Audiophiles will love over-ear headphones, but they can be expensive. Our picks can sell for up to $300.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are great times to get huge discounts on headphones. Many of our top picks like the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Hifiman BT are on sale already. We have compiled the best deals that we've found thus far.

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Monoprice's Monolith M570 is a remarkable example of the brand's ability offer great value and outstanding sound quality.

Pros Serious audio chops with a budget, huge soundstage, elegant designs, easy to drive

Cons: Bulky, loose fit, not wireless

The Monolith M570 headphones, with their zebrawood ear cups and see-through grille look a lot more expensive than the $200 street price. It may sound expensive, but it's worth it when you hear the quality of the sound.

Monolith M570 is a price-sensitive product, but Monoprice has done a great job. Monolith M570's combination of an open-back design and large planar magnet drivers gives it a huge soundstage. They sound more spacious than the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro, our highest-end high-end choice.

They aren't as precise as the DT90 Pros in the high-end, but they are close enough that budget-minded audiophiles shouldn't be concerned about missing out. You don't need to buy an amp to drive them, as resistance is only 32 ohms.

Although the Monolith M570 headphones are solid and comfortable, their finish could be better. Headbanging is not possible due to the weak clamping force. The headset weighs in at 420g. However, the headband helps to keep the weight from creating a single pressure.

Monoprice BT600ANC offers a balanced listening experience, with modest noise cancelling performance and a modest price.

Pros Premium features for a budget, well balanced sound, portable design and great ear pillows, carrying case included. USB-C, wireless

Cons: Moderate ANC, uninspired Looks

Monoprice BT600ANC is a solid choice for budget-friendly pricing. It offers a wide range of features at a very affordable price. Although they don't offer the same open-back audio performance as the Monolith M570, the BT600ANC offers more perks such as wireless support and noise cancelling for a fraction of the price.

These headphones have a well-balanced sound and a bass that gives off a nice lift. Bluetooth 5.0 is included, as well as aptX HD (and AAC) for better-quality wireless audio. We haven't experienced any compression issues while listening to music over Bluetooth.

Monoprice's ANC doesn't do a great job, but it does reduce droning sounds a bit. If noise cancellation is important, you will want to spend more on a model such as the Sony WH-1000XM4.

Although the BT600ANC headphones are as portable as more expensive Sony headphones they offer more comfort due to their thicker ear cushions.

The Sony WH1000XM4 offers a combination of high-quality audio and a comfortable build with robust noise cancellation. It is priced at a competitive price.

The pros: High noise cancelling, portable design, strong audio over Bluetooth or wired, long battery life and handy features

Cons: Tighter fitting around the ears

Sony has held the wireless noise cancelling headphone market crown for a long time. The WH-1000XM4 is its latest win. These headphones combine a lot of functionality in a compact design while still being affordable.

Sony headphones look like a Swiss Army Knife. They support Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and the AAC codecs LDAC and AAC to improve audio quality. However, they can also be connected over a standard cable of 3.5mm length.

The audio is a bit skewed in favor of the bass, which is deep and thumpy. However, mids and treble don't get lost in the mix. The ANC drastically reduces background noise and doesn't create the pressure sometimes associated with noise cancellation.

During testing, the Apple AirPods Max outperformed the Bose 700s in terms of overall ANC strength. The WH-1000XM4s are the perfect balance of ANC performance, sound quality and portability. These are a great deal during Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping seasons.

Beyerdynamic's DT90 PRO headphones are a great choice for audiophiles. However, the price is prohibitive.

Pros: Exceptional audio, large soundstage, comfortable design

Cons: Expensive, for wired use only, driving drivers

The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro headphones offer a luxurious audio experience. You'll get a great audio experience for a reasonable price, which is about $600.

The 45mm Tesla drivers from Beyerdynamic produce a very precise sound. It packs a punch in mids, and is delectably bright at the top end. It's almost unbearable to listen to low quality files at high volumes. Cymbal and tambourine sounds sound more like static than they are. This is why you will want to listen to lossless music and HiFi streaming with these headphones.

The DT 1990 Pro's bass is thumping but doesn’t feel cramped at high volumes due to its open-back design. This design gives music space to breathe, creating a soundstage that allows each instrument in multi-part compositions to stand out on its merits.

The DT 1990 Pro has a 250 ohm impedance, so you may not have the best listening experience without a powerful amp. Open-back designs allow outside sounds in. You'll need a quiet place to enjoy the best listening experience. However, the listening experience was more than satisfactory even when plugged in to a phone or laptop. It is loud enough to drown out nearby box fans.

The headphones are elegant and simple in design. They can be used for hours and will last for years. Beyerdynamic includes a high quality carrying case, two sets velour earpads, a coiled and straight cable.

The Hifiman Ananda BT provides a clear sound without wires and a comfortable build.

Pros - Wireless HiFi Sound, DAC and amplifier built-in, USB C audio support, comfortable headphones

Cons: Seriously expensive, disappointing battery, huge design

The Hifiman Ananda BT might be the right choice for you if you aren't afraid of extravagant spending. These wireless headphones are packed with some serious high-end hardware by Hifiman. These headphones feature powerful planar magnet drivers and don't require a separate amp/DAC to drive them.

These headphones also support Bluetooth connectivity, which includes 24-bit/96kHz resolution, LDAC, HWA and aptX codecs. The headphones have a 10-hour battery and can take up to 2.7 hours to charge. In a pinch, you can still listen to them via a USB connection and get a higher resolution 24-bit/192kHz audio. Due to the balanced amp and built-in DAC, 1/4-inch and 3.5mm connections are not options.

High-res audio support is also a benefit of the Ananda BT headphones. It can be described as a high-end stereo system strapped to your head by Ananda BT headphones. Although the cans are massive, the headbands suspended and the generous ear cushions make it comfortable.

The headphones are loud at the bottom, but have a great mid-range. They also let the treble shine through, which is reflected in a large soundstage. These headphones are not recommended for public transport as they can leak some sound.

To evaluate headphones, we run them through several tests. We listen to tons of audio sources to get an idea of their audio capabilities. This includes lossless audio files and streaming music services. This covers all styles, from simple listening to loud and fast.

To ensure that the headphones are comfortable enough to listen to music or watch movies, we test them extensively. They are also tested in different environments. A pair of headphones that sound great in a quiet room may not sound as good when there is traffic in the background.

We also tested active noise cancellation (ANC), due to its popularity. We test how well ANC cancels out loud external noises, including a vacuum cleaner and a box fan at full blast 2 feet away. Then we also test how audio playsback when paired with ANC.

To determine which headsets are the best, we consider other important factors like price, build quality, materials, and battery life.

What should I spend on headphones

The amount you spend on headphones depends on the outcome you want. For as low as $50-100, you can get a good pair of headphones for a reasonable price. Monoprice BT600ANC includes wireless support and active noise cancelling (ANC) in some models.

You should budget $200-$400 if you are looking for something with a more powerful sound quality or a pair that can cancel out noises well effectively. The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are a good example of this type of headphones. They have Bluetooth and an impressive ANC.

For those who are looking for a pair of premium over-ear headphones, they should budget at least $500. Be aware that not all audiophile headphones offer the same features and sound quality. One example is the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro. The wired pair is usually around $600 and its high-quality drivers and audio quality justify its price.

What's the difference between over-ear headphones and earbuds?

Over-ear headphones have earcups that fit over your ears and create a seal. Over-ear headphones are larger than earbuds but they deliver a superior sound quality.

Earbuds are, however, much smaller. Earbuds have tiny left and right buds. They can either be placed inside or outside of your ear canal. These earbuds are portable and can be used in a variety of situations, but they don't sound nearly as good as over-ear models.

Do I need to wait until Black Friday/Cyber Mon to purchase over-ear headphones

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are great times to purchase tech products, including headphones. These deals are the best times to grab a pair at a huge discount.

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