11 Best Audiophile Headphones in 2023 (for any budget)

Check out the best audiophile headphones you should consider in 2023.

From luxurious models to affordable gems that won’t break the bank.

Even some Bluetooth audiophile headphones are hidden in there. Curious to know which ones? See for yourself down below.

Sure there are plenty of choices in the super high-quality audiophile headphones but if you want to maximize your enjoyment listening to your favorite music, consider these first.

Many would consider these luxury headphones. But for an audiophile, these are a necessity.

The best audiophile headphones offer the highest quality materials, drivers, and fancy designs.

Consequently, many audiophile headphones end up costing quite a lot.

But don’t despair; there are some more affordable options too.

Related:

• Best headphones for mixing

The Best Audiophile Headphones

1. Sennheiser HD 800 S

Best high-fidelity headphones that an audiophile can get right now.

Comfort, durability, and extremely precise audio performance are qualities that make the Sennheiser HD800 S the industry standard, deserving a top spot on our list.

PROS & CONS

These best audiophile headphones from Sennheiser are well-balanced. Bass response is well-defined with amazing clarity.

The mid-range is fantastic. Slightly artificial highs with some pronounced sibilance mix together in an overall extraordinary sound.

The go-to headphones for any serious audiophile. They have the status of audiophile headphones all need to compare to.

The over-ears are supremely comfortable with their large spacious ear cups. Long listening sessions won’t hurt your ears.

Sennheiser made sure to use the best premium materials and a sturdy design that will last for years, possibly forever (with good care).

Sennheiser HD 800 S and their truly sensational sound are a must-have pair of headphones for all serious audiophiles.

2. Apple AirPods Max

Best sounding premium Bluetooth headphones – Apple AirPods Max review.

Great-sounding premium product (with noise cancellation) from Apple that deserves the spot in the best audiophile headphones buying guide? AirPods Max are their most outstanding achievement yet.

PROS & CONS

Check the Apple AirPods Max sound test:

Apple’s best offer delivers a U-shaped sound signature with boosted sub-bass and extended highs. AirPods Max perform remarkably well for Bluetooth headphones, ranking high among audiophiles.

These audiophile headphones pose a unique design that you either love or hate. However, you can’t deny their top-notch craftsmanship. Although, the included carry case does the bare minimum for protection.

Both earcups are made from a single piece of aluminum. The physical button and a rotating crown are very tactile and feel excellent to use. It’s the little things that matter as well.

Earpads are dressed in fabric and quickly replaceable due to magnets. You can pick different color options.

AirPods Max support both noise cancellation and transparency mode, both doing an excellent job. They’re also great for call quality, regardless of the ambient noise.

3. Sony WF-1000XM4

The best audiophile wireless earbuds in business – Sony WF-1000XM4 review.

Feature-rich wireless in-ears with a balanced and detailed sound.

PROS & CONS

Check the Sony WF-1000XM4 sound test:

Sony really nailed the WF-1000XM4 sound-wise. While they’re a bit energetic out of the box, you can make them sound exceptionally natural with a little bit of EQ.

The latter is found in the Sony Headphones app, and it doesn’t hurt the earbuds’ performance or dynamics. They can get very loud, so don’t blast them to protect your hearing.

New features include DSEE Extreme, which we advise to keep turned on for the best clarity.

In-ear headphones are on the bulky side, so they might not fit small ears comfortably. Fortunately, they stay stable thanks to hybrid foam eartips, which create a tight seal with your ear canal.

That’s important for active noise cancellation to work properly. Turning it on during commute makes a night and day difference in bass reproduction. They come with decent battery life (8h in buds, 16h in the charging case), so they should last for the entire bus/train/plane ride.

The single issue is touch controls, which can suffer from ghost touches in cold weather.

4. Sennheiser IE 900

Best earbuds with exceptional sound quality.

Sennheiser IE 900 are arguably one of the best in-ear monitors on the market, with incredible sound reproduction.

PROS & CONS

Sennheiser IEM flagships aim at a U-shaped sound that adds a touch of rumble and sparkle. While you can beat them in detail retrieval, they’re a great choice and a go-to pick for relaxing and simply enjoying the music without analyzing it.

IE 900 are made of special 3D printed metal to achieve desired acoustic properties. Sennheiser also put some of their house technologies inside, like custom drivers, to ensure perfect performance.

You get 6 pairs of ear tips (three half silicone, three foam) and 3 sets of cables (3.5mm, 4.4mm, 2.5mm) with MMCX connectors within the box. All have an over-the-ear memory wire.

Furthermore, you get an excellent, comfortable design with a secure fit. Although, passive noise isolation could be better.

5. Etymotic Research ER4XR

Best earbuds with high-fidelity audio and BA driver type.

Tiny balanced armature in-ear with great isolation and even better audio performance.

PROS & CONS

They produce an incredibly detailed, accurate sound, especially in the midrange. One thing to keep in mind is that BA drivers have a more precise bass, but they lack the rumble of dynamic drivers.

Their housing is smallish, but there is a reason for that. They’re meant to go deeper into your ears, giving you excellent passive noise isolation.

That is great since reducing ambient noises means you don’t have to crank up the volume.

Inside the box, you get many eartip options: 3 pairs of triple-flanged ear tips and 2 pairs of memory foam ones.

Apart from the cable, you can also replace filters inside an earbud when they get dirty. That is great since earwax build-up can change the sound quality.

6. TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:Red

Great affordable IEMs with fantastic sound tuning and design – TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:Red review.

While not the best out there, they’re still a quality pair for listening on the go.

PROS & CONS

Check the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:Red sound test:

For under $60, you simply can’t get any better. The tuning is almost neutral, with just a bit of bass and a tad too smooth treble, but we’re nitpicking.

IEM use dual dynamic drivers to separate bass and higher frequencies, achieving good technical performance. Of course, more expensive IEMs let you hear more details.

Resin housing is ergonomically made to fit most ears comfortably. You get 7 pairs of ear tips, so you get the perfect seal, while the over-the-ear cable ensures a stable fit.

The cable is detachable, so you can easily replace it if it gets damaged. The included leather carrying pouch provides better durability during transportation.

7. Sennheiser HD 660 S

Classic design over-ear headphones from Sennheiser with high-fidelity frequency response.

Sennheiser HD 660 S are splendid audiophile headphones with a neutral yet energetic sound profile (compared to HD 800 S).

PROS & CONS

These are the next step in terms of sound quality over the legendary HD 600/650. No wonder they’re among the best headphones under $500.

While the difference isn’t dramatic, you can still hear a superior sound quality from HD 660 S, a slightly more refined and controlled presentation.

The design is the same as the other HD 6xx reference headphones. You can even use their spare parts like decorative pieces and velour earpads.

The latter are huge and can easily fit even the bigger ears. Comfort is excellent, so wearing headphones for hours on end should be a problem.

While you can drive them with your phone (150 ohms), the sound will get tighter and more detailed if you use a headphone amp. You can also experiment with different audio cables (a balanced connector).

8. HIFIMAN Edition XS

The best audiophile headphones for under $500.

The latest new addition from HIFIMAN replaces Edition X planar magnetic headphones.

PROS & CONS

These are fantastic if you’re looking for close-to-neutral headphones. There are some small frequency deviations here and there, but you will generally hear things as the artist intended to.

Another thing worth mentioning is the impressive imaging capabilities and even better soundstage. The latter is pretty massive and a joy to experience.

The design follows the likes of the Ananda and other planar headphones from HIFIMAN. That means big earcups (due to huge planar magnetic drivers) with lots of padding in the earpads.

However, while that’s superb for users with big heads, it can be uncomfortable for those with smaller heads.

The build quality is excellent, too, although a bit plain looking.

9. Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO

Best audiophile headphones for mixing in a studio.

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO are closed-back headphones with a V-shaped signature and great build quality.

PROS & CONS

The V-shaped signature will make you dance to your favorite pop songs. The bass and treble are extended and overall excellent.

The V-shape sound profile is great for popular music and monitoring.

That’s why they’re heavily used by DJs and radio hosts. But if you want cans for mixing, these aren’t the best due to the closed-back design.

If you’re looking for a V-shaped sound combined with amazing durability, then read on. The solid metal frame makes these audiophile headphones sturdy and durable.

Their velour ear pads give good comfort for hours, plus they’re replaceable. Moreover, the noise around you won’t bother you, because their stable fit provides amazing passive isolation.

• For bassier options, see the best bass headphones.

10. Philips Fidelio X2HR

Best budget audiophile headphones.

Philips Fidelio X2HR are one of the best open headphones under $200.

PROS & CONS

Headphones give a smooth and spacious sound. It is also detailed and clear. You’ll hear a lot more details than with your average headphones.

At the same time, the low end is still strong and present without bleeding into mids or highs. Their sound signature is balanced. That is suitable for different styles of music genres and even for “bassier” types.

If you’re looking for balanced open-back headphones that don’t compromise bass, then it’s worth checking these. Open-back headphones generally produce less bass than closed-backs, but not these.

Lovely design and strong build quality will make you forget you’re dealing with sub-$200 headphones.

Plus, well-padded ear cups (memory foam earpads) and comfortable headband provide a fantastic level of comfort, which can be compared to 300$+ headphones.

• Check out similar options among the best cheap headphones.

11. Philips SHP9600

One of the best-sounding headphones at an affordable price point.

A small upgrade over the extremely popular affordable audiophile headphones Philips SHP9500, which is highly praised for its neutrality and good sound stage.

PROS & CONS

These headphones are relatively neutral, with a slight boost in the lower bass, making them nicely warm. There is also a small dip in the treble, which prevents them from becoming too sibilant.

There is plenty of extension in the headband to fit all head sizes. Earpads are again covered in a unique fabric with sufficient padding for excellent comfort.

That firm fit does provide excellent grip if you shake your head a lot, either when listening to music or playing intensive video games.

Thankfully, the cable is detachable and quite thick, which extends its longevity. It ends with a gold-plated 3.5mm jack, with an additional 6.3 adapter inside the box.

Check out more of the best headphones under $100.

Honorable mentions

Oppo PM-3

EarFun Free Pro 3

HIFIMAN Arya

Sennheiser HD 560S

Shure SE535

The Definition of an Audiophile

• An audiophile is a person who loves experiencing high-quality audio.
• Is willing to pay more for perfect headphones, (usually expensive) audio equipment, and tools (although not necessarily).

For the most part, most audiophiles are music lovers who take music listening very seriously.

Their hobby usually involves a lot of equipment testing (headphones and speakers), visiting audio tech shows, and spending a lot of time finding the next best audio high.

How much do audiophiles spend on their headphones?

• Audiophile headphones usually spend around $100 for entry-level audiophile headphones, up to $500 for premium models. In this price range, users can hear the biggest difference between various headphones.

Going above $500 is mostly reserved for diehard audiophiles who want to squeeze every last drop of hidden sound information that not all users will appreciate or even notice.

Sure, some audio enthusiasts spend 5-figure amounts (some even 6) for all their equipment, but that’s over long years and due to emotionally attaching to old purchases.

What are the Best Audiophile Headphones under $200?

It’s hard to come up with a specific winner because you have many options at this relatively low price point (for audiophiles). In our opinion, you should consider:

Philips Fidelio X2HR – open-back headphones with surprisingly low bass frequencies and lots of details.

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO – closed-back headphones with a V-shaped sound signature and tank-like structure.

Sennheiser HD 560 S – a solid choice for many headphone enthusiasts with a neutral sound that represents all frequency ranges equally (best balance between price/performance).

HIFIMAN HE-400I – fantastic planar magnetic over-ears with a warmer sound.

Audio Technica ATH M50x – affordable closed-backs with balanced sound, perfect entry-level audiophile headphones.

What audiophile model you choose should be based on your preferences, regardless of the price range.

Do you want open-back or closed-back headphones?

• Open headphones have a more spacious soundstage and thus good audio quality, but they leak sound, so they’re only suitable for listening at home.
• Closed headphones have better passive isolation and keep the music inside but come with smaller spatial sound (soundstage), which negatively impacts the musical experience.

What’s the main purpose of buying audiophile headphones?

Will you listen to music and movies exclusively at home? Then get open-back headphones that can be big and bulky.

But if you want to take them with you on your commute, office, or elsewhere, then get closed-back cans that block ambient noise and have minimal sound leakage.

Is it Really Worth Paying More Money for Headphones?

If you’re a vetted audiophile, you probably know the answer. But if you’re just thinking about buying yourself truly high-end headphones, then you should consider a few things.

How much do you value better sound quality?

Is it worth buying audiophile headphones costing $300 more just for a 5% improvement in audio?

We all have different budgets and desires to work with. There’s nothing wrong if you’re unwilling to pay over $500 for headphones.

Choose from what’s available in your price range. But do expect to pay at least around $200.

Best headphones under $100 are usually pretty good, but when you reach the prices over 200 dollars, diminishing returns become apparent.

You can spend $500 for a pair, but it won’t double in quality because of it. It’s usually a small improvement.

The same is true for $1000 headphones. Test them in real life before making a decision like that.

But they have a better frequency range…

Sure many high-quality headphones produce more frequencies than the average cans, but humans can actually hear only 20-20,000 Hz.

And, that’s exactly the frequency range most common in headphones. You can’t hear the difference (unless you’re a freak of nature).

Plus, the older you get, the worse your hearing gets. It’s not a technical limitation but a biological one.

Make sure that you combine your cans with a quality playback device and a headphone amplifier, as most of these require more power (they have higher impedance).

Do you want the latest tech for less? Check the best Bluetooth headphones under $100.

What are the Best Headphones That an Audiophile Must Have?

Instead of a specific model, choose them based on use.

You need headphones for:

• Home listening, where you can relax and focus on sonic fidelity without distractions
• Work listening (if possible), it’s a different environment that needs to consider the presence of other people
• Portable, on-the-go use where you value convenience together with high-end audio

Over the years, you’ll probably end up with many more headphones.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Check here if you can hear the difference in different sound quality.