PORTABLE HEADPHONES

BIN THE BUNDLED BUDS, AND INVEST IN BETTER SOUND

Beyerdynamic Byron £50

February 2017 A spectacular return to the budget earphone arena for Beyerdynamic, the Byron sets the standard at this price with a peerless performance. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m

Soundmagic E10C £40

Best in-ears under £50, Awards 2016 The C stands for compatibility but could stand for consistency too. Five years in and these in-ears are still as good as they’ve ever been. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m

Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEI £80

Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2016 You wouldn’t think anything so small could sound quite so good – not for just £80. But they are wonderfully smooth, expressive and balanced. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m

Sony MDR-EX650AP £60

November 2014 These smart buds are nicely judged tonally, with plenty of detail. Add an expansive soundstage and you’re looking at great value for money. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m

Bose Soundsport Pulse £170

February 2017 The best-sounding pair of wireless in-ears we’ve heard so far. The low battery life is a downside but the sound is fun and enjoyable. In-line controls Yes Cable length n/a

Focal Sphear £100

November 2015 These Focals back that classy design with a full-bodied, detailed sound that’s seriously engaging. They are a comfortable fit, too. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m

Klipsch X11i £200

November 2014 As comfortable in your ear as a cotton bud, the X11is deliver great sound too – exciting yet smooth and insightful. Highly recommended. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m

Shure SE425 £230

Best in-ears £100-£300, Awards 2016 If you’re serious about the quality of your in-ear headphones, we’d point you here. The energetic, immersive performance is irresistible. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.6m

AKG N40 £350

Best in-ears £300+, Awards 2016 They sound great, however, you’ll need a decent portable DAC and hi-res tracks to make the most of it, so they’re not for the casual user. In-line controls No Cable length 1.2m

Shure KSE1500 £2500

November 2016 At that price they won’t be for everyone, but they are the finest in-ears we’ve heard and arguably one of the best headphones money can buy. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m

Philips SHB8850NC £90

Best noise-cancelling headphones under £100, Awards 2016 A fantastic pair of noise-cancelling headphones that offer great sound and features, without making a huge dent in your wallet. Quoted battery life 16 hours

Bose Quietcomfort 35 £290

January 2017 The latest Quietcomforts benefit from being truly wireless and from a switch to rechargeable batteries. The best just got better. Quoted battery life 20 hours (wireless), 40 hours (wired)

##### Sony MDR-1000X £330

Best noise-cancelling £100+, Awards 2016 The noise-cancelling performance is among the best we’ve heard, while the audio is beautifully balanced and the features useful. Quoted battery life 20 hours (NC on), 22 hours (NC off)

AKG K451 £50

October 2012 Great agility and precision timing, combined with excellent build and compact size, make the K451s a must-audition pair of cans. Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 120g

AKG K92 £50

Best home on-ears under £100, Awards 2016 They look a little blingy but a smooth, detailed sound and excellent build quality make the K92s one of 2016’s best-value headphones. Type Closed Connection 3.5/6.3mm Weight 200g

AKG Y50 £50

Best portable on-ears under £100, Awards 2016 Our Product of the Year cans for 2015 are portable on-ears, and deliver a rhythmic, clear, detailed, dynamic sound. At this price they’re amazing. Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 190g

AKG K550 £130

Best home on-ears £100-£200, Awards 2016 These on-ears, relatively light and very comfy, are communicative too. Natural and unforced, they deliver bass with punch and precision. Type Closed Connection 3.5mm/6.3mm Weight 305g

Grado SR125E £150

December 2014 These might look suited to the ears of a wartime radio operator, but they sound great. Best used in the home though, as they’re very leaky. Type Open Connection 3.5mm/6.5mm Weight 363g

Philips Fidelio M1MK2 £120

Best portable on-ears £100-£200, Awards 2016 The Fidelios offer an unusually smooth delivery and plenty of weighty, punchy bass. Clarity and precision are further strong points. Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 166g

Beyerdynamic T51i £245

Awards 2014 It’s satisfying when great design, premium build and top performance all come together. These on-ears really do sound as good as they look. Type Closed Connection 3.5mm/6.3mm Weight 174g

B&W P5 Series 2 £250

February 2014 Clear, precise sound, bags of detail, punchy rhythm – these gorgeous ’phones have the lot. We can’t think of anything to say against them. Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 195g

Grado SR325E £300

Best home on-ears £200-£400, Awards 2016 If you don’t mind the amount of sound leaking from them, you’re free to enjoy the fluid dynamics and wonderfully musical presentation. Type Open Connection 3.5mm/6.5mm Weight 330g

Philips Fidelio M2L £200

December 2016 These Lightning-connected cans boast an exciting and refined sound. In fact, they’re the best Lightning-based headphones we’ve heard so far. Type Closed Connection Lightning Weight 200g

Philips Fidelio X2 £230

October 2015 The X2s have a smooth, neutral sound, great rhythm and punchy bass. Superior design helps make them supremely comfortable too. Type Open Connection 3.5mm Weight 380g

Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 £270

Best portable on-ears £200+, Awards 2016 We love the design, but it’s more than just pretty – these Momentums are comfortable on your ears and fold away neatly when not in use. Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 240g

B&W P7 £330

September 2014 These B&WS are worth every penny. The solid build quality and comfy fit we expect, but the level of detail and dynamics sweep us off our feet. Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 290g

Audio Technica ATH-W1000Z £600

September 2016 The 11th version of the W1000z opts for evolution over revolution and with a spacious sound that packs power and punch, it’s a good choice. Type Closed Connection 6.3mm Weight 320g

Beyerdynamic T1 2nd Generation £850

Best home on-ears £400+, Awards 2016 Six years on and a few refinements later, the T1s are just as stunning. These ‘phones are insightful, comfortable to wear and a joy to listen to. Type Semi-open Connection 3.5mm/6.3mm Weight 360g

B&W P9 Signature £700

December 2016 They’re not cheap but there’s no doubt these are talented cans. A retro look, stunning sound and a comfy fit make these worth their price. Type Closed Connection 6.3mm/lightning in 2017 Weight 413g

Sennheiser HD800S £1200

June 2016 If the price invites doubts, rest assured the performance is absolutely worth it, provided your source and amplification are up to the job. Type Open Connection 6.3mm Weight 330g

AKG Y50BT £130

Best wireless headphone under £200, Awards 2016 By wireless standards, they’re excellent. Clarity and insight are particular strong points, but it’s also a great design. Folding Yes Quoted battery life 20hrs+ Wireless range n/a

B&W P5 Wireless £230

Best wireless headphones £200-£300, Awards 2016 All the characteristics of the P5 Series 2 without the wire. The Bluetooth connection works well and the sound is as good as the Series 2. Folding Yes Quoted battery life 17hrs Wireless range n/a

B&W P7 Wireless £320

Best wireless headphones £300+, Awards 2016 We expect high standards from B&W and the P7 Wireless meets them. Stylish, easy to use with good audio quality, they are very impressive. Folding Yes Quoted battery life 17hrs Wireless range n/a

Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless £380

January 2017 Take the Momentum 2.0, add aptx Bluetooth and active noise cancellation and – voilà. You have these very desirable ‘phones. Folding No Quoted battery life 22hrs Wireless range 10m