15 Best Over Ear Headphones for Audiophiles in 2022

Although Apple isn’t specializing in over-ear headphones, the Apple AirPods Max it rolled out continues to enjoy a good reception.

The Apple AirPods Max comes with active noise cancellation, amazing sound quality, and a premium design that distinctly says Apple. And with its seamless iOS integration functionality, the AirPods Max is evidently the best choice for iOS users.

The Audeze LCD-5 improves on what its predecessor, the LCD-4, falls short of. This newer model is lighter but retains the aesthetic Audeze’s LCD series is known for.

In terms of sound quality, this pair of over-ear headphones excel in producing bass and mids. Its treble isn’t perfect but decent enough for well-rounded overall sound output. You’ll also be impressed with the default EQ settings of the product.

If you’re looking for a premium-looking accessory, this product should tick most, if not all, boxes for you.

For the value you get for its price, the Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X is worth it. This pair of headphones is even becoming a favorite of professionals in the music industry due to its features. It’s one of the best over-ear headphones that emit sounds accurately, having great bass and mids that make music listening enjoyable.

Perhaps the only minor weakness they have is their not-so-impressive noise isolation and bulkiness. That means the headphones are best used in a studio or quiet area, and not when you’re on the go. Nonetheless, that won’t be an issue if you’re looking for accessories for work and home use in the first place.

The DT 1990 Pro is another model from Beyerdynamic that is worth checking out. It features an excellent, sturdy build that’s sure to last you for years. Moreover, it’s comfortable enough to use for long hours so you don’t need to worry about headaches.

The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro also provides excellent high-resolution sound quality. You will thus be able to hear all the details without missing a beat. The only problem is that the mids can feel a little recessed and the highs a little too much. However, it’s still a great choice overall, especially with its wide soundstage. 

The Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd generation) is another solid choice you can consider. This set of headphones is a step-up from the previous generation in terms of utility, as it is much easier to pair with your devices. The headphones also boast great sound quality, with audio output sounding much cleaner than their predecessors.

The T1s are, however, not built for traveling or listening in public. As they have an open-back design, the audio might leak. They are, hence, ideal for studio or home listening. 

The Bose Noise Cancelling 700 has everything you want on a premium headset: industry-leading noise cancellation, a vibrant sound, and a balanced soundstage. You’ll certainly be satisfied, especially given the moderately affordable price.

Additionally, the Bose headphones feature a no-nonsense sleek design that pairs well with any kind of aesthetic. If you want the best over-ear headphones that play and look the part, you can’t go wrong with this pair. 

The Focal Stellia is one luxurious pair of headphones at $3,000 per pair. These headphones’ hefty price tag isn’t without reason, as they deliver stunningly accurate sound on an open and detailed soundstage. In fact, their soundstage is so detailed that you might even hear little parts of songs you never usually hear.

These headphones are also built for comfort, making them perfect for long listening sessions.

If you want the best over-ear headphones even when you’re on a tight budget, consider the OneOdio A70 headphones.

Their best-selling points are the battery life that reaches 72 hours, and Bluetooth music sharing great for when you often listen to music with a friend. And because you can use the headphones for three days straight, they’re made comfortable via the breathable earmuffs.

The headphones’ only feature that might be a hit or miss for you is the bass quality. Some users share that it’s too strong for their ears. Nevertheless, if you have EQ apps on your device, that shouldn’t be an issue.

The Grado PS1000e eliminates both the ringing chamber and transient distortion of conventional headphones, and this, in turn, grants you consistent sound quality across different frequencies. You’ll get a stable and smooth listening experience regardless of your settings.

These headphones are also gorgeously designed, featuring a sleek mahogany sleeve that sits comfortably on your head and over your ears. The PS1000e will set you back $1,999, so it’s definitely not ideal if you’re on a budget. 

The HiFiMan Ananda follows the strain of HiFiMan’s product range to deliver a beautiful soundscape. You can hear the details very clearly and accurately no matter what you’re listening to. 

Additionally, they perform excellently across multiple frequency ranges, with even the bass and details remaining consistent and accurate. Moreover, the HiFiMan Ananda provides a very comfortable fit in addition to being stylish.

The only unfortunate part about these headphones’ design is that it’s open-back, meaning that they’ll leak audio—especially on higher volumes. Nonetheless, it’s still a great choice if you’re mainly looking for studio or home-use headphones. 

The Sennheiser HD650 is a midrange headphone set that retains the high-definition audio quality that Sennheiser is best known for.

Audiophiles don’t necessarily have to break the bank if they can settle for the HD650. These headphones don’t sacrifice build quality, either, with this model being highly durable and lightweight.

However, what they do cut back on is their overall open-back design that allows for sound to leak. They are also wired, so you shouldn’t expect them to be as versatile as wireless alternatives.

The Sennheiser HD800S is a good choice for use in a studio setting. That’s because it’s engineered with top-notch audio quality, coming complete with a 56mm driver. However, the headphones aren’t wireless, making them less portable than the other best over-ear headphones here.

Nonetheless, the Sennheiser HD800S headphones are a premium pair with the latest technology. Unlike previous generations, these can reduce peak frequencies and produce a distinct and spatial soundstage.

Additionally, the HD800S is also mindful of ergonomics, so it’s quite comfortable and easy on the ears. You can listen to music for hours and hours without feeling uncomfortable. 

Most closed-back headphones offer the advantage of isolating sound, but they do so at the cost of more distortion. Thankfully, the Sennheiser HD 820 eliminates this issue with sound-absorbing chambers manufactured with Gorilla Glass.

Apart from reducing distortion, the HD 820 is also great for producing amazing sound quality overall. You get stunning, precise sounds with lots of authority to feel immersive and commanding without being overbearing. 

The HD 820 also delivers the same audio quality at lower frequencies, even going so far as to control the bass. 

If you’re looking for high-resolution sound, look no further than the Sony MDR-Z1R. These bad boys offer top-tier sound quality, provided you have a powerful music source.

The Sony MDR-Z1R features dual 70mm drivers that offer a wide frequency of up to 120kHz. These headphones also provide an even tonal sound and a strong bass in the background. Thus, you won’t miss a beat or any detail in any kind of music that you listen to.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 is regarded as the king of the audio industry for years and with good reason. That’s because it provides amazing sound quality coupled with active noise cancellation, ensuring that you’re always immersed in the sound.

Additionally, the XM4s are wireless, letting you take them with you to any destination. Furthermore, they can last up to 30 hours on a single charge, making them perfect for long flights. They’re also very comfortable overall so you don’t need to worry about soreness or pain over time. All these things combined make them the best over-ear headphones if you can afford the price.

The Best Over-Ear Headphones at Your Service