 2.5 mm jack with a latch that firmly fixes the cable in the headphones, a high-quality case included. In terms of sound quality, this model bypasses all the named competitors, clean, perfectly balanced sound with a large volume margin will delight any music lover. There is support for AptX. As a headset, these headphones work well too. There is one caveat - the microphone does not work via the cable, as well as the control buttons. Considering the possibilities of battery life (up to 25 hours), the presence of NFC for quick pairing, I think you will rarely use the cable. Price - 9,900 rubles.
Pros:
- design;
- equipment;
- sound;
- support for AptX and NFC;
- noise suppression;
- autonomy;
- hybrid connection;
- there is an application for mobile devices, mp-3 player with a decent equalizer;
- themselves turn off when the connection is lost.
Minuses:
- the ear pads are too narrow;
- the complete case does not have a carrying handle;
- annoying beeps when changing the volume;
- no control on the cable.
Headphones deserving attention with balanced sound and good noise reduction. Versatile, suitable for listening to any music, bringing the sound to your ideal is possible with an equalizer. However, one should not expect an emphasis on specific frequencies. For a bass and bass lover, consider the JBL Live 650BTNC and even save a few thousand.
Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless
Visual-oriented headphones from the American manufacturer: interesting design, 5 colors, including pure feminine red, foldable design. According to the characteristics, there is nothing special. Standard frequency range, combined connection type. There is not even a noise reduction and AptX. The sound is not bad, but the lack of noise cancellation and mediocre sound insulation affects - the model is clearly not for music lovers. Price - 10,200 rubles.
Pros:
- design;
- 5 colors;
- folding design;
- good microphone;
- stable connection.
Minuses:
- sound quality for headphones in the 10,000+ price segment;
- no noise cancellation;
- poor sound insulation;
- no AptX support;
- no cover included;
- dubious quality of materials and workmanship - some of the corners and joints are not polished, you can catch hair or get scratched.
Quite good headphones without additional functionality and overpriced. Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC cost 300 rubles less, and the sound is better, there is active noise cancellation. JBL Live 650BTNC is almost a quarter cheaper, but it sounds just as good.
Technics RP-DJ1210
Headphones for professional DJs and performers. Features:
- free monitoring with swing system;
- you can fix the position of the cups for additional rigidity;
- the case is protected from water ingress;
- power, large volume reserve;
- twisted fixed cable;
- frequency range 5–30,000 Hz.
Together with professional equipment, these headphones are good, at least for simple electronic music - good bass and mediocre mids and highs without volume. Price - 10,650 rubles.
Pros:
- sound;
- extended frequency range;
- large volume reserve;
- good sound insulation;
- reliability;
- comfortable design.
Minuses:
- price;
- non-removable cable;
- not everyone seems comfortable, they put pressure on their ears, while the headband does not hold at all, with a sharp movement of the head, the headphones fall off.
A good gadget for professionals, but not the best choice for everyday use - the sound is still not as balanced as the Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC, especially when used with mobile devices. The price bites. But reliability can serve as an iron argument in favor of this model: experienced DJs claim that they can actually be used for 5-10 years without complaints.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Can compete with Technics RP-DJ1210. They are slightly inferior in frequency range (15–28000 Hz) and sensitivity (99 dB). It is unrealistic for a non-professional to hear the difference in technical characteristics without knowing them. But this can be judged on the basis of the collective assessment of users. On Yandex. On the market, the Technics RP-DJ1210 sound received the highest mark - 5. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is slightly behind - 4.7. However, you should not accept this data by default, everything is subjective here: before buying, you need to test both models in order to choose the best one for yourself. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x has a higher impedance of 38 ohms, so the sound quality may vary when used with mobile devices. In terms of usability parameters, everything is also subjective - you need to try on. But the detachable cable is the advantage of this model. Price - 11.5 thousand rubles.
Pros:
- ergonomics;
- convenient folding design;
- detachable cable;
- sound;
- large volume reserve;
- good sound insulation.
Minuses:
- price;
- not suitable for listening to music from a smartphone without powerful audio output;
- inconvenient position of the plug socket, the cord often clings to the collar;
- very strong HF, revealing all defects of low-quality recordings.
The M50X is an updated version of the M50, which in 2007 became a real sensation in the market. If you have used it before, you can take the M50X without hesitation: they differ only in the detachable cable. If you are buying professional headphones for the first time, but plan to listen to music from mobile devices, it is better to buy Technics RP-DJ1210. They are less demanding on the quality of the output, therefore, they are universal. You can save 1,600 rubles and buy the Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC. I would not recommend saving more: headphones in the range of up to 10 thousand rubles will not have such a balanced sound.
Plantronics BackBeat PRO 2
Bluetooth headphones with a microphone, with technical characteristics comparable to the budget JBL Live 650BTNC. However, in practice, the sound in them turns out to be an order of magnitude better - balanced surround with a slight predominance of bass + increased volume reserve. Shumodav is useful in transport, shows itself well. The Open Mic function is also convenient, allowing you to hear what others are saying without removing the headphones. The model has the best ergonomics and comfortable control with a corporate volume control in the form of a circle. They also look more prestigious. Price - 12,990 rubles.
Pros:
- beautiful view;
- good materials and build quality;
- design;
- case included;
- excellent ergonomics;
- convenient mechanical control;
- good sound;
- good microphone;
- autonomy (up to 24 hours of work);
- smart sensors - playback pauses when you remove the headphones and automatically starts when you put them back on;
- the ability to connect up to two devices at the same time;
- range of coverage of Class 1 Bluetooth-connection - 100 meters;
- voice assistant;
- Open Mic function.
Minuses:
- price;
- there are false alarms of smart sensors, but they turn off if necessary;
- complete wires of poor quality;
- no AptX;
- no NFC.
Headphones with excellent sound, noise cancellation and smart features. But a little overrated. It is more logical to pay 1-1.5 rubles for a special edition of this model with AptX and NFC, or to consider other models in the rating.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (80 Ohm)
The best closed studio headphones in terms of price / quality ratio (according to many experts): high-quality assembly, balanced sound with a slight emphasis on low and high frequencies, sound unmatched for most musical genres. Comfortable, tight on the head. They have a 3-meter cable with a straight plug and soft velor ear pads. Works best with Hi-Fi players or advanced sound cards with good output amplifiers. For portable devices, there is a 32 ohm version. Price - 14,200 rubles.
Pros:
- price (for a model of this type);
- sound quality;
- excellent sound insulation;
- large volume reserve;
- replaceable ear pads, headband pad;
- ergonomics.
Minuses:
- the design is rustic;
- non-removable cable;
- awkward design.
Good model for professional use. In everyday life, especially with mobile devices, I do not recommend using, at least, a modification with an impedance of 82 Ohm. You can save money if you take the Technics RP-DJ1210.
Beats Studio 3 Wireless
The TOP-10 is closed by headphones with good sound quality with emphasis on low frequencies, a proprietary Pure ANC noise reduction system. Powered by Apple W1 processor. They have the best battery life in the rating (up to 40 hours without ANC and 22 hours with it). There is a fast charging function - 10 minutes is enough for 3 hours of work. 10 colors, to emphasize the image, solidity. Control - touch. Price - 19,900 rubles.
Pros:
- design, choice of colors;
- folding design;
- good sound;
- good noise reduction;
- soundproofing;
- autonomy;
- fast charging;
- stable connection;
- integration into the ecosystem of Apple devices;
- case included.
Minuses:
- price;
- small ear pads;
- small volume reserve;
- no AptX support;
- microUSB charging is a serious disadvantage for Apple device owners;
- turn off outside in winter (at sub-zero temperatures);
- there are problems with the touch panel in the cold;
- no app for setting up for iOS;
- weak microphone.
Good headphones for fans of the "apple" brand. In combination with Apple devices, they work perfectly, easily connect, produce high-quality sound, which cannot be said about other devices, to which it is more difficult to connect, and it is impossible to guarantee that the sound will ultimately please. I can only recommend them to owners of Apple devices, if they do not mind paying for the brand - the price is definitely too high. Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC support AptX, produce high-quality balanced sound, have excellent noise reduction, and are 2 times cheaper. For home use, I would suggest considering the Marshall Monitor if you are comfortable listening to music on cable only.
