The Best Audiophile Headphones for 2024

Why We Picked It

Etymotic makes some of the most accurate earbuds, but you might find them somewhat clinical. The ER4 XR earphones stand out because they simply add a tiny bit of low-frequency emphasis over the flatter ER4 SR.

Who It’s For

Most music lovers are likely to favor options with a little more richness in the lows and low-mids, but start with these if you need something for critical listening. The deliberate bass boost doesn't make them any less ideal for checking mixes.

Why We Picked It

The Ananda headphones cost $1,000 at launch, so you can view their current retail price as a steal (we're just kidding, they're still very expensive). Their open design and planar magnetic drivers create an authentic soundstage, as well as deliver excellent clarity and dynamics. The frequency range is wide, too: 8Hz to 55KHz. 

Who It’s For

These are for at-home listeners who want an amazing over-ear experience and aren’t worried about anyone else hearing the music, as audio definitely leaks out of the open design. The earcups are massive—they contact your jawline—but are still quite comfortable. Of course, the real focus here is a lovely, accurate sound, which is wonderful for everything from mixing modern tracks to enjoying classical recordings.

Why We Picked It

The chunky DT 700 Pro X headphones are exceptionally comfortable despite appearances—their massive earpads block out the world and feature a soft velour lining. The audio performance is ideal for both pro applications and simply enjoying music at home—there’s some rich bass depth (the low end of the 5Hz-to-40KHz frequency range is impressive) but the sound signature focuses mostly on accuracy.

Who It’s For

Any musicians or engineers who want something that can transition from tracking to checking mixes to listening to music for fun should appreciate the versatility of DT 700 Pro X headphones. Even their mini-XLR cable is a notch above what we see on some other pro models.

Why We Picked It

The DT 770 Studio headphones offer a more affordable way to get the Beyerdynamic sound and feel in-studio if the DT 700 Pro X model is a bit out of your budget. These huge over-ears have soft velour earpads and produce an accurate audio picture, which makes them useful for tracking, and in a pinch, checking mixes.

Who It’s For

Beyerdynamic sells 32-ohm (for mobile devices), 80-ohm (for audio tracking), and 250-ohm versions (for studio mixing), so these are best if you have one of those specific needs. But if you want something optimal for tracking, mixing, and mobile playback, turn to other options on this list.

Why We Picked It

The WH-1000XM5 headphones sit atop many of our lists—they offer excellent active noise cancellation (ANC), support the hi-res capable LDAC codec (on Android phones), and come with an app that has an excellent EQ. One aspect of the headphones we rarely talk about much, however, is how good they sound once you plug them in for wired listening. They don't unseat any of our favorite wired-only headphones, but those models aren't nearly as versatile.

Who It’s For

If you like the option for high-quality wired playback but don’t want to give up the convenience of wireless audio, these are a great choice. Class-leading noise cancellation just adds to their appeal.

Why We Picked It

Some Grado headphones cost well over $1,000, but you don't need to spend that much to experience their characteristic spatial presentation. The midrange SR325x headphones capture much of that special sound thanks to their open-back design, wide soundstage, and exceptional blend of low-frequency richness and high-frequency detail. They also look the part with a retro design and a braided (albeit non-removable) cable. Just keep in mind that their loose on-ear fit might require a bit of an adjustment.

Who's It For

If you want to experience the Grado sound, its SR325x headphones are an ideal entry into the company's lineup. They aren't prohibitively expensive but still produce the high-end audio we expect. Fashion-focused buyers will also likely appreciate their aesthetic.

Why We Picked It

The Aonic 215 (Gen 2) earphones are unique in that they support both wired and wireless listening. You must pay extra for a cable that enables that functionality, but the flexibility it affords is more than worth the cost, especially if you want to listen to lossless audio (which Bluetooth can't handle).

Who It’s For

Anyone who wants a little more control over how they hear their music should appreciate what these earbuds offer. It's not just the versatility of wired and wireless audio—their companion app has the best EQ we've seen yet with accurate graphics that show the changes you make.

Why We Picked It

Sennheiser's IE 200 in-ear monitors (IEMs) are an affordable introduction to the world of high-end audio because they prioritize accuracy throughout the entire frequency range. Each enclosure houses a 7mm dynamic driver that delivers a frequency range of 6Hz to 20kHz at an impedance of 18 ohms. Meanwhile, a detachable wire and standard MMCX connectors ensure their longevity.

Who It’s For

These IEMs produce a nuanced, near-flat sound signature so they are ideal for listeners who value a transparent presentation of music. They also come with foam tips, which help improve their fit and passive noise isolation.

Why We Picked It

Planar magnetic models are usually quite pricey, so the HiFiMan Sundara headphones are a comparative value. Like the more expensive planar models we’ve tested, they deliver a nearly transparent sound signature and can easily reach down to cover any lows in the mix. This open-back pair covers an impressive frequency range of 6Hz to 75kHz at an impedance of 32 ohms. Conveniently, they use a replaceable wire.

Who It’s For

Although sound engineers could certainly use the Sundara headphones to check mixes, home listening is likely the more common use case because their open design leaks sound. But no matter how you use them, you get fantastic clarity throughout the frequency range for a (relatively) low price.

Why We Picked It

We like the sound signature of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones because it doesn't give up bass power in the name of accuracy—plenty of low-frequency response comes through. And with the aid of EQ from your stereo or pro gear, these over-ears are capable of significant low-end power without distortion. Meanwhile, the mids and highs exhibit excellent balance.

Who It’s For

These are reliable for both studio work and home listening. Too often, flat response-style headphones leave deep bass out of the equation, but these present even the deep lows without exaggeration. Thus, whether you’re checking a mix or enjoying music, you can be sure that any bass arrives with clarity.