Hi, I’m new in the “headphones” world and I usually bought the first cheap option with good reviews on youtube and never really informed myself. My current headphones (Anker Soundcore Q30) are almost dead and I want to make an informed choise about my next one. However I feel like there are a lot of things I know nothing about.
For example I read a lot of good things about Sennheiser but the first pari of headphones I saw in my price range (ACCENTUM) have 37mm drivers. My Soundcore Q30 have 40mm drivers and I always thought that “the bigger the better” for the driver. From what I heard, however, the ACCENTUM are consider higher quality than Soundcore Q30.
What I’d like to know is: what should I really look for to understand the quality of the headphones?
I’d mainly use them to listen to music (some Metal, Punk but sometimes Rap, Classical or movies and videogames OST) in my house or outside (so good ANC is always appreciated).
I have different sets of headphones for home and travel. I can't recommend any noise canceling in transit as I value situational awareness. I really love my Koss utility headphones. At home I still have big open-back cans so I can hear loud knocking or my family. I can't tell the difference between my old $100 Sennheisers and my $50 Samson SR850, bit I'm almost 50yo. I would look for whatever open-back cans have aftermarket earpads.