What are the best headphones for metal music and podcasts?

Best pick for both metal and podcasts: the Sennheiser HD 6XX / HD 650 style tuning. It has enough bass for heavy guitars and kick drums without burying vocals, and it keeps spoken voices natural for podcasts.

If you want more detail and space for complex metal, choose the Sennheiser HD 800 S. If you want more bass and bite, choose the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. If you want a flatter, safer all-rounder, choose the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro. If you want a newer studio-style choice, consider the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro Plus.

Quick warning: several of these are open-back wired headphones, so they leak sound and do not isolate you from noise. They’re best for home listening, not commuting.