If you’re serious about metal, you know the difference between good enough and goosebumps. That thunderous riff, the double-kick drum that hits like a freight train, the scream that rattles your bones, this isn’t background noise. It’s a full-body experience. And the truth is, most headphones can’t handle it. They flatten the impact, blur the energy, and strip away the emotion that makes metal what it is. That’s where this heavys headphones review comes in. We’ve tested, compared, and cranked up the volume to find out which models truly deliver for metalheads in 2025.
From the crushing lows of doom to the razor-sharp edges of thrash, we’ve narrowed it down to ten standouts, all built to handle the genre’s power, precision, and passion. Whether you’re at the gym, on stage, or just in your zone, these headphones don’t just play metal, they live it.
Why Metal Demands Serious Gear
Let’s get one thing clear: metal is not forgiving. One moment you’re hearing a whisper; the next you’re hit by sonic artillery. Regular headphones often struggle, they either blur the lows, drown the mids, or shriek the highs until your ears beg for mercy. To do metal justice, you need:
- Punchy Solid Bass: When you listen to music with a strong rhythm (like rock or metal), the low sounds, the kick drum and bass guitar, need to feel tight and powerful, not boomy or vague. If the bass is muddy, the whole song loses its energy and drive.
- Crystal-Clear Middle Range: This is the heart of the music, where you hear the vocals, the main guitar riffs, and those soaring solos. Everything in this range needs to be bold and distinct. If it’s messy or muffled, you lose the emotion and the detail of the performance.
- Crisp Defined High Notes: The high-frequency sounds, like cymbals and hi-hats, should sound bright and realistic, not harsh, tinny, or hissing. They need to add shimmer and detail without being irritating.
- Handles Extreme Loudness Changes: Great headphones can handle a huge difference between the quietest and loudest parts of a song (the dynamic range). They need to transition from a soft whisper to a massive, full-blast chorus without sounding distorted, scratchy, or causing listening fatigue.
- Built for the Long Haul: If you’re wearing them for long listening sessions, exercising, or just moving around a lot, the headphones must be comfortable on your head and durable enough to handle sweat and constant use without breaking down.
With those needs in mind, let’s jump into the ten best picks of 2025 for metal fans.
Heavys Headphones Review: The Ultimate Metal-Ready Line-Up
1. Sony WH-1000XM6
Sony’s 2025 wireless flagship is another leap forward: stronger noise-cancelling, richer sound, and serious fidelity for wireless fans. According to specs, it uses 30 mm neodymium drivers and supports Hi-Res LDAC up to 40 kHz.
Why it’s excellent for metal:
- The bass goes deep and remains tight, so when a blast beat hits, you feel it, not just hear it.
- Mids are clear enough that vocals and riffs still cut through, even in dense mixes.Wireless freedom with wired option means you can use it for travel and serious listening.
- Battery and comfort are solid, about 30 hours ANC, per reviews.
Considerations:
- Closed-back design means less natural “room” feel than open models.
- While great for wireless convenience, some purists might prefer wired only for ultimate fidelity.
2. Bowers & Wilkins Pxt8 S2
B&W’s new flagship wireless model for 2025 brings premium materials and serious performance. It uses 40 mm carbon-cone drivers, supports 24-bit/96 kHz playback over USB-C or Bluetooth aptX Lossless, and offers about a 30 hours battery with ANC.
Why it fits metal:
- High-resolution support means even subtle details in guitar layering come through.
- Premium build and comfort mean long session endurance.Clear mids, excellent separation, important when you want to pick apart riffs and drum fills.
- A strong ANC helps you ignore distractions and stay immersed.
Considerations:
- Price is high, this is premium territory.
- For absolute bass “slam monster” fans, some other models might push more hard-low emphasis.
3. Nothing Headphone (1)
Nothing entered the over-ear game in 2025 with a model that punches above its price. While not ultra-luxury, it offers large drivers, modern features (LDAC support, solid battery) and tuning that leans bold, perfect for metal if you don’t want to spend flagship dollars.
Why it’s a smart metal pick:
- Good low-end power for the price: punchy enough for head-banging riffs and kick drums.
- Wireless with modern codec support means you’re ready for mobile listening too.
- Less intimidating price means higher value.
Considerations:
- Build and detail may not match ultra audiophile models.
- Wireless means some trade-offs compared to high-end wired sets.
4. JBL Tour ONE M3
The JBL Tour ONE M3 saw its 2025 release and is built as a long-haul partner, big battery, and big energy. Designed for comfort and endurance, its tuning favors modern genres with punch and presence.
Why it’s solid for metal:
- Bass emphasis works well for modern metal where the low end is heavy.
- Spatial or 360 features add a “live show” feel to certain tracks.
- Comfortable for long sessions, important if you listen deep or mix.
Considerations:
- Might lack the ultra-refined detail of audiophile sets.
- If you want the purest fidelity, this is more “fun” than “reference”.
5. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Bose’s 2025 generation of their QC Ultra brings improved ANC, better build, and tuning that works for serious listening, not just travel. While Bose is sometimes thought of for comfort rather than punch, this model shifts closer to metal-ready territory.
Why it works:
- Excellent isolation means you lose the world and get the music.
- Balanced tuning means you hear vocals and guitars clearly.
- Comfort and build make it a reliable “all-day listener”.
Considerations:
- Some EQ care might be needed to bring out the slam of low-end if you’re into heavy death or black metal.
- Wireless mode may still not match ultra‐high fidelity wired sets.
6. Focal Bathys MG
Focal’s Bathys MG (closed back wireless) was released in 2025 and brings audiophile driver tech into the wireless realm. With magnesium drivers, hybrid wired/wireless mode, and solid ANC, it is built for serious listeners.
Why metal lovers will appreciate it:
- Magnesium drivers respond fast, important for layered guitar work and rapid drums.
- Hybrid listening modes: you can switch from wireless to USB-C DAC mode for higher fidelity.
- Tonally balanced but with enough bass emphasis, per reviews.
Considerations:
- The price is steep.
- Battery life while good (~30 hours) is slightly behind some wireless rivals.
7. Sennheiser HDB 630
Sennheiser’s HDB 630 for 2025 blends wired accuracy and modern convenience. With high-res USB-C/VIA DAC support and strong mids clarity, it fits listeners who toggle between studio-gear and mobile listening.
Why it’s worth it:
- Wired modes mean you can tie into higher quality sources, great if you care about detail in guitar solos and drum fills.
- Clean midrange means vocals and rhythm guitars pop.
- Flexible enough for mobile and home setups.
Considerations:
- If you’re strictly wireless on the go, you may prefer models optimized for that.
- Some fine tuning may be needed to bring out low-end punch for extreme genres.
8. Beyerdynamic Aventho 200
The Aventho 200 (2025 release) is a wireless over-ear from a brand known for studio-grade gear. It offers accuracy plus the wireless convenience, making it interesting for metal fans who want both detail and freedom.
Why it’s strong:
- Studio heritage means clarity and balance.
- Good for metal that has nuance, progressive, symphonic, or technical death metal.
- Wireless means you can take it out of the studio too.
Considerations:
- As with all wireless sets, you’ll still face some constraints vs high-end wired.
- Bass may not be as boosted as “bass monster” models unless tuned.
9. Audeze LCD-4z (2025 Refresh)
For the listener who refuses compromise, Audeze’s planar-magnetic LCD-4z (2025 update) is wired only, but its reference level. If you have the gear to drive it and you listen critically, this is a monster.
Why metal fans will love it:
- Planar drivers give ultra-fast response, so every cymbal crash, every tremolo is heard.
- Soundstage and detail rival professional studio monitors, so you’ll uncover things in your favorite tracks you never noticed.
- When you want “I’m in the recording” rather than “I’m listening,” this delivers.
Considerations:
- Needs good amp/source.
- Price is very high, portability low.
- Not wireless, the trade-off is ultimate fidelity.
10. FiiO FT7 (2025 Showpiece)
FiiO broke into the headphone game in 2025 with the FT7 (and related models), targeting listeners who demand power, detail, and value. It may not have mainstream brand hype yet but deliver serious performance.
Why it’s a smart pick:
- Large drivers tuned for low end, great for blast beats and heavy riffs.
- Shows how headphone tech in 2025 is trickling down into high value markets.
- If budget is a constraint but you refuse to sacrifice impact, this is the one.
Considerations:
- Fewer “luxury” materials or brand cachet compared to premium models.
- As a newer entrant, long-term reviews and user base may be smaller.
Deep Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Perfect Headphones
When you’re choosing headphones for metal in 2025, don’t just pick based on price or brand. Pay attention to these features:
- Driver size/type: Larger dynamic drivers or planar drivers tend to give better low-end and detail. For example, Sony’s 30 mm dynamic drivers in the WH-1000XM6 contribute to impact.
- Codec and connectivity: If you use mobile devices, look for LDAC, aptX Lossless, USB-C audio support. B&W’s Px8 S2 supports 24-bit/96 kHz with aptX Lossless.
- Wired vs Wireless: Wireless is convenient, but wired still gives better fidelity especially if you have a good audio source.
- Sound signature/tuning: For metal you may want a slightly “fun” tuning, bass above average, but not so much that you lose mids and highs. Balanced sets may require a little EQ.
- Comfort and build: Headphones for metal listening sessions must be comfortable and durable. All picks above factor this in.
- Noise isolation/ANC: Useful if you listen in noisy environments or commute. But sometimes you want to hear external cues if you’re head-banging in a group or studio.
- Future proofing: I focused on 2025 models, which means newer hardware, better firmware, more modern codec and driver tech.
Final Thoughts
Metal isn’t just music, it’s a full-on sonic adventure. You’re not just listening; you’re feeling, you’re immersed. In this Heavys Headphones Review, we dive into how each of the ten models above brings something unique to that experience in 2025. Some are wired audiophile beasts, others are wireless workhorses built for relentless riffs. Some emphasize raw power, others clarity and nuance, but all of them deliver way more than “good enough.”
Pick the model that fits your environment (studio, commute, living room), your budget, and your style of metal. Want pure slam and head-bang energy? Go for models with bold lows and wireless ease. Prefer to dissect guitar solos and drum fills? Choose models with high-resolution support and wired connectivity. Whatever you choose, you’ll experience your music differently. Crank the volume. Feel the riffs. Two notes: listen responsibly, and enjoy every detail.