HIGHLY COMMENDED:

audio-technica ATH-M50xBB

This is the latest version of the ’phone created for audiotechnica’s 50th celebrations back in 2012, since when not a year has gone by without a special or limited edition arriving with tweaks and/or some new colour scheme — last year the M50x went red, but this year’s colour is blue. These are closed headphones at $279, using large 45mm drivers backed by copper-clad aluminium voice coils and neodymium magnets. Their first achievement is their high level of passive isolation to shut out exterior noise, but even better is the delivery of a powerful and punchy sound that’s very well supported in the bass; they offer a studio-style flat response to a perceptual sweep but their delivery of music is nevertheless notably full in the bass up to the lower mids. This gives great substance to all manner of material, along with open but smooth treble allowing full soundstaging and a fine tone. Totally solid, highly enjoyable. www.audiotechnica.com.au