What is the best alternative to&#x20;Bose QuietComfort 25?

The bass has good punch and control which works really well with most genres of music. The mids are slightly forward at just the right levels, which ensures that vocals can be clearly heard. The highs are emphasized and sound great with a lot of clarity and detail, especially on the upper registers. See More

59 1

score 37 · Answer 2

Sony WH-1000XM2

Top Pro

Fun-sounding with good details to the audio

Top Con

Highs can be too piercing

The boosted highs add a lot of detail to the sound that these headphones produce. This also makes it too harsh for some. See More

Top Pro

Right ear cup functions as touchpad remote

Swiping or tapping on the right ear cup's surface can pause or play track, go to the next track or go back to the previous one and can control volume levels as well. Also, the right ear cup has more of a textured surface compared to the old MDR1000x model's smooth, leather-like surface. This makes gesture control much more accurate on the WH-1000XM2. See More

Top Pro

Quick Attention mode allows easy conversations

If you need to talk while using these, all you need to do is to cover the right ear cup with the palm of your hand. This activates Quick Attention mode which cuts off the music and amplifies voice for easy conversation. To get back to listening to music, all you need to do is to remove the palm from the ear cup. See More

Top Pro

4 noise cancelling modes to choose from

Aside from just turning noise cancelling on or off, users can set it to Ambient Sound which offers 2 further options.Normal Mode allows some outside noise through, while Voice Mode allows voice frequencies through the noise cancelling. See More

Top Pro

Mobile app grants extra functionality and easy tweaking of the headphones

The WH1000XM2 comes with a companion mobile app that allows you to easily tweak the various settings of the headphones including EQ and noise cancelling levels. The app can also take advantage of the accelerometers in your smartphone as you move, adjusting noise cancelling and audio settings on the fly to give you the optimal listening experience. See More

Top Pro

Good noise isolation

These have great noise isolating properties and can block out a good amount of sound even with the noise cancelling off. The ear cups are closed back, while the ear pads go over the ear and seal well, awhich effectively minimizes sound leakage to and from the headphones. See More

Top Pro

Can fold down to a more compact size

The ear cups can be folded into the headband. This reduces the headphones' size so that it can easily fit inside bags. See More

Top Pro

Active noise cancelling is very good

The WH-1000XM2's active noise cancelling is one of the best in the market today. With the mode activated, a significant amount of outside noise is blocked, allowing you to really enjoy your music with minimal distractions. The Bose QC 35 II slightly edges out the Sony in this aspect though. See More

Top Pro

Built in mic makes taking calls very easy

There is a built in microphone which negates the need to remove the headphones to answer a call. See More

Top Pro

Can be used wired or wireless

You can use these headphones wired using the detachable 3.5mm cable or you can go wireless with Bluetooth. See More

Top Pro

Very long battery life

The internal battery can last up to 30 hours of listening to music in wireless mode with noise cancelling on. This number goes up to 40 hours in wired mode with noise cancelling activated. See More

Top Pro

Carrying case allows for easy and secure transport

This comes with a carrying case that is made from high quality materials. It should provide extra protection to the headphones against scratches and minor impacts, which are quite common when taking these while traveling. See More

Specs

Weight:275 g

Most full-sized, wireless over the ear headphones are quite heavy and bulky. The QC 35 IIs on the other hand are relatively compact and light, yet still deliver great performance, battery life and top notch noise cancelling. The integration of Google Assistant is also a first in headphones, and gives you a host of smart features like notification reading, quick music searches and call making using voice commands and many more. See More

37 2

score 26 · Answer 3

Bose QuietComfort 35 II

Top Pro

Great sound performance, effective noise cancelling, long battery life and Google Assistant smart features in a compact package

Top Con

Noise cancelling may cause ear discomfort

Some experience a feeling of extra pressure into the ears when noise cancelling is on. Many find this to be unpleasant. See More

Top Pro

Great active noise cancelling

Bose's noise cancelling tech is quite effective at blocking ambient noise. This will help you fully enjoy the music by virtually eliminating outside noise. See More

Top Pro

Fairly balanced sound signature with slight boosts to the mids and highs

Bass is full and punchy. While the sub-bass is not pronounced, there is good and fast bass extension, and this is what gives the music punch and a sense of tightness. The mids are full and slightly forward so vocals and guitars can be clearly heard. The highs are clear and do not distort at high volumes. There is a peak on the upper treble which helps to add more detail and clarity to the music, but some may also find the high frequencies to be quite harsh at times. See More

Top Pro

Very good Google Assistant integration

These headphones are much more convenient to use and functional thanks to the Google Assistant upgrade. Press the long, flat button on the left ear cup to activate the feature, and you’ll be able to make voice commands to search for music, start calls, set reminders, get weather updates and many other features. This addition makes the QC 35 II one of the best travelling headphones you can get today. See More

Top Pro

Has wired and Bluetooth connectivity

Aside from Bluetooth connection, you can also connect the QuietComfort 35 II to a source using a 3.5mm cable. This makes the headphones usable even with the battery depleted. See More

Top Pro

Ear cup buttons allow easy control

You can easily control playlist functions using the buttons on the right ear cup. These functions include volume control as well as the play, pause, next track and previous track commands. The on/off switch for the headphones is also on this ear cup. See More

Top Pro

Very good battery life

The QC35 IIs can play music continuously for up to 20 hours. This should cover most of your trips' duration before needing to recharge. See More

Top Pro

Mic produces great voice quality

Multiple microphones are strategically located on both ear cups, allowing for great voice quality when taking calls. The noise cancelling also helps to clean up the voice quality that goes into the headphones. See More

Top Pro

Built in mic allows hands-free calls

You can simply press a button on the right ear-cup to answer a call. This reduces the hassle of having to remove the headphones to take a call. See More

Top Pro

Not straining on the head/neck

Despite having internal batteries, these headphones are still fairly lightweight, coming in at under 300 grams. This makes the headphones really easy to wear for extended periods, even when you are on the go. See More

Top Pro

Feels soft and comfortable

The QC 35 II's ear cups and headband feature quality memory foam material which are soft and supportive so they do not pinch on your ears or apply too much pressure to the top of the head. These contact points are also covered with a quality leather material which feels nice and smooth on the skin. See More

Top Pro

Great for on the go use as they are wireless

With these, you won't have to deal with long and dangling cables that can be difficult to manage. See More

Specs

The ear cups can be folded into the headband. This reduces the headphones' size so that it can easily fit inside bags. See More

26 4

score 38 · Answer 4

Sony MDR-1000X

Top Pro

Headphones can fold down to a more compact size

Top Con

Highs can be too piercing

The boosted highs add a lot of detail to the sound that these headphones produce.This also makes it too harsh for some. See More

Top Pro

Good noise isolation

These have great noise isolating properties and can block out a good amount of sound even with the noise cancelling off. The ear cups are closed back, the ear pads go over the ear and seal well, and this effectively minimizes sound leakage to and from the headphones. See More

Top Con

Weight can cause comfort issues

If heavy headphones are not your thing, then these may not be for you. The use of quality yet hefty and the internal battery contributes to the overall weight. As such, these can put a little extra strain on the head and neck when worn for long periods. See More

Top Pro

Quick Attention mode allows easy conversations

If you need to talk while using these, all you need to do is to cover the right ear cup with the palm of your hand. This activates Quick Attention mode which cuts off the music and amplifies voice for easy conversation. To get back to listening to music, all you need to do is to remove the palm from the ear cup. See More

Top Pro

4 noise cancelling modes to choose from

Users can set the feature to fully on or off, or set it to Ambient Sound which then offers 2 more options. Normal Mode allows some outside noise through, while Voice Mode allows voice frequencies through the noise cancelling. See More

Top Pro

Effectively cancels outside noise

The MDR 1000x's active noise cancelling is one of the best in the market today. With the mode activated, a significant amount of outside noise is blocked, allowing you to really enjoy your music with minimal distractions. See More

Top Pro

Noise cancelling otimizer

The noise cancelling optimizer runs a series of quick tests, with beeping noises, to adapt to ambient noise. This is handy against construction work noise in front of your window. See More

Top Pro

Can be used wired or wireless

You can use these headphones wired using the detachable 3.5mm cable or you can go wireless with Bluetooth. See More

Top Pro

Fun-sounding with good details to the audio

The bass is impactful and controlled and works really well with most genres that are popular today. The mids are slightly forward at just the right levels, which ensures that the vocals can be clearly heard. The highs are emphasized and sound great with a lot of clarity and detail, especially on the upper registers. See More

Top Pro

Right ear cup functions as touchpad remote

Swiping or tapping on the right ear cup's surface can pause or play track, go to the next track or go back to the previous one and can control volume levels as well. See More

Top Pro

Built in mic makes taking calls very easy

There is a built in microphone which negates the need to remove the headphones to answer a call. See More

Top Pro

Carrying case allows for easy and secure transport

This comes with a carrying case that is made from high quality materials. It should provide extra protection to the headphones against scratches and minor impacts, which are quite common when taking these while traveling. See More

Top Pro

Long battery life

The internal battery can give up to 20 hours of listening to music. See More

Specs

Weight:275g (No Cable)

Battery Life:20 Hours (Playback Time, Noise Cancelling On)

Connectivity:Bluetooth / 3.5 mm

Frequency Response:4 - 40,000 Hz

See All Specs

Bose's noise cancelling tech is quite effective at blocking ambient noise. This will help you fully enjoy the music with little to virtually no outside noise interfering. See More

38 6

score 55 · Answer 5

Bose QuietComfort 35

Top Pro

Effective noise cancelling

Top Con

Noise cancelling may cause ear discomfort

Some experience a feeling of extra pressure into the ears when noise cancelling is on. Many find this to be unpleasant. See More

Top Pro

Great for on the go use as they are wireless

With these, you won't have to deal with long and dangling cables that can be difficult to manage. See More

Top Pro

Very good battery life

The QC35s can play music continuously for up to 20 hours. This should cover most of your trips' duration before needing to recharge. See More

Top Pro

Connects to multiple devices

Bose QC35 connects to 2 devices (for media and phone calls) allowing one to listen to music on the laptop and get calls from the cell phone. Allows to change the music provider (laptop or cell phone) automatically. With Sony or Senheiser all you can do is connect media on one device and phone on the other device... functional but really restricted one you get used with QC35. See More

Top Pro

Feels soft and comfortable

The QC 35's ear cups and headband feature quality memory foam material which are soft and supportive so they do not pinch on your ears or apply too much pressure to the top of the head. These contact points are also covered with a quality leather material which feels nice and smooth on the skin. See More

Top Pro

Light and easy to wear

Despite having internal batteries, these headphones are still fairly lightweight, coming in at 235 grams. This makes the QC35 really easy to wear for extended periods and even while traveling. See More

Top Pro

Ear cup buttons allow easy control

You can easily control playlist functions using the buttons on the right ear cup. These functions include volume control as well as the play, pause, next track and previous track commands. The on/off switch for the headphones is also on this ear cup. See More

Top Pro

Has wired and Bluetooth connectivity

Aside from Bluetooth connection, you can also connect the QuietComfort 35 to a source using a 3.5mm cable. This makes the headphones usable even with the battery depleted. See More

Top Pro

Fairly balanced sound signature with slight boosts to the mids and highs

Bass is full and punchy. While the sub-bass is not pronounced, there is good and fast bass extension, and this is what gives the music punch and a sense of tightness. The mids are full and slightly forward so vocals and guitars can be clearly heard. The highs are clear and do not distort at high volumes. There is a peak on the upper treble which helps to add more detail and clarity to the music, but some may also find the high frequencies to be quite harsh at times. See More

Top Pro

Mic produces great voice quality

Multiple microphones are strategically located on both ear cups, allowing for great voice quality when taking calls. The noise cancelling also helps to clean up the voice quality that goes into the headphones. See More

These headphones are ideal for long flights. In addition to having overall impressive noise-cancelling (-33dB across all frequencies on some tests), these headphones excel when you need to cancel out low frequencies like jet engine sounds (-45dB). See More

55 4

score 42 · Answer 6

Bose QuietComfort 20

Top Pro

Best in class noise-cancelling

Top Con

Expensive

The suggested retail price for these headphones is $300. And although you can get a pair on Amazon for around $200 it still is a lot to pay for a pair of earbuds. See More

Top Pro

Comfortable

The headphones stay comfortably in your ear. They don't always offer a complete seal but surprisingly, this doesn't affect noise cancellation or reduce comfort. Also included are 3 sizes of eartips to help better fit your ear. Note that these tips have a unique design so you won't be able to use aftermarket tips. See More

Top Con

Average sound

The sound of the in-ear headphones is decent. The highs are a bit withdrawn, but the sound doesn't come off as too muddy. See More

Top Pro

Cord doesn't tangle easily

These headphones have a 2.5 ft cord that's split chest high with a control module near the jack. It does a good job of not getting too tangled. See More

Top Pro

Comes bundled with a small pouch

The pouch will make it much easier to bring the headphones and its accessories on the go. See More

Top Pro

Disable noise-cancelling with "Aware Mode"

You can disable active noise canceling at a press of a button. Aware Mode can be quickly accessed from the remote, which will disable active noise-cancelling and open up the microphones to allow you to hear your surroundings better. LEDs on the control module will let you know when this mode is turned on. See More

Top Pro

16-hour battery

These QC20 has a lithium-ion battery that promises to work for 500 charge cycles without diminished returns. After that it will still work, but won't last as long. Note that the battery is non-replaceable so when it finally does stop working, you will need to buy a new pair of headphones. See More

Top Pro

Different remote options for different phone OSs

These headphones come in 2 flavors: QC20 that includes a 1-button remote intended for Android users QC20i that includes a 3-button remote intended for iOS users See More

Specs

The highs are the highlight of the Parrot Zik 2.0's sound signature. They are very clear and crisp without adding any harshness to the sound. The bass is also very good as the headphones can produce a very satisfying rumble and punch in the low end. The mids are slightly recessed, so instruments like guitars and the vocals are not too prominent, but are still clear. See More

42 1

score 26 · Answer 7

Parrot Zik 2.0

Top Pro

Detailed highs and punchy bass

Top Con

Charging can be slow

You may need to remember to charge these headphones on a frequent basis. It takes around two and a half hours to charge this battery from empty to full, which may be too long, especially if you are always on the go. See More

Top Pro

Decent battery life

From a full charge with all of the audio features on, you can get anywhere from 5 to 7 hours of listening time. However, if you choose to run these in airplane mode (wired connection with noise cancellation) you can get around 16 to 18 hours of use. See More

Top Con

Presence Sensor can be too sensitive

At times, even slight unintentional movement of the head can trip off the Presence Sensor, pausing the music. This can get very annoying if it happens frequently. See More

Top Pro

Music automatically pauses when taking these off

When you take the headphones from your head or put it back on, the music can automatically pause or resume. The Zik 2.0's Presence Sensor detects such motions, negating the need to manually pause/play the music. See More

Top Con

Can be a hassle to take on the go

The industrial design of the Parrot Zik 2.0 looks amazing, but also comes at the cost of the portability. The ear cups cannot be folded into the headband. You will need to account for its size when travelling. An alternative will be for you to hang these off your neck while on the go, which may not always be comfortable. See More

Top Pro

Tapping on the outsite of the cup activates Siri or Google Now

Top Pro

Wired and wireless connectivity

The Parrot Zik 2.0 features Bluetooth as well as NFC connectivity for wireless use, which is great for modern smartphones or devices. If your music player does not have wireless connectivity, a 3.5mm jack can be used. See More

Top Pro

Light and comfortable

Top Pro

Excellent adaptive noise-cancellation

Consisting of 8 microphones (4 inward facing, 4 - outward) these headphones have excellent noise-cancellation. A feature called "Street Mode" uses the microphones to add noise from the outside to whatever's currently playing allowing you to be aware of your surroundings. You can also adjust how much outside noise you wish. See More

Top Pro

Informs of who's calling

Top Pro

A number of color variants available

Aside from the sleek looking design, the Zik 2.0 also comes in a number of colors including black, white. blue, red and many more. These options are great if you have a specific color preference. See More

Top Pro

Right ear cup accommodates gesture controls

You can swipe left or right for previous or next track, tap to play or pause as well as answer calls with the headphones on. This can be very convenient, as you do not need to deal with small and difficult to press buttons. See More

Top Pro

Companion app offers lots of customizability

There are iOS and Android companion apps for advanced settings. These allow for equalization, virtualization, turning noise-cancellation on and off, changing output frequencies and sound stage among other things. These settings can be applied on an artist/album/song basis and shared with other owners of Zik headphones. See More

Specs

Weight:270g

Connectivity:Wired / Bluetooth 3.0 / NFC

Cable:Mini-jack cable: 1,30 m

Frequency Response:20Hz – 22kHz

See All Specs

You get a lot of useful features from the BT 100 NC which includes decent noise cancelling, Bluetooth as well splash resistance, which makes these earphones great for casual or active use. Sound reproduction has great clarity as well as full mids and okay bass, and should work well with many music genres. See More

26 1

score 29 · Answer 8

Phiaton BT 100 NC

Top Pro

Combines good sound, splash resistance, noise cancelling and wireless connectivity at a great price

Top Con

Bass-light with slightly aggressive treble

If you love powerful bass or non-fatiguing treble, then the BT 100 NC’s sound signature may not be for you. The bass is present, but the quantity may not be enough. The slightly emphasized treble can make the sound harsh and can be fatiguing to listen to for long periods, especially if you are sensitive to treble. See More

Top Pro

Detailed and clean sound

Bass is not emphasized yet is full and has good punch so the sound does not sound lean. The mids are warm and full, so guitars, vocals and drums sound great. The highs are slightly emphasized, which brings out a lot of detail from the music, but can also make cymbal and “s” sounds quite harsh. See More

Top Con

Collar design may be uncomfortable

The collar rests on your neck. While lightweight, you may find this piece of plastic to be annoying, especially when doing vigorous moves when running or working out. See More

Top Pro

Collar design houses all earphone controls

You’ll be able to control the various earphone functions using the buttons and switches on the BT 100 NC’s collar. It houses the earphones’ battery and noise cancelling circuitry along with the buttons for answering and ending calls, play/pause/skip/previous tracks, volume adjust and the noise cancelling switch. Aside from being easy to reach, the collar also takes as much weight off of the earpieces as possible, so they stay inside the ears well. See More

Top Pro

Good battery life

You’ll get a good amount of wireless listening time off of these earphones. Battery life with noise cancelling and wireless activated is around 8 hours, while you can get 12 hours of noise cancelling when these are used in wired mode. See More

Top Pro

Okay noise cancelling

While not the best, the noise-cancelling is decent and can reduce noise that may mix in with your music. You’ll still be able to hear some low pitched noise like the sound of engines though. See More

Top Pro

Earpieces can be stored in the collar

You can bring these earphones on the go without the earpieces flopping all over the place when they are not in use. There is a space in each end of the collar where you can dock the earpieces for easier transport. See More

Specs

You can get around 8 to 10 hours of use from a full charge. See More

29 0

score 25 · Answer 9

Bose QuietControl 30

Top Pro

Good battery life

Top Con

There is no way to secure the earpieces when not in use

The earpieces will dangle off of the collar and flop around when they are out of your ears. There are no magnets in the ear pieces to keep them together, and there are no fasteners or docks in the collar to secure the earpieces. Other collar style earphones have this feature. See More

Top Pro

Earphones stay in place well

The earpieces won’t easily fall from your ears when using these on the go. You get Bose’s StayHear+ wing tips which securely fit inside the ears. Also, since the noise cancelling electronics are in the collar instead of an inline module, there is not a lot of weight that pulls down on the earpieces. See More

Top Con

Bluetooth only

You won’t be able to continue using the QuietControl30 when the battery runs out. You only get Bluetooth connectivity, with no wired option, so you’ll have to charge these earphones in order to use them again. See More

Top Pro

Very good noise cancelling

While the noise cancelling does not eliminate all of the ambient noise, it does a good job of preventing most of it from mixing in with your music. With the audio turned up to a good volume, you aren’t likely to hear your surroundings except for the loudest of sounds. See More

Top Pro

Adjustable noise cancelling

You can dial in the level of noise-cancelling that you want using the Bose Connect app which is available for Android and iOS. This gives you more flexibility with active noise cancelling compared to other earphones. See More

Top Pro

Full sound with good detail

The bass of the Quiet Control 30 sounds full, with good punch and power. It doesn’t add any bloat though, preventing the sound from getting too muddy. The mids are quite forward with a slight boost. Vocals and guitars can easily be appreciated, though heavy guitars may sound quite aggressive due to the slight elevation. The highs are clear and offer a good level of detail yet do not get harsh in any way. These earphones are good for general music listening, and should excel in vocal-heavy tracks. See More

Specs

You won’t get a lot of volume and a good music listening experience from these headphones when plugged straight to your phone or computer. These have a high impedance rating so you’ll need a powerful amp to run the DT990 properly. See More

25 0

score 22 · Answer 10

Beyerdynamic DT990Pro

Top Con

Requires a headphone amp

Top Pro

Well-built

These headphones should be able to withstand minor impact and drops, and will last you years of use. The headband and yokes are made from solid yet lightweight metal, so they won’t break easily. The ear cups are made of plastic materials which, while not as durable as metal, are strong enough to not come off as flimsy. See More

Top Con

Leaks a lot of sound

The DT990s are not ideal for use in an office environment, if you share your space with others or when traveling. These headphones are fully open, so they leak out a lot of sound, which can be annoying to others. See More

Top Pro

Full and rich bass with very detailed treble

The low frequencies are what stand out from the sound signature. The bass is powerful, deep and tight so you get a lot of thump without muddying up the overall sound. This is complemented by very detailed and airy high frequencies, so you should be able to easily hear the fine details from your music. See More

Top Con

Tight clamping force

You may find the clamping force to be quite tight, especially if you have a fairly large head size. This can make wearing the headphones for hours straight uncomfortable, even if the padding on the ear cups and headband are quite thick. See More

Top Pro

Wide soundstage

The audio from these headphones will sound wide and quite immersive, which can be attributed to the open-back design. This also results in good instrument separation, so you’ll be able to easily identify the directions where the various sound sources are coming from. The wide soundstage can result in a truly immersive music listening experience, and also makes these headphones a good choice for movies and gaming. See More

Top Con

The highs can get quite sharp

too boosted and harsh, which can feel fatiguing.This can be apparent if you listen to more aggressive styles of music like rock or metal, or music which involves a lot of cymbals and high-pitched instruments. See More

Top Pro

Soft on the head

You can wear these headphones for many hours straight with little to no issue, as the head band and ear pads have thick padding. The ear pads have a suede cover which allows some airflow to the ears, and helps minimize heat build-up. See More

Specs

These headphones should last you quite a while, as they are built well. The hinges and the headband adjustment are made of metal, with sturdy plastics on the earcups. These should survive being thrown into a bag and minor drops without issue. See More

22 0

score 22 · Answer 11

Bluedio T4

Top Pro

Great build quality for the price

Top Con

You’ll still hear high pitched noise clearly

You may still hear high pitched noise like female voices and sudden bursts of laughter. The noise cancelling is not very effective at filtering mid to high frequencies. See More

Top Pro

Fairly neutral sound

The sound is on the neutral side instead of boosted bass or highs. Overall the sound has good clarity with okay details on the treble along with tight and low-end. The mids are slightly recessed though. See More

Top Pro

Okay noise cancelling performance

You won’t easily hear engine noise and the like. The active noise cancelling is quite effective at filtering out low-pitched, droning noise. See More

Top Pro

Can function as Bluetooth or wired headphones

You can continue using these headphones even when the battery runs out. Aside from Bluetooth connectivity, these also come with a USB Type C to 3.5mm cable, so these can be used as wired headphones. You won’t get active noise cancelling without battery power though. See More

Specs

The Zik 3 features a solid build. The headband is made out of metal and can flex a good bit without breaking. Headband adjustment is quite stiff, which ensures that your adjustments stay in place. The ear cup surfaces are covered with leather which makes the headphones look and feel premium. See More

22 0

score 16 · Answer 12

Parrot Zik 3

Top Pro

Very good build quality

Top Con

Presence Sensor can be too sensitive

At times, even slight unintentional movement of the head can trip off the Presence Sensor, pausing the music. This can get very annoying if it happens frequently. See More

Top Pro

Interchangeable battery

You can remove the right ear cup cover to gain access to the headphones’ battery. You can replace the battery if the performance is diminishing, or you can bring a spare, charged battery to swap in with the depleted one for longer playback use. See More

Top Con

Can be a hassle to take on the go

The industrial design of the Parrot Zik 3 looks amazing, but also comes at the cost of the portability. The ear cups cannot be folded into the headband. You will need to account for its size when travelling. An alternative will be for you to hang these off your neck while on the go, which may not always be comfortable. See More

Top Pro

Punchy bass with good clarity

The bass reproduction is full and punchy, yet does not get overpowering. Bass hits sound tight, fast and have fairly good depth. The mids sound natural while the highs are clear, yet a bit rolled-off. This allows the Zik 3 to deliver fairly clear sound without getting harsh. The punchy bass makes these heapdhones work well with popular modern genres like EDM, hip-hop and the like yet can still work well with pop, jazz, classical and similar music genres. See More

Top Pro

Good at blocking ambient noise

The noise cancelling is fairly effective. While it does not cancel out all ambient noise, the feature reduces a good chunk of it, so it does not interfere too much with your music. See More

Top Pro

Gesture controls on right ear cup

You can swipe left or right for previous or next track, tap to play or pause as well as answer calls with the headphones on. This can be very convenient, as you do not need to deal with small and difficult to press buttons. See More

Top Pro

Wired and wireless connectivity

The Parrot Zik 3 features Bluetooth as well as NFC connectivity for wireless use, which is great for modern smartphones or devices. If your music player does not have wireless connectivity, a 3.5mm jack can be used. See More

Top Pro

Music automatically pauses when taking these off

When you take the headphones from your head or put it back on, the music can automatically pause or resume. The Zik 3's Presence Sensor detects such motions, negating the need to manually pause/play the music. See More

Top Pro

Decent battery life

From a full charge with all of the audio features on, you can get around 7 hours of listening time. However, if you choose to run these in airplane mode (wired connection with noise cancellation) you can get around 16 to 18 hours of use. See More

Specs

Weight:275 g

Type:Over-Ear, Closed-Back

Battery Life:7 - 8 Hours ( Playback, Wireless, Noise Cancelling Activated )

Connectivity:Bluetooth, 3.5mm Wired

See All Specs

The microphone has good clarity and can actually be used for tasks other than talking on the phone - like recording podcasts on the go for example. See More

16 0

score 16 · Answer 13

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7B

Top Pro

Exceptional mic

Top Con

Requires an amp for optimal volume/sound quality

If you really want to get the best sound quality as well as volume from these headphones then you will need a decent headphone amp. The impedance of these headphones is quite high at 300 Ohms, so these require a good bit of power to function optimally. See More

Top Pro

Comes with two different cords

One cord comes with an inline mic and with controls, and the other cord is your standard audio cable. This inclusion not only allows you to pick a cable to best suit your use-case for the headphone, but this also ensures that you have a spare cable should one get damaged. See More

Top Con

Can get uncomfortable for people with larger ears

The ear cups of these headphones are quite compact, and may rub against the ears of some users, which can get quite uncomfortable. See More

Top Pro

Good bass reproduction, warm mids and smooth highs

The bass of these headphones is pretty good. Bass drum hits have good power to them, yet they do not muddy up the sound. The mids are warm and forward, and should present vocals and mid-range sounds quite well. The highs do not have a lot of sparkle, but they are clear and present a good level of detail. See More

Top Pro

Can effectively cancel out noise

With these headphones it will be much easier for you to focus on your music, or whatever it is that you are listening to. Combined with the closed back design, airplane/train/bus engine noises are effectively cancelled out. See More

Top Pro

A good number of accessories are included

Along with the two headphone cables, you get a carrying case, an airline adapter and a 6.3mm plug. These should help make the headphones easier to transport and also make them compatible with a wider range of audio sources. See More

Specs

These headphones will sound great with a practically all genres of music. The highs are slightly rolled-off, but still present a good level of detail, so these headphones are not harsh. The mids are warm, while the bass is controlled instead of boomy. See More

16 0

score 11 · Answer 14

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23

Top Pro

Balanced and clear sound

Top Con

The control unit to earpiece cable may be too short

If you are a tall person, you may have a problem positioning the large active noise cancelling module. The wire connecting the module to the earpieces is quite short. This can make it a little difficult to clip the module to your belt or pocket, which can get annoying. See More

Top Pro

Extensive accessory bundle

The ATH-ANC23 offers good value for money due to the extras that you get. The accessory pack includes a carrying pouch, the active noise cancelling in-line control hub, an alkaline battery, an airplane adapter and a number of eartips, including foam ones, which provide a better seal and noise isolation than the standard silicone tips. See More

Top Con

Noise cancelling is not very effective on low-frequency noise

You may still clearly hear low-frequency noise, even with active noise cancelling turned on. The feature is effective on high and mid frequency noise, but not that well on low-frequency sounds. Loud engine noises may still mix in with your music. See More

Top Pro

Good active noise cancelling

The active noise canceling feature blocks out high and mid frequency noise quite well. Voices and environmental noise aren’t likely to interfere with your music. Loud, low-frequency noises like jet engines may still seep through though, so these are not the best for long flights. See More

Specs

The large ear pads feature a velour surface and a soft foam material underneath. The comfort of the headband is also notable. It features a synthetic leather material with a thick foam inside. In combination, these cushioned parts feel like pillows on the head. See More

11 0

score 44 · Answer 15

Sennheiser HD 598 SR

Top Pro

Can be worn for hours without discomfort

Top Con

Lackluster bass

Sennheiser headphones are known for relatively mild lower ends. If you prefer huge bass sounds, you might be better off looking at other options. See More

Top Pro

Offers great value for money

These headphones are in a price range that is quite affordable, yet offers sound and build quality that is beyond the standards in its price bracket. See More

Top Con

Leaks a lot of sound

The open design does not keep the audio within the ear cups. People in the room with you will be able to hear sound coming from these headphones. See More

Top Pro

Well-balanced sound

The bass takes a bit of a back seat compared to the other frequencies, yet is still enough to give fullness and punch to the sound. The mids are the star of these headphones' sound signature. They are clear and a little bit forward, which give a lot of extra detail and presence to guitars and vocals. The highs are pretty crisp and clean, and complement the other frequencies really well. See More

Top Pro

Great soundstage

Even for open back headphones, the soundstage that the HD 598 produces is amazing. It is quite wide yet natural at the same time, which makes it feel like you're listening to the artist perform in front of you live. This wide sound stage and great imaging also make these ideal for games and movies, as these can enhance audio immersion. See More

Top Pro

Cable is detachable

This makes the headphones quite easy to store, and the cable easy to replace. Also, the attachment mechanism is a twist to lock system which minimizes the chances of the cable getting disconnected while in use. See More

These Beyerdynamics offer impressive sound isolation, keeping exterior noise out and your music in. See More

44 1

score 87 · Answer 16

beyerdynamic DT770 PRO

Top Pro

Impressive isolation and minimal sound leakage

Top Con

May require extra power/amplification for optimal sound

Depending on which model is purchased (16/80/250-ohm), your system may have trouble powering them to get a full sound and comfortable volume. 16/80-ohm should work fine in most systems. If not, you may need an external amplifier. See More

Top Pro

Sits well over your ears

The DT770s are very comfortable to wear with deep and spacious ear pads. The velour material used on these are smooth and breathable, and the thick foam provides ample cushioning. These headphones can be worn for long periods of time with ease. See More

Top Pro

Good soundstage for closed back headphones

The DT770 Pro, when amped properly, creates an open feeling sound stage that is very impressive for a headphone with a closed design. See More

Top Pro

Great sound quality with deep and powerful bass

The bass is not overpowering. Instead, it is clean and controlled. The overall sound signature is focused on the bass but the mids and highs are in no way lacking either. See More

Specs

The sound signature is near neutral but with a little emphasis on the lower frequencies. The bass is slightly forward with good punch and tightness. Explosions will have good rumble, without overpowering the other frequencies. The mids are warm and clear, adding extra body to the sound. Game dialogue will be easy to hear. Highs have good clarity, but are not forward in any way, so harshness is minimized. See More

87 14

score 42 · Answer 17

Sennheiser HD 650

Top Pro

Tight and punchy bass, clear with natural mids and highs

Top Con

Sound leak can be a distraction for others

The open design means that a lot of sound can leak out the ear cups. Other people in your immediate vicinity will be able to hear your music, movie or game, which can be annoying for them. See More

Top Pro

Lightweight and comfortable with a near neutral sound signature

The H650 is popular for its near neutral sound, which makes it quite versatile. The headphones can give a great casual listening, gaming, and movie watching experience yet are accurate enough for pro audio mixing. They are also lightweight and comfortable so you won't have any issues wearing them for hours. See More

Top Con

Requires a headphone amp for optimal sound

Plugging these directly to your computer or phone will most likely result in audio that is lacking in volume or may sound too thin. To get the best listening experience, you will need to run these with a capable headphone amp. See More

Top Pro

Comfortable even when used for hours straight

Clamping force is not too tight. The ear pads and headband feature memory foam which are covered by velour material. The pads feel really soft on the head and allow airflow for minimized heat build-up/sweat. The headband also features similar cushioning materials and minimizes pressure spots on the head. See More

Top Pro

Decent soundstage

The open ear cup design allows the sound to blend with your surroundings, giving it a natural width. It will also be easier to identify the direction of sounds, which can really help immersion. See More

Top Pro

Lightweight for full-sized headphones

The HD-650s do not feel heavy at all. They are usable for long music listening, movie or gaming sessions without feeling pain or strain on their head and neck. See More

Top Pro

Headphone cable can easily be replaced

While the cable connectors are proprietary, they can easily be removed from the ear cups with a firm pull. The popularity of these headphones means that there are a lot of aftermarket cables that can be bought. See More

These headphones feel high quality, and give the impression that they will last long. The headband is made out of metal which is very resistant to damage, yet also is quite flexible. The ear cups are made of thick plastic and not feel brittle, while the aluminum shields add a satisfying heft and premium feel to the headphones. See More

42 1

score 8 · Answer 18

V-MODA Crossfade 2 Wireless

Top Pro

Well-built

Top Con

Heavy

The Crossfade Wireless 2 tips the scales at a little over 300 grams which may cause strain on the head and/or neck. See More

Top Pro

Boosted treble and highs

The Crossfade 2 Wireless produces detailed audio with a good level of oomph. The highs are boosted, so you’ll be able to hear a lot of detail from your music. However, the high frequencies do not get harsh, so these are quite easy to listen to for extended periods. The bass is powerful, as with most of V-Moda’s headphones. However, the bass does not sound bloated, so overall clarity of the audio is still very good, and the punchy bass helps make music sound more exciting. See More

Top Pro

Comfortable

These headphones won’t have a pinching effect on your head. The ear cups as well as the headband feature really thick cushioning, so these headphones will feel very soft on the head. See More

Top Pro

Great battery life

You’ll get long hours of wireless music listening off these headphones. The Crossfade 2 can deliver around 13 to 14 hours of music playback from a full charge. Should the battery run out, these headphones can also function wired, so you can go on with your music listening. See More

Top Pro

On-ear cup buttons

You can easily control your music using the buttons on the left ear cup. You get a pause/play/skip/digital assistant button, as well as volume adjustment functionality. See More

Top Pro

Clamshell case is included

These headphones can get adequate protection from scratches and bumps if you use the included case. It is a hard shell plastic case with a felt inner lining and is durable enough to withstand minor impact. The case is compact (modeled after the headphones when folded) so you can easily fit the case in your bag. See More

Top Pro

Folds down to a compact size

These headphones can be easy to travel with. You can fold the ear cups and yokes up to the headband, reducing the overall footprint. You can easily chuck these headphones into a bag or large purse with ease. See More

Specs

With the BackBeat Pro 2, you get powerful yet clear sound that is comparable to higher end models but at a noticeably more affordable price. Wireless range and stability is quite good and the noise cancelling, while not the best, can reduce a good amount of external noise. See More

8 0

score 29 · Answer 19

Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2

Top Pro

Good sound reproduction, wireless signal stability and decent noise-canceling for the price

Top Con

Heavy

These headphones may put some strain on your head and neck due to these being quite heavy, coming in at almost 300 grams. See More

Top Pro

Decent noise cancelling

While the active noise canceling is not the best, it is able to reduce a good amount of noise from your surroundings. Loud engine sounds or high pitched noise may still mix in with your music though. See More

Top Con

Bulky for traveling

These headphones may not be ideal for on-the-go use, as they are large, full-sized headphones that do not fold down to a compact size. See More

Top Pro

Clear and powerful sound

The BackBeat Pro 2’s mids and treble are not forward, yet sound clear and neutral. You may hear a bit of sharpness in the higher frequencies, but overall you’ll get a pleasant listening experience with great details from your music. The low-end is quite emphasized, so you’ll get a lot of thump from bass hits. Bass lovers will likely find these headphones to be up their alley. See More

Top Pro

Music automatically pauses when taking the headphones off

You won’t need to press a button on the headphones or on your source device to pause the music when you need to remove the BackBeat Pro 2. There are sensors inside the headphones that detect this motion, so the music is automatically paused, and then resumed when you put the headphones back on. See More

Top Pro

Open-listening mode

Listen to the environment via a microphone without taking off the headphones. See More

Top Pro

Wired or wireless functionality

These headphones have Bluetooth connectivity for wireless convenience, but you can also switch to 3.5mm wired mode if the battery runs out and you cannot charge right away. See More

Top Pro

Good wireless range and stability

You’ll be able to hear audio even if you are around 100 feet away from your source device, provided there is a clear line of sight. Signal quality is also pretty good with minimal music cuts and drops. See More

Top Pro

Very good battery life

These headphones can last up to 24 hours of playback from a full charge, and this with moderate volumes in wireless mode with noise cancelling activated. This is very good battery life, considering other wireless headphones at the price range only have around half the battery life on average. See More

Specs

The tight clamp on the 380HD helps create a seal that prevents quite a bit of sound leakage. See More

29 1

score 21 · Answer 20

Sennheiser HD380 Pro

Top Pro

Very small amount of leakage

Top Con

Very strong clamping force

The 380HDs have a very strong clamp. This helps the headphones achieve better sound isolation and minimal sound leak, although some will find the clamp very uncomfortable. Fortunately there are also many who will never notice this at all and find the 380HDs very comfortable. See More

Top Pro

Great sound quality with deep bass and lively highs

These headphones, as far as reference or pro-quality headphones go, are fun sounding. There is a slight boost to the lower frequencies which adds fullness and depth to the bass. The mids are also full-sounding, but there is a peak at the upper mid frequencies which can make guitars in heavy music sound harsh. The highs have good detail to them, but the peak in the top frequencies can also make the sound a bit grainy. See More

Top Pro

Big ear cups that sit well over your ears

The 380s sit well over your ears and do not typically touch them when positioned correctly. This helps make them comfortable as the clamping force is distributed over a wide area, not directly on your ears. See More

Top Pro

Removable cable

The HD380 Pro is quite portable thanks to the detachable cable. Also, the included cable has a specially designed locking mechanism which prevents it from being detached accidentally. See More

Top Pro

Does not require a powerful amp for optimal sound

The HD380 Pro can produce great sound even paired with low power amps. Some headphones require expensive amps to sound properly, but for these, even entry-level portable amps are sufficient. See More

Top Pro

Clamshell case included

These headphones can easily be brought along while traveling and spending time outdoors thanks to the included carrying case. The solid, clam shell design gives the headphones extra protection from impact and scratches. See More

Top Pro

Blocks a lot of outside sounds

The large ear cups and the strong clamp allow for impressive passive noise cancellation. See More

Top Pro

Good soundstage

These headphones have fairly wide soundstage, despite being closed back. See More

Top Pro

Can fold to a more compact size

The ear cups of the HD380 Pro can be folded up into the headband. This reduces these headphones' size and footprint, making these much easier to fit inside a bag. See More

Specs