🎧 HEADPHONES: THE MUSIC IS EVERYWHERE
From the desk of Mark Callenberg (Majic) – Certified Headphone Junkie
Alright, I’ll admit it – I’ve got a problem. Not a bad one, mind you... unless you count owning too many headphones as a bad thing. (I don’t.) For me, headphones aren’t just a way to listen to music – they’re a way to feel it. Anywhere. Everywhere. Whether I’m on the couch, tuning out the world with a pair of lush open-backs, or wandering the aisles at work with some sleek noise-cancellers, I’m always chasing that perfect sound.
And that’s the beauty of it, right? These days, there’s a pair of headphones for every mood, every place, every vibe. Want to hear all the little details in your favourite track? Open-backs like the Dan Clark EXPANSE make it feel like the band is in the room with you. Need to block out the chaos and get lost in the moment? Try something like the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 – buttery smooth, punchy, and built like a dream.
Honestly, it’s a slippery slope – you start with one pair, then suddenly you're swapping cables, auditioning amps, and arguing with strangers online about burn-in periods and DAC chips. But hey, if loving headphones is wrong... I don’t wanna be right.
Stick around – I’m about to take you on a tour through headphone heaven. These aren’t just any cans – they’re the good stuff. The ones that make your toes tap and your eyes go a bit misty. Let’s go. 🎶
👂 Types of Headphones – A Field Guide for the Sonically Obsessed
Not all headphones are created equal. Let’s break them down like a dodgy pair of cheap earbuds after one gym session.
🎧 Over-Ear (Circumaural) Headphones
Big cups, big comfort, big sound. These beauties wrap around your ears like sonic pillows and give your music the space to breathe. And let’s not pretend they’re just for home anymore – have you seen the new Nothing Headphones (1)? With that transparent design and retro-futuristic vibe, they’re as much a fashion statement as they are a listening device. I wouldn’t be shocked if they turned up at the Met Gala worn backwards with a Balenciaga cape.
Whether it’s open-back for that airy concert-hall sound or closed-back for punchy isolation, over-ears are where the big boy (and girl) sound lives.
🎧 On-Ear (Supra-Aural) Headphones
These sit on your ears instead of around them — handy for our younger clients who want decent sound but with a little ear protection (because yes, those eardrums aren’t invincible). They’re compact, easy to carry, and perfect for quick listening sessions on the go.
But let’s be honest, on-ears aren’t exactly the gold standard audiophiles salivate over. Think of them as the trusty hatchback of headphones — reliable, practical, but don’t expect jaw-dropping soundstage or bass that shakes your soul.
🎧 In-Ear Monitors (IEMs) & Earbuds – Tiny Titans of Sound
Don’t let their size fool you – these little guys pack a punch. IEMs and earbuds slide right into your ear canal like sonic ninjas, perfect for:
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Travel: Blocking out crying babies, chatty neighbours, or that guy who really wants to share his playlist.
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Gym sessions: No cables flapping around while you’re lifting or jogging.
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Sneaky listening: You know, those times you’re “working” in meetings but secretly jamming out.
The catch? Sound quality is a mixed bag. You’ve got everything from bargain-bin $19 specials that sound like someone shaking a tin can, to high-end audiophile IEMs that could replace your home setup (if you have tiny ears).
Brands like Audio-Technica and Meze nail the sweet spot with comfort and serious audio creds, making IEMs a legit choice for everyday use or serious listening.
🔓 Open-Back vs. 🔒 Closed-Back
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Open-Back: More natural, spacious sound. Your music breathes. Great for quiet spots or chilling solo. Not so great if you want to keep your latest playlist a secret.
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Closed-Back: Isolating, punchy, intimate. Perfect for blocking out noisy co-workers, kids, or your neighbour’s questionable karaoke skills.
🤫 Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) – Shut Out the World, Dive Into Your Music
ANC is the magic trick that makes planes, trains, and noisy offices suddenly seem miles away. How? Tiny microphones listen to the noise around you and generate anti-noise to cancel it out. It’s like noise-cancelling ninja tech.
Why you want it:
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Fly without the roar of engines (your ears will thank you).
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Focus at work without the distraction of loud coworkers or construction.
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Turn any noisy café into your personal concert hall.
From the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 to the Sonos Ace, ANC tech is now smarter, sleeker, and lasts longer than ever. Just don’t expect to hear your mate calling you unless they’re yelling really loud.
👂 Transparency Modes – Stay Aware Without Killing Your Vibe
Transparency mode is ANC’s polite cousin. Instead of blocking all sound, it lets some of the outside world in – like a window cracked open in your headphones.
Why it’s brilliant:
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Hear announcements at the airport without pausing your music.
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Stay safe when jogging near traffic.
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Chat with your barista without taking your headphones off (because, let’s be honest, that’s awkward).
It’s the best of both worlds: immersive sound and awareness. If you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out on a whole new level of headphone freedom.
🧲 Planar Magnetic Headphones – Audiophile Witchcraft?
Ahhh yes – planar magnetic headphones. If traditional dynamic drivers are your reliable sedan, planars are the Tesla Roadsters of the headphone world. They use a thin diaphragm suspended in a magnetic field, which means:
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Lower distortion
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Lightning-fast response
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Ridiculous detail and control
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Huge soundstage that can make your favourite tracks feel like a live show
Planars tend to be heavier and need more power, but your ears will thank you with every note. Brands like Dan Clark Audio and Meze are absolute legends in this space.
🆕 Enter: Sonos Ace – The New Kid on the Block
Sonos, famous for shaking up the home audio game, have thrown their hat into the headphone ring with the Sonos Ace. Plush, stylish, and loaded with active noise cancellation and spatial audio, they clock up a solid 30 hours of battery life.
They don’t yet play perfectly with the wider Sonos ecosystem (we’re hopeful this changes soon), but if you’re already rocking Sonos speakers, the Ace is a tempting addition for stylish, comfy, all-day listening.
🔌 Don’t Forget the DACs & Preamps – Because Your Headphones Deserve Better
Let’s get serious for a sec. You can have the best headphones in the world, but if your source sounds like a soggy weetbix, what’s the point?
Enter: DACs and headphone amps.
Favourites we stock at TAE:
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Chord Hugo 2 – Portable beast with insane sound quality.
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Gold Note DS-10 EVO – Italian craftsmanship meets pure audio bliss.
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Volumio Motivo – Like giving your headphones a private butler with a touchscreen and a taste for hi-res.
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Bel Canto DAC 2.8 – Espresso shot for your ears.
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NAD C658 – Streaming, DAC, and preamp all-in-one wizardry.
These don’t just improve sound – they unlock it. More texture. More air. More soul. Like going from standard def to 4K Ultra HDR for your ears.
🧠 A Few Things I Wish I Knew Back in the Walkman Days
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Never judge a headphone by its cable.
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Not all bass is good bass. Some of it is just... blubber.
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Planars are a slippery slope. Once you go flat, you never go back.
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DACs aren’t optional. They’re essential.
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Ears don’t lie. If it makes you smile, it’s right.
🐵 Final Thoughts from Majic
Look, I've been into this stuff since cassettes were cool (the first time). And now, here we are in a golden age of sound. Whether you want to bliss out with some planar magic, bounce around with wireless freedom, or build a full hi-fi headphone stack that makes your friends jealous – you’ve got options.
And lucky for you, The Audio Experts stock the good gear. We live and breathe this stuff – so come in, have a listen, and we’ll get your ears on something special.
Because the music? It’s everywhere.
You just need the right way to hear it.
🎧❤️
— Majic, your friendly neighbourhood headphone junkie