Music is an essential part of life. It is a way for us to get in touch with our inner rhythm. In fact, we don’t even need man-made music; music can be found in nature, in our own heartbeat even. It would still be more enjoyable to listen to one’s preferred genre, though, with quality audio gear.
You are looking for the best and loudest headphones , then you are in luck. That is exactly what we are going to talk about today. We will share with you our top choices, review them in detail, provide you with a buyer’s guide, and even answer the most frequently asked questions by our readers. To choose a really loud headphone the 2 most important factors are the level of decibels and the noise cancellation features. We certainly have a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get started.
Loudest Headphones Reviews
Best Loudest Wireless Headphones
1. Studio 3 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones By Beats
The first pair of headphones that we are featuring in this article are from Beats. This is a company that has become known worldwide for producing high-quality headphones.
The headphones deliver high-quality sound and an active noise cancelation function.
Product Design
The biggest asset of these loud headphones is their wide and balanced frequency response. Unlike other Beats loud headphones, these are not bass-heavy yet still provide a strong, clear, true audio signal.
The sturdy plastic used in this design should last quite a long time before you need to consider replacing them. Plus, the soft material covers the pads that sit over your ears. This makes them comfortable to wear.
On the right ear cup is where you find the controls that you will need to adjust the settings and include some playback features. So you will be able to make adjustments as needed.
Another great feature is that these fold up for their carry case when traveling. So you know they are well protected against any possible damage or breakage.
Also, this pair comes with Apple’s W1 chip, allowing you to pair them with another device. So you and a friend can listen to the same music at the same time. It Will pair with other audio devices such as another set of Beats headphones or a set of Apple AirPods.
How Loud Is It
These can go up to 105.37 dB.
What We Like
You can hear every note, word, or tune. This is due to the high quality and intuitive active noise cancelation.
With the inclusion of a built-in microphone, they can adjust their isolation properties to suit the environment you are in. Plus, the playback quality on these headphones is superb.
You will also find that with such long battery life, you can use them all day and then place them on charge overnight.
We also love their sleek design, so they will not look bulky.
What We do not Like
You can make improvements to these headphones from Beats. These include sound quality and noise-canceling properties.
Also, those who are thinking of using these with any other mobile audio device other than those from Apple may find connecting to them an issue. This is the case for those people who prefer to use devices made by Samsung.
Pros
- They have a great battery life
- They do not need a long charge period
- They come with a very reliable wireless connection feature
- Can remain connected via wireless to other devices over a long distance
- Find that they are easy to store
Cons
- The plastic packaging that they come with is not very nice
- There is only one device stored in their memory bank
2. Momentum 3 Headphones by Sennheiser
Unlike our previous choice that was made by a newer company, Sennheiser is celebrating its 75th year next year. This means 75 years of experience and tried-and-tested quality. This is the reason why it’s no surprise that this high-end pair is quite expensive.
Product Highlights
The best features of this product are primarily related to convenience. For instance, it’s got intuitive controls, allowing you to switch settings with ease to take a call, talk to someone, or go back to listening to your favorite tracks without even missing a beat.
Another notable feature for your convenience is the Sennheiser Smart Control app. This is where you are going to find your unit’s different noise cancellation modes, equalizer, and other features.
What We Like
Speaking of other features, we really like Transparent Hearing. It is a brand-exclusive feature that allows you to hear your surroundings without sacrificing the sound quality of your music.
Another feature is its improved sound separation. It isolates each frequency and allows them to be heard at their best quality. In this way, you will be able to clearly hear each element and get the most out of them.
How loud is it
The Momentum 3 can do in wireless mode 99 dB and with a wire up to 118 decibels .
What We Don’t Like
The only thing that we don’t like about this product is its price, but honestly, it is worth every penny. You probably want to learn more about the product, so here’s a quick video you can watch.
Pros
- These headphones have a powerful bass depth along with crisp, detailed highs
- They are not only stylish in design but also comfortable to wear
- They come with strong active noise canceling properties
- These come with a single-button voice assistance integration function
Cons
- These are quite expensive to buy
- Do not have a good sound signature search option
- Using any kind of app or Alexa with these can prove difficult
3. Surface Headphones by Microsoft
Microsoft may not be an audio gear company, but they have unparalleled technology. This is why we felt excited when we heard that they were releasing a high-end pair of headphones .
Product Highlights
The Surface Headphones have Microsoft’s artificial intelligence, Cortana. This empowers your headphones to be more than a listening tool. It can answer calls for you, read emails, schedule events on your calendar, and more.
How Loud Is It
Whether using Bluetooth connectivity or wired mode these can go as high as 115 dB.
What We Like
Of course, aside from Cortana, this pair is also packed with other features. They have Adjustable Active Noise cancelation technology. It also has an extended battery life that allows you to listen for up to 15 hours. Pretty impressive, right?
What We do not Like
The only thing that we do not like about it is, again, its price. Although it is a bit less expensive than Sennheiser’s piece, it is still a high-end product nonetheless. Like the other choices we have listed here, this unit is worth every dollar spent. Anyway, here is some additional information about this pair.
Pros
- These are comfortable to wear
- The inclusion of a noise cancelation dial is a great feature
- Have a good range when it comes to Bluetooth connectivity
- Like others come with a good battery life
Cons
- The Cortana assistant feature does not always work
- When it comes to sound quality, it seems to be ill-balanced
- For what they are somewhat pricey
Best Loudest Wired Headphones
4. ATH-M50x Headphones by Audio Technica
It does not matter if the Surface Headphones have a lot of features. Audiophiles look for something made by an audio company, like Audio Technica. This unit is one of them, but do not get us wrong. It is in the mid-price range, albeit with great sound quality.
Product Highlights
This unit is Audio Technica’s pride and joy. It is well-praised by top sound engineers and pro reviewers. The secret lies behind its design. It has a circumaural construction that allows perfect sound isolation.
How Loud Is It
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50X can reach up to 114.6 dB.
What We Like
Aside from that design, it also comes with other features, such as an extended frequency range and rotatable earcups. What is more, all its accessories are already included.
What We do not Like
The only thing that we do not like about this product is that it is wired. We understand that there are people out there who prefer wireless headphones with a battery to prevent draining, but there it is.
Pros
- Well-known brand
- Cortana-equipped
- Brand-exclusive features
Cons
- Expensive
5. WH-1000XM5 By Sony
Sony has become well known for producing high-quality audio listening devices. These WH-1000XM5 headphones are some of the best and loudest headphones you can buy.
Product Highlights
These have high-quality audio components and some of the best noise canceling features.
The inclusion of AI technology helps to ensure that high-resolution audio is maintained at all times. This provides you with an enjoyable experience when wearing them.
The battery installed provides you with up to 30 hours of playtime. If the battery runs down, you can recharge it in around 10 minutes. This will allow you a further 5 hours of playtime until you can recharge.
How Loud Is It
When wireless, these Sony WH-1000MX5 headphones can go up to 100 dB. But when used in wired mode, they go up to 102 dB.
What We Like
The over-the-ear design contributes toward passive noise isolation. It also helps to prevent any noise leakage so the sound quality of whatever you are listening to remains intact.
What We Don’t Like
Unfortunately, the price is a little off-putting. You can find similar headphones with extra features for around the same price.
Pros
- Have a very detailed sound profile, with rich bass notes
- Crisp middle notes and high notes are not distorted
- They come with an amazing battery life
- Very sleek design that also includes thick ear pads providing a comfortable fit
- Smooth operation through the use of easy touch sensor controls
Cons
- They are expensive
Best Loudest Wireless/Wired Headphones
6. HD 4.40 BT By Sennheiser
Yet another pair of great headphones from Sennheiser that come at a reasonable price. These deliver great sound that you can then customize to suit your preferences. Although these are wireless headphones, you can use them like traditional headphones. They come with a cable allowing you to connect them to any audio device.
Product Highlights
Like other headphones from Sennheiser, the HD 4.40 BT model has a simple but elegant look. The main body of these is constructed from matte plastic. The ear cups are coated in comfortable, synthetic leather.
They come with both Bluetooth and NFC connections. You will find it easy to pair them with any device. Like many wireless headphones these days, this pair has a pretty good battery life. You should be able to use them for up to 25 hours before recharging.
How Loud Is It
These Sennheiser HD 4.40 BT headphones can go up to 113 dB.
What We Like
Should you find that the battery has begun to start to run down, connect them to your device using the cable provided.
The dual connectivity makes it compatible with most electronic devices. They are also available at a very competitive price.
What We Don’t Like
The Bluetooth version used in these is quite old. So sometimes trying to connect to devices becomes problematic.
Pros
- The sound is great and has punchy bass notes
- Has a good battery life
- This pair of headphones is versatile as can use in wireless and wired mode
- Available at a reasonable price
Cons
- May find when wearing them that they are not very comfortable
- When you turn the volume up, you may find the treble gets crackly
7. Voyager 8200 UC By Poly
This set of headphones was originally sold under the name Plantronics and Polycom. But this is still a pair of high-quality Bluetooth headphones worth considering investing in. These are great especially if you work from home.
Product Highlights
Not only are these lightweight, but these Voyager 8200 UC headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods. This is due to the generous padding around the ear cups.
The 4 microphones ensure that you can hear everyone during online meetings.
Plus, the sound quality produced by these Voyager 8200 UC headphones by Poly is very good.
How Loud Is It
The Voyager 8200 UC headphones from Poly previously Platronics go up to 118 dB.
What We Like
They come with impressive battery life, so you should not worry if they will fail halfway through a meeting.
Also even when worn for several hours you will not feel any discomfort due to them being lightweight and great padding around the ear cups.
This pair of headphones also comes with a few extra items. These include a Bluetooth Dongle, an audio cable, a carrying pouch, and a USB-A to micro USB cable.
What We Don’t Like
It comes with a few minor glitches with the quality of the audio. Even when you tweak the settings, you will not be able to remove them completely. This is something you would expect from such headphones with a high price tag.
Pros
- These are comfortable to wear
- Have a great battery life
- Good sound quality
- The noise-canceling feature is effective
Cons
- The design of these is somewhat odd
- There is a delay with the sidetone
- Are expensive
- Comes with a micro USB cable, not a USB-C one
Best Loudest Earbuds
8. Tozo T10 Bluetooth 5.3 Wireless Earbuds
If you are looking for earbuds that fit comfortably and produce quality sound, look no further than these from Tozo.
They deliver powerful bass. The lowest setting is at 16Hz and has mellow midrange sounds. Plus the clear treble ensures that you will hear everything that passes through these earbuds vividly.
Product Highlights
These Tozo Bluetooth wireless earbuds are lightweight and compact. Their ergonomic design is such that they will fit well inside your ear. Plus the use of flexible silicone for the tips of these earbuds ensures that when you insert them into your ear they won’t cause any discomfort.
You will notice that they are larger than Airpods. So make sure you place them inside your ears properly.
For such small devices, these are among the loudest producing up to 100 dB.
What We Like
They come with 6 different sets of ear tips, so you will be able to select a pair that will ensure that these earbuds sit comfortably in your ears.
These have a special waterproof coating and come with an IPX8 rating. These are great for a walk when it is raining, but also for swimming or taking a shower.
What We Don’t Like
Unlike other headphones, these only have a battery life of between four and seven hours. Plus to recharge them they need to be placed back in their charging case, and it takes over five hours before they are completely charged.
Pros
- Are lightweight and comfortable
- The six pairs of different size ear tips ensure to provide you with an accurate fit
- They are not only sweatproof but also waterproof
- Are very durable
- Provide great sound quality
Cons
- They do not come with any touch controls
Buyer’s Guide
In the next section, we are going to share with you the features that you should generally look for in headphones to help you make a smarter shopping decision. Here they are:
1. Sound Quality
The first thing that you should look into when it comes to headphones is, of course, its sound quality. Check if there are features, such as improved sound separation and extended frequency, that will make your listening experience better.
Existing client reviews or testimonials are great to check out as well, or better yet, why don’t you check your choice out in its physical store to try it out for yourself. Just keep in mind, however, that music is recorded with the average listening technology in mind.
Your favorite artists know that there are details that you won’t hear unless you use a professional-grade pair of headphones. Some listeners like this, while others don’t enjoy hearing those raw details. Listen at your own risk.
2. Noise Cancellation
If there’s one thing that can ruin the sound quality of a pair, it’s poor noise cancellation. After all, how will you be able to listen in peace if you have a lot of distractions?
We understand that there are times when you want to hear your surroundings, for work or safety. Don’t worry; there are smart noise-cancellation features that can give you more control over the sounds you want to keep out and when.
3. Battery Life
Noise cancellation and improved sound quality are features that eat up a lot of power. You can always get wired headphones, but if you want added mobility and do get a wireless one, then you better check how much battery life your pair has.
It would be a shame being on a long trip and having your headphones running out of juice without even being half-way in.
4. Portability
The main reason why a lot of people prefer earphones over headphones is that they are smaller and more portable. Headphones are simply bulkier unless they can be folded.
Wireless units are also more convenient to travel with. You won’t need to worry about cords getting tangled and damaged anymore.
5. Additional Controls
Finally, having intuitive controls and an accompanying app isn’t bad. This would give your headphones more flexibility and added features, such as the ability to receive a call, remote control your digital device, and more.
Anyway, now that we are done talking about the various features that you should look into when buying headphones, we believe it’s best for us to move on to the next part of the article, where we are going to answer our reader’s most frequently asked questions.
Ways For You To Check If Your Headphones Are Too Loud
You can do several things to check if the loud headphones you are wearing are too loud. Carrying out the things we mention below will help to ensure that you do not do any necessary damage to your ears when listening to your favorite music.
Carry Out An Ear Ringing Test
With this test, you will be able to work out if you can hear any buzzing, whistling, ringing, hissing, or clicking sounds when wearing a pair of headphones. Although you may hear such noises, others around you will not.
It is important to note that not all ear ringing will be audible to you throughout the day. This is why carrying out this test is crucial as it will help to determine if you are hearing such noises without realizing it.
To carry out this test you need to be sat somewhere quiet and put in a set of foam ear plugs. Sit for a while with the ear plugs in and listen to see if you notice any of the noises we have mentioned above.
You should not use your headphones for a few days before you carry out this test.
Hold Your Headphones Out In Front Of You
This is a test we recommend you try out as it allows you to see if you are still able to hear your headphones when you are not wearing them.
What you need to do is take off your headphones while the music is still playing and hold them out in front of you at arm’s length. You must keep the volume of the music that you are playing at the same level as when you are wearing the headphones.
Are you able to still hear the music? You may want to try turning down the volume a little if you can. Then repeat this test.
Check Your Headphones Volume Control
Some music does sound better when you listen to it at a louder level. How often do you turn up the volume when a track you like starts playing?
It is vital that when you play any music through headphones you do not allow it to creep up above 60% of what the max volume level is.
If it has begun to creep up above this level, the risk of causing damage to your hearing is higher. Even at 60%, you will still find that you can hear the music playing through a set of good-quality headphones.
Make Sure You do not Have Problems Hearing Others Around You
If you are finding it difficult when wearing headphones to hear what is happening around you, you may have the volume turned up too high. You must spend time adjusting the volume so that you can speak to others that are around you.
If you notice that when talking to someone, they sound a little muffled, then you should look at turning the sound down on your headphones.
Keep A Lookout For Any Signs That you are Losing Your Hearing
You could be suffering from hearing loss now without realizing it. If you continue to listen to music through headphones at a high volume, the risk of damage to your hearing increases.
Frequent listening to loud music can overwork or cause damage to the hair cells inside your ears. Over time you may not notice it at first, but you will find hearing things a lot more difficult.
One of the early signs if you are having problems with your hearing is that you find it difficult to understand what other people are saying.
Signs to look out for that will tell you that you are losing your hearing include:
-
You find yourself needing to turn the volume up on the TV
-
Find it difficult to understand what someone is saying in noisy environments
-
When on the phone with someone, you cannot hear what they are saying
-
Find yourself asking people to repeat what they have already said
-
you have noticed that you get a ringing (tinnitus) in your ears more often
Get A Sound Meter To Measure The Sound Level
A decibel or sound meter will help you to measure noise levels. With such a device and looking at a decibel chart, you will see if the music you play through your headphones is too loud.
Although most people say that listening to music up to 94 decibels is okay when wearing headphones, it is best to keep them at a level lower than this. Turn the music down to between 74 and 84 decibels to help protect your ears against any potential damage when playing loud music.
All you need to do is connect your headphones to an audio source and then play music at the sound level you like to listen to. Make sure that you are not wearing headphones when carrying out this test.
Loudest Headphones FAQs
1. Why are headphones so loud?
Headphones are loud due to their design. Their earpieces don’t go inside our ears as earphones do. Hence, we also tend to raise the volume more than usual.
Some units are equipped to play with raised volumes from the get-go to compensate for its lack of features such as noise-canceling ones. If you find your headphones uncomfortably loud, then please lower its volume immediately. You might accidentally cause your ears harm.
2. How loud can headphones get?
Headphones can get really loud, even if you don’t realize it. Unfortunately, they are not made with the same volume levels. There are fainter units and louder ones, too. The good thing, though, is that there’s a way to measure your headphone’s volume in decibels (we’re going to talk more about decibels in a bit). Here’s how:
● Search for pink noise audio clips. These are clips made by Brian Fligor, a chief audiologist. They are short enough to make sure that your ears won’t suffer any damage regardless of the decibels.
● Set your device’s volume at max level. This applies to both your digital device and your headphones.
● Play all the clips. There are three clips that vary in decibels: 85, 90, and 100. After playing them, you can now gauge what these decibels sound and feel like.
3. How many decibels is safe for audio listening?
This leads us to the next question that we are going to address: decibels. A decibel is a unit of measurement used to measure volume. Here’s a quick breakdown of the different levels to give you an idea:
● 0 dB – Silence in a quiet, isolated, or sound-proof room
● 15 dB – A soft whisper
● 60 dB – A relaxed and normal conversation
● 90 dB – The growl of your lawnmower
● 110 dB – The horn of your car
● 120 dB – The concert of your favorite rock band
● 140 dB – A gunshot
The sweet spot is 85 dB. That’s the volume level that you want for your headphones. You can listen to your favorite tracks for up to eight hours straight without causing your ears harm.
The problem will start when it reaches 90 dB. You can still listen to your tunes at this level for sure, but not for more than two hours. Once it reaches 100 dB, though, it becomes something else entirely. Just listening for 15 minutes straight will cause problems.
Having said that, you might want to rethink going to that concert. Nothing beats the experience of listening to your favorite tunes live, but it’s not worth trading a lifetime of hearing problems.
4. How can I increase headphone volume?
Yes, the volume level of your headphones can indeed cause hearing problems if you’re not careful. However, we also understand that there are times when the unit itself sounds faint, and you need more volume.
If you’re wondering how to make your headphones sound louder, then please follow these tips:
● Clean it.
Headphones may restrict the ventilation of your ear canal, not to mention that the frequencies of your music itself may create friction that warms up your ears. When this happens, ear canals release oil and wax as a defense mechanism.
It is completely natural, and there’s nothing to worry about. However, this oil and wax can stick to your headphone’s screens and hinder the sound from passing. This is the reason why you should always clean your headphones regularly.
You can do so with an old toothbrush and some wipes. Just be sure that your headphones are turned off or unplugged.
● Remove the volume limits of your device.
Most digital devices, like smartphones, come with a volume limit as a safety feature for their users. Yours might have one, too. Find out how to disable it through its user’s manual, or through guides online.
● Use an amplifier.
We wouldn’t be surprised if you picture amplifiers at their usual size, but there are actually amps that are specifically made for headphones. Most of all, they come in a more portable size as well, so you can use them while on the go.
● Use a volume-boosting app.
This is available for both Android and iOS devices. Just search for it in your device’s app store, install, and let it work its wonders. Here are the two most popular ones:
For Android : Volume Booster
The app’s name is as straightforward as its utility. Just install it, and its stock settings will automatically increase the volume output of your device by 40 percent! If you still find this lacking, then access the settings of the app to increase your device’s volume even more.
What we absolutely love about this app is the fact that it is not restricted to just your music player or your radio alone. Its functionality is device-wide, so you will certainly notice your other apps have increased volume, as well.
For iOS : Equalizer +
If you’re looking for an app to use for your Apple device and something that is specifically designed to be used for music, then you will definitely enjoy using this app. It doesn’t just increase the volume of your music in general, but you can specifically tweak each of its elements to your liking, like the bass, treble, or vocals.
We recommend downloading the premium version to enjoy even more features, including its playlist editor and more equalizer features.
There are more apps out there that you can try out, and what’s great is that most of them are free, so you can download and try as much as you want. Don’t try more than one app at a time to gauge each app more accurately.
If nothing works, then we’re sad to say that it’s either one of two things: you need to get your ears checked, or it’s time to replace your headphones. We hope it’s the latter.
Conclusion
To those who are looking for a basic pair of headphones but only have a limited budget, then we recommend the Fusion A70 Over-Ear Headphones by OneOdio. It has all the features of a high-end pair but not the price.
We recommend getting a protective case for it, though, and put it in a separate compartment in your bag where it won’t get crushed by other things. As we have mentioned, its materials are not as durable as the other pairs we have listed, but with proper care, we’re sure that it will still last a long time.
If you’re a bit of a geek, and you really want a high-tech piece, then the Surface Headphones by Microsoft is the choice for you. It has a minimalist design, it comes with Cortana, and it has the capacity to perform tasks way beyond being just a regular listening piece.
Finally, if you really have the money to spend, then the Momentum 3 Headphones by Sennheiser is your best bet. It is professional-grade, made of durable materials, and, of course, the sound quality is excellent!
It can be difficult to choose a pair of headphones with all the choices out there, but by keeping the choices and tips that we have shared with you in mind, we are sure that you will find the right one.
