WIRED FOR SOUND: FROM BUDGET TO HIGH END AUDIOPHILE HEADPHONES
Most people use the earphones that came with their phone, but there is a lot of great choice out there. From budget options to high end audiophile level covering every style and price point. A good pair of headphones can revitalise your music and enhance a trip to the gym, a long haul flight or the home listening experience.
From earphones. Over-Ear, On-Ear, In-Ear, Bluetooth, Noise Cancelling and true wireless here are a few of our favourites:
AfterShokz Trekz Air
The AfterShokz Trekz Air is the ultimate bone conduction sport headphones inspired by the demands of elite and aspiring athletes. 20% lighter than the previous model, the Trekz Titanium, its full titanium wraparound provides infinite flexibility, a secure fit and the ultimate level of comfort.
An OpenFitTM design promises uncompromised situational awareness and extended comfort, meaning users can tune in to music or a call without tuning out the world around them, whereas the PremiumPitch+TM technology ensures improved audio from the bone conduction. Six hours of music and calls finally provides enough boost to get users through a long workout, flight or marathon call. £149.99 aftershokz.co.uk
AfterShokz Trekz Air
House of Marley Positive Vibration 2 Wireless On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones
These T3 Platinum and Best on Test Award winning headphones are made from widely recyclable aluminium and FSC Certified Wood. Incorporating 2 x large 50mm aperture drivers, providing exceptional clarity throughout an extended frequency range. Superior sound,sustainably craftedBig drivers, soft ear cushions, and precision sound; eliminate all restrictions and experience freedom with the House of Marley Positive Vibration 2 Wireless on-ear Bluetooth headphones. Available in a range of vibrant colours, a 12-hour wireless playtime, 40mm dynamic driver and aluminium ear cups – the sleek design is the ideal companion for travelling. The headphones also include a removable cable with a mic and 1-button remote, so you can continue to listen plugged in should you wish, and features on-board controls and microphone to control your music and take calls at convenience. Irie!
£49.99 thehouseofmarley.co.uk
House of Marley Positive Vibration 2 Wireless On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones
nuraphone Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones with Earbuds
These mind blowing headphones were originally a Kickstarter-backed project and clearly made by people with a love for music, design and technology.
At its core is a self-learning engine built into the nuraphone that automatically learns and adapts to your unique hearing. Hear your favourite music for the first time.
The nuraphone learns your hearing in about one minute. The first time you put on the nuraphone, it plays a short series of tones. As your ear hears these tones, your inner ear actually produces a tiny sound in response. This tiny sound is called the Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) and it tells the nuraphone what tones your ears are more or less sensitive to.
With your hearing profile applied, you’ll hear your favourite music like never before. Your unique profile is stored within the nuraphone allowing you to listen to any device with your perfect sound. Up to three profiles can be stored on your nuraphone at any time. Quite possibly the best sound experience you will ever have with wireless headphones. £349 nuraphone.com
nuraphone Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones
Groov-e Playbuds
Groov-e’s fully wireless in-ear earbuds Airbuds allow users to be free from any cables or neckbands and offer uncompromised, completely wireless sound with impressive stereo audio quality. A sleek, compact and minimalistic design makes the Airbuds perfect for commuting, exercising or taking calls from the office. Boasting Bluetooth V4.1 technology, users are able to connect the Airbuds seamlessly with any smart- device that’s up to 10 metres away. With three hours of listening time and 20 hours on standby, users simply place the Airbuds inside the carry case when the battery is low. The portable case, which doubles up as a charger, will then provide an additional seven hours of music playback, allowing users to stay connected for non-stop listening on the go. £54.99 www.groov-e.co.uk
Groov-e Playbuds
Brainwavz ZETA IEM in-ear ZETA Earphones
Brainwavz Zeta earphonesThese lightweight earphones offer exceptional sound and comfort for remarkable value. The dynamic drivers deliver a smooth detailed bass with crisp, realistic, high fidelity vocals. Designed for everyday use, the ZETA’s come with a choice of 3 sizes of ear tips, (S,M,L), which are made from 100% premium quality silicon to give a quality and custom fit for comfortable all-day wear. Complete with in-line remote control and microphone, they are perfect for voice calls and media control on phones or other mobile devices. The ZETA’s also support a TRRS connector and are compatible with both Apple and Android devices. £16.50 amazon.co.uk
Brainwavz ZETA IEM in-ear ZETA Earphones
JAM Audio Out There On-Ear Wireless ANC Headphones
When you’re Out There, you’re not alone. These on-ear headphones can pause the music to make hands-free calls within the 15-meter/50-foot Bluetooth™ range. The active noise cancellation ensures crisp sound whether you plug in with an aux cord or go totally wireless.
With up to 17-hours play time, and active noise-cancellation (ANC) blocking out ambient noise, the Out There on-ear headphones are perfect for any getaway.
Bluetooth Compatible: Be free from wires that keep you connected to your smart device and in a range of cool colors they look super stylish too.
£49.99 uk.jamaudio.com
JAM Audio Out There On-Ear Wireless ANC Headphones
RevoNext RX6-Sport dual driver in-ear earphones
Revonext RX6-Sport dual driver in-ear earphones are ergonomically designed with two types of ear hooks for exception comfort and noise isolation whilst on a run or at the gym. Featuring the latest composite membrane acoustics with one dynamic driver and one balanced armature, the earphones give a powerful deep bass and balanced crisp highs to deliver an excellent listening experience for an affordable price.
Available in black, grey and red, the RX6-Sport offer a changeable line design, using a 3.5mm anti-oxidation nickel-plated connector and 0.78mm 2-pin plug detachable Hi-Fi high-end audio cable to further enhance the sound quality and the personalisation options. £23.98 revonext.com
RevoNext RX6-Sport dual driver in-ear earphones
JBuds Air True Wireless Earbuds
The JBuds Air offer crystal clear sound and a 3-4 hour Bluetooth battery life in each earbud plus 10 hours with the included 500mAh charging case for an affordable price. Featuring EQ3 technology and allowing users to choose between three settings: Signature, Balance or Bass Boost, there is a setting that will suit all music tastes. If a work out gets a bit sweaty or the rain catches you out on a run then the earbuds have IP55 sweat resistance so there’s no need to worry and with the built-in microphone it is easy to take a call or activate Siri or Google Assistant to call a taxi and skip the downpour! Using Auto On and Connect, it couldn’t be easier to start listening to music.
£49.99 from John Lewis
JBuds Air True Wireless Earbuds
