Portable, Closed Headphones Mega-Review

Last updated on March 2, 2016 to add the B&O H6 (2nd generation).

Current Top 5:

Jump to: Sound • Comfort • Portability • Top Picks

Overview

My criteria for this review is what someone seeking good headphones today probably wants:

Closed-back design with isolation

Portable: not pocketable, but should fit comfortably in a small bag; suitable for listening at a desk, bringing on an airplane, or maybe wearing outside

Wireless with control buttons, or a straight, short cable with a smartphone remote

These should usually be under $400, and ideally under $250.

For years, geeks like me recommended inexpensive studio-monitor headphones like the 280 Pro, ATH-M50, and MDR-7506 for listening at desks. These offer good isolation, moderate sound quality, and long-term comfort for around $100, but are terrible for portable use: they’re large and don’t fold much, they don’t have smartphone remotes, and they usually have long, coiled cables. They’re excellent values, but they’re no longer what most people want today.

Headphones not included

Open-backed headphones, since they’re irresponsible to recommend without a huge asterisk. 1

Earbuds and in-ear monitors (IEMs), since I can’t wear them without pain. 2

Most on-ear models, since sound and comfort usually suck.

Most inexpensive wireless models, since they’re usually terrible. I reviewed a few separately.

Anything that requires a separate amp.

Rare, high-end models that I couldn’t try in person anywhere and that I didn’t think were worth the risk of buying myself due to too little information, too few positive reviews, or too many reports of severe defects, including the Phonon SMB-02, Martin Logan MIKROS 90, Aedle VK-1, and Parrot Zik 2.0.

Testing

I’ve bought or been loaned all of the headphones in this review and spent significant time with them at home, except the B&W P7 and Beats Pro.3 I tested each headphone with my iPhone by itself as the source first, then with a larger desk setup: three headphone amps simultaneously connected to a Gungnir DAC.4

I listened to what you probably think is terrible music, but it’s well-recorded, it spans a wide range of tones and recording types, and I know the details extremely well. I then had my wife listen to the same headphones without telling her my thoughts, and she came to almost all of the same conclusions, so I know that either I’m not nuts or both of us are.

Sound quality ranking

Many people prefer a warm, “laid-back” tone that lacks some midrange presence, most upper treble response, and the fine detail that good treble response brings. This avoids the harshness that unrefined midrange and treble can bring on inexpensive headphones, so the sound is less fatiguing after long periods. But it’s like adding milk to coffee: the lost vocal strength and treble detail also make good recordings more dull and forgettable.

The other end of the preference spectrum is detail, clarity, and an “airy” feel that great treble can bring, and more energy in vocals that a strong midrange can bring. Great treble is my preferred style, and it’s what makes people say, “Wow! That’s so clear!” The downside is that it’s hard to get that right without sounding harsh or tinny.

If you prefer a laid-back tone, you should probably get the NAD VISO HP50 or PSB M4U 1, as they’re the best-sounding examples of that tone, but they suffer in portability. If you like treble detail, you should probably get the B&O H6 or Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7.

From best to worst, with that qualification in mind:

Comfort ranking

From best to worst:

Portability and fashion ranking

Portability includes size, foldability, quality of remote clicker controls, and general fashionability.

Ideally, the headphones should be reasonably small on the head, able to comfortably drop to the neck for brief periods, and fold easily into a small bag. The remote-control clicker should have the 3 standard iPhone buttons easily distinguished by feel, and the buttons should be easy to press, with enough tactile feedback that double- and triple-press commands should be easy to perform without frequent errors. The cable should be replaceable, not permanently mounted. And you shouldn’t look too ridiculous wearing them in public.

From best to worst:

My favorites, overall

From best to worst. Prices are as of the time of writing, occasionally updated:

I’ll update this article and the rankings as I try newer models in the future.