High-end headphones don’t just make the sound quality of your songs significantly better, they also serve as a stylish accessory.
With high-tech features like noise cancellation, wireless wear, and state-of-the-art acoustics—combined with luxury design elements such as Swarovski crystals, rose gold, and hand-stitched leather—today’s headphones go way beyond basic earbuds.
Here are some of the most coveted models on the market.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9i
Crafted from lambskin and cowhide, this leather-bound memory-foam pair has a noise-cancellation mechanism that lets you either focus on the music without ambient noise, or drown out sound completely. An intuitive touch interface means you can control everything—answer a call, adjust volume, change a song—just by touching the ear cup (it even works if you’re wearing gloves).
Carolyn Rowan x Master & Dynamic MH30 Swarovski Crystal-Embellished Headphones
Bedecked in black Swarovski crystals, this gunmetal-and leather set combines the high touch of fashion designer Carolyn Rowan with the cutting-edge sound engineering for which Master & Dynamic is known. Fashioned from breathable lambskin-wrapped memory foam, the ear cups feature 40-millimeter neodymium drivers that deliver superior sound quality in a red carpet–worthy accessory.
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signatures showcase ear cups and a headband made from fine Italian Saffiano leather and a design that bears a funky, retro feel. Meticulously constructed by sound engineers, the P9 Signatures features a stereo system that produces live-concertlike quality.
Sennheiser HD 800S
Metal and plastic merge in a sleek, matte-black finish, and materials were developed in the aerospace industry to achieve durability without extra weight. A see-through mesh covering on each ear cup provides a window into the mechanism’s working. Patented absorber technology allows for even the slightest nuances in music to be heard.
Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones
The original street-chic music wear, Beats by Dre have a gold patina and a wireless design. By holding them near your iPhone, they simultaneously connect to your Apple Watch, iPad, and Apple computer. Cushioned ear cups help cancel out noise, so you can focus on the music or take calls in stereo Bluetooth.
Frends Layla Rose Gold
Frends headphones are made from rose gold and leather and look like a trendy hair accessory. It’s no wonder the brand has collaborated with the likes of fashion houses such as Dolce & Gabbana and Zadig & Voltaire for custom pairs that have appeared on the runways. The caps are interchangeable, so you can swap them out for different looks.
Bose Custom QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones II
Designing your dream set is easy (well, somewhat), with 26 colors and two finishes of automotive-grade paint to choose from. But these wireless headphones aren’t just about looks: Special noise-canceling technology allows you to adjust to three levels of sound drown-out, and voice-activation controls Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant so you can manage your day-to-day tasks to the tune of your own personal playlist.