Sonos’ new Ace over-ear headphones are the new challenger in an industry that’s fighting hard for your ears. We’re previewing the latest product from the wireless audiophile specialist and rounding up eight other sets of contemporary cans, both wired and wireless, ranging from high-end craftsmanship to premium mass-market design.
Meze LIRIC 2nd generation helmet
(Image credit: Meze Audio)
1. Sonos Ace
(Image credit: Sonos)
For its first venture into the over-ear headphone segment, Sonos offers a high-end product. The new Sonos Ace is on par – physically and financially – with the Apple AirPod Max and follows a now-familiar premium playbook of leather and stainless steel.
Naturally, there’s advanced noise cancellation, as well as a unique new spatial audio mode that Sonos calls TrueCinema, which is a form of advanced processing that reproduces the scale and natural reverberation of your listening environment, whether it’s whether it is an entrance room or a large room. The problem is that this will only work in tandem with the Sonos Arc soundbar for now. Head tracking sensors are paired with Dolby Atmos spatial audio for a completely immersive experience.
Sonos Ace, £449, Sonos.com
2. Audio-Technica ATH-WBLTD
(Image credit: Audio-Technica)
Audio-Technica’s two new wired headphone models are made from hand-polished wood. First up is the ATH-WBLTD, which features earcups covered in layers of flame maple, walnut, and mahogany. The earpads are covered in sheepskin and the main material is magnesium alloy, making this a lightweight and stylish offering. The limited model is designed to fold flat for easy storage.
Audio-Technica ATH-WBLTD, £1,599, Audio-Technica.com
3. Audio-Technica ATH-AWKG
(Image credit: Audio-Technica)
The company’s other new wired wood model is another step forward. The Audio-Technica ATH-AWKG are handcrafted at Audio-Technica’s Tokyo headquarters with a high-quality Kurogaki wood enclosure, a wood prized for traditional Japanese crafts due to its age and grain rich and complex.
Audio-Technica ATH-AWKG, £3,000, Audio-Technica.com
4. ULT Sony Clothing
(Image credit: Sony)
Part of Sony’s ULT range, the WEAR headphones emphasize high levels of bass performance, combined with a sleek body and a revised noise cancellation algorithm. Other nice touches include the ability to automatically pause music when the earbuds are removed and restart it when you put them back in, as well as Sony’s legendary build quality and reliability.
Sony ULT Clothing, £149.00, Sony.com
5. Apple AirPods Max
(Image credit: Apple)
For many people, AirPods Max continue to define what they consider premium headphones. While they’re certainly a step up from any form of earbuds or even AirPods, the Max model has been praised for its attention to detail, from the knitted mesh canopy to innovative textiles and Digital Crown control, a vestige of the Apple Watch which translates well to personal audio space.
Just as computational photography turns the iPhone’s camera into a pro-level powerhouse, the Max’s focus on computational audio shows the manufacturer’s mastery of hardware and software. As a result, Apple’s Category Killer brings the expected levels of Cupertino class and makes it the model everyone wants
Apple AirPods Max, £499, Apple.com
6. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
(Image credit: Bose)
Another explicit challenger to the AirPods Max, Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra ticks all the feature boxes required of the premium set; noise cancellation, immersive audio, transparency mode and personalized sound according to the shape of your ear. Full immersion is combined with a transparency mode that doesn’t block out your entire surroundings, and Bose quotes a maximum battery life of 24 hours.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, £449.95, Bose.co.uk
7. JLab Studio Pro ANC
(Image credit: JLab)
JLab’s Studio Pro ANC sits towards the lower end of the wireless over-ear headphone market. Perhaps because it costs a fraction of the price of Sonos, Apple, or Bose offerings, JLab’s newest offers a somewhat narrower feature set. These days, that still means active noise cancellation and four different noise control modes, with a promised playtime of 45 hours via Bluetooth. The Studio Pro ANC can also be used as wired headphones via the included USB-C to 3.5mm cable.
JLab Studio Pro ANC, £99.99, FR.JLab.com
8. Meze LIRIC 2nd Generation Earbuds
(Image credit: Meze Audio)
The second generation version of Meze’s LIRIC closed-back headphones emphasizes the elements that distinguish this audiophile brand. This includes a striped ebony wood finish, premium hand-braided copper cable, and a solid, handcrafted appearance. Meze’s designs are modular, allowing items such as removable magnetic pads to be easily replaced or upgraded.
Meze LIRIC 2nd generation, £1,850, MezeAudio.com
9. Hadenys focal
(Image credit: Focal)
French manufacturer Focal has launched its Hadenys open-back headphones. Designed for home listening, with a lightweight but large frame and a pleasantly different brown colorway. Focal collaborations in on-board audio are increasing, with key French brands such as DS, Peugeot and Alpine. Hadenys headphones transform some of that Gallic verse into a stylish functional object that’s also a nice alternative to established brands.
Focal Hadenys, £599, Focal.com
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