Dive deeper into sound with decent headphones

I f you’ve been content to get your audio fix from the tinny little earbuds that come with most smartphones or personal music players, it’s worth thinking about upgrading to something with a little more kick. While complimentary earbuds are passable on occasion (and are great for stuffing in pockets), switching to headphones delivers an instant, noticeable boost in audio quality, even at the entry level.

Before you even get into the technological side of things, headphones are simply much better at projecting a safe level of volume to your ears while cutting off noise from the outside world, which is why even a basic pair is a worthwhile investment, especially if you commute or spend time in noisy places.

Spend a little more and a huge range of extra features becomes available, plus models suited for DJs, musicians, audiophiles, athletes and more. For our money, two of the most attractive perks are wireless (so you can ditch those tangly cords), plus active noise cancelling, which makes a huge difference if you want to cut out the drone of traffic, aircraft and co-workers.

What is it? Sennheiser HD 201

How much? $34.99 Pros: Sennheiser’s website no longer seems to list the HD 201 but these excellent and venerable entry-level headphones are still available if you search online (and they have been in production for a decade or more). Good sound quality, lightweight and a comfortable over-ear design.

Cons: Definitely a no-frills model but a huge upgrade on basic earbuds. The cord does have a tendency to get tangled but for the price you can’t complain. en-au.sennheiser.com

What is it? Philips SHB5500BK

How much? $95 Pros: At around $100, there are almost too many headphones, including Bluetooth models like this Philips pair. The key perk here is you no longer need an audio cord, and can stray up to 15 metres from your playback device. It’s a little thing but going wireless is incredibly liberating – you won’t want to go back.

Cons: None, but at this price and above do your homework. Ask to try different brands in store to see what sounds and feels best to your ears. philips.com.au

What is it? Bose QuietComfort 35

How much? $499 Pros: We’ve covered the 35s before but they’re widely regarded as among the best wireless headphones with noisecancelling on the market right now, so they’re worth bearing in mind if your wallet extends this far. The noise-cancelling on these things has to be experienced to be believed – it’s almost as if the rest of the world disappears. The battery lasts for up to 20 hours, which is nice.

Cons: Ouch, that price ... but silence never sounded so sweet. bose.com.au