AliceMetal music, with its thundering riffs, relentless percussion, and blistering guitar solos, demands a listening experience that can match its intensity. For the devoted metalhead, finding the right set of headphones is akin to discovering the holy grail – a hotline to the raw, unbridled energy that defines the genre. Whether you’re headbanging to the classics of Black Sabbath and Metallica or delving into the depths of progressive, death, or doom metal, the quality of your headphones can make or break your experience. But which are the best headphones for metal?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll bring you our top 5 best headphones for metal, showcasing the very best pairs available today. From bone-crushing bass to crystal-clear highs, you’re about to discover your perfect headphones that’ll have you headbanging like never before. It’s time to turn up the volume and unleash the power of shredding with the best headphones for metal!
Product Comparison Table: Best Headphones for Metal
| Title | Price | Rating (Amazon) | Best in class | Buy | |
 | Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones | $$$ | 4.5 stars | Best Noise Isolation | Amazon |
 | Audio-Technica ATH-M70x | $$$ | 4.6 stars | Best Comfort | Amazon |
 | Sennheiser HD 660S | $$$$ | 4.5 stars | Best Sound Quality | Amazon |
 | PHILIPS Fidelio X3 Wireless | $$ | 4.6 stars | Best Value | Amazon |
 | beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Copper Hi-Res Bluetooth Headphones with Touchpad | $$$$ | 4.1 stars | Best Controls | Amazon |
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones have perfect noise isolation, all thanks to a cutting-edge, industry-leading Dual Noise Sensor system: two microphones on each earcup capture ambient noise, while a noise cancelling processor creates signals that cancel out the ambience. However, a feature called Ambient Sound Control still allows you to adjust the amount of ambient noise that is allowed through the headphones, so if your house is burning down, you’ll know about it.
As for sound quality, these cnas use DSEE Extreme audio upscaling to perform genre-and instrument-based optimization, and they support LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs. This means your high-resolution audio content sounds even better when it’s played back through the 1.57″ drivers with LCP diaphragms. They have over 30 hours of battery life, too.
Pros
- Touch control
- Sound enhancement with Edge-AI
- Industry-leading Dual Noise Sensor and Ambient Sound Control
Cons
- Relatively expensive
Verdict
Block out the outside world in style. No, the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones don’t advertise themselves as loud powerful headphones, but that doesn’t mean they’re not the best headphones for metal. They’re especially great for listening in crowded spaces – where you don’t want to share your metal with everybody around you, and you don’t want to hear their chatter either.
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Audio-Technica ATH-M70x
Lightweight, super-breathable and padded like clouds, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones offer unparalleled comfort. In addition to being comfortable for 8+ hours of low-pressure wear, the adjustable ATH-M70x model also offers sound quality that’ll make you feel like you’re in the middle of the mosh pit. These ear-cosies feature a wide frequency response, great noise isolation, and both high and low reproduction accurate enough for audio forensics. Proprietary 45 millimeter large aperture drivers within the set are tuned to accurately reproduce extreme low and high frequencies (5 to 40,000 Hertz) while maintaining perfect balance – perfect for metal.
Pros
- 90 degree swivel earcups
- Accurate reproduction (5 to 40,000Hz)
- Lightweight and comfortable
Cons
- Not the most durable
Verdict
An improvement on an existing industry favorite, the Audio-Technica ATH-M70X Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones are our best headphones for metal with comfort in mind. These are the ideal headphones for long journeys or long sessions – just don’t headbang too hard, cause they’re likely to break if they hit the ground.
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Sennheiser HD 660S
The Sennheiser HD 660 S are a reference class open back, dynamic headphone employing new and improved transducers to deliver low harmonic distortion. If that just sounds like a lot of technical terms, we’ll put it simply: they’re clear, loud, and sound as smooth as silk.
With a frequency response from 10 to 41000 Hz (10 dB), they use precise left/right matching to ensure exceptional accuracy. They can even replicate the dynamics of the space where your music was recorded, so you get the highest fidelity listening experience possible. Lastly, although they’re wired, they come with all the connectors you need included.
Pros
- 10 to 41000 Hz (10 dB) frequency response
- High fidelity spatially accurate listening
- Iconic Sennheiser brand
Cons
- Wired connection
Verdict
Sennheiser is known for its high-quality audio equipment, and the HD 660 S is no exception. These open-back headphones offer a spacious soundstage and a natural, detailed sound signature that can bring out the nuances in metal music. Although they have a wired connection, the audio quality is good enough to look over that little issue; they’re still our best headphones for metal in terms of sound.
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PHILIPS Fidelio X3 Wireless
Philips claims to have spent 50+ years of acoustic engineering to reach the excellence of the Fidelio range, and we think it shows.
Precision-engineered and crafted 50mm polymer and dampening gel diaphragms deliver the promised tight bass, rounded midrange and high frequencies you expect from high-res certified audio. There’s a wide, natural soundstage too, with acoustically transparent Kvadrat speaker fabric to prevent distorting air buildup. Lastly, the hybrid Active Noise Cancelling is almost as impressive as the Sony WH-1000XM4 – and definitely best in class for this price bracket.
Pros
- Active noise cancelling technology
- Precision-engineered for sound quality
- Great value low price
Cons
- Wired connection
- Some issues with sibilance
Verdict
If you’re on a budget, like your metal music, and still want to treat yourself to excellent audio, the PHILIPS Fidelio X3 Wireless are your best headphones for metal. Scoring great in all the basic areas you need, any metal fan will find this pair more than agreeable, whatever their inadequacies.
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beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Copper Hi-Res Bluetooth Headphones with Touchpad
With their advanced features and exceptional wireless performance, the beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Bluetooth Headphones are offer seamless controls and a wireless listening experience. They have high-quality Bluetooth connectivity, while the futuristic touchpad control for volume et cetera feels convenient and intuitive, making it easier to adjust settings on the go. Who knew headphones needed touch-operation? On top of this, they have optimum sound quality, plus customisation; you can access MOSAYC sound personalization thanks to beyerdynamic MIY app.
Pros
- Wireless Bluetooth connection
- Intuitive touch controls
- Long lasting battery life
Cons
- Very expensive
Verdict
Wireless headphones give you total freedom of movement with no cable constraints – which means you can move around comfortably when moshing to your heart’s content. The battery life and controls on the beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Bluetooth Headphones are our favourite feature, however, making these the best headphones for metal in terms of controls.
