Review Of The Best Full Size Headphones

Full size headphones are designed primarily for listening at home, in the office or at the studio.  Featuring fully over the ear pads for comfort and/or sound isolation.

Depending on the application, full size headphones are available in open back or closed back designs. Open back generally gives a more natural character to the sound, whereas closed back helps keep noise out and your music in.

This article is a review of the best headphones in the full size category.

Why Full Size?

Comfort and sound quality are the major reasons for choosing full size headphones.

If you're going to spend many hours listening to headphones then comfort is obviously a key factor to consider.  Over ear designs are the most comfortable, but also look at the way the headband works.  Some headphone headbands have a clamping effect that can cause fatigue after some time, whereas others have a very light grip on the head.

Full size headphones generally offer the best sound quality of any class of headphone.  The fact that the sound can travel naturally into your ears means that full size headphones can sound more realistic than in-ear earphones. Also the size of the drivers helps give a better sense of scale with recordings that demand it.

Full Size Headphone ReviewS

Below is our review of the best full size headphones available - reviews are in price order from LOWEST to HIGHEST:

Grado SR80i

The Grado SR80i is an great first step into high quality Hi-Fi headphones. Choosing the best Grado headphone is a little tricky as they are all excellent, but the sensibly priced Grado SR80i headphone is a worthy contender for best mid-priced on ear Hi-Fi headphone (RRP is £120).

The SR80i is a energetic sounding headphone, with excellent clarity through the mids/highs, highly detailed resolution and a solid bass kick. Grado's have a very up-front sound that can bring music to life.  The SR80i is an on-ear headphone, so they can require a bit of re-adjusting after some use to get them comfortable again.

Unlike some audiophile class headphones the Grado SR80i's are sensitive enough to give good response without any dedicated amplification, as they are rated at a very efficient 32 ohms.

All of the Grado range are fully open back, which means sound can leak in and out of the ear cup. If this isn't a problem then the SR80i is a very solid choice for a home listening Hi-Fi headphone.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

Delivery superb sound quality for the price.  If the open back design is no problem then you should definitely consider this headphone.

AKG K-240 MKII

The AKG K-240 MK II is a highlight in the AKG headphone lineup, with an enjoyable and clear sound signature that is well suited for home, mobile or studio listening.

The sound is lively and warm, while retaining a level of accuracy across the frequency range and offers a level of insight that is rare at this price point.  The semi-open design means these headphones can be used in environments with low level external noise.  If you take your music seriously the AKG K-240 MKII is well worth auditioning.

Built with durability in mind the K-240 has a headband that can be bent in any direction without damage and the cables are replaceable.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

A well balanced and linear audio response, with good bass punch make the AKG K-240s an enjoyable listen.  Replaceable cables and durable design means the K-240 is designed to be used every day.

Audio-Technica ATH-AD700

The full size headphone market if often dominated by Sennheiser with it's HD range, but there are other options. A solid performer in the full size headphone category are the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 open back headphone, which have a very open and natural character to their sound and come highly recommended (RRP is £139).  The equally good closed back model, the Audio-Technica ATH-A700 is also well worth considering.

Audio-Technica are the number one headphone brand in Japan, and for good reason. The AD700's are very well engineered and offer a very detailed, neutral sound. With full over the ear cups and velvet pads the AD700 is a very comfortable headphone for long term listening sessions.

The soundstage is truly immense on the AD700, i.e. you are able to discern instruments all around outside (and inside) your head.  The AD700's give good depth to bass notes, without being overpowering, and are particularly detailed in the upper midrange. This is a superb pair home listening headphones that compares well with many much more expensive 'cans'.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

Particular strengths in mid-range detail and clarity, with good positional accuracy and comfortable over-ear design, which makes the AD700 a popular choice for movies and gaming.

Beyerdynamic DT770

Featuring a fully sealed (closed back) design and extremely robust build quality, the Beyerdynamic DT770 is a real workhorse of a headphone that is suitable for daily use and abuse.

With a pedigree in studio and live recording, Beyerdynamic is the number one choice at the BBC - check out photos on the BBC Radio 1 website and you will see most guests wearing the DT770.

Bass response is powerful and positional accuracy is excellent, making this a firm favourite for gaming and movies.  However, the DT770 is a versatile headphone and is great for long music listening sessions also.

The DT770 is available in an easy to drive 80 Ohm version (suitable for home and even mobile listening) and also a much harder to drive 250 Ohm version that is designed to be plugged into a high output power mixing desk or dedicated headphone amp.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

Robustly built and with superb sound quality, if you are looking for a closed back headphone with a big sound then the DT770 should be high on your list.

Ultrasone HFI-780

Closed back full size headphones are always a compromise between wide soundstage (being able to hear sounds outside your head to the left and right) and good sound isolation, but the Ultrasone HFI-780 strikes a happy medium.  Many closed back headphones suffer from an enclosed sound, but the HFI-780 manages to keep balance while maintaining good isolation from external noise.

The HFI-780 offers a big, well defined bass response to keep bass addicts satisfied, but also offers clarity and accuracy through the midrange.  A versatile headphone that would be equally suitable for studio monitoring or as a headphone for use out and about on an underground train.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

The punchy bass response will appeal to bass heads, but this headphone's accuracy makes it a versatile tool for the studio.  A very enjoyable and insightful listen.

Beyerdynamic DT880

A firm favourite in the Beyerdynamic headphone range is the semi-open DT880, available in a high impedance 250 Ohm version and a much more sensitive 32 Ohm version for lower power audio sources (RRP £276).

The semi-open ear cups are a great compromise for situations where small amounts of sound leakage (in and out of the ear cups) is acceptable.  The sound is more open and airy than a fully closed back headphone, but there is some degree of noise isolation.

Sound is lively and exceptionally detailed, with enough excitement to put a big smile on your face and send shivers up your spine. Bass is tight and well controlled, but with enough presence and power to bring large performances to life.

As with any of the German made Beyerdynamic range the build and finish is exceptional and obviously designed for a long life.  The ear pads are super soft and comfortable for very long listening sessions.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

A professional design with accurate and exciting sound that is up there with the best headphones at this price.  Very comfortable.  One of our personal favourites.

Sennheiser HD650

Probably the most often recommended pair of full size Hi-Fi headphones on the planet are the extremely refined and well made Sennheiser HD650. The HD650's have an excellent reputation among audio enthusiasts for good reason. The HD650s present a silky smooth response across the entire audio range, although they can be a little unexciting for some.  These headphones offer a relaxed sound and can be worn for hours without discomfort.

The HD650 is very well made with all parts replaceable, meaning you can expect to keep these headphones for a very long time.  The finish is good, although it does feel a little cheap when compared with better made headphones (check out Beyerdynamic headphones for a more sturdy design).

We often recommend a dedicated headphone amplifier with the Sennheiser HD650's as portable devices, such as the iPod, and even many integrated Hi-Fi amps will have trouble driving these 300 Ohm headphones with any authority.  Without a headphone amp the HD650 can sound veiled and a little distant, but driven with a good headphone amp (we recommend one of the Graham Slee desktop amps) they sound more dynamic and lively.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

Well made and with superb reproduction of sound, the HD650 is a smooth performer.  Needs amplification to get the best from these cans.

Grado SR325is

It's easy to spend a fortune on headphones, but like all high end Hi-Fi equipment it can become a case of diminishing returns.  We feel the Grado SR325is hits a sweet spot in the Grado headphone range and offers a good price versus performance ratio.

The SR325is is a truly excellent sounding headphone with lots of lovely midrange detail and a punchy bottom end.  Some may find the sound a little on the bright side, although due to their sensitivity this is easily influenced by the audio source. It's at this point that headphones start to rival high end speaker systems that cost thousands of pounds.

The on-ear design does attract criticism from some as it's not as comfortable as a full over-ear design, but we don't have a big problem with it.  In our experience you will need to readjust the headphones every so often to keep them from fatiguing your ears - probably not a bad idea anyway.  The softer ear pads from the SR60 and SR80 also fit these earphones, which can help improve long term wearing comfort.

As the SR325is is efficient and low impedance a dedicated headphone amplifier is not required, but you will see sonic improvements with the addition of a good amp being fed by a high quality audio source.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

Superb sound quality with excellent detail resolution and punchy bass response.  On-ear design does attract criticism from those who prefer a fully over ear design.

Grado GS1000i

The flagship Grado GS1000i is a headphone for someone looking for the very best headphone available.  With the ear cups hand finished in mahogany and the drivers manufactured to tolerances far exceeding normal expectations, the GS1000i is a very special headphone that deserves serious attention.

Often described as a portable listening room, the GS1000i offers levels of clarity and detail that is normally reserved for dedicated listening spaces costing tens of thousands to construct.

When choosing a high end headphone like the GS1000i the best advice we can offer is to try the headphones out for yourself with your own equipment (we offer a 30 day money back guarantee).

The GS1000i sounds best when matched with a good quality headphone amplifier, but is relatively easy to drive and can sound great connected with a good quality audio source.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

We are big fans of the "Grado sound" and the GS1000i has the trademark lively, detailed delivery that is both engaging and exciting.  This headphone has to be heard if you are serious about your music.

Beyerdynamic Tesla T1

Founded in 1924 Beyerdynamic is one of the oldest names in audio and still manufactures many of their products in Germany.  The Tesla T1 is the culmination of many years of experience, which is evident from the beautifully finish of the headphone and superbly balanced sound.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

We feel the Tesla T1 is the best balanced, most comfortable high end headphone available.  Offering a level of insight that is at times staggering, the T1 breathes life into music.

More Information

Browse our complete selection of Full Size Headphones.