Headphones & Earbuds

It’s hard to find anyone these days who doesn’t own some type of headphone apparatus. Even with online meetings, headphones are key to be able to listen to participants and not disturb those around you. The technology surrounding headphones is otherworldly, and has greatly improved from their beginnings way back in 1881. Just before the turn of the century, headphones were used primarily by telephone operators to patch together calls. They were cumbersome and difficult to manage, but an absolute necessity for a phone operator at the time.

By the 1930s headphones had slimmed down considerably. In fact, many still look (the shape at least) like some of the headphones we have on the market today. Padding on the ears began to become more in vogue during the 1950s, and when Sony introduced the Walkman in 1979, the headphone game officially changed. We now had a portable device that we could listen to music (our own music with the cassette player) wherever we went. The only thing that was necessary was ensuring the batteries were sufficiently charged to do so.

In 2001 the iPod kept the headphone movement moving, and earbuds (an off-shoot of the headphone) were introduced. Smaller, with a refined shape that enabled the bud to sit in your ear without the need of a handle stretching over your head from ear to ear, earbuds quickly became the go to “headphone” for most users. When Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, however, joined forces and created Beats by Dre, the old headphone look came back into style (with the addition of being cordless and controlled via Bluetooth).

There are a wide array of headphones and earbuds to choose from in 2020. Some have cords, some don’t, some are small, while others are larger with more musical range. We’re going to run through some popular sellers, and leave the choice to you.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7

A contender for the best wireless headphone on the market, this pair from Bowers & Wilkins features noise cancellation, exceptional sound quality and stability (they rarely slip from your head) that is apparently well-engineered. The price tag is high - $399 – but you get every bit of value for that price, no doubt.

Sony WF-1000XM3

Wireless earbuds are all the rage for good reason. They’re small, unobtrusive, and a snap to use. The only downside is you might lose them. But that’s a small price to pay. For wireless earbud fans, achieving full noise cancelation has not been easy. Many have tried, and more than a handful have failed. But Sony just might have nailed it with this pair. Now, you will always receive more noise cancellation on regular size headphones, but at an earbud level, we’re pretty close with these.

Grado SR60e

If you’re on a budget, keep reading. At just $79, the SR60e headphones from Grado are the best bang for your buck. They’re an entry-level pair, but feature many of the same features one would find in a mid-range priced headphone. The cool, open-back in the earcup also allows for increased breathability, which is always welcome.

Focal Stellia

And lastly, we’ve saved the most expensive for last. A luxury headphone if there ever was one, the Stellia comes in at a whopping $3,000. Yes, you read that right. They are gorgeous, aesthetically speaking, have amazing sound quality and feature full-grain leather cups plus woven cables and some fancy brushed copper accents. Few will purchase something as outrageous as these headphones, but those that do won’t regret it (well, maybe just a little).

Music is made for absorbing in style. Upgrade your headphones or earbuds with one of these fine options and bring that acoustic level to a whole new stratosphere.