The Best Headphones for Bass Junkies Who Crave Hard-Hitting Sound

Best headphones for bass junkies who crave hard hitting sound.

There’s nothing like that moment when the bass drops in a song. Everything around you stops. The day gets better, your stress melts away, and for a split second, the world just makes sense. That’s the power of bass. 

But finding headphones that deliver that kind of deep, satisfying bass isn’t as easy as it should be. Most headphones out there will give you decent bass, but you’re not looking for decent.

You’re looking for the best headphones for bass—a bass response that reaches depths your body isn’t used to, the kind of bass that’ll give your whole body goosebumps.

To get that, you need the perfect balance: high-volume bass without distortion, sub-bass that feels bottomless, and the kind of low-end accuracy that doesn’t swallow the mids and highs—depth, clarity, and soundstage.

Every part of the headphones plays a role in delivering that next-level bass experience—the type of drivers, their size, frequency response, and even the fit.

And don’t underestimate the impact EQ can have in fine-tuning the sound to exactly how you want it.

If you’re done with headphones that overpromise and underdeliver on bass, these are the ones that will finally give you that deep, hard-hitting sound you’ve been craving.

A Quick Glance at The Top Headphones That Produce Deep Bass

Speaker Model Type Driver Size Frequency Range Last Listed Price
Closed-back
70mm
4 Hz – 120 kHz
$1,659.00
Closed-back
40mm
20 Hz – 20 kHz
$148.00
Closed-back
40mm
5 Hz – 23 kHz
$2,999.00
Open-back
50mm
5 Hz – 45 kHz
$499.00
Closed-back
50mm
5 Hz – 55 kHz
$999.00
Closed-back
50mm
5 Hz – 45 kHz
$450.00
Closed-back
40mm
5 Hz – 20 kHz
$199.00

What are the 7 Best Headphones for Deep Bass in 2024?

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1. Sony MDR-Z1R

The Bassiest Headphones (Our Top Pick)

Frequency Response: 4 Hz – 120 kHz

Impedance: 64 Ω 

Driver Size: 70mm

Max SPL: 100dB

Design: Closed-back

Wearing Style: Over-ear

Last Listed Price: $1,659.00

Let’s just get this out of the way: the Sony MDR-Z1R might be the last pair of headphones you ever buy. Seriously. 

Even with them being released in 2016, these over-ear headphones still stand as some of the most-loved in the audio world, and for good reason. These aren’t just for bassheads—they’re for anyone who demands true audio fidelity.

The 70mm drivers reproduce music with precision. Every voice is airy, every instrument feels like it’s sitting in its own perfect space—revealing themselves with an honesty that’s both raw and beautiful. 

And when that bass comes through—oh man does it ever. You’re getting a headphone with one of the best bass responses on the market. 

Sony MDR-Z1R Frequency Response Chart

Frequency response chart showing the measurements of Sony’s MDR-Z1R Headphones. Photo credit: Head-fi.org

The frequency response chart above confirms the MDR-Z1R handles low frequencies really well. It has depth, layers, and extension that feels both immersive and exceptionally controlled. If you’re looking for a tight, powerful low-end, these are the headphones that will get you there.

Pair them with a Hi-Res streaming service like Tidal or Qobuz, and you’ll unlock a whole new level of detail in your music—FLAC formatting will show you what these headphones are really capable of.

It doesn’t even matter if you choose these as your first pair of headphones. Yeah, the price might be tough to justify for some people, but they’ll reward you as you upgrade your audio chain. They scale well and can match whatever setup you throw at them. 

Once you try these out, it very well could end your headphone search. These headphones aren’t just for casual listening—they’re for the deep-dive, lose-yourself kind of sessions where you rediscover every detail in your music and they’re our pick for the best headphones for bass enthusiasts.

One tip if you end up buying these: grab a headband cover as well. The synthetic leather feels great, but over time it can crack. Protect your investment because once you have these, you’ll want them to last.

2. Skullcandy Crusher Evo

Good Wireless/Bluetooth and Bass Boosted Headphones 

Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz

Impedance32 Ω 

Driver Size: 40mm

Max SPL: 100dB

Design: Closed-back

Wearing Style: Over-ear

Last Listed Price: $148.00

Every once in a while, a pair of wireless headphones will come along and completely surprise me. Skullcandy’s Crusher EVO over-ear headphones are one of those. 

You wanna talk about basscannons? 

I wouldn’t be surprised if these were the headphones being worn by whoever coined that term.

And I’m not just talking about the power behind them—I’m letting you know you’ll literally feel your face vibrate when the bass kicks in. 

If you’ve ever wanted the same sensation you get from a car packed with subwoofers in headphone form, Skullcandy made that a reality. 

It’s like you’re strapping a subwoofer to your head—it’s an intense, low-end experience.

For those who like switching up their music genres, Skullcandy made it easy to adjust the amount of bass used on the fly. The sensory bass dial on the right earcup lets you decide just how much bone-rattling sensation you can handle—without ever needing to pause your music.

And if you need more EQ options, the Skullcandy companion app makes it easy to find the sound you’re after. Use one of their preset sound modes, take a hearing test with their “personal sound” feature, or fine-tune the lows, mids, and higher frequencies manually with the custom sliders.

That said, with the amount of focus on bass, the mids and highs do take a back seat. You’ll still hear them, but don’t expect audiophile-level clarity—especially on bassier tracks. 

Also, they don’t use active noise cancellation like the Skullcandy Crusher ANC, but they have a tight seal that gives you decent noise isolation, keeping most external noise out while listening.

If you’re okay with that trade-off, these might just be the best wireless headphones you’ll find for head-shaking bass in this lower price range.

Don’t believe me? Go try them out yourself. 

3. Focal Stellia

Best Balanced Bass with Audiophile Quality

Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 23 kHz

Impedance: 35 Ω 

Driver Size: 40mm

Max SPL: 106dB

Design: Closed-back

Wearing Style: Over-ear

Last Listed Price: $2,999.00

The Focal Stellia headphones deliver a balanced bass with an extra touch of class to go with it. They’re for grown-ups who want their bass to feel strong without suffocating the rest of the music. 

The 40mm ‘M’-shaped Beryllium dome drivers bring a low-end that’s firm and authoritative—never bloated and always controlled. You’ll get depth that extends into the sub-bass region, but it’s so well-tuned that the mids and higher frequencies still have room to breathe.

This kind of balance is hard to create, but Focal nailed it. 

The bass isn’t just impactful, it’s authentic—it adds richness and depth to your music, giving it that natural, lifelike quality that’s so hard to find. It’s physical, it’s textured, it’s precise. 

Ever heard the vibration of a bass string being plucked? You will with these. Ever felt the kick drum hit so cleanly it feels like you’re in the room with the drummer? That’s the level of detail the Stellia headphones deliver—every note, every rhythm laid out with precision. That’s why these headphones earned a spot on this list.

And let’s not forget their visual appeal—I mean just look at them. The lightweight aluminum headband paired with full-grain leather in a Cognac and Mocha finish, the subtle copper accents? Just pure elegance. 

But make no mistake about it, the beauty here isn’t just skin-deep. Focal’s cutting-edge engineering takes over on the inside. The innovative venting system and unsupported copper coil are the reasons why you’re able to hear every tiny nuance in your music with absolute clarity.

Every element of the design—from the wide soundstage to the craftsmanship of the earpieces and comfortable fit—works together to give you a dynamic listening experience. Luxurious? Absolutely. Precise? Without question.

This is everything you could want from a set of audiophile headphones. It’s bass with finesse—perfectly balanced yet powerful enough to satisfy demanding listeners.

4. Apos Caspian

Best Open Back/Over-Ear Headphone for Realistic Bass

Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 45 kHz

Impedance: 33 Ω 

Driver Size: 50mm

Max SPL: 115dB

Design: Open-back

Wearing Style: Over-ear

Last Listed Price: $499.00

The Apos Caspian headphones aren’t built to tiptoe around delicate expectations. This is a headphone that wants to live loud.

If you’re into wide, airy soundstage, heavy, bass-driven sound with a rich lower midrange, the Caspian is going to feel like home.

They don’t politely knock on your eardrums—they kick down the door with bass waves that demand to be heard. Play them soft if you want, but these cans beg to be cranked up.

It’s not just about throwing bass in your face—it’s about execution. It all starts with a low-mass driver that reacts fast to every signal. 

What does that mean for you? Less decay time, cleaner separation, and more realistic sound. No lingering, no muddiness. Just pure, responsive bass that knows when to hit and when to stop.

But Apos didn’t stop at just fast drivers. They decoupled the driver from the aged oak earcups, reducing total harmonic distortion (THD), so when the bass thumps, it stays tight and controlled. 

Throw in the graphene layer on the diaphragm for extra rigidity, and you’ve got a sound that’s heavy but still sharp and detailed.

These cans sound as rich as they look. 

You wouldn’t typically buy open-back headphones for deep, impactful bass, but the Apos Caspian’s rewrite those rules. The bass isn’t overpowering, but it’s always heard—perfectly balanced, pushing the lows and mids right into the spotlight when called upon.

Looking at the measurements, there’s a subtle lift in the sub-bass and mid-bass regions (around 20 to 200 Hz), giving the Caspian its signature bass-heavy character. This makes the low-end feel punchy and controlled. 

You get all the richness of a closed-back design, but with the airy soundstage open-backs are famous for.

Apos Caspian Headphones Raw Measurements.

Raw measurements of the Apos Caspian Headpones. Photo credit: Apos

Looking at the upper mids and treble (around 1kHz to 10kHz), you’ll notice slight dips and peaks, which explains the Caspian’s smooth detailed highs. 

This tuning makes the treble present but never harsh, giving a natural extension that complements the thick bass. It delivers a clear but non-fatiguing sound, even at high volumes.

If you’re a basshead who still cares about detail and separation, and you want a set of open-backs that hit like closed-backs, the Apos Caspian headphones are your answer. 

It’s for the listener who likes their sound heavy, their music loud, and wants to let the bass waves carry them away.

5. Denon AH-D7200

Best Wired Headphones for Warm, Enjoyable Bass

Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 55 kHz

Impedance: 25 Ω 

Driver Size: 50mm

Max SPL: 105dB

Design: Closed-back

Wearing Style: Over-ear

Last Listed Price: $999.00

The Denon AH-D7200 isn’t trying to win over professional studio engineers—these headphones are built for enjoyable listening.

You don’t put these on to dissect every tiny sound; you’re putting them on to get swept away in the richness of the bass and warmth of the sound.

And, oh man, do they deliver.

With a design focused on comfort and a sound signature that pulls you in, the AH-D7200 offers a bass experience that’s as engaging as it is far-reaching.

They don’t push bass directly at you like some of the other closed-back headphones on the list. Instead, the bass envelops you—spreading out naturally across a larger soundstage than you’d expect from closed-back cans.

The 50mm FreeEdge drivers produce a warm and rich sound, while the gorgeous walnut wood ear cups activate their natural, organic sound.

When you first throw these on, the sound might feel tight—like it’s holding something back. But give them time. As the drivers loosen up, the sound becomes more fluid and natural. 

Once you have them fully broken in, the AH-D7200 presents a bass experience that’s engaging and consistent. You’ll feel like you’re floating in it. You’ll be able to enjoy your music for hours without feeling weighed down.

If you want headphones that deliver bass that’s full, warm, and never overpowering, the Denon AH-D7200 wired headphones have your name on them. 

These are, without a doubt, the best cans in Denon’s lineup in my opinion and good for anyone who values a laid-back sound that invites you to stay a while.

6. E-MU Teak

Best Bass Heavy Headphones in Wooden Housing

Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 45 kHz

Impedance: 25 Ω 

Driver Size: 50mm

Max SPL: 106dB

Design: Closed-back

Wearing Style: Over-ear

Last Listed Price: $450.00

The E-MU Teak headphones bring something special to the bass game—an articulate, natural bass with a warmth that feels handcrafted.

It’s like nature and technology had a baby, and that baby was born to love bass.

They take you back to a time when sound was crafted, not manufactured.

First off, don’t expect the E-MU Teaks to give you an earth-shattering amount of sub-bass. Instead, You get this tight, controlled bass that lives in the sweet spot of the low to mid-range. 

It has just the right weight and presence—rich and textured without hitting you over the head.

What impressed me the most about these is how the bass signature stays consistent no matter how soft or loud I play music. No distortion, no bass bleed—just clean, defined low-end that tracks the rhythm and holds steady. 

These are just some really fun cans to listen to. They’ve got good left/right panning, they’re incredibly responsive and they’ve got a comfortable fit. 

They’re the full package when it comes to bass—well-tuned up and down the frequency range, musical, and endlessly enjoyable. 

Yeah they might not deliver tons of sub-bass, but the E-MU Teak is criminally underrated in my opinion, and deserves a spot in your closed-back headphone collection.

7. Sony ULT Wear

Best Budget Headphones with Active Noise Cancelling

Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 20 kHz

Impedance: 32 Ω

Driver Size: 40mm

Max SPL: 110dB

Design: Closed-back

Wearing Style: Over-ear

Last Listed Price: $199.00

For everyone who was obsessed with Sony’s old XB series but wanted something more modern, the Sony ULT Wear over-ear headphones step in to fill those shoes—and does it very well. 

I’d even say they sound clearer and the bass is more defined than the XB910s and XB950s.

Sony made some smart upgrades with these headphones for today’s listener. They’re lightweight, super bassy, and tuned for everyday use. 

Whether it’s EDM, hip-hop, gaming, or movies, the ULT Wears check all the boxes at a reasonable price point.

One of the features of these headphones is the ULT button on the earcup. This button gives you two distinct bass modes to play with, depending on what kind of low-end experience you want:

  1. Low-frequency boost: This is your deep, textured bass. It’s there when you want depth. Perfect for when you need that satisfying ambiance in the background—a lush bass that supports.
  2. Punchy bass: Now, if you want your music to hit—and I mean really hit—this mode gives you a more dynamic, aggressive punch—pushing the low end forward. This is when you want the beat to drive the experience.

Neither mode sacrifices the clarity of the mids and higher frequencies. It’s just the bass doing its job. You can have it layered or have it slam.

I’ve probably gone through ten playlists switching between these two modes in between songs. It’s simple, it’s fast, and it keeps things interesting.  

Now, are these the most detailed, audiophile-grade lows on the market? No, but they don’t need to be.

The Sony ULT Wear still delivers an impressive bass performance, especially when you consider the total package. 

You’re getting LDAC compatibility for high-res streaming, Sony’s industry-leading active noise cancellation, and a lightweight design that makes them perfect for long listening sessions.

The bass might not be able to give you the detailed lows like some of the other heavyweights on this list, but the sound quality is solid—especially if you take a few minutes to tweak the EQ in the Headphones connect companion app. 

Straight out of the box, you can tell Sony wanted to focus on creating a tonally balanced sound profile with the ULT wear, but once you adjust the settings, you can really bring out the low end. And they sound even better when wired. 

If you want a well-rounded pair of wireless headphones that delivers bass when you want it, but also comes with Sony’s ANC tech and that LDAC edge, the ULT Wear is your new daily driver.

These cans are made for people who want a little bit of everything but can’t justify the more expensive sets yet. 

Finding Headphones with the Hardest Hitting Bass: What to Know

If you’ve never looked for headphones specifically for a bassier sound profile, it can be hard to know what to focus on.

A lot of headphone manufacturers claim their headphones are built for bass, but there’s often a gap between the promise and their actual performance.

You definitely want to understand the specs, but they don’t always translate to experience—numbers alone don’t tell the whole story.

Here’s a clear breakdown of what to keep in mind when searching for headphones that provide deep, powerful bass.

1. Frequency Response

Most people will tell you frequency response is the holy grail of headphone specs. That it’s all about the range—how deep those lows go. And yeah, sure, those numbers matter. 

You’ll see some high-end headphones that sink down to 10Hz or even 4Hz, and you’re like, “Okay, this will hit deep.” But that’s just part of the equation. 

You can find a headphone with a massive frequency range on paper, but if the tuning sucks or the headphones can’t handle lows without distorting, it doesn’t matter. 

You’ll end up with muddy bass that overpowers everything else or, worse, a thin, lifeless sound that lacks punch. 

So, while a wide frequency range is nice, what you’re really looking for is control and clarity in those low frequencies. 

Here’s how to get a better sense of how a pair of headphones will actually perform:

  1. Check professional reviews or look at frequency response graphs that go beyond the marketing claims of headphone manufacturers. These tests will show how headphones perform across the full frequency spectrum. Websites like audiosciencereview.com test and review many models and will show you their graphs.
  2. Try them out if possible. Listening in-store or testing a friend’s pair is still the best way to judge how headphones will handle the low-end frequencies in the music you listen to.
  3. Consider the brand’s reputation for tuning. Brands like Sennheiser, Sony, and Audeze are known for excellent sound tuning and bass control.
  4. Return policies matter. If you can’t try them out in person, make sure there’s a solid return policy so you can test them at home risk-free.

2. Driver Size: Bigger is... Usually Better

The bigger the drivers are, the harder they hit, right? In theory, yes. Larger drivers mean more air being pushed, which means more powerful bass. That’s why over-ear headphones will use drivers that are 40mm or larger—they need room to breathe and push those low-end frequencies. 

Looking at earbuds? Anything smaller than at least 9mm drivers and you’re just asking to be disappointed.

But bigger drivers aren’t everything. That’s like saying the guy with the biggest muscles always wins the fight. 

The type of driver matters just as much when it comes to how the bass sounds:

  • Dynamic drivers are the all-rounders. They move plenty of air, giving you solid, impactful bass.
  • Planar magnetic drivers add precision. They use an evenly distributed magnetic field to deliver cleaner, more articulate bass.
  • Electrostatic drivers take things a step further. Their ultra-light diaphragms produce the most detailed, crisp sound—but they need amplification

Some drivers punch like Tyson, while others barely manage to slap at all.

The materials—whether it’s neodymium magnets, graphene coatings, or aluminum voice coils—all affect the precision, speed, and ultimately, the impact of that bass. 

So yes, size matters. But it’s the details and type of driver that really make the difference.

3. Seal and Fit

Something people overlook way too often is how the headphones seal to their ears and fit around their ears. This can be the difference between feeling like you’re front row at a concert and hearing muffled bass through a wall from the next room. 

A pair of headphones can have the best drivers and perfect frequency response on paper, but if the earcups don’t seal around your ears or the tips aren’t snug in your ear canal, you’re missing out on a lot of bass. 

Why? Because a proper seal creates the air pressure the drivers need to deliver bass effectively. Lose that seal, and the bass leaks out.

That’s why over-ear headphones with solid padding that completely covers your ears or in-ear monitors (IEMs) with the right tips feel like they’re surrounding your head in sound. You want the sound to have nowhere to go but straight into your ears.

Different types of headphones handle this differently.

An image showing the earcups and padding of a pair of headphones explaining the importance of seal and fit for a good bass sound.

Over-ear models typically give you the deepest bass, but they need good padding and adjustability to fit your head properly.

With in-ear models, it’s all about getting the right size tips to fit your ear canal. Most brands give you several sizes to choose from, but depending on your ears, you might need customizable tips to guarantee a snug fit.

And don’t forget comfort. You don’t want headphones that feel like a clamp or earbuds you’re itching to pull out after 20 minutes.

The right fit gives you both immersive bass and the ability to listen for hours without constantly adjusting or feeling pressure.

4. Impedance and Sensitivity

Impedance refers to how much power your headphones need to perform. Lower impedance headphones—typically in the 16 to 32 ohms(Ω) range—require less power to produce sound. 

This means you can plug them into your phone or laptop and still get deep bass without needing an external amp.

Sensitivity measures how loud your headphones can get with a given amount of power. Higher sensitivity means more volume at lower power.

When you have a pair of headphones with low impedance and high sensitivity (measured in dB SPL), you get loud, clear sound without needing pro-level gear to drive them.

However, high-impedance headphones (100 Ω or more), when properly amplified, can potentially give you better sound quality, as they allow for more precise driver control.

5. Equalizer Settings to Shape the Bass Your Way

These days, being able to adjust your sound is almost expected. Headphones don’t come perfectly tuned for the music you like or the bass levels you want out of the box. 

An EQ (equalizer) allows you to adjust specific frequencies to match your taste. Most audio devices, apps, and even some headphones come with built-in EQ settings, giving you control over the bass, mids, and treble.

An image showing EQ customization options and different frequency response graphs based on the type of music you're listening to.

Look for headphones with a built-in bass boost or that work with dedicated companion apps that let you tweak the EQ. This is especially important if you want more control over how deep or punchy your bass sounds. 

But even if your headphones don’t have a built-in EQ, your music player probably does. Adjust the EQ, boost the lower frequencies, and just like that—you’ve customized your headphones to hit even harder. 

EQ is like seasoning your sound. You might not always need it, but why settle for average when you can turn things up?

In the end, if you’re serious about bass, don’t settle for just any pair of headphones. You deserve the best headphones for bass—the ones that deliver rich, deep low-ends and take your music to a whole new level.

Once you find the right pair, everything changes. Suddenly, your music has weight and energy—it hits you in a way that makes you want to replay every song just to hear what you’ve been missing.

And if you need some tracks to test out your new headphones, go check out our list of the best bass songs for headphones—perfect for experiencing every bit of that deep, punchy bass.

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