Headphones always make for the perfect gift for both friends and family at Christmas as they can be purchased with a variety of different styles and colours to pretty much suit anyone. Your friends and family may use headphones or earphones when commuting, traveling on holiday or they may listen whilst exercising. Some can make it a little harder to purchase for though as they only want the very best performance and the highest possible quality. They may use headphones on a dedicated headphone amplifier and hifi system at home.
I hope to give you an idea on a variety of different headphones that will be the best possible choice as Christmas Gifts for 2014. For those who listen whilst excercising, commute or listen to headphones at home I hope to be able to suggest a range of headphones to suit almost every need.
Sennheiser CX3.00 Earphones
1. Sennheiser CX3.00 Earphones (£45) – The first on my list would almost certainly be the excellent new CX300-II replacements the Sennheiser CX3.00. These gorgeous earphones are available in Black, Red and White and offer amazing sound for the price of just £45. These are an ideal purchase for those wanting to replace the headphones that come with their smartphone for improved audio performance. The only downside to these earphones is that they do not offer any type of microphone or remote to control what track you are listening to.
Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear
2. Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear Earphones (Apple Version £89 / Android Version £89) – The Sennheiser Momentum In-Ears are definitely the hot product for Christmas 2014 and will suit pretty much anyone wanting a really high quality, amazing sounding in-ear for a reasonable price. Perfect for anyone wanting an upgrade over their free supplied phone earphones, the Momentum In-Ears will astound anyone. With Sennheiser’s pedigree the build quality is astonishing and you get a really great product for the money. I would choose these over the CX3.00 if I wanted a remote and mic for my phone and enhanced sound that will get me closer to how the artist intended it to sound.
Grado SR80e Headphones
3. Grado SR80e Headphones (£99) – I can’t really say enough about these award winning headphones. These are not ideal for use with smartphones though to be honest but they are absolutely outstanding if being used at home with a computer and desktop head-amp or hifi amplifier. They are also open back which could be a problem for those in close vicinity as they will also be listening to everything you are enjoying. The open, realistic sound that these offer brings a certain level of enjoyment that no other headphone can really touch at this price. Replacement earpads are available for these headphones making them a realistic purchase that will last.
B&W P5 Headphones
3. B&W P3 On Ear Portable Headphones (£169) – For those who are not too keen on in-ear’s then the luxurious Bowers & Wilkins P3 headphones are the perfect alternative. These headphones are absolutely ideal for anyone who often ventures to the gym as they are small and stay securely on the head. With these headphones also being able to be folded away it makes for the perfect gift for those who regularly commute. The sound from these headphones is second to none for the price and comes with a microphone and remote control for easily controlling your iPhone and for taking calls on the go. If you do not like the blue then these are also available in Red, Black and White.
Sennheiser Urbanite XL Denim
4. Sennheiser Urbanite XL Over Ear Headphones (£199) – The Urbanite XL headphones have caused a bit of a stir just before the festive season as their urban styling, matched with outstanding sound and fantastic build quality provide for an amazing headphone that is selling exceptionally well. I think these headphones are ideal for those who are fashion conscious but yet still want a headphone that will perform excellently with all types of music. These headphones are able to be folded for easy use when traveling and are available specifically for either Apple™ or Android devices so that you can adjust the volume and receive calls whilst listening to music. The cables and earpads can both be replaced meaning that these headphones will last a long time. For a variety of different tastes the Urbanites are offered in many different flavours. Currently the most popular is Denim, however they are also available in Black, Nation, Olive and Sand.
B&W P5 Series 2 Headphones
5. B&W P5 Series 2 Headphones (£249) – Another best selling headphone for the festive season is the latest rework of the classic B&W P5 headphone from Worthing based Bowers & Wilkins. These headphones make for the perfect gift not only because of the exquisite sound but because the presentation of the headphones inside the box. The packaging consists of a variety of accessories including a secondary cable and also a very well made protective case. The P5 Series 2 headband is covered in very soft leather along with the earpads. Although the P5 Series 2 cannot be folded the drivers are capable of going completely flat and when around the neck it does give extra freedom of movement when turning your head. These B&W headphones also come with an in-line remote and microphone for use with iOS devices.
B&W P7 Headphones
6. B&W P7 Over Ear Headphones (£329) – I am a bit of a fan of the B&W range of headphones which is probably why they feature 3 times in this list but for very good reason. They offer stunning sound, fantastic build quality and gorgeous presentation as a gift. The P7 is absolutely no exception to this rule. Featuring the same soft leather as the P5 Series 2 but with a bigger sound that really envelops you in the music. These headphones are ideal for those who are traveling as they offer great noise isolation and can be folded up to save on space. In the package you receive a secondary cable and a soft pouch to protect the headphones. These can be used with any smartphone although it is supplied with a standard cable and a cable with in-line mic and remote for iOS devices. The beauty with these headphones is that they are also able to be used on HiFi systems with an optional 5m B&W replacement cable.
Shure SE535 Earphones
7. Shure SE535 Earphones (£349) – If you are after a slightly more discrete earphone than a large over the head type then the Shure SE535 is absolutely excellent and is exceptionally comfortable. The way the Shure earphones fit in the ear makes them ideal for long listening sessions and with the cable going behind the ear means that they are very secure for running or whilst being in the Gym. These will work well with a smartphone however they do not come with an inline remote or mic as standard so this could be a negative. An upgrade cable is available which enables you to have an inline remote and mic. Included in the package is a woven cotton case to protect the earphones, countless ear tips to ensure a tight fit inside the ear canal and an airline adapter. These earphones are available in clear or bronze to suit.
HiFiMan HE560
8. HiFiMan HE560 Headphones (£700) (Available Now Please Call 020 8942 9124) – The Planar Magnetic headphones from HiFiMan are easily amongst the best in the world and to my ears they have just released their best yet with the HE-560. This beautifully made headphones gives plenty of detail and oodles and oodles of musicality. For £700 these really are the only choice at the moment. We would however recommend not using a smartphone to connect these up as these do require a dedicated amplifier in order to retrieve the best possible performance. The HE-560 comes presented in a large wooden box that is perfect as a gift for Christmas this year. The build quality is second to none and the large wooden covered earcups scream luxury.
Oppo PM-1 Headphones
9. Oppo PM-1 Headphones (£1099) – These in my personal opinion are the most luxurious headphones we currently offer. The build quality is fantastic and I guarantee that anyone receiving these as a Christmas present will be over the moon. The packaging is exquisite and pride of ownership with the Oppo PM-1 is very high on Oppo’s priority list. The headphones are finished with a metal rim surrounding the earcups and a soft headband and earpads means the PM-1’s excel in the look and comfort department. Sound is also exceedingly good, as with the HE560 Planar Magnetic headphones the PM-1 uses the same technology, however the Oppo’s appear more open sounding and details are a little easier to pick out and decipher. The listening experience is an absolute joy with these headphones although it must be used with a headphone amplifier to really achieve the best sound. Supplied in the box is a replacement pair of earpads that are velour along with 2 replacement cables, 1 with a 3.5mm jack and the other with a 6.3mm jack.
Audeze LCD-3 Zebrano
10. Audeze LCD-3 Headphones (£1599) – For those really wanting to treat someone then in my opinion the best headphone would be the Audeze LCD-3. These headphones are really exquisite in every way and produce a sound like no other headphones I have heard. These like the previous two headphones in the list are Planar Magnetic and give an almost breathless presentation of the music. The ear cups of the LCD-3 are made from precision-crafted hand-selected Zebrano wood with sloped ear pads of either premium lambskin leather or a leather-free microsuede. The ear pads are designed with specially-crafted foam offering the best firmness and acoustical balance. They are available with either a travel case or a presentation case depending on preference. These do require a dedicated amplifier in order to drive them such as the Chord Hugo, Bryston BHA-1 or Resonessence Invicta
I disagree with the build quality of the He-560s. They’re great in every other aspect but HiFiMan still has a way to go with their build.