Before we go on and shed light on the list of best bass headphones out there, we'd like to tell you about the differences between a general and a bass headphone set.
Bass headphones provide you with that musical depth you've always desired. When shopping for bass headphones keep in mind that it's hard to seal the sound completely within your headphones. If sound leakage is a concern of yours, you'd best head check out our list of over-the-ear headphones below 100 bucks to provide you with minimum sound leakage.
They come with a variety of features to enhance the bass in your music. These features include inline remotes, noise isolation technology, and much more. It's important for your bass headphones to be comfortable. Going for headphones with soft headbands and ear cushions would be a wise choice.
Table of Contents
- The Best Bass Headphones for 2024
- 1. Edifier H840 Audiophile Over-the-ear Headphones for Bass
- 2. Sennheiser HD 800 Reference Dynamic Bass Headphones
- 3. Maxell AMP-B Amplified Heavy Bass Headphones
- 4. OneOdio Over Ear Headphone, Wired Bass Headsets
- 5. SONY Over Ear Best Stereo Extra Bass Portable
- 6. Beexcellent GM-2 Gaming Headset With Mic and Good Bass
- 7. TopOne Audio Technica ATH AVC400 Sonicpro
- 8. Premium, Bluetooth Headphones - HIFI ELITE Super66
- 9. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio
- 10. Beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium
- Bass Headphone Buyers' Guide
- Our Top Pick
- Premium Choice
- Great Value
- The Bass Issue with Headphones
- Types of Bass Headphones
- Driver Size
- Levels of Bass
- Bass Boost
- Active Noise Cancellation
- Brands and Pricing
- Comfort
- Styles
- Bass Headphones FAQ
- What are Bass Headphones?
- Are Bass Headphones Bad for Your Ears?
- Can the Bass Break Headphones?
- How do Bass Headphones Work?
- How do I Choose the Best Bass Headphones?
- Do Bass Headphones Require an Amp to Work?
- Which Headphone Type is the Best for Bass?
- What is the Role of Drivers in Bass Headphones?
- How Important is Comfort?
There are a number of bass headphones you can pick up. To help you make the right decision, we've compiled a list of the very best bass headphones around.
At a glance: Our top 3 picks
Edifier H840 Audiophile Over-the-ear Headphones for Bass
- Comes with fine-tuned 40mm driver units which provide quality sound output.
- The ergonomic design makes these headphones quite comfortable.
- Soft leather ear cups.
Sennheiser HD 800 Reference Dynamic Bass Headphones
- Comes with fine-tuned 40mm driver units which provide quality sound output.
- The ergonomic design makes these headphones quite comfortable.
- Soft leather ear cups.
Maxell AMP-B Amplified Heavy Bass Headphones
- Comes with fine-tuned 40mm driver units which provide quality sound output.
- The ergonomic design makes these headphones quite comfortable.
- Soft leather ear cups.
The Best Bass Headphones for 2024
1. Edifier H840 Audiophile Over-the-ear Headphones for Bass
The Edifier H840 Audiophile Over-the-ear Headphones for Bass are all about top sound quality. It's carefully crafted to give you the ultimate comfort while delivering unbeatable bass.
The balance you get between the treble and the bass of these headphones is pretty amazing.
Pros
+ Comes with fine-tuned 40mm driver units which provide quality sound output.
+ The ergonomic design makes these headphones quite comfortable.
+ Soft leather ear cups.
Why We Liked It - With an amazing sound quality, excessive bass, and the comfort that the Edifier H840 has on offer, these are one of our top picks for bass headphones. What's more, the price is completely affordable.
Avoid a flat response - Most professional-grade headphones, speakers, and monitors are sold on the promise of a flat frequency response. Usually, that would be perfect, but when you want bass-heavy headphones, flat is no good, you need the bottom-end to be given priority. Check out frequency response stats before you buy.
2. Sennheiser HD 800 Reference Dynamic Bass Headphones
We couldn't put together a list of top headphones without including Sennheiser. It's one of the very best companies, with a reputation for manufacturing some of the very best headphones going.
Thrdr HD 800 Reference Dynamic Bass Sennheiser Headphones are another example of the brilliance of this company. Everything about these headphones is just perfect, whether we're talking frequency response or the comfort level. One thing that separates these headphones from the others is the 56 mm diameter driver.
Pros
+ Since it is an open back headphone, it automatically has great sound quality.
+ Leona material for non-resonant and ultra-light weight headphones.
+ Patented 56mm ring radiator transducers.
Why We Liked It - Some folks are of the opinion that the Sennheiser HD 800 headphones are pretty expensive. However, given the quality, we think these headphones are well-worth the price.
3. Maxell AMP-B Amplified Heavy Bass Headphones
The Maxell AMP-B Amplified Heavy Bass Headphones comes with padding around on-ear ear cups making the comfort level of these headphones pretty high. You can comfortably wear these headphones for hours. They're ultra-light weight and have a foldable design. You can connect these headphones to any CD Player, DVD player, Mp3 player or other portable devices. With their larger drivers, these are great bass headphones.
Pros
+ Ultra-lightweight headphones so that you can use and carry them easily.
+ Capable of providing you with superior sound and deep bass because of their 40mm drivers.
+ Soft on-ear cushions.
Why We Liked It - The price range, the dynamic sound quality, and the extended bass response all add up to make the Maxell AMP-B Amplified Heavy Bass Headphones a seriously good product.
Too much bass - Some people will say that you can't have too much bass, and in theory, that's a fair comment if that's what you like. In reality, too much bass isn't great for every style of music, and things can become quite muddy if the bass gets out of control. Don't assume that the most bass is always the best bass; that's not always true.
4. OneOdio Over Ear Headphone, Wired Bass Headsets
The 50mm neodymium drivers inside these headphones provide listeners with a huge amount of powerful, thudding bass. They don’t just offer excellent sound, however, as they have been designed for comfort too, and the padded ear cushions are a pleasure to wear.
The ear cushions also provide you with passive noise isolation, so that you can focus on the music. DJs will love the 9.8ft cord, and the sound quality that these headphones offer will make them ideal for anyone seeking affordable, monitor headphones, especially as it is possible to run two different audio sources through them at the same time.
Pros:
+ 9.8ft DJ-style cord
+ Huge bass from 50mm drivers
+ Super comfy ear cushions
+ Great value for money
+ Swiveling earcups
Why We Liked It - It’s rare to find such affordable headphones that can be used for studio monitoring, but the 50mm neodymium drivers give you such clear sound and powerful bass that these headphones can be used in the studio.
5. SONY Over Ear Best Stereo Extra Bass Portable
If you're someone who would like to have headphones with sick bass but are easy to take on the go, these are the headphones for you. The crisp and clear sound you get with these headphones is just outstanding. Since these headphones are around the ear headphones, they don't leak sound.
Sony has a reputation for coming up with great quality electronic products that are rated pretty highly by its consumers. As far as headphones are concerned, Sony doesn't disappoint in living up to its reputation. The SONY Over-Ear Best Stereo Extra Bass Portable is another example of Sony's high quality.
Pros
+ Has high-energy neodymium magnets, providing a high-quality sound.
+ These headphones are open air and dynamic headphones you get a pretty relaxed feeling when using them.
+ The sophisticated swivel design is just amazing.
Why We Liked It - Want to listen to quality music on the go with extremely good bass? The SONY Over-Ear Best Stereo Extra Bass Portable headphones are just the perfect headphones for you.
6. Beexcellent GM-2 Gaming Headset With Mic and Good Bass
These headphones are designed for gamers. When you're gaming it's important to have complete concentration on the game, which isn't possible if you're able to hear external noises. These headphones give you the gaming ultimate experience as they have a great capability of blocking all the external noises.
The Beexcellent GM-2 Gaming Headset With Mic and Good Bass comes with an adjustable mic. You can position it according to your liking. The bass that you get with these headphones is also of the top quality, so you can use them for music as well.
Pros
+ Compatible with Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, and mobile/tablet devices.
+ Capable of providing you with a comfy fit since they come with super-soft ear pads.
+ Adjust the volume according to your requirements through the rotatory controller; you can even mute the mic whenever you want.
Why We Liked It - As far as gaming is concerned, you won't find better headphones than the Beexcellent GM-2 Gaming Headset With Mic and Good Bass.
7. TopOne Audio Technica ATH AVC400 Sonicpro
You need your headphones to fit you perfectly otherwise you can't experience sound quality. These headphones come with a self-adjusting headband support mechanism to fit anyone perfectly.
Audio Technica is a top-quality brand which has been around for a while. This company produces some quality audio solutions for audiophiles and audio professionals. This is the reason why it's preferred by many music lovers worldwide. The TopOne Audio Technica ATH AVC400 Sonicpro is an amazing bass headphone by this company.
Pros
+ Has 53mm large drivers for dynamic sound quality.
+ Has a bass-reflex port capable of creating deep bass sounds.
+ Newly designed earpads to reduce pressure on your ears for hours of use.
Why We Liked It - The TopOne Audio Technica ATH AVC400 Sonicpro has excellent sound quality, enhanced bass, and an amazing price tag.
8. Premium, Bluetooth Headphones - HIFI ELITE Super66
These Bluetooth headphones can connect with any device wirelessly. This means you get amazing portability. You get hi-fi sound with these headphones that'is distortion-free, plus rich bass and clean at all volume levels. It comes in with an ergonomic stainless steel design for max durability. It also has an extended battery life, so you can listen to your favorite tunes without interruption.
Pros
+ Advanced noise isolation technology and is capable of delivering distortion-free audio even when at max volume.
+ Ultra-lightweight headphone with soft ear cushions making sure that your comfort level is always at peak level.
+ Equipped with buttons such as play, pause, next, and previous.
Why We Liked It - The portability, sound quality, comfort level, and other features at an amazing price make the Premium Bluetooth Headphones - HIFI ELITE Super66 one of the best bass headphones available out there.
9. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio
When you have the perfect blend of sound quality with an amazingly built gear, why would you go for anything else? This is exactly what you get with these headphones. They are top DJ headphones which are popular with professional musicians.
Pros
+ Has 45mm large-aperture drivers for great sound quality and bass.
+ Circumaural design for excellent sound isolation even in loud environments.
+ Has professional-grade earpad and headband for durability and comfort.
Why We Liked It - The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio is a blend of top quality sound and ultimate comfort.
10. Beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium
Beyerdynamic is known for both superb open and closed back headphones. These special semi-open-back headphones combine the qualities of both types to reproduce an amazing sound quality in the most comfortable manner.
Pros
+ These headphones are high-end semi-open-back headphones with exceptional bass response and true sound definition.
+ Have the ability to reproduce immersive three-dimensional acoustics thanks to their frequency response.
+ Comes with replaceable soft ear pads and padded headband for ultimate comfort.
Why We Liked It - With a hardy construction built to last, ultimate comfort, and great sound reproduction ability, the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium headphones are one of the best bass headphones out there.
Protect your ears - Protecting your ears is more of a general tip that applies to headphones or speakers. Noise-induced hearing loss is a genuine danger to musicians and music lovers. If you love bass-heavy music, it's common to play it at very loud volumes, so just remember the damage that it can cause over time.
Bass Headphone Buyers' Guide
Our Top Pick
For our top pick, we went with something that has proven bass quality. The Edifier H840 Audiophile is an over the ear headphone set that provides complete isolation and strong, thumping bass. It's high-quality and super comfy thanks to its soft earmuffs. The headband is also soft leather for durability and flexibility. It has a drive of 40 mm - so you can imagine how strong the bass is! It also comes with an optional microphone.
You can use it when you're out and about or even in your studio.
Premium Choice
Like we said earlier, if you want a truly premium product, be prepared to shell out some hefty cash. Sennheiser is a big name in the music world because they make top class headphones. If we're talking premium quality then their products surely meet the standards.
The Sennheiser HD 800 Reference Dynamic Headphone has a sound that will blow you away. With a frequency response of 6 Hz to up to 51,000 Hz, you can imagine how powerful these headphones can be. Even though these are quite big, they are light, weighing only 330 grams.
The bass of Sennheiser HD 800 is going to be the strongest and deepest you can find with a driver size of 56 mm. All the features help produce a sound that is well-balanced but has a boosting bass. The over the ear cups cover the ears completely without being too snug or heavy. Obviously, comfort and ergonomics are an important part of the headphone experience, so when you're spending so much, you want everything to be perfect. This is definitely the case is with these headphones. If you have a larger budget, don't hesitate to pick up a pair.
Great Value
If value for money is the deciding factor for you, then there are plenty of good options you can find. The Maxell Amp B Amplified Heavy Bass Headphones have a strong bass signal but aren't expensive. These headphones have a stylish print on the earcup which snugly covers your ear to provide sealed sound. With a 40 mm driver, this is one of those products that you can just buy in a glimpse without thinking too much.
Not only do you get decent sound, but you also get high portability thanks to the folding capability. You can virtually use them with any device and take them with you wherever you go.
Headphones are one piece of technology that is often underrated. There was a time when headphones weren't able to produce high-quality, but those days are gone, especially with these on the market.
The Bass Issue with Headphones
The reason why not every headphone set produces good bass is because bass is directly related to the area of the speaker. You'll notice that speakers designed for bass tend to be bigger in size. Since headphones have such small speaker size, it can be difficult to achieve loud bass. Nowadays, manufacturers have found a middle road where they can create a quality bass reproduction while keeping headphones small enough for everyday use. Bass is also related to the medium of transmission i.e. wired or wireless. The former is better in terms of the clarity of signal/
Types of Bass Headphones
Bass headphones come in many styles.
Circumaural or Over the Ear Headphones
This type of bass headphones covers the ears entirely. They are big but provide complete isolation for high-quality bass. In studios and most professional settings, this is the preferred type. Because of their size, they're less portable than other types.
Supra-aural
These are similar to circumaural but they are smaller, although they do cover the ears. The isolation effect is missing here as there is space for sound to escape. However, they do offer a decent bass audio experience.
Earbuds and Earphones
Earbuds and earphones are both in-ear headphones i.e. they are small and can be put directly into your ears. The only difference is that earphones go inside the canal while earbuds cannot. The latter just sit inside the ear but produce the same level of sound. In terms of bass, earbuds do not recreate bass effectively as there is no seal and there is a high chance of interference. If, however, you are looking for earbuds - click here. Earphones, on the other hand, are capable of producing high-quality bass as they snugly sit inside the canal and there is not much space for sound to escape. Additionally, both types are highly portable and lightweight so they're perfect for everyday use with your smartphones or music players like an iPod.
Driver Size
There isn't much of a tech difference between bass headphones and regular headphones. The main component that affects the bass level and quality is the driver. This is what converts the digital signal into the sound signal. The bigger the driver the better the bass signal is. For most headphones, the driver size ranges from 20 mm and 50 mm. You can read the driver size on specifications about the headphones either online or on the casing.
Levels of Bass
With most bass headphones, you'll find the bass level is normal. Some headphones will have a boosted bass. If you recall what bass is, then you'll know that bass comes from subwoofers isn't limited to what you are hearing, but also what you are feeling. You see how the windows in the car vibrate or you feel a thumping in your chest when you hear loud bass in your car or at the club? This is what is missing from most headphones. To make up for it, some brands choose to boost the bass.
Bass Boost
You get a fuller sound effect with bass boost. With this mode on, the sound would feel a bit distorted, but you get the near-perfect bass you crave. One important thing to note here is that this boost feature only works in high-quality headphones. Low-end headphones occasionally have this feature, but you'll see the difference is quite significant.
Active Noise Cancellation
Modern normal bass headphones provide ample isolation to deliver high-quality bass and an overall balanced sound. However, there are headsets that have special designated active noise cancellation. Obviously, they have better sound and bass quality but they tend to be pricier than normal headphones. This is because you're also paying for active cancellation technology. For your regular use, avoid spending money on such headphones unless you really need them.
Brands and Pricing
Bass headphones vary greatly in terms of pricing and many times the prices depend on the brand you're buying. But identifying the best name brand can be tricky. The reason is that bass is now a part of many music genres including EDM, House, Alternative, and Rock. Some brands market their headphones as bass rich for sales purpose. Others actually spend money on the technology and provide the best bass quality. Sony, for instance, produces high-quality bass with its MDR-XB series which provides extra bass (XB).
As for the prices of these headphones, you should be prepared to spend at least $50 or more if you want high quality.
You can also find headphones that are cheaper than $50 and are decent quality. As for the other end of the spectrum, some headphones may cost even $500 or more as these are truly premium quality with advanced features and have a flawless balance of sound and extra-strong bass. You'll also find some headphones that are very cheap but beware; there is a high chance you won't get the kind of bass you are looking for.
Comfort
Your comfort is as important as the quality of the sound or bass. Imagine having a high bass but very bulky ear cups. You wont' be able to use them for very long. For over the ear headphones, the leather of the padding should be soft. Some even have anti-bacteria properties to protect your ears from any bacteria from sweat. This is something you would only get to know once you wear them, but one way to find out about the comfort level of the headphones is to find out what material is used for padding. Another effective way is to read reviews and to look for any customers who complained about the headphones being annoying or uncomfortable.
Styles
If textures, colors, and design are your thing then you won't be disappointed with bass headphones. There are many brands that produce stylish products with vibrant colors and edgy designs. Beats by Dre, for instance, is one such brand,is famous for its funky headphones. You'll find loads of colors, prints and even glow in the dark headbands and ear buds.
Bass Headphones FAQ
What are Bass Headphones?
Bass headphones are not that different from regular headphones. Bass is the low registers of music. It's a sound that you can feel too, as it is thick, deep, and vibrating.
The difference is very minute and lies in the driver. For quality bass, you need a driver of 40 mm or above. Any headphone with a driver of 40 mm or larger will supply ample bass. The difficulty with regular headphones failing to reproduce bass is that bass usually requires the large size of the driver. In speakers, you can see the woofers have large drivers which are best for bass recreation. Bass headphones come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. You have the over the ear headphones, in-ear headphones, and ear buds.
Are Bass Headphones Bad for Your Ears?
The answer to that depends on how you use your headphones. Experts say that listening to music over 100 dB for more than 2 hours can do some damage to your ears. Bass headphones can be loud but the sensitivity varies from one model to another. It depends on the sensitivity of the headphones as the voltage applied is directly proportional to that. The greater the sound pressure, the larger effect it can have on your ears, which is why it is always recommended to listen to music at a mo
derate volume.
In most bass headphones, bass is the most prominent signal. This is because of the Bass Boost feature that exists in many headphones. This doesn't necessarily mean that the bass will damage your ears; it consists of lower frequencies. But the same rule applies to bass headphones applies to all stereo devices. Listening at high volumes for a long period of time will have long-term ramifications. If you overuse your bass headphones, like with any other headphones, it can cause damage. Be responsible and you won't have any problems.
Can the Bass Break Headphones?
You can increase the bass in your headphones if you like, thanks to equalizer but not many headphones will reproduce the bass sound you want. These headphones are usually low quality and have small drivers. They can't reproduce bass and end up dysfunctional. You'll hear a buzzing sound or sometimes the sound in one ear stops.
This only applies to poor quality headphones. Many headphones can handle emphasized bass pretty well, like the M50 or ES7. But for this very reason, if you love bass, you should go for bass headphones which are designed to produce low-frequency signals. Their drivers are usually 40 mm and above, so they can produce bass signals without damaging the earphones’ inside circuitry. They're also better for your hearing; having increased bass in low-quality headphones misses the signals and produces irregular sound pressures.
How do Bass Headphones Work?
Bass headphones are not that different from any other headphones in that they have emphasized bass which basically is the lower frequencies in the signal. They achieve this by using a driver that is inside the ear bud or ear cup depending on the type of headphone you are using. This driver is nothing but a magnet disc that contains coils and diaphragm. This is the element that does the main work and converts digital signal coming through wires to sound signals. It does that by vibrating so this driver is producing all frequency signals.
For bass headphones, the driver has to be large sized because the lower frequencies depending on the size and the larger the size the bigger the bass. This is why subwoofers and woofers are usually the biggest units in a sound system. Most high-quality headphones designed for bass are usually over the ear i.e. circumaural. This is because these have a bigger driver as compared with in-ear headphones.
The bass is even stronger in circumaural headphones because there is no signal drop i.e. the sound signal does not escape and reaches directly to your eardrum. The result is a high quality uninterrupted bass signal that thumps against your ears. It is important to note hear that the bass in headphones can only be heard as opposed to being felt. This is because the signal is being transmitted directly to your ears unlike with speakers where the signals go everywhere and you can literally feel the vibrations in your body and around you.
What are the Best Bass Headphones?
As we said before, bass headphones come in all sizes so it comes down to your own needs. Let’s start with your usage. If you need something for regular use, then in-ear headphones or earbuds would be the best choice. The reason is simple; they're quite portable and easy to manage, although you will see people with big headphones on trains and buses, too.
If you're a bass freak, over the ear headphones are perfect for you. They'll give you a complete, isolated bass experience that you can feel anywhere, anytime.
As for the quality of the bass itself, you should check out the frequency range and driver size of the headphones. For the latter, anything 40 mm or above is considered good. You will even find some with above 50 mm driver and these are usually the high-end ones.
Be prepared to spend a few hundred dollars if you want the ultimate bass sound as those with high-quality components tend to be quite pricey. Brands like Sony, Sennheiser, and Beats can be quite expensive but obviously, their quality is unparalleled and they last a long time. Most musicians use such headphones in their studios to experiment with different levels of bass, especially now that bass is such a vital part of so many genres. This doesn't mean you can only get good bass in your headphones if you spend hundreds of dollars.
There are decent quality headsets with very reasonable pricing available on the market. You can get the bass headphones with a driver of 50 mm in as little as $30. Some are in fact even cheaper, but you have to be cautious about them.
How do I Choose the Best Bass Headphones?
The process of getting the best bass headphones is pretty much the same as buying any other products. It involves identifying your own needs, knowing the features and brands and then finding something that fits your budget. Here's what to do.
- 1. Know the different types of bass headphones. Based on your needs, you'll know which type to look for. Some are more portable and affordable than others.2. Study the different features. For example, if you want a pair with a microphone, check to see which models carry this feature.3. Now decide on your budget. Prices vary greatly and quality may not necessarily be linked with pricing. Decide according to your needs and brands you may like. You can have your budget as low as $20 or as high as a grand for that matter. For a budget between $50 and $500, you'll find loads of options to choose from, including high-end brands.4. Choose two or three headphones that you like the best and are within your budget. Read their specifications thoroughly especially their frequency range, driver size, and sensitivity.5. Read reviews about these products and what other customers have to say about them. You should be looking at both positive and negative reviews.6. After delivery, make sure to try them on and test them out by playing tracks with heavy bass. If the headphones don't meet your expectations, you can always return them.
Do Bass Headphones Require an Amp to Work?
The answer to this question is a simple No. Bass headphones do not require an external amp in order to work. An external amplifier will boost the sound quality of your bass headphone. When you use your bass headphones with small portable devices like MP3 players, their internal amps are not that powerful, so using an external amp here would be a wise decision.
Which Headphone Type is the Best for Bass?
As we all know that headphones are available in three types. These three types are in-ear, over-ear, and on-the-ear headphones. The on-the-ear headphones are considered the best bass headphones. These headphones are really good for noise cancellation and sound leakage. You do not want to miss any bass points because of the external noise you're able to hear within your headphones. Similarly, you don't want to disturb your neighbors with excessive bass because of sound leakage.
Having said all that, it does notdon't mean that the in-ear or on-the-ear headphones are bad with bass. It completely depends on your application. If you're going to use headphones while working out, you can't go for the bulky on-the-ear headphones. This is where in-ear headphones come in handy because of their compact and sleek design.
What is the Role of Drivers in Bass Headphones?
Drivers go hand in hand with bass headphones. The bigger the driver, the better the quality of the bass. It's crucial to keep the size of the drivers in mind and always choose the bigger ones if you're after a bigger sound. There are some high-end models available with a driver size up to 53mm. These models produce the best quality bass.
How Important is Comfort?
The comfort level should be at peak level for bass headphones. Heavy bass means a greater pressure on yourears and if your headphones aren't equipped with pressure minimizing components, you can't use them for long. Using headphones that are not good at minimizing pressure on the ears might result in achy ears after listening. It's important that your bass headphones should be really good in minimizing the pressure on the ears. Similarly, for an extended use, your headphones should have soft ear cushions and a comfy fit.
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