Group Test: Headphones £100-£250

Overview: Price: £100 Website: www.akg.com Type: Dynamic Weight: 240g Sensitivity: 91dB SPL/mW Plus points: Highly detailed sound, superb seperation Minus points: Bass response is on the weak side

AKG K 240

The K 240s were designed with professional studio use in mind, which can have pros and cons for home users. The design is quite traditional, perhaps even a little dated, but this leads to a strong and robust construction. They are comfortable enough but can tend to feel a little awkward after prolonged listening.

The frequency range was very impressive as was the detail inherent in the sound. The separation within the soundstage was among the best we've heard, with each instrument sounding completely independent to the next, leading to an overall impression of great detail and outstanding clarity.

The bass response however is on the weak side in comparision with some of the others on test. This will certainly be seen as a disadvantage by some, but since the AKGs don't colour the bass signal as some headphones can, they retain more of the original balance from the source. More like what you'd expect from natural-sounding professional monitors in other words, even if the sound can take a bit of getting used to in these times of often overpowering bass amplification.

Overview: Price: £110 Website: www.beyerdynamic.co.uk Type: Open back dynamic Weight: 320g Sensitivity: 96SPL/mW Plus points: Solid sound, extremely comfortable Minus points: Lacks real sound character and is a little flat as a result

BeyerDynamic DT440

BeyerDynamic's DT440s are an extremely stylish pair of headphones and strike an extremely effective balance between form and function. While looking good they are also exceptionally comfortable and clamp securely around the ears, effectively locking them to the head. They are relatively heavy - not to the extent that they're a strain to wear, more the kind of heavy that is associated with quality. In terms of comfort, the DT440s came joint top of the group with the Sennheisers.

Of course comfortable headphones can be nothing but an expensive pair of earmuffs, but fortunately the DT440s perform in the sound quality department too. The overall sound is solid and has strong delivery, the mids are very well put across and the bass has good consistency and faithful reproduction, sitting exactly as it should in the mix.

The downside however is that the sound from the DT440s can at times seem a little, well, flat. The reproduction seems cold, almost clinical, and it's this lack of character or sense of panache which holds back these headphones from being truly great.

Overview: Price: £120 Website: www.bose.co.uk Type: Closed back headphones Weight: 142g Sensitivity: 97 SPL/mW Plus points: Comfortable to wear, excellent sense of depth Minus points: Build quality feels a bit fragile, soundstage can seem a tad distant at times

Bose Triport

The Triports' design reflects their cost and can best be described as luxurious. They are lightweight and feature extremely comfortable soft leather ear cushions with alloy panelling. The Triports fit snugly and completely surround your ears, sealing the sound in. Even under extended listening conditions they remained comfortable and never became an irritant. The light weight however has a potential downside in that they feel a little fragile.

The sound quality however is beyond doubt - they sound fantastic. Because the gap between the inner speaker and the ear is relatively large it creates a believable sense of depth and facilitates the roundness of the bass signal that is delivered. That's not to suggest that the treble is overlooked - it's crystal clear with high hats sounding crisp and vocals fully defined and rich. For some however, the sense of depth and feeling of a broad soundstage could work negatively in creating a sense of distance instead. It's a taste thing, but worth considering.

Overview: Price: £160 Website: www.gradolabs.com Type: Open back dynamic Weight: 200g Sensitivity: 98dB SPL/mW Plus points: Lightweight, incredibly warm sound and great seperation Minus points: Can become uncomfortable after prolonged listening, styling won't be to everybody's liking

Grado SR125

Grado is a long-standing Brooklyn family-run business, specialising only in headphones and cartridges. The narrow product focus results in a reliably high standard of goods with a fearsome reputation for quality. The design of the SR125s is classic Grado and very much in keeping with the rest of the company's range. As such it is likely to split opinion down the middle - we really like the 'World War II' look and feel, but they certainly do have their detractors. The SR125s are lightweight and comfortable to wear... up to a point. Unlike the other headphones on test they don't completely surround your ear but instead nestle up to the outside of the ear, without enveloping it. Fine for a while, but it can become a little uncomfortable after a time.

But the reward for persevering with the design is the most rewarding sound of all the headphones on test, which, bearing in mind the overall quality of the group, is no mean feat. The bass is warm and bouncy but never overpowering, the separation between the channels is excellent with each instrument sounding clear and authentic, the treble sounds are razor sharp and the mids come through confidently but not overwhelmingly. Where some headphones sounded better with certain types of music the SR125s sounded great regardless of genre.

Overview: Price: £250 Website: www.sennheiser.co.uk Type: Open back Weight: 260g Sensitivity: 97dB SPL/mW Plus points: Great packaging, excellent sound Minus points: Perhaps a little too solid, occasionally inhibiting full engagement with the music

Sennheiser HD 600

If there's one brand that's synonymous with headphones then that brand is Sennheiser. With a massive catalogue of headphones in their product range the company has long been associated with very high quality products. The HD 600 comes in as one of its premier models, refining its predecessor, the HD 580.

Worthy of special notation is the superior packaging that the HD 600s come in. Unlike the flimsy cardboard affairs most headphones are sold in, the HD 600s come in a foam padded hard case which is worth keeping as it's the perfect place to store them when they're not in use. It's a small touch but one that's certainly appreciated if you're going to spend this kind of money.

Lightweight and amazingly comfortable, they're ideal for extended listening periods. The bright punchy sound is frankly stunning and truly fills your head with the music. The instruments sound natural and full with no noticeable degradation. We particularly liked the bass sound - crisp and clear, but with an engaging warmth.

Overview: Price: £110 Website: www.sony.co.uk Type: Open back dynamic Weight: 265gg Sensitivity: 100 SPL/mW Plus points: Great for extended listening, bright sound Minus points: Midrange can sometimes feel a little swamped

Sony MDR SA1000

The SA1000s are the only headphones Sony offers in the audiophile grade category (their other more expensive 'phones are specifically aimed at DJs). The DJ styling is however evident here, with shiny metal sections giving a somewhat industrial look. The wide headband section is certainly eye catching and has the benefit of offering an extremely comfortable fit as the weight of the headphones is spread over a greater surface area.

The sound is rich, rewarding and offers very clear, detailed instrument definition. The real standout feature that you instantly get with these headphones is the overall clarity of the sound, which could be described as bright, but is actually just startlingly transparent.

The criticism that can be levelled at them is that the mids can tend to get a little lost due to the strength of the bass and treble signals. It's not a constant problem but when it appears it's enough to detract from the overall expereience.