Well, instead of going for the predominantly popular open-back design seen on most top-end headphones, the Z1R is closed back. They feel incredible in hand and on the head. If those attributes appeal, you won't find any audiophile headphones better for the money. Technology: Closed-back planar magnetic headphones. Don't look past the companys own M-20 headphone amplifier/energizer either. In fact, it pleased us so much we gave them a 2021 What Hi-Fi Award. If sound quality is a priority, the Aonic 3 in-ears will impress. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The result is a stunning level of agility and precision, impressive authority in the low frequencies and expertly-controlled bass. Even though true wireless earbuds have become mainstream, plenty of people are swearing by wired earbuds. If you want better-sounding headphones, earphones, amps, and DACs we are sure to have something to suit your tastes and price points. The Grado PS1000e is beautiful in every way. Beyerdynamics Amiron headphones provide an impressive sound that takes the whole frequency range in its stride. I think, however, many people are getting mistaken as to the performance of the HD820. The stunning metal earcups and leather headband are a sight to behold, but when you get to head these headphones with rock, acoustic, classical, and jazz music, they begin to shine. Hifiman'sline started to grow somewhat stagnant, but then they released the Hifiman HE-1000, a true audiophile-grade headphone, and continued expanding their line based on that success. Technology: Open back dynamic driver headphones. This gives us complete control, ensuring consistency. They're light and easy to ignore when worn, and come with a 3m cable, though a 1.2m optional extra is also available worth considering if you're going to be using these cans on the move. These 2021 Award winners are some of Shure's smallest earbuds and offer a comfy fit. Some of the ones that impressed us this year have been the Mr. Thats why, if you want the highest quality possible, you will want to download audio files and listen to them with a more adept music player. approved product. The Phantom is the companys first headphone, and they were ambitious to opt for a planar driver and a budget price range, but they pulled it off, and it's a massive win for budget audiophiles. While they work with a phone (providing it has a 3.5mm headphone jack), to hear them at their best you really should feed them quality audio files from a quality source. It makes them a bit more forgiving of aggressive electronics and recordings, but they're still admirably even-handed and balanced. It also includes two analog outputs so multiple people can listen to the same audio at once and the controls are simple enough that even those who havent used DACs before wont have any trouble here. Technology: Open back planar magnetic headphones. Many people do not have the space to accommodate a full-size Hifi setup, so headphones become a suitable compromise. But if you're serious about music, they will transform yourhome listening experience. Once it does, it's impossible to go back to using consumer-grade audio equipment. The 44mm drive unit has a revised motor system, new diaphragm and upgraded coil, all to improve efficiency and reduce distortion. The quality of the materials is excellent, from the leather used on the thick, cushioned headband to the microfiber cloth on the cosseting earpads. That maturity shines through in its Hi-X50 on-ears. Heres why you can trust us. Official Kingsound Audio Headphones website. No, but they're honest, transparent and true to the original recording. His specialities include all things mobile, headphones and speakers that he can't justifying spending money on. Shure is a brand with an 80-year history of making pro audio, so it's no surprise that the Aonic 3 are a delight to listen to. We just finished our review of the Erzetich Mania headphones and will be considering them for a place on this list. They are ruthless and add minimal flavor to the sound. We wondered whether it was a wise move to give one of Sonys biggest success stories in recent memory a major redesign. If you want to read more about the best source hardware for your music, you can check our lists of the best high-resolution music players and budget music players. The build quality is some of the best, and the stunning wood earcups give a premium feel to this classic design. With that in mind, I have laid out a few things below I think you should consider before making a purchase, and I sincerely hope this article can help you choose the right ones for your particular needs. Premium materials as always, and they are cones to catch the eye and suitable for use as a portable set if you wish. The treble is brighter and bass subdued. The HD800 was for a long time considered the best audiophile headphone. I consider this an excellent alternative for people who want similar performance as the Sennheiser HD820 for a lower price. By going the headphone route, you can still experience extremely high levels of fidelity in a relatively compact package. But it quickly made a name for itself by challenging some of the best audiophile headphones around. Sennheiser went all out, and no corners were cut in the pursuit of all-out sound fidelity. Again, if you are not at all interested in paying several hundred dollars for a DAC, heres a far more affordable model that will still deliver great results with Lossless Audio. Bit like an headphone amp lineup without the word chord ? The official website for the Sennheiser HD800s, Technology: HD800 series styling with a versatile closed-back design. Something like the budget-friendly Objective 2 amp will blow your mind with its transparency and detail for home use. And they're priced appropriately. They retain all of the detail that the GS1000 produces, yet at the same time, they have visceral detail and accuracy. Open back allows for both breathability and a wide airy soundstage. The top of the line Audeze LCD-5 is true luxury headphones in every sense of the word and the new flagship headphone from standout brand Audeze. 's round-up of the best audiophile headphones you can buy in 2022. Theres plenty of punch on offer and lows are rendered with grip and texture. Now though, there is a third-generation available to buy. They're solid, quality-built headphones, and components including the headband cushioning and memory foam earpads can be easily replaced. Thank you for signing up to What Hi-Fi?. For more than five times less than that, you could have yourself a Head Amp Blue Hawai and a set of Stax SR-009. However, they do support Spatial Audio for configuring sound to your room. You will most likely never own these headphones. Get the most important news, reviews and deals in mobile tech delivered straight to your inbox. Copyright Audiophile On 2009 - All images, videos and materials. Finally, they have taken their knowledge and feedback from experience with loyal customers and created ThieAudio. Oh, and if comfort is your thing, then look no furthereasily the most comfortable set of full-sized headphones, period. There is no overemphasis added to your music, but it displays to the absolute fullest. Paint it any way you want guys ! The headset is also designed for long sessions with comfortable ear pads and two different material options so you can use what you like best. The GS1000e, unlike the PS1000e discussed below on this list of the best audiophile headphones, will give out precisely what you put into it. So what else do you need to consider when buying the best audiophile headphones? Also, keep in mind that audiophile over-ears tend to be made for home listening; neither a 3m cable nor an open-back design is ideal for the train or office. For a long time, these two headphone makers were the kings of planar magnetic technology. Of course, these audiophile headphones are a serious investment. It has a portable design with a battery rated for six hours, offers both 4.4mm and 3.5mm headphone plugs depending on what you have, and includes adjustable analog buttons for controlling the balance on your own terms without getting too complicated. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, The Clear Mg is a high-end, open-backed pair that looks and feels as luxurious as that price tag would suggest. Ready to rediscover your favourite track or inject new life into a carefully-curated playlist? Award-winningSR80e. That's why if you take the plunge and buy one of the products recommended above, or on any other Best Buy page, you can be assured you're getting a What Hi-Fi? The HD650 gives you a lot of what makes the Sennheiser HD800 headphones so good in a far cheaper package. In fact, they picked up a 2021 What Hi-Fi? This is something that audiophiles refer to as diminishing returns. Their sense of rhythm and timing needs to be heard to be believed and their dynamic ability left us spellbound. Partner these audiophile headphones with a high-quality outboard DAC, such as theChord Mojoand use good quality files and you'll hear just why the IE 900 justify their jumbo price tag. You may own custom cables and multiple sets of multi-thousand-dollar headphones, such as the gorgeous Focal Stellia. Technology: Open back electrostatic headphones. The x model is the evolution of the now discontinued but highly popular LCD-4 with several key refinements in all the right areas. They do so admirably. It's a true classic headphone that is a worthy successor for the original. They're open-backed, so the usual provisos about leaking sound apply. Like others i'm surprised Audeze didn't make the list. The final spot, as usual, is reserved for the reader's pick; what headphones should we have included? It's a nicely judged balance that means they work well across a wide range of recordings. The HD820 sounds less like a tool headphone designed to be used in the studio and more like an engaging and enthralling experience. Nonetheless they are a stunning achievement from the French manufacturer. The company seems to source high-quality OEM products, and as such, they have a lot of similarities with other brands like Sendy, somehow though the Blon sounds a little better and is priced a lot cheaper. The Blon has an abundance of micro-detail, and they are wide open and airy sounding. Best audiophile headphones Buying Guide: Welcome to What Hi-Fi? It can be tricky for a manufacturer to push the sound performance of a product consistently from generation to generation, but that is what Sony has managed to do with the WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones, our new Bluetooth ANC favourites. We truly rate them, and the ability to isolate ourselves from the external environment is just the icing on the cake. The price is one of the most significant barriers to entry for some of the world's best-sounding headphones. They're open-backed. But the upside is a wonderfully airy, spacious soundscape that really lets the music do its thing. If you want to focus on music, you may be best served by a pair of over-ear wired headphones that offer the perfect balance of musicality and precision. The best earbuds are somewhere in the middle in terms of price. If you do not have one at hand, this will introduce some extra expenses to get you to the endgame. Theyre lightweight, and the fact the headphone cable can be secured over the top of your ears so it doesn't hang down is useful when on the go. Read the full Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X review. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page. You simply can not ignore audeze . They set the bar at 90-95% of what the far more expensive headphones can do and are top-shelf performers even when you remove price from the equation. Comfort is also one of the best in class as it is a very lightweight design paired with beautiful materials at the contact points with your head. Read the full Austrian Audio Hi-X50 review. Unlike the 820 models listed below, this headphone still uses an open-back construction and continues the tradition of highly detailed yet airy open sound with a massive soundstage. Read the full Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X review. Read the full Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Generation) review. And the new 8-conductor cable uses 'super' annealed copper to deliver a purer sound. For proof, look no further than the WH-1000XM4, successors to the five-star-rated WH-1000XM3. Contact Us Unsubscribe Notifications Meet the Team Newsletter Write for Us Store Support Report-a-Bug. After spending some considerable time with them we still cant figure out what makes these over-ear headphones less suitable for home use. The HD 660s are more refined but still retain the outgoing model's slightly mid eccentric and warmer tones and still retain incredible detail. Premium, wireless, and with superb sonics. Official Product page for the Audeze LCD-5. More importantly, the XM4 offer a serious hike in sound quality. Take the price into the equation, and you have the perfect headphone for budget audiophiles. These are the best audiophile headphones at this price. Build quality is fantastic, and Hifiman continues to improve and refine its headphone designs to the point that the HE1000 series are some of the best-looking models on the market. Leave a comment below and tell us what your favorite audiophile headphone is if you want to see us put in the final place, the one that receives the most votes will be added to this list at the end of the year. Wed seriously suggest using the Shures with a dedicated externalDAC/headphone amp. Soundwise it's all about the companys house sound. Everyone thought Hifiman would fizzle out when Audeze started to take control of the market a few years back. Obviously, this isnt for everyone at the high end, Lossless Audio files take up a ton of room, and this isnt a great approach for small devices like iPhones but is more feasible for Macs. This is a headphone with which to sit back, relax and enjoy your music. Superb audiophile headphones with a price tag to match their talents. The result is a smoother listen and more authoritative bass, and an overall more cleaner, clearer sound. What's also an achievement is that these picked up a 2021 What Hi-Fi? On the other hand, good audiophile headphones will be comfortable for long listening periods. Like the 900, they're aimed at content creators (being labelled as 'studio' headphones). Comfort and looks also get the nod from us, making them well-rounded and great value for money. Beyerdynamic refers to the DT 900 Pro X aspremium studio headphones. Premium audiophile headphones that break the mould. Still, before you know it, you're listening to music on a full array of DACs & tube amplifiers. The difference between an entry-level audiophile headphone and an ultra-high-end model is a sonic evolution instead of a revolution. The sound is brimming with authority, and there's a satisfying sense of weight to proceedings. In case you missed it, Appleis rolling out HiFi Lossless Audiofor all Apple Music titles in 2021. The best audiophile headphones in the world might have the best sound, but if they are too impractical for use in the scenarios where you listen to music, buying something better suited to the task is probably worth buying. It is everything I wanted when I got into this hobby, and it very much feels like an endgame product. If you're after the best-sounding wireless audiophile headphones, these 2020/2021 What Hi-Fi? Speakers) had taken the company. A set of uncomfortable headphones will make you want not to use them. I think it's a list of 'the headphones we tested' more than anything. Just make sure your phone has a headphone jack or an adapter. What have we missed out on? Technology: Tesla Coil Dynamic Driver Headphones. Additionally, I am a massive fan of classic aesthetics. The Stealth is an excellent choice. The GS designation on the Grado GS1000e stands for Statement Series, and you can see why. Most of these earbuds offer good audio quality, and some of them are even excellent ones. This balanced performance perfectly matches the brand's maturity beyond its years. However, everyone who has heard them says that the new Sennheiser Orpheus is the best audiophile headphone money can buy. The PS1000e are my favorite headphone from the Grado lineup this year. We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. So what's new? After all, there's no need to worry about the battery shutting down or the Bluetooth pairing playing up. Everything we like about their predecessors their nimble-footedness, expressive, rolling dynamics, and insight across well-defined frequencies has been inherited, and the punch and panache that have made the Prestige models such born entertainers are very much also part of the SR80xs sonic signature. When it comes to headphones, youll run into a problem early on:none of Apples headphonescan handle true Lossless Audio. Focal created a unique internal waffle design on the earcups to aid tuning and reduce sonic reflection to achieve the exceptional sound quality that closely mimics an open-back presentation. You can actually get a closer look at the inner working of the buds through the clear section of each earpiece. True Lossless Audio at higher tiers requires a wired connection, so most AirPods and Beats models are automatically disqualified. The 700 sound effortlessly composed the order and precision with which instruments are presented gives music a solid foundation which the headphones can build on. But it's paid off. There are some cheap options with good sound capabilities, and some really expensive ones with excellent audio specs and lots of craftsmanship put into making them. Vocals sound especially good due to the clarity and natural presentation with just the slightest hint of warmth. Paired with the KS-H3 and the proper selection of tubes, it is a beautiful thing bringing out that analog-style warmth that makes old recordings shine. Ultimately, these Beyerdynamics fulfill their 'studio' brief by delivering all the resolution, stability and control required to dissect a recording, but at the same time manage to convey the emotional impact of the music as well as anything weve heard at this level. Plenty of headphones come through our doors that we get to listen to but do not quite have time to do a full review. The Focal Clear is a perfect mid-priced headphone with great build, looks, and comfort. We've assembled our favorite pairs below. published 14 July 22, Audiophile headphones for discerning music lovers. We have highlighted some areas below we think you should consider before making any purchase. The first Sony offering on this list has everything you can need from this type of accessory, but if you strive for the best and most natural audio experience, you should definitely go for one of Shures earbuds on this list. They seem set to take on the audiophile headphone segment in 2020. Focal is best known for its speakers and seeing as it only launched its own range in 2012, it's a relative newcomer to headphones. Lets take a look at exactly what you need (and what wont work), so you can get the audiophile quality you want as Lossless Audio prepares for launch. New York, Premium design meets audiophile levels of musicality. Youll get updated when important things are happening, and when you engage with our community. Rhythms are delivered in a surefooted and controlled manner, rather than with overt exuberance, but theres still enough in the way of drive to keep us entertained. Drawing inspiration from the Focal Utopia, they drew many of the elements into a closed-back design. Detail retrieval is jaw-dropping, and the soundstage is massive. It's hard to make a list of the best audiophile headphones without including Grado. This is easily detachable, so if it ever does break or get damaged, swapping to a replacement will take a matter of seconds. There's a vast choice of high-end headphones on the market and many are fitted with myriad high-tech bells and whistles. The aim? And it works. Consider how these headphones are designed to be worn, plus the materials, ventilation, padding, and weight, impacting comfort. Joe Svetlik They utilize custom driver technology and open-back housing to bring music that is very true to the source. Much of this obsession comes down to audiophiles (and those that appreciate fidelity in general) having a deeper understanding of how the physical hardware they use affects the reproduction of their music. After hearing these fabulous open-back audiophile headphones, you will instantly know why they were added to the list. This is because when you know what to look for, it's amazing how much an effect these little things can have on your enjoyment of the music. The original HD650 headphones were one of the best value audiophile-grade headphones on the planet. The Sony MDR-Z1R is a surprising take on high-end headphones. They're comfortable too, with nicely-judged earpads and sensible weight. While the sound is revealing, the Utopias dont go out of their way to highlight the harshness in a recording. On paper, their design credentials look suitably impressive. For a large part, I agree with that statement. Our pick of the bunch has to be the excellent Monoprice M1070. It is a masterpiece and with outstanding resolution and transparency. We like their clear midrange vocals, tight timing, and the way they handle challenging or messy songs. These Antibacterial Cooling Sheets Will Change Your Sleep: No More Night Sweats, Odors or Body Acne, These Apps Help You Save Money, Earn Cash, Cancel Unwanted Subscriptions + Much More, 7 Ways Seniors Can Save That Aren't Restaurants, Groceries or Prescriptions - Find Out More, This Limited-Time Microsoft Office Deal Gets You Lifetime Access for Just $50, Take Your Photography Up a Notch with This 11-in-1 Smartphone Accessory Kit, Revitalize Your PC or Mac with Norton's Multi-Point Repair Service to Restore Speed & Performance. If you want to know what headphones have the best sound quality, then Utopia is right at the top of my list. The LCD-4 by Audeze are legendary headphones and one of the best models created in recent memory. The 18-ohm transducers are engineered to produce top-tier sound. While there are better sounding, better looking, and just all-around better headphones on this list, most of them also cost many times the humble Hifiman HE400SE. They are open-back headphones that pair exceptionally well with tube amps but are driven easily from most high-resolution sources. The Chi-Fi (Chinese Hifi) Market is in full swing and not content with attacking the market share of well-known western earphone brands. The presence of Sony's new DSEE Extreme sound processor, coupled with Sonys inspiredDACand analogue amplifier combo, delivers a sense of musicality and enthusiasm that is nothing less than addictive. , The headset uses 4mm neodymium drivers for excellent sound quality, with a minimalistic and lightweight design that wont weigh down your head like some models do. Its very portable, highly effective, and includes a chargeable battery so you dont always need to find an outlet to use it. This is really a horrible list. If you want to buy the best audiophile headphones right now in 2022, you came to the right place. The Monolith is high on our list of the best planar headphones. It is as transparent as it gets, and if your source chain is up to snuff, they show themselves for being one of the most accurate and true-sounding headphones on this list. This goes all the up to Hi-Resolution Lossless audio, 24-bit at 192kHz, for the ultimate experience at no extra cost to Apple Music subscribers. Beyerdynamic's Amiron aren't the best audiophile headphones when it comes to grabbing your attention on a short listen, but give them a bit of time and their impressive transparency and resolution are sure to please. The Cascade is a set of closed-back headphones with a large Berrylium dynamic driver. The company jumped in headfirst to the high-end audiophile headphone world by releasing a range of planar magnetic headphones with open and closed back designs. At a shade under four grand, these will be out of reach for most headphone enthusiasts. Generally speaking, audiophile headphones will not be cheap, and as with all electronic goods, things can and do go wrong. The pursuit of high-end audio fidelity usually involves a lot of tinkering and making many headphone purchases and upgrades along the way. They are included on this list purely based on their sound, without a doubt one of the best-sounding headphones I have ever heard. From modifying the popular Fostex T50RP headphones to building the Ether Flow from the ground up and now the Stealth, we have seen Mr. The reviewer must have some high frequency hearing loss. Hifiman is a huge name audio brand, and the Susvara is just a stunning all-around headphone that competes with the best of the niche brand headphones we list below. That means they leak sound to everyone around you, as well as letting in the noises from your surroundings. The only caveat here is that the Hifiman Arya benefits significantly from using a good quality source. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). NY 10036. They're hard to beat at this price. Award. We reviewed the Mr. While you can plug in the AirPods Max, Apple has admitted that even then, the headphones are incompatible with Lossless Audio (although it still sounds great). However, it has to be noted that they are one of the best-built headphones on this list. Assuming you are using high-resolution audio files, you will want to use an excellent source to make sure the signal is crispy clean and has enough power to drive your headphones to their full potential. Many headphone enthusiasts consider the HD650 the only headphone you ever really need to listen to high-definition audio. Please refresh the page and try again. This popular Chord Mojo model is the ideal solution. So they have big shoes to fill. By using iDrop News you agree to our terms and conditions. Really? From all of our reviews, we choose the products to feature in our Best Buys. Also, you dont have to worry about them running out of battery, and they are harder to lose. Its a pretty even-handed sound, without much in the way of undue emphasis on any part of the frequency range. The build quality is superb, blending modern aesthetics with top-of-the-line construction and materials. Speakers become one of the best headphone brands on the market today. Not only does this mean a premium product, it makes them comfortable too the headphones are nicely shaped and inward pressure is firm but well-judged. They have a very natural and neutral sound to them. You will most likely never even see a set of these headphones. Also, remember as the owner and writer for an audiophile website, I am likely to change my equipment multiple times a year. The wide, cushioned headband and well-designed earpads spread the 450g weight well. The key is finding a great third-party wired headset for your tunes. Add to that the lack of sound leakage inherent to their closed-back design, and you're onto a winner for creators and consumers alike. Made from some of the finest materials, swathed in wood and leather, they look every bit as good as they sound. We recommend you use a high-quality source and file to get the most of them as they are ruthless in displaying the deficiencies in poorly mastered tracks. Music is and always will be the show's star, but the headphones you use have a massive effect on sound quality. However, given the high initial cost, most people will want to have a warranty and support system in place. These are a small improvement over the SR325e, but considering those previously topped this list of best audiophile headphones, any improvement is an achievement in itself. These over-ears are the closed-back cousins to the open-backed Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X further up this list. They sound confident and insightful too, revealing layers of low-level information and organising every track they're faced with into a structured and cohesive whole.