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You can now spend upward of a grand on noise-canceling headphones. But what are you really paying for if they all sound the same?
Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol
By Tucker Bowe
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The landscape for noise-canceling headphones isn’t what it used to be. You can now buy a decent pair for less than $150, however, some can cost nearly five times that … especially if you want the absolute best in comfort, noise cancellation and aesthetics.
How we got here
A few years ago, top-of-the-line noise-canceling headphones were capped at around $350. Both Bose and Sony, the two biggest names in noise-canceling headphones, had flagship models that were priced right around there. But now Sony’s WH-1000XM5 ($400) and Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra ($429) cost well north of that.
Apple was the catalyst for this climb. When it released the AirPods Max in late 2020, the $549 price point blew people away.
Apple was the catalyst for this climb. When it released the AirPods Max in 2020, the $549 price point blew people away. No way would anyone spend that much on noise-canceling headphones, right?
Guess again. AirPods Max headphones have become a status symbol among celebrities and influencers, paving the way for traditional audio companies to come out with their own take on the high-end cans.
But when it comes to headphones that cost upward of $1,000, what exactly are people paying for?
The art of audio
The price of “flagship” noise-canceling headphones has undoubtedly gone up in the past few years — Bose, Sony and Sennheiser now all make models that cost at least $400.
And when it comes to sound quality, active noise-cancellation and even other advanced features (like fast charging, multipoint Bluetooth and support for immersive audio), you’re not probably not going to get much better than these flagship models.
Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear PatrolWhen it comes to sound quality, all wireless headphones are still limited by Bluetooth technology. So, while more expensive wireless headphones have more advanced drivers and support higher-resolution codecs, none can truly stream lossless-quality audio even where there are so many music streaming services nowadays that offer it.
If you’re seeking wireless headphones with the best possible active noise cancellation, you don’t actually need to spend much more than $400.
You’re probably not going to notice a huge jump in audio quality when comparing Sony WH-1000XM5 ($399) versus , for example.
And when it comes to active noise-cancellation (and transparency) modes, Bose and Sony (and more recently Apple) are still the top dogs.
Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear PatrolA lot of other headphone manufacturers have indeed caught up considerably on this front, too. Still, if you’re seeking wireless headphones with the best possible active noise cancellation, you don’t actually need to spend more than $400. The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra are still the crème de la crème.
So why pay more?
When stepping into the realm of luxury wireless headphones, the main thing you’re also paying for is the step-up in materials. Instead of faux leather, you’re getting the real thing. Instead of plastic arms and headbands, it’s a lot of metal.
Heavier materials add weight and, if not distributed properly on the headband and earcups, can actually make the headphones less comfortable.
These more premium materials can make headphones more comfortable, but it’s not always the case — heavier materials add more weight and, if not distributed on the headband and earcups properly, can lead to discomfort.
And, of course, these luxury headphones are also a bit of a status symbol. In the same way a really fast car or a really expensive watch is designed to look cool and be shown off, so too are luxury headphones.
Are they practical? Probably not for most people. But are they cool? Well, that’s up to you.
Apple’s original trend setter
AppleApple AirPods Max
Pros
- Superb sound quality and support for spatial audio
- Excellent noise-cancellation
- Premium materials. No plastic
- More affordable now they're several years old
Cons
- Only works best with Apple devices
- Quite heavy and not the most comfortable
- Lacks some premium features of the newer AirPods Pro
- Several years old and due for an update
$449 at Amazon
$529.00(15% off)
- Release date: December 2020
The AirPods Max paved the way for more expensive noise-canceling headphones. Aside from the hefty price tag and premium materials — made mostly of stainless steel frame and a breathable knit mesh — the AirPods Max hold the distinction of working better with iPhones than any other noise-canceling headphone.
They are integrated with Apple’s special H1 chip, which helps them quickly pair with an iPhone, and support spatial audio and Dolby Atmos. However, they don’t have the newer H1 or H2 chipset that are in the latest AirPods Pro and lack some newer features — such as Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume andConversation Awareness. They also still charge via Lightning.
Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear PatrolMaster & Dynamic’s glass-and-leather cans
Master & DynamicMaster & Dynamic MW75
Pros
- Excellent sound quality and noise-cancellation
- Gorgeous design and premium materials
- Physical buttons are wonderful
Cons
- Price is quite steep
- Design might not match your vibe
$649 at Amazon
- Release date: June 2022
Master & Dynamic has always been a luxury audio company with headphones that blend premium materials, great sound, distinct style and a pretty steep price tag. And the MW75 are the company’s flagship noise-canceling headphones.
They have a fresh new design thanks mostly to shimmering tempered glass earcups, but still retain the aluminum frame and leather (lambskin) earcups and headband. They also have a lot of physical buttons (no tap or swipe gestures), which honestly is a godsend.
Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear PatrolBowers & Wilkins’s premium offering
Bowers & WilkinsBowers & Wilkins PX8
Pros
- Top tier sound quality
- Super luxurious and comfortable design
- Physical buttons are nice
Cons
- Steep price tag
- Physical buttons are nice
$699.00 at Amazon
- Release date: September 2022
The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 are the company’s flagship pair of noise-canceling headphones. They’re essentially a higher-end and more “luxe” version of the .
The two headphones are identical, but the PX8 replaces the mostly plastic and faux leather design of the PX7 S2 with aluminum and real leather. The sound of the PX8 is also a little more refined thanks to slightly more nuanced drivers.
Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear PatrolFrench hi-fi meets active noise-cancellation
FocalFocal Bathys
Pros
- Sound exceptional even when playing over Bluetooth
- Can play lossless audio when using a wired USB-C connection
- Surprisingly comfortable to wear
Cons
- Design might not be for everybody
- ANC won't blow your socks off
- $699 isn't cheap
$699.00 at crutchfield.com
- Release date: October 2022
The Bathys (pronounced “Bat-ees”) are the French hi-fi company’s first-ever pair of wireless headphones and, as you’ve probably guessed, they’re designed for true music aficionados.
They pack the same 40mm M-shaped dome driver as the company’s Elear (open-back) and Celestee (closed-back) headphones and thus promise to deliver a wide, rich and accurate sound. And they pair that sound with premium materials like magnesium, aluminum and real leather).
These are wireless headphones that put sound at the forefront — and you use them as wired hi-fi headphones when at home for an even improved sound — but also can deliver solid active noise-cancellation when you need it.
Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear PatrolMark Levinson’s $1,000 headphones
CourtesyMark Levinson No. 5909
Pros
- Elite sound quality
- Top notch active noise cancellation
Cons
- Price is wicked steep
- Design won't be for everybody
$999.00 at crutchfield.com
- Release date: April 2022
At a cool grand, the Mark Levinson No. 5909 are the most expensive wireless noise-canceling headphones you can buy. Their design is mostly made out of anodized aluminum and real leather, and their shape is actually very similar to Master & Dynamic MW75. (In fact, according to Digital Trends, the two headphones actually come from the same original design manufacturer.)
With their 40mm Beryllium-coated drivers and support for lossless sound (thanks mostly to supporting LDAC audio files), the No. 5909 promise audio quality that’s almost as good as its wired hi-fi headphones.
Bang & Olufsen’s expensive flagships
Bang & OlufsenBang & Olufsen Beoplay H95
Pros
- Beautiful design with high-end materials
- Memory foam earcups are quite comfortable
Cons
- Costs more than most iPhones
- Active noise-cancellation and transparency modes aren't quite elite
$984.88 at Amazon
$999(1% off)
Release date: September 2023
The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 are the Danish hi-fi maker’s most high-end noise-canceling headphones. They combine premium materials — an aluminum frame, lambskin (and memory foam) ear pads and leather headband — with 40mm titanium drivers and support for high-resolution codecs (specificallyaptX Adaptive) for higher fidelity sound.
At just shy of $1,000, the Beoplay H95 are one of the most expensive noise-canceling headphones out there. It’s also worth noting that are very similar — they lack titanium drivers and don’t quite have as impressive battery life — but a couple hundred bucks cheaper.
Dali’s first noise-canceling headphones
REVEALED AT HIGH END, MUNICH 2023Dali IO-12
Pros
- Plush leather earcups are huge
- Work as wireless or wried headphones
- Supports lossless audio when using a USB-C connection
- 35-hour battery life is legit
Cons
- Wicked high price tag
- Design might not be your vibe
$1,499.00 at dali-speakers.com
- Release date: October 2023
The Danish audio company is well known for its high-performing loudspeakers, but Dali has more recently entered the wireless headphone space. Released in late 2023, the IO-12 are the company’s most high-end pair of wireless noise-canceling headphones — they cost more than most new-age laptops.
The reason for the high price tag is that the IO-12 has huge 50mm drivers and borrows technologies from its loudspeaker (specifically its patented SMC magnet technology for reducing distortion) to deliver a true hi-fi sound. The kicker is that when used as wired headphones (via a USB-C connection), they can play lossless audio up to 24-bit/96kHz.
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