If you care about audio quality above all else, you'll want a good pair of audiophile-level headphones. While these headphones generally aren't the best option for on-the-go use due to their lack of active features, they're great for fully immersing yourself in your music while at home. They reproduce sound accurately, and most can create a spacious, open soundstage that mimics listening to music on actual tower speakers. They also generally feel well-built and comfortable enough to fully enjoy the music without being reminded that you're wearing headphones at all. Due to limitations with Bluetooth connection, this article primarily focuses on wired audiophile headphones.
We've tested over 845 pairs of headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best headphones for audiophiles you can buy. See our recommendations for the best headphones for music, the best bass headphones, the best wired headphones, and the best studio headphones.
Quick Look
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one, so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best Audiophile Headphones
The best audiophile headphones we've tested are the Sennheiser HD 800 S. These top-of-the-line headphones aren't for everyone; their high price point puts them out of reach for many users, and you'll need a powerful amplifier to drive them, which can be an additional expense if you don't already own one. However, if you're looking for an immersive experience regardless of cost, these open-backs have an outstanding soundstage that's large, natural, and spacious. As a result, audio feels like it's coming from out in front of you rather than inside your head.
They have a flat sound profile that renders all sorts of audio accurately, but they lack a bit of punch and rumble (partly due to their open design). Still, they have a touch of extra high bass to add warmth to mixes, so they never feel thin. Drum and bass fans might just miss some a bit of low kick drum thump. Vocals and lead instruments are reproduced accurately thanks to their smooth and flat mids. If you're hunting for audiophile headphones with a bit more bass and don't mind a more intimate listening experience, check out the Audeze LCD-X. These planar magnetics have a warmer sound signature with a bit more bass (though still below our preference curve). Plus, a cut in the low-treble relative to the Sennheiser can make them less fatiguing to listen to over longer periods. That said, the Audeze weigh nearly twice as much as the Sennheiser, and while their headband and pads make them quite comfortable to wear, they may be too heavy for some.
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Best Mid-Range Audiophile Headphones
The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are the best mid-range audiophile headphones we've tested. These over-ears are easier on the wallet than the Sennheiser HD 800 S and have a dynamic driver design. While they are just as comfortable as our top pick, their build quality suffers due to their flimsier plastic yokes. The HD 490 PRO have a balanced sound profile, so vocals and lead instruments sound present and clear. They also have a bit more low-bass compared to the HD 800 S, which brings more thump to mixes. They do a good job producing audio that sounds like it's coming from a pair of angled reference monitors in a room, too.
These over-ears have a comfortable fit, a lightweight design, and a light clamping force. Through their swappable earpads, which slightly change the sound signature, the HD 490 PRO also offer some initial sonic and comfort customization. To top it off, they're also easier to drive than the HD 800 S, meaning you'll save some money as you won't need an amp to use these headphones with most devices. Looking for a planar magnetic analogue to the Sennheiser? Check out the HiFiMan Edition XS. These headphones have a nearly identical frequency response to the Sennheiser, though their frequency response fluctuates much more in the treble. And while less expensive, the HiFiMan don't come with an additional pair of earpads that you can use to alter their sound signature.
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Best Lower Mid-Range Audiophile Headphones
The Sennheiser HD 560S are the best lower mid-range headphones for audiophiles we've tested. While unable to produce audio that mimics the sound of a pair of angled reference speakers quite as well as the more expensive entry from the same brand, they still do a passable job on this front, and certainly better than most closed-backs. Like the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, the HD 560S are quite comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. However, their lower price results in some sacrifices in build quality compared to the HD 490 PRO.
The HD 560 S's flat sound profile suits a variety of audio content and musical genres. Fans of classical and pop alike will appreciate their controlled mid-range and treble response. That said, they do lack a little low- and mid-bass, which is typical of open-backs. Closed-back headphones tend to do a better job reproducing bass, so if you're a techno fan looking for more rumble and boom, the FIIO FT1 are a good option. They put out a healthy amount of thump and punch, and their closed design also means they leak less audio, making them a bit more versatile: you can use them with less fear of being overheard in quiet spaces like your local library. That said, people who wear glasses may notice a big drop-off in the FIIO's bass response. If you wear glasses or prefer more balanced or flat audio reproduction, the Sennheiser HD 560S are the pair to choose in this price bracket.
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Best Budget Audiophile Headphones
If you're looking for even more affordable headphones, the Philips SHP9500 are the best budget audiophile headphones we've tested. Their open-back design ensures a wide and natural soundstage that makes audio feel as though it's coming from two speakers in a room. They're comfortable to wear for long listening sessions and have a decent build quality, although they're not as stable on the head as more expensive options, such as the Sennheiser HD 560S.
They have a flat sound profile that suits most genres of music. In particular, their mid-range is outstanding, so vocals are rendered naturally and without any honk. The main downside of these cans is their lackluster bass response. They're not the best cans for audiophiles who love their hip-hop kick drums, which have plenty of thumpy low bass, so if that's you, the Superlux HD 681 are worth considering. The Superlux have a balanced sound that suits most genres, and they're an especially good pick for fans of modern bass-heavy genres like EDM. Unfortunately, they have a poor, plasticky build quality and aren't as comfortable as the Philips, though they're less expensive.
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Best Audiophile In-Ear Monitors
If you prefer an in-ear fit instead of over-ears, the best in-ear monitors (IEMs) we've tested are the Meze ALBA. These headphones offer an impressively comfortable and stable fit, so they won't slip out of your ears if you move your head around. Plus, their audio cables loop around your ear for added stability, which is a nice touch. Since the cables are detachable, you can also swap them out if they become damaged.
Sound-wise, they offer a balanced sound that's suitable for all types of audio content. They accurately represent voices and instruments alike, with plenty of detail. That said, in-ears are typically less immersive than over-ears, with sound that seems to come more from inside your head rather than from around you. However, that may be a fair trade-off for you, as their design allows them to block out a little more ambient sound than most closed-back over-ears without active noise cancellation, such as the FIIO FT1.
If you can't swing the cost of the Meze, the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED are a less costly investment. These IEMs also have a balanced sound profile. But, if you prefer a bass-heavy sound, you can use their included 10-ohm adapter to add more thump to your audio. However, they lack the Meze's analog to USB-C adapter, making them a little less versatile in terms of source device selection. They're not quite as comfortable or well-built as our pick, either.
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Best Casual Audiophile Headphones
The best casual-use audiophile headphones we've tested are the Focal Bathys Wireless. These Bluetooth headphones have a closed-back design. Unlike the much cheaper and fully passive FIIO FT1, they have an active noise cancelling system, so you can use them on the bus or when you're out for a walk; noise like background chit-chat or rumbling engines won't drown out your music. They're also wireless, so you don't need to worry about managing a long cable when you're out and about. They support the aptX Adaptive codec for high-res audio, which helps improve audio quality via Bluetooth. And they have a built-in DAC that activates when you connect the headphones via USB.
These headphones have a balanced sound, with an EQ and presets in the companion software to help you customize it if you prefer a different profile. Unlike most audiophile headphones, they have a microphone, even if its performance isn't the best. If gaming or mic performance is important, you might prefer the Noble FoKus Apollo. These similarly priced headphones come from a renowned IEM brand, Noble, and feature an integrated mic and detachable boom. The latter have impressive recording quality, and work just fine over an analog connection with consoles. While the Noble also have better noise isolation performance than the Focal, their frequency response isn't as smooth, and may lower their esteem with audiophiles.
We've yet to review the Sennheiser HDB 630, but they've been making waves in the community in part thanks to their bassier take on HD 6X0-line tuning, a Bluetooth dongle, and comprehensive sound customization options, so they're definitely worth checking out.
Notable Mentions
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Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII:
The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII have a brighter sound than the Sennheiser HD 800 S, which is more suited for studio applications. They're much cheaper than the Sennheiser, but their soundstage doesn't feel as open and immersive and they're not as comfortable.
See our review -
Audeze MM-100:
The Audeze MM-100 are comfortable, well-built open-back headphones equipped with planar magnetic drivers and designed for professional mixing applications. They have a flatter sound signature compared to the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, and don't come with an extra set of pads for more casual listening.
See our review -
Sennheiser HD 6XX:
The Sennheiser HD 6XX make a great alternative to the Sennheiser HD 560S. They're a different version of the audiophile classic, the Sennheiser HD 650, with a slightly more subdued treble than the HD 560S, which fans of a warm sound may appreciate. But unfortunately, they're not always easy to find outside the USA.
See our review -
Sennheiser IE 200:
The Sennheiser IE 200 are a cheaper set of IEMs to the Meze ALBA. Their sound is slightly warm, but their design is much more plasticky, and the accessories aren't as premium.
See our review -
MOONDROP Blessing 3:
The MOONDROP Blessing 3 are a great alternative to the Meze ALBA. They're premium IEMs with a balanced sound that closely tracks our target curve. That said, they're pricier than the Meze, don't have an analog to USB-C adapter, and aren't quite as comfortable.
See our review -
CrinEar Daybreak:
The CrinEar Daybreak are IEMs aimed at reproducing the eponymous Crinacle's 2025 IEF (in-ear fidelity) target. They have a very similar sound signature to the Meze Alba, with a tad less treble emphasis. However, they exchange the Meze's USB-C to analog dongle for interchangeable 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm connectors.
See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 20, 2025:
We've removed the HiFiMan Sundara 2020 from the article due to their price fluctuations and the presence of better alternatives. The article now includes references to the Audeze LCD-X, Noble FoKus Apollo, Sennheiser HDB 630, and CrinEar Daybreak as alternate products or in the Notable Mentions.
Jul 21, 2025:
The Meze ALBA are our new pick for the 'Best Audiophile In-Ear Monitors' for their balanced sound and excellent price-to-performance ratio; the MOONDROP Blessing 3 is now a Notable Mention. We also added the FIIO FT1 as a closed-back alternative to the Sennheiser HD 560S, added the Sennheiser HD 6XX to our Notable Mentions, and removed the Sennheiser HD 650 from our Notable Mentions. Finally, we updated the rest of this article extensively to align with changes made in Test Bench 2.0, which changed how we measured a pair of headphones' Sound Profile.
Mar 18, 2025:
The Sennheiser HD 560S are our new lower mid-range pick, as the Philips Fidelio X2HR are out of stock. We've also added the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII to our Notable Mentions for fans of an airy, bright treble. Finally, we've reinstalled the Sennheiser HD 650 as a Notable Mention because they're a touchstone of the audiophile community.
Dec 19, 2024:
We've made some changes to our picks in this update. The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO replace the HiFiMan Edition XS, as they're more stable and control their sound profile better. The HiFiMan are now in the Notable Mentions. We also made some wording adjustments and clarifications to reflect retested products on Test Bench 1.8.
Sep 27, 2024: The Philips SHP9500 are now back in stock, so they replace the Superlux HD 681 as our budget pick, with the Superlux becoming an alternative pick for listeners who prefer a thumpy bass. The Philips Fidelio X2HR also replace the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO as our lower mid-range pick because of their wider soundstage. The Beyerdynamic are an alternative pick for listeners who'd like a closed-back option.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best-sounding headphones to buy for most people in each price range. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for headphones, sorted by their neutral sound performance. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and where you use the headphones will matter more in your selection.