Best Headphones for Bass

Best Headphones for Bass

Have you ever felt that thump in your stomach or the booming effect in music when played loud on a speaker? Something that is quite capable of giving you goosebumps! If yes, then that is what a “Bass” or the “Bassline” is, which forms the foundation of any music. It is that part of the track that makes you tap your feet when the music plays. 

To start with, different frequencies create sound. In music, the low frequencies or the low pitch that sounds deep and heavy is the ‘Bass’, the frequencies on the higher end of the frequency spectrum are the ‘Treble’, and all the other frequencies that fall between the Bass and the Treble are the ‘Mids or Mid-range. 

Best Headphones for Bass:

What Is Bass?

You may consider Bass as the heart of any music because it gives both rhythm or beat and creates harmony in a piece of music. Most people, except the audiophiles and the music experts, are aware of the rhythmic role played by the bass in music composition because the bass is pretty distinctive; you can easily identify the deep, bass-heavy notes in a melody or a song. What many people do not know is its second role, the harmonic foundation that it creates. Harmony in a piece of music refers to bringing together all the elements to give a smooth flawless listening experience and the bass does this by bridging the gap between different elements in music. Speaking in the context, also check out our best headphones for music production.

What Role Does It Play in Music?

Clearly, without bass, the music sounds low, flat, and dull and doesn’t have the power or that oomph factor that it is supposed to deliver. This is irrespective of any genre, rock, jazz, hip-hop, vocal forwards tracks, or anything; the presence of bass gives the ultimate satisfaction of listening to music. But, remember that just because bass has a powerful role in a track, it cannot be overplayed as it can ruin the whole thing if there is an over presence of it by making the piece sound agitated. The mids and the highs need to be well-balanced with bass for a soothing listening experience. 

That said, many people have a preference for bass presence in music. While some like it the way it is, some love to hear a track with a boosted bass, especially when it is a bass-forward number. If you are one of those who find solace in listening to your favorite tracks with deep thumping bass, then you need a good pair of headphones that can make you “feel” the factor and not just hear it. 

With so many options in the market, it can get extremely challenging to track down a good pair of headphones that can give you the most enjoyable experience, especially if you are shopping online. That is why, to make it simpler, we have listed here some of the best bass headphones from different brands available in the market at present under a varying price range. Hopefully, you will be able to get what you want from this list. 

Best Headphones for Bass: List of Some Top-rated Deep Bass Headphones

If you are new to the headphones market, the very first thing that may come to your mind while looking for deep bass headphones is “are bass headphones different from the regular ones?”. Well, the truth is bass headphones do not have a huge technical difference from the usual headphone but for the size of the drivers, they incorporate into their audio gears. 

Some companies market their headphones to be bass headphones, and some engineer their audio pieces in a way that they are bass-driven. A few companies also create a specific line of headphones that are only bass-focused like the Sony extra bass headphones from the Sony MDR-XB series. Beats by Dr. Dre are also a pretty solid contender for best bass headphones. 

Another point to remember is you cannot use bass focussed headphones for editing and recording purposes. The reason is editing requires headphones with flat frequency response. The bass headphones have accentuated low frequency and you may not get the desired results that neutral headphones can give. 

Amidst all these, it can be difficult to pick the best bass headphones from so many options. Therefore, here’s a list of some of the top ones that are critically acclaimed, or have received several recommendations from the users. 

Skullcandy Crusher: (Best Headphones for Bass Under $100)

Skullcandy Crusher:

If you are a bass-head, then these deep bass headphones specially designed for the sole purpose of getting the oomph factor is a head-turner. The most significant feature of the headphone is the adjustable sensory bass engineered into them. This technology allows the headphone to sense the surrounding sound and adjust their sound delivery accordingly so you can get a more deep and detailed bass. 

The over-ear closed-back style earcups ensure a snug fit so the sound doesn’t leak outside. This helps in maintaining a high level of sound quality and offers good passive noise isolation. Two 40 mm drivers along with 2 additional subwoofer drivers are the real reason behind these super deep bass headphones’ skyrocketing energy. 

The headphone has a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz and a sound sensitivity of 99 dB, which ensures the sound is loud, crisp, and clear at all the frequency levels. 

When it comes to comfort, they are decent but not as satisfactory as some of the other products in competition. But this is compensated by its outstanding battery life of 40 hours on a single charge when played at mid to high volumes. A 10 minutes power charge also gives you 3 hours of run time. The combination of the powerful bass and the long battery life makes it one of the best bass headphones available in the market currently. 

Pros: 
  • Incredible battery life with quick charging mode.
  • Deep and thumpy bass.
  • Additional subwoofer drivers.
Cons: 
  • It may not be the best comfortable headphones option. 
  • Build quality is subpar.

SONY WH-1000XM3: (Overall Best Sony Extra Bass Headphones)

SONY WH-1000XM3:

Looking for the best headphones for bass? Sony is one brand that is known for its signature bassy sound that is incorporated into all its headphones. This model from Sony is going to make you fall in love with your favorite bass-centric tracks all over again. The superior bass works pretty across all the bass-heavy genres and gives you an incredibly satisfying listening experience. 

The main highlight of this pair of Sony extra bass headphones is the frequency response. With a range of 4 Hz to 40,000 Hz, the wired audio gear ensures a clean thumpy bass along with undistorted mids and crisp highs. If you are looking at the wireless option then the frequency response is between 20 Hz to 40,000 Hz. In either case, the sound quality is of superior quality. 

SONY WH-1000XM3 is a complete package of convenience, ultimate sound quality, and features. The headphone has a sophisticated, foldable design with over-ear padding for extra comfort. The world-class noise-canceling technology, smart voice control, a whopping 30 hours battery life, and a price tag of nearly $249.00 makes these headphones a premium option in terms of both features and price.  

The headphone is engineered to support different Bluetooth Codecs like LDAC and aptX HD which ensures high-quality sound and seamless streaming of the audio and video without a lag. 

Pros:
  • Incredible sound quality with a deep baseline.
  • Supports the latest codecs.
  • Industry-leading noise canceling feature.
  • Amazing battery life.
Cons
  • Call quality is not up to the mark.

SENNHEISER Momentum 2.0 Wireless: (Wireless Deep Bass Headphones)

SENNHEISER Momentum 2.0 Wireless:

Here’s another one coming from one of the brands that have a collection of some amazingly sounding headphones. Momentum 2.0 offers a powerful bass response across all bass-heavy genres with a solid pounding effect which makes it one of the top contenders for the best bass headphones. 

The headphone has a top-notch design with over-the-ear leather finish ear cups for a comfortable experience. Right from the active noise canceling technology to a wide frequency range of 16Hz to 22,000 Hz, and a high active impedance of 480 Ohm, the headphones have everything you would need for a clear, mighty, and transparent sound not to forget its ear rattling bass response. These will cost you around $299.00 which is on the higher end of the price scale but is worth every penny. 

Pros: 
  • Outstanding Bass depth.
  • Wireless with ANC feature.
  • Premium design. 
Cons: 
  • Could be expensive for some
  • Large ear cups are a benefit to some but can be bulky and uncomfortable to a few.

Sony MDR-XB600 Extra Bass Headphones: (Best On-ear Sony Extra Bass Headphones)

Sony MDR-XB600 Extra Bass Headphones:

Considered one of the best headphones for bass, Sony MDR-XB600 (where XB stands for extra bass) has a solid fan following from the bass lovers. The headphones feature 40 mm large drivers and cover a frequency response of 4 Hz to 24 Hz with its sound focussed on bass. The bass response is extremely powerful and deep, so, for people who love bass-forward genres like metals, electronics, etc. this one is capable of rattling your ears. 

The bass is so prominent and overpowering, that the mids and the treble can be overshadowed with these headphones. But, that shouldn’t bother you much right?

The headphones are provided with a tangle-free cord for ease of use and the on-ear cups are compact, offering a good seal to prevent sound leakage. One thing that you need to note is that these headphones are not suitable for the regular genres that are not bass complementing. If you are looking for deep bass headphones within a reasonable price range with a sturdy design, then this pair of Sony extra bass headphones are a solid option to consider.

Pros: 
  • Superlative bass response
  • Affordable price
  • Sturdy design
Cons
  • Bass may at times get a bit too heavy depending on the track.
  • The mids and the highs get overpowered by the bass so not suitable if you are looking for well-rounded headphones.

Ultrasone PRO 900i: (Best Headphones for Bass in Premium Category)

Ultrasone PRO 900i

When you look for the best bass headphones, several choices come in front of you with a varying price range. Here’s one with a high price tag and equally powerful bass-boosted headphones that can shake the ground with its bass response. 

The headphone is well-designed with a visually appealing look and is engineered with 40 mm titanium overlaid drivers for exceptional sound reproduction. It has a frequency response of 6 Hz to 42,000 Hz which is a wide spectrum and much beyond the human hearing range. This offers a crystal clear, high-quality sound. 

The best part about these deep bass headphones is that even though the bass is tight and mighty, you can hear the mids and the highs. The mid-range is well sculpted, and the treble is undistorted, unlike the Sony MDR-XB range that has extremely overpowering bass. However, for the headphone to sound the best, you will need to pair them up with a headphone amplifier.

The overall sound profile is well balanced with the deepest bass presence ever. So if you have an extended budget and do not mind investing in a professional-grade headphone with a price tag of $550.00, then this is a great option you may want to consider. 

Pros: 
  • Outstanding sound quality.
  • Extremely thumping bass.
  • Clean and distinctive mids and highs 
Cons: 
  • Exorbitant price

V-MODA Crossfade LP2 Vocal: (Best Bass Headphones With a Bassy Punch)

V-MODA Crossfade LP2 Vocal:

V-MODA Crossfade LP2 Vocal will give you an amazing bassy performance and a warm sound without having to break your bank. A convenient and comfortable pair of deep bass headphones, these are lightweight gears with well-cushioned circum-aural ear cups made of foam. The earcups sit surrounding the ears well enough to efficiently isolate the surrounding noise thus delivering better quality sound. 

On the technical front, the headphone is integrated with 50 mm large drivers with two diaphragms (inner and the outer) that deliver energetic and booming bass along with well-defined mids and highs. The good thing is they do not get overshadowed by the bass response. 

With a frequency response of 5 Hz to 30,000 Hz, and a sound sensitivity of 105 dB, resulting in incredibly loud and crisp audio output, this pair makes one of the best headphones for bass at competitive pricing. It carries a price tag of $149.99. 

Pros:
  • Flexible pair of headphones with easy portability.
  • Competitive pricing
  • Comfortable fit with softly padded ear cups.
  • Durable build.
Cons: 
  • Maybe a bit pricey for some people. 

Audio-Technica ATH-WS1100iS: (Best Headphones for Bass-heads)

Audio-Technica ATH-WS1100iS:

When it comes to high-level sound quality, Audio-Technica is a well-known brand that delivers some of the best products. ATH-WS100iS is one of the most appreciated deep bass headphones that is specifically designed for enhanced bass and is ideal for those who love bass-heavy numbers. 

With an extended lower and upper-frequency range of 5 Hz to 40,000 Hz, the headphone delivers super heavy bassy output along with impressive mids and highs. There are large 53 mm deep motion High-Res drivers that are constructed with a highly powerful magnetic circuit. This entire internal design of the headphone is responsible for the magnificent and precise sound delivery with ultra-rich bass reproduction unbiased of the music genres. 

The ear cups are also embedded with aluminum stabilizer bands that not only make the overall build extremely durable but also resist any kind of pressure built on the headphones. The aluminum frames filter out the sound caused due to the vibration of the drivers enhancing the audio quality even more. 

Packed with so many high-fidelity features with a mid-range price tag of $200 makes this one of the best headphones for bass that music lovers and bass heads would love to possess. 

Pros:
  • Durable build perfect for an active lifestyle.
  • Has a bass venting system on the side that equalizes excessive sound pressure allowing a superior quality bass response.
  • Hi-fi audio drivers.
Cons
  • Nothing specific

Sony WHXB900 Extra Bass Headphones: (Sony Extra Bass Headphones Under $200)

Sony WHXB900 Extra Bass Headphones:

Here’s yet another pair of Sony extra bass headphones that have exceptionally deep rumbling low-frequency sound that you can rattle in your ears. The punchy bass is even more enhanced with its noise-canceling ability which also gives you a quieter listening ambiance so you can enjoy your favorite music without outside interruption. 

Additionally, these deep bass headphones have 30 hours of runtime with a power charging mode which gives an extra 60 minutes with just 10 minutes of charge. The elegant design and smart voice control features along with an amazing bass focussed sound all at the price of $145.00 make this one of the best headphones to consider within a reasonable pricing point. 

Pros: 
  • Punchy bassline.
  • Mid-priced product. 
  • Good noise-canceling functionality.
Cons: 
  • The ear padding is not too plush so it can be a bit uncomfortable when worn for long hours.

Audeze LCD-1 Audiophile Headphones: (Best Bass Headphones for Audiophiles)

Audeze LCD-1 Audiophile Headphones:

Audiophiles have a very specific choice of headphones. They cannot work with any headphone that is labeled “good” or “premium” because what matters to them is well-defined and clean sound delivery at every frequency level. So, if you are looking for an ‘Audiophile’ standard best bass headphones, then Audeze LCD-1 is something you cannot afford to miss.

The headphones’ 90 mm large dynamic Planar drivers steal the show. When the sound comes out of these larger-than-usual sound drivers, every single note is loud, clear, and well sculpted. The headphone has an open-back design, but that doesn’t compromise on its tight rumbling bassy punch nor does it hit your head uncomfortably. The bass response is perfect to give a satisfying listening experience, and the overall audio is spacious and airy.

The open back also allows the sound at every frequency level to have its own space and deliver without struggling or battling with each other. This makes the entire sound output extremely seamless yet loud and powerful. 

From the comfort standpoint, the ear paddings made with memory foam and the lightweight build give you supreme comfort even when you wear them for long hours. This deep bass headphone pair will cost you $399.00 which is expensive but for an audiophile headphone like this one, it is definitely worth the money. 

Pros: 
  • Rugged design and durable build.
  • Solid bass factor without snatching away the comfort factor.
  • Amazing sound quality owing to the powerful drivers.
Cons:
  • Not for bass heads who need an earth-shattering bass response.
  • Expensive option to consider.
  • The open-air ear cups are only suitable for indoor use. 

 Beats Solo Pro: (Best Headphones for Bass Among on-ear Models)

 Beats Solo Pro:

Beats Solo Pro has an on-ear design with active noise canceling feature which functions quite well. Now, one thing with the on-ear headphones is that they clearly cannot take the place of an over-ear model which sits around the ear and seals so well that no sound from inside or outside can pass through. However, with this headphone, the clamping force seals the earcups on the ear extremely well making sure that you get the most out of the ANC feature. This in turn ensures a better and more enhanced sound quality. 

Just like any other Beats headphones, Solo Pro exhibits a heavy bass sound with a solid thud which is the Beats signature sound. Now the mids and the highs at times get overpowered by the bass sound especially the vocal notes. So, if you are particular about having a balance between the frequency level then you may need to check out options like V-MODA Crossfade or even Audio-Technica. 

One of the remarkably deep bass headphones, you will enjoy having the company of these audio gears if you love to listen to a lot of bass-forward numbers like Jazz, Raps, Electronic numbers, etc. The headphone will cost you $299.00 which is pricey, but if you are a Beats fan and enjoy the boomy bass on your music tracks, then you can keep this on your list. 

Pros: 
  • Incredible battery life of 22 hours (40 hours if the ANC and transparency feature is turned off)
  • Has a built-in H1 chip for easy pairing with the iOS device. 
  • Has smart voice control 
  • Great headsets for working from home.
Cons: 
  • Bass can be overemphasized in some tracks so you may notice some notes missing out. 
  • Pricey pair of headphones. 

Top Bass Headphones Alternatives

While there is a never-ending list of the headphones with the best sound quality, it is impossible to list all of them here. But if you want to check out a few more options other than the top ones listed above, then here are a few more:

How to Improve the Quality of Bass Over Your Headphones?

So you have good headphones, but you still feel that the bass is not up to that mark? Well, it is not always the fault of the engineering of your headphones. There are a few other things that you can do to enhance or increase the bass quality in your headphone:

  • One of the most basic things is to clean the headphones on a regular basis. Sometimes the residue on the mesh of the earcups may block the sound.
  • Use high-quality music for listening through your headphones. Sometimes when you download a music file, it gets compressed, which reduces the quality of the music. Ensure that the file you are downloading does not reduce in size. You can do this by signing up for the paid streaming sites instead of the free ones. 
  • Use an EQ setting to adjust the sound quality. Most smartphones these days come with EQ adjustment settings that allow you to make the changes according to your listening preference. 
  • You can bring in a headphone amp. Oftentimes, the power of the amplifier of your phone or laptop is not enough to deliver powerful, well-defined bass. In that case, you can use a headphone amp that will significantly improve the quality of the sound delivered by your headphones. And, you do not have to spend a fortune on these. There are many reasonable ones that are of good quality available out there. 
  • Using volume-enhancing apps can help deal with this low bass issue. There are different volume-boosting apps for both Android, Windows, and iPhone that are easy to download. 

Factors To Consider When Buying a Good Bass Headphone:

When you enter a headphone store and look around, you see hundreds of different headphones from well-reputed as well as mediocre brands, different price ranges, features, models, and so on. If you already know that you need to get a good bass headphone, then there are a few things you should keep in mind (including a few technical terms) that will make your search a lot easier and focused:

Size of the Drivers: 

The very first and crucial attribute of typical deep bass headphones is the size of the driver or the speaker inside the headphone. You will often see that the salesperson or the manufacturer emphasizes the sizes of the driver of the headphones when they are marketing or selling a headphone. The larger the size of these drivers the more powerful and thumping is the bass reproduction capability of the headphones. A good bass headphone has a driver size that ranges typically between 40 mm to 50 mm. In some high-end headphones, like in the case of Audeze LCD-1 Audiophile Headphones, the driver size is 90 mm producing some serious bassy sound. 

There are also a few headphones that have additional subwoofer bass drivers along with the regular drivers for deeper bass. These headphones are usually preferred by the bass heads who enjoy a powerful head-hitting sound. 

Impedance: 

This is another major factor that determines the quality of a bass headphone. The resistance created by the headphones towards the electric current that is relayed by the amplifier is the ‘impedance’ in a headphone. The more the impedance, the higher is the bass definition in a headphone with louder and clearer sound. So if you need a headphone that can give you a powerful bass-boosted sound, ideally, you need to look for headphones with impedance higher than 30 to 35 ohm. 

Also, remember that headphones that have 35 ohms or above may require a good amplifier for them to give the best results.

Comfort: 

No matter how good your headphones sound or how expensive they are, if it is not comfortable you cannot have a good listening experience. Like any other headphones, these deep bass headphones are also going to be used for various purposes right from casually watching movie marathons, sound mixing or DJing, playing video games, etc. so if you have to wear them for several hours at a stretch without causing physical stress to your ears, these audio gears need to be super comfortable. 

It is recommended to go for one that best suits you. Usually, an over-the-ear cup style with memory foam padding is the best choice from your comfort point of view. Also, make sure that the clamping force of the headphone is moderate yet compact because excessively tight fitted ones may cause discomfort to the ears. 

Do make a note that comfort is in no way related to the price of the headphone. Sometimes a pricey headphone can be more uncomfortable to wear than a relatively cheaper one. 

Sound Leakage: 

Another major aspect of comfort is the ‘sound’ itself. To feel the bass to the fullest, you will turn the volume up. Ensure that your headphone fits you perfectly yet comfortably forming a good seal around or over the ears, so the sound doesn’t leak outside and bother the other people around you. In other words, your headphones should have a solid noise isolation capability.  Bass vibrations can be thumpy, and you feel it more than you hear them. So do make a note of that.  

Durability:

If you are shopping online, then do not forget to check the reviews from the users on the durability of the product. You do not want your headphone to break down with just a few uses.

Price: 

Bass headphones are available in different price ranges and there are some compromises in terms of features in the case of the lower range headphones. But that said, you can get some of the best headphones for bass under $100 and $200 categories if that is your main focus. But if you think you need some extra features, then you may need to extend your budget accordingly. For example, if the bass is your only priority, then Sony extra bass headphones or SkullCandy Crusher deliver satisfying results.

Conclusion

Bass headphones are all about your personal preference. While some people like deep, thumping bass, some like it in a more defined way with a good balance between the mids and the highs. It is not always necessary that you have to invest a huge amount of money for getting a good pair of deep bass headphones. There are several good options from some top brands like Sony, SkullCandy, JBL, Sennheiser that offer budget-friendly headphones that are bass focussed. 

Now, while it is always recommended to try and test one for yourself before actually purchasing one, you do not get that opportunity while shopping through e-commerce sites. The best thing to do in that case is to go for a product that has a good return policy. This way if it is not as per your liking, you can return it or exchange it with other products. Having said that, we have provided some of the best headphones for bass for you to take a look at. Hope this helps you make the right decision on which would be your next new.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s): 

Is it possible to adjust the bass in a headphone based on our preference? 

Some headphones come with bass adjustment buttons that let you change them. But in case your headphone doesn’t come with that provision, you can change it on your phone or the audio source you are using.

How do we know that the headphones have a good bass response?

The best and the easiest way to determine if the headphone is capable of delivering a good bassy sound is to listen to a bass-forward track. But if you are buying a headphone online, check out the reviews provided by the customers and go for a larger driver size. For more details, take a look at the various factors for buying a good headphone listed above.

How much will a deep bass headphone cost? 

Bass headphones are available under low, mid-range as well as high price tags. Typically, you get a good one around the range of $50.00 to $100. It can go as expensive as $1000 or more depending on the brand. 

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