On/over-ear headphones
Every model listed here has won a Sound+Image award – but consider also what functions you need, as well as the prices. Open-backed models can have a thrilling airy sound that closed models can’t match, while cables often beat Bluetooth for best sound. But for commuting or long distance, closed wireless noise-cancellers can bring an isolation worth paying for.
YAMAHA HPH-W300
W2019 / $249 / au.yamaha.com
You may not think of Yamaha for headphones, but these $249 over-ears deliver cabled sound and quality of build that far exceeds their price, and there’s wireless Bluetooth as well for convenience.
BEYERDYNAMIC AMIRON HOME
W2020 / $799 / www.beyerdynamic.com.au
Open headphones which deliver endless clarity and delight when used at home driven by a good headphone amplifier (such as beyerdynamic’s own!) able to drive their 250-ohm load.
JBL LIVE 650BTNC
W2020 / $209.95 / www.jbl.com.au
This last set of wireless noisecancelling ’phones has to start with JBL’s bargain 650BTNC, which is loaded with tech via the app yet deliver sound beyond the price, and even better using the cable.
AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-M50X
HC2019 / $279 / www.audiotechnica.com.au
Out of the studio and onto the commute go the M50x design, with large drivers and a powerful yet balanced sound that’s wellsupported in the bass. Solid headphones with regular special editions available.
SENNHEISER HD 660 S
W2019 / $799.95 / www.sennheiser.com.au
Open-backed home headphones which deliver tunes old and new as if piped fresh from the studio, with music flowing effortless and free. A joyous headphone with high comfort for long sessions.
PSB SPEAKERS M4U 8
W2019 / $599 / www.convoy.com.au
This rival to the main wireless NC brands is undeniably large on the head, but then so is the sound, big and powerful both cabled and with Bluetooth, and with excellent noise-cancelling abilities as well.
SENNHEISER HD 569
HC2019 / $299.95 / www.sennheiser.com.au
Things we like best in headphones — a reasonable price, and solid sound. Plain the HD 569 may be, but you get gloriously musical wired sound for the price, which more than makes up for the lack of extras.
STAX SRS-3100 SYSTEM
W2020 / $1279 / www.audiomarketing.com.au
Electrostatic ‘earspeakers’ paired with the required driver unit to deliver that Stax sound so detailed, so revealing, that it results in an entrancing and relaxing listening experience.
SENNHEISER MOMENTUM WIRELESS
W2020 / $599.95 / www.sennheiser.com.au
Currently the wireless noise-cancellers to beat, Sennheiser’s mk3 Momentums are smart in many ways, with excellent customisation, sound quality in spades, and market-leading noise cancellation.