The Best Headphones For Audiophiles
A good pair of headphones should provide exceptional sound quality, be comfortable on your head and ears and be easy to use. Ideally, they should have features such as transparent or noise cancellation modes, as well as controls that are touch-sensitive.
The WH-1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the benchmark in this category. They are comfortable, feature excellent ANC and a powerful app to tweak audio profiles.
High-end
A good pair of headphones is an essential piece of equipment for anyone who loves music. They can be used to bring back old favorites and bring new life into your carefully selected playlists. They can be used to listen to podcasts, play games and take calls.
Buying high-end headphones is a significant investment but you can get excellent sound quality and features for an affordable price. Take into consideration the build quality of the headphones and their reputation for quality when selecting a pair. Brands with a good reputation like Sony and Bowers & Wilkins offer durable models that are suitable for daily use. They are also known for their comprehensive warranty and customer service.
Focal's Stellia provides a high-tech alternative to its Utopia line at an affordable price. It delivers an unnatural natural sound that reveals all the details of your music without being overemphasized.
Although it's not as mobile as the Focal Stellia, the Monoprice Arya is one of the most affordable planar headphones available. It has a spacious, well-balanced soundstage which is perfect for listening to music moving around. It is also simple to customize the sound using the help of a variety of highly-engineered presets.
These Sony headphones are the best options if you're looking for headphones that are comfortable. They offer outstanding sound quality and noise cancellation, which makes them perfect for long journeys. They are stylish and comfortable. They come in a variety of colors so you can choose the perfect pair to match your personal style. You can also choose from a range of accessories to enhance the music experience. The Sony MDR-ZX110A is a versatile choice that is perfect for any audiophile.
Mid-range
There are a variety of options for audiophiles in the mid-range, and the right pair of headphones can be the difference between a good and bad experience of listening to music. The best headphones at this price point are usually open-back and they provide a large soundstage, with crystal clear floating highs and natural, smooth mids. The acoustics are generally top-quality and they often capture the finest detail and subtleties in the recordings. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is among the most impressive headphones in this category and has significant improvements over its first-generation model. It is still heavy at 307 grams, but it is more comfortable and comes with improved voice calling and noise cancellation performance. It looks more premium thanks to its sleek design and luxurious materials.
The Grado Prestige SR225x is an alternative option for those looking for a pair of open-back, premium headphones that aren't overly expensive. This is a hand-built, premium headphone that delivers outstanding audio quality for the price. It's not as high-quality as the Prestige headphones that cost more however for an open-back pair of headphones it's a great value.
The Focal Stellia is another outstanding pair of headphones in the mid-range. It's a closed back competitor to the flagship Utopia headphone and looks stunning. It's got a stunning soundstage and high-quality clear reproduction. It's a great headphone for listening to music or podcasts, and it comes with a fantastic build quality, which includes real wood earcups. It's among the top headphones to listen to music on the go. It's available in a wide range of colors and has a stunning design that will please the audiophile in you.
Low-end
If you're in the market for headphones that are priced at a reasonable price it is important to prioritize what features you want and are able to live without. There are a variety of options in the lower end of price that provide high-quality audio and comfort.
Sony's MDR7506s are an excellent illustration of how you can increase your budget in this particular category. These high-quality wired cans employ neodymium drivers and neodymium-magnets to provide the balanced sound you'd expect from a high-end pair. They come with DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) which boosts low-res digital music files to close-to-hi-res quality. You can also control your voice through Google Assistant and Siri, and an IPX4 rating to ensure waterproof protection.
The HiFiMan E11BTs are another great option within this price range. These compact wireless buds are better than their more expensive counterparts due the sturdy, all-aluminum construction. The neckband is comfortable and fits comfortably around your neck. They're great for quick trips to the bar, or a daily jog.
These are among the best headphones you can buy for under PS200. They're an current What Hi-Fi? Award winner and provide excellent sonic bang for the buck. The headphones beats sound is expansive and wide, something you won't find in headphones for this price.
They also use high-quality Bluetooth codecs that are compatible with LDAC, aptX HD and other Bluetooth standards. Unfortunately, they don't support the superior AAC codec that most iOS devices use. This means iPhone users will likely encounter some lag when using these headphones with their phone. Android owners won't have any such issues with these headphones, however.
Comfort
For long listening sessions comfort is an important factor to consider. Most over-ear headphones feature padded headbands and earcups that will rest gently on your ears and around your head. You can also try different ear tips, whether provided or as an accessory.
Wireless headphones are a great choice for a lot of people because they let you move around without wires that are tangled. Some models have the option of noise cancellation to block out ambient sounds, so you can focus on your work or studying. For commuters, noise-canceling headphones are a great option since they block out plane trains and engines while you travel between and to work.
High-end headphones typically come with a lot of features, including Bluetooth, hi-res audio quality, and noise cancellation. Some headphones are compact and come with cases.
If you're in the market for a high-end pair of headphones, check out the Bose 700 series. They're highly rated amongst audiophiles, and are highly praised for their outstanding sound quality, impressive noise cancellation and a the comfortable design. The headband can be adjusted to fit the majority of people's head and the supple Ear pads are comfortable.
Sony WH1000XM5 is yet another pair of headphones that is worth a try. They're well-rated and provide outstanding sound quality and a remarkable noise cancellation and comfortable ergonomics. They're wireless and come with a host of user-friendly perks including touch sensors, smart assistant integration (Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant), and automatic audio control settings thanks to proximity and accelerometers. They're also light for a pair packed with so much technology.
Noise-canceling
Noise-canceling headphones are excellent for blocking out distracting sounds and assisting you to concentrate regardless of whether you're in a crowded city on your commute, flying in an airplane, or working in a noisy office colleagues clacking their keyboards in the next room. They usually use active noise cancellation, which utilizes built-in microphones to listen to your environment and emits an reverse sound wave that cancels out the background sound.
Selecting the best noise-canceling headphones is dependent on your requirements and budget. It is possible to choose a pair that is lightweight, comfortable and easy to connect and control using your mobile device or music player. Other considerations might include a built-in battery that provides hours of music and a carrying case for travel.
Over-the-ear ANC headphones are the most effective noise-cancelling performance, whereas earbuds tend to be more portable, but are less effective in blocking out ambient sound. The Bose QC 35 II is light and comfortable for wearing for long durations. They feature adjustable ANC and an impressive battery life of up to 30 hours. Their design is sleek and compact with a fold-down mechanism that allows them to be easily stored in a bag or backpack.
Anker Soundcore Q45 headphones are an excellent alternative for those seeking ANC at a cheaper price. They feature a clear mode with adjustable EQ settings and ANC that is reliable. They do not block out any ambient noise and music with a lot of bass may sound less lively however, they're great overall for the cost.
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 headphone is more expensive than other options in this category, however it offers excellent audio quality and an impressive noise-cancelling feature set. The headphones are comfortable to wear and fold flat to fit into a small storage pouch. They have a premium appearance and support the lossless LDAC Bluetooth codec for high-resolution audio streaming. The headphone app lets you alter EQ settings and choose from a variety of audio presets.