Over the past several years, headphones have gone from the red-headed stepchild of the audio world to a must-have fashion accessory. Today, there is a wider selection of earphones than ever before.
When shopping for a new pair of earphones, the first thing you should determine is whether you are looking for in-ear headphones, on-ear headphones, or over-ear headphones. Each has their advantages and disadvantages.
At Audio Advice, we think there is a time and place for each of these types of earphones. Let’s take a look at each style and talk about how they perform in three primary areas -- portability, comfort, and performance.
In-Ear Headphones
On-Ear Headphones
Over-Ear Headphones
Sometimes called earphones or “earbuds”, in-ear headphones are perhaps the most common type of headphone today. The white “earpods” that come in the box with every new iPhone have made them a must-have accessory. On their way out the door to class, the average college student likely makes sure they have their keys, wallet, cell phone, and earbuds.
Due to their small size, in-ear headphones rate the highest when it comes to portability. Some come with a travel case, but for many people, it’s as simple as wrapping the cord around their fingers a few times and tossing them in their bag or pocket.
Tangling can be an issue, however, so look for in-ear headphones that come with tangle-free cords.
Most in-ear headphones fit just inside the opening of your ear canal, creating a nice seal. Others are held on with small pieces that wrap around the back of your ears. How comfortable they are really depends on your personal preference and how you will be using the headphones.
To some, in-ear headphones are extremely comfortable, while to others they can be annoying and sometimes even painful. We recommend considering in-ear headphones that utilize memory foam or Comply ear-tips, rather than hard plastic or silicon. If you do purchase a pair that comes with silicon tips, however, they usually come with a few different sizes. Finding the right size for you will be key to a comfortable fit. Either way, in-ear headphones are not ideal for hours-long listening sessions.
If you’re trying to listen to music while jogging or working out, in-ear headphones are your best bet. Most will stay snug in your ears without falling out, and you won’t have to contend with sweat from leather-wrapped earcups.
Because in-ear headphones are so prevalent today, it can be really difficult to judge the entire category on sound-quality. You can find a pair of cheap, multi-colored, plastic earbuds at the local drug store, or you can purchase high-performance in-ear headphones from companies like Audeze, Astell&Kern, and Klipsch.
One thing that most in-ears have going for them is that they create a nice seal inside your ear canal, helping to isolate you from the outside world.
In-ear headphones have small drivers, so most can’t produce the types of highs and lows that on-ear or over-ear headphones can. They also pump the music straight into your ear-drum, so they’re less spacious or “open” sounding than other types of headphones.
Of course, there are exceptions. The Audeze iSINE, for example, utilize a planar magnetic design, unlike anything we’ve seen in any other in-ear headphones.
This type of headphone sits directly against your ears. If we’re being honest, they don’t really have any unique advantages over in-ear or over-ear headphones. On-ear headphones are more about balancing your needs and finding a happy medium between the portability of in-ears and the sound quality over over-ears.
Most on-ear headphones are made with travel in mind. The earcups are smaller than you will find on over-ear headphones. Many even fold up for easy transport. Of course, if you get a nice pair, you’ll want to find some that come with a hard-shell case to prevent damaging them when you throw them in your bag.
Again, this is a matter of personal preference. On-ear headphones don’t typically get as hot as over-ears can, and they don’t sit inside your ear canal, which bothers some people. On the other hand, some people are more sensitive, and on-ear headphones can sometimes lead to soreness from the constant contact with your ears.
On-ear headphones can’t create a seal the way in-ear and over-ear headphones do, so they usually leave a little to be desired when it comes to noise isolation.
The quality of the sound itself really depends more on the product itself than the type of headphone, but on-ear headphones have larger drivers than in-ears, meaning that in the same quality and price range, they can typically reproduce a wider range of frequencies.
While in-ear and on-ear headphones have their place, if you ask a typical audio enthusiast about their favorite pair of headphones, you can likely bet they’ll be a pair of over-ear headphones.
They’re big and clunky -- meant to be worn at home or at work, not on-the-go, but most of the best-sounding and most comfortable headphones are over-ears.
While some over-ear headphones can be folded up and even come with a travel case, this is not their strong suit. Of all the types of headphones we’re discussing today, over-ear headphones are the largest and least portable.
Instead of going on a trip and bringing them along, over-ear headphones can transport you right from your desk or couch.
Wearing a pair of comfortable over-ear headphones is like snuggling up with a warm blanket. The oversized ear cups cover your ear entirely, so you don’t have to worry about your ears getting sore. Some higher-end over-ear headphones can get pretty heavy, however, so be sure to look for a pair that has a padded headband, comfortable pads on the earcups, and doesn’t make you sweat.
Some higher-end over-ear headphones can get pretty heavy due to their high-quality materials and internal components. Be sure to look for a pair that has a padded headband, and comfortable ear cups. The thing to look out for here is whether or not they make you sweat during long listening sessions.
Because they have the largest drivers, high-end over-ear headphones can usually reproduce the widest range of frequencies, from silky smooth highs to tight, deep bass. By enclosing your ears completely inside the earcups, over-ear headphones are able to provide good isolation while still allowing a wide sound stage.
From a sound perspective, all of the very best headphones in the world are over-ear headphones.
Of course, you can purchase inexpensive versions of any of these types of headphones for $10 that won’t sound as good as other types from better manufacturers. Understanding the general differences between in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear headphones is just the first step when it comes to headphone shopping.
Doing research to understand the brand reputation, build-quality, features, and sound quality of the specific models of headphones you’re considering will help you make the right decision. If you need help, we have a Headphone Buyers Guide and plenty of headphone reviews to get you started.
At AudioAdvice.com, we curate our entire selection of products, so you can rest assured that if we carry it, it’s a good product. If you would like some help determining which is the perfect headphone for you, just click the chat icon at the bottom of the screen and one of our experts will be happy to help!
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We think there is a time and place for each of these types of headphones. Let’s take a look at each style and talk about how they perform in three primary areas — portability, comfort, and performance.
Bowers & Wilkins, the iconic high-end speaker manufacturer from England, just released two True Wireless in-ear headphone models with Active Noise Canceling technology — B&W PI7 and PI5 True Wireless in-ear headphones — and after an extensive period of research and development, we were one of the first to receive the new models from Bowers & Wilkins to write this review before the official launch.
With True Wireless (TWS) In-Ear Headphones becoming increasingly more popular today, many of these compromise on the sound quality for wireless convenience — so, B&W knew this issue would need to be addressed before they could consider launching a True Wireless in-ear headphone capable of delivering the world-class sound quality and technology the brand is so well-known for.
We will talk about the flagship model, the B&W PI7 with adaptive active noise-canceling throughout this review — but bear in mind — much of the build quality, performance, and tech are similar to the PI5, so if you are considering any of the PI series in-ear headphones by Bowers & Wilkins, the features and specs will differ slightly, but performance is similar.
In the box, Bowers & Wilkins includes a smart charging case that stores and recharges the earphones for you while offering some minimal protection. We like how each earphone slides into place inside the case and magnetically locks into their charging ports to make storage and charging simple, quick, and easy.
On the front panel of the smart case, a large LED indicator light will illuminate green, blue, or red to show the status of the battery or Bluetooth pairing mode. When you open the lid on the top panel, there is a small round button that activates Bluetooth pairing mode so you can pair it up with your smartphone. Below the LED indicator light, a large oval-shaped button will connect the earphones to the Bowers & Wilkins Headphones app when pressed.
The smart case has a cool trick hiding up its sleeve. When you want to switch to music playing from a laptop or another audio source, the smart case can function as a wireless retransmission device that will transmit high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/48 kHz to your PI7 in-ear headphones.
There’s a USB Type-C digital audio input on the bottom of the charging case, and this allows you to connect a laptop using the USB-C audio cable that comes included in the box. Making this connection allows you to playback high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/48 kHz. This is a really cool feature that makes this setup ideal for both on-the-go listening but also for your use at your desk — very cool! For laptops or any audio source with a headphone jack, Bowers & Wilkins also included a USB-C to stereo miniplug cable to accomplish the same application.
Both the PI7 and PI5 have similar high-end hard metal enclosures that just look fantastic. For less than $400, the flagship model PI7 is available in a charcoal and silver finish or a gloss white and silver finish. For less than $300, the PI5 comes in an all-black design or in white and silver finishes. Overall, we really like the high-end look of these in-ears. Their classic, understated designs incorporated well with just about any wardrobe we chose, and they come with three pairs of ear tips that helped us tailor the fit just right.
There’s a fit for just about everyone. The PI7 and PI5 metal enclosures are compact enough to fit comfortably in the ear, and come with three soft silicone ear tips for small, medium, and large ear canals. In our testing, the fits were extremely comfortable to wear for all-day use — however, we found the ear tips were more suitable for everyday listening and lighter exercise routines.
Like almost all in-ear headphones, when we increase the intensity of our workout with rapid motions, we noticed the great tight-fitting seal did loosen up just a bit, and we’d occasionally find ourselves touching them to make sure the seal was tight. Having said that, when seated stationary at our desks or going on a walk around town or normal activities, the soft silicone tips did an excellent job reducing ear fatigue and lasted for hours on end without the need for a break to remove the earphones. Once you find the right tips for your ears, these are some of the most comfortable in-ears on the market.
While the enclosures of both models are compact enough to fit comfortably in the ears, each earphone has a specification that is remarkably close to that of B&W’s advanced conventional loudspeakers.
Premium Sound Quality
Both models feature Bowers & Wilkins 9.2mm bespoke dynamic drivers for the bass and mid-range frequencies in each earphone, so both will produce an impressive frequency response from 10Hz to 20kHz — but it’s the flagship PI7 that has the high-frequency balanced armature tweeters in each earphone, so you hear more dynamic details hiding in the music — and this makes the 20kHz top-extension really come alive.
The PI7 has four drive units in the system (two in each earbud) which are actively driven by their own amplifier compared to only two in the PI5. In the PI7, the dual-driver units in this configuration are powered by dedicated amplifiers per earphone to ensure exceptional control, superlative dynamics, and deep, accurate bass.
Bluetooth with High-Resolution aptX Audio
In terms of Bluetooth, both support Bluetooth 5.0 with Qualcomm’s aptX™ for high-resolution playback with better than CD-quality music from streaming services like Qobuz. Multiple source devices can be wirelessly paired to either model, and this allowed us to reconnect easily and conveniently to each source as needed – such as quickly switching from music on a phone to an online conference call on a laptop.
When you choose the PI7, you will get a higher resolution capability with 24-bit/48 kHz wireless transmission between each earbud compared to 16-bit/48 kHz with the PI5. The PI7 will also support more hi-res aptX codecs compared to the PI5. You still get aptX with the PI5, but the range of aptX compatibility is extended when you step up to the PI7. The PI7 gives you aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, and aptX Classic.
Smart Case with Wireless Transmission Super Powers
We think the PI7 offers a really unique feature that will make longer journeys easier to cope with. The Smart charging case that comes with the PI7 will also connect to an external audio source – such as an in-flight entertainment system using a 3.5mm or USB cable to wirelessly retransmit audio from that source to the earbuds — all in outstanding quality. This one extra feature is really cool making these the only headphones you need for daily use, flights, and even desktop listening. When we add it all up, we think the technologies in the PI7 make it one of very few True Wireless headphones able to support High-Resolution audio all the way from your music source to your ears.
Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation
The PI5 gives you access to twin built-in microphones for high-quality phone calls, noise-canceling features plus an ambient pass-through mode. The PI7 steps up the noise-canceling tech to Adaptive Noise Canceling technology that will automatically monitor and adapt to your surroundings in real-time so you can block out the external world and focus on the music. The ANC tech is driven by six microphones in the PI7 – three in each earphone – for crystal-clear sound quality with every phone call. Holding the intuitive, one-touch user interface will activate the ANC and this can also be further refined in the app.
Both the PI5 & PI7 can be configured with the Bowers & Wilkins companion Headphone App and both have a simple one-button touch interface – a single touch-capacitive button on each earphone that will perform multiple tasks simply and elegantly – coupled to support with popular voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant, depending on the connected device.
Charging & Battery-Life
Finally, the smart case that comes with both models will recharge each earbud once the built-in battery life is exhausted. PI5 will operate for four and a half hours before it requires a recharge and four hours for the PI7. The PI7 case will provide 20 hours of battery life while in the case with standby mode and the PI5 will give you 25 hours in the case. Both smart cases will give you 1 hour of charge with just a 15-minute quick charge. Both will then offer up to four full recharges for their respective earbuds – so we think this will be enough to give most users plenty of battery life and playtime to entertain longer road trips.
We tested the PI7 in a variety of scenarios like riding in the car, crossing a busy street, and taking calls at the office. Since audio quality is something that’s typically overlooked in a lot of other wireless earphones, we listened to a lot of different styles of music with the new PI7.
Compared to most earphones on the market, the B&W PI7 presents a much wider soundstage with deep bass across a wide range of frequencies from 10Hz to 20kHz. Like B&W’s PX line of noise-canceling over-ear headphones, B&W utilized the same engineers as the team that was behind their prestigious 800 Series Diamond speakers. These are the same speakers used at Abbey Road Studios, and we think this is what sets both the PI7 and the PI5 apart from other in-ear headphones.
When you step up to the flagship PI7, you get the added bonus of the high-frequency balanced armature tweeters in each earphone, and we liked how this really allowed us to experience more dynamic details popping out in hi-res music files. The 20kHz top-extension you get from both models really came alive with the PI7, especially on music with a lot of natural acoustic instruments such as horns, violins, guitars, and voices. If you want to experience the extra dynamics that almost pop out right in front of you, Liro Rantala’s “Helsinki,” is a really good track to hear this natural presentation of details popping out in the mid to high frequencies, a rhythm, and pacing that got our feet tapping along to the music.
Next, we tested the noise cancellation. In terms of lower frequencies like the low-end “hum” of a car or the sound of a train passing by, the PI7 did not block out noises as well as larger over-ear headphones like the B&W PX7 Noise-Canceling headphones -- but, having said that, the performance was comparable to the best noise-canceling in-ear headphones on the market.
We were impressed by how effective the Active Noise-Canceling tech in the PI7 was at automatically adapting to the ambient noise in our changing environments. It did a great job automatically analyzing and canceling out the higher frequency sounds. When we were out and about in a noisy street with honking cars, sirens, and people talking, the PI7 performed well at reducing all the distractions so we could focus on the music. When we wanted to hear the sounds in our environment, the PI7’s Ambient Pass-Through feature came in handy when it was time to pause the music and have a conversation without taking out the earbuds.
In terms of noise-canceling on phone calls, we tested them in the car, walking across the street while taking business calls, and in the office. In all of these scenarios, people on the other end consistently told us the reduction of background noises was substantially better, especially when we were walking around in a busy downtown environment. People told us our voices sounded clear during the call, and on conference calls, fewer people were asking us to mute if there was wind or other noises in the background.
We think your ears will appreciate the level of comfort you get with these in-ears. Even though we wouldn’t recommend the PI7 or PI5 for overly aggressive workouts where you have rapid head movements, we do think they work extremely well if you enjoy in-ear headphones for long power walks, a light jog, or any activity where you don’t have to move your head around too quickly or too frequently.
If you like using in-ear headphones with noise-canceling to help you stay in the zone, then either the PI7 or PI5 will be a nice improvement for anyone wanting to use them for less extreme fitness activities. As a bonus, the more stable fit from the soft silicone ear tips created a better sealing experience compared to all the plastic options flooding the market. The sound stayed locked in and the ear tips did a great job preventing outside noise from entering the ear canal. Not only did this improve the listening experience, but the tight sealing condition improved the passive noise isolation with both models as well.
Overall, the PI7 and PI5 are for everyday use and not for intense running or biking. We would recommend going with a sweat-resistant option with over-the-ear loops or a neckband design if you are considering an in-ear headphone for highly active workouts where normal in-ears would risk falling out. The PI 3 portable in-ear headphones would be perfect for workouts. Having said that, there is no question the PI7 and PI5 look way more premium than all of the cheaply-made plastic earphones out there from everyone else.
If you want a really comfortable in-ear headphone to use for listening to music all day at work, or on the go, then we think the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and PI5 will provide a good sealing condition with excellent noise isolation that does a great job blocking out the ambient noises all around you even with the active noise canceling feature disabled. Compared to almost everything else out there, the PI7 and PI5 look and sound fantastic, plus their flawless connection with smartphones and computers makes them ideal for quick and easy everyday use. We also think the ability to play through the case itself is super cutting edge and this is a real differentiator for an in-ear headphone at this price point.
If you're making the investment, and you have an appreciation for beautiful design, and the best sound quality available, you might as well get a great-looking pair with premium, classic and understated aesthetics that will look great with any style or wardrobe. We also think that if you are going to invest in a premium pair of in-ears with the great look and sound of Bowers and Wilkins, if you can afford the extra dollars to get the PI7s, you should. Even though they are more expensive we think they are the better value and certainly will bring a unique and high-end look compared to every teenager wearing Apple Airpods.
Either way, you’ll be really happy you made the choice with an in-ear headphone from Bowers & Wilkins. We hope you’ve enjoyed this review, but if you have any questions about the new PI7 or PI5 in-ear noise-canceling headphones from Bowers & Wilkins, feel free to give us a call, chat with one of our experts at audioadvice.com, or stop into one of our Raleigh or Charlotte North Carolina showrooms.
| PI7 | PI5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers | 9.2mm Dynamic Driver (mid/bass) Balanced armature (tweeter) | 9.2mm Dynamic Driver |
| Dedicated Amplifiers | ✔️ 4 total | ✔️ 2 total |
| Audio Resolution | 48k/24-bit | 48k/16-bit |
| Dedicated External DSP | ✔️ Advanced DSP | ✖️ |
| Noise Cancellation | ✔️ Proprietary ANC Design | ✔️ |
| Adaptive Noise Cancellation | ✔️ | ✖️ |
| Smartcase with Retransmission | ✔️ | ✖️ |
| True Wireless Sync | 24-bit connection | TWS |
| Total Battery Life | 20 hours | 25 hours |
| Quick Charge | 15 minutes = 1 hour | 15 minutes = 1 hour |
| Playback Time (single charge) | 4 hours | 4.5 hours |
| Wireless Charging | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Hands Free Calling | ✔️ 2 mics - cVc2 | ✔️ 1 mic - cvc |
| Voice Assistant | ✔️ Push to Talk | ✔️ Push to Talk |
| Ambient Pass Through | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Multiple Device Connection | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Intuitive Touch Controls | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Wear Detection Sensors | ✔️ | ✔️ |
The choice of two high-end metal finishes and three different sizes of comfortable silicone ear tips offer a nice level of customization and will make you want to wear these headphones all day.
With B&W’s signature 9.2mm dynamic drivers, high-res Bluetooth aptX audio, and impressive active noise cancellation, we really felt the music come alive, free of any distractions from the outside world.
Bowers & Wilkins really packed a lot of great features into these small headphones! With support for both wireless and USB-C quick charging, an intuitive and simple UI, and industry-first wireless retransmitting case with the PI7, we feel like these will be on the cutting edge for years to come.
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True Wireless In-Ear Headphones are immensely popular, but most currently available designs represent a compromise choice, one that trades sound quality for wireless convenience. Bowers & Wilkins, the iconic high-end speaker manufacturer from England, just released two True Wireless in-ear headphone models with Active Noise Canceling technology — the PI7 and PI5 True Wireless in-ear headphones — and after an extensive period of research and development, we were one of the first to receive the new models to review.
When shopping for a new pair of headphones, there are three headsets serious music lovers should consider.
Ever tried to make it through an entire day with a single set of headphones? If you have, you probably experienced some inconveniences trying to manage with just one headset.
For starters, headphones that are great for listening to music at the office might not fit easily into your messenger bag. Or maybe your favorite pair of “at-home” headphones leaks too much noise outside the ear cups. You might be getting looks from other passengers on the bus – or from your boss.
That’s why it makes sense to keep different types of headphones on hand. The right headset for your immediate context might not be the same ones that you were wearing a few hours ago. The good news is that there are only three types of headphones you really need. Let’s take a look at what each type has to offer and identify the features you should keep in mind when making a selection.
Small, portable, tangle-free cables: These are the things you should look for in a good set of travel headphones.
Whether you’re waiting patiently for the bus or hurtling through the sky at 35,000 feet, you need headphones that pack up easily and shelter you from ambient noise (while also preventing those around you from your music). For longer trips, they should also be comfortable enough for hours of listening.
Specifically, your travel and commuting headphones should offer:
In-ear headphones are a good option here. So are on-ear or over-ear models that fold up or come with their own carrying case. Basically, you need headphones that don’t take up much space in your backpack or luggage. They should be easy to pack without having to “make room” by rearranging your other belongings.
There are actually two types of “noise-cancelling” headphones. The first contains special circuitry that keeps ambient sounds from infiltrating your music. These are known as active noise-cancelling headphones. The other type uses passive noise-canceling or “noise-isolating” features to block ambient sounds. These headphones don’t contain special electronics, but they are designed to form a tight seal around or inside your ears. For either type, there are several high-quality options to choose from.
If you go the in-ear route, be sure to choose a pair that are comfortable enough to leave in your ears for long periods of time. Many in-ear headphones, earbuds, or earphones come with a variety of ear tips that you can switch out – everything from round to conical ear tips – and that are made from different materials. In particular, be on the lookout for in-ear styles with Comply memory foam ear tips. These ear tips are optimized for comfort and mold to the inside of your ear, forming an ultra-tight seal.
Wrestling with knotted headphone cables is not fun. The best travel headphones, whether in-ear or otherwise, will come with a thicker cable that doesn’t tangle easily or a cable that’s surrounded by woven fabric. That way, you won’t have to fish your Chapstick out of your headphones when you get to the office.
Travel headphones should be easy to drive with a smartphone, tablet, or another portable device. Most in-ear and/or noise-isolating headphones work fine in this regard and won’t require a headphone amplifier to reach a listenable volume.
Unplugging your headphones, switching apps, and lifting your phone to your ear is not a convenient way to take a call. That’s why it’s a good idea to select headphones with a cable-mounted volume control mechanism and microphone. When you get a call, answering it will require minimal effort on your part.
Have you ever used in-ear headphones with annoying microphonics – the rustling noise you get when the cable moves around? Compared to older earbuds, many modern models do a good job of reducing cable noise. Still, you have to know what to look for. For instance, the Bowers and Wilkins PI4 is truly wireless and includes a section of cable that wraps around your neck, virtually eliminating the possibility of cable noise.
When you choose headphones with all of these features, you’ll have everything you need for non-stop listening during your travels. You’ll also minimize the hassles involved with packing your headphones, unpacking them, and taking calls on the go.
What you won’t have, though, are the perfect headphones for workplace listening or creative exercises. Thankfully, there’s another set of cans for that.
Maybe you’re writing emails. Or maybe you’re crunching numbers. If you’re so fortunate, maybe you’re creating something beautiful on your computer or at your desk. Whatever the case, you need a headset that helps you tune out the world and focus on your work.
You need a set of workplace headphones – quality workplace headphones with great sound.
Portability isn’t a major factor since these headphones will live on your desk or inside a drawer. Instead, you’re going for over-ear or on-ear headphones designed for maximum comfort. In particular, you should be on the lookout for:
Earpads are one of the first things people think about when it comes to headphone comfort, but they aren’t the only comfort-related feature that should concern you. To be sure, ear pads are important. Many of the best audio equipment makers use sheepskin ear pads in their headphones, and it really makes a difference! But you should pay attention to adjustability, too. Can you adjust the headphones to fit your head without causing discomfort during long sessions? Not all headphones fit everyone the same way, so try to determine how well a given set of headphones will feel after a long listening session.
You’re going to wear these headphones often and for several hours at a stretch. Over time, you might need to replace the ear pads. Are they replaceable, or will you have to buy new headphones? It’s a good idea to check before selecting a pair.
Unless you work at home, you’re probably in a room with other people around. To avoid sound leaks that can be heard across your office, it’s a good idea to choose closed-back headphones for use in the workplace. If you’re used to open-back headphones and worry that a closed-back model might get stuffy, fear not! Many new closed-back designs offer great air circulation without leaking sound.
Here comes your boss. Better take off your headphones, right? If you’ve got a mute button, you won’t have to. Just tap the button on the housing, and you’re set. A mute button certainly isn’t a requirement for your workplace headset, but it sure is convenient.
You’re home and it’s time to put on some music. As much as you’d love to turn up the volume, your significant other just isn’t having it. Your options are to choose music both of you can enjoy (an almost impossible request), or not listen to anything.
This is when you need some headphones for at-home listening.
Whether you’re kicking back to enjoy a little sonic solitude or just need some background sound while you read or work on a crossword puzzle, it’s good to keep a pair of go-to, at-home headphones on hand. Since you mainly use these at home, a closed-back design probably isn’t needed. Instead, you should select a pair that offers:
When you don’t need noise-canceling or noise-isolating features and a little sound leakage isn’t the end of the world, open-back is the way to go. Quality open-back headphones can give you a true soundstage experience where your music feels bigger, wider, and deeper – like it’s coming from all around you. At the office, this isn’t feasible because others might hear your music. But at home, the soundstage is yours to enjoy.
This isn’t a requirement, but it’s definitely a plus. Headphones with a planar magnetic driver use a different kind of diaphragm and contain larger magnets. The result is less distortion and all-around clearer sound, although they tend to be heavier than headphones with a dynamic driver. The added weight makes them less than ideal as travel/commuting headphones, but they’re fantastic for at-home listening!
All the attributes of comfortable closed-back headphones hold true here as well. An open-back design will usually offer plenty of air circulation, so you won’t have to worry about sweaty ear pads during long sessions.
You can also add a headphone amplifier for improved overall audio resolution and access to more nuances of the recording, especially low-level sounds. There’s a good chance you’ll hear things in your music you’ve never heard before.
Of course, you don’t have to keep your at-home headphones at home. You’re free to bring them anywhere you want – even on long trips if you just insist on taking your soundstage along on your next vacation.
The point is that it’s a good idea to have headphones that complement the experience of your listening room or the audio equipment in your living room. With a pair of high quality, open-back headphones, you’ll be able to experience music the way your favorite artists intended, even when the other occupants of your home need quiet time.
You’ll also complete your travel/workplace/at-home headphones triad. Wherever you are and whatever the circumstances, there will be a way to enjoy your favorite music.
And with high-quality headphones, it will always sound great.
Audeze LCD-2 Over-Ear Headphones
Meze Audio Empyrean Over-Ear Headphones
If you have any other questions or need help deciding, please feel free to send us a message or chat with us.
Ever tried to make it through an entire day with a single set of headphones? If you have, you probably experienced some inconveniences. The right headphones for your immediate context might not be the same ones that you were wearing a few hours ago. The good news is that there are only three types of headphones you really need. Let’s take a look at what each type has to offer and identify the features you should keep in mind when making a selection.
Ever since the Sony PS4 and Xbox One came out in 2013, a huge leap forward in both audio and video technologies have evolved to improve the way we experience video gaming, movies, and music. With these consoles, you have a pretty capable home media center to stream or play just about anything.
However, those consoles are almost a decade old. As recently announced, the wait is finally over — the new Sony Playstation PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles are here — and we couldn’t be more excited about these next-generation gaming systems and what they bring to the world of high-performance audio.
At Audio Advice, many of us are musicians, vinyl enthusiasts, home theater experts, and of course music and video lovers — but one thing a lot of people don’t realize is we are a team of serious gamers too. Now that cinematic theater standards are becoming available for video games like never before, it’s increasingly more common to see video games offering the same immersive audio & video experiences as professional high-performance movie theaters. With upgrades in your audio & video setups, you can take advantage of these recent innovations and experience the immersive 3D audio capabilities hiding in your games — we’re here to help you do just that.
We’ve rounded up our most passionate video game and home theater enthusiasts to bring you a comprehensive list of high-performance audio & video essentials to level-up your gaming experience. First, let’s quickly cover some of the new and exciting technologies that will make audio more immersive with the next-gen consoles. There’s a lot to unpack here, so let’s get started.
At Audio Advice, one of the coolest revelations for 3D audio is the PlayStation 5’s dedicated 3D audio capabilities — called Tempest engine. Sony didn’t add Atmos to the PS5 — instead, Sony developed its own 3D audio engine — a powerful chipset that alleviates one of the biggest challenges sound designers face when designing and implementing audio for games. The dedicated chip-set removes all constraints for precious computing resources and will be a powerful game-changer for immersive 3D audio. Luckily, Tempest 3D will still work with receivers and other gear with height capabilities. Your AVR just might not show the indicator light for Atmos, but it will still work with your Dolby Atmos equipment. Xbox Series X, on the other hand, has Atmos, so everything will work exactly as expected.
Built-in Dolby Atmos is the first major technology next-gen gaming consoles will offer, including the XBox Series X. For those who may not know, Dolby Atmos adds elevation to your soundstage. Rather than sound simply going from left to right and front to back, Atmos lets you experience sounds from top to bottom too. This immerses you in a world of sounds as if they were occurring in three-dimensional space.
In Dolby Atmos soundbars, speaker drivers direct the sound upwards towards the ceiling where the sound then bounces back down. This allows you to experience the sound of a helicopter flying above you with true 3D sound. If a helicopter is hovering above the screen, you will hear the sound of the helicopter’s rotor blades right above you. When the helicopter lands, you’ll hear and feel the sound travel down to your level just like in real life. There’s also 3D audio for headsets too, which is basically a comparable tech for gaming headphones.
HDMI 2.1 is a big deal in a lot of ways, but it’s especially important for gamers — and particularly for the PS5 and Xbox Series X gamers. HDMI 2.1’s higher bandwidth opens the door for high frame rates (HFR) variable refresh rates (VRR), and many more possibilities specific to high-performance gaming.
TVs that feature this newer connection will immediately see game-changing advantages 4K at 120fps or even higher resolutions — like 8K at 60fps! You’ll need a PS5 Ready TV to take full advantage of this, but don’t worry — our list covers the best TVs to game with.
While not a console feature, eARC is a next-gen TV feature to keep in mind when shopping for a high-performance soundbar or a TV to game on. It's the evolution of ARC (or Audio Return Channel), and it transmits full Dolby Atmos (and other object-based surround formats like DTS:X and tempest 3D) from the TV back down the HDMI cable without compression. It’s important to note you will not get true 3D Dolby Atmos surround sound without a TV that features the newer eARC connection (unless you use an AVR with video passthrough). If your TV supports HDMI eARC, all you’ll have to do is connect an HDMI cable from your TV to the soundbar, and you’re done.
In the articles linked below, we’ll cover the best TVs to game on including the latest PS5 Ready TVs. We’ll also give you our recommendations for the best Dolby Atmos soundbars for gaming, and the best gaming headsets for the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Then, we’ll give you three of our top recommendations for each of these categories based on price and features you get for everyone’s budget — including options for the best bang-for-your-buck, the best value overall, and our high-end recommendation for gamers who simply want to squeeze every last drop of performance from the gaming console and future-proof your setup.
Best TVs For Cinematic Video Games
The product life-cycle for a single console generation typically lasts about seven years. If you’re already making the investment in one of these next-gen consoles, you might as well do it right. You’ll be with that system for a very long time. Whether you’re on team Sony or team Microsoft, you might as well squeeze every last drop of performance from these very powerful gaming consoles, and give yourself the best immersion for your money, available.
Setting up Klipsch The Sevens or The Nines Powered Speakers is pretty straightforward. However, there are many fun tips & tricks most people don’t even know about. Whether you decide to use them as a soundbar alternative or a pair of computer speakers on your work desk, this quick setup guide will ensure you get the most impressive so...
Setting up a Devialet Phantom is pretty straightforward. However, there are some tips & tricks that will optimize the omnidirectional soundstage for your listening space. This quick setup guide will ensure you get the most impressive sound field for listening to music or even enjoying all of your favorite movies when connected with your TV....
Watch our latest video featuring a near-field home theater that we recently installed in a relatively compact bonus room. While we have many home theater showcases, the majority of them cover homes with dedicated theater rooms. The reality is that many people don’t have that kind of extra space available, but still want to create a cinematic e...
This was our first theater to have the latest JBL Synthesis SCL speakers which provide amazing dynamics for their cost. Paired with a Sony VPL-VW715ES projector and JBL Synthesis dual SSW-3 & SSW-4 in-wall subwoofers, this configuration gave us an incredibly seamless surround sound experience.
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Setting up the Klipsch Cinema 1200 Dolby Atmos Sound Bar is pretty straightforward. However, there are some tips & tricks that will optimize the 3D soundstage for your room. This quick setup guide will ensure you get the most impressive sound field for all of your favorite Dolby Atmos music and movies. Watch now!
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These homeowners recently moved into a new home and wanted to design a family-friendly multimedia room for watching sports, movies, and playing video games with their kids. After designing their room in our 3D Home Theater design tool, they worked one-on-one with our system designer from start to finish to make a plan for the space that fits all...
Don’t choose a music streaming service until you read this. You may even consider switching to one of the music streaming platforms in this comparison. Some streaming services call Dolby Atmos Music by different names. Apple Music is calling it Spacial Audio while Tidal calls it Dolby Atmos Music and Amazon HD calls it 3D Audio tracks. Whi...
Setting up Klipsch The Fives Powered Speakers is pretty straightforward. However, there are many fun tips & tricks most people don’t even know about. Whether you decide to use The Fives as a soundbar replacement or a pair of computer speakers on your work desk, this quick setup guide will ensure you get the most impressive sound field...
The iFi headphone amp lineup is full of affordable solutions to help bring life into your cans. Whether you use IEM’s or the most stubborn open-back, iFi can push them and give you the lifelike music you’ve been wanting.
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Ever tried to make it through an entire day with a single set of headphones? If you have, you probably experienced some inconveniences. The right headphones for your immediate context might not be the same ones that you were wearing a few hours ago. The good news is that there are only three types of headphones you really need. Let’s take a lo...
As a gamer, you spend hours in front of a TV and the speakers built into the screen. Gaming is more immersive and satisfying when details in the audio & video presentation are enhanced. Colors pop right out of the screen in front of you, and Dolby Atmos completely surrounds you. Leveling-up your audio & video gear helps you gain a slight competitive edge that wins the game. If you game on a next-gen console, take advantage of the powerful capabilities under the hood. Whether you play for team Sony or team Xbox, this article will explain how to squeeze every last drop of performance from your high-performance gaming system.
While not the same experience as Dolby Atmos from a high-performance soundbar, gaming headsets offer a lot of other advantages. For one, they offer private listening when playing your game. Whether you are PC gaming or gaming on any of the next-gen consoles, there are a few things a good gaming-grade headset must include. A broadcast-quality noise-cancelling microphone that picks up your voice, clearly, is essential. A great headset will also be designed to fit comfortably with high-performance lightweight materials and a soft headband that distributes the weight evenly, so you can game longer.
Active noise-cancelling technology is a newer feature we’re seeing on some of the more high-end headsets. This technology eliminates unwanted background noise so you can stay fully-immersed in your game without distractions.
One of the most important features serious gamers want to see in their next gaming headset is truly wireless compatibility with our console of choice, so we can control the headset wirelessly from the Xbox or PS5 controllers. Fortunately, all of the wireless gaming headsets on this list offer compatibility with the next-gen consoles.
Of course, this list of best gaming headphones wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t select only the most audiophile gaming headsets. All of these audiophile gaming headsets present accurate immersive sound specially optimized for high-performance gaming, so you’ll never miss a detail. Priced from highest to lowest, these are the gaming headsets we like the best.
As the official gaming headset for the Xbox Series X, Audeze Penrose is the clear winner as the best audiophile gaming headset for several key reasons.
As the official gaming headset for the Xbox Series X, Audeze Penrose is the clear winner as the best audiophile gaming headset for several key reasons. First, this gaming headset is made by one of the premier manufacturers of audiophile-grade headphones. If you didn’t already know, Audeze engineers some of the world’s best-sounding headphones for audiophiles and music professionals. Their special planar magnetic driver technology and level-of-comfort have set a world-class standard for clarity, precision, dynamics, and detail.
Some of their most expensive top-of-the-line audiophile headphones sell well over the $3,000-range. At Audio Advice, we love when high-end tech trickles down into less expensive gear — and this is one of the biggest reasons Audeze Penrose is able to present so much clarity and detail hiding in your video games. Besides having a long battery life and a detachable broadcast-quality mic, Penrose is the best audiophile headphone for gaming if you’re serious about wanting to level-up your reaction time.
Audeze makes two models specific to each console — Penrose for PS5 and Penrose X for Xbox Series X. Both models work wirelessly with either Xbox Series X or PS5 controllers over the high-performance dual wireless connection. You just use the included USB dongle to connect your console over the lossless, low latency 2.4GHz wireless signal. When you pair Penrose with your mobile device over Bluetooth 5.0, you’ll also be able to chat, simultaneously, with the 2.4GHz wireless connection without interrupting your gameplay.
With 3-hours to charge, both models give you 15-hours of wireless gameplay. The only difference between the two models is the PS5 version will not use Audeze’s 3D sound engine. Otherwise, they offer the exact same performance and features with either next-gen gaming system.
About Audeze Penrose:
If you are looking for the best gaming headset with active noise-cancellation technology, the JBL Quantum 800 gaming headset is the best headset for gaming on either Xbox Series X or PS5.
The JBL Quantum 800 has a long 14-hour battery life and it’s compatible with all next-gen gaming platforms via the lossless 2.4Ghz wireless dongle that’s included. The dongle also supports dual-wireless capability over Bluetooth 5.0 so you can pair this with your phone at the same time.
With active noise-canceling turned on, this gaming headset helps us eliminate distractions in the environment. This helps us focus on the cinematic sound effects in the game and the immersive musical details in soundtracks. The active noise cancelling works especially well with the adjustable boom microphone. The ANC is specially tuned for video games to cancel out the frequencies that would cause echos or feedback with the mic — and to our ears, it helps voice communications stand out more clearly and distinctly compared to other gaming headsets.
As an added bonus, if you game on PC, there’s a spatial audio positioning feature that enhances the cinematic soundstage of your PC games with realistic DTS surround sound quality, but this only works on PC. This really makes the PC gaming experience sound more realistic and immersive, and the improvements are noticeable — our only wish is that this also works with next-gen gaming consoles, but if you game on PC, you will definitely appreciate having this as an added bonus.
Designed for immersion and performance, the JBL Quantum 600 2.4GHz wireless gaming headset gives you a clear edge over the competition with accurate and immersive sound.
If you don’t care about active noise cancelling features when gaming, JBL Quantum 600 offers similar performance as the JBL Quantum 800. For $50 less than the JBL Quantum 800, you get the same high-quality adjustable boom microphone and similar cinematic performance for high-quality audio with video games. You also get the same 14-hour battery life and compatibility with all next-gen gaming platforms via the lossless 2.4Ghz wireless dongle that’s included. However, this model omits the dual-wireless capability over Bluetooth 5.0, so you do not get the ability to simultaneously connect with your phone or other Bluetooth devices.
In terms of audio quality, the JBL Quantum 600 offers similar fidelity but not quite the same level-of-performance as its bigger brother. This gaming headset can present audio with an impressive frequency range from 20Hz to 20kHz. When you compare this to the JBL Quantum 800’s frequency response (20Hz to 40kHz ), the performance is not quite as impressive. However, the Quantum 600 sounds better than any gaming headset at this price-point.
If you care about having the best audio quality possible, then step things up to the JBL Quantum 800 for only $50 more, or go all out with the best gaming headset available — Audeze Penrose. At only $150 more, Penrose offers the largest competitive edge available. Soundtracks and sound effects are just incredibly detailed and immersive.
For less than $300 for an audiophile gaming headset that’s compatible with the latest next-gen consoles and offers this much tech and performance — who wouldn’t choose the Audeze Penrose?
If PC gaming is your thing, then a great audiophile headphone for gaming will add a wider sense of presentation and clear dynamics that will help you gain a competitive edge. For gaming on PC, these audiophile gaming headsets are our staff picks.
The product life-cycle for a single console generation typically lasts about seven years. If you’re already making the investment in one of these next-gen consoles, you might as well do it right. You’ll be with that system for a very long time.
Whether you’re on team Sony, Microsoft, or if you game on PC, a high-performance gaming headset will help you squeeze every last drop of performance from these very powerful gaming systems. Immersive 3D audio is a great way to dive into the game, and give yourself a slight competitive advantage without disturbing anyone around you.
Choose any of the high-performance gaming headsets on this list, and you will experience the best immersion for gaming, available.
Gaming headsets offer a lot of advantages. Private-listening, a broadcast-quality noise-cancelling mic & high-performance lightweight materials to distribute the weight evenly, letting you game longer. But, this list of best gaming headphones wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t select only the most audiophile gaming headsets. All of these present accurate immersive sound specially optimized for high-performance gaming, so you’ll never miss a detail. Priced from highest to lowest, these are the best gaming headsets.
