Grado SR325e

Recommended headphones, by Consumer Reports

“If you’re still using the free earbuds that came with your phone or other gadget, you may want to consider an upgrade to a better model,” says Consumer Reports. “Headphones come in all sizes and types, from tiny earbuds you can stash in a shirt pocket to big, padded, over-the-ear ’phones that make you look (and maybe feel!) like a DJ. If you’ll be listening to music or videos on a crowded plane or in other noisy places, consider headphones that can reduce ambient noise.”

Here is the Consumer Reports’ selection of recommended headphones. The maximum overall score is 100, and “Best Buy” models offer more value.


Home/studio style

Grado Prestige SR325e

Overall score: 91

HiFiMan HE-400i

Overall score: 88

HiFiMan HE-400S

Overall score: 88

Bowers & Wilkins P7

Overall score: 86

Grado Prestige SR80e

Overall score: 86
“Best Buy”

Oppo PM-3

Overall score: 86

Shure SRH1440

Overall score: 81

Grado Prestige SR125e

Overall score: 80
“Best Buy”

Bose SoundTrue around-ear headphones II

Overall score: 76
“Best Buy”

Grado Prestige SR60e

Overall score: 76
“Best Buy”

Yamaha HPH-200

Overall score: 76
“Best Buy”

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Overall score: 71
“Best Buy”

NAD VISO HP50

Overall score: 71

Phaz P2

Overall score: 71

Skullcandy Grind

Overall score: 66
“Best Buy”

Sony MDR-1A

Overall score: 66

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Wireless home/studio style

Bose AE2w

Overall score: 76
“Best Buy”

Sony MDR-1ABT

Overall score: 76

AKG by Harman K845BT

Overall score: 71

Pendulumic Stance S1

Overall score: 71
“Best Buy”

Beats Solo2 Wireless

Overall score: 66

Plantronics BackBeat Sense

Overall score: 66
“Best Buy”

Polk Audio Hinge Wireless

Overall score: 66
“Best Buy”

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Portable

PSB Speakers M4U 4

Overall score: 86

Klipsch Image X11i

Overall score: 80

Westone ADV Alpha

Overall score: 80

AKG by Harman Y23

Overall score: 76
“Best Buy”

Puro Sound Labs IEM500

Overall score: 76

Scosche SportClip 3

Overall score: 76
“Best Buy”

Bose FreeStyle

Overall score: 71

Marshall Mode EQ

Overall score: 71
“Best Buy”

NAD VISO HP20

Overall score: 71

Phiaton MS 100 BA

Overall score: 71
“Best Buy”

Shure SE112

Overall score: 71
“Best Buy”

Denon Music Maniac AH-C50MA

Overall score: 66
“Best Buy”

JBL by Harman J22i

Overall score: 66
“Best Buy”

Optoma NuForce NE750M

Overall score: 66

Panasonic RP-TCM125

Overall score: 66
“Best Buy”

Philips ActionFit Sport SHQ2305/27

Overall score: 66
“Best Buy”

Razer Adaro In Ear

Overall score: 66
“Best Buy”

Samsung Level In

Overall score: 66

Sennheiser CX 215

Overall score: 66
“Best Buy”

Sennheiser CX 300-II Precision

Overall score: 66
“Best Buy”

Skullcandy Strum

Overall score: 65
“Best Buy”

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Wireless portable

Beats Powerbeats 2

Overall score: 76

SOL Republic Shadow Wireless

Overall score: 76
“Best Buy”

JBL by Harman J46BT

Overall score: 71
“Best Buy”

SOUL Electronics Run Free Pro

Overall score: 71
“Best Buy”

Motorola Moto Surround

Overall score: 66
“Best Buy”

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Noise-cancelling home/studio style

SMS Audio Street by 50 - ANC

Overall score: 82
“Best Buy”

Bose QuietComfort 25

Overall score: 75

PSB Speakers M4U 2

Overall score: 73

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Noise-cancelling wireless home/studio style

Samsung Level Over

Overall score: 80

Beats Studio Wireless

Overall score: 72

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Noise-cancelling portable

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Noise-cancelling wireless portable

Phiaton BT220 NC

Overall score: 76

Phiaton BT 100 NC

Overall score: 69
“Best Buy”

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Consumer Reports is an American magazine published monthly since 1936. It features reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory and survey research centre. The magazine accepts no advertising, pays for all the products it tests, and, as a not-for-profit organisation, has no shareholders. It also publishes cleaning and general buying guides. (Wikipedia.)

Source: Consumer Reports
Last checked on: 23 March 2016
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