Tech: Easy Listening

Steve Dinneen reveals the best headphones to take on the road.

Sennheiser Urbanite

• £120
• en-uk.sennheiser.com

If it’s all about that bass, you can’t go wrong with Sennheiser’s ultra-stylish Urbanite range, which produces a wonderfully deep, natural sound. The headphones are beautifully made, with minimalist lines, a range of bands (denim is my favourite) and comfortable padding. Foldable, they have stainless steel hinges and come with a pouch. If you’re on a trip to Europe this month, head to a branch of Freitag to pick up a limited-edition pair incorporating recycled truck tarpaulin (e190; available in-store only).

PROS Great bass CONS Moderate noise leakage

KEF M500

• £250
• kefstore.co.uk

British company KEF is known for its high-quality audio equipment, and these beautiful on-ear headphones are no exception; crafted from lightweight aluminium, they have more than a hint of Apple about them. Features include a “smart hinge”, which allows you to rest them flat on a table or fold up to store in their accompanying case, breathable ear-pads that are comfortable enough to wear on a long-haul flight, and a choice of two detachable cables, one of which is equipped with a mic for making phone calls. They have a nice, clear sound with big bass.

PROS Very luxurious finish CONS Not the snuggest fit

AKG N60 NC

• £230
• uk.akg.com

Made with flights in mind, don the on-ear N60 NCs and enter a world blissfully free of the sound of engines. The noise-cancelling technology is first rate, giving you clear, crisp audio and, when the battery runs out, you can use them in passive mode – a must-have feature for extended use. They come with a dual headphone jack adapter so you can plug them into those annoying ports that plane seats still have. They’re crafted from aluminium, memory foam and leather, and are lightweight, folding into a tiny pouch.

PROS Brilliant noise cancelling CONS No volume control on the wire

Audeze LCD-4

• £3,299
• audeze.com

The US manufacturer of these ultra-fine headphones says they are the most advanced in the world, throwing around phrases like “the most powerful magnetic flux density in existence”. What does that mean? Who knows – but the sound is incredible, as you’d expect from a set in this price range. They also look great, with polished wood, leather and a grill that will up your cool factor. The LCD 4 is for audiophiles, and they’re frankly wasted on your iPhone, but if money is no object put them on your shopping list. PROS Look amazing, incredible sound CONS Ludicrously expensive

Audio Technica ATH-MSR7

• £170
• audio-technica.com

These over-ear cans from Audio Technica are all things to all people: nicely constructed, classy and reasonably priced. They’re high-resolution, giving clean, detailed audio that will do justice to a quality home stereo, but are comfortable and portable enough to listen to on the go. Made from leather with a gunmetal finish, design flourishes include red flashes behind the cans, but nothing garish. The detachable cable features a microphone for calls, volume and playback controls. PROS Great all-rounder CONS Others in price range have the edge in audio quality

Sony MDR-HW700DS

• £399
• sony.co.uk

If you plan on watching movies as you whizz across the globe at 600mph, then my top recommendation is Sony’s excellent wireless audio offering. Featuring 9.1 channels of virtual surround sound, these will make you forget you’re sitting on a plane, and the directional audio is great for playing games. Chunky and well made, the soft headband won’t make your head ache and, being wireless (with a 12-hour battery life), you won’t have to unplug to let someone clamber past you to get to the loo. PROS Great for movies and games CONS Not the most attractive headphones

B&W P5 Wireless

• £330
• bowers-wilkins.co.uk

Bowers and Wilkins is one of those brands that gets everything right. While most wireless headphones experience a commensurate drop-off in quality, you’d be hard pressed to notice the difference with these. Everything is perfectly crafted, from the luxurious soft leather build to crystal-clear sound, which captures both the highest wail and the deepest rumble. The battery lasts for an impressive 17 hours, and you can plug in a cable (included) to carry on listening. PROS Best quality wireless headphones CONS No Bluetooth auto-reconnect

Denon AH-MM400

• £246
• denon.co.uk

These Denon over-ear headphones are the anti-Beats, a million miles from the garish colours and styling of Dr Dre’s former company. That’s not to say they’re shy and retiring – the sleek walnut finish is just as show-offy in its own way. These headphones say, “I’m listening to Bach”, even if your playlist really features Justin Bieber. They may look like the archetypal “house headphone”, but they’re great for everyday use, with a balance of comfort and quality. If you’re looking for an all-round over-ear set, it’s hard to see past these. PROS Lovely finish CONS Plastic rim detracts from design

RHA T10i

• £150
• rha-audio.com/uk

These stainless steel headphones from RHA feature mouldable over-ear hooks, giving a super-snug fit. They have a real air of quality, as well as conveniently colour-coded bands for distinguishing left from right. The audio quality is high for in-ear plugs, with good detail and nice solid bass. They also allow you to change the sound style by using screw-in tuning filters.

PROS Exceptional build quality CONS Heavy for in-ear buds

Jaybird Bluebuds X BBX1MB

• £100
• jaybirdsport.com

If you’re a gym fanatic, you probably already know about Jaybird, the wireless headphone manufacturer that makes workout-friendly products. The Bluebuds X Bluetooth earphones are lightweight, comfortable and come with a range of ear-plug options. They’re rain-resistant and sweat-proof, and the Bluetooth works up to ten metres from your phone.

PROS Sweat and rain resistant CONS The USB charging port is delicate

Bose QuietComfort 20

• £230
• bose.co.uk

If you need a pair of noise-cancelling headphones for running, as well as sitting on an aircraft, these should be at the top of your list. They give great sound, come with a range of moulded ear plugs and are understated. The noise cancellation works for up to 16 hours from a two-hour charge and, when it runs out, you can use them like regular headphones.

PROS Extremely comfortable CONS Battery unit on cable is annoying

Shure SE846

• £799
• shure.co.uk

These in-ear headphones produce incredibly detailed sound that really requires high-definition audio files to do them justice. They will block out background noise, although not as much as a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. A nice touch is the ability to fine-tune your music by choosing from three different filters (small rubber tubes that come with the product).

PROS Customisable sound options CONS Need high-quality audio files to justify the expense