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Looking for the best headphones, earphones and Bluetooth earbuds in 2021? We offer more than 30 wired and wireless options for every budget.
Everyone, including your grandma, seems to know that vinyl is back, and manufacturers can hardly meet the demand for turntables, ink cartridges, and vinyl-related accessories. Our 2021 best earphone holiday buying guide may not make grandma so excited, but these numbers tell a very different story.
Lost in all this record-breaking hustle and bustle is that consumers spent nearly $15.9 billion on wireless headsets in 2020. It is estimated that by 2026, this global figure will grow to nearly 45 billion U.S. dollars. A pandemic in which American consumers spent more than $5 billion on wireless headsets in the first 14 months. In 2020, the overall global market, including high-end headphones, will be 38.4 billion U.S. dollars, and it is expected to grow to a staggering 126.7 billion U.S. dollars by 2027.
Smoke in your carbon fiber tonearm tube.
Headphones have become a commodity, which is absolutely true; you can find them anywhere, including 7-11, Canadian Tire, Five Above, and almost every airport terminal on the planet.
This accessibility also makes the headset disposable, which may not be a good thing for the environment. I saw more and more headphones and earplugs broken on the local streets, and they were still in the trash.
Recently we stopped gasoline on State Park Avenue in Gardens, New Jersey, and our EIC Ian White found that there are more types of cheap wireless earphones sold than cigarette brands-this may be a strange sign of progress.
It is expected to reach 126.7 billion US dollars by 2027, which will make earphones and earphones the largest category of consumer A/V other than mobile phones; if you are curious, high-end audio is even less than 5% of this number.
So, what do we recommend from the thousands of products currently available? Wired headset
Although this market segment will not affect the sales of wireless headsets, the reality is that the best headsets in the world belong to this category. In the past 12 months, many very interesting products have been released in this category, but not all products are very expensive. Some of the more mature earphones in this category are still better than 95% of the earphones, which is well worth a second look.
If you are looking for a cheap sock filler or something left this year by a candlestick (our resident rabbi, EIC Ian White insists I share the joy of this year), there are several cheaper options that sound more expensive than they should be considered Better. JBL Tune 500
Both the Sony MDRZX110 and JBL Tune 500 can usually be purchased for $25 and offer a lot of performance at this level.
The JBL Quantum 100 game is priced at $39, but its boom microphone is a better choice for gamers. For those looking for a cheaper option, Panasonic RP-HT161-K can usually be purchased for $15, or JLAB Neon for $20 is also a good choice.
Sometimes, headphones are a gift rather than a companion item, so for those who want to buy a better product for music lovers on their list, but still less than $100, Sennheiser HD559 is available through most major stores Buy it at a price of $99, while the Phillips SHP9500 retail price is $75. It has been sold for as low as $59 in the past, so please pay attention to sales when the holidays are approaching. Scroll to continue reading. HiFiMAN HE400se
Taking it a step further, we have the $99 Drop HE-X4. Admittedly, this is only an option for people in areas where direct shipping and value-added tax or taxes will not make it a bargain. For users outside the scope of the Drop service, HiFiMan HE400se, priced at $149, is a good alternative. You can read Ian White's HiFiMan HE400se review; we all agree that they are almost impossible to beat on price.
Similarly, Meze 99 Neo sells for $199, which is a bargain for the Meze family. Meze 99 Classic
For those who want something more classic, the Meze Audio 99 Classics with walnut and gold or maple and silver trims retail for $309, and the sound of the wooden cup is indeed warmer than Neo. You can read our review of these beautiful earphones handmade in Romania here. Our collective is a big fan of these headphones.
Another option with roughly the same price is Sennheiser/Drop HD6XX (also Drop Exclusive). For more than a decade, HD600 and HD650 have been priced close to US$400 and US$500, respectively, so being able to purchase products equivalent to the sound characteristics of HD650 for US$220 (including taxes and shipping of course) is a huge value proposition.
For those areas where HD6xx is not available, the wired version of HiFiMan Deva is a good alternative, and the price is almost the same, at $220. Beyerdynamic T5 (third generation)
Very similar to HD6xx, Beyerdynamic T1 and T5 (third generation) headphones are not cheap, but they may represent the best price/performance ratio on the market.
The T1 open and T5 closed retail prices are both US$999, and their performance is only slightly lower than their competitors' flagship models worth thousands of US dollars.
T1 uses an open back design to provide a larger sound field, but may not be suitable for offices, bedtime or commuting.
The T5 closed type provides a better choice for these situations, and almost never gave up in the process; the Beyerdynamic model usually won't win many style points, but it is very sturdy. If you get reasonable care, the $1,000 you buy should be usable Several life cycles. They also provide the best warranty service in the industry. Read our in-depth review of the Beyerdynamic T5 (third generation) here. Coke transparent magnesium
Focal is another headphone manufacturer, and there are some very reliable choices in the high-end headphone category. The French manufacturer has R&D resources to make their own drivers, and they have not released a product that includes multiple award-winning headphones.
All of their headphones are very attractive and distinctive, and obviously belong to the same design family. Focal Clear Mg earphones have added a high-performance model to the family tree.
Without fantasy, Clear Mg is not truly neutral, they show a unique sound profile, both leisurely and intimate. These tendencies are well balanced by their ability to maintain clarity and cohesion, showing high-end refinement that is not immediately obvious the first time you listen.
The more you listen, the little things that make them as good as long-term headphones will stand out. Read our in-depth review here. 1,490 USD
Available at: Amazon | Audio 46 | Crutchfield Audeze LCD-5
Topping out this year are two newcomers; Kennerton Rognir and Audeze LCD-5. Both are items at no cost and will cost the buyer at least $3,500.
After you stop coughing, you will understand that these two new headphones are as good as they are now. Some people will point out Meze Audio Empyrean or Dan Clark Audio Stealth and say they are better, but I am satisfied with my choice.
I have spent a lot of time on the Audeze LCD-5 (reviews are coming this week), and I will not hesitate to choose them over the other two products. advertise. Scroll to continue reading.
If you want a mastering headset with unparalleled resolution, then LCD-5 is sufficient. If you prefer something that immerses you in music and makes you forget the world around you, it is hard to imagine a better choice than Rognir. Kenneton Rognier
I am honored to be able to review this year, and they truly represent the best products the market can provide. The aesthetic design of both is second to none, Rognir with exotic wood selection belongs to the museum. True wireless headset
This is currently the hottest part. Each major brand either releases new models or updates existing models. Our advice reads like a big name in the portable audio field. Sony WF-1000XM4
Perhaps fittingly, our favorite is the Sony WF-1000XM4, which uses an already solid product in XM3 and completely reimagines it to create the best-performing all-round product in its class.
At $299, it is not cheap, but when you hear the sound quality and ANC of the XM4, you will understand its price. It easily surpasses Bose products that dominate the noise reduction market.
The Sony WF-1000XM3 is still on the market and is very valuable today because the XM4 is already on the market and the price has dropped. The current price of XM3 is about half of XM4. If you can find a brand new pair, it's a bargain. Sennheiser CX Plus
Excellent budget options include Sennheiser CX and CX Plus, which are priced at $99 and $129, respectively. If you need active noise reduction, CX Plus is your choice. If you don’t, CX will save you $29, and it still sounds better than Apple AirPods.
Coupled with good battery life and Sennheiser's warranty, the CX model is a simple recommendation. I recently reviewed both and these are one of the gifts I have purchased for some of my own crew. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 Sport
For those who are looking for a model to wear in the gym, Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 Sport is as good as it is now.
Its price is $300, which is not cheaper than the other models mentioned, but it does provide IP57 protection, so it can be completely immersed in water, which most competitors cannot claim. From a sound perspective, I don't think it is better than Sony, but its sound performance and build quality are one of my favorite categories.
For those who want more bass than standard TWS provides, I suggest you check out Sony WF-XB700, which offers good sound and battery life, and more than a little bass impact. They have an IPX4 rating suitable for gyms, have approximately 9 hours of battery life during your work or school, and $130 is one of the cheapest options with bass enhancement and clean sound characteristics. TWS Bling Master & Dynamic MW08
If you are looking for a more stylish product than the Sony XM4, you should really check out the Master and Dynamic MW08, they sound great, look great, and have the same price. Compared with Sony, ANC performance is its stumbling block, which is very important for some people who commute or fly to work.
If you are looking for a pair of TWS headphones that provide excellent sound quality, the best choices are the $499 Bowers and Wilkins Pi7. The $500 price is not low, but compared to some wired headphones of the same price, these prices are better . Bowers and Wilkins will produce some excellent wireless earphones and earphones in 2021. Audiophile Wireless Headphones
This segment of the market has launched a large number of new products this year, and some recommendations from last year are still the best choices this year. I have divided my list into travel companions, and people will buy generic models for ANC and end users that don’t care about noise reduction. Sony WH-1000XM4
In the ANC group, we saw several names at the top of the list that have dominated the category for many years. The top model is still Sony’s WH-1000XM4, priced at $348; Sony’s new generation of wireless headsets have even better ANC, and few people complain about the sound quality.
CEOs who want to be more stylish will choose the Bose 700, which retails for $400. Bose looks better and has excellent active noise reduction. At this point, the sound performance is only slightly behind the Sony models.
For those looking to save a little money, the Sony WH-1000XM3 is still available and sold in many places for less than $250. In my opinion, they are a better choice than Bose QuietComfort models.
For those who are not looking for noise reduction, the market is much broader, with prices starting as low as $50, and prices have soared. The cheapest model will definitely make some compromises in terms of sound quality and its control applications. advertise. Scroll to continue reading. Anker Soundcore Life Q20
The cheapest options are Anker Soundcore Life Q20 ($50), suitable for those looking for near-neutral characteristics (although they do have "V" acoustic characteristics) and OneOdio A70, suitable for those looking for bass enhancement characteristics; and almost immediately It will be obvious.
The slight increase in price has yielded very real gains in terms of availability and durability. The Yamaha YH-E500A sounds great, provides good connectivity, and only costs $179.
Another reliable product is the Cleer Enduro 100, which has an impressive battery life (this is where the 100 comes from) and a $100 price tag. It is definitely a sleeper for some people. Shure AONIC 50
Shure Aonic 50 replaces our previous recommendation; Sennheiser Momentum Wireless. Momentum is aging, Aonic 50 provides LDAC, aptX adaptive and AAC support, and the battery life is close to 20 hours. Shure wireless headphones may actually sound better, which makes them a very compelling and slightly more expensive option. Hi-Fi Ananda
HiFiMan Ananda continues to set the standard for wireless capabilities in the field of full-size headphones. The problem lies in its asking price of more than $600 and the reality that it is not very comfortable for long listening sessions. HiFiMan Deva Pro may surpass it in terms of price/performance. We have a pair that will go into review in December. Beyerdynamic Amilon
The safer choice this year is Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless. The wired second cousin (which was once removed) just missed our list of the best audiophile headphones, but the wireless version is the absolute leading model, supporting aptX HD and AAC; it works perfectly with Apple and Android devices, and its sound quality is overpriced The high Apple AirPods Max fell on deaf ears.
Related reading: View all 2021 holiday buying guides →
Home> Latest> Articles> Headphones> The Best Headphones: Buying Guide for the Holidays of 2021
Metz Nine Heaven was dumped.
Like Empyrean, but side by side with LCD-5, I have to go to Audeze. I haven't tried Elite yet, time will tell it may be better than LCD.
You can play with all very good toys.
I only edit and pretend to listen from a distance.
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