For an audiophile, headphones are a must-have. It’s an escape from reality listening to music and being just with yourself and the sound to make it more cinematic.
Since you are here, you’re probably searching for a pair of decent headphones that will maybe elevate your listening experience to a whole new level.
Well, you’re in the right place. In this article today, I will discuss the best headphones for Jazz. We’ll see what makes these headphones stand out, and what features to look for in headphones when it comes to Jazz music.
So, all you have to do is, continue reading this article and find the most fabulous headphones available on the market.
A Quick Look at My Favorite Headphones to Listen To Jazz
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Large-sized Open Headphones  | 8.6 | Check Latest Price | |
Audiophiles' Choice  | 8.5 | Check Latest Price | |
The Studio Legend  | 9.1 | Check Latest Price | |
Best OverallNoise-Canceling Master  | 8.8 | Check Latest Price | |
The Vintage Ones  | 8.6 | Check Latest Price | |
Best Overall  | 8.2 | Check Latest Price |
Key Takeaways
- You will always need a great pair of headphones if you want to enjoy even more your favorite Jazz music, and this is the article where you will find those headphones.
- If you want a pair of headphones with immersive sound quality and many other unique features, the best pick will be the Philips SHP9500.
- The Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO headphones are the headphones that most audiophiles and professionals prefer for many reasons.
- If you want to make the right purchase, there are always some crucial elements that you must consider, such as the soundstage and built quality.
Top 6 Best Headphones For Jazz Music
6. SENNHEISER HD 660 S – Most Comfortable
Here I am with the first headphone from a well-known brand, Sennheiser. The Sennheiser HD 660 S is a favorite headphone preferred by most audiophiles since it has impressive features and excellent quality.
The Sennheiser 660 S are open-back headphones with a stylish design. The manufacturer constructed these headphones from dense plastic so they could be durable enough to withstand many drops. The outer shell of the earcups is made of a metal grille which gives the headphones an expensive look.
Besides that, the earcups are large and are cushioned with a microfiber material, making the headphones very comfortable.
Although, there is a drawback when it comes to the HD 660S. They are not foldable and are a bit bulky, so they are not so suitable for outdoor use. These headphones are wired, indicating that they own cables to connect with other devices, such as a 1/8 TRS adapter and a 1/4 connector.
You cannot use the headphones for taking or making calls since they do not have a microphone, but in this case, we do not care about this fact since we need the headphones for listening to Jazz.
Regarding sound quality, these headphones will deliver outstanding performance and good quality. The headphones’ drivers do a great job of reducing turbulence, so the sound we get is well-balanced and accurate. Please let me mention the perfect mid-range that these headphones will offer.
The mid-range is amazingly precise so that you can hear every detail of your Jazz music, and the instruments and vocals will be crystal clear. Unfortunately, the headphones lack noise isolation due to their open-back style.
Why Should You Buy It?
The Sennheiser HD 660 S is an excellent idea if you want a pair of headphones with a fantastic performance, which will also give maximum comfort and minimum fatigue.
| Type | Over-ear |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 10.12 x 4.25 x 12.6 inches |
| Weight | 9.3 ounces |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 32Ω |
5. Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7GM – Most Versatile
When we think of a great pair of headphones for any purpose, one of the first names that come to our mind is Audio Technica, and that’s not by chance. The brand produces top-notch headphones, and the Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 is one of those mesmerizing headphones.
The Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 are closed-back headphones, and they boast a remarkable appearance. The headphones are mainly built of plastic, and they have meta frames; worth mentioning is that they are amongst the most durable headphones available.
The earcups are very comfortable due to their well-padding and large size; the headband is also well-cushioned and adjustable so that the headphones will have an excellent fit.
Regarding ease of use, these headphones do a great job in this case due to their controls. As I have stated above, they are closed-back headphones, so they feature noise isolation.
The Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 are wired headphones, and they own a 4.1-long cable with a 1/8 TRS jack to connect with many other audio devices. Let’s get more serious now and see what these headphones offer regarding sound quality and performance.
The Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 is amazingly built to produce excellent audio quality. The headphones have a 45mm True motion driver that plays a significant role in reducing distortion.
Besides that, the multi-layered air-damping technology gives extended mid and low frequencies. Thes headphones will deliver a rich and very detailed sound.
The bass, lows, and mids are very accurate, so the sound you get is balanced and neutral. As you can see, with these headphones, you will be able to listen to your favorite Jazz music in the best way possible.
Why Should You Buy It?
If you want a pair of headphones that will make you enjoy your time while listening to Jazz music even more, then the Audio-Technica ATH-MSR 7 would be a perfect pick.
| Type | 50mm |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 10 x 4 x 9 inches |
| Weight | 10.2 ounces |
| Frequency response | 5 – 40,000Hz |
| Impedance | 35Ω |
4. Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO – Best Value
Beyerdynamic is another brand that is popular for the headphones that it produces headphones, especially for studio purposes.
So are the Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO-semi-open-back headphones. The headphones are sturdy and made of high-grade materials. The earcups are adjustable and large enough to fit any ear.
They are also significantly padded with a soft fabric that will deliver excellent comfort levels. Headphones are bulky, and they are not foldable, so the portability of the headphones sucks.
The Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO is wired, and they have a single-sided cable with a TRS jack so that it can connect with many other devices effortlessly.
Worth mentioning is that the headphones have poor noise isolation, so if you are looking for a pair of headphones that feature ACN or excellent noise isolation, the Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO fall in this category. The Sound quality is what matters. The Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO will deliver a neutral sound, making these headphones perfect for studio use and listening to Jazz music. These are the headphones that will provide the most neutral and three-dimensional sound.
Why Should You Buy It?
The Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO will deliver a neutral sound that most audiophiles want to hear, and they also are very comfortable, so you won’t mind even if you are wearing them for extended hours.
| Type | Over-ear |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6 x 4.5 x 8 inches |
| Weight | 1.52 pounds |
| Frequency response | 5-35,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 250Ω |
3. Bowers & Wilkins PX – Best for Noise Cancelling
The Bowers & Wilkins PX is the most elegant headphones on this list. I love how they look beside their grand appearance. The material used in the construction of these headphones are high-end, and the headphone possesses an aluminum alloy frame, indicating that even if you drop your headphones, they will still remain unbroken.
The headphones have a stable fit and are very comfortable due to well-padded earcups and the adjustable headband. It is straightforward to operate these headphones since they own great controls.
Here is the best part about the headphones: they have fantastic noise isolation and feature active noise cancellation. Wearing these headphones will make you avoid all external noises and enjoy your time while listening to your favorite Jazz music.
Regarding connectivity, the headphones are wireless and support Bluetooth connection so that you can connect to any other device supporting this type of connection.
The headphones also support the aptX, which plays a significant role in improving sound quality. This is not all; they also have built-in controls, so the music will immediately stop once you remove the headphones.
The Bowers & Wilkins PX have a pretty decent sound quality. The low-end is accurate, and the mids and highs are well-expressed, but I expect a better sound quality. Another happy fact about the headphone is that they offer 22 hours of active use and require 3 hours to charge fully.
Why Should You Buy It?
If you want to listen to your fav Jazz music in peace and without getting distracted by external noises, then the Bowers & Wilkins PX will be a perfect pick.
| Type | Over-ear |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.89 x 2.95 x 7.87 inches |
| Weight | 11.7 ounces |
| Frequency response | 10 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Impedance | not specified |
2. Grado SR80e – Best Runner Up
Now it is time to represent another pair of headphones with many unique features. The Grado SR80e are open-back headphones with a straightforward design, nothing too fancy.
The headphones have a retro style and oval earcups that are padded with a rough fabric that doesn’t give a soft touch, and I don’t like this fact about them.
Due to their open-back style, you can easily state that they do not feature noise isolation, so while wearing these headphones, you will also hear everything around you. As with many other wired headphones, also these use a 1/8 TRS jack for connection.
Concerning the performance, these headphones have a remarkable sound quality due to their flat frequency response. The mids these headphones deliver are accurate, indicating that you will get a clean and clear sound. Also, the bass is accurate, but the highs need some improvement.
Why Should You Buy It?
The Grado SR80e are an excellent idea if you want to get a pair of lightweight headphones that will also deliver outstanding sound quality.
| Type | 50mm |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 10.12 x 4.25 x 12.6 inches |
| Weight | 9.3 ounces |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 32Ω |
1. Philips SHP9500 – Best Overall
The Philips SHP9500 are the last on the list, and the best overall pick in my opinion. These headphones have great design, exceptional build quality, and outstanding performance. Let me start with their design and built quality and then move on to sound quality.
The Philips SHP9500 are open-back headphones with a stylish and expensive appearance. The design is not the only great aspect of these headphones; they are also built of high-quality material which makes them pretty durable overall.
The earcups are large and well-padded, so they will fit any ear amazingly without causing fatigue. There is no distinction in the headband; it is perfectly built. These headphones will provide maximum comfort so that you can wear them for most of the day.
Even though they are wired headphones, the SHP9500 also support a Bluetooth attachment for connecting them wirelessly. From my experience, it works great and there’s no delay in sound.
The Philips SHP9500 has a 9 ft cable with a TRS jack, so you can connect to any device effortlessly since it is the most common type of connector. Let me mention a drawback of these headphones, also the only one, they lack noise isolation due to their open-back style.
What makes these headphones unique is their performance. The Philips SHP9500 will deliver extraordinary sound quality.
The 50mm drivers will help the headphones to produce more dynamic and better sound; also, the neodymium magnets play a significant role in the sound quality of the headphones.
The mids are accurate and delivered perfectly, the bass is crisp, and the highs are well-expressed. I have nothing to complain about in this case; everything about these headphones is perfect.
Why Should You Buy It?
If you want to get the best headphones for Jazz, then the Philips SHP9500 is the most fantastic option you can get. Thes headphones will deliver superb sound quality, maximum comfort level, and many other features.
| Type | Over-ear |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.7 x 7.9 x 3.9 inches |
| Weight | 10.6 ounces |
| Frequency response | 12 – 35,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 32Ω |
Buying Guide
In this section, I will mention the factors that impact the quality of the headphones and what you should consider to make a great purchase. So, I recommend you to read this buying guide carefully.
Design and Built Quality
The design and build quality of the headphones impact the overall quality. Many types of headphones are available, but you should always choose the one that will suit your demands the most.
If you want a pair of headphones with excellent noise isolation, then never choose the ones with an open-back design. The closed-back headphones will consistently deliver better noise isolation.
The headphones you will get must be durable and have a sturdy build to wear for long periods. So, the materials that headphones are made should be of high grade. You should pay attention to these aspects regarding the design and built quality.
Comfort
Comfort is another aspect you should consider since you will most likely be wearing your headphones for most of the day, and you want them to be comfortable so you can avoid any fatigue.
The earcups and the headband are the two main parts that determine the comfort level of headphones. They must have well padding with tremendous and soft fabric, and the earcups should be large enough so that you can get a more stable and better fit.
Sound Quality
Leave all the things behind; sound quality is what we care about the most. You should always consider sound quality the most, especially if you are about to purchase a pair of headphones for Jazz. The headphones must have an excellent frequency response and a well-balanced sound profile.
The mids and highs are the most crucial frequencies that we have to consider in this case since we want to hear the instruments and vocals crystal clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of headphones is the best for Jazz?
The best types of headphones that you can get for Jazz music are the ones with excellent sound quality and flat frequency response.
Is it better to listen to Jazz music with headphones?
The answer to this question is up to you, but if you want to hear a more detailed and better sound, I recommend wearing headphones while listening to Jazz music.
What are the most important elements of Jazz music?
Many elements impact the quality of Jazz music, such as the rhythm and general swing feel, harmony, improvisation, sounds, instruments, etc.
Final Words
As you can see, there are plenty of good options out there when it comes to headphones for Jazz music. Now, there isn’t truly a specific model made solely for the purpose of being used to listen to Jazz music, not that I know of.
However, these will do the job as well as elevate your experience to a whole new level. I made this list having in mind the most needed and useful features for sound performance, as well as comfort and durability.
In the end, I hope this article was helpful and cleared out the confusion you might have had about headphones for jazz.
Have fun!
Further Reading
Jazz music is not just a melody that plays randomly, it is a feeling and a classic relaxation method, and now that I have mentioned classic, I can offer you the best headphones for classic music and if you are not one of those people that like wearing headphones, then I offer you the best speakers for classic music.
And if you prefer meditation so you can relax, and not a specific genre of music, then I offer you the best headphones for meditation and also the best headphones for binaural beats! Enjoy!
Equipment Tester & Reviewer
I’m an unbiased audio equipment tester & reviewer, dedicated to keeping you up-to-date on the latest and greatest in audio gear.
