HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Sennheiser HD 569

Things we like best in headphones — a reasonable price, and good fundamental sound. So we thank Sennheiser for the HD 569, entry model to the HD 5 series. The company undersells them rather as merely “a flexible option to the home entertainment space”. We loved them. Sure, they are plain Janes to look at — pretty much entirely without adornment, predominantly plastic with their closed outer cups slightly strangely covered in velour. There are no sonic adjustments, no EQ options, and they don’t need them, because it’s a natural balance, full in the bass and lively in the midrange. The top end isn’t wide open sparkling, despite a response quoted to 28kHz, but we certainly never felt anything was missing — indeed we enjoyed their gloriously musical sound, keeping them to hand on the commute (a bit large, and non-folding) and at home over an extended period when far costlier designs were available for use. They have an RRP of $299.95, but shop around a little and you should find them nearer $220. sennheiser.com.au