Wireless Noise-Cancellers of the Year

These decidedly superior open-backed home headphones from the German canmeisters get the full and large hard case treatment, the all-encompassing blackness of the HD 660 S design nestling into black foam in a presentation which says ‘Welcome to an audiophile headphone’. Which is exactly what you get for your $799.95 (significantly less on the street); sound is visibly first with the HD 660 S. Through the hex-grille of the headshells the rear of the newly developed driver is visible; this uses a specially manufactured precision stainless steel fabric adapted to the contour of the diaphragm, backed by “extremely light” aluminium voice coils. You have the choice of cables with a full-size 6.35mm plug or a 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced stereo plug, and they proved able to deliver tunes both old and new as if piped fresh from the studio, reminding you of the benefits brought by removing that reflective closed-back (though see the HD 820 overleaf!) — music feels effortless and free, and entirely non-tiring. A joyous headphone. More info: www.sennheiser.com.au

“Open-backed home headphones which deliver tunes both old and new as if piped fresh from the studio, with music flowing effortless and free. A joyous headphone.”