Headphones are to music lovers what training shoes are to a runner. Choosing the right pair can make all the difference to your experience. But when it comes to choosing the right pair of headphones, there are a gazillion choices out there. If you are looking to invest in a decent pair that does not burn a hole in your pocket, our recommendation would be to look at something in the 30mm driver range.
Why 30mm, you ask? Most headphone drivers will fall under the range of 30mm to 50 odd mm. While the bigger drivers may give you superior sound quality, your modest 30mm drivers can also give you good value for money. You just need to know where to look. Here’s a list of some good choices in the 30mm driver segment.
The brand ‘Phillips’ has been a trendsetter in the world of everything audio. But with so many other names flooding the market with some excellent products, they have been left playing catch up. That being said, the Rich Bass Neckband is a great product for its price point. The name is pretty self-explanatory – it features a neckband which gives you the feel of wearing neck-collar wireless headphones. The only distinction is that this one does actually come with a cable attached. The red and black design is well thought out and the ergonomic foam earcups are rather comfortable for long hours of use. The name of this product has the word ‘bass’ in it suggesting that this is the real focus of this product. The bass gets further exaggerated in these headphones by the way of using ducts that allow for airflow inside the earcups. The result – you get bass sounds that sound fuller and richer than usual.
The Sony MDR-ZX330BT is a good looking boy and we won’t deny it. The all-black shells house two 30mm drivers with a plastic non-padded headband that connects the two cups. While the earcups might feel slightly tight on the ears for some, they are actually quite plush and are a decent choice for a long flight if the need arises. Weighing a mere 150g, they do not feel heavy on your head. On the right cup, you will find a set of standard controls as well as a volume controller. The left cup, on the other hand, is where the in-built NFC chip is located which makes this headset easier to pair with your devices on-the-go. If you’re in a relatively noise-free setting, these headphones will pleasantly surprise you with crisp sound. While you may miss the overall depth provided by higher-end headphones, for its price point, the ZX330BT packs quite a punch.
Over the years, Skullcandy has managed to make a place for itself in the market for budget headphones. The S5LHZ-J576 also manages to fit the price range for a decent budget headphone while bringing whatever is expected from a good pair of Skullcandy cans. Aesthetically speaking, the product is pleasing to look at and it is rather lightweight which helps in making it comfortable for use even during long journeys. The full-plastic body does take away from giving this pair of headphones a ‘premium’ feel, but that doesn’t mean that the sound quality doesn’t impress. The bass notes on it are pleasing. If you’re an EDM lover, this is a good choice to make in this price range. That being said, it plays well with other genres too. If you like your music loud and clear, the S5LHZ-J576 fits the bill.
The two things about headphones that should go hand in hand are performance and comfort. While on the performance front, the E30 doesn’t disappoint, they could have done better on the comfort levels. The angular bend of the cans makes it slightly uncomfortable for certain head shapes. The earcups do collapse inwards allowing for it to be compact enough to fit your bag. Speaking of performance, the upbeat bassline on this product helps in keeping the rhythm lively on your favourite tracks. While this headphone will do well for most music fans, we would suggest giving it a miss if you’re a heavy metal fan. Power vocals and the E30 aren’t exactly a match made in heaven.