Best Wireless Headphones for Heavy Metal Music – Top 5 Review

As a heavy metal music enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for headphones that can keep up with the intense speed, complexity, and volume of my favorite genre. After testing out numerous options, I’ve selected 5 of the best wireless headphones for heavy metal that provide excellent sound quality, comfort, and durability for headbanging.

Best wireless headphones for heavy metal

When selecting headphones for heavy metal, you need ones that can handle the pulverizing drums, shredding guitars, aggressive vocals and thundering bass. Many consumer headphones simply can’t withstand the full audio onslaught of heavy metal. You need headphones with enhanced bass response, wide dynamic range, and crisp highs that aren’t fatiguing during long listening sessions.

Comfort and build quality are also important, as you don’t want headphones that hurt your head or ears during vigorous headbanging. Closed-back models help isolate sound, while open-back ones provide a more natural and open soundstage. I selected a range of wireless over-ear headphones to suit different budgets and needs when rocking out to heavy metal.

V-MODA Crossfade 3 Wireless

The V-MODA Crossfade 3 Wireless are designed with heavy metal and hard rock in mind. These over-ear Bluetooth headphones have a lively V-shaped sound signature with powerful bass and sparkling treble that brings out the crunch and energy of heavy metal guitar riffs, drums and vocals.

The 50mm dual-diaphragm drivers deliver thundering low end and crisp highs with exceptional clarity and depth. The bass boost button kicks it up a notch when you really want that skull-rattling thump on tracks. Mids are smooth and full-bodied, avoiding the recessed mids that some V-shaped headphones suffer from.

V-MODA Crossfade 3 is known for extremely durable metal constructions, and the Crossfade 3 Wireless is no exception. The steel frame and memory foam earpads withstand rough daily use. You can headbang as aggressively as you want in these without worrying about durability. They are built to last years even with heavy metal abuse.

Sound Quality: The bass-forward sound signature shines with heavy metal, providing thunderous low end punch and sparkling treble detail. The bass boost button kicks things up a notch, really making complex kick drum patterns and low tuned guitars slam your head. Mids sound smooth and full-bodied, avoiding the hollowed-out mids some bassy headphones suffer from. The lively treble adds sizzle and bite to cymbals while lead guitar solos soar. The sound has loads of energy and excitement perfect for metal.

Comfort: The steel headband is highly durable but also flexes and contours nicely to the head. The memory foam earpads are generously padded and don’t put too much pinch on the ears. Overall comfort is very good, especially for a heavy headphone built like a tank. The clamping force is strong enough to stay secure when headbanging but not painfully tight.

Build Quality: V-MODA is renowned for military-grade durability and the Crossfade 3 Wireless lives up to that reputation. The steel frame and aluminum earcup plates can easily withstand being thrown in a bag and used daily with no signs of wear. These will withstand years of headbanging abuse no problem. The folding hinges and other moving parts also feel sturdy. This level of robustness gives confidence to use them without worrying about damage.

Value: While the V-MODA Crossfade 3 Wireless are not cheap, they deliver excellent value by combining audiophile-level wireless sound quality, bass-heavy tuning perfect for metal, and nearly indestructible build quality. Expect to enjoy these for years down the road. They strike a great balance between sound, comfort and tank-like durability.

V-MODA Crossfade 3 Wireless Review:

The V-MODA Crossfade 3 Wireless bring the lively sound signature and tank-like build quality V-MODA is revered for into a compelling wireless headphone package perfect for rocking out to heavy metal on the go.

These over-ear Bluetooth headphones are designed with heavy metal and hard rock in mind. The lively V-shaped sound signature provides powerful bass and sparkling treble that brings out the crunch and energy of heavy metal guitar riffs, drums and vocals.

The 50mm dual-diaphragm drivers deliver thundering low end and crisp highs with exceptional clarity and depth. The bass boost button kicks it up a notch when you really want that skull-rattling thump on tracks. Mids are smooth and full-bodied, avoiding the recessed mids that some V-shaped headphones suffer from.

V-MODA Crossfade 3 is known for extremely durable metal constructions, and the Crossfade 3 Wireless is no exception. The steel frame and memory foam earpads withstand rough daily use. You can headbang as aggressively as you want in these without worrying about durability. They are built to last years even with heavy metal abuse.

Overall, the V-MODA Crossfade 3 Wireless provide an awesome combination of lively hi-fi sound, bass-heavy tuning perfect for metal, and nearly indestructible build quality. They’re ideal for metalheads who want wireless freedom without compromising awesome audio.

Warranty & Support

V-MODA Crossfade 3 provides a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty against defects. Their customer support is responsive if any issues arise with the headphones. As a premium brand, they take good care of customers regarding repairs or replacements.

User Review:

The V-MODA Crossfade 3 Wireless have very positive reviews from users praising their exciting lively sound, powerful bass and rugged build. Many mention these headphones standing up to years of daily use and abuse thanks to the durable metal materials and quality construction. Some felt the clamping force was slightly strong but the comfort is still good for long sessions. Audiophiles find the sound very enjoyable while still being ideal for bass-heavy electronic and metal music. Overall, most users agree these headphones excel at delivering a fun musical experience built to last.

Sennheiser HD 650

The HD 650 from Sennheiser have achieved legendary status in audiophile circles thanks to their highly natural and accurate sound. These open-back dynamic headphones deliver an immersive listening experience that allows you to hear every nuance and texture in heavy metal music.

The open design gives the Sennheiser HD 650 an especially spacious and large soundstage. This creates a much more enveloping and realistic presentation of the chaotic, dense mixes found in extreme metal genres. You feel like you’re on stage with the band rather than just having music pumped into your head.

While not as bass-boosted as some consumer headphones, the Sennheiser HD 650 provide tight clean bass extension that captures the detail and texture of low frequencies rather than just blunt force. Mids sound exceptionally smooth and organic. Treble has a gentle roll-off that results in a fatigue-free listening experience during long sessions cranking metal albums.

If you want to hear your metal music collection with natural honesty, the Sennheiser HD 650 are hard to beat. Their accuracy will expose flaws in bad recordings, while allowing well-produced metal albums to absolutely shine.

Sound Quality: The Sennheiser HD 650 have an honest neutral sound signature that delivers music exactly how the artist and producer intended it to sound. While some may wish for more bass oomph, the even-handed frequency response has its own appeal for metal fans looking for nuance and texture over blunt force.

Bass is tight and accurate, capturing the intricacies in frantic kick drum patterns and low guitar tones. Mids are as clear and lifelike as it gets, with a complete lack of coloration. Guitars retain their crunch and growl. Treble is buttery smooth, with just enough detail and sparkle to convey the bite and shimmer of cymbals without fatigue. Open headphones can sometimes sound harsh, but the Sennheiser HD 650 are fatigue-free.

The open spacious sound makes metal mixes sound absolutely epic and envelopment. You feel transported right into the music, rather than merely having sound pumped into your head. The soundstage and imaging make these heavenly for live concert recordings.

Comfort: The foam earpads are generously padded with velour, allowing your ears to breathe freely during extended listening sessions. The open design prevents heat build-up. Clamping force and headband padding strike the perfect balance of keeping the headphones secure but not exerting excess pressure on your head. The relatively light weight of 260g makes these easy to wear for hours on end.

Build Quality: Sennheiser has decades of experience crafting reference-grade audiophile headphones with enduring build quality. The Sennheiser HD 650 features a tough metal grille protecting the drivers. While all-plastic, the headband assembly still feels sturdy and can easily flex to adapt to different head sizes. Owners praise how these cans keep soldiering on for years thanks to Sennheiser’s first-rate craftsmanship.

Value: The Sennheiser HD 650 command a premium price, but deliver tremendous value to serious audiophiles. Few headphones under $1000 can match the spacious open soundstage and natural accuracy that makes audio engineers swear by these classic cans. Expect a lifetime of uncompromised musical enjoyment.

Sennheiser HD 650 Review:

The legendary Sennheiser HD 650 open-back audiophile headphones deliver highly natural, accurate sound that reveals every nuance in metal music recordings.

While some may wish for more bass oomph, the even-handed frequency response of the Sennheiser HD 650 has its own appeal for metal fans looking for nuance and texture over blunt force. Tight accurate bass and pristine mids capture all the complexity and layering in extreme metal compositions.

The open design provides an especially spacious soundstage. This creates an immersive, enveloping presentation that makes you feel like you’re on stage with the band. The imaging is sublime, pinpointing individual instruments in a natural spatial environment.

Comfortable velour earpads and a fatigue-free sound make the Sennheiser HD 650 easy to wear for long listening sessions. Sennheiser’s decades of experience result in enduring build quality able to keep soldiering on for years.

For metal fans seeking headphones that reveal every detail with honest natural accuracy, the Sennheiser HD 650 are hard to beat. You’ll rediscover hidden intricacies in your favorite metal albums.

Warranty & Support

Sennheiser provides a 2 year global warranty covering defects. As a storied German audio company, their customer service has an excellent reputation for prompt support. Replacement parts for the Sennheiser HD 650 are widely available.

User Review:

The audiophile community widely agrees that the Sennheiser HD 650 are among the best dynamic headphones ever produced. Users rave about the highly natural sound and immense soundstage that provides an engrossing listening experience. Some wish for more low-end heft, but most praise the accurate bass. Fans love that these classic cans are still easily driven from portable players and sound fantastic with metal. Comfort and reliability over years of use make the HD 650 a top choice for enjoying metal music collections.

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 ohm Over-Ear Studio Headphones

As a standard studio monitor headphone used by audio engineers, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro brings transparent, honest sound for mixing and critical listening of metal music. The open over-ear design provides a spacious sonic presentation with sparkling treble energy that helps illuminate the blistering guitars, cymbals and vocals in heavy metal.

While marketed for studio use, these dynamic headphones sound fantastic when listening casually to metal genres like thrash and death metal. The punchy bass and open soundstage makes your music collection come alive. Many metal musicians use the DT 990 Pro for tracking and mixing in home studios thanks to their comfy fit and exacting audio detail.

They reveal flaws in poor recordings but allow well-produced metal albums to shine and sound their best. For under $200, the DT 990 Pro provide tremendous value as hi-fi headphones that can satisfy both producers and fans of heavy metal.

Sound Quality: These headphones have a fun V-shaped sound signature that emphasizes the lows and highs in a mix. Bass packs a satisfying punch but still sounds tight and controlled, even when frantic kick drum patterns and overdriven rhythm guitars pile up in complex metal arrangements.

Mids take a slight backseat, but still sound very natural. Guitars retain their crunch and vocals come through cleanly. Where the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro really shine is the treble. Crisp detailed highs reveal subtle textures, decays and ambient details that lesser headphones gloss over. Cymbals shimmer with precision. This adds an excitement and energy befitting metal music.

The open design gives music a big immersive presentation. The soundstage is appropriately huge, helping convey the epic scale of metal music. Imaging pinpoints instruments in a natural spatial environment.

Comfort: Large velour earpads surround the ears in luxurious soft padding that prevents irritation during extended listening. The open design prevents heat buildup. Clamping force finds the right balance between feeling secure yet exerting minimal head pressure. The headband could use more padding, but overall these are very comfortable cans.

Build Quality: As a German-engineered studio headphone, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro are built to withstand years of use. High-quality plastics and rugged metal parts feel solid in hand. The dual-sided coiled cable resists kinks and twisting far better than straight cables. Owners experience these lasting many years with heavy use thanks to Beyerdynamic’s excellent craftsmanship and replaceable parts.

Value: At around $150, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro provide tremendous value by combining natural open sound, fun bass and treble emphasis perfect for metal genres, with a durable design suitable for studio work or casual listening. Expect these phones to provide many years of uncompromised musical enjoyment.

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Review:

As studio monitor headphones, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro bring transparent, honest sound perfect for critical metal listening. The open over-ear design provides a spacious sonic presentation with sparkling treble energy that reveals all the guitars, cymbals and vocals in your favorite metal albums.

The punchy bass and immense open soundstage makes music come alive. Crisp detailed highs expose subtle textures, decays and ambient details that allow you to pick apart even the most dense metal productions.

Large velour earpads provide luxurious cushioning suitable for long listening sessions. The durable build can easily withstand daily use and abuse. At around $150, these headphones provide tremendous value by combining natural open sound with a fun lively character perfect for metal.

For studio-grade audio that also excels for casual metal enjoyment, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro are hard to beat. Their expansive sound and revealing detail take metal listening to the next level.

Warranty & Support

Beyerdynamic backs the DT 990 Pro with a 2 year limited warranty. Service and support are available from their US headquarters. Spare parts are offered on their website, with how-to videos provided for repairs.

User Review:

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Pro are widely considered one of the best studio headphones under $200. Audio engineers call them a standard monitoring headphone thanks to their honest sound. Most praise the exhilarating treble energy and spacious soundstage. Listeners find them ideal for orchestra, classical, but also metal and hard rock. Their durable build quality results in years of enjoyment. Overall, both music fans and sound engineers love the immersive, lively musical experience.

Marshall Major IV On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones

Metalheads who want headphones evoking the look and feel of cranked up amps need to check out the new Marshall Major IV. Inspired by the legendary guitar amps used by metal bands worldwide, these Bluetooth on-ear headphones deliver powerful audio in an iconic design.

Equipped with custom tuned dynamic drivers, the Major IV produce an exciting sound with bass emphasis and vocal clarity reminiscent of Marshall amps. The lively sound matches the aggressive styling of the vinyl and faux-leather build. Major metal and hard rock artists help fine tune the audio.

Features like over 30 hours of wireless playtime, multi-directional control knob, and folding design make the Major IV the ideal headphones for headbanging anywhere with uncompromising Marshall attitude. Available in black or white, they look fantastic with a metal band shirt.

Sound Quality: Marshall Major IV tuned the 40mm dynamic drivers to deliver the powerful bass and crisp mids their amps are revered for. Low frequencies have tremendous slam and impact that hits hard on slamming drum beats and chugging distorted guitars. Mids sound lively, allowing growled vocals and crunchy riffs to cut through the mix cleanly. Treble takes a backseat, but still has enough detail and shimmer on cymbals to avoid sounding dull. Fans of bass-heavy metal will love the thundering low end.

Comfort: The on-ear wearing style and vinyl earcups breathe fairly well, but the tight clamping force causes discomfort over long listens. The headband lacks padding and feels rather stiff. Adjusting the cups helps relieve pressure points. While not the most comfortable for multi-hour sessions, the Marshall Major IV stay securely in place when headbanging.

Build Quality: While all plastic, the Marshall Major IV feel very solid and substantial when handled. The swiveling earcups, folding hinges, and other moving parts operate smoothly. The vinyl and faux leather materials seem fairly durable. Owners don’t report much wear and tear even with steady use. The detachable audio cable uses a standard 3.5mm connector for easily replacing if needed.

Value: For around $100, the Marshall Major IV provide extremely good value by delivering the iconic Marshall look in a versatile wireless headphone package tuned great for rock and metal genres. The battery life and sound compete with more expensive offerings.

Marshall Major IV Review:

For metalheads seeking headphones combining iconic Marshall style with great wireless sound, the Marshall Major IV absolutely rock. Inspired by Marshall’s legendary guitar amps, these Bluetooth on-ears pack big bold audio performance reminiscent of cranked up stacks.

Equipped with custom 40mm dynamic drivers, the Marshall Major IV churn out tons of thundering bass along with crisp mids and vocal clarity like a Marshall amp. The sound has loads of excitement and attitude befitting heavy rock and metal genres.

Features like 30+ hour battery life, a tactile multi-directional control knob, and collapsible design make these ideal for everyday wireless use. Their classic look matches perfectly with a metal band tee.

Marshall’s iconic style and audio in a feature-packed wireless headphone, all for around $100. The Marshall Major IV are a metalhead’s dream come true!

Warranty & Support

Marshall provides a standard 1 year warranty on manufacturing defects. Support assistance is available online through their website. The brand provides reliable product backing although not to the extent of premium headphone makers.

User Review:

Most user reviews heavily center around the awesome Marshall Major IV aesthetics and styling. Owners love the look and branding, which drawn many to these cans. The sound earns praise for its big bass and clear vocals reminiscent of cranked up Marshall amps. Some wish the treble was more lively. Comfort and tight clamping force are the biggest complaint. But overall metal fans dig the aggressive sonic attitude in a very cool retro package.

Sennheiser HD 650 – Audiophile Hi-Res Open Back Dynamic Headphones

Summary

The Sennheiser HD 650 are open-back audiophile headphones beloved by mixing engineers for their accurate, balanced sound that brings out subtle details in recordings. The open design provides a more natural immersive soundstage perfect for heavy metal.

Long Discussion

The HD 650 from Sennheiser have achieved legendary status in audiophile circles thanks to their highly natural and accurate sound. These open-back dynamic headphones deliver an immersive listening experience that allows you to hear every nuance and texture in heavy metal music.

The open design gives the HD 650 an especially spacious and large soundstage. This creates a much more enveloping and realistic presentation of the chaotic, dense mixes found in extreme metal genres. You feel like you’re on stage with the band rather than just having music pumped into your head.

While not as bass-boosted as some consumer headphones, the HD 650 provide tight clean bass extension that captures the detail and texture of low frequencies rather than just blunt force. Mids sound exceptionally smooth and organic. Treble has a gentle roll-off that results in a fatigue-free listening experience during long sessions cranking metal albums.

If you want to hear your metal music collection with natural honesty, the HD 650 are hard to beat. Their accuracy will expose flaws in bad recordings, while allowing well-produced metal albums to absolutely shine.

Sound Quality: The HD 650 have an honest neutral sound signature that delivers music exactly how the artist and producer intended it to sound. While some may wish for more bass oomph, the even-handed frequency response has its own appeal for metal fans looking for nuance and texture over blunt force.

Bass is tight and accurate, capturing the intricacies in frantic kick drum patterns and low guitar tones. Mids are as clear and lifelike as it gets, with a complete lack of coloration. Guitars retain their crunch and growl. Treble is buttery smooth, with just enough detail and sparkle to convey the bite and shimmer of cymbals without fatigue. Open headphones can sometimes sound harsh, but the HD 650 are fatigue-free.

The open spacious sound makes metal mixes sound absolutely epic and envelopment. You feel transported right into the music, rather than merely having sound pumped into your head. The soundstage and imaging make these heavenly for live concert recordings.

Comfort: The foam earpads are generously padded with velour, allowing your ears to breathe freely during extended listening sessions. The open design prevents heat build-up. Clamping force and headband padding strike the perfect balance of keeping the headphones secure but not exerting excess pressure on your head. The relatively light weight of 260g makes these easy to wear for hours on end.

Build Quality: Sennheiser has decades of experience crafting reference-grade audiophile headphones with enduring build quality. The HD 650 features a tough metal grille protecting the drivers. While all-plastic, the headband assembly still feels sturdy and can easily flex to adapt to different head sizes. Owners praise how these cans keep soldiering on for years thanks to Sennheiser’s first-rate craftsmanship.

Value: The Sennheiser HD 650 command a premium price, but deliver tremendous value to serious audiophiles. Few headphones under $1000 can match the spacious open soundstage and natural accuracy that makes audio engineers swear by these classic cans. Expect a lifetime of uncompromised musical enjoyment.

Sennheiser HD 650 Review:

The Sennheiser HD 650 open-back audiophile headphones deliver highly natural, accurate sound that reveals every nuance in metal music recordings.

While some may wish for more bass oomph, the even-handed frequency response of the HD 650 has its own appeal for metal fans looking for nuance and texture over blunt force. Tight accurate bass and pristine mids capture all the complexity and layering in extreme metal compositions.

The open design provides an especially spacious soundstage. This creates an immersive, enveloping presentation that makes you feel like you’re on stage with the band. The imaging is sublime, pinpointing individual instruments in a natural spatial environment.

Comfortable velour earpads and a fatigue-free sound make the HD 650 easy to wear for long listening sessions. Sennheiser’s decades of experience result in enduring build quality able to keep soldiering on for years.

For metal fans seeking headphones that reveal every detail with honest natural accuracy, the HD 650 are hard to beat. You’ll rediscover hidden intricacies in your favorite metal albums.

Warranty & Support

Sennheiser provides a 2 year global warranty covering defects. As a storied German audio company, their customer service has an excellent reputation for prompt support. Replacement parts for the HD 650 are widely available.

User Review:

The audiophile community widely agrees that the HD 650 are among the best dynamic headphones ever produced. Users rave about the highly natural sound and immense soundstage that provides an engrossing listening experience. Some wish for more low-end heft, but most praise the accurate bass. Fans love that these classic cans are still easily driven from portable players and sound fantastic with metal. Comfort and reliability over years of use make the HD 650 a top choice for enjoying metal music collections.

Conclusion

This selection of wireless and open-back headphones all cater to the critical needs of metal fans in their own unique way. Models like the V-MODA Crossfade 3 Wireless and Marshall Major IV emphasize big bass and energetic sound perfect for headbanging. Audiophile-grade headphones from Sennheiser and beyerdynamic provide more natural accuracy for picking apart all the layered intricacies in complex metal compositions.

No matter your budget or sonic tastes when it comes to heavy metal, this list offers awesome choices guaranteed to satisfy. Any metalhead would be lucky to have one or more of these stellar headphones in their arsenal. Just be prepared to endure some seriously sore necks from all the vigorous headbanging you’ll be compelled to do!