These among best headphones for grads
Bose QuietComfort 35
Cnet rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 The good: The QuietComfort 35 combines top-of-the-line active-noise canceling with wireless Bluetooth operation in an extra-comfortable, fold-up design. The sound is excellent for Bluetooth, and it doubles as a great headset for phone calls. Works in wired mode with included cord if battery dies.
The bad: Battery isn’t user-replaceable, and the headphone is heavier than the QuietComfort 25. The cost: $349 to $380
The bottom line: Bluetooth meets best-in-class noise canceling: the Bose is the ultimate noise canceling wireless headphone you can buy right now.
Bose SoundSport Wireless
Cnet rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 The good: The SoundSport is comfortable, sweat-resistant and sounds great. The earphones fit securely in your ears thanks to winged tips. The headphone works decently as a headset for making cell phone calls and has an auto-off feature to preserve battery life.
The bad: The earpieces protrude noticeably (they’re a little bulky but don’t feel heavy); battery life tops out at six hours. The cost: $150 The bottom line: The Bose SoundSport Wireless is the most comfortable, best overall in-ear Bluetooth sports headphone you can buy.
Audeze Sine
Cnet rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 The good: They’re among the smallest and most affordable headphones to use planar magnetic drivers. They offer revealing, spacious sound in a closedback design. For an extra $50, you can get the company’s Cipher Lightning headphone cable, which plugs into your iOS device’s Lightning port — making it iPhone 7-ready.
The bad: They’re a little heavy — comfortable, but not extraordinarily so. The cord doesn’t have an integrated remote and microphone.
The cost: $449 The bottom line: The Audeze Sine will appeal to anyone looking for truly high-end sound that isn’t incredibly expensive.
V-Moda Crossfade 2 Wireless
Cnet rating: 4 stars out of 5 The good: The sturdily built, welldesigned V-Moda delivers better battery life and improved sound over its predecessor, with more sculpted bass and better detail. The larger earpads provide a more comfortable fit. And the headphone folds up to fit in a welldesigned protective case that now includes air vents.
The bad: It’s a tad heavy in weight — and price.
The cost: $330 The bottom line: New drivers, new cushions, more frequency response in wired mode and better battery life make V-Moda’s next-gen Bluetooth headphone a winner.