Best Audiophile Headphones Review
Audiophile.
Just using that word makes some of us think of someone who keeps complaining and wants everything perfect and professional.
When it comes to taking high-resolution audio seriously, it just means exclusive or arrogant.
You don’t have to be a stereotypical audio smug to enjoy good sound with the flow.
If you are looking for high-quality headphones, is it wrong to understand what makes a good sound heard?
Let’s start by acknowledging that there are no boundaries in the world of HD audio equipment.
Easily edit our list of 10 best headphones that you can use for over $5,000.
We won’t go there.
Instead, we’re here looking for the best headphones and earphones for audiophiles (a review by us).
That’s because it has most of the $5,000 price tag we see on high-end gaming PCs.
We’ve done our best to accommodate our tight budgets, and if you want to show off, we’ve launched the best pair of shelves.
Above all, if you are interested in sound quality, you need good audio headphones.
Due to their lack of multiple features, these headphones are usually not the best choice for everyday use, but they are perfect for immersing yourself in music at home.
They accurately reproduce the sound and can create a wide and open sound stage, mostly like listening to music on real speakers.
It also looks well-build and comfortable enough to enjoy the music without reminding you that you are wearing headphones.
The words “pro” or “professional” appear in the names of many headphones and some earphones we review.
This term is somewhat misleading.
People in these professions don’t have to enjoy headphones for studio musicians, experienced engineers, or mixed engineers.
If you are looking for the most accurate sonic characteristics you can afford, a professional template may be your best choice.
There are a variety of professional headphones to consider.
Typical “tracking” headphones for musicians worn by musicians in recording studios are often inexpensive, but references to professional headphones for engineers to check mixes can be a bit more expensive.
One of the common features in this area isn’t fully available, but most cables don’t have remote controls and mic to operate mobile devices and make calls.
If that interferes with the deal, you should check the design section of each review to see if the cable included with the headphones you are interested in has a remote control.
If your headphones don’t have a remote, you can also buy a cable with a build-in remote, depending on your model.
List of best audiophile headphones
Table Of Content
Top 10 Best Audiophile Headphones
[amazon bestseller=”audiophile headphones” items=”10″ template=”table”]1. Sennheiser HD 800 S
The best acoustic speaker tested so far is the [amazon link=”B00PXLX2TC” title=”Sennheiser HD 800 S”/].
This open rear speaker with a sturdy metal frame and premium quality plastic looks very sturdy and luxurious.
Their ear cups are well lined with a suede-like material that is very comfortable even during wide and long listening sessions.
The audio cable is detachable, so it can be easily replaced if it is damaged or if you need to switch the connection type depending on your setup.
Their sound profiles are incredibly accurate and balanced, providing an accurate and natural listening experience that fits most genres.
However, some people may find it lacks bass compared to the other options on this list.
The open design provides a spacious and spacious acoustic space and provides clear, clear sound with minimal distortion.
Unfortunately, it is expensive and requires a lot of investment because you need a powerful amplifier built to make it work.
It’s also best for use in a dedicated listening room, as you might expect from open headphones, but it leaks a lot of sounds and doesn’t block out background noise.
Overall, if you want the best listening experience regardless of cost, this is one of the best headphones we have tested.
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Pros
– Spacious earcups, comfortable for long use
Cons
– No noise canceling
– Expensive
Sennheiser HD 800 S Features
2. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
This second-generation [amazon link=”B085LW8N9Q” title=”Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2″/] isn’t cheap at $300, but this wireless earbud option is better than the old one.
Improved battery (up to 7 hours compared to the original 4 hours) and noise reduction during calls.
If you don’t like black, a white version will be available later this year.
Most importantly, Momentum True Wireless 2 delivers the same great sound with feel even for truly wireless earbuds, giving AirPods Pro a clearly superior sound quality.
This makes these wireless headphones the best true wireless earbuds on the market today.
These devices use Bluetooth 5.1, which supports AAC and AptX codecs (AptX-containing devices such as Samsung Galaxy smartphones).
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Pros
– Splashproof
– Cable-free
– Great soundstage built
Cons
– Lack of comfort
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 Features
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3. Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Plus
The [amazon link=”B083KY4XVY” title=”Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus”/] looks basically the same as the original Galaxy Buds, but the battery life of the earbuds is rated at 11 hours (maximum from 6) when playing music and has dual drivers for better sound and an additional mic in each ear to support it.
Included.
Reduce outside noise when you’re being heard on a call.
These audiophile headphones have great sound.
It’s delicate, smooth, and has a well-defined deep bass.
The sound is richer and wider than the original Galaxy Buds.
Behind Sound is the well-known Austrian sound company AKG, which was acquired by Samsung when it acquired Harman.
The original shot was also “coordinated” by AKG, but this is a nice upgrade over the original.
With the Jabra Elite 75t it’s not a better touch, but you get it right away.
They use Bluetooth 5.0 and support Samsung’s scalable codec, which is similar to AAC (currently there is an app for iOS users) and aptX, but only for Samsung Galaxy phones.
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Pros
– Amazing battery life
– Great Sound
Cons
– No noise canceling
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus Features
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4. Sony WH-1000XM3
The third generation of Sony’s premium wireless noise-canceling audiophile headphones, the [amazon link=”B089NZYF8D” title=”Sony WH-1000XM3″/] offers a more comfortable fit, better performance, and perfect sound quality for listening to music than its predecessor.
This headphone model also has comfortable ear cups.
Finally, these long battery life wireless over-ear headphones outperform the more expensive Bose Noise Canceling 700 with the current top-rated choice for noise cancellation.
Sony WH-1000XM3 premium sound is more comfortable and 20% lighter than its predecessor.
It offers slightly improved noise cancellation and works better as headphones for making calls.
It has a long battery life and has some nice additions for frequent travelers.
[amazon fields=”B089NZYF8D” value=”button”]
Pros
– Improved noise cancellation
– Amazing battery life
– Comfortable fit
Cons
– Ears getting warmed inside the ear cups
Sony WH-1000XM3 Features
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5. Apple AirPods Pro
Even if the $249 model doesn’t look as magical as you want, the [amazon link=”B07ZPC9QD4″ title=”Apple AirPods Pro”/] is still a great example of truly cable-free headphones with noise canceling.
This is primarily due to its dynamic design and fit, improved bass performance, and effective noise cancellation.
This set of headphones is a great choice when you want to make a phone call or listen to music while exercising.
Yes, it’s expensive at $250, but the good news is that it will use a lot and the battery is likely to weaken.
It degrades over time and cannot be replaced.
If you don’t lose it first, you need to buy a new pair within 18-24 months.
AirPods Pro is Apple’s first headphones to offer active noise cancellation that electronically handles external noise such as the buzz of a jet engine or air conditioner, and the company’s first wireless model to feature a noise-canceling design.
It’s a safe choice for Apple users looking for a pair of small, lightweight wireless earbuds that work well and easily connect to their Apple devices, including music, watching movies, and making voice calls.
[amazon fields=”B07ZPC9QD4″ value=”button”]
Pros
– Compact
– Sweatproof
– Light In weight
– Great ear fit
Cons
– Pricey
Apple AirPods Pro Features
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6. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
The long-awaited [amazon link=”B07Q9MJKBV” title=”Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700″/] for the Quiet Comfort 35 II model may not be a breakthrough, but these cable-free headphones have great design and offer slightly better sound, call, and noise-canceling quality.
Unfortunately, these over-ear headphones are $400, but they offer solid performance with up to 20 hours of battery life to listen to podcasts, music, and more.
We prefer the design and convenience (and low price) of the Sony WH-1000XM3.
You can argue which audiophile headphones look better, but one thing is for sure: this noise-canceling model of the headphones works best as a speaker for calls.
For some, this may be worth the extra cost.
[amazon fields=”B07Q9MJKBV” value=”button”]
Pros
– Comfortable
– Excellent noise canceling
– USB-C Charging
– Transperancy
Cons
– Battery life not good
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 Features
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7. Jabra Elite 75t
At first glance, it cost $200, but now at $180, the Elite 75t seemed like an evolutionary upgrade over the Elite 65t.
However, the update turned out to be a bit more than was initially thought.
The [amazon link=”B07X9VG6ZJ” title=”Jabra Elite 75t”/]’s smaller size (earbuds and case are 20% smaller than the Elite 65t), improved battery life, and USB-C charging are important upgrades.
Then there are small changes in these new sets of headphones, such as the new design of the charging case with magnets inside, making the sprout easy to open, close, and store inside.
The Elite 75t isn’t as comfortable as the AirPods Pro and doesn’t have active noise canceling, but as long as you get better bass, the overall sound is cleaner and the bass definition is better for better listening to music with a flow.
Hermetically sealed.
The Jabra Elite Active 75t launched in February and offers better water resistance for an additional $20.
The headphones still have 4 mics (2 for each earbud), but the position has changed.
Each bud now has a mic on the front and back.
The Elite 65t worked well with headphones, and this model works a bit better when making calls.
[amazon fields=”B07X9VG6ZJ” value=”button”]
Pros
– With better clarity and tighter bass provided, it sounds better than the – AirPods Pro
– Better and comfortable fit.
– Smaller size than previous models
– The long battery life of 7.5-hours.
– Comes with USB-C charging
Cons
– Competitor models from Apple and Anker give better call quality
– Does Not support cable-free charging
Jabra Elite 75t Features
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8. Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2
If you can’t afford to buy AirPods Pro, the audiophile [amazon link=”B07SKJNCXM” title=”Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2″/] is a great alternative and great model for making calls or listening to your own music playlist.
Like the AirPods Pro, the optional wireless noise-canceling earbuds mute ambient noise very effectively.
There is no active noise canceling feature, but it’s pretty much a good looking and comfortable fit, and the noise-canceling design passively blocks out a lot of ambient and white noise.
True wireless earbuds on the market can’t impress any audio fan, but with a small tweak to the accompanying Soundcore app for iOS and Android, most people will be happy with the Liberty Air 2’s sound.
It’s a bit, but the bass is a punchy and reasonably open sound.
The Liberty 2 Pro’s step-up tool gives you more bass and more dynamic.
[amazon fields=”B07SKJNCXM” value=”button”]
Pros
– USB-C and wireless charging
– Elegant Matte finish
– Water resistant
– Easy fit
Cons
– Bright Sound
Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Features
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9. Sony WF-1000XM3
With the [amazon link=”B07T81554H” title=”WF-1000XM3″/], Sony is finally a player in the field of true wireless audiophile headphones (AirPod style).
These headphones aren’t cheap in terms of sound quality, but they are the best wireless headphones at this price. & Olufsen.
There are also features in these headphones that these wireless earbuds do not have.
It is an active noise canceling technology that reduces background noise.
It isn’t important to make a phone call (noise reduction would be better) and the earbuds are not rated for sweat or water resistance.
This set of audiophile headphones can be used for light workouts without any problem with a little bit of sweat in the gym.
I am using Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC support but not aptX.
[amazon fields=”B07T81554H” value=”button”]
Pros
– Build-in Alexa
– Active noise cancellation is very effective
Cons
– Not water resistant
– Not sweat resistant
Sony WF-1000XM3 Features
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10. Anker Soundcore Life Q20
It’s pretty dynamic compared to the list price of $ 60 and often retails for under $ 10.
No, the [amazon link=”B07NM3RSRQ” title=”Anker Soundcore Life Q20″/] doesn’t look as good as premium models like the Sony WH-1000XM3, but it looks very good and you can order it at this price.
It’s fairly balanced with a moderate amount of clarity and a plump bass sound that’s not bloated or cloudy (if you want extra sound, there’s a bass boost or BassUp mode).
It’s also comfortable in fit, the noise cancellation is very effective, as powerful as a call headphone, and the battery life is good at 40 hours.
A simple carrying case is included with the set of audiophile headphones.
40 hours of playback: up to 40 hours of continuous playback time in wireless active noise canceling mode (60% volume level) extending to 60 hours in standard music mode.
Listen to over 600 songs or audio recordings of multiple long haul flights on a single charge.
When you’re busy, charge the Life Q20 Active Noise Canceling Headphones for 5 minutes and listen for 4 hours.
[amazon fields=”B07NM3RSRQ” value=”button”]
Pros
– Comfortable to wear
– Noise cancellation enabled
Cons
– Can’t charge and listen at the same time
– Ear cup material is too insulative that results in sweating
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Features
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Audiophile Headphone design: over-ear vs. On the ear vs. In the ear
If you’re looking to invest in high-end headphones, it’s a good idea to know the pros and cons of each of the three main types.
If you already know your headphones, you can skip this section.
This classification mainly describes the structure of the headphones.
Cover the entire ear above the ear.
To be placed on the ear, with the sides exposed.
The inner ear is a much smaller unit that is inserted directly into the ear canal.
They all have their own strengths and weaknesses.
The upper ears usually provide more drive and better sound quality, but they can be heavier and bulky and are not suitable for anyone with claustrophobia.
On-ear headphones give you some compromises about sound quality (they’re on the full list of the best headphones, but you can’t find them on the list above), but they’re lighter and more portable.
Finally, the ears are considered the lightest, but the aftertaste can be gained because they are often uncomfortable to use for long periods of time.
However, the sound quality is not compromised.
The more you devote yourself to sound quality, the more likely you are to choose a larger ear that you can listen to in one place (use a good speaker if possible).
Portability means that you can choose a pair of ears or two.
It really depends on what you are comfortable with so try a few types and tests if possible before purchasing.
However, there is a myth that overhead headphones are inherently superior to in-ear or on-ear headphones.
Error.
Many of these models offer great sound quality, and there are many reasons for choosing them.
For example, wearing glasses can cause discomfort when wearing them over your ears for a long time.
In this case, putting on the ear may be a better option.
Closed and open audiophile headphones
Ideas for closed headphones and open headphones can be confusing so you know what to look for.
It can make a big difference to sound quality, so it’s good to know.
This term refers to the outside of each package.
Sealed headphones (also known as hermetic headphones) are completely sealed because the inner workings of the headphones are hidden.
On the other hand, an open cyst is left exposed and is usually protected behind a hard mesh.
The best-closed headphones on our list are without a doubt the ZMF Vérité Closed for $ 2,499.
As we said, this has something to do with sound.
The open bag looks better because it allows air to circulate and interact with the sound of the driver.
This makes the sound of your audiophile headphones more open and natural.
They also have the advantage of very good looks.
The closed bag is the opposite, the drivers and electronics are hidden and hardly looks good.
Case in point: The Focal Utopia, the top pick on this list, is an open back.
In principle, why don’t we open the back?
Bleed.
When applied to cans, this word indicates how much sound is leaked when playing music, and how much the open back leaks.
Even at low volume, those around you will clearly hear what you are listening to, and you won’t like the improved sound quality.
If you play most of the music you listen to alone, definitely do it.
However, if your company plans to use cans, choose a pair of sealed cans.
Impedance
We’ve focused a lot on impedance here. There is a good reason.
As far as headphones are concerned, they are probably the most important single spec.
It can tell you how much power you need to power your headphones and how accurately your headphones sound.
Impedance refers to the electrical resistance of the (audiophile) headphone.
It doesn’t matter just how much voltage and current you can use it, but also how much it needs to work properly.
We can get detailed skills here, but the result is this.
The higher the impedance, the greater the force required to drive the case.
Any pair with a resistance less than 32 (Ω) can be brought to an acceptable level without an amplifier.
32-100 ohms is a little gray area, you can play cans in this range on mobile devices, but the results are not very good.
More than 100 ohms?
Yes, you need a separate amplifier.
These will not work on your smartphone.
By the way, low resistance is not bad.
A flawless pair, HiFiMAN DEVA has an ultra-low impedance of around 18 ohms.
This means you can either take it out from your phone or a small audio player.
However, you may ask why you use such high impedance.
If everything else is the same, why are you satisfied with the additional power requirement?
This is because as the impedance increases, headphones can more accurately reproduce error-proof sounding.
Usually, a pair of headphones with a high impedance number means having a good time.
Sensitivity
If resistance is the most important thing to know about headphones, the sensitivity will come in the near future.
Knowing it’s not totally necessary, but you can figure out the size of your headphones.
This is a measure of how well the enclosure driver is at producing sound.
Or, more mathematically, it measures how loud the sound is from a fixed 1 milliwatt source.
The higher the sensitivity (measured in decibels or dB), the more likely the case will respond to a variety of actuators or amplifiers.
People with low sensitivity need a little more power but can drive longer at higher volumes, while people with higher sensitivity prefer milder volumes.
Example: Most of the headphones on this list have a sensitivity of 95 dB or higher.
However, the Abyss Diana Phi was hovering around 91 dB, and the previous model, AB-1266 Phi, was much lower at around 86 dB.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Are audiophile headphones worth it?
A. Yes, if you are a true music lover, most audiophile headphones are worth spending (or rather, investing) on them.
Q2. Which headphones or earbuds are safest?
A. Unlike earphones that transmit music directly to your ears, external headphones are a better option and provide some buffering space between the music and the ear canal.
However, while headphones are a safer option for hearing over earphones, they have their own pluses and minuses.
Q3. Are noise-canceling headphones harmful to your ears?
A. Unlike cell phones, noise-canceling headphones do not emit low levels of radiation and do not pose any potential hazards that might arise from frequent use of your phone near your ear.
Conclusion
A set of audiophiles, a set of headphones re-create the experience of listening to music with a pair of premium speakers in a room that has been treated to improve sound quality.
What sets this type of headphone apart from the rest is that it uses dedicated hardware and engineering to reproduce the amazing flow of music (analog or digital) as accurately as possible.
This sacrifices convenience features like noise cancellation and Bluetooth support.
The circuits for these add-ons take up valuable space and technical effort, ultimately reducing audio fidelity.
Many associate sound quality with a sound level with a flat response.
Flat Response Style headphones are equipped with a voice signature that does not increase or decrease various sub-bands within the frequencies of higher range.
Each headphone has its profile, read and review it carefully.
Ultimately, the set of headphones you choose will suit your personal taste and money.
There is no “best set of headphones”. So you can check out several styles.
For example, if you are interested in buying headphones or earphones that prioritize accuracy over bass or gym.
Thus, a little and well-read research done and matching them to your taste and money will be a good thing to do.
You must go through all the specifications of each headphone before reaching to any conclusion.
Buy what you think is affordable and worth investing in.
Let us know your feedback, thoughts, and opinions about this review in the comments section below.
