Headphones are an intensely personal choice, and only you can judge which is the right one for your lifestyle. With so many options, how does one determine which headphones are the most worth it?

The first step in choosing new headphones is narrowing it down to a specific type. There are three general types of headphones, classified by how they fit around your ears:

Over-ear headphones are distinguished by their large cups, which form a snug seal over the entire ear. These cups typically have some kind of foam or cushioning for comfort and are connected by an adjustable headband.

On-ear headphones fit on top of the ear, though they don’t entirely envelop it. They tend to be more compact than over-ear headphones, though with a less immersive fit and feel.

In-ear headphones sit inside the ear canal, with a fitted tip that molds to the contours of the inner ear. This is the smallest and most portable style, though a good pair won’t compromise on audio quality and features like Active Noise Cancellation.

The truth is, headphones aren’t typically a one-size-fits-all. You’re likely to prefer different types of headphones for different occasions.

Maybe a pair of sweat-resistant on-ear headphones makes the most sense for your winter morning runs, and a noise-canceling over-ear pair is what you need when traveling. Don’t make the mistake of thinking a single pair can do everything. Though if you’re on a budget, you might want to prioritize a pair that can mostly do everything.

Consider where and how you use headphones the most, and plan accordingly. This will shape the conversation around the features you prioritize. For example, a wired pair might give you better sound quality when hooked up directly to your record player, but a wireless pair will give you more flexibility when dodging commuters on the MRT.

You might think that headphones’ best feature is their portability. But the right pair can also achieve one of the richest and most intimate sonic experiences around. Is sound quality important to you, but you don’t know how to define it? Start by considering a few key factors:

1. Frequency response is the extent to which your headphones can reproduce sounds across the full range of audible frequencies. Some headphones are tuned to boost the bass; others are so trebly that you barely get anything in the low end. The best option for most people is an evenly balanced, neutral frequency that doesn’t neglect or overemphasize either end of the spectrum.

2. Impedance is a somewhat technical term referring to how much your headphones “impede” the flow of electric current running from your headphone amplifier. Higher-end headphones tend to introduce more impedance, and may require an additional headphone amplifier. You should check the impedance on a new pair of headphones before buying them, but in general anything under 25–30 ohms shouldn’t present a problem in most cases.

3. Leakage refers to how much of the audio output signal “leaks” away into the air before making it to your inner ear. Generally speaking, the better the headphone fits around or inside your ear, the less this is a concern. A tighter fit will also allow you to listen to your headphones at a lower decibel output, possibly reducing your risk of hearing loss.

If you’re looking for high-fidelity quality but don’t want to bother with the technical jargon, check out Sonos Ace. We turned to industry-leading producers, engineers, and artists to help tune the custom-designed driver in our new headphones. They delivered with a hyper-realistic sound experience that gives every part of the mix — from the high end to the low end — its proper due. And if you prefer to fine tune your sound even further, you can easily customize the EQ using the Sonos app.

Many high-end headphones these days aren’t simply listening devices. They’re also mini computers, complete with software that gives the wearer complete control over their listening experience. The built-in software on Sonos Ace, for example, allows for dynamic head tracking that adapts to the position and movement of your head to make your audio sound even more immersive. Combine this with the spatial audio capabilities of Dolby Atmos, and you get a three-dimensional sound experience that puts you at the center of the mix, wherever you are.

As software updates more frequently than you buy a new set of headphones, the brand matters, too. Go with a brand that releases regular updates and automatically installs them, as this can help to improve the longevity and functionality of your device.

If you regularly use your headphones for work meetings or personal calls, call clarity is another feature to pay attention to.

Over-ear and on-ear headphones are a better bet in this respect, as their larger profile can fit multiple microphones — one to pick up and correct for ambient sound, and another to tune into the frequencies of the wearer’s voice. These headphones may also be able to position the voice mic closer to the wearer’s mouth, allowing for a clearer signal.

But it isn’t just the microphones that matter. Software can help, too, which is why we’ve outfitted Sonos Ace with enhanced voice targeting that better distinguishes between your voice and other sounds in the environment. Sonos Ace also comes with background noise suppression, which recognizes background noises (like kids playing in the background of a call) and pushes them down in the audio mix.

At the end of the day, the best headphones are the ones you never want to take off. The Sonos Ace is designed with that in mind. A custom-designed driver takes full advantage of the over-ear footprint to deliver spatial audio in a hyperrealistic, three-dimensional soundstage. Other highlights include:

1. Lossless audio streaming over Bluetooth and USB-C

2. Up to 30 hours of battery life with Active Noise Cancellation enabled

3. Plush memory foam ear cushions and an extendable headband for a bespoke fit

4. Effortless connectivity with other Sonos devices

Whatever your headphone preference, don’t sleep on Sonos Ace. Even if you’ve never worn over-ear headphones, you may find the combination of immersive audio and all-day comfort impossible to resist.

If you want to hear it for yourself, book an appointment at the Sonos Flagship Store at Wheelock to hear a live demonstration. You're in for a treat!