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.

Best Audiophile Headphones: Expert Wired & Wireless Reviews

Apos Caspian Open-Back Headphones Reviewed

The vast majority of wired audiophile headphones being purchased these days are wireless, which is what most people want for their cell phones and other portable devices and perhaps even their TVs. To this day, though, even the best forms… Read the Review »

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Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones Reviewed

Our verdict: The $549 Apple AirPods Max combine strong noise cancelling, a premium build and seamless Apple pairing. The fit is tight on larger heads, which can be fatiguing on long flights. See how they compare in our audiophile headphone… Read the Review »

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 Bluetooth Headphones Reviewed

Updated October 2026: The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 has been discontinued. Its replacement is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) (buy at Crutchfield). Future audiophiles don’t hold the same grudge against Bose that longtime audiophiles sometimes do. Perhaps… Read the Review »

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Over-The-Ear Headphones Reviewed

Sony’s role in headphones digs deep into the history of both consumer audio as well as professional audio. I can’t tell you how many Sony headphones that I’ve seen on directors while making movies or commercials on set here in… Read the Review »

1More Sonoflow Wireless Noise-canceling Headphones Reviewed

Value always catches our attention at FutureAudiophile.com, and we’ve found an excellent one here. 1More may not be the first name that audiophiles think of when shopping for headphones, but the company has caught our attention before with headphones that… Read the Review »

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Headphones Reviewed Blue

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Noise-Canceling Wireless Headphones

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 (Updated October 2026: the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e is no longer sold, so we now link to its replacement, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 (buy at Crutchfield).) audiophile wireless headphones ($399 – buy… Read the Review »

Ultimate Ears UE12 Pro Capitol Records Remastered In-Ear Monitors Reviewed

Ultimate Ears Capitol Records UE Pro Remastered (IEMs-Custom) Headphones Reviewed

I know what you are thinking before you even ran through your head: Jerry, why the hell are you reviewing a pair of $1,000-plus in-ear-monitor headphones that are wired when almost no smartphones these days have stock headphone jacks, and… Read the Review »

All 47 Audiophile Headphone Reviews