2013 Holiday Gift Guide: The 10 Best Over-Ear Headphones

Beats By Dre Studio

Price: $300
The Beats brand has been discriminated against by most audiophiliacs because of its insane market share and “not-so-great” sound quality. Get over yourselves. Redesigned from all key areas, the updated Studio boasts refined active noise cancellation and sonics, plus a sturdier shell that can sustain damage much better than the Monster-manufactured predecessor. You can really sense the bass and detail output without worrying about blowing an eardrum.

JBL Synchros S700

Price: $350
Big on bass and build quality, JBL engineers outdid themselves in constructing what are by far the best studio-ready sound cans. The monstrous 50mm drivers combined with the company’s patented LiveStage digital signal processing technology, which is powered by a 28-hour rechargeable battery, emits a soundscape strong enough to fill an entire room with sound. The use of quality materials from its lightweight die-cast aluminum frame to leather ear cups screams in loud volume.