Are expensive headphones REALLY worth it?

[SidJames]

I bought the Wife those Sony Headphones.

They are expensive, but to be fair, they do sound extremely good. Very natural sound, with lots of detail.

And the Battery life is also very good.

BOSE also do some nice Headphones a bit cheaper.

I like my music. Also have a nice 7.1 set up with Bowers and Wilkins speakers.

I think when it comes to Sound you get what you pay for.

I am sure other Audiophile will agree.

 

[Sir peace frog]

What headphones did you get for gaming? I've got steelseries and sound great.

They came with the package, ps5 headphones, but the quality of sound compared to my old ones are on another level

 

[idahoblues]

Never wear them

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

I have some AirPods Max headphones - best I have experienced and I have had a lot of headphones. Build quality is superb, sound is phenomenal and the noise cancellation is unparalleled in my opinion.

I’ve got a pair of those too. I love them.

Not sure I’d part with my own money for them but they were a gift. I use them every day.

The stupid case is annoying though and there’s no off switch but apart from that they’re wonderful.

I agree the noise cancelling is probably the best on the market.

 

[Kazzydeyna]

I've always been happy with my Bose comfort headphones. Mid priced, very comfy, good noise cancelling, a single charge lasts for days, Good depth and Bass response. Had them around 4 years now and wouldn't change them, no reason too.

I’ve heard that about the Bose. I have the Sony XM3 over-ears (got them on a deal when the xm4 came out) and the same here.
Absolutely amazing for the money and as I stream most of my music of play direct from iPhone, there was no need to spend any more.

 

[Blue Maverick]

I have some AirPods Max headphones - best I have experienced and I have had a lot of headphones. Build quality is superb, sound is phenomenal and the noise cancellation is unparalleled in my opinion.

I’d like a pair of those for late night movie watching through my Aple tv, I currently use the AirPods Pro which are fantastic when watching with spatial audio, also when walking the dog for podcasts, as others have said the noise cancelling is fantastic

 

[Robinho's Subbuteo]

I’ve got a pair of those too. I love them.

Not sure I’d part with my own money for them but they were a gift. I use them every day.

The stupid case is annoying though and there’s no off switch but apart from that they’re wonderful.

I agree the noise cancelling is probably the best on the market.

You're so right @Johnny Mars Bar about the case - bit of a mystery that one and very unlike Apple for the most part.

However, they do kind of redeem that poor design quirk with how unbelievably easy the over-ear pads are to swap out and also how fast the AirPods Max re-charge.

 

[remember arthur mann]

For the half that isn't blind ?

What you like Billy boy !

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

I bought the Wife those Sony Headphones.

They are expensive, but to be fair, they do sound extremely good. Very natural sound, with lots of detail.

And the Battery life is also very good.

BOSE also do some nice Headphones a bit cheaper.

I like my music. Also have a nice 7.1 set up with Bowers and Wilkins speakers.

I think when it comes to Sound you get what you pay for.

I am sure other Audiophile will agree.

Hmm... Not really.

Mechanical components (speakers, headphones, tuntables, cartridges, etc), yes to a point.

Amps and cables absolutely not.

 

[jrb]

What Hifi yearly awards are always done in September so it's pretty much up to date.

Click on the link for the full review. Pros and cons.

Shop around and you'll probably get them cheaper.

Sony WH-1000XM5 review

What Hi-Fi? Awards 2023 winner. New design, same result for Sony’s latest premium noise-cancelling headphones

www.whathifi.com