Turn up the volume and hear your music the way it was meant to be. The best headphones for metal and rock can turn every track into an electrifying experience, capturing the raw power of crushing riffs, rapid double-kick drums, and soaring solos.
If you want to feel like you’re front row at a sold-out show, the right headphones will make every chord and cymbal strike hit harder.
Whether you’re chasing headphones for heavy metal, the precision of metalcore, or the warmth of classic rock, we’ve tested models that deliver. You’ll also find picks for wireless freedom, studio-level accuracy, and gear built for high-volume live recordings.
From affordable standouts to what could be the world’s best headphones for these genres, every pick here delivers the clarity, punch, and presence that make headphones for rock music and headphones for metal music unforgettable. Let’s dive in and find the perfect pair for your playlist.
What Makes a Great Metal and Rock Headphones?
Finding the best headphones for metal and rock music isn’t just about buying the most expensive model; it’s about knowing what to look for. Here are the factors you should focus on when choosing headphones for heavy metal and rock music.
Sound Signature: For rock and metal, look for a balanced but energetic tuning, tight, punchy bass for kick drums and bass lines, clear mids for guitars and vocals, and crisp treble that makes cymbals shimmer without fatigue.
Speed and Detail: Fast transients help keep blast beats and intricate riffs clear. Planar magnetic and high-end dynamic drivers often excel here. See our Best Planar Magnetic Headphones for more details.
Build Quality: Headbanging sessions and daily use demand durability. Look for solid construction, reinforced cables, metal hinges, replaceable parts and quality materials — especially if you want headphones that last for years.
Comfort for Long Listening: You might spend hours listening or practising, so choose headphones with plush pads, a light clamping force, and breathable materials. Our Most Comfortable Headphones roundup is a great place to start.
Open-Back vs Closed-Back: Prefer open-back headphones if you want a wide, live-like soundstage for rock anthems. Go closed-back for more isolation when blasting wireless headphones for metal music in public or noisy spaces.
Wired vs Wireless: With wired headphones, you’ll usually get slightly better fidelity and zero latency. But if you need convenience, the best wireless headphones for rock music with low-latency Bluetooth can still deliver a punchy, detailed performance.
Quick Overview of Best Headphones For Metal And Rock
| Best for Most Metal and Rock Fans Overall | Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S3 |
| Best for Metal and Rock on a Budget | Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE |
| Best for Bass-Heavy Metal Subgenres | Nothing Headphone 1 |
| Best for Expansive Open-Back Soundstage | Audeze LCD-2 Classic |
| Best for Detailed Closed-Back Listening | Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MK II |
| Best for Audiophile-Level Clarity | Focal Utopia |
| Best for Rugged, On-the-Go Listening | Audio-Technica ATH-M60x |
| Best for Classic Studio-Grade Reliability | Sennheiser HD 25 (with EQ) |
In-Depth Look- Best Headphones For Metal And Rock
Let’s break down what makes each of these headphones worth buying, from sound quality and comfort to mic clarity and real-world performance.
1. Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S3
Best for Most Metal and Rock Fans Overall
- Punchy, well-controlled bass
- Fast, precise instrument separation
- Crisp treble for guitar solos
- Excellent noise cancellation
- Comfortable for long sessions
- Closed-back limits openness
- Not pure analog warmth
- Slight clamp initially
- Premium price point
- Wired mode is not balanced
After putting the Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S3 through hours of real-world testing with everything from Metallica’s Master of Puppets to Rush’s 2112, we can confidently say it earns its spot as the overall best headphones for metal and rock.
This isn’t just marketing talk; we’ve compared them against open-back studio cans, other premium wireless sets, and even wired audiophile favorites. The PX7 S3 consistently stood out for the speed, clarity, and punch needed for heavy genres.
The sound is tuned perfectly for rock and metal. The bass is deep and tight, giving double kick drums real power without covering up the rhythm guitars. It reacts quickly, so fast drum parts stay sharp and clear. The mids are full of detail, letting you hear guitar harmonies, snare hits, and raw vocals. The highs are crisp but smooth, adding sparkle to solos and cymbals without sounding harsh.
Build quality is premium, with 300g weight and redesigned slimmer earcups making them comfortable for long listening marathons — perfect for live album binge sessions.
As a closed-back set, they offer an immersive, locked-in feel, ideal for noisy spaces or travel. While they lack the airy stage of open-backs, they compensate with outstanding noise cancelation and focus.
Wireless performance is top-tier thanks to aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive, delivering high-resolution sound without noticeable compression. The included wired option ensures flexibility for high-res sources, though it’s not a fully balanced setup.
View on Amazon: Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S3
2. Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE
Best for Metal and Rock on a Budget
- Fast, detailed transient response
- Powerful, controlled low end
- Crisp guitar and vocal clarity
- 100-hour battery life
- Comfortable for marathon sessions
- Closed-back limits stage width
- Slightly heavy at 330g
- ANC can round sharp edges
- Neutral mids need EQ tweak
Some headphones make you tap your foot. The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE makes you headbang. After putting them through hours of metal, hard rock, prog, and metalcore, they’ve earned their spot as our pick for the best headphones for metal and rock on a budget.
When you’re listening to metalcore breakdowns, prog solos, or high-speed thrash, speed matters. The Class A/B amplification with 40mm composite drivers delivers lightning-fast attack, so every palm mute, double-kick, and cymbal hit lands with precision.
The sound is balanced but full of life — the bass is tight and punchy for heavy riffs, the mids are clear for guitars, and the highs add just enough sparkle to make cymbals shine without tiring your ears.
This makes it easy to listen to heavy music for hours without losing detail or energy. The Melomania app’s 7-band EQ is a bonus as you can boost 1–3kHz for sharper guitars or add more bass for styles like djent and doom.
Comfort is a real win here. Memory foam earcups, vegan leather headband, and a manageable clamp make them great for multi-hour listening or long mixing sessions. The 100-hour battery life is absurdly good, and with user-replaceable pads and battery, these will last for years — ideal for daily rock and metal fans who push their gear hard.
Being closed-back, they isolate well for loud environments, though they won’t have the airy soundstage of open-backs. Still, with aptX Lossless Bluetooth or wired mode, you get audiophile-level clarity without the bulk of amps and DACs. If budget is key but you still want big sound, check our Best Budget Noise-Canceling Earbuds too.
View on Amazon: Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE
3. Nothing Headphone 1
Best for Bass-Heavy Metal Subgenres
- Punchy, deep low-end impact
- Clear mids for guitar riffs
- Crisp highs without harshness
- Fast driver speed for blast beats
- Solid, premium build quality
- Closed-back limits stage width
- Slightly heavy for long gigs
- Bass can dominate mids
- No pure wired-only mode
- The price is high for casual use
When you crank up Master of Puppets or dive into Meshuggah’s polyrhythmic chaos, you need headphones that can keep up without smearing the details. After evaluating across countless albums and live recordings, we’ve picked the Nothing Headphone (1) as the best headphones for bass-heavy metal subgenres.
What makes them special is how well they balance impact, clarity, and speed. Powered by KEF-tuned 40mm dynamic drivers with a nickel-plated diaphragm, they deliver a low-end punch that makes double kicks and basslines hit hard without losing definition.
Metal demands precision at high volume, and here, the speed and detail retrieval are excellent. Blast beats stay sharp, cymbals remain airy, and complex riff layers stay separate instead of turning into a wall of noise.
The closed-back design focuses the sound, giving that intense, live-concert feel without bleeding out, while LDAC Hi-Res Wireless and wired playback ensure lossless delivery whether you’re on the move or plugged into a DAC.
Comfort is another win. The PU leather cushions and ergonomic fit mean you can listen for hours without fatigue — ideal for marathon album runs or late-night mixing sessions. The build quality is rugged, featuring aluminium reinforcement and transparent casings that feel both durable and unique.
View on Amazon: Nothing Headphone (1)
4. Audeze LCD-2 Classic
Best for Expansive Open-Back Soundstage
- Expansive, immersive open stage
- Deep, authoritative bass impact
- Smooth mids for guitar clarity
- Natural, fatigue-free treble
- Comfortable for marathon sessions
- Heavier-than-average headphones
- Needs quality amp source
- Open-back leaks sound
- Not portable
- Slightly relaxed top-end sparkle
Some headphones just play music. The Audeze LCD-2 Classic makes you feel like you’re inside it. After testing countless contenders for the best headphones for metal and rock, these stood out for one reason above all — their expansive open-back soundstage.
We ran them through everything from Metallica’s thrash to Opeth’s progressive epics, and the presentation was nothing short of cinematic. The open-back planar design projects instruments into a wide, airy space, making live recordings feel like you’re standing in front of the stage rather than inside a closed cup.
The planar magnetic drivers are fast and controlled, so even the quickest drum beats or heavy riffs stay clear. The bass is powerful and hits hard, making double kicks feel physical. The mids are full and detailed, giving guitars a realistic crunch without covering the vocals. The highs are smooth and natural, avoiding the harsh sound that can make metal tiresome to listen to for extended periods.
Build quality is what you’d expect from Audeze — solid, premium materials with a ventilated suspension headband that distributes the 544g weight well. While they’re open-back and wired, making them better suited for home listening with a decent amp, that’s exactly where they shine.
From a pure listening standpoint, these are among the best audiophile headphones for rock and metal because they combine concert-level realism with comfort and durability. If you want your music to breathe, if you want riffs, solos, and drums to occupy their own space without losing impact, the LCD-2 Classic is the one. This is why we recommend it as the best for expansive open-back soundstage in the rock and metal category.
View on Amazon: Audeze LCD-2 Classic
5. Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MK II
Best for Detailed Closed-Back Listening
- Punchy, accurate bass impact
- Superb detail and instrument separation
- Rugged, long-lasting German build
- Excellent noise isolation
- Two ear pad sound options
- Slightly heavy for long sessions
- Needs a quality amp for the best sound
- Premium price point
- Closed-back limits open soundstage
- Not portable
We’ve spent a lot of time comparing contenders for the best headphones for metal and rock music, and the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MK II consistently rose to the top for detailed closed-back listening. What makes it stand out is how it handles speed, power, and clarity — three things that make or break a headphone for heavy genres.
The Tesla driver technology gives lightning-fast response for double bass kicks, tight palm-muted riffs, and cymbal crashes, without turning the mix into a blur.
The closed-back design doesn’t just keep outside noise out; it also delivers a weighty, controlled bass that brings metal and hard rock tracks to life, while keeping mids and treble clean and fatigue-free.
Swap between the velour pads for a more open, airy feel or the leatherette pads for a tighter, more focused sound. At 250 ohms, these thrive when paired with a proper amp, rewarding you with studio-level resolution and dynamics.
Build quality is another reason we recommend them. The spring steel headband and replaceable parts mean these aren’t just headphones, they’re a long-term tool for serious listening. Comfort holds up too, with large circumaural pads and balanced clamping pressure for multi-hour sessions.
If you want good headphones for metal music that can keep up with extreme tempos, highlight guitar clarity, and provide immersive, noise-isolating performance, the DT 1770 PRO MK II is our top pick. For the best wired headphones for rock music and a closed-back design that delivers detail without compromise, these are hard to beat.
View on Amazon: Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MK II
6. Focal Utopia
Best for Audiophile-Level Clarity
- Exceptional clarity and detail
- Fast transient response
- Wide, immersive soundstage
- Premium comfort materials
- Superb instrument separation
- Expensive entry point
- Needs quality source gear
- Open-back leaks sound
- Heavy for some users
- Long break-in period
After extensive evaluation and comparisons, we can confidently say the Focal Utopia earns its place as the best headphones for metal and rock if you value audiophile-level clarity above all else.
We’ve run them through everything from thrash metal to prog rock, metalcore breakdowns to classic rock ballads, and their ability to reproduce every nuance is unmatched. The pure Beryllium ‘M’-shaped dome drivers deliver explosive speed, meaning rapid double-bass drumming, intricate guitar sweeps, and cymbal flurries never blur together — they stay crisp and defined.
The open-back design creates a massive, lifelike soundstage, making live albums and complex studio mixes feel immersive and three-dimensional. Instruments have room to breathe, yet the energy of distorted riffs and bass-heavy drops remains punchy and engaging.
Paired with a wired connection, you get uncompromised fidelity, which is critical for hearing the subtle details in layered rock and metal productions.
From a comfort perspective, the recycled forged carbon yoke, genuine leather headband, and memory foam ear pads allow for marathon listening sessions without fatigue — perfect for deep album dives. Build quality is luxury-grade, making them as much a collector’s piece as a performance tool.
Yes, they demand a high-quality source and a serious budget, but if you want the world’s best headphones for rock and metal music, the Utopia delivers. For metal’s speed and aggression or rock’s dynamic shifts, nothing in our tests combined clarity, speed, and soundstage this effectively. These aren’t just good headphones for metal music — they’re the reference standard for hearing your favorite tracks exactly as they were meant to be heard.
View on Amazon: Focal Utopia
7. Audio-Technica ATH-M60x
Best for Rugged, On-the-Go Listening
- Punchy, accurate bass
- Crisp guitar clarity
- Fast transient response
- Rugged metal components
- Strong noise isolation
- No wireless option
- Smaller soundstage
- Limited swivel movement
- It can heat up over time
When we set out to find the best headphones for metal and rock, we knew we needed something fast, detailed, and built to take a beating on the road. After experimenting across thrash, prog, hard rock, and even modern metalcore, the Audio-Technica ATH-M60x stood out for one reason: it blends studio-level accuracy with rugged portability better than anything else in its class.
Using the same M50x 45mm drivers, the ATH-M60x delivers tight, accurate bass that handles kick drums without boom, clear mids that make distorted guitars roar with definition, and a precise top end that reveals cymbal textures without harshness. Its fast transient response keeps up with blast beats and complex polyrhythms, letting every note in a dense metal mix cut through.
The closed-back, on-ear design gives you solid isolation, crucial for listening in noisy environments or backstage before a gig. Built with key metal components and detachable cables, it’s engineered for rugged, on-the-go listening. You can toss it in a bag and trust it will perform night after night. The memory foam earpads keep things comfortable for extended sessions, though the on-ear fit is snug compared to over-ear options.
For players, producers, or fans who want wired reliability over the unpredictability of Bluetooth, the ATH-M60x nails it. In our view, if you need good headphones for metal music that combine speed, clarity, and durability in a portable form, these are one of the best headphones for rock and metal music you can buy right now.
View on Amazon: Audio-Technica ATH-M60x
8. Sennheiser HD 25 (with EQ)
Best for Classic Studio-Grade Reliability
- Fast, detailed sound for riffs
- Excellent noise isolation in loud rooms
- Handles extreme volume without distortion
- Rugged, repairable construction
- Lightweight for extended sessions
- On-ear fit, not over-ear
- The clamp can feel firm at first
- Smaller soundstage than open-backs
- Non-foldable for storage
After comparing multiple contenders for the best headphones for metal and rock, the Sennheiser HD 25 stood out as the best for classic studio-grade reliability. Its long-standing reputation in professional audio isn’t hype; it’s earned. In our evaluation, the speed and precision were unmatched in this price range. Rapid double kicks, palm-muted chugs, and intricate solos stayed crisp and defined, never muddy.
The closed-back, on-ear design delivers strong noise isolation, making them perfect for loud rehearsal spaces or live gig monitoring. With a max SPL of 120 dB, they take high volumes in stride without distortion — exactly what’s needed for genres that live and breathe intensity. Being wired means zero latency and consistent performance, crucial for studio mixing or tracking.
Comfort-wise, at just 140 g, they’re light enough for long sessions, though the clamp can feel tight until broken in. What really seals the deal is the legendary build quality — every part is replaceable, so these can easily last decades.
If you’re looking for headphones for heavy metal, best rock headphones, or even studio headphones for rock mixing, the Sennheiser HD 25 offers accuracy, durability, and speed in one package.
It’s not about bloated bass or flashy looks — it’s about delivering the music exactly as it’s played, and for rock and metal fans, that’s exactly what matters. In our view, they’re not just good — they’re the industry benchmark.
View on Amazon: Sennheiser HD 25
Frequently Asked Questions
Which headphones are the best for rock music?
The best headphones for rock music in 2025 include the Audeze LCD-2C, Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MK II, and Focal Utopia for their balance of clarity, punch, and soundstage.
What sound signature is good for rock and metal?
A balanced or mildly V-shaped sound signature works best, with tight bass, clear mids for guitars, and smooth highs for cymbals.
Are open-back headphones better for rock and metal?
Yes. Open-back headphones give a wider, more natural sound, making them ideal for live rock recordings, while closed-back options isolate better in noisy spaces.
Do I need an amp for audiophile headphones for rock and metal?
Most high-impedance audiophile headphones benefit from an amp, delivering more detail, dynamics, and control. If you’re deep into mixing, check out our Best Headphones for Mixing and Mastering.
Which headphones are best for metalcore and heavy metal?
Fast, detailed models like the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MK II or Nothing Headphone 1 handle rapid tempos and complex riffs best.
Are wireless headphones good for metal music?
Yes, choose low-latency models like the Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S3 to keep up with fast metal tracks without audio lag.
What’s the ideal sound signature for metal and rock headphones?
Tight bass, forward mids, and crisp but non-fatiguing treble create the most engaging metal and rock listening experience.
Are there affordable headphones for rock and metal that still sound great?
Yes, the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE offers clear, powerful sound at a budget-friendly price.
Final Thoughts
Crank it up because now you know exactly which gear can handle the power, speed, and emotion of your favorite tracks. The best headphones for metal and rock aren’t just about specs; they’re about how they make you feel when the bass drops, the riff kicks in, and the drums start pounding.
Our top picks in 2025 for every type of listener: Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S3 for most fans overall, Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE for budget buyers, Nothing Headphone 1 for bass-heavy subgenres, Audeze LCD-2C for expansive open-back soundstage, Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MK II for detailed closed-back listening, Focal Utopia for audiophile-level clarity, Audio-Technica ATH-M60x for rugged, on-the-go listening, and Sennheiser HD 25 (with EQ) for classic studio-grade reliability.
The right pair can turn listening into a full-body experience. So pick your favorite, press play, and let your music hit as hard as it should.
