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Audio Switch – seamlessly transition audio between your Android, Chromebook and other compatible devices 9 The adaptive ANC is impressive too, as is the long 38 hours of listening time that you get even with noise cancelling turned on. Overall, the design is sumptuous, with clear attention to detail and loads of aluminium detailing that pairs with the soft and comfortable memory foam and lambskin ear cushions. Major IV’s new, improved ergonomic design means that when you’re deep diving into your music, the tenth hour is as comfortable as the first. Major IV’s ear cushions are softer to the touch and more faithfully fit the shape of your ear, rendering the headphones more comfortable and wearable over time. They're the epitome of audio excellence, and there's real science behind this. They're optimised to the "Harman curve", the gold standard developed by researchers at Harman International. This tuning is the verified preferred sound signature for most of us.
They shouldn't, though we can see why the idea of ear cups squashing your ears might come to mind when you think of on-ear headphones. As long as you choose a pair with generously padded earcups and the clamping force on your ears isn't too tight, you shouldn't experience any discomfort. In fact, many people find the lightweight build of these headphones more comfortable than over-ear models, and they work great for anyone who's squeamish about in-ear headphones. How we test the best on-ear headphones When it comes to performance, the 5909s create an intimate and enveloping soundstage, allowing for precise instrumental separation. Gorillaz's 'Feel Good Inc' and Billie Eilish's 'Bad Guy' reveal distinct layers, with bass exhibiting control and presence. Where these headphones shine is in the reproduction of vocals, which have remarkable clarity. If it’s the very best materials you’re after, this Master & Dynamic model matches the likes of the Bang & Olufsen models and the AirPods Max when it comes to both price and luxury design. The AirPods Max will give you extra features like "spatial audio" and announcements of your notifications (when paired to an iPhone or iPad), something you won’t have with other models. an iCloud account and a compatible Apple device running the latest operating system software or a compatible Android device running Android 8.0 or later, with Google Play Services enabled.
These have a minimalist and discreet design and are a perfect fit for those with smaller ears. They sport the same fingerprint-resistant finish as Final's flagship ZE8000 earbuds, with a soft coating called "Shibo" texture, described as an “old Japanese word meaning a wrinkle on the surface of paper or leather” – we love it. They're part of a collaboration between the sportswear company and Zound Industries, best known for working with Urbanears and Marshall to develop headphones and Bluetooth speakers. Selected items are only available for delivery via the Royal Mail 48® service and other items are available for delivery using this service for a charge. This clever tech used to be reserved for only the most high-end headphones, and it can still cost a fair bit to get decent active noise-cancelling (ANC).
In the box, you get a chunky carry case containing every adapter, cable and accessory you'll need. The noise-cancelling is more than good enough for London trains, but not the headline feature, while the cans deliver 30 hours of battery with ANC on – more than enough for us. With a far more balanced sound profile that gives equal attention to lows, mids and highs alongside an enormous upgrade in general sturdiness, the Beats Solo Pro are also the company's first on-ear cans to offer pure adaptive noise cancelling (or Pure ANC), easily earning its newfound 'Pro' status. We've tested all of the best on-ear headphones in this guide. As we put each model through their paces we were first and foremost looking for certain criteria that make an excellent pair of headphones more generally, like good quality sound and ease-of-use. And it’s worth thinking about the weight too. The models in the list are all well-balanced and won’t feel weighty on your head, but there is a bit of a difference between almost 400g and 250g (about as much as a small bag of coffee beans) especially if you’re travelling. Sound quality
Industry-leading battery life meets portability and eye-catching design
If you need a reliable and comfortable set of over-ear headphones that have physical control buttons instead of touch input, we highly recommend the Bose QC45s.
Designed in collaboration with industrial designer Ross Lovegrove, the side of each housing has an intentional dent that looks like someone’s taken a swing at your headphones and left their mark. It’s odd, but there’s also nothing like it out there. On-ear headphones may not be as ubiquitous as their over-ear and in-ear counterparts, but plenty of top audio brands make headphones in this style. Our favorite on-ear headphones companies include Beats, Jabra, Sony, Grado, and AKG, all of which offer high-spec cans at good prices. If you're more of an audiophile, you may want to look at brands like Sennheiser and Bowers & Wilkins – though you won't get the immersion that a pair of over-ear headphones can offer, on-ear headphones from these brands still come with some serious audio props. Will on-ear headphones hurt my ears? We must stress that these are similar to the older pair but the “e” stands for “evolved” and what we’re seeing here is a slight but notable improvement. To be honest, you’ll probably only notice it if you ever used the previous ones and even then it’s hard to spot. But there’s a refinement to the build quality and style, in addition to an upgrade to the sound, especially in the bass and midrange.Controls are equally simple to navigate. Marshall has taken a “less is more” approach, and I can’t fault the execution. A single multidirectional knob on the right earpad handles all of your key commands. Pressing and holding the knob powers the Major IV on or off, with a single press playing or pausing audio. The Grado SR80x headphones are the latest version of the brand’s classic (and more expensive) designs, which makes them the most budget-friendly option after the Grado SR60x.
The Grado GW100x replace the outgoing GW100 and they compete with the best wireless headphones from Bose, Sennheiser and Sony. But this is Grado – a company we usually cover for no-nonsense, affordable wired headphones so don't expect all the bells and whistles.
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If you’re after a fuss-free experience but want a pair of cans that stand out from the crowd, we recommend considering the KEF Mu7s. While it’s hard to argue that they outperform many of the other headphones within the same price range, they have a lot to offer for anyone looking for a pair that not only sounds excellent but that will also turn heads with a space-age look. The bass underpins things well, adding depth while staying controlled, and letting you have some fun with electronic or dance music. The mids are capable of letting vocals stretch their legs, and giving dense instrument mixes a chance to stand out, although obviously more detail is lost here than in higher-end models. And trebles elevate out of the mid-range well, feeling like they have enough room to breathe. The memory foam earcups are a little on the smaller side for us, so we would recommend other headphones on this list if you’ve got bigger ears. The travel case is also a bit bulky, so you’ll need a fair bit of room in your bag to take these with you. Compared to the Sony CH510that the Sony CH520 replace, there's more cushioning, which is always appreciated in thebest on-ear headphonesas their design means their earpads sit directly on your ears, which not everyone loves. READ NEXT: The best headphones for every budget Marshall Major IV review: What do you get for the money?
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