I tried these heavy metal headphones from Kickstarter — here's how they sound

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I've listened to heavy metal since I was about 9. I was an outcast at school, so I immediately found myself immersed in the music of Arch Enemy, At The Gates and Soilwork, drowning myself in melodeath and chainsaw riffs from Sweden. But I've always had a problem — even the best headphones and earbuds struggle to make heavy metal sound its best.

Many have gotten close, but there are so many things happening at once in a metal track that it can often meld together into one big glob of sound. I've tried so many different earbuds and headphones, but there's often something missing from their sound.

So when I heard about the Heavys H1H in 2021 from a Kickstarter, I was immediately interested. A pair of headphones that are designed for my favorite genre? I needed to have a pair. And now I finally have them — and they deliver exactly what they promise.

Heavy by name, heavy by nature

Look, I know they're not called the Heavys because of their weight, but they're still a substantial set of cans. They tip the scales at a not insignificant 14.5oz — almost double that of the Sony WH-1000XM6. Of course, the XM6 don't have four drivers inside (more on that later), but it's something you'll notice when pulling them from the box.

They're not uncomfortable, though. The clamping force is very well judged, perfectly weighted to make sure that they don't fall off the moment you start to headbang to Lorna Shore. The headband and ear cushions are lovely and soft, and the pleather that covers them feels nice on the skin.

I've been able to wear them for hours and hours on end while listening to my favorite heavy tunes without wanting to tear them off and throw them at a wall. They'd probably survive my throw if I did — they're made out of very dense plastic and feel like they'd take a proper beating. They're perfect for tossing in their weird carry case without concern and stuffing into a backpack or vacation bag.

Devilishly corny

There's ANC in those there cans — but it's got a new name: Hellblocker. It's accompanied by a bunch more fun metal easter eggs as well, like the silly, growly notification voice. It's great. I love it. And I'm not sure why some reviewers want to poo-poo it.

Metal is corny to the Nth degree. We put corpses on our album covers, listen to music about the devil, and cover ourselves with patches when we leave the house. My T-shirts would be considered bad form in most polite company, but I get away with it because I'm a metalhead. It's part of the culture, and it's inherently corny.

Most of us embrace it and love the Hellblocker ANC and silly voice. We metalheads don't take ourselves too seriously, and given we're the target audience, I'm not sure you could ever say it's a con. So, to the reviewers who turned their nose up at the voice, I say to you: Perhaps these headphones aren't for you. Buy Sony instead.

Epic, heavy sound

If you're at all squeamish, I'd turn away now — we're about to talk about the musical equivalent of horror movies. The Heavys are, as you might imagine, pretty incredible at producing the kind of cacophony that you want when you're listening to long-haired headbanging folks chugging away with chainsaw-like distorted guitars. They're bassy, they're edgy, and surprisingly detailed. But, most of all, they're heavy as hell.

I'll get started with Bloodbath's Blood Vortex. Those massive distorted guitars have plenty of depth and an incredible edge to them. They don't blend with the cymbals, which crash with an unholy fury. The growled vocals cut through the mix like a blood-soaked knife, and the machine-gun-like kick drum lays down a massive rhythm for the track to plough through. Each guitar solo is clear and picked out well — first track down, headbanging going strong, neck ready for whatever comes next.

Crowbar's Repulsive in its Splendid Beauty brings the sludge. It's like being beaten over the head with a sledgehammer made of clay, in the very best way. That massive riff weighs the same as a dying star, as the bass guitar adds its own extra density. It's oppressively heavy, and the headphones are more than happy to show you just how low they can go. Meanwhile, the bright cymbals cut through the mix, well handled by the headphones' layering.

Back to Sweden for Vomitory and Ode to the Meat Saw that's got Tremelo picked riffs and incomprehensible, wonderful death metal nonsense in full force. Some headphones make this track sound like one big, sonic mess, but the Heavys separate everything out with clarity, making for an almost live music-like experience. The growls are scary, the chugging guitars stunning in their sonic violence — pure metallic perfection.

The Heavys are able to separate out these tracks because of their four drivers, two of which are placed in front of your ear holes. That means there's more equipment to play different parts of the tracks, so you don't have one driver dealing with the whole song. It works very well, as I've discovered.

Cattle Decapitation's Solastalgia is the final track I'll mention (lest you lose your breakfast). Its chainsaw riffs and impressive vocal range are a challenge for most headphones, but the Heavys relish the opportunity to get their teeth stuck in. Travis's bizarre vocal affectations sound incredible, while the crashing cymbals chirp along in the right earcup. The guitars are perfectly formed, while the bass drum shakes your skull. Delicious.

Welcome to the afterparty

There's loads more besides their heavy metal prowess. 50 hours of battery life is top-notch, the physical controls are a Satan-send (gettit?), and the app is simplistic but allows for some good sonic adjustments.

They support aptX codecs, and even have a USB-C audio mode for higher-quality tracks. When the battery runs out, simply plug in the 3.5mm cable to keep the tunes coming.

You can listen to other genres besides heavy metal and they still sound quite good, but who cares about that when you can blast Cradle of Filth's The Snake-Eyed and Venemous at top volume?

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Want to listen to all the tracks I mentioned here today? Find them in the Tom's Guide Heavys Playlist below:

More from Tom's Guide

Tammy and her generous collection of headphones have found a new home — Tom's Guide! After a two-and-a-half-year stint as iMore's resident audiophile, Tammy's reviews and buying guide expertise have more focus than ever on Tom's Guide, helping buyers find the audio gear that works best for them. Tammy has worked with some of the most desirable audio brands on the planet in her time writing about headphones, speakers, and more, bringing a consumer focussed approach to critique and buying advice. Away from her desk, you'll probably find her in the countryside writing (extremely bad) poetry, or putting her screenwriting Masters to good use creating screenplays that'll never see the light of day.

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