Browse by budget and use
By use · for music listening
Best headphones for rock and metal
Ranked by how many public comments recommend each pair for rock and metal: 61 comments across 12 headphones.
Ranking evidence:Moderate61 qualifying comments.What the levels mean
Sennheiser HD 650 leads this list with 7 comments recommending it for rock and metal. In plain words: we read public comments under headphone review videos, kept the ones that name a headphone, say the writer recommends or owns it, and mention rock and metal, then counted them. A higher number means more people said it, not that it sounds better. Evidence for this page is moderate (61 such comments). Use the loves and complaints on each row to decide whether what those people care about matches what you care about, and check the live price before you buy.
A comment counts when it names the headphone, recommends or owns it, and mentions rock and metal. Harvested Sep 2026. Quotes are whole sentences of 12 words or fewer, linked to where they were said. How we count.
- 1
Sennheiser HD 650 (also sold as Drop HD 6XX)
#1 overall · 152 recommendopen-back wiredVocalsJazzRelaxed7comments recommend it for rock and metalThe one headphone almost everyone in the hobby has owned; recommended as the safe buy for long, relaxed music sessions.
- 2
HIFIMAN Sundara
#7 overall · 79 recommendopen-back planar wiredPlanar detailHomeAmp helps7comments recommend it for rock and metalThe planar most often recommended under $200, by people who already have, or will buy, a small desktop amp.
- 3
Sennheiser HD 660S2
#12 overall · 60 recommendopen-back wiredWarmVocalsUpgrade7comments recommend it for rock and metalRecommended as the modern Sennheiser 6-series by vocal-first listeners who found the HD 600 too lean.
- 4
HIFIMAN Arya (Stealth Magnet)
#13 overall · 53 recommendopen-back planar wiredPlanar end-gameSpace7comments recommend it for rock and metalRecommended as the planar end-game most people can actually afford now that it sells for about $600.
- 5
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
#5 overall · 99 recommendclosed-back wiredClosed-backPortableBass6comments recommend it for rock and metalRecommended as a tough, portable closed headphone for people who want bass and will use it on the move.
- 6
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
#9 overall · 74 recommendclosed-back wiredClosed-backBudgetFlat6comments recommend it for rock and metalThe cheapest closed-back that owners keep recommending for a first proper pair.
- 7
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO (80 ohm)
#3 overall · 121 recommendclosed-back wiredClosed-backBassBuilt to last4comments recommend it for rock and metalRecommended as a closed-back that lasts a decade and blocks the room out.
- 8
Sennheiser HD 600
#4 overall · 117 recommendopen-back wiredNeutralVocalsLong sessions4comments recommend it for rock and metalRecommended as the reference headphone by people who care about accurate, fatigue-free music listening.
- 9
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO (now sold as MKII)
#17 overall · 38 recommendopen-back wiredDetailTwo pad setsNeeds amp4comments recommend it for rock and metalRecommended to detail-first listeners and home producers who want a headphone that will outlast several amps.
- 10
Sony WH-1000XM5
#6 overall · 96 recommendwireless ANC over-earCommuteNoise cancellingBattery3comments recommend it for rock and metalThe default noise-cancelling pick people recommend for planes and trains, if you can live with plastic hinges.
- 11
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO (250 ohm)
#8 overall · 75 recommendopen-back wiredOpen-backBass and trebleBuilt to last3comments recommend it for rock and metalRecommended for big, spacious sound on a budget by people who like sparkle and do not mind an amp.
- 12
Koss Porta Pro
#11 overall · 62 recommendopen-back on-ear wiredBargainHomeNo amp3comments recommend it for rock and metalRecommended as the cheapest genuinely musical headphone for home listening; a spare-pair favourite among owners.
