Headphones that play back distinct sounds through the two speakers, the left and the right speaker, are known as stereo headphones. The best stereo headphones function by playing sound out of two separate channels, a left channel for the left speaker output and a right channel for the right speaker output. With this setup, different sounds are produced by each of the speakers.
One advantage of stereo headphones is that they can produce sound with a surround sound effect. Most media today including video games, radio, and cinema, now produce audio on two independent channels, a left side recording, and a right side recording to deliver a surround sound effect. A stereo headphone must be used to reproduce these sounds as they are.
Below is a review of five of the best stereo headphones available in the market.
Best stereo headphones in 2021:
1. Bose Headphone 700
These headphones dish out immersive sound at any volume. They come with a Signature Active EQ which gives you the freedom to customize the sound to your preference. You can use the equalizer to modulate the sound since binaural beats require a flat sound. You can manage and control the sound in any way you want using the Bose Music app. Bose Headphone 700 has 11 degrees of noise cancellation. As you raise the degree of noise cancellation, you become more isolated from environmental noise. When the noise cancellation is at the highest level, you are left with just your binaural beats and no other disturbances.
The smart ergonomic design of the Bose 700 is suitable for use during long listening hours. The headband is made with stainless steel and is streamlined and flexible. The soft foam padding in the underside provides maximum comfort. The tilted ear cups consist of ABS plastic and a synthetic protein leather covering.
Bose 700 stereo headphones have a streamlined, lightweight build. The headband is adjustable and well padded to give comfort to the wearer. The ear cups are also padded and tilted. The headphone is designed in such a way that it conforms with the shape of the wearer’s head. There are smart, responsive controls on the ear cups with which you can access the volume and the noise cancellation feature. You can also easily command the voice assistant to get access to any information you need. You can conveniently make and take calls without having to remove your phone from your pocket.
2. Sony WH1000XM3 Headphones
These are one of the best noise cancellation headphones in the industry. They feature a dedicated QN1 processor for Quick Attention Mode, which is suitable for quick conversation during a music session. They also have a quick charge feature which gives you 5 hours of listening time after a 15-minute charge. On a full charge, you get 30 hours of playtime. You can enjoy uninterrupted listening via the audio cable.
Sony WH1000MX3 is the perfect stereo headphones for listening to binaural beats. The stereo effect of the headphones is enhanced by surround sound. They are also equipped with a QN1 processor for ANC. The noise cancellation technology will let you have undisrupted listening time. All these features can be accessed easily with a simple touch control system.
Sony WH1000XM3 headphones are built with plastic. They have a foldable design and the ear cups swivel on a hinge. They are very portable as they fold to fit in a hard carrying case. The control of all the features is located on-ear cups and can be accessed with a touch.
Sony WH1000XM3 is designed for comfort round the clock which is great since you can use it for 30 hours. This lightweight headphone has been remodeled with an adjustable padded headband and ear cups. It is compact and portable due to its slimmer profile and ergonomically designed to ease pressure on the ears.
3. Bose QuietComfort 35 II
These Bluetooth stereo headphones by Bose can be used in both wired and wireless modes. They are an enhanced model equipped with a voice assistant, ANC, and Bose AR.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones completely immerse you in the binaural beats devoid of distractions. They let you concentrate fully on work or meditation. You are able to focus on only the important stuff, get more engrossed in your work, passions, and creativity. By sending a voice command to the Alexa app and voice assistant, you can access more binaural files on the Internet.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II has a simple design. The headband and ear cups are made with plastic. They are designed ergonomically to fit properly on the head. The headphones come with a carrying case, charging cable, audio cable, and an adapter.
All the high-tech features of the QuietComfort 35 II are built into the headphones and can be accessed with the Action Button. A tap of this button lets you command Alexa anywhere. You can listen to your own playlist from your device or access the binaural beats on the net. The Action button also gives you access to the device’s three levels of noise cancellation. You can block out the chaos around you and focus on your music through any of the high, low, or off modes. On the right ear cup, you can find the multifunction button, the battery indicator, and the Bluetooth/NFC pairing indicator which connects via voice commands.
4. Bowers & Wilkins PX
Bowers & Wilkins PX is an adaptive pair of noise cancellation headphones with a stereo effect. It has three settings and comes with a companion app through which you can customize the settings to get maximum isolation.
These headphones offer you the best of class sound. Whether you’re listening to music, playing a game, or seeing a movie, you will be deeply engrossed in the core of the audio experience. The headphones work with a wireless audio reproduction to deliver crystal clear sound. The adaptive noise cancellation lets you experience nirvana everywhere you go. You can listen to music in the office, in the street, or while traveling.
The molded headband of Bowers & Wilkins PX serves as a swivel hinge for the ear cups. The upper side of the headband is matted, while the underside is padded. The matting on the upper side continues onto the ear cups which are molded luxuriously and fitted with cushions. The ear cups are tilted slightly on the headband to align the drivers properly for a stereo perspective.
These headphones are simple to use and comfortable to wear. They have a well-balanced and minimalistic wireless design that lets you enjoy listening to music without the inconvenience of wires. When you put your Bowers and Wilkins PX headphones on, it is switched on automatically by the built-in sensors. The headphones also return to stand-by mode when you take them off. Hence, you never have to stress over the battery running out.
5. AKG K371
AKG K371 are perfect headphones for use in the studio. They are professional grade headphones with a stereo mode and are an ideal balance between comfort and superior studio quality.
AKG K371 headset with its sleek and rugged design is perfect for your active lifestyle. It is a closed-back headset sporting 50mm drivers. The headset also features an original OFC voice coil which delivers sound between 15 Hz to 40000 Hz at 114 dB and 32 Ohms. The closed-back design provides a great audio performance. Comfort and mobility are also enhanced by the sleek design. The headphones have a foldable design and an adjustable headband which makes them quite portable. The rugged, sturdy build also makes them able to withstand constant commuting and life in the studio.
The body of AKG K371 consists of molded plastic, metal, and polyurethane. The adjustable lightweight headband is made with metal and covered with PU metal. The headband has slides on the side which can be adjusted to fit the head of the wearer. The ear cups are padded with foam and PU leather to provide a cushion. These headphones are equipped with the largest-in-class drivers which serve to optimize the frequency response. The sleek look is enhanced by the foldable, notched hinges. The earpads are built with slow retention foam. AKG K371 headphones also offer noise isolation because of their closed-back, over-ear design.