Brandt Ranj
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The word “audiophile” can be divisive, but we can generally agree it means someone who uses equipment that allows them to hear their music in the highest possible fidelity. That could mean exclusively listening to first pressings of their favorite albums on vinyl, searching out SACDs from boutique labels (Analogue Productions, Mobile Fidelity, Intervention Records), or finding the best-mastered high-resolution digital files.
If you don’t have enough space to set up a proper speaker system, or you want to listen to music anytime without disturbing the people you live with (or near), your best bet is picking up a pair of the best audiophile headphones. The right pair of cans, connected to the proper source, with the right additional equipment, will create a true hi-fi listening environment that you can enjoy at home or take on the go. One advantage of audiophile headphones over a speaker system is that you don’t have to worry about sitting directly in the “sweet spot” since both drivers are aimed right at your ears. You’ll get more accuracy and a better soundstage than versatile noise-canceling headphones can provide (although those have their uses too).
What to Consider When Shopping for Audiophile Headphones
Shopping for hi-fi headphones is very different than shopping for everyday cans. Here’s what to keep in mind while looking for the right pair of audiophile headphones:
Open vs. Closed: The first decision when selecting audiophile headphones is whether you want a pair with an open or closed design. Open headphones leak a lot of noise, but some listeners feel they sound more natural precisely because some sound is allowed to escape — like it does when listening to music on speakers. Closed headphones won’t leak noise, which allows you to use them in public spaces.
Wired vs. Wireless: Audiophile wireless headphones used to be an oxymoron, but that’s no longer the case thanks to improvements in audio codecs, Bluetooth, and other components. The advantage of choosing wireless headphones is that they have built-in amplification, and you don’t have to worry about cables. Most wireless headphones also include a cable, so you can use them with any source.
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That said, wired headphones will typically offer better audio quality because none of the space in the earcups is taken up by batteries and any other piece of technology that’s not directly tied to their drivers. Wired headphones should also last a lifetime (if they’re handled properly) since they’re not tied to a specific wireless technology and have no built-in battery that necessarily degrades over time.
Connector Type: Some audiophile headphones terminate into a ¼-inch jack, which is larger than the 3.5mm (⅛-inch) connector found on a standard pair of cans. If the headphones you choose have the larger connector, you can either invest in a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) or headphone amplifier that accepts it directly, or pick up an adapter (if one isn’t included in the box).
Removable Cable: Many wired audiophile headphones have a removable cable, which is very important because you can easily swap the cord out if it gets damaged instead of having to send the pair in for service.
How We Tested the Best Audiophile Headphones
We put the audiophile headphones through our typical series of tests, which included streaming high-resolution audio available on Apple Music along with 256kbps AAC files from a local library. As with all audio tests, your experience will depend on the way your favorite music was mixed and mastered, your format of choice, and any other gear in your system chain. If you’re building a home audio system from the ground up, you may want to consider picking up a stereo receiver with a headphone jack, so you have the option to switch between listening on speakers and headphones at will.
