When Jake Dyson, Chief Engineer of Dyson announced that the brand had signed up Indian rapper Badshah as its brand ambassador, it acknowledged India’s growing clout as a global music streaming market. Dyson announced this partnership at the launch of OnTrac, the brand’s cool new headphones with a clear lifestyle pitch. These over-the-ear wireless headphones don’t just hit it out of the park with their acoustics but also offer the option to customise both caps and cushions with a wide range of colours to suit your mood and outfit.
We’re seeing more brands focus on design sensibilities in the premium ear headphone segment. Apple launched a refreshed AirPods Max alongside the iPhone 16 series while Marshall announced an update to its line of headphones. More and more premium headphone brands are vying for India’s ever expanding base of music aficionados who are seeking evolved listening experiences.
The growing appetite for paid music content represents a clear trend that Indians are now willing to pay for ‘high quality’ music to complement their kit. We’ve seen streaming brands like Spotify and Apple Music play up terms like ‘lossless audio’. A year-end 2023 report by Luminate suggests that India isn’t just the second largest music streaming market (after the US) in the world, but is also the fastest growing large market with 81% YOY growth over 2022. The report confirms that more Indians are willing to pay for premium music streaming services.
Whether you’re an audiophile or a frequent traveller, we round up the wireless headphones that score on key attributes like battery life, sound quality and design.
Dyson OnTrac
Among the coolest cans to debut in 2024, Dyson’s newest audio product is also a lifestyle statement. Crafted in aluminium at a time when plastic dominates even premium headphones, these cans come with swappable caps and cushions. We dig the CNC Copper colour option that stands out in a crowd. OnTrac does a stellar job with shutting external sounds out and is kitted with custom-built 40mm, 16-ohm neodymium speaker drivers that deliver an expanded frequency range. We like the balanced soundstage that is perfect if you have a diverse music playlist. The MyDyson app doesn’t just offer a clean user interface and controls but also offers data on the noise levels your ears are exposed to. The other big win is battery life — Dyson pegs this at 55 hours.
What we like: Design and customisation
Price: Rs 44,900
Sonos Ace
Sonos made its headphone debut in India with the Sonos Ace that complements the brand’s range of speakers and soundbars. The Ace is built with lightweight and recycled materials that make it comfortable for long listening sessions or flights. They are playing up the day-long battery life and ultra charge — 30 hours of battery life on a single charge and three hours with a quick three-minute charge just before your domestic flight. We like the travel-friendly, fold flat design that ensures the headphones fit snugly into their lightweight case. The contrasting colours inside the cups subtly signal which way to put the headphones on. These headphones deliver terrific sound with features like lossless and spatial audio.
What we like: Form factor
Price: Rs 39,999
AirPods Max
This is one of the most elegantly designed over-ear headphones you can splurge on. It’s every inch premium with a breathable knit mesh canopy that spans the headband. This is designed to distribute weight and reduce on-head pressure. The stainless steel headband frame provides strength, flexibility, and comfort for a wide variety of head shapes and sizes, redefining the very concept of one size fits all. They are kitted with an Apple-designed dynamic driver that provides rich, deep bass, accurate mid-ranges and crisp, clean high-frequency extension — you’re unlikely to miss a single note. AirPods Max are now available in five new colours and feature USB-C charging capabilities.
What we like: Comfortable for long listening sessions
Price: Rs 59,900
Marshall Monitor III
If battery life is your key purchase driver, then these cans ought to be on your radar. Marshall’s newest wireless headphones offer a whopping 100 hours of battery life (70 hours with ANC on). But that’s not the only reason these headphones make our list. Aside from the standout design that’s both rugged and foldable, you get Marshall signature sound with its unique Dynamic Loudness features. These headphones adjust the treble, mids and bass for the most optimal sound across volume levels. Then there’s Marshall’s all-new Soundstage spatial audio technology that promises a more immersive listening experience.
What we like: Battery life
Price: Rs 29,999
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Bose’s wireless headphones have been a popular option for frequent flyers who appreciate their sleek design. These cans are crafted with high quality materials and offer a snug fit. Bose’s CustomTune technology auto adjusts the sound performance to your ears. The headphones analyse the unique shape of your ears and personalise the listening experience for the best sound quality. You can choose from multiple listening modes including our favourite Immersion Mode, that combines maximum noise cancellation and Bose immersive audio for a terrific soundstage.
What we like: Bose sound stage
Price: Rs 35,899
