Bass Bliss: Exploring Headphones for EDM, Electronica Enthusiasts
Read Time: Approx. 8 min.
Engineered for the Electronic Music Enthusiast, Built for the Beat
EDM/Electronica — A bass head's favorite genre! Electronic dance music (also called EDM, electronica, or dance music) is characterized by a high and steady tempo with a deep, authoritative bass and hypnotic rhythms. EDM has roots in music known as Musique Concrete – a French term for musical collage. In this form of music, samples of recorded sounds were arranged into a musical piece on primitive technology. Eventually, synthesizers were created and introduced into this form of music.
Vocals are uncommon in EDM but can be used in subgenres like House. Among the more well-known styles are techno, dubstep, and trance. EDM often features synthesizers, drum machines, processed samples, and recordings carefully crafted to deliver a big, bold sound. With so much emphasis on the low end, you want a headphone that packs a punch. Bass should be beefy but not bloated, with mids and highs that are clean and pleasant-sounding.
We've got some snobby bass heads here, like me, who demand a headphone with lots of energy to handle any EDM/Electronica thrown at them. With these guidelines in mind, we've curated a list of what we consider to be our top headphones for EDM and electronica. If you're looking for the best headphones for EDM under $1,000, you've got some great options. If you're looking to spend a little more, we've recommended a few headphones for under $2000. Finally, you'll see some "cream of the crop" reference headphones over $2,000.
Is sound leakage a concern when using headphones for EDM in public spaces?
For listening at home you can choose either an open-back headphone or closed-back headphone. An open-back headphone will have more sound leakage than a closed-back pair, so you'll want a closed-back headphone if others are within earshot, such as while traveling or in the office.
Should I choose over-ear, on-ear, or in-ear headphones for EDM?
When choosing headphones for EDM, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and listening habits. Over-ear headphones are often recommended for EDM due to their superior bass response, noise isolation, and comfort during long listening sessions. If portability is a top priority, in-ear headphones can still deliver a great listening experience with a nice bass boost.
The Best Headphones & IEMs for EDM/Electronica Music
Under $1000
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones
Audiophiles who enjoy their EDM music on the go, meet the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones. These wireless noise-canceling headphones pack a punch with a bass response that will make EDM lovers rejoice. Features-wise, they compete with the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones; when it comes to the sound, the Momentum 4 is tuned more accurately for audiophiles who like a more analytical and detailed sound, with some great bass articulation. These are great for synthwave, house, and other subgenres of EDM, bringing out some nuanced clarity and expressive midrange. When paired with our Bronze Dragon Portable Headphone Cable, you'll get a well-rounded sound that's musical and still retains that mid and high detail. Bluetooth and hi-res codecs sound great, comfort is even better than the last gen (which was phenomenal), and the new gesture and touch controls make navigating your music as simple as swiping a finger. What more could you want?
Dragon Cable Recommendation: The Bronze Dragon Portable Headphone Cable will add musicality and warmth
Astell&Kern AK ZERO1 IEM
The Astell&Kern AK ZERO1 IEM is stylish and uniquely designed for the eccentric EDM lover. It's the first model that offers the sound that only Astell&Kern can provide —detailed, natural, and resolute. The AK ZERO1 is a hybrid IEM using three different types of drivers and a cross-over network delivers an ideal frequency response. Composed of a Micro Rectangular Planar Dynamic Driver, two Balanced Armature drivers, and a 5.6mm Dynamic Driver, the AK ZERO1 harmonizes the characteristics of each driver to deliver the most natural sound possible. It’s great for people who want a more personal-sounding IEM with a closer soundstage, great layering, superb bass, and top-end sparkle. The bass will be booming with the AK ZERO1 IEM.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: The Bronze Dragon MMCX IEM Cable for added body and warmth
Audeze LCD-GX Headphones
Let me introduce the LCD-GX Headphones by Audeze. But you’re like, wait, these just look like regular Audeze open-back headphones… You’re right in a sense, and that’s part of what makes them so good, is that yes, you could use these just like any great headphone for music listening. However, Audeze includes a cable with a microphone that terminates at the end of the headphone connection, allowing you to use a cable with a mic or one without. The open-back design will also provide a great soundstage and airiness to your music and gaming audio alike. Even though the LCD-GX are incredibly efficient drivers, being able to plug directly into the controller or phone, we recommend pairing them with a headphone amplifier, since the planar magnetic drivers will perform much better the more power you throw at them. The Audeze LCD-GX is one of the most premium headset options to upgrade your gaming experience when it comes to sound and fidelity, and they work for listening to music just as well.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: The Silver Dragon Premium headphone cable will add top-end sizzle while enhancing detail retrieval.
HiFiMan Ananda Headphones
The Ananda Headphones have everything you want in a mid-tiered audiophile can: great fit, great styling, great comfort, and of course, great sound. The ear cups are large, with an asymmetrical shape - giving the user maximum comfort with a no-pressure fit and enough room and airiness for the music to sound incredibly expansive and dynamic. The low end is weighty, but not bloated - it’s not going to be a bass monster, but there’s enough accuracy and presence for most people I would say. Mids and highs are detailed and smooth - it’s a really pleasant listening experience overall and combined with the comfort level of the headphones they’re easily one of my favorites for longer listening sessions. The Ananda is relatively easy to drive, but of course, with all larger planar magnetic headphones, we recommend throwing as much power at them as possible for the best sound quality. The Ananda’s are HiFiMan’s best mid-tiered headphones in our book.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: The Silver Dragon Premium headphone cable will add top-end sizzle while enhancing detail retrieval
Under $2000
Audeze LCD-XC Closed Headphones
The closed-back version of the LCD-X Headphones, the Audeze LCD-XC Closed Headphones retain a lot of that energy from the planar magnetic drivers and have a forward sound signature with plenty of top-end resolution. That energy makes it a great fit for EDM, where the instrumentation can be impactful but articulate. Like the LCD-X, we recommend pairing the LCD-XC with a headphone amplifier to get the best performance from the drivers. Our Black Dragon Premium Headphone Cable makes a great match with the LCD-XC to bring out more musicality and warmth. If you like a more immediate sound with energy, then you should check out the LCD-XC from Audeze.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: The Black Dragon Premium Headphone Cable will tame high-end energy and add warmth to the low end
Fostex TH900 mk2 Headphones
One of Fostex's top-of-the-line reference headphones, the TH900 mk2 is a well-known and respected headphone in the audiophile industry. It's a neutral-sounding headphone that's linear from top to bottom, but don't let the word neutral throw you for a loop— it's anything but analytical sounding. Great headphones for EDM don't have to be overly warm bass monsters. The TH900 mk2's bass is robust and well-extended but nicely controlled, and the highs are sparkly and detailed. The sound is spacious for a closed-back headphone, and it's easy to drive with almost any device. We like pairing the TH900 mk2 with our Black Dragon Premium Headphone Cable to add more body and warmth to the music. Comfort is awesome— cushioning and clamping force make it easy to sit there and listen to the music.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: The Black Dragon Premium Headphone Cable to tame high-end energy and add warmth to the low end
Sony MDR-Z1R Headphones
Like all things Sony, you can expect one of the best V-shaped headphones on the market. The Sony MDR-Z1R Headphones are a bass head's match made in heaven. You get Sony's signature fun, dynamic sound with substantial bass that's full of energy. With an intimate soundstage, you'll enjoy an up-close and personal listening experience that puts you in the center of all the action. We absolutely love the Sony MDR-Z1R Headphones for bassy EDM tracks! Bring on the wubs! This is an easy-to-drive headphone so you don't need a lot of power — You can drive it with a phone, tablet, or DAP, but as with all audiophile-grade headphones, the better the headphone amplifier and DAC, the better the sound.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: The Silver Dragon Premium Cable for added clarity and definition
Reference Listening
Rosson Audio Design RAD-0 Headphones
The Rosson Audio Design RAD-0 is an open-back planar magnetic headphone with a smooth, neutral-warm sound. The gorgeous, handcrafted design is available in five colors, utilizing materials such as wood, rocks, and gems. This is a heavier headphone, weighing around 550g to 615g, depending on the materials used in your chosen design. Rosson Audio Design was started by the co-founder of Audeze, so some of the Audeze sound comes through here. The RAD-0 has the warmth and musicality of the LCD-4 and the top-end resolution of the LCD-X. They've got a great reference sound while maintaining a warm and smooth low-mid and mid-section. The low-end isn't boomy but there's some nice tight bass extending to lower frequencies. If you’re a fan of the LCD-4 reference style but want a little more warmth, then the RAD-0 headphones from Rosson might be the perfect fit for you.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: The Silver Dragon Premium Headphone Cable will bring out detail in the midrange and upper frequencies
Dan Clark Audio Expanse Open-Back Headphones
The open-back planar magnetic Expanse Headphones from Dan Clark Audio have a wide and airy quality, so your music will sound spacious with plenty of breathing room. The Resolution is phenomenal— you’re going to hear so much detail in your music. The sound is snappy, articulate, and transparent, making it a great choice for music with lots of instrumentation where you really want to hear that definition. Electronic music will have you feeling like you are seated in front of a large stage. Treble on the Expanse is rich and prominent, mids are clear, and the low-end favors punch over rumble. This headphone has a striking black design with pops of bright blue, including the stitching on the underside of the leather headband strap. The grille features a hypnotic computer-generated design. It’s very comfortable, and foldable, too! Now, planar magnetic headphones sound their best with added power, so you’ll want to use a DAC/headphone amp to drive the Expanse.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: The Black Dragon Premium headphone cable will balance the more prominent mids and highs with some bottom-end warmth and weight
Audeze LCD-5 Headphones
The Audeze LCD-5 may be a lower weight than its predecessor siblings, but it's made serious gains in resolution and clarity. If you enjoy the clean, tight bass and distortion-free sound of a planar magnetic headphone, AND you want great soundstage and imaging plus lots of detail and nuance, the LCD-5 is a gem. Instrument separation is top-notch, making this headphone great for listening to more complex music where you really want to hear all of the individual sounds that comprise the whole, such as classical and jazz. The top end on the LCD-5 has some sizzle; upper mids are on the forward side; and bass is tight, punchy, and well extended. This headphone is a looker, too, with a sleek black carbon fiber headband, black perforated head strap, and tortoiseshell finish on the rings.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: The Black Dragon Premium headphone cable will smooth the prominent top end without sacrificing detail.
Our favorite EDM/Electronica albums
Skin
Flume
A Hundred Days Off
Underworld
Exuvium [OBLIVIØN Pt. II]
Crywolf
Kindred
Passion Pit
Dragon Audio Cables
When you're investing in a pair of audiophile headphones you want your listening experience to be enjoyable—from the moment you put on your headphones, plug in the headphone jack, and turn up the volume. Every link in your signal chain is important and a poorly constructed headphone cable can be what stands between you and exceptional sound.
Now, not every audio cable is poorly constructed, but sometimes stock audio cables are treated as an afterthought by manufacturers. While stock cables are designed to be functional, a custom audio cable elevates your headphone experience by providing superior sound quality, durability, and customization options, making it a worthwhile investment for any discerning music lover.
Our HiFi Audio Dragon Cables bring out more of what you love in your music and audio gear. We craft our cables using only the purest and best raw materials to unveil your music. We know that every listener hears differently so we've created three Dragon Audio Cable lines each with their own unique sound signatures that will tailor your listening experience to your preferences. We may recommend a Silver Dragon headphone cable as the ideal pairing for your headphones, but it's only a recommendation! Ultimately, they're your cans, so if you're a warm and musical listener through and through, the Black Dragon headphone cable might be a better fit for you.
If you love your headphones but wish they had a bit more top-end sparkle - a Silver Dragon Headphone Cable would be a great option. If your USB cables keep dying - as many stock cables do - then check out our quality USB Audio Cables. We say time and time again that materials matter, and our audio cables and custom geometries actually help to bring out those desired properties in your gear and music. We make tons of custom options for our customers so that you can get the right HiFi Audio cable for your exact needs. If you have any questions feel free to Contact Us and we'll be more than happy to help.
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