The Best Headphones For Audiophiles

A great pair of headphones must provide exceptional sound quality, be comfortable on your head and ears, and be simple to use. Ideally, they should have features such as noise cancellation or transparency modes, as well as control buttons that can be tapped.

Sony's WH-1000XM5 over-ear headphones set the bar in this category. They're comfortable, provide excellent ANC and feature an impressive app for tweaking audio profiles.

High-end

A top-quality pair of headphones is an essential piece of kit for those who love music. They can bring old songs back to life and breathe new life into your carefully planned music playlists. They can be used to listen to podcasts, play games and make calls.

High-end headphones are an investment. However you can enjoy top audio quality and features for a affordable prices. When choosing a pair of headphones, take into consideration the build quality and reputation. Brands like Bowers & Wilkins and Sony provide models that are durable and suitable for use in everyday. They are also known for their comprehensive warranty and customer service.

The Focal Stellia is a closed-back competitor to the company's Utopia range, and provides stunning technical performance at an affordable cost. It has an even natural sound that reveals all the details of your music without being overemphasized.

Monoprice Arya planar headphones are one of the best-priced planars available. It has a spacious soundstage that is perfect for listening to music while on the move. You can also alter the sound by using a variety of presets.

These Sony headphones are among the top options if you're looking for an affordable pair. They offer outstanding audio quality and noise cancellation, which makes them perfect for long journeys. They are fashionable and comfortable. They are available in a variety of colours so you can pick the right pair for your personal style. You can also choose from a wide range of accessories that can enhance your audio experience. The Sony MDRZX110A has many features that are perfect for audiophiles.

Mid-range

There are plenty of choices in the mid-range of audiophiles. The right set can transform your music listening experience. The top headphones at this price point tend to be open-back, and offer a huge soundstage, with crystal clear floating highs and smooth, natural mids. The sound quality of these headphones is generally excellent, and they can detect even the tiniest details and nuances. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is among the most impressive headphones in this class and has significant improvements over the first-generation model. It's still hefty at 307 g, but it is more comfortable and has improved the noise cancellation and voice calling performance. It's more stylish thanks to its sleek design and luxurious materials.

Another alternative is the Grado Prestige Series SR225x which are a great choice for those who are looking for an excellent pair of open-back headphones that won't cost you an arm and a leg. This is a handmade, high-end headphone that provides great audio quality for the price. It's not as great as the Prestige headphones that cost more, but for an open-back pair of headphones, it's an excellent value.

The Focal Stellia is a great pair of headphones that fall in the mid-range. It's a closed-back rival to the company’s flagship Utopia headphone, and it looks beautiful. It also has a superior technical performance, and can reproduce a wide open soundstage that is extremely transparent. It's a great headphone for podcasts and music. It's got a great design, with genuine wood earcups. It's one of the best headphones to listen to music while on the move. It's available in a range of colors, and it has a stunning look that's ideal for the audiophile in you.

Low-end

If you are on a tight budget and are looking for headphones, it is best to prioritize the features that you require and those that you can live without. Thankfully, there are plenty of options on the lower price range that still offer exceptional audio quality and comfort.

Sony's MDR7506s provide a fantastic example of how to push your budget in this area. These high-quality wired cans employ Neodymium drivers and neodymium magnets to provide the balanced sound you'd expect from a top pair. They come with DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine), which upscales low-res digital music files into near-high-res quality. You'll get voice control via Google Assistant or Siri, and an IPX4 rating to shield you from showers.

The HiFiMan E11BTs are another solid option within this price range. These compact wireless headphones are more powerful than their less expensive counterparts due to the sturdy, all-aluminum construction. They also feature a flat neckband that is comfortable around your head, making them a good choice for your everyday run or a quick trip to the bar.

These are among the top headphones you can buy for under PS200. What Hi-Fi has named them as a current winner. The headphones are a current What Hi-Fi? Award winner, and provide excellent value for price. The sound is full and wide, which is not something you get from headphones that cost this much.

They also use a high-quality Bluetooth codec that is LDAC and aptX HD compatible. Unfortunately, they don't support the higher-quality AAC codec that most iOS devices use. iPhone users may experience some latency when using the headphones with their phones. Android owners won't have any problems with these headphones, however.

Comfort

Comfort is essential for long listening sessions. Over-ear headphones typically have padded ear cups, and headbands that rest comfortably on your ears. You can also try different ear tips, either supplied or as an accessory.

Wireless headphones are an excellent option for many people, as they allow you to move around freely without the hassle of tangled wires. Some models come with the ability to block out any background noise so you can concentrate on your work or studies. Noise-canceling headphones are an excellent choice for commuters as they block out the sound of plane engines and train tracks on the way to and from work.

High-end jbl headphones usually come with many features, including Bluetooth high-quality audio, high-res and noise cancellation. Some even fold up to the size of a small bag and come with a protective case.

If you are seeking a pair of premium headphones then the Bose series is a good choice. Audiophiles adore them for their premium sound quality, noise cancellation and comfortable design. The headband can be adjusted to fit most heads and the soft earpads ensure that your ears are well-protected, with no heat or pressure.

Sony WH1000XM5 is another pair of headphones to try. They're well-rated and provide outstanding sound quality and a remarkable noise cancellation and comfortable ergonomics. Wireless and packed with features that are user-friendly that include touch sensors and smart assistants (Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant) and auto audio settings via proximity and accelerometers. They're also light to pair that has so much technology.

Noise-canceling

If you're in an urban area that is noisy or flying on a plane, or working from home with colleagues in the next room clacking away at their keyboards, noise-canceling headphones can help you concentrate and block out distracting noises. They usually use active noise cancellation, which uses built-in microphones to monitor your environment and emits an inverse sound wave that cancels out background sound.

The best noise-canceling headphone depends on your budget and requirements. It is possible to choose a pair that is lightweight comfortable, comfortable and easy to connect and control with your mobile device or music player. You could also consider a pair with an integrated rechargeable battery to allow for continuous listening or a carry case to make them portable.

Over-the ear ANC headphones provide the best noise-cancelling capability. Earbuds are lighter and more portable but are not as effective in blocking ambient sound. The Bose QC 35 II headphones are light and comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. They feature adjustable ANC and an impressive battery life of up to 30 hours. Their design is sleek and compact, with a folding mechanism that makes them easy to put in backpacks or bags.

Anker Soundcore Q45 headphones are a great option for audiophile those looking for ANC at a lower price. They feature a clear mode with adjustable EQ settings and ANC that is strong. They don't block out as much ambient sound and music with a lot of bass may sound less lively however, they're great overall for the cost.

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 headphones are more expensive than the other options in this category however they provide excellent audio quality with a remarkable noise-cancelling feature set. The headphones are comfortable to wear and fold flat to create a compact storage pouch. They're stylish and support the lossless LDAC Bluetooth codec for high-resolution audio streaming. The headphone application allows you to adjust EQ and choose audio presets.