Headphones

How to Choose the Right Premium Headphones

Premium headphones above Rs 20,000 split into three main use cases: noise-cancelling for commutes and travel (Sony, Bose lead here), audiophile-grade music listening (Sennheiser, B&W), and ecosystem integration (Sonos Ace for Sonos homes, AirPods Max for Apple). Key specs to compare include ANC effectiveness (matters most for flights and metro), codec support (LDAC for Sony/Samsung Android, aptX Lossless for Snapdragon phones, AAC for iPhone), battery life (30 hours is baseline, 60-70 hours available from Sennheiser and JBL), and comfort for extended wear. Indian buyers should also check warranty coverage (1-2 years), after-sales service quality, and whether to buy from Amazon-fulfilled listings for reliable warranty claims. Don't pay for ANC if you mostly listen at home — a wired open-back like the Sennheiser HD 660S2 outperforms wireless headphones costing twice as much on pure sound quality.