Headphones

Whether you are a student or a professional who prefers a good music experience, headphones are the go-to accessory these days, next to wireless earbuds. And while you can find headphones in both wired and wireless models, wireless ones are much more popular these days for their convenience. 

The consumer market for headphones in Nepal comprises people across different age groups, ranging from school-going students to professionals working in music post-production. So this wide user base has created a fairly large market in Nepal, encompassing headphones from affordable to premium categories. Moving on, most general users in Nepal look for nice build quality, comfort, battery life, and affordability in their headphones. But there are other sets of professionals who use these devices and look for ANC, ENC, microphone quality, and brand reliability before buying one. 

When it comes to budget headphones in Nepal, it’s mostly dominated by off-brand Chinese headphones alongside some popular names like Soundcore, boAt, and X-Age. At the same time, the mid-range headphone market is covered by other brands, such as Soundcore (once again), JBL, and recently even Nothing. Whereas it’s mostly Sony, Marshal, and Apple that dominate the premium headphone market. 

Why Buy Headphones in Nepal?

In the Nepali market, you can find wireless earbuds (TWS), wired earphones, and headphones at all sorts of price segments to listen to your favorite music. And while the convenience of TWS earbuds is undeniable and the overall value you get with wired earphones remains unmatched, headphones have a unique position in the market. 

First of all, because headphones are physically larger and feature larger drivers, they offer better audio quality. With richer, more detailed sound and thumpy bass. And when it comes to comfort, headphones are often more comfortable to wear during long listening sessions because they come with padded ear cups in different sizes. You can use them in various settings, such as office work, gaming, travel, editing, music production, and more. Additionally, if you travel a lot by plane, work in a crowded workplace, or live in a noisy environment, the more powerful noise cancellation in headphones will be quite useful. 

Types of Headphones Available in Nepal

And depending on what you’re looking to buy a headphone for, you’ll have to decide from the following different types of headphones in Nepal. 

• Wired Headphones: These are the simplest and most affordable headphones on the market. They are simple and reliable to use anywhere, without worry, as they don't require battery power to run. Just plug in the 3.5mm audio jack, and you’re good to go! Also, if you are a gamer looking for zero-latency gaming, this is the best pick. Having said that, these devices may get messier over time, with a risk of damaging the cable.
• Wireless Headphones: These headphones connect to a device via Bluetooth, making them more portable when traveling. Design-wise, it also looks cleaner, with no extra cables hanging around. The only concern with wireless headphones is that you need to constantly look for a charging point if the battery isn't that great. But most headphones offer a reasonable battery life, with 10 to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge.
• Over-ear Headphones: Over-ear headphones are considered the most comfortable due to their build and design. You get a perfectly padded ear cushion that fits over your ear, providing the comfort you look for during a long listening session. If you have to wear headphones for more than 6 hours at a time, this is what you should be looking for. And since over-ear headphones totally conceal your ears, it offers nice passive noise isolation too.
• On-ear Headphones: Likewise, on-ear headphones are the perfect replacement for relatively bulky over-ear headphones, as they are smaller and sit on top of your ears rather than covering them entirely. These headphones are a lot lighter, too. But because of their design, on-ear headphones have poor noise isolation, and some people may even find them uncomfortable to wear for long hours.
• ANC Headphones: These are special types of headphones designed to quiet down the ambient noise. They feature a microphone to detect the noise signal and have a built-in chip that produces the opposite mirror signal of noise. When these sounds interact due to their opposite magnitudes, they cancel out before reaching the human ear. This process is what makes them suitable for use in noisy environments, while traveling, and in large workplaces.
• Gaming Headphones: The primary factor to look for in gaming headphones is low latency, which is especially important during competitive online gaming, live streaming, and video recording. Since a gaming session can last for hours, you also need to consider comfort when buying gaming headphones. Likewise, mic is one of the key factors in gaming headphones, as there is constant two-way communication during online gaming. 

What to Consider Before Buying Headphones?

• Sound signature: The most important factor to consider is sound quality. A good pair of headphones must deliver balanced sound performance. The bass, vocal, and high ranges of the sound should be balanced in the headphones. While playing the music, these three factors should not overpower each other to give the premium sound quality. But if you prefer bass-heavy music, choose headphones with that in mind.
• Comfort and ear cushion quality: Similarly, comfort is another aspect to look for at the time of purchase. If you are a gamer or a live streamer who uses headphones for hours on end, the quality of the ear cushions will determine your comfort level.
• Battery life: If you are considering the wireless headphone option, then you also need to see the battery life as well. Longer battery life = not having to charge it frequently. Further, you also need to look at the headphones' battery usage under both ANC on and off scenarios.
• Microphone quality: Whether you use headphones for gaming, studying, or phone calls, it's crucial to buy headphones with a good microphone. In online gaming, where two people are continuously communicating, poor mic quality could cause miscommunication, preventing you from having the best gaming experience. Other than that, during online classes, if your mic is not working properly, it may give people a bad impression of you.
• ANC and transparency mode: If you are working in a crowded workplace, live in a noisy environment, or are traveling, ANC will play the most important role in canceling out ambient sound. Other than that, it will also help you achieve better audio quality with minimal interference in wireless headphones. Likewise, you can enable transparency mode, which lets you hear background sound clearly without removing it. Some high-end headphone models automatically enable transparency mode when you start speaking.
• Build quality and folding mechanism: Another aspect to consider is the headphone's build quality. Your comfort and the headphone's durability are determined by the build quality. If you are looking for a durable headphone with a premium look, then you can opt for the metal build. Similarly, if you prefer comfort over durability, go for the plastic build. Moreover, the foldable headphones are easy to carry and portable.
• Warranty and after-sales service in Nepal: In Nepal, you should always buy from the authorized reseller if you are buying it online. Many brands have official websites where you can check availability in Nepal. We have seen that most authorized resellers and genuine brands offer a 6-month to 1-year warranty on their products. If you are buying unbranded headphones from a random reseller or an online store, it will be risky. We suggest you avoid such a purchase.

Headphones Price Range in Nepal

As I mentioned before, you can find headphones ranging from budget to premium segment in Nepal. For any user, the most important factors to consider are their budget and the features they want in a pair of headphones. Now, let's discuss the headphones under various price ranges.

Under NPR 3,000

You will get basic wired and budget wireless headphone models under NPR 3000. The headphones in this price range have decent build and sound quality. But if you are looking for premium features like ANC, this product is not for you. Let's discuss some of the budget headphones.

Fantech Go Tune WH06

Fantech Go Tune WH06 is an over-ear wireless headphone that you can fold and carry with you. It is lightweight and has dual-mode connectivity. You get a 40mm dynamic driver in this headset along with a single mic for calling. It also has dual-connectivity support with Bluetooth 5.3 and 3,5mm jack.  You also get a 300 mAh battery that lasts up to 20 hours in normal use.

X-age ConvE Up-Beat Fold 2

X-age Conve up-beat fold 2 is a wireless headset with a foldable design and a plastic build. Here, you get Bluetooth V5.4 for connectivity and have ENC, which is great for this range of headphones. Also, it has a 400mAh battery that can last up to 15 hours on casual use. Further, you also get a 40mm driver and have a built-in mic for hands-free calling. 

Under NPR 3,000 - 8,000

In this price range, you get better comfort and battery life than low-priced headphones. Generally, headphones priced between NPR 3000 and 8000 offer better battery life, ear cushioning, and build quality, improving your comfort. 

Soundcore Q11i 

Soundcore Q11i comes with an over-ear design with soft, easily replaceable ear cushions that offer you maximum comfort. They feature a 40mm dynamic driver that delivers high-quality audio when connected via an AUX cable. You also get 22 EQ presets that you can adjust through the Soundcore app. Further, you get 60 hours of playtime with a full charge and can listen to music for 4 hours with 5 minutes of charging. 

JBL Tune 520BT

This headset has an on-ear, foldable design, making it compact for travel. With this headset, JBL offers pure bass sound and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. Here, you get 3 hours of playtime with 5 minutes of charging, while JBL claims 57 hours of playtime on a full charge. You also get app-based EQ customization to suit your needs. 

Under NPR 8,000- 15,000

If you are looking for a high-quality pair of headphones on a mid-range budget, here are some headphones that may suit you. The headsets that range from NPR 8,000-15,000 not only offer reliable wireless connectivity but also deliver solid bass and call quality. Let's discuss some of them. 

Soundcore Q30

Soundcore Q30 has an over-ear, foldable design that provides utmost comfort during long-term use. They have a 40mm dynamic drive to deliver balanced audio. You get 2 mics in this ANC headset. These headphones support wireless and wired connections via a 3.5mm Jack. With a wireless connection, you get up to 20kHz frequency response, which extends to 40kHz with the AUX cable. If you use the headset with ANC on, you get 40 hours of playtime; with ANC off, playtime can extend to 60 hours. 

CMF Headphone Pro

CMF headphone pro is one of the best headphones in this price range. It is made up of high-quality plastic and has a foldable over-ear design. You get a 40mm dynamic driver for high-quality audio output, which you can fine-tune as needed in the Nothing X app. It has up to 40dB of ANC, and CMF also claims it can block up to 99% of background noise. It supports both wired and wireless connections. CMF also claims 100 hours of playtime without ANC and 50 hours with ANC enabled. 

Above NPR 15,000

If you are a professional, a gamer, or anyone who prefers quality over headphones priced above NPR 15,000, we offer what you are searching for. Here, you get the premium model headset with better tuning and ANC. They also come with long battery life and app support that widens their use case. 

Soundcore Space One Pro

Soundcore Space One Pro has an over-ear foldable design that can be folded down to 50% of its size, making it more portable when traveling. You also get 180-degree swivel ear cups and an ear cushion made of soft synthetic material. Here, in this headset, you get a transparency mode that lets you hear background sound without removing the headphones. Also, you get better ANC with 23 EQ presets that you can use as needed. It has Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity and supports simultaneous dual-device connection. You get up to 60 hours of playtime without ANC and up to 40 hours with ANC.

Sony WH-1000XM5

This is an over-ear headphone that is lightweight and more comfortable for long-term use. It comes with smart features such as wear detection and speak-to-chat, as well as a hybrid control system. It has a 30mm precision driver that gives you balanced sound with clear vocals. You get the detailed highs and controlled bass in this headset. As for the battery, this headset offers 30 hours of playtime on a single charge. If you do not have much time to charge a headset, you also get 3 hours of playtime with 3 minutes of charging. It has Bluetooth 5.2 for connectivity with SBC, AAC, and LDAC codec support.

Apple AirPods Max

This is the most premium headphone designed to target consumers who prefer good music. It has a stainless-steel build that can be adjusted to fit your head size. These headsets have an over-ear design with comfortable ear cushions. They come with a 40mm dynamic driver and have ANC. It also supports transparency mode and Adaptive EQ mode. Other than this, Apple has already launched the Apple AirPods Max 2 with more advanced features.

Best Headphones for Different Users

For any user to choose a good pair of headphones, they must know the purpose of the purchase. There are many headphones on the market with specific features designed for specific users. Let's discuss the various users and the specific headphones they can select that are available in Nepal.

For Student:

Whenever we talk about the student, the first thing that strikes our mind is the budget. As most of them dont have an independent source of income, they mostly look for affordable range products. Also, look for wired headphones if you are studying online and have a long class session, as they don't require constant charging. But if you need to travel within your university, prefer the wireless option, as it is easier to carry. Fantech Go Tune WH06  and X-age Conve Up-Beat Fold 2 might be the best options for you.

For Office:

If you are looking for headphones for office use, then look for comfort first. Since you need to wear them for 6 to 7 hours regularly, the ear cushions of your over-ear headphones must be really comfortable and high-quality. Also, if you are constantly on calls in your office, look for headphones that offer the best mic setup. Soundcore Q30 and CMF Headphone Pro might be the best options for you.

For Music Lover: 

If you are looking for headphones for listening to music, you should opt for those that deliver balanced sound. With the option to customize sound according to your listening taste. Along with this, you should consider headphones with a fairly long battery life. Sony WH-1000XM5 might be the best option for you.

For Traveler:

We always recommend choosing headphones that come with ANC and ENC for travelers. The ANC and ENC will cancel out background noise and help you enjoy your travel. And a foldable design that lets you store your headphones properly is always a plus for travelers. Soundcore Space One Pro might be the best option for you.

For Gamers: 

If you are a gamer and looking for a good pair of headphones, look for ones with low latency to help improve the gaming experience. You should also check the mic quality and choose a decent one that fits your budget. Also, look for comfort as you may have a long gaming session. The Soundcore Q30 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 might be the best options for you.

Popular Headphone Brands in Nepal

Multiple brands in Nepal sell their headphones from entry-level to premium ranges. The most common brands that sell good-quality entry-level headphones in Nepal are X-Age, Fantech, Havit, and Remax. Similarly, you can find brands like CMF by Nothing, Soundcore, and JBL in the mid-range category. At the same time, premium headphones are supplied by Sony, Marshall, and Apple. 

Headphones Available in Nepal

You can shop for headphones from various brands through authorized distributors, multi-brand electronic stores, and authorized resellers on the e-commerce platform. The price depends heavily on whether the products are bought through the official distribution channel or from a random, unofficial vendor. So, dont forget to confirm this thing before purchasing, as it will affect the warranty that you might get with the product. 

Conclusion

At this point, multiple brands, ranging from budget to premium, offer headphones in Nepal. Here, you get plenty of options to choose from, whether you are a student, a professional, or a gamer. The right choice depends purely on what budget headphones you are looking for. Different price-point headphones have their own pros and cons to consider based on your needs. Features like battery life, build, comfort, and ANC are the most common factors users check before buying headphones.