Read More Audiophile Headphone Reviews
Denon PerL Pro Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds Reviewed
Over the past decade or so, the premium wireless earbud market has become one of the most competitive categories in consumer audio. Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, Apple, and countless others all claim to deliver the absolute best sound quality, class-leading active… Read the Review »
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless Over-the-Ear Headphones Reviewed
Rarely do we get to review multiple evolutions of an already great audiophile product but, when it happens, it is fun to see how things improve over time. Sennheiser headphones are a very well-known German brand of top-performing headphones, and… Read the Review »
Republic of Gamers ROG Kithara Open-Back Wired Headphones Reviewed
Gaming headsets and real audiophile headphones have lived in separate worlds in the past. Gaming headsets chased bright RGB lights, wireless connections, and booming artificial bass, while audiophile gear went in a separate direction with planar magnetic drivers and more… Read the Review »
Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Over-the-Ear Headphones Reviewed
Sony and Philips made for likely the greatest team effort in consumer electronics history with the Compact Disc in 1982. Sony and Bose, for more than a decade, dominated the world of ANC (active noise cancelation) in headphones. Today, every… Read the Review »
Audio-Technica ATH M50xBT2 Wireless Headphone Reviewed
One of the big debates in the audiophile world is what makes for a true high-end audio product. Some argue that any true high-end audio component needs to start with being expensive. I protest that this is bullshit. Few audiophiles… Read the Review »
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Wireless Headphones Reviewed
Everybody needs a good pair of audiophile-grade headphones in 2026. Post-COVID work conditions make using a good pair of cans for Zoom calls perfectly normal. ANC (noise-canceling) can save the day on a flight where there are any number of… Read the Review »
Meze Audio Strada Closed-Back Headphones Reviewed
Meze Audio was founded in in 2011, when Antonio Meze, who was travelling for business with his Fender Stratocaster, wanted a pair of headphones that he could connect with musically in the same way that he did with his instrument. From… Read the Review »
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Wireless Earbuds Reviewed
Despite what you might see in the news – with celebrities and athletes reverting back to wired headphones for whatever reason – true wireless earbuds are more popular than ever and here to stay. Improvements in battery life, DSP, noise… Read the Review »
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Wireless Over-the-Ear Headphones Reviewed
(Updated September 2026)If you stick around long enough, everything becomes cool again. Bell bottoms? Those dorky glasses that trendy Millennials wear now all the time? In the world of headphones, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 is the second version… Read the Review »
Benchmark HPA4 Headphone/Line Amplifier Reviewed
In 2025, I have had a nice run of headphone amplifiers. I have had the opportunity to review a wide range, from the small and inexpensive up to the $3,500 and a bunch in between. This has provided me with… Read the Review »
Questyle Sigma Portable DAC with Headphone Amplifier Reviewed
One of the most amazing things about the audiophile business is that, at times, it can feel like there are an endless number of companies that make and sell the various types of gear and, at other times, it can… Read the Review »
Orchard Audio Valencia Headphone Amplifier Reviewed
In recent years the folks at Orchard Audio have grown a reputation for providing Class-D GaN amplifiers (learn more here) with value that far exceed their price, so when I had the opportunity to review a headphone amplifier that they have brought to… Read the Review »
iFi audio ZEN CAN 3 Headphone Amplifier Reviewed
iFi audio has established itself as a brand that loves to produce smaller form factor audiophile equipment. As a reviewer, I have reviewed close to half of a dozen pieces of their components, and I don’t believe any of those… Read the Review »
Meze Audio Liric Closed-Back Headphones Reviewed
Bias is a funny thing sometimes. When I was told that there was a set of headphones, the Meze Liric, coming to me from Romania, I was skeptical at first. I have only met a few people in my life… Read the Review »
Dali IO-12 Wireless Over-the-Ear Headphones Reviewed
My buddy Randy Goldberg is the co-founder of Bombas socks. He and family (his wife, Jen Isaacson, won an Oscar at 35 as a producer on the Questlove documentary, Summer of Soul, about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, aka: Black Woodstock). While playing… Read the Review »
HIFIMAN Sundara Open-Back Headphones Reviewed
Planar magnetic headphones have made significant inroads into the audiophile world over the last decade. Known for their detailed sound and fast transient response, planar headphones have traditionally demanded a premium price. The HIFIMAN Sundara stands out as an exception… Read the Review »
Dali IO-8 Wireless Over-the-Ear Headphones Reviewed
The product category of higher-end wireless over-the-ear headphones is one near and dear to my heart. After selling HomeTheaterReview.com and AudiophileReview.com in late 2019, I was looking for some new challenges in my career, so my partner and I looked… Read the Review »
iFi iDSD Diablo 2 Headphone Amplifier Reviewed
Founded in the U.K. in 2012 as a subsidiary of AMR (Audio Music Research), iFi has developed audiophile products that are warmly received by reviewers and owners alike. The company’s lineup focuses primarily on digital-to-analog converters (DACs), headphone amplifiers, and… Read the Review »
HIFIMAN Edition XS Headphones Reviewed
HIFIMAN, founded in China in 2007 by Dr. Fang Bian, has made quite a splash among audiophiles since its establishment. The company’s signature development has been high-quality planar magnetic headphones, like the HIFIMAN Edition XS reviewed here, which provide an… Read the Review »
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e Wireless Over-the-Ear Headphones Reviewed
Updated October 2026: The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e has been discontinued. Its replacement is the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 (buy at Crutchfield). Read our PX7 S3 review. Upmarket headphones today are as much of a fashion statement as… Read the Review »
Audeze Maxwell Planar Magnetic Gaming Headphones Reviewed
The entire editorial mission of FutureAudiophile.com is to bring the audiophile hobby to a new generation of enthusiasts. Someone who is younger, more diverse and who loves music. They also should be interested in high-performance technology and understand that, to… Read the Review »
Edifier STAX Spirit S3 Wireless Headphones Reviewed
STAX is one of the longest-standing, most trusted headphone brands in the audiophile world. Their amazingly open-sounding, often tube-powered, electrostatic headphones are not just high-performance, but today are actually collectable. The highest end of the STAX lineup is the STAX… Read the Review »
Stax SR-009S Electrostatic Earspeaker Review
The Stax brand has been synonymous with electrostatic headphones – aka earspeakers – since the early 1960s. Back then, they didn’t have much competition. Later, Shure and Koss produced electrostatic models but they were aimed at a more entry-level than… Read the Review »
PSB M4U8 MKII Wireless ANC Headphones
PSB is a highly regarded brand of speakers distributed by Lenbrook, who also handle Bluesound and NAD. For a few years now, PSB has also been making some premium headphones that have been well received, the latest of which is… Read the Review »
HIFIMAN HE-R9 Closed-Back Dynamic Over-Ear Headphones Reviewed
The HIFIMAN HE-R9 is a wired, closed-back pair of audiophile headphones from a company primarily known for its open-back offering. It’s a somewhat entry-level pair priced at at $369with a 3.5 mm TRS connection, along with a 6.35mm adaptor so… Read the Review »
Focal Utopia (2022) Headphones Reviewed
Focal introduced its top-of-the-line wired headphone model, the Utopia, in 2016. In the seven years since, the company has developed some new ways to improve the design. The improvements and time since the initial launch warranted a revision of the… Read the Review »
Beats Studio 3 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones
Our verdict: The $349 Beats Studio 3 are stylish wireless noise-cancelling headphones with easy controls and simple Apple pairing. The trade-offs are a tight fit and 22-hour battery life, which is shorter than rivals at this price. See how they… Read the Review »
Denon AH-C830NCW Noise Cancelling Earbuds Review
Updated October 2026: The Denon AH-C830NC has been discontinued. Its replacement is the Denon PerL Pro (buy at Crutchfield). Read our PerL Pro review. Like most audio companies these days, Denon—best known for its AV receivers, no doubt—has thrown its… Read the Review »
T+A Solitaire Wireless Bluetooth Headphones Reviewed
It was going to be a matter of time before the high-end audio business got serious about high-end, luxury headphones and 2022 was that year. With audiophile headphone products like the Sennheiser Momentum 4, Bowers & Wilkins Px8, Focal Bathys, Mark… Read the Review »
Stax SR-L300 Electrostatic Headphones Reviewed
Stax is known primarily for one kind of component: electrostatic headphones. Its first headphone/amplifier combination, the SRD-1 and SR-1, were released in 1960 and are legendary today. Currently the company has nine models ranging in price from the $455 to… Read the Review »
Monoprice SonicSolace II Bluetooth Over- Ear Headphones
Just like any sort of hunting, audiophile bargain hunting involves a modicum of danger, but that’s part of the thrill. The risk of finding a stinker is part the process, and the rise of Chi-Fi, or Chinese-made gear has made… Read the Review »
Mark Levinson No. 5909 Headphones Reviewed
Updated October 2026: The Mark Levinson No. 5909 has been discontinued. Its replacement is the DALI IO-12 (buy at Crutchfield). Read our DALI IO-12 review. Ask 1,000 people at The Mall of America if $999 is a lot of money… Read the Review »
Cleer Audio Next Headphones Reviewed
You may be surprised to learn that Cleer Audio sells an audiophile-oriented, wired-only audiophile headphone set. Cleer’s primary user base consists of younger, on-the-go listeners who are seeking headphones that perform at a higher level but also look really cool.… Read the Review »
HIFIMAN Deva Pro Hybrid-Wireless Planar Headphones
Audiophiles love wired headphones. Younger tech fans and music enthusiasts love everything to be wireless. For the past few months, I’ve reviewed nearly every high-performance Bluetooth headphone, from brands such as Sennheiser, Bowers & Wilkins, Mark Levinson, Focal, Technics, Apple,… Read the Review »
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones Reviewed
Our verdict: The $699 Bowers & Wilkins Px8 pairs carbon drivers and a metal-and-leather build with clear mids and effective noise cancelling, though the bass can still blur a bit. Bowers & Wilkins has since released the Px8 S2, our… Read the Review »
Technics EAH-A800 Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones Reviewed
Retro is all the rage these days, and a number of companies have taken that mantle leaving the musty pawn shops and cluttered old record stores that sell 1970s gear and turned it into a modern audiophile sales boom. McIntosh… Read the Review »
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Reviewed
Our verdict: The $349 Sennheiser Momentum 4 offers adaptive noise cancelling, aptX Adaptive, up to 60 hours of battery life and top-class bass. The headband can feel tight on larger heads during long flights. See how it compares in our… Read the Review »
Focal Bathys Bluetooth Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Reviewed
Our verdict: The $799 Focal Bathys bring Focal’s audiophile sound to wireless noise-cancelling headphones, with an elegant luxury finish and a built-in USB DAC. The Focal/Naim app can be confusing at first. See how they compare in our audiophile headphone… Read the Review »
Sennheiser HD600 Wired Audiophile Headphones Reviewed
Our verdict: The Sennheiser HD600 is a lightweight, time-tested open-back benchmark that delivers one hell of an audiophile experience for the money and can be kept running for decades. Its open design leaks sound, so it is best for quiet… Read the Review »
All 47 Audiophile Headphone Reviews
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Audiophile Headphone Comparison Chart
Every pair of headphones we have reviewed, sorted by price from low to high. Prices are as reviewed. Click any model to read the full review.
| Headphones | Price at review | Style | Wireless | Noise cancelling | Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monoprice SonicSolace II | $49 | Over-ear | Bluetooth | Yes | Dynamic |
| 1MORE SonoFlow | $99 | Over-ear | Bluetooth (LDAC) | Yes | Dynamic |
| PuroQuiet Plus (kids) | $119 | Over-ear, 85 dB limit | Bluetooth | Yes | Dynamic |
| Denon AH-C830NCW | $159 | True wireless earbuds | Bluetooth | Yes | Dynamic |
| ROG Kithara | $200 | Open-back, gaming | No | No | Planar magnetic |
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 | $219 | Closed-back over-ear | Bluetooth (LDAC) | No | Dynamic |
| HiFiMan Deva Pro | $249 | Open-back | Bluetooth adapter or wired | No | Planar magnetic |
| Denon PerL Pro | $299 | True wireless earbuds | Bluetooth | Yes | Dynamic |
| Audeze Maxwell | $299 | Closed-back, gaming | 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth | No | Planar magnetic |
| HiFiMan Sundara | $299 | Open-back | No | No | Planar magnetic |
| Beats Studio 3 | $349 | Over-ear | Bluetooth | Yes | Dynamic |
| Technics EAH-A800 | $349 | Over-ear | Bluetooth (LDAC) | Yes | Dynamic |
| Sennheiser Momentum 4 | $349 | Over-ear | Bluetooth (aptX Adaptive) | Yes | Dynamic |
| HiFiMan HE-R9 | $369 | Closed-back over-ear | No | No | Dynamic |
| Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 | $379 | Over-ear | Bluetooth | Yes | Dynamic |
| Sennheiser Momentum 5 | $399 | Over-ear | Bluetooth (aptX Lossless) | Yes | Dynamic |
| Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 | $399 | Over-ear | Bluetooth (aptX Adaptive) | Yes | Dynamic |
| Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e | $399 | Over-ear | Bluetooth | Yes | Dynamic |
| PSB M4U8 MKII | $399 | Over-ear | Bluetooth | Yes | Dynamic |
| Edifier Stax Spirit S3 | $399 | Over-ear | Bluetooth (aptX Adaptive) | No | Planar magnetic |
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | $399 | Over-ear | Bluetooth (LDAC) | Yes | Dynamic |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | $449 | Over-ear | Bluetooth (LDAC) | Yes | Dynamic |
| STAX SR-L300 | $455 | Open-back (needs energizer) | No | No | Electrostatic |
| Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 | $479 | Over-ear | Bluetooth (aptX Lossless) | Yes | Dynamic |
| Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 | $499 | True wireless earbuds | Bluetooth (aptX Lossless) | Yes | Dynamic |
| HiFiMan Edition XS | $499 | Open-back | No | No | Planar magnetic |
| Sennheiser HD600 | $499.95 | Open-back | No | No | Dynamic |
| Apos Caspian | $499.99 | Open-back | No | No | Dynamic |
| Apple AirPods Max | $549 | Over-ear | Bluetooth | Yes | Dynamic |
| Cleer Next | $699 | Open-back | No | No | Dynamic |
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 | $699 | Over-ear | Bluetooth (aptX Adaptive) | Yes | Dynamic (carbon) |
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | $799 | Over-ear | Bluetooth (aptX Lossless) | Yes | Dynamic (carbon) |
| Focal Bathys | $799 | Closed-back over-ear | Bluetooth (aptX Adaptive), USB DAC | Yes | Dynamic |
| Meze Audio Strada | $800 | Closed-back over-ear | No | No | Dynamic |
| Mark Levinson No. 5909 | $999 | Over-ear | Bluetooth | Yes | Dynamic (beryllium-coated) |
| Ultimate Ears UE Pro Remastered | $1,049 | Custom in-ear monitor | No | Passive isolation | Balanced armature |
| DALI IO-8 | $1,250 | Closed-back over-ear | Bluetooth (aptX Adaptive) | Yes | Dynamic |
| T+A Solitaire T | $1,600 | Closed-back over-ear | Bluetooth (aptX HD) | Yes | Dynamic |
| DALI IO-12 | $1,750 | Over-ear | Bluetooth (aptX Adaptive) | Yes | Dynamic |
| Meze Audio Liric | $2,000 | Closed-back over-ear | No | No | Planar magnetic |
| STAX SR-009S | $4,545 | Open-back (needs energizer) | No | No | Electrostatic |
| Focal Utopia | $4,995 | Open-back | No | No | Dynamic (beryllium) |
Headphone Amps We Have Reviewed
| Headphone amp | Price at review | Type |
|---|---|---|
| iFi Zen Can 3 | $229 | Desktop headphone amp |
| Questyle Sigma | $549 | Portable DAC/headphone amp |
| iFi iDSD Diablo 2 | $1,299 | Portable DAC/headphone amp |
| Orchard Audio Valencia | $1,999 | Headphone amp |
| Benchmark HPA4 | $3,499 | Headphone amp and line preamp |
More DAC/headphone amps are reviewed in our DAC reviews, including the TEAC UD-507, FiiO K15, FiiO K9 Pro, Topping A90 Discrete (in our stereo preamp reviews), iFi xDSD Gryphon and iFi GO bar.
How We Review Audiophile Headphones
We review headphones subjectively, and we do our best to volume-match between pairs of headphones. We also try to use each pair in places that really test its performance, such as noisy environments for noise-cancelling headphones or quiet spaces where you might listen to open-back headphones.
Audiophile Headphone FAQ
Are wireless headphones good enough for audiophiles?
Today, many are. Bluetooth codecs like aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive and LDAC, plus better drivers and DSP, mean wireless headphones such as the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 and DALI IO-12 sound like the wired audiophile headphones of the recent past. The very best wired headphones still offer the ultimate in resolution.
Should I buy open-back or closed-back headphones?
Open-back headphones usually sound more spacious and natural, but they leak sound and let outside noise in, so they are best for quiet rooms at home. Closed-back headphones isolate you from the world, which makes them better for travel, the office and noisy places.
Do I need a headphone amp?
Most wireless headphones have their own built-in DAC and amp, so no. Many wired audiophile headphones, especially high-impedance or low-sensitivity models like the 300-ohm Sennheiser HD600, sound much better with a dedicated headphone amp than from a phone or laptop.
What are planar magnetic and electrostatic headphones?
Planar magnetic headphones use a thin, flat diaphragm driven by magnets for low distortion and fast, detailed sound. Electrostatic headphones like the STAX SR-009S use an even lighter charged membrane and need a dedicated energizer (amplifier) to work.
Are noise-cancelling headphones good for audiophiles?
Yes, especially for travel. Noise cancelling lets you hear more of the music at a lower, safer volume on planes, trains and in the office. The best models now sound excellent, though some audiophiles prefer to turn noise cancelling off at home for the purest sound.
THE BEST Audiophile Headphone Reviews FROM THE GEAR WE LOVE AWARDS
