The Best of the Latest Headphones
Andrew Everard
Friday, November 29, 2024
Whatever your budget it’s possible to buy an excellent pair of headphones, whether made by a dedicated manufacturer, or one of the world’s big loudspeaker names
Once, headphones were something only used for listening when circumstances forced it, whether to avoid annoying others with your music, or to keep those around you away from whatever you want to enjoy. Of course, in the early days of radio a pair of headphones were your only choice, but arguably the revival of personal audio came with the launch of the Sony Walkman, and was even more firmly cemented in the thinking of the mass market with the adoption of iPods and smartphones.
These days, headphones are mainstream, and there’s a huge choice of brands out there, from specialist headphone manufacturers to loudspeaker companies leveraging their technology to develop their own personal audio models. And there are some real bargains to be had – as well as some much more upmarket designs for those who are really serious about headphone listening.
Firmly in the ‘very affordable’ sector of the market is the SoundMAGIC P58BT ANC, the latest arrival from a company which has gained an enviable collection of awards and fine reviews for its value-priced products since it was founded in Beijing back in 2007. Now with offices in the USA and the UK, and selling its products worldwide, its recent introduction combines Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity (cabled audio is an option) with hybrid active noise cancellation, to keep outside noise where it belongs.
Powered by an onboard battery charged via a USB cable, the P58BT ANC claims a 35-hour runtime between charges when using the noise cancellation, or 50 hours without, both of which seem entirely credible, while the sound in either mode is very acceptable indeed. And best of all, all this comes with a very attractive price tag of just under £80, whether you prefer silver or black finishes.
Talking of finishes, loudspeaker company Bowers & Wilkins has developed an exceptional range of headphones and earphones, and has broadened the appeal of two of its luxurious wireless headphone models with the availability of new colours. The Px7 S2e, which comes with built-in Adaptive Noise Cancelling, as well as angled drivers to enhance stereo soundstaging, is now available in dark Ruby Red, bringing the range of finishes on offer to five, while the top-end Px8 has added a Dark Forest green finish to the black, tan and Royal Burgundy already available. Both models are trimmed in Nappa leather, with aluminium for the structural parts, while the PX8 model can also be bought in a McLaren edition, finished in ‘Galvanic Grey & Papaya Orange’ for fans of the supercars and the F1 team.
Another speaker company with a fast-growing range of high-quality headphones is French-based Focal, with models running from the luxury to the more studio-focused. The Spirit Professional was its first foray into the professional market, and proved a super-revealing design ideally voiced for studio monitoring – if perhaps a little too informative for those with recordings of suspect quality.
The range has expanded to include the Clear Mg Professional and Listen Professional – and its latest offering is the Lensys Professional, described as ‘a high-resolution work tool for in-studio use or creating music on the move.’ Like the other ‘pro’ models, it’s designed to be durable, comfortable and lightweight, and for those who want to listen in a noisy environment it’s a closed-back design, blocking noise transmission from the outside and from the inside outwards.
Also coming from a professional perspective is Austrian Audio, a company with its roots in the celebrated AKG microphone and headphones brand. Its newest model, the Hi-X20 , is another closed-back design built for durability and use in professional environments, and is said to offer ‘a fresh take on the Austrian Audio sonic signature – pristine sound, honest frequency response, fast transients, and minimal distortion in the bass range.’ All of which sounds rather well suited to the enjoyment of a wide range of recordings at home, too.
Finally, the latest model from Danish loudspeaker company DALI: its IO-8 headphones are developed from its award-winning IO-12, and designed by the same team responsible for the company’s Kore flagship speaker. They offer wired or wireless operation as well as ‘Audiophile Active Noise Cancellation’, and use 50mm paper and fibre drivers, along with a ‘Hi-Fi’ and ‘Bass’ sound modes, all controlled by buttons on the headphones themselves, unlike other designs which require the use of a smartphone app to make such adjustments. The ear-pads are finished in real leather for comfort and durability, and the IO-8 is available in ‘Caramel White’ or ‘Iron Black’.