8. Sennheiser PXC 350 Headphones

Sennheiser PXC 350 Headphones, $199.99

• PXC 350 Active Noise...
• • Crutchfield.com
  • $249.99
• • EtronicsOutlet
  • $194.04
• • LimitedGoods PG West
  • $217.79
• • MacMall
  • $229.99
• • CYBER_WORLDS
  • $238.63

Music is the elixir of the young, but to enjoy the subtleties of superior music requires superior sonic reproduction. Bose is the best-known name in circumaural (enveloping the ear), high-end noise-canceling headphones, but let us give you a better option: Sennheiser’s PXC 350. Sporting a remarkable eight to 28,000 Hz frequency response range and a 108 decibel sound-pressure level (SPL), this set is capable of spectacular, thunderous bass and crystalline highs without distorting. If anything, some may find that the highs are almost too keen without adjustment. This is a traditional Sennheiser bias, especially for classical and acoustic music, but with a terrific presence for vocals.

Most of the headphones' audio features make use of the creation of counter-waves to eliminate incoming noise, such as the headphone noise-canceling capability, which offers a great performance range. Indeed, Sennheiser’s NoiseGard Advance in the PXC 350 offers the best noise-canceling feature we’ve ever (not) heard. According to the company specs, the set will cut up to 85% of ambient noise. Noise cancellation relies on battery power, and the 350s run on a pair of AAA cells for over 40 hours. Unlike some other noise-canceling headphones, the PXC 350 will continue to play without noise canceling, although the sound dynamics will change, leaning toward highs with noise-canceling on and more bass with it off. Many owners have reported that sound reproduction improves dramatically after the headphones “burn in” over several days.

The PXC 350 features swiveling cups so the set can lie flat for storage. You can also remove the curiously long sound cord with its inline volume control. They’re very comfortable to wear for several-hour stretches, but note that the padded cups are relatively large and known not to fit perfectly on smaller heads. But if your grad wants less noise and more bliss, the Sennheiser PXC 350 is worth every penny.