- 1. How we choose the best audiophile headphones
- 1. Grado SR325x
- 2. Sennheiser IE 900
- 3. Sennheiser HD 820
- 4. Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X
- 5. Beyerdynamic Amiron
- 6. Grado SR80x
- 7. Focal Clear Mg
- 8. Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Generation)
- 9. Sony WH-1000XM4
- 10. Shure Aonic 3
- 11. Sony WF-1000XM4
- 12. Austrian Audio Hi-X50
- 13. Klipsch T5M Wired
- 14. Focal Stellia
- 15. Beyerdynamic T5 (3rd Generation)
- 16. Shure SRH1540
- 17. Grado GS3000e
- 18. Focal Utopia
- 19. Shure SE425
- 20. Shure KSE1200
- 21. AKG K72
best headphones for audiophiles 2022 by AI Consumer Report is updated by A perfect galaxy A perfect galaxy is a type of technology collecting all necessary data to analyze and select Headphones products...
Best audiophile headphones Buying Guide: Welcome to What Hi-Fi?'s round-up of the best audiophile headphones you can buy in 2021.
There's a vast choice of high-end headphones on the market and many are fitted with myriad high-tech bells and whistles. But what if you just want the purest listening experience possible?
With the emphasis firmly on sound quality, audiophile headphones are an ode to outstanding sonics – rather than sensors or streaming tech.
We've assembled the best audiophile headphones below. And they're not necessarily prohibitively expensive – great value sound quality does exist, so don't discount more affordable options.
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If you want to focus on music, you may be best served by a pair of wired over-ears that offer the perfect balance of musicality and precision. If you want to add technology – not to mention clearer sound – to the mix, you could opt for audiophile cans that combine state-of-the-art noise-cancelling tech with state-of-the-art sound.
So what else do you need to consider when buying the best audiophile headphones? To extract the best performance some models will benefit from a high-quality source or a headphone amplifier. 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.
Ready to rediscover your favourite track or inject new life into a carefully-curated playlist? Our pick of the top high-end, audiophile headphones will level-up your love of music.
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How we choose the best audiophile headphones
Here at What Hi-Fi? we review hundreds of products every year, from TVs to speakers, headphones to streamers.
We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London and Bath, where our team of expert reviewers do all our testing. This gives us complete control, ensuring consistency.
All products are tested in comparison with rival products in the same price category, and all review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole rather than an individual reviewer, again helping to ensure consistency and avoid any personal preference.
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The What Hi-Fi? team has more than 100 years experience of reviewing, testing and writing about consumer electronics.
From all of our reviews, we choose the products to feature in our Best Buys. That's why if you take the plunge and buy one of the products recommended below, or on any other Best Buy page, you can be assured you're getting a What Hi-Fi? approved product.
1. Grado SR325x
These are the best audiophile headphones at this price.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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. What's also an achievement is that these picked up a 2021 What Hi-Fi? Award.
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So what's new? On the surface, not much. There are flatter foam earpads, an updated cable and lighter coloured stitching on the firmly padded headband. But the real work has gone on under the hood.
The 44mm drive unit has a revised motor system, new diaphragm and upgraded coil, all to improve efficiency and reduce distortion. And the new 8-conductor cable uses 'super' annealed copper to deliver a purer sound.
The result is a smoother listen and more authoritative bass, and an overall cleaner, clearer sound. They take precision and insight to another level, while delivering rhythms with enthusiasm and plenty of punch. The best audiophile headphones just got that bit better.
Read the full Grado SR325x review
2. Sennheiser IE 900
Sennheiser’s wired flagship earbuds set high standards.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Sennheiser’s IE 900 will appeal to purists who want to get the best audio possible from a high-quality source. It's a suitably premium package befitting the best audiophile headphones, with six ear tip options and three cables with a choice of normal 3.5mm and balanced 2.5mm and 4.4mm connectors. The only thing they don't have is an in-line remote.
Sennheiser's engineers have chosen to go with a single driver rather than the more fashionable multiple unit approach that many rivals take and it's made with rigidity and low resonance in mind. The results are fantastic. They’re impressively clear and open sounding, able to dig deep into the production of a recording. 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.
Partner them with a high-quality outboard DAC, such as the Chord Mojo and use good quality files and you'll hear just why the IE 900 justify their hefty price tag.
Read the full Sennheiser IE 900 review
3. Sennheiser HD 820
Premium audiophile headphones that break the mould.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Closed-back headphones can suffer with distortion issues, but that's not the case with the brilliant Sennheiser HD 820. Sennheiser has cunningly fixed that problem by using a combination of Gorilla Glass and sound-absorbing chambers to prevent sound waves bouncing back into the drivers. The result? A stunning level of agility and precision, impressive authority in the low frequencies and expertly-controlled bass. Of course, these are a serious investment. But if you're serious about music they'll transform your home listening experience.
Read the full Sennheiser HD 820 review
4. Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X brilliantly combine analysis with entertainment, and are superbly made.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Beyerdynamic refers to the DT 900 Pro X as premium studio headphones. That had us scratching our collective heads. After spending some considerable time with them we still can’t figure out what makes these over-ear headphones less suitable for home use. They’re well made, comfortable and sound great, so whether they are intended for the studio or not, we really like them.
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 we’ve heard at this level. If you’re looking for a quality pair of headphones at this price, put these at the top of your shopping list. Once you have a listen you’ll be glad you did.
Read the full Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X review
5. Beyerdynamic Amiron
Premium audiophile headphones that have an exceptional sound to match.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Beyerdynamic's Amiron aren't the kind of headphones that grab your attention on a short listen, but give them a bit of time and their impressive transparency and resolution is sure to please.
It pleased us so much, we gave them a 2021 What Hi-Fi? Award
They're comfortable too, with nicely-judged earpads and sensible weight. You'll need a good quality source and recordings to hear them at their best though, so don't be tempted to skimp.
With everything in place, Beyerdynamic’s Amiron headphones provide an impressive sound that takes the whole frequency range in its stride. We like their clear midrange vocals, their tight timing, and the impressive way that they can handle challengingly messy songs. Some of the best audiophile headphones at this price.
Read the full Beyerdynamic Amiron review
6. Grado SR80x
Some of the best audiophile headphones on a budget.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
These are a modern take on the original SR80 headphones from 1991, the pair which wrote the Grado family business into the audiophile history books. They also succeed the 2014-released, multi-What Hi-Fi? Award-winning SR80e. So they have big shoes to fill.
They do so admirably. In fact, they picked up a 2021 Award for their efforts. Their open-backed design leaks sound like a sieve, but provides a gloriously open soundstage with class-leading transparency. The new, fourth-generation 44mm driver is more efficient and lowers distortion, and boy does it show: they sound clearer, cleaner and more detailed than their predecessor, and are easier to drive from portable devices.
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 SR80x’s sonic signature. These are far from rich or even warm in tone, but an extra generous sprinkling of refinement this time round has made their forward, clinical presentation all the more palpable. Audiophiles on a budget, look no further.
Read the full Grado SR80x review
7. Focal Clear Mg
Open-back headphones that live up to their name.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Focal is best known for its speakers, and seeing as it only launched its own range of headphones in 2012, it's a relative newcomer to the space. But it's quickly made a name for itself by challenging some of the best models around. The Clear Mg is a high-end, open-backed pair that looks and feels as luxurious as that price tag would suggest.
The quality of the materials is excellent, from the leather used on the thick, cushioned headband to the microfibre cloth on the cosseting earpads. Not only does this mean a premium product, it makes them comfy too – the headphones are nicely shaped and inward pressure is firm but well-judged. The wide, cushioned headband and well-designed earpads spread the 450g weight well.
Sonically, they live up to their name, with a refined yet explicit sound that makes it easy to follow low-level instrumental strands in busy productions. There’s plenty of punch on offer and lows are rendered with grip and texture. Rhythms are delivered in a surefooted and controlled manner rather than with overt exuberance, but there’s still enough in the way of drive to keep us entertained. The overall presentation retains an easy-going charm that makes longer listening sessions a breeze.
Read the full Focal Clear Mg review
8. Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Generation)
Beyerdynamic refines its winning formula.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
It’s been a decade since we first laid ears on the original T1 model, and they have since become something of a touchstone for us as far as premium headphones go. The main change between this third-generation model and its predecessor has been to make the new pair easier to drive for laptops and mobile devices. But be under no illusions – high-quality source material is still vital.
They're open-backed, so the usual provisos about leaking sound apply. They're intended for home listening, which is aided by the 3m-long cable. This is easily detachable, so if it ever does break or get damaged, swapping to a replacement will take a matter of seconds. And it doesn't make much mechanical noise as you move around – always a plus.
Sound-wise, they're a little cleaner and clearer than their predecessors, sounding a little less bright and more rounded in the treble. It makes them a bit more forgiving of aggressive electronics and recordings, but they're still admirably even-handed and balanced. We’re pleased to report that Beyerdynamic hasn’t over-egged the bass frequencies either, with the T1 (3rd Gen) sounding as tonally convincing as ever.
Read the full Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Generation) review
9. Sony WH-1000XM4
Premium, wireless, and with superb sonics.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Sony knows when it's onto a good thing. For proof, look no further than the WH-1000XM4, successors to the five-star-rated WH-1000XM3. If you're after the best-sounding wireless on-ears, these 2020/2021 What Hi-Fi? Award-winners should be top of your list.
The XM4 improve upon the XM3 with plusher ear cups, better noise-cancelling technology and a raft of new features including Speak to Chat, which allows you to talk to someone without removing the headphones from your head.
More importantly, the XM4 offer a serious hike in sound quality. The presence of Sony's new DSEE Extreme sound processor, coupled with Sony’s inspired DAC and analogue amplifier combo, delivers a sense of musicality and enthusiasm that is nothing less than addictive.
Sony’s WH range has consistently set a benchmark for timing and dynamics and the XM4 continue that trend. The dynamic shifts and low frequency performance are particularly thrilling.
When you factor in the high degree of comfort and herculean battery life, the XM4 are a great blend of convenience and quality.
Read the full Sony WH-1000XM4 review
10. Shure Aonic 3
Breathtakingly musical and comfy to wear.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Despite the popularity of wireless models, there are plenty of discerning listeners who prefer the ease and simplicity of wired in-ears. After all, there's no need to worry about the battery conking out or the Bluetooth pairing playing up.
If that's you, and sound quality is a priority, the Aonic 3 in-ears will impress. These 2021 Award winners are some of Shure's smallest earbuds and offer a comfy fit. They’re 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.
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, up there with the best audiophile headphones at this price. Their sense of rhythm and timing needs to be heard to be believed and their dynamic ability left us spellbound.
Are these buds the most enthusiastic in-ears we've ever heard? No, but they're honest, transparent and true to the original recording. If those attributes appeal, you won't find anything better for the money.
Read the full Shure Aonic 3 review
11. Sony WF-1000XM4
Some of the best audiophile headphones with excellent noise-cancelling and Bluetooth.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The WF-1000XM4 produce one of the most dynamic, detailed and balanced performances we've heard from a pair of wireless audiophile headphones. These 2021 Award winners deliver bass notes that are crisply defined and ooze texture, while vocals sound refined and extremely natural. They deliver tunes with such a sense of musicality that it's infectious and keeps you coming back for more. And you'll have plenty of time to be entertained thanks to the class-leading eight-hour battery life.
The Sonys are comfortable to wear too and you get great noise isolation from the ear tips and fantastic noise cancelling from Sony's Integrated Processor V1.
IPX4 water resistance comes as part of the WF-1000XM4 package, as does Sony's Headphones Connect app for iOS and Android, as well as clever features such as Quick Attention and Speak-To-Chat which both allow you to have a conversation without removing the earbuds. If you want a fantastic pair of in-ears that won't tangle you up in wires, you need to try these Sonys.
Read the full Sony WF-1000XM4 review
12. Austrian Audio Hi-X50
Talented on-ears that set high standards at this level.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
While Austrian Audio is a new company, the people behind it are ex-AKG employees and some of the most experienced in the industry. That maturity shines through in its Hi-X50 on-ear audiophile headphones.
They're solid, quality-built headphones, and components like the headband cushioning and memory foam earpads can be easily replaced. So you don't need to worry about wear and tear.
To wear, they're light and easy to ignore, and they come with a 3m cable, though a 1.2m optional extra is also available – worth considering if you'll be using these cans on the move.
But be warned: they don't suffer fools gladly. Subpar source material has nowhere to hide, as every scratch and pop is exposed. But when the source material is up to standard, these headphones truly shine, unearthing lots of detail and organising it into a musically cohesive presentation. It’s a pretty even-handed sound, without much in the way of undue emphasis on any part of the frequency range. This balanced performance perfectly matches the brand's maturity beyond its years.
And if you're happy to spend a little more for a slightly heavier, bulkier, and slightly better sounding prospect, check out the Austrian Audio Hi-X55.
Read the full Austrian Audio Hi-X50 review
13. Klipsch T5M Wired
The best budget in-ear audiophile headphones.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Klipsch knows how to make a decent pair of affordable in-ears. In 2018 it was the R6i II that stole all the headlines, but now it's the T5M Wired causing a stir – such a stir that they picked up a 2021 What Hi-Fi? Award. Not only are they extremely comfortable (which helps), they're also some of the most musical buds we've heard at the money.
They sound detailed and dynamic with an even tonal balance and excellent sense of timing. The only slight negatives are they can generate cable noise if you don't use the supplied clothing clip and you can't change volume via the one-button control/mic. Still, that's small fry in the grand scheme of things.
Read the full Klipsch T5M Wired review
14. Focal Stellia
Closed-back audiophile headphones with a top-class sound.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
These are essentially a closed-back version of the Focal Utopia. That means you get Focal's trademark awesome sound quality but with a more practical design – because they're closed-back, everyone around you won't hear what you're listening to, and – crucially – the headphones don't let in sounds from your surroundings.
In other words, if you're feeling brave, you could take them out and about without compromising on the listening experience.
Of course, there's a lot more to it than just being closed-back. The innards have been optimised to work with portable music players and DACs, and the earpieces have built-in diffusers and EVA foam absorption to absorb the sound waves rebounding off the back of the dome. Every element has been thought of – it's just a shame the lead you'll use on the move is so microphonic, with every move making crackles that interfere with the music being played.
Sonically, they're refined and mature, and handle dynamics with authority. They can't quite match the performance of the Utopia, but the more practical closed-back design gives them a bit more appeal. They're a little cheaper, too, and still up there with the best audiophile headphones.
Read the full Focal Stellia review
15. Beyerdynamic T5 (3rd Generation)
Beyerdynamic's flagship closed-back headphones set a new benchmark.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Beyerdynamic makes some of the best closed-back headphones in the world, so its first ever open-backed pair was very eagerly anticipated indeed. Like lots of open-backed models, they're designed for home use, and they're suitably luxurious, with brushed, lacquered aluminium housings, complemented by matching, anodised yokes, a classy strip of Alcantara on the headband, and replaceable ear pads made from protein-coated leatherette. Very swish.
But they don't just look the part – they feel it, too. The pads clasp just right, providing decent noise isolation, while the headband is cushioned to take the relatively modest burden of the headphones’ 360g weight. If you are determined to venture into the outside world with the T5, they are relatively compact as high-end over-ears go.
On the audio front, it's a remarkably spacious presentation for a closed-back design. While you don’t get quite the breadth of sound as you do through the T1 (3rd generation), we’d still describe it as ‘expansive’, with a pleasing tonal neutrality and engagingly punchy temperament.
Music isn’t boldly shoved in your face, nor is it overly distant, instead being given room to evolve. The result: a comfortable and engaging listen.
Read the full Beyerdynamic T5 (3rd Generation) review
16. Shure SRH1540
Premium design meets audiophile levels of musicality.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
These plush, closed-back over-ears are nicely crafted from premium materials such as aluminium and carbon fibre. They're lightweight and feature ear cups swathed in soft Alcantara, making them ideal for extended late-night listening sessions. Beneath the ear cups lie 40mm neodymium drivers, which make for impressive dynamics, nimble presentation and a stunning amount of detail. Naturally musical, they're superb value for money and a great choice for the audiophile.
Read the full Shure SRH1540 review
17. Grado GS3000e
Class-leading sound, but these audiophile headphones need some care.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
In our experience, Grado rarely disappoints, and it's for some of the best audiophile headphones like the GS3000e that the company is really known. Grado claims these are the finest wooden-cased headphones it has ever made, and it's difficult to argue against that.
We're talking no-compromise audio quality. There's distinctive, unique styling, and Grado's traditional open-back design. They do leak sound, though, so we'd recommend using these headphones in the privacy of a listening room.
Sonically, they're agile, involving and just great fun to listen to. Use them with a suitably capable source and headphone amplifier, and they deliver a controlled sound, which is organised but far from routine – far-reaching dynamics and a fine sense of rhythm ensure that. They're more forgiving of bright highs than some Grado designs, yet still deliver fine levels of detail. If you can deal with the style and open-back design, then these audiophile headphones will reward you every time you put them on.
Read the full Grado GS3000e review
18. Focal Utopia
Superb audiophile headphones with a price tag to match their talents.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
These are some of the best audiophile headphones we've ever heard, full stop. And they're priced appropriately. If sound quality is your priority, you should buy them without hesitation. Except there's a rather large caveat to consider...
They're open-backed. That means they leak sound to everyone around you, as well as letting in the noises from your surroundings.
But the upside to that is a wonderfully airy, spacious soundscape that really lets the music do its thing. This is a refined and wonderfully smooth performance, but there's still enough in the way of bite to satisfy. The sound is brimming with authority, and there's a satisfying sense of weight to proceedings.
While the sound is revealing, the Utopia don’t go out of their way to highlight the harshness in a recording. It's a nicely judged balance that means they work well across a wide range of recordings.
If money is no object, then the Utopia definitely deserve your attention.
Read the full Focal Utopia review
19. Shure SE425
The finest in-ears we've heard at this price.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
We first reviewed these in-ears in 2013, but thanks to a price drop, they're now even more worthy of the money – and your attention.
They have plenty to offer the dedicated music fan, including a rich sound and refined dynamics. Jaw-dropping detail and precision means they're capable of teasing out details that you might never have heard – even in your favourite recordings.
The design won't appeal to all but when it comes to performance, we can't recommend them enough.
Read the full Shure SE425 review
20. Shure KSE1200
Clever engineering and stunning sound – but at a price.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you want to bring a little intimacy to your favourite recordings, Shure's high-end in-ears should be high on your list. They're not cheap but they are supplied with their own analogue headphone amp (it's the size of a pack of cards) that drives electrostatic drivers with a wide frequency range.
Why all the unusual technology? In short, performance. They'll render every track with a breathtaking level of detail and precision – no matter how complex the recording. The emphasis is on clarity rather than bass, but if you want to hear every little nuance, these are (a lot of) money well spent.
Read the full Shure KSE1200 review