Why Do Some People Need to Use Loud Headphones?
Are your neighbors getting bothered by your loud music? Well, then it’s probably time to switch to a pair of those booming headphones that will give you your loud music satisfaction without shaking the neighborhood!
People need loud music for several reasons. While some love the intensity of the bass, others simply need to listen to the upbeat tracks played in the loudest volume for their inner satisfaction. Aside from enjoyable listening, some people need their headphones playing loud to get away from the noisy background around them.
If you have been working from home, you would know how distracting it can get with kids making noise while playing, or the neighbors talking in the loudest possible voice. During virtual meetings, listening to every little detail discussed is crucial for your work, and you do not want to miss out on them. That is exactly when you wish you had headphones that could cover all the external distractions with their volume.
Some fitness lovers prefer loud music as it keeps them motivated and their energy levels high while they are crushing on their gym goals.
Why should you avoid buying the loudest headphones?
Where loud music can do all the magic, shut the entire world and make you feel good without bothering your neighbors or harming the environment as a whole, it is important to know that your ears may not be that welcoming to the loud volume. They may get way too sensitive to the extra amplified sound. If you still need to heat them loud, then as a precautionary measure make sure to keep the listening time short. The louder the volume, the shorter the headphone usage should be (more on this in detail in the later sections).
Another major drawback of playing headphones at the loud mode is the fast draining of the battery. Yes, you may not be able to get the battery life the company claims because high volume drains out the fuel of the headphone quickly giving you lesser playback time.
While we personally think that listening to loud audio may affect an individual in different ways, if you are looking for headphones that can get really loud at the upper end of the volume, we have them listed right here. The next section will take you through some of the best loudest headphones that are leading the industry in the present day.
List of the Best Loudest Headphones-their Significant Features, Prices, Pros, and Cons:
Selecting a headphone that can get satisfyingly loud may be a tricky business especially when you are shopping online. If you are shopping at a physical store, you can try them out for yourself before buying; when it comes to selecting a headphone online, there’s no scope to try and know which one is really up to the mark. But, these days, right from garments to electronics, most people prefer shopping online for various conveniences.
If you are planning on buying one of the loudest headphones online and are overwhelmed with the number of options available, don’t worry. We have got you covered.
Now, while buying these types of headphones, you need to make a note of one thing. A lot of loud headphones get distorted at the upper frequency when the volume is turned up or lose out on the sound quality. Sometimes the bass response also gets weakened. Most of it depends on the size of the drivers and their internal sound engineering.
Keeping all these issues in mind, we have rounded up some of the best loudest headphones that have great sound quality with limited to no distortion at high volumes. The list also includes headphones of different types and styles, and with a variety of different prices so you can pick what fits within your budget and suits you the most.
Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise-Canceling Over-Ear Headphones: (Overall best loudest headphones)
One of the best loudest headphones in the market, Beats Studio 3 is sure to impress you with its exceptionally powerful and clear sound. The headphone is equipped with an active noise-canceling feature that eliminates the external noise and ensures that you get the purest form of audio. It also has real-time sound adaptive capabilities which detect your surroundings and adjust accordingly giving you the best listening experience.
In addition, it has a battery life of up to 22 hours (with ANC on) which means you can literally use the headphones all day long at moderate volumes. You can get up to 40 hours if you turn off the ANC. However, if you turn the volume high, the battery life may get affected slightly. The fast fuel technology allows 3 hours of run time with 10 mins charge- this is a huge benefit if you are in a rush and your phone needs refueling at the last minute.
The Class 1 Bluetooth technology ensures seamless and uninterrupted connection with fewer audio drops even if the headphone is not near the device. The Apple W1 chip ensures easy pairing with your mobile device. The headphone has a high-end price tag of $282.24.
Pros:
- Comfortable over ear design for an all-day wear.
- Easy to use controls.
- Massive battery life.
- Stylish looks.
- Foldable design for easy storage and portability.
- Fast fuelling capability.
- Great sound with punchy bass and the headphones can get very loud without much distortion.
Cons:
- Expensive.
Sony WH-1000XM4: (Best loudest headphones from Sony’s premium shelf)
Sony’s headphones highly known in the market for their exceptional sound quality and if you are a fan of Sony, then, WH-1000XM4 is one of the best loudest headphones from this brand’s premium offerings.
Engineered with high-end audio components and industry-leading noise-canceling features, the headphone delivers mighty sound. The edge AI technology maintains high-resolution audio making listening to high volumes a pleasant experience. Additionally, the 30 hours of battery life and a quick refueling of 10 minutes adding up to 5 hours make these headphones super reliable to use for several hours.
The headphones over-ear design contributes to passive noise isolation quite efficiently preventing sound leakage, so the quality is intact. The headphones will cost you around $348.00 which is definitely an expensive option. But if you do not mind the price tag and want a bass-rich sound for an immersive music experience, then this is a great investment that will be with you for years.
Pros:
- Incredibly detailed sound profile with rich bass, crisp mids and undistorted highs.
- Outstanding battery life.
- Sleek design with thickly padded ear cups for comfortable fit.
- Easy touch sensor controls for smooth operation.
Cons:
- Expensive.
Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones 700: (Best loudest headphones with world-class ANC)
When it comes to noise-canceling technology, Bose is one of the best brands in the market right now. The newest addition to the family, Bose 700 has taken the market to storm with its revolutionary audio system comprising 11 levels of noise-canceling. This makes the headphone perfect for any place.
Depending on the ambiance, you can set the exact noise-canceling level for an accurate listening environment. The headphone sounds stunning with deep rich bass, well-sculpted vocals, and clean highs. The audio is extremely well-balanced even at the upper volume levels. This means that you can enjoy pure high-resolution music at louder volumes.
You can change or adjust the sound profile with the help of the company’s signature EQ settings.
The battery life of up to 20 hours gives you non-stop listening and is perfect to carry on long road trips or camping where charging may not be possible. Turning the ANC modes off can give you even higher battery performance. The headphone has a premium price tag of $379.00.
Pros:
- Well-balanced down at high volumes.
- Excellent acoustics with powerful bass response.
- Great battery with quick charging capability. (2.5 hours to fully charge and 15 mins gives 3.5 hours of playback time.)
- Ergonomic design for best fit.
- Offers sound customization options.
Cons:
- Very expensive and may not suit everyone’s budget.
Skullcandy Crusher Evo: (Best loudest headphones with the deepest bass)
If you are a bass-head, then you’re sure to fall in love with this pair of headphones from Skullcandy. The headphone justifies its name with its powerful ear rattling bass and when played loud, it can seriously get into your head. The adjustable sensory bass allows the headphone to sense the surrounding sound and adjust their sound delivery accordingly, so you experience the headphone’s best capacity.
Now, even though the headphone is known for its accentuated bass response, that doesn’t mean the other frequencies are suppressed. The mids and the highs are equally well-defined and accurate.
The over-ear ear cups with closed-back ensure perfect noise isolation and a compact fit. This way you get a decently loud and clear sound even at moderate volumes and in case you need to turn to the upper ends, the audio quality doesn’t change there.
You will get an outstanding battery life of 40 hours on a single charge when played at mid to high volumes which is pretty competitive. 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 loudest headphones you can go for. The headphones will cost you $199.99 which is mid-priced.
Pros:
- Incredible battery life with quick charging mode.
- Super deep bass produced by 2 dedicated subwoofer drivers.
- Bass sliders for setting the right low tones.
- Travel friendly design.
Cons:
- It may not be the best comfortable headphones option.
- The buttons are of average quality.
- No aptx codec support.
Sennheiser HD280PRO Wired headphone: (Best loudest headphones at a budget price)
A great pair of budget-friendly headphones with a sound pressure level of 113 dB that can go really loud, Sennheiser HD280PRO can be used for multiple different applications. Since these are extremely lightweight, these are one of the most comfortable headphones for long hours, with a neutral sound profile, they are most preferred for sound monitoring and mixing.
With an extended frequency response of 5 Hz to 25 kHz, the headphone reproduces sound with excellent details across all the frequency levels. The bass is heavy and thumping, the mids and highs are crisp and toned. However, it does take a while for the headphones to warm up before you get the actual essence of its warm sound.
Apart from being one of the best loudest headphones, they are also super comfortable to wear for hours without any discomfort. The plush, soft padding with over-ear-designed ear cups sit around the ears forming a compact seal that blocks out the surrounding noise. With a relatively high sound pressure, the headphone reproduces undistorted sound even in the loudest mode.
The headphones are from Sennheiser’s budget lines costing you only $99.00.
Pros:
- Amazingly loud sound- perfect for analytical applications.
- Balanced sound with accuracy at all the levels.
- Affordable price tag.
- Super comfortable to wear.
- Analog connection offers high-resolution audio without losing on the original quality.
- Replaceable headband, ear pads and cable.
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a great look so if the appearance is your priority, then this is not the best option for you.
Sennheiser HD 4.40 BT: (Wireless best loudest headphones from Sennheiser)
Here’s yet another one from Sennheiser which is quite reasonably priced but delivers a mighty sound that you can customize depending on your hearing preference. The headphone has a simple yet elegant appearance with a matte finish plastic body with synthetic leather around-the-ear cups that makes it weightless and comfortable to wear.
With Bluetooth and NFC connection, it is easy to pair with the devices although because of the older Bluetooth version the connection may be a bit finicky. However, this gets compensated by its excellent battery performance of up to 25 hours. While this is good enough for you to have a long listening session for several hours, in case the battery goes low, the headphone can be connected with an audio cable to change to the wired mode.
The best part is, it is compatible with most of the devices thanks to its dual connectivity mode. You will get this at a competitive price of $120.00.
Pros:
- Great sound with punchy bass.
- Good battery life.
- Versatile pair.
- Wired and wireless modes.
- Reasonable pricing.
- Supported by aptX.
Cons:
- May not be the most comfortable option out there.
- The treble may get slightly cracked at very high volume.
Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7NC SonicPro: (Best loudest headphones with ANC under $200)
One of the best loudest headphones available today, this one uses Hi-Res audio technology, together with the active noise-canceling technology to reproduce high-quality audio. The headphone is engineered with 45 mm drivers which is the largest in this headphone category.
The large drivers are responsible for reproducing sound with solid accuracy and have an extended frequency response of 5 Hz to 40 kHz. The sound produced is also undistorted across the entire frequency spectrum even when the volume is turned up. Another interesting feature of these headphones is that the noise-canceling microphones are placed on the top of the ear cups instead of the sides. This ensures that the noise is eliminated efficiently without an interruption due to the wind or the user’s head movements.
The headphones are super comfortable to wear for hours, thanks to their memory foam padded soft ear cups and padded headband. These well-rounded pairs of headphones will cost you $139.95.
Pros:
- Active noise cancellation technology at a reasonable price.
- Durable build.
- Adjustment sliders at the side of the headband for the accurate fit.
- Clean and well defined sound.
- Sound sensitivity of 113 dB can get really loud.
- Detachable cable for easy storage.
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a wireless option.
Bose SoundLink II: (Best loudest headphones for superior comfort)
When it comes to headphones, Bose never fails to surprise us. Here’s yet another one from the audio equipment giant, that is best known for its loud immersive sound and ergonomic design. With both these elements holding strong, these headphones are one of the best loudest headphones that you can use for multiple different applications.
The headphones are designed with softly padded ear cups with sleek design sit comfortably around the ears and on the head without exerting excessive pressure anywhere yet the right way. The controls buttons have a simple user interface and are very prompt. The headphone supports both Bluetooth and NFC pairing and can connect to two devices at the same time enabling you to switch between the devices without any hassle.
While the wireless range isn’t that long, and you may need to keep the devices in proximity, the headphones’ battery life is worth appreciating. You will get about 18 to 20 hours of playback time at moderate volumes. At high volume, it may run for about 15 hours.
Soundlink II is retailed at $229.00.
Pros:
- Superior comfort.
- Stylish, slim look.
- Powerful soundscape with intense bass and well balanced mids and highs.
- Good battery performance.
Cons:
- Pricey option for the features it has.
- No ANC.
Philips SHP9500 HIFI Stereo Headphones: (Best loudest headphones with hi-fidelity sound at a bargain price)
These headphones from Philips are a feature-packed pair that has great sound, a comfortable design, and solid durability all at a super affordable price tag of $74.99. The headphone is incorporated with 50 mm large drivers that reproduce massive sound with superlative detailing at every level of the frequency spectrum. The drivers are also angled so when you wear the headphone, they direct the sound straight into your ears for a more immersive listening experience.
The headphones are given an open-back design which also contributes to the overall quality of the sound. The open back lets the sound waves move around freely and vent, providing spatial and natural acoustics. This sound transparency also makes these headphones suitable for professional applications like sound mixing, monitoring, and editing where having a natural-sounding headphone is critical.
As for the comfort, while the headphone looks a bit bulky, it is extremely lightweight. The double cushioned headband, with thick ear pads made with breathable fabric, prevents heat accumulation and keeps the ears cool during long listening sessions.
Pros:
- Reproduces incredibly refined sound.
- Has an extended frequency response.
- The sound remains unaffected at the upper volume limits.
- One sided cable for ease of use.
- Very comfortable to wear.
- Open back design offers better.
- Gets decently loud at higher volume.
Cons:
- None.
AKG Pro Audio K371: (Best loudest headphones with massive sound at reasonable price)
A legacy brand, AKG has been offering some great headphones for studio use that are admired by several professionals widely. Their headphones are well known in the market for their well-balanced and precise audio.
AKG K371 has a rotating hinge ear cup for easy storage and portability. The headphone’s professional-grade sound performance is the result of the 50 mm Titanium coated speaker drivers which are the largest in this headphone category. The large drivers have an extended frequency response of 5 Hz to 40 Hz, which delivers accuracy and unveils every detail throughout the spectrum.
This AKG headphone is engineered for a neural sound presentation without extra emphasis on bass or treble. Its best-in-class sound sensitivity of 114 dB makes this one of the best loudest headphones that you will get today. Beware of the loudness because with this high sensitivity, the headphone has a blasting sound even at 60 to 70% volume. Turn them to a higher volume, and you will get an ear-splitting experience.
These headphones will cost you around $114.99 which is a great price for a high functioning product like this.
Pros:
- Top-of-the-range sound sensitivity that makes the headphones extra loud.
- Comfortable built with soft memory foam padding that absorbs pressure around the ears.
- The oval over-ear design fits on every ear and is great for noise isolation..
- Suitable for versatile applications.
- Well-balanced acoustics.
Cons:
- Some users felt that the twist and lock cable quality could have been better.
Poly Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2: (Best loudest headphones with intense bass and wireless noise canceling)
If you love solid bass in your music, then here’s yet another option for you. The headphone is an all-rounder with highly immersive acoustics having rich bass, clean middle notes, and crisp upper levels. The active noise-canceling feature works pretty well in eliminating the surrounding unwanted sounds. You can turn it on or off depending on where you are and your listening preference.
The noise-canceling function also enhances the sound of the headphone. When it comes to the overall sound quality, the headphones offer dynamic sound with well-defined bass, middle tones, and highs. The good thing is, the sound remains undistorted even at high volumes.
The Class 1 Bluetooth technology offers effortless pairing and a connection of up to 100 meters. The battery life of 24 hours gives you a lot of time to listen to music or watch movies back to back without worrying about the low charge.
The headphone has thick and soft ear paddings with a layered headband for extra comfort, so you can wear them for long hours and seem like those headphones that last long.
Pros:
- Good battery life.
- Powerful detailed sound profile.
- Good Noise cancellation performance.
- Durable build.
- The headphone has smart sensors that plays the song when you wear it and pauses it otherwise.
- Sophisticated look.
Cons:
- The ANC performance could be improved.
Now, there are a few technical things that you will need to know before buying a headphone that can be really loud. Understanding these factors will help you get the right kind of headphones you are looking for. Let’s move on to the next section to know more.
What Are Some of the Factors You Need to Consider Before You Pick the Loudest Headphones?
While there are numerous headphones out there, not all of them have extra loud, booming acoustics. Imagine you have just bought a pair of headphones for a loud music experience only to find the headphone is quite…disheartening right?
If you are specifically looking for one that can give you a bigger sound than the usual ones, then there are a few things you need to consider while buying one that we have listed below. All these factors work together to make for the best loudest headphones that you get today.
Sound Sensitivity or the Sound Pressure Level (SPL):
If you are looking for the best loudest headphones, then Sensitivity or the Sound Pressure Level (SPL) is one of the most vital things to consider. SPL is measured in Decibel (dB) and it determines the loudness of the headphones. The higher the SPL or the Sensitivity, the louder the headphones can be. So, it is best to look for one with 100 dB at the least, so you can experience a decently amplified sound to enjoy your music. Most of the headphones that we have listed in this article have a Sensitivity of 100 dB or more.
Drivers:
The drivers are another important element that works parallelly with the sound sensitivity to ensure that the headphones have loud and clear audio. The clarity and the accuracy of the sound depend on these audio drivers. The bigger drivers are capable of reproducing more amplified sound with better accuracy and have an extended frequency response.
The large-sized drivers also ensure that the sound remains undistorted when the volume of the headphone is turned up. The chance of internal damage is less with big drivers as they can resist the vibrations caused due to loud sounds. A driver with 45 mm to 50 mm size will be able to give you a powerful and detailed sound profile for an enjoyable listening experience. If you are a fan of bass, then a driver of this size also produces a rich bass tone.
Frequency Response:
Having a broad frequency response is essential for clear audio. The human hearing range is between 20Hz to 20,000 Hz and the headphones usually have their lower and uppers extended below and above this range for better sound clarity and details. Headphones, when played in loud volume often have the tendency to lose out on the minor details and large drivers with extended frequency response resolve this issue and give you crisp audio at both lower and the upper frequencies. All the headphones in the best loudest headphones list have a wide frequency range for better performance.
Customizable EQ:
If you are planning on using headphones at louder volume, then customizable EQ settings are always helpful to adjust the sound as per your listening preference for an elevated experience. You may need to change the bass tone or equalize the treble to the right proportion, so it doesn’t sound over or under-emphasized at higher volumes.
Noise-Cancelling Feature:
This feature can be of great help when you need a loud volume. Headphones with ANC feature eliminate the ambient noise giving you a quiet listening environment. This also helps in eliminating the need to turn the volume to the max because, with ANC on, you can hear the music at moderate volume pretty loud and clear. This in turn saves your ears from the ill effects of high-volume listening.
What are the negative effects of listening to loud music?
Even though listening to your favorite music at the loudest possible volume gives you immense joy, you should know that there are some harmful effects associated with a loud sound. Whether you use headphones or a booming party speaker, listening to those decibels can lead to loss of hearing in both kids and adults.
The headphones are more dangerous because they channel the sound directly into the ears hitting the eardrums directly. The sound vibrations caused due to the loud sound may cause the eardrums to rupture in worst cases which leads to temporary or permanent hearing loss depending on the impact.
Precautions to Take While Listening to Loud Music.
As per the health practitioners and audiologists, the safest hearing limit of a person is 85 dB and while this is the same for a child, the lower it is for them the better. For an adult, it may go up to a max of 90 dB (which is also not recommended) crossing which the actual problems begin. Sometimes, to avoid the surrounding sound you see a need to increase the volume level; in that case, ensure that you do not listen for more than 2 hours a day.
If the headphone reaches 100 dB, then listening even for 20 minutes every day can lead to serious hearing issues. People with more sensitive ears than the rest should therefore be more careful with the volumes and limit it to 85 dB. Another crucial step you should take while listening with the headphones is to take breaks in between the listening sessions. Taking 5 to 10 minutes to break after every 30 to 45 minutes of listening can make a whole lot of difference.
Go for the 60/60 rule to be on the safest side: the best way to avoid hearing problems is to listen at a 60 percent volume for 60 minutes, and you need to take a break. By doing this you are not only saving your ears but also ensuring the longevity of the headphones.
Conclusion
The bottom line is if you are on the lookout for the best loudest headphones, it is always best to spend a few bucks extra and go for a high-quality one with an active noise-canceling feature. As mentioned before, the ANC shuts out the external sounds, so you get a clear and amplified sound without having to turn the volume of your headphones to a dangerous decibel. If you are really conscious about your ears and hearing and want to continue listening to music in loud mode at the same time, then do remember to use noise-canceling headphones or earbuds, follow the 60/60 rule and keep taking breaks in between the listening sessions. You might also want to check out our best retractable bluetooth headset recommendation from here.
FAQs:
While wired headphones have better sound quality because of their analog data transmission, wireless headphones are getting better and more advanced day by day. When it comes to the loudness, it depends on the model and the sound engineering that they have irrespective of whether they have a wired or not.
The noise-canceling technology is definitely effective in ensuring that you hear the audio clear and crisp when the surrounding noises are suppressed. This way even moderate volumes can give you enough loudness, so you do not have to turn the volume to the max.
While the maximum recommended sound level you can go to is 85 dB if you want to enjoy loud music you can go up to 90 dB. Going beyond that is definitely going to harm your ears.
Yes, absolutely. Earbuds may offer many conveniences but if you want a headphone for the purpose of listening to loud volume, then a headphone is always a better option than an earbud. Earbuds are sealed inside the ear canal, and the sound is channeled straight inside the ears and much closer to the eardrum. Loud volume can affect the eardrums in a more severe way than headphones.