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This article was taken from the February 2012 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
Wired.co.uk's editor, Nate Lanxon, measured the output of each product using an SPL meter, as well as listening closely to audio output to determine sound quality. For the assessment he used a wide range of music, from Fleetwood Mac to Slayer, copied from CDs into 16-bit, 44.1kHz uncompressed digital files. These lossless files were decoded by a Beresford TC-7520 digital-to-analogue converter and amplified by a Denon CX3 amp into each pair of headphones through their supplied cabling.
Read more: The best headphones for any budget in 2021
Monster Beats Pro
The Dr Dre name underscores these headphones' proficiency with bass-intensive music, notably drum 'n' bass, hip-hop and R&B.
The real benefit of these cans, however, is their suitability for other genres. Folk, classic rock and some choice Ingrid Michaelson numbers all sounded superb, with shimmering highs complementing the powerful bass and punchy mids. The heavy design and tight fit may prevent sound leaking out or in, but they make for rather fatigued ears.
Wired: Versatile, high-end audio
Tired: Earache after an hour
8/10
£350
Marley TTR Destiny
These are battery-powered, noise-cancelling headphones rocking the Bob Marley name, so it'd be a pity if they didn't do justice to the reggae legend's music. I Shot The Sheriff highlighted the deep bass response and the rich overall sound quality. At times that deep bass can become a little overpowering, particularly during heavy rock and metal, but clarity is very good on the whole. The modern design is also extremely comfortable, making these suitable for lengthy listening sessions.
Wired: Most comfortable in test
Tired: Too much bass on occasion
6/10
£250
AKG Q460 Quincy Jones
At more than £100 less than the Bowers & Wilkins, AKG's Q460 cans deliver a deeper, warmer bass. Yet they don't deliver the same clarity and instrumental separation. Bass and mid-range are emphasised over high frequencies, so vocals are more prominently reproduced. Although a few other instruments didn't come through as clearly, it still delivers a powerful sound from a lightweight design. Despite coming joint last in our round-up, we still felt the Q460s performed adequately.
Wired: Lightweight but sturdy
Tired: Lacks some versatility
5/10
£130
Sony PIIQ MDR-PQ1
These eye-catching headphones are aimed as much at the image-conscious as the music lover, and feature an unusual Velcro fastening for adjusting headband size. Sound quality is balanced, with no special emphasis on bass or treble, but leaves neither end of the spectrum lacking. Electronic music sounded just as good as rock and folk, with punchy mids and well-defined vocals. Audio was the least clear overall, but these headphones are decent value for money.
Wired: Good looking; comfortable
Tired: Far from pro-level audio
5/10
£80
Bowers & Wilkins P5
The premium price is justified by the exceptional comfort and superb performance of B&W's cans. They shone with classical, acoustic, pop and rock. Paloma Faith proved a winning choice to demonstrate the P5's deliverance of rich sonic detail, a wide-open soundstage and some truly breathtaking vocals. Sparkling cymbals and strings were also beautifully reproduced, making for some luscious listening. However, balanced output means deep bass gets less love than others on test.
Wired: Clear, rich sound
Tired: Not for lovers of bass
8/10
£250
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
