Poll: Best OVER-EAR Headphones under $400 in 2017

scrimshaw on 02/09/2017 - 16:09
Last edited 04/01/2018 - 12:06 by 1 other user

Moderators at OzBargain have decided to run yearly polls to decide the best products in popular categories that get asked repeatedly in the forum. Our aim is to have a central thread where users can vote on the items, suggest options and also change their vote throughout the year. The polls will end once the year is over.

Question

What is the best Audiophile over-ear headphones (under $400) for the year 2017?

High fidelity audio comes at a high price, and with the large number of options available it's fairly tedious having to read through reviews for each of them. So why not ask the crowd and the see what everybody else is listening to?

Over-ear headphones are bulkier than their in-ear or on-ear counterparts, but the benefit of having headphones sitting over, rather than on or inside your ears means they're much more comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Some of the things you need to look out for in a pair of headphones apart from their sound quality:

  • Open back or closed headphone types
  • Wireless or Wired
  • Built in microphones for smartphone usage
  • Active Noise Cancelling features
  • Sizing of the earcups and their materials (affecting comfort)
  • Will they require a headphone amplifier to sound good?

So what's your favourite over-ear headphones under $400 for 2017? Make your suggestions below, and be sure to justify why it's the best one for you.

(edit: removed "audiophile" from question to make the poll more general)

  • Don't see an account that you like in the poll options? Make a (sensible) suggestion and we'll add it to the list.
  • You are allowed to change your vote.

How to Suggest a Poll option? Simply type into the textbox above your Comment box and then submit your comment.

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Poll Options expired

This is part of What Should I Buy poll for 2017. Check out other recommendations from the OzBargain community.
Electrical & Electronics AKG Audio Technica Bang & Olufsen Bose Headphones HiFiMAN Philips Plantronics Sennheiser Sony Sony MDR100ABNB What Should I Buy

Comments

  • The Wololo Wombat on 02/09/2017 - 16:18
    Suggested Bose QuietComfort 35

    Obvious Choice

    • The Wololo Wombat on 02/09/2017 - 16:33
      +2

      To be honest. I'm not sure how fair this poll will be. I've not tried many other headphones. I own the QC35 and am satisfied. This will likely be more of a popularity contest, instead of an impartial, objective fair comparison.

      • ChillBro on 02/09/2017 - 19:12
        +1

        I think that's exactly what it's going to be since I don't even know how wireless headphones can be compared against wired ones.

  • scrimshaw on 02/09/2017 - 16:22
    Suggested Sony MDR-1000X

    too fast. I'll put in the Sony MDR-1000X, as some people say the sound quality is superior to the bose, though noted the headband is not very durable.

  • victaaaa on 02/09/2017 - 16:51
    Suggested Philips Fidelio X2/X2HR

    Got the Philips Fidelio X2HR last week for $250. Best headphones I've had!

  • O O on 02/09/2017 - 17:51
    +1
    Suggested Audio Technica ATH M50x

    Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is my favourite closed-back headphones, well balanced sound and good price/performance (under $200).

    • demeter on 12/09/2017 - 20:11

      I have these as well, I agree. They're pretty hardy too.

  • scotty on 02/09/2017 - 18:56
    +1

    Nice poll. Although I am looking forward to the one with best over-ear headphones at around $50, as that's how much I am willing to spend on a pair of cones.

    • ChillBro on 02/09/2017 - 19:11

      pair of cones.

      I believe they're called 'cans', Sir Scotty.

  • scrimshaw on 02/09/2017 - 19:28
    Suggested Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC

    Budget conscious cones/cans from Sennheiser called the Sennheiser HD4.50 BTNC

    They'll set you back $228 according to Static Ice

  • Baebs on 02/09/2017 - 21:09
    +6

    May want to edit out "audiophile" if we're considering the qc35s; audiophile means a sound first approach.

    • conan2000 on 03/09/2017 - 14:09

      Agreed, I actually own two pairs of Bose over ear headphones. The QC25s for noise cancelling and some Bluetooth ones (Soundlink II), which I won in a prize draw. The Bluetooth ones are pretty average, Bose are definitely best for noise cancelling, but the Senheisser and AKG blow them away in terms of sound quality. Can't comment on the others above as I haven't tried them.

  • Baebs on 02/09/2017 - 21:12
    Suggested AKG K712 Pro

    Heard great things about the AKG K712 Pros

  • cockneylondoner on 02/09/2017 - 22:41

    Goldring N1000 Noise Cancelling, if you can find them in OZ (or ebay.co.uk) else the NS1500 (https://jaben.com.au/products/gol-ns1500).

  • try2bhelpful on 02/09/2017 - 22:52

    Can we have a similar poll for in ear phones. I don't tend to go with the over ear ones because they are very bulky.

    • scrimshaw on 02/09/2017 - 23:12

      That will be up next Monday or Tuesday.

  • Ctn on 03/09/2017 - 12:08
    Suggested Sennheiser HD 600

    HD 580/600

  • congo on 08/09/2017 - 19:46

    The Beoplay H6 (second gen) is better than H7 and H8.

    • scrimshaw on 08/09/2017 - 20:49

      Please slow down a bit with your suggestions. Also read:

      • be sure to justify why it's the best one for you.

      Some of your suggestions are also over $400 AUD, and some of them are also very difficult to obtain as they're no longer in circulation (stock limited). Double check price please and include them. Thanks

  • congo on 08/09/2017 - 20:26
    Suggested Sony H.ear On Wireless NC MDR100ABNB

    Adding Sony H.ear

  • congo on 08/09/2017 - 20:29
    Suggested Hifiman HE400i

    Adding Hifiman HE400i

  • congo on 08/09/2017 - 20:30

    Adding Bowers & Wilkins P7

  • congo on 08/09/2017 - 20:32

    scrimshaw, can you please do a poll for the best Bluetooth speakers?

    • scrimshaw on 08/09/2017 - 20:50

      We'll see.

      • AlienC on 05/10/2017 - 20:26

        Second this.. I am in the market now for some cheap budget wireless bluetooth earphones or headphones.

  • congo on 08/09/2017 - 20:35
    Suggested Beyerdynamic DT 880

    Adding Beyerdynamic DT 880

  • congo on 08/09/2017 - 20:37
    +1

    Adding Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2

  • congo on 08/09/2017 - 20:41

    Adding Oppo PM-3

  • congo on 08/09/2017 - 20:43

    Adding Sony MDRXB700

  • congo on 08/09/2017 - 20:43

    Adding V-Moda Crossfade M-100

  • Soothsayer on 10/09/2017 - 14:12

    I suggest adding AKG K7XX to the K712 option, as they're virtually the same headphones but K7XX has been cheaper for longer through Massdrop, so people might have those instead (myself!)

  • blergmonkeys on 16/09/2017 - 22:46

    Looking for a rec. Just bought an LG G6 and want some decent headphones to take advantage of that quad DAC!

    Looking at Ultrasone headphones as they're quite cheap on addicted to audio. Any recs guys?

    Budget: <$300

    Source: G6

    What I'll listen to: electronic/jazz/hip hop music, movies, gaming

    Where: mostly in my office but I will also travel with them so would prefer something I can listen to on the plane

    Prefs:
    - Over ear closed back
    - Inline mic + vol/play controls would be preferred (not a huge deal though)
    - Detachable, foldable

    What I've looked at:
    - ATH-M50X
    - Ultrasone Hfi 780 or 550 pro or DJ1 Pro
    - Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 over ear (non-wireless)
    - Beyedynamic DT770 Pro

    • belongsinforums on 26/09/2017 - 17:32

      I have and love the beyerdynamics, but they're certainly not portable. There's no perfect headphones that im aware of. You have to prioritise the features. For me, comfort and price were most important. Have you been to ata and tried any out?

  • daryldee1988 on 02/10/2017 - 19:45
    Suggested Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2

    I have a pair of plantronics Backbeat Pro 2, awesome headphones, battery is great, very comfortable, has external microphone and internal for phone calls. Remove from head auto-pause and return for auto-play. Wireless or wired. Noise cancelling. I bought mine brand new with coupon $210 but rrp $299. I use them in the gym even though they are over head, I use them for running on the treadmill as well. Highly recommend them!

  • Toons on 02/10/2017 - 20:03

    Best i've come across but for your budget you're going to have to be lucky to find them on sale

    Grado Labs, hand built and the best over ear reference headphones i've had to block out the world and listen to pure clarity

  • f38r1 on 06/10/2017 - 14:41

    ATH M50X certainly wins if this is under $200

  • Dave Id on 06/10/2017 - 14:52

    Rarely use my M50x.

    Use my K712 every day. Fantastic headphones for the price.eBay $271 less 10%.

  • alvian on 17/10/2017 - 04:40
    Suggested Massdrop x Sennheiser HD6XX

    Massdrop x Sennheiser HD6XX, the best audiophile headphones for under US$200 in 2016-7.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUKbI8p2bRk

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqAtsO6u868

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzyMlJ6cERg

  • slknv on 24/10/2017 - 15:04

    Got an email saying qantas store now has QC35s. Checking the link, you can buy from Qantas at the bargain price of 5000 points… plus $978.30 :0

  • TurnipHead on 29/10/2017 - 13:21

    Bose, Plantronics - i can see why this is not a audiophile poll :)
    Hifiman HE400i, Alessandro MS2 or Audio Technica AD900X if i can justify it for me

  • The Monk on 29/10/2017 - 13:25

    AKG 7xx model made for massdrop, its a clone of the akg702 65th anniversary model, made by akg and with some upgrades in sound and comfort.
    weird thing is its way cheaper than buying AKG's own branded model !!

    https://www.massdrop.com/buy/akg-k7xx-massdrop-first-edition…

  • Ugly on 07/12/2017 - 16:08
    Suggested Cowin E-7

    Bought the Cowin E-7's from this deal - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/307088 and have found them to be great performers for the price!

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