All-Day Comfort Headphones

[coolaj86]

DT-880s (Open Back)

I don't know of any headphones that are more comfortable for 8+ hours of wear (or even 4+ hours of wear) than the Beyer Dynamics DT-XXX series.

Because I'm an audio-enthusiast I get the higher ohm-rated variant and use the Bravo Audio v2 amp, but you could probably get the lower-ohm variant that doesn't need an amp and be happy. (I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference in a blind test, but my mind believes it can because it's snobby) Caveat: analog tube amps like the Bravo need to be about 5 feet away from your cell phone (or the cell phone charge cable) to not pick up and amplify the intermittent signaling.

These are also hailed as both being very "neutral" (not bass-y). The open (or semi-open as some would say) design makes them great for classical music, including VGM.

Be careful of the bare metal edges though, they can be sharp (at least mine are, hopefully they don't have that flaw in the newer versions).

DT-770s (Closed Back)

If you need the sound to be contained completely within the headphones to not bother people who work next-desk-over from you, you may need the closed back variant instead.

There's also the DT-990s if you want to go the opposite direction of fully open.

AKG 702s

These are also very comfortable, semi-open, and have excellent sound quality. Some people prefer these to the DT-880s, and they do well for wearing a few hours at a time, but hands down the Beyer Dynamics are more comfortable for extended wear.

Head-Fi.org

You can read expert reviews from people who have tried dozens of headphones as well as do swaps and buy/sell on the cheap.

[mikeal]

At first the AirPods didn’t feel great after a few hours but I guess my ears got used to them and now i don’t even notice that they are in pretty much all day. I think this experience may vary quite a bit by the shape of your ear tho 🤷🏽‍♀️

[TehShrike]

I use the closed-back Ultrasone HFI-680, it has good even sound and is quite comfortable. Sadly, they're discontinued, though Ultrasone [does have some others(https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Utrasone+hfi).

I've had the best experience comfort-wise with headphones like that Ultrasone that go around my ears, instead of resting on top of my ears.

That said, Grado updated their SR60/SR80 headphone padding some years back and made them way more comfortable than they used to be. Any versions from i on should be good (they're up to e now). They're great (open) headphones, fantastic sound for the cost.

[coolaj86]

I find the Ultrasones to be very uncomfortable after an hour or two. Mine are very similar to what you linked to (I have the HFI-580s). Maybe it's because I have a big head. Great for club music, pop, dub-step, etc though. A very close and personal-feeling sound - like you're there in the room (closed back and their resonance tech).

I can't speak to the long-term comfort of Grados, but I can say that they color the sound in way that I find very pleasant.

[davli921]

Beyerdynamic T70
These closed back headphones are very comfortable and have great detail. I can without problem wear them all day. They tend to isolate outside noise a little bit, but you will hear it if you play at normal volume. If you play very loud sound will leak to your colleagues, but I it's minimal and I haven't had any problem in that regard. I have the portable version (T70P), which I still use an amplifier with, but they can be used from phone/computer if wanted and still sounds great, obviously it gets even better with an amplifier.

[matthewpoer]

I got what I deserved when I impulse-bought the HK Soho Wireless (after watching Demolition, where they're basically a primary character to Jake Gyllenhaal's lead). They sound pretty good, but have a crappy battery, confusing pairing process, no battery report to your device, they and are not comfortable after 2-3 hours, especially if you're wearing glasses, and my colleagues report that the microphone sucks. They also do not make me look like Jake Gyllenhaal.

Shortly after my daughter received a set of Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones II. Much better comfort, audio, pairing process, microphone, etc. I commandeer them on a regular basis.

[panthershark]

For those of you who need comfortable headphones that sound good, aren't crazy expensive, and work with and without wires, try these. Battery life is crazy good, they work with in-flight entertainment systems or Bluetooth, and if you lose them then it is nbd. The underlying frame is metal so they are also very durable.

https://www.amazon.com/Mpow-Bluetooth-Headphones-Wireless-Memory-Protein/dp/B01NAJGGA2