What makes a pair of headphones truly audiophile-grade is way more than just loudness or bass levels: it’s about crafting an immersive listening experience defined by impeccable clarity, intricate detailing, and an expansive soundstage.
Below, you’ll find what I believe are the best audiophile headphones of 2024, whether you’re looking to invest in a high-end model for critical listening or seeking a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing quality.
Quick recommendations
To me, the Grado SR325x offer the best value for money: a perfect combination of high-end performance at a reasonable price, hand-assembled craftsmanship, X drivers, and a revamped headband which makes them more comfortable than their predecessors.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 are your best bet if you’re into cutting-edge noise cancellation tech, reliable wireless connectivity, and valuable enhancements like plush padding and Quick Attention mode.
Finally, the Audeze LCD-5 are for pro audiophiles. Exceptional transparency, resolution, and speed thanks to Fluxor magnets, sculpted ear pads, and acoustically transparent mesh bring to life a clear and open soundstage you won’t find anywhere else.
Contents
Use these jump links to navigate to the desired section of the review.
Why you should trust me
I’m an audiophile and audio engineer with over 15 years of experience in the music industry, and a passion for high-quality headphones for audiophiles and music enthusiasts.
Whether I review or check out headphones for personal use, I’m always looking for transparency and realism of music reproduction, especially when it’s combined with an immersive and emotionally engaging soundstage.
I use high-end equipment for deep-listening sessions, primarily focused on albums I’m working on that are ready for publication. As a result, I did extensive research on headphones that deliver the best results, regardless of their price.
How I chose my top picks
As always, I picked out headphones that give you the biggest bang for your buck without sacrificing reproduction quality.
What I’m interested in is pretty simple: I want a pure sound that feels both transparent and engaging, with a detailed and expansive soundstage that can enhance the beauty of every composition.
With that in mind, I looked for headphones that can upgrade the listening experience of every music enthusiast, from amateurs to pros.
Ultimately, I chose cans across various price ranges, to make sure anyone could find a pair of headphones that’d suit their budget and needs.
Here are my top picks:
- Best value for money: Grado SR325x
- Best budget: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
- Best noise cancellation: Sony WH-1000XM5
- Best wireless: Focal Bathys
- Best high-end: Audeze LCD-5
You can also check out the Honorable mentions for headphones that didn’t make my top list but are still worth your consideration.
Best value for money: Grado SR325x
- Type: Wired
- Enclosure: Open-back
- Fit style: Supra-aural (on-ear)
- Transducer: Dynamic
- Frequency response: 18 Hz – 24 kHz
- Impedance: 38 ohms
- Sensitivity: 99.8 dB
- Connectivity: 1/8″ TRS, 1/4″ adapter
The Grado SR325x headphones are reasonably priced but offer a sublime performance not unlike the one offered by high-end, much more expensive models.
Hand-assembled in Brooklyn, these headphones are an embodiment of decades of artisanal craftsmanship and technological innovation.
I might be biased, but I’ve used this pair of cans for years now, paired with any headphone amp you can think of, and they never disappointed.
The SR325x come with the company’s newest X drivers, a redesigned magnetic circuit, lighter voice coil, and updated diaphragms.
The result is a pair of headphones that have it all: fast dynamics, balanced tonality, and rich warmth, carefully balanced with by an impressive bass and great soundstage separation.
The only issue with the SR325x is, and will always be, comfort. These on-ear headphones feel constraining when compared to any of the cans on this list.
However, the manufacturer did make a few changes in this latest model to improve comfort, like the revamped headband that offers extra cushioning for extended listening sessions,
With a sound pressure level of 99.8 dB, they produce ample volume without requiring excessive power.
Plus, the headphones come with an eight-conductor connecting cable that’s not only robust on the outside but also features super-annealed copper wire on the inside to enhance signal purity and control.
The open-back, on-ear design of the SR325x might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I love the fact that it offers a more natural and open soundstage.
It brings to life a captivating listening experience that does justice to any genre of music.
What I like
- Classic, uncompromised sound quality.
- Open-back design for an expansive soundstage.
- Insanely affordable for what they offer.
What I don’t like
- Not very comfortable for extended listening sessions.
Best budget: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
- Type: Wired
- Enclosure: Closed-back
- Fit style: Circumaural (over-ear)
- Transducer: Dynamic
- Frequency response: 5 Hz – 35 kHz
- Impedance: 80 ohms
- Sensitivity: 96 dB
- Connectivity: 1/8″ TRS, 1/4″ adapter
If you’re looking for a perfect blend of high-quality reproduction, neutrality, and affordability, the DT 770 Pro are a great option under $200.
Designed with critical listening applications in mind, these headphones feature an 80-ohm impedance and a frequency response spanning 5 Hz to 35 kHz. There are also versions at 32 and 250-ohm impedance.
What I love the most about the DT 770 Pro is that its closed-back design gives you passive noise isolation and the benefit of a bass-reflex system.
The result is a soundstage that feels incredibly accurate yet not tiring, perfect for people like me who constantly switch between casual listening and deep mixing sessions.
They’re also perfect for long listening sessions, thanks to their soft velour ear pads and adjustable yokes that aim to provide a snug fit around the ears.
Finally, the DT 770 Pro meet the diffuse-field EQ requirements, which implies a level of sound neutrality and flatness ideal for professional monitoring.
Built to last, perfect for both music production and critical listening, the DT 770 Pro are the best affordable, all-in-one solution for music lovers.
What I like
- Affordable without compromising on sound quality.
- Excellent comfort.
- Versatile sound profile suitable for audiophiles and audio engineers alike.
What I don’t like
- The closed-back design might not be for everyone.
- Quite bulky.
Best noise cancellation: Sony WH-1000XM5
- Type: Wireless
- Enclosure: Closed-back
- Fit style: Circumaural (over-ear)
- Transducer: Dynamic
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 40 kHz
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2, 1/8″ TRS
- Active noise cancellation: Yes
Soon after they came out in 2022, the new WH-1000XM5 became a household name in the world of premium headphones.
With two cutting-edge wireless processing chips – the QN1 and V1 – along with eight dedicated microphones, these headphones promise an immersive experience with noise cancellation that adapts in real-time to your surroundings.
Large ear cups filled with plush padding not only improve the noise-isolating seal but also reduce the pressure on the sides of your head.
The combination of cutting-edge noise cancellation tech and extreme comfort makes these cans my favorite option when I need long hours of undisturbed audio listening or while commuting.
Commuters will also appreciate the long battery life (27 hrs) and fast charging time (around 3 hrs).
Plus, these headphones also support LDAC codec for hi-res audio, meaning you can carry your high-fidelity music wherever the day takes you.
The WH-1000XM5 offer an expansive and articulate soundstage, further enhanced by the carbon fiber composite diaphragms that enhance the crispiness of high frequencies.
However, I’m not ecstatic about the emphasized low-end, which works great with EDM but not much so with more nuanced genres.
All things considered, I’d recommend them to commuters and casual listeners more interested in noise isolation than high-fidelity.
Additional features like the Quick Attention mode, which allows you to engage with your environment without removing the headphones, and adaptive noise cancellation that adjusts based on your movement, position, and even altitude make the WH-1000XM5 a cutting-edge and versatile pair of noise-canceling cans that don’t cost a fortune.
What I like
- Feature-rich with excellent noise-canceling capabilities.
- Extremely comfortable.
What I don’t like
- Plasticky design.
Best wireless: Focal Bathys
- Type: Wireless
- Enclosure: Closed-back
- Fit style: Circumaural (over-ear)
- Transducer: Dynamic
- Frequency response: 5 Hz – 50 kHz
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1, 1/8″ TRS, USB-C
- Active noise cancellation: Yes
The Focal Bathys is the Swiss Army knife in the headphone world; it seems to do a bit of everything and does it remarkably well!
Focal’s first foray into the realm of wireless, active noise-canceling technology is a great success and comes with an aluminum-magnesium M-shaped dome, genuine leather, and microfiber materials – features that make them one of the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever used.
The Bathys come with 5.1 multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, which allows users to connect to multiple devices simultaneously within a 49-foot range.
It also features Focal’s Clear Voice Capture technology, featuring eight microphones to provide articulate voice pickup for phone calls or interaction with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Voice.
For those who want to craft their unique sonic experience, Focal provides a complimentary app to fine-tune sound controls, access equalizer settings, and more.
The result is an ultra-customizable listening experience, with plenty of detail and depth, and a level of transparency that’ll impress even the most seasoned audiophiles.
Let’s not forget its impressive battery life, providing up to 30 hours of active noise-canceling on wireless playback, which can be extended to 35 hours with wired use via the 3.5 mm jack and an astonishing 42 hours through USB DAC.
If you’re short on time, the fast-charging feature can give you five hours of playback in just 15 minutes.
All in all, the Focal Bathys headphones offer an unparalleled listening experience that combines high-fidelity sound with the versatility of modern features.
What I like
- High-quality sound with noise-cancelling and wireless features.
- Balanced and versatile sound profile.
- Comfortable for prolonged use.
What I don’t like
- Competition is tough at this price point.
Best high-end: Audeze LCD-5
- Type: Wired
- Enclosure: Open-back
- Fit style: Circumaural (over-ear)
- Transducer: Planar magnetic
- Frequency response: 5 Hz – 50 kHz
- Impedance: 14 ohms
- Sensitivity: 90 dB
- Connectivity: 1/4″ TRS
The LCD-5 headphones are a celebration of transparency, resolution, and speed in audio reproduction.
As soon as I tried them on I noticed Audeze really outdid themselves when it comes to the LCD-5’s acoustic chamber optimization.
The sculpted ear pads and acoustically transparent mesh minimize reflections and resonance, making the most of the headphones’ clear and open soundstage.
The new sculpted, internally sloped ear pad architecture not only reduces unwanted resonances but also provides an ergonomic fit.
The LCD-5 comes with a specially tuned cable made of directional OCC high-purity copper strands, with low capacitance and low resistance path to ensure that the signal from your amp to the drivers maintains absolute clarity and precision.
The result is a pair of headphones that deliver a sound that’s as pristine as it can be, devoid of artifacts, and so engaging that hours go by while wearing them.
It’s hard to match the level of sonic transparency, depth and articulation these cans provide by merging high-end tech with experienced craftsmanship in audio.
Their price, while very high, is justified once you take into account the amount of work required to create something akin to a work of art in audio reproduction.
In short, the Audeze LCD-5 offer an unmatched combination of advanced technology, sonic purity, and luxury comfort. If your budget allows it, then look no further than these exceptional headphones.
What I like
- Unmatched sound quality with planar magnetic drivers.
- Premium build quality ensures durability.
- Comfortable.
What I don’t like
- Their price makes them inaccessible to many.
Honorable mentions
Here are a few more options to consider:
- Sennheiser HD 800 S. Carefully crafted by the experts at Sennheiser, the HD 800 S feature a circumaural design, and plush microfiber ear pads ensure all-day comfort, making them an excellent choice for casual listeners and professional engineers alike. These open-backs deliver impeccable transparency and low resonance that will satisfy even the most discerning audiophiles.
- Meze 99 Classics. Aesthetically stunning and reasonably priced, the Meze 99 Classics are an interesting option for those looking for powerful bass and natural warmth. In full contrast with the modern minimalist trends, the 99 Classics come with walnut-veneered ear cups, and they’re designed so that they feel comfortable even after hours wearing them. Similarly, their sound signature is enveloping and warm, perfect for long listening sessions. These cans offer exceptional comfort and very good sound for the price.
- HiFiMan Sundara. The Sundara are a practical pair of headphones that make the most of the company’s experience with planar magnetic technology. These cans feature a large, newly developed diaphragm that facilitates a broader frequency response range from 6 Hz to 75 kHz, bringing to life a listening experience that is both detailed and swift. However, it seems to me that low frequencies lack depth when compared to similarly priced models.
Recent updates
- August 23, 2024: I’ve updated the text for clarity, improved the structure, and added more personal insights and observations. Additionally, I’ve included quick recommendations and jump links for your convenience.
- January 4, 2024: I’ve verified the accuracy of the picks. No changes were made to the recommendations.
- October 30, 2023: After listening to a wide range of headphones, I compiled the original list of the best options for audiophiles, covering most budgets and needs.
Final thoughts
The best audiophile headphones are the ones that make you rediscover the music you love.
While high fidelity, comfort, and modern features are all nice additions, I’d suggest you focus on what you feel as you listen to your favorite albums and ensure that your new headphones provide you with an immersive, evocative listening experience.
Finding the perfect pair of headphones is a journey worth taking, and hopefully, this guide has made your path a bit clearer.
Happy listening!