Some may claim that the Rock genre is “dead,” yet this may be the opinion of a youngster who has never experienced the early golden days of Rock Music. If you enjoy rock music as much as I do, you’ll need a nice pair of headphones to get the most out of it. And, to cut to the chase, I’ve compiled a list of what I believe to be the most excellent rock music headphones.
Rock music comprises guitar solos, vocals, deep bass, and drums. Fortunately, such characteristics are included in my selection of the best headphones for rock music. Isn’t it annoying when someone tells you to turn off your music because they don’t like the sound of Rock and Metal? I know it’s strange, but as a metalhead, I’m sure you’ve heard this statement from a non-fan before.
To avoid this problem, headphones are the best option. On the other hand, rock and metal music is one of the oldest and most popular musical genres. Finding the proper headphone might be difficult due to their variety and individuality.
Whether it’s an old-school rock like Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Nirvana, rap-rock like Linking Park, or Alternative Rock, also known as current rock in the 2000s, like Greenday, Coldplay, Blink 182, and so on. All of the following genres will benefit from the headphones I’ve recommended.
Many audiophiles may advise you to acquire a specific headset model for various types of music, which can significantly impact you. Hip hop and R&B, for example, would undoubtedly sound better when listened to on headphones with a more concentrated bass end, while pop needs more energetic headphones that also pay attention to highs.
Let’s dig deep to learn about the best rock music headphones.
The Buying Guide on the Best Headphones for Rock Music:
Here are some suggestions to help you reconsider your criteria. As a result, you will be able to readily choose which headphone is best for you.
Balanced Soundstage
There are several subgenres of rock music. Of course, you can’t buy headphones for specific genres. In this instance, a balanced soundstage headphone might be useful. It allows you to sense every single nuance in all types of music. Furthermore, if you prefer a more spacious sound stage, you might go with open-back headphones. In this case, closed-back ones are mediocre.
Neutral Sound Signature
A sound will be reproduced exactly as it is by headphones with a neutral sound characteristic. You will hear the genuine sound since it will not color the sound in any range. As a result, the same headphones will provide the optimum performance for alternative rock, progressive rock, death metal, and other genres.
It sounds exactly like a neutral sound signature. In any range, levels are not accentuated, and the sound is reproduced as accurately as possible. Reference headphones provide a balanced sound characteristic and are therefore perfect for mastering and studio work.
A neutral sound signature is also popular among audiophiles since it delivers the closest musical experience to the original. Many people, however, find flat-sounding headphones boring.
Consider Higher Frequency Range
The different frequencies that headphones can reproduce, resulting in a complete sound, are referred to as frequency response. Bass guitars, bass synthesizers, and kick drums generally exist in the lower frequencies, but cymbal sizzle and voice sibilance exist in the upper frequencies.
In general, a frequency range of 60 Hz to 8 kHz is ideal for rock music. The range is nearly identical for metal. So, for safe play, choose a headset with a frequency response of 30 Hz to 15 kHz. But keep in mind that the wider the range, the better.
Go With Low Impedance Headphones
Impedance is the resistance your headphones provide to the passage of electricity from your headphone amplifier. On high-end devices, impedance can range from 8 (ohms) to hundreds of ohms. Because we listen to music on our phones most of the time, we should invest in a low-impedance headset. This will allow you to produce better sound while using less electricity.
As a result, you should choose a headphone with an impedance of around 32 ohms. You may, however, purchase a headset with a higher impedance but other desirable qualities. In that instance, an additional amplifier can address the power problem.
Over-Ear Headphones or In-Ear
Over-ear headphones are the most comfortable and provide the best sound quality, but they are also the least portable of the three form factors. That may not be a major concern for people searching for a nice pair of headphones to use at home, but if you’re looking for headphones to take with you on the move, on-ear or in-ear headphones are preferable options.
Over-ear headphones feature bigger ear cups that wrap over the ear without pressing against it. As a consequence, even after extended use, you will not experience any annoyance. On-ear headphones, on the other hand, may become unpleasant after a few hours since they sit directly on the ear. However, they improve air ventilation and prevent heat buildup in your ear canal.
Comfortability
Comfort is essential when purchasing a set of headphones, and not simply for listening to rock music. You’ll be wearing them for several hours, so they should be as comfy as possible.
After determining the ear cup size, you should consider the material to provide comfort. Soft and skin-friendly ear cushions and a well-padded headband are features of the most comfortable headphones. Examine the headband’s elasticity to guarantee that it will suit any head shape.
Also Read: Best Headphones for Electronic Drums
Noise Cancellation
Noise isolation does more than just allow you to enjoy your music while shutting out outside disturbances. Aside from that, ANC headphones will protect your ears, which means you won’t have to turn up the volume to get the most out of your rock music.
Wireless Function
Take a hard check at the feature if you decide on a wireless or Bluetooth headphone. Bluetooth versions V4.0- V4.2 and V5.0- V5.2 are suitable. More network stability is possible with cutting-edge technologies.
After you’ve confirmed the version, you should verify the wireless range and battery life. A wireless range of 10 meters is enough. And anything more than 8 hours on the battery is an excellent value.
Durability
I placed this last since it almost goes without saying. I’m not going to suggest a headphone that falls short of these criteria unless the sound is so fantastic that I can’t help myself. After you’ve gone over all of this, don’t forget to check the durability.
You must inspect the structure, wires, and connectors. It is preferable to get a headset that comes with an extended warranty. So, after evaluating all of these factors and your needs, you may choose the best headphone for you immediately.
Pros
Cons
Beyerdynamic is famous in the pro audio industry, having pioneered the modular studio dynamic headphone with the DT 100 model. The DT 770 PRO studio headphones are a terrific deal, offering spoonfuls of trusted Beyerdynamic quality, neutrality, and practicality for a small amount of money.
We wouldn’t recommend them for travel because of their lack of mobility, but these workhorse cans have a lot to offer for home and studio use. The thousands of audio professionals who already adore and swear by them can’t be wrong.
They’re a well-built, sturdy, and great-sounding set of comfy headphones that function well at home or in the studio. The DT 770 PRO has established itself as a low-cost, high-performance closed-back studio reference monitor headphone.
Professionals like its precise and detailed sound, good isolation, modular construction, and squashy, comfy velour-clad ear cushions, designed mainly for recording instruments and vocals.
The 770 PRO is intended to be a more sophisticated, higher-end product. There are no bells and whistles here: no Bluetooth, no detachable cord, no active noise cancellation, no inbuilt volume control, and no place to put a headset mic.
Overall, it has a very neutral profile, which you’d expect from a professional studio reference monitor headphone, but it’s not entirely flat. Due to the closed-back construction, there is a minor bass bump and an emphasis in the highs that can be a touch harsh when dealing with overly-sibilant recordings.
The big 3m cable is also an excellent addition in a studio scenario, enabling enough flexibility for guitarists, drummers, and vocalists alike, as long as it doesn’t get caught up in the wheels of your swivel chair.
This is a set of headphones that you can use for hours and then fold flat and store in your storage bag. Moving on, the headphones have a clean and crisp sound. There is a tiny focus on the bottom end, but not excessively so, resulting in a balanced sound that is relatively smooth and delightful to listen to.
Pros
Cons
The Sennheiser HD 660S are professional and music-loving headphones. It features an open design that allows for more natural and clear sound. The 42mm driver size provides for powerful bass and lush highs. Velour, the most comfortable material, is used to make ear cups.
Although the headphones cannot passively reduce ambient noise, the listening experience is superb, and the price is relatively low. The overall impression is solid and appropriate for the product’s class.
The packaging’s visual design is pretty plain. You can tell you’re dealing with high-quality equipment when you pull it out of the box. The headphones are significant and cannot be folded. The kit does not contain a case, merely a huge, sturdy box built for storage rather than transit.
More importantly, it is well-made and will be beneficial for storing and securing headphones. This type is intended for entirely stationary applications. The Sennheiser HD 660 S hi-fi headphones have a robust, light build and superior reproduction quality (260 grams).
The Sennheiser HD660S is undeniably sophisticated and attractive in terms of style and aesthetics. It feels good to the touch and looks to be of excellent quality. There are no symptoms of weakening, yet the concern remains because it is still fairly stiff.
The Sennheiser HD 660 S is fully open, over-ear headphones with the same high-quality dynamic drivers as the HD 700 model. They feature a 150 Ohm resistance yet a comparatively high efficiency of 104 dB, allowing them to provide loud and clear sound.
The Sennheiser HD 660S performed admirably. People who want headphones with tight and well-extended basses will be able to use it since it is an open-design headset. The HD 660S’s drivers, created from the ground up with a diaphragm made of stainless steel fabric, play an essential part in suggesting that Sennheiser HD 660S sounds excellent in every frequency range. The new Sennheiser headphone model comes in second in terms of value for money.
Also Read: Best Headphones for Doom Metal
Pros
Cons
The ATH-M60x is approximately 5 dB more sensitive than comparable Audio-Technica M-series headphones. The M60x’s 38 Ohm load impedance further implies that it is intended to be powered by portable devices, which typically struggle with high impedance loads.
The ATH-M60x should not be powered from a high output impedance headphone jack as this can affect the tonal response; anything under 5 Ohms should be OK. Audio-Technica deserves credit here since the ATH-M60x has a much higher build quality than the M50x and its direct competition, the Sennheiser HD25-II.
The metal pieces give it a more upscale air, but it remains to be seen how they will stand up under the wear and tear of fieldwork. If the dips were removed, the ATH-M60x would have easily outperformed the competition. Again, these dips at 700 Hz and about 3 kHz would not discourage anyone from enjoying the music daily, but they provide a blind spot for the engineer.
The mid dip will make singers and strings sound weird when contrasted with an uncolored reference. The upper mid dip will remove much of the crunch from distortion effects on synth lines and guitars. The Audio-Technica ATH-M60x is quite comfortable to wear.
Unlike the other M-series cans, it employs a supra-aural or on-ear design to reduce the size of the earcups. The earpads are constructed of protein leather, less likely to produce sweat. Unlike the ATH-M50x, this headphone has no noticeable channel imbalance.
No one will hear the minor difference in the mids, and the higher octave imbalance should not cause any engineer to become confused. If you require a portable, high-performance headset, the AudioTechnica ATH-M60x is a good choice.
It’s difficult to call them impartial, yet none of their immediate competitors are. If you want additional isolation, use the HD25-II, but you will sacrifice THD performance and comfort. It all comes down to finding the most incredible balance for you!
Pros
Cons
Marshall has been an influential player in the audio spectrum for decades, and it’s simple to understand why with wonderful antique gadgets like the Major IV. Despite the presence of more expensive headphones, they were named Best Overall owing to their emphasis on Rock music in their sound signature.
But the Cool, vintage design, oh wow, if it weren’t for “Best Overall,” I’d rate them as Best for Retro Design. Anyway, let’s take a closer look at their design. They’re vintage Marshall, with a matte finish and the Marshall logo on the earcup sides. They are padded and feature a rounded square form.
The headband has a fake grain leather texture and is padded on the bottom. The look appeals to guitar rock fans, but they are also built to be durable and comfortable to wear on your head.
As I have stated, Marshall is a rock fan’s wildest fantasy in terms of sound quality. It has powerful bass, silky mids, and incredible highs. The bass drums are turned up; they sound powerful and thundering. Brightness and details are supplied with the acoustic guitars.
This is not an actual sound signature, but it has been extensively sculpted to benefit bass enthusiasts who like some brightness in their sounds, i.e., Rock aficionados. Apart from that, they seem rather great. The headband and earpads are both substantial and surprisingly comfy. It would be decisive if we had to characterize the Monitor’s sound in one word.
They have a low end and strong bass, yet the voices remain clear and crisp regardless of what you’re listening to. And, despite their lack of balance, they work well with rock and metal. Add to it the convenience features like the gold control knob on the left earcup and the 30 hours of battery life, and you’ve got yourself a great pair of headphones.
Also Read: Best Headphones for Sensitive Ears
Pros
Cons
The V-Moda Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones are among the more expensive sets we’ve reviewed recently, costing $330. There is a lot of competition in this price bracket, but most of it incorporates noise cancellation, whereas the Crossfade 2 Wireless is just a typical pair.
Although the pricing appears excessive, the Bluetooth headset delivers a decent audio experience with powerful bass and beautiful, shimmering highs. The fit is also really comfortable, even after extended listening sessions, and the design is undoubtedly one-of-a-kind.
Nobody will accuse V-Moda of creating dull headphones. The circumaural (over-ear) earcups are rounded hexagons with pervasive memory cushioning that closes off the ear. They are available in matte black, matte white, or black-and-rose-gold.
This passively blocks out part of the ambient room noise. The bottom of the headband is padded as well, and the overall fit is secure and comfy. The outer panel of each earcup can also be removed and replaced with various materials.
However, aluminum or fiber are already included in the base price—you choose one or the other when you buy. The distinction between wireless and wired listening modes is insignificant. V—Moda has done an excellent job of ensuring that all modes offer comparable power, bass depth, and high-frequency clarity. The headphones give an excellent low-frequency response on tracks with heavy sub-bass content.
Pros
Cons
Bose has long dominated the field of noise-canceling headphones, with its QuietComfort series establishing the industry standard for over two decades. Apple and Sony have lately given Bose a run for its money with the AirPods Max and the WH-1000XM4, both of which offer excellent active noise cancellation (ANC) and perhaps better audio quality than Bose.
Bose is fighting against itself with the fantastic Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, which have ANC that you can tailor to your preferences. That means the stakes for the company’s newest QC headphones, the $329 QuietComfort 45, have never been greater.
QuietComfort 45 is the most recent model from Bose’s famous portfolio, which launched the ANC trend. They are now the only headphones fighting for the greatest ANC alongside the Sony WH-1000XM4. The QuietComfort 45 comes in Triple Black and White Smoke.
Both hues reflect Bose’s elegant and premium character. Aside from that, they are one of the ideal traveling companions due to their lightweight (0.97 lbs) and earcup adjustment.
They may be tilted and swiveled in any position for simple storage and travel. What I like best about them is that anyone can wear them. The whole matte surface feels professional and attractive, yet it doesn’t prevent them from being extremely comfy, as the name says.
You’ll be wearing them for hours, and it’ll seem like music is flooding into your ears. The soft leather that cushions the earcups and headband is responsible for all of this comfort. A Bose audio device’s sound quality should never be questioned.
They provide a pleasant, balanced, and clear sound. You will notice details in all ranges. The vocals, for example, are crisp and clear, and the instruments, such as the guitar, are nicely differentiated and noticeable. Said, what do we need more than outstanding comfort and sound quality, ANC, and the Bose watermark? Let’s move on to the next choice.
Pros
Cons
The noise cancellation offered by the XM4 is out of this world; the WH-1000XM4 has garnered Sony many honors in the ANC aspect, to the point that when you think of ANC, you start imagining the XM4s.
Aside from ANC, they contain a slew of valuable features that lead me to believe they are among the most excellent wireless headphones in history. The XM4 is the successor to the well-known XM3, which dominated the competition upon its release.
Unfortunately, since the XM3’s younger brother inherited nearly the same design, putting them side by side, the chances of mistakes are significant. Nonetheless, Sony did not take the “If it ain’t broke, don’t repair it” approach and made a few tweaks.
The headband cushion is somewhat narrower than on the XM3, as are the earcups, but the earbuds have increased significantly. Sony asserts that the adjustments make the XM4 more pleasant to use.
The 1000XM4 is available in black, white, and blue; it is well-made, and the soft-touch matte surface is highly classy and pleasant to the touch. The mobility of the headphones is also quite appealing. They are only one pound in weight and may tilt and rotate for simple storage and transit.
The astounding ANC must be the star of the show here and the highlight of XM4 (Active Noise Cancelling). It’s no surprise that they sound terrific. They employ the same 40mm, full-range drivers as previously seen.
Low frequencies are the most detailed and well-controlled. However, it is comfortable and pleasant with all frequencies; the Bass does not disappoint in the midrange either. It’s just as good. You will feel like the performer is right there with you in terms of singing.
Because of their balanced sound quality and ANC, they’ve become a must-have if you’re looking for a set of wireless headphones for listening to rock music – and, of course, if you have some cash to spend.
Also Read: Best Ski Helmet Headphones
Conclusion
So far, I’ve given you enough information regarding the finest rock music headphones. You’ve seen all of the pertinent information on them. It’s now totally up to you to choose which one you want. Follow the buyer’s advice and be assured. You will quickly find the ideal headphone for you.
All of them are remarkable in their own right. Even if the design isn’t for everyone, there’s no disputing that they’re not lacking in comfort, sound, or build quality. They’re the whole deal, precisely what you want when looking for the finest rock music headphones.
