In August, Kamala Harris took to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to talk, amongst other far more important things, Bluetooth headphones. Turns out she avoids them, on account of how easily they can be hacked, especially if you're having "sensitive discussions" (via The Independent).
Now, I'm not going to tell you that Harris's reservations about wireless headphones are the reason behind a sudden resurgence in wired cans and buds, but it could have something to do with why more people seem to be choosing the best wired headphones instead of the best wireless headphones.
I have a pretty good idea of why people want wired headphones, given that I prefer them myself. Here are some of the reasons why — and the wired headphones that you should buy.
Why do people want wired headphones?
So there was a part of me that was joking about Kamala Harris and her potential influence over people and their use of wireless headphones, but there is some truth to what she says about security and Bluetooth.
It is inherently less secure than a wire, and as the world becomes ever more conscious about its digital footprint and the kind of stuff that's visible to thieves and hackers, there are almost certainly people concerned that Bluetooth headphones are leaking their information and conversations to shadowy cabals and bad actors.
There are, however, two other reasons that people are switching over to wired options. The first, and perhaps most obvious, is sound quality. Thanks to a wired and its extra data-carrying ability, you don't have to worry about Bluetooth formats and dwindling sound quality and bit-rates. Cheap wired headphones can often sound better than even mid-range Bluetooth options as a result.
As Lossless listening on Spotify and other best music streaming services becomes more high-profile, more users are searching for increased sound quality — and the best way to get that is a pair of wired cans.
The second reason is the price. Wireless headphones, if you're interested in sound, can get very, very expensive. So too can wired options — my favorite audiophile headphones of all time cost $4,000 — but they can also cost a whole lot less. An entry-level pair of Audiophile Sennheiser headphones, like the HD 599 SE, will set you back around $229. That's hundreds less than their wireless counterparts. And thanks to their open-backed design and sound quality focus, they're going to sound a lot better too.
You don't even have to spend that much. You can buy some excellent wired in-ears, like the KZ ZS10 Pro, for around $50. They're very comfortable and sound better than just about any pair of wireless in-ears that you can buy for under $400.
Any drawbacks?
The main drawback is going to be a lack of features. You're generally not going to get any of those snazzy noise-canceling modes or application controls that you find in the best wireless earbuds and headphones. Instead, you get simplicity. Plug them in, press play, and enjoy the music. Bonus — no battery life to worry about.
They're also, in some ways, slightly less convenient. There's a conspicuous wire that connects the headphones to your device, something that many might not be used to in what has become a mostly wireless world. It also means you might need a dongle or adapter to hook your headphones up to a modern iPhone or Android handset — which is a perfect time to grab a separate DAC device to make your music sound even better.
The wired headphones you should buy
The over-ear headphones I recommend to most people are the Sennheiser HD599SE. They're a very comfortable pair of headphones that don't break the bank, but they sound absolutely incredible. Don't be put off by their lower price than you might have been expecting — they sound better than more expensive wired options.
A couple of things to remember first. They HD599SE. are open-backed, which means they let lots of sound out to the world around you, but also the sound of your environment in. It's a trade-off worth making, however, because you get a much wider, more immersive soundstage.
They're very detailed, and while they're less bassy than some might like, the bass is very well controlled indeed. They're dynamic, constantly keeping up with volume changes in music. You'll notice some of their best aspects while listening to classical music, where you'll find more detail and the wide soundstage really comes into its own.
If you're looking for something in-ear, then you'll want to consider the Linsoul KZ ZS10 Pro. They're relatively inexpensive earbuds that model themselves after in-ear monitors that musicians use on stage, and they sound quite special. They're a lovely looking pair of buds, with clear portions so that you can see the outside and metal outers that add a sense of class.
They sound amazing as well. They're much like the headphones above, not the bassiest, but you get some excellent detail here. You'll listen to bits of your music that you've never heard before, giving you a new appreciation for your tunes.
Should the cable break, you can replace it as well, which is always a nice bonus. They're a great way to enjoy those new Spotify Lossless tracks — or just Qobuz for even better sound.
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