AKG K451
Price: 10,690
AKG K451, equally at ease with low bit-rate compressed music as they are with higher quality CD sources, these are cans that cannot be overlooked by any music fan.
The K451s are light on your head, but sturdy enough to be stuffed in a bag. And they do a fantastic line in punchy, solid bass, rich and detailed vocals and clear, sweet-sounding treble.
A foldable design for easy stowage, plus an additional cable that has volume controls and an in-line mic makes them suitable for mobile listening, too.
B&W P3
Price: 17,990
Brighton-based soundmeisters Bowers & Wilkins’ first pair of cans, the P5s, were as popular as they were excellent, but B&W hasn’t rested on its laurels.
Lightweight materials, a foldable design and the neat carry case make them great for commuting too.
Bass is deep and weighty but not at the expense of mid-range detail or clarity.
The fact that two cables come in the box – one with a mic and remote for iPhones and one without - only sweetens the already candy floss-like deal.
Soundmagic E10
Price: 2,499
E10, excellent balance from treble to bass and loads of detail. A stylish and durable makes the E10s feel much more expensive than they actually are.
The E10s now have a little weave in the cable as SoundMagic has been tweaking these budget belters. The new cable is more durable and they now sound even better with far greater weight .
Sony XBA-4iP
Price: 10,639
The XBA 4iPs are the top of the range and are a pair of in-ears that squeeze four miniature drivers into each, admittedly chunky, enclosure.
These are some of the finest in-ears we've ever heard – a crisp, hugely punchy and thrilling listen. They'll pump detailed sound into each of your gloriously spoilt lugholes.
The XBA range includes cheaper alternatives but if you take your music seriously, these Sony's are seriously worth it.
SOL Republic Master Tracks
These are some of the finest in-ears we've ever heard – a crisp, hugely punchy and thrilling listen. They'll pump detailed sound into each of your gloriously spoilt lugholes.
The XBA range includes cheaper alternatives but if you take your music seriously, these Sony's are seriously worth it.
SOL Republic Master Tracks
Price: 11,018
SOL (Soundtrack of Life, yeah?) Republic has some deeply Californian observations to make about headphones as shorthand for personal philosophy.
Stick on a pair of Master Tracks, though, and it’s obvious the company is serious in a Good Way. This is as balanced, punchy and enjoyable-sounding a pair of headphones.
They’re deep enough and fast enough to keep bass-heads happy, balanced and dynamic enough to satisfy the rest of us and have the sort of space, poise and detail to their sound to put them right near the top of a headphone connoisseur’s shortlist.
Stick on a pair of Master Tracks, though, and it’s obvious the company is serious in a Good Way. This is as balanced, punchy and enjoyable-sounding a pair of headphones.
They’re deep enough and fast enough to keep bass-heads happy, balanced and dynamic enough to satisfy the rest of us and have the sort of space, poise and detail to their sound to put them right near the top of a headphone connoisseur’s shortlist.
Philips Fidelio M1BT Bluetooth headphones
There are two microphones, so you can use the M1BTs as a hands-free headset. Our phone calls were plenty audible both in and out of the office.
You get lovely leather on the headband and what feels like faux-leather on the ear pads, while the frame is mostly aluminium. There’s a small amount of textured plastic on the back of the ear cups.
It’s a comprehensive set of controls, and fairly subtle – and there's no sticky-out Bluetooth module like the one on the Bose headphones.
Final Audio Design Adagio III
One of the best pairs of in-ears we've heard for a long time, the Final Audio Design Adagio IIIs have arrived to add a touch of luxury to your commute.
They might have a slightly stuffy and pretentious name, but they're actually excellent fun - poised, punchy and more interested in details than even the most thorough US Secret Service agent.
You may never have heard of Final Audio before, but you can buy a pair of Adagio IIIs in confidence.
SoundMagic P30
Price: 1,799
The SoundMAGIC P30 over-the-ear headphones sports an all new foldable design that is durable without sacrificing portability.Exciting and balanced, they deliver an easy-going yet dynamic sound.
They aren't perfect, especially in the treble, but they'll do a great number on your low-res Spotify tracks. And while there's no built-in mic, you don't want calls interrupting your music anyway.
These affordable headphones deliver excitement and subtlety in equal measure.
Sennheiser Momentum
Price: 14,990
Momentums look superb in their bronze finish. The leather headband and earcups are very comfortable and at the same time add a bit of class, and the soft but nug fit helps to isolate outside noise.
They are relatively unobtrusive in size, largely thanks to the thin split-design headband.
The Momentums are just hanging on to their spot in our world. Classily styled, cushion-comfortable and smooth-sounding, these Sennheisers are the perfect pair of on-ears for the dapper man about town.
PSB M4U2
Price: 28,000
The PSB Speakers M4U 2 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones have really comfy earpads, keep working even after the batteries have drained, and sound great.
Punchy and clean, the M4U2s will breathe new life and excitement into your most well-worn tunes.
They're comfy enough, perfect for shutting out the world and they sound far, far better.
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