The 7 Best Audiophile Headphones of 2025

The best audiophile headphones we've tested are the Sennheiser HD 800 S. These top-of-the-line headphones aren't for everyone; their high price point puts them out of reach for most users, and you'll need a powerful amplifier to drive them, which can be an additional expense. However, if you're looking for an immersive experience regardless of cost, these open-back over-ears have an outstanding soundstage that's large, natural, and spacious. As a result, audio feels like it's coming from out in front of you rather than inside your head.

They have a flat sound profile that renders all sorts of audio accurately, but they do lack a bit of punch and rumble. Still, they have a touch of extra high bass to add warmth to mixes, so they never feel thin. Techno fans might just miss some of those low kick drum rumbles. Vocals and lead instruments are reproduced accurately thanks to their flat and accurate mids. If you're looking for high-end audiophile headphones with a bit more bass, check out the HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version. They're planar magnetic headphones that deliver more thump and punch to mixes but are a little brighter than the Sennheiser, which can make sibilants sound a bit piercing.

The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are the best mid-range audiophile headphones we've tested. These over-ears are easier on the wallet than the Sennheiser HD 800 S and have a dynamic driver design. While they are just as comfortable as our top pick, their build quality suffers due to their flimsier plastic yokes. The HD 490 PRO have a balanced sound profile, so vocals and lead instruments sound present and clear. They also have a bit more low bass compared to the HD 800 S, which brings more thump to mixes. They do a good job producing audio that sounds like it's coming from a pair of angled reference monitors in a room, too.

These over-ears have a comfortable fit, a lightweight design, and a light clamping force. Through their swappable earpads, which slightly change the sound signature, the HD 490 PRO also offer some initial sonic and comfort customization. To top it off, they're also easier to drive than the HD 800 S, meaning you'll save some money as you won't need an amp to use these headphones with most devices.

If you're looking for something with a more mid-range price, consider the HiFiMan Sundara 2020. Unlike the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, they're planar magnetic headphones and have a different design, which some users may prefer. Their ski-band headband helps distribute the headphones' weight across your head. They also have a higher clamping force, so they fit more snugly than the previous pick. Meanwhile, their planar magnetic drivers' larger design vibrates their entire diaphragm, which can produce a soundstage that better represents an out-of-head stereo experience.

These over-ears have a flat sound signature with balanced mids, ensuring natural, present, and clear vocals and instruments. Sibilants like cymbals are present without becoming overly bright or piercing. While they don't reproduce as much thump and punch as the preceding Sennheiser, they still have a touch of extra high bass to help add warmth to your mix. Fortunately for those without an amp, these headphones also won't require any extra juice to sound good with most devices.

The Sennheiser HD 560S are the best lower mid-range headphones for audiophiles we've tested. While unable to produce audio that mimics the sound of a pair of angled reference speakers as well as the more expensive HiFiMan Sundara 2020, they still do a passable job on this front, and certainly better than most closed-backs. Like the HiFiMan, the Sennheiser are also comfortable to wear for long listening sessions.

The Sennheiser's flat sound profile means these cans suit a variety of audio content and musical genres. Fans of classical and pop alike will appreciate their controlled mid-range and treble response. That said, they do lack a little low- and mid-bass, which is typical of open-backs. Closed-back headphones tend to do a better job reproducing bass, so if you're a techno fan looking for more rumble and boom, the FIIO FT1 are a good option. The FIIO put out a healthy amount of thump and punch, and their closed-back design also means they leak less audio, making them a bit more versatile: you can use them with less fear of being overheard by people around you. They're a better choice for studio recording, for instance. That said, people who wear glasses will notice a big drop-off in the FIIO's bass response. If you wear glasses, or aren't a fan of warm-sounding, bass-heavy headphones, the Sennheiser are the pair to choose.

If you're looking for even more affordable headphones, the Philips SHP9500 are the best budget audiophile headphones we've tested. Their open-back design ensures a wide and natural soundstage that makes audio feel as though it's coming from two speakers in a room. They're comfortable to wear for long listening sessions and have a decent build quality, though they're not as stable on the head as more expensive options like the Sennheiser HD 560S.

They have a flat sound profile that suits most genres of music. In particular, their mid-range is outstanding, so vocals are rendered naturally and without any honk. The main downside of these cans is their slightly lackluster bass response. They're not the best cans for audiophiles who love their hip-hop kick drums, which have plenty of thumpy low bass, so if that's you, the Superlux HD 681 are worth considering. The Superlux have a balanced sound that suits most genres, and they're an especially good pick for fans of modern bass-heavy genres like EDM. Unfortunately, they have a poor, plasticky build quality and aren't as comfortable as the Philips, though they're less expensive.

If you prefer an in-ear fit instead of over-ears, the best in-ear monitors (IEMs) we've tested are the Meze ALBA. These headphones offer an impressively comfortable and stable fit, so they won't slip out of your ears if you move your head around. Plus, their audio cables loop around your ear for added stability, which is a nice touch. Since the cables are detachable, you can also swap them out if they become damaged.

Sound-wise, they offer a balanced sound that's suitable for all types of audio content. They represent voices and instruments alike accurately and with plenty of detail. That said, in-ears create less immersive-feeling audio than over-ears, with sound that seems to come more from inside your head rather than from all around you. But that may be a fair trade-off for you, especially as their design allows them to block out a little more ambient sound than closed-back over-ear alternatives like the FIIO FT1.

If you can't swing the cost of the Meze, the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED stand as a less costly investment. These IEMs also have an over-ear cable wrap with a balanced sound profile. If you prefer a bass-heavy sound, you can use the 10-ohm adapter they come with to add more thump to your audio. That said, they lack the Meze's analog to USB-C adapter, making them a little less versatile in terms of sound source. They're not quite as comfortable or well-built as our pick, either.

The best casual-use audiophile headphones we've tested are the Focal Bathys Wireless. These Bluetooth headphones have a closed-back design. Unlike the much cheaper FIIO FT1, they have a very good ANC feature, so you can use them on the bus or when you're out for a walk; noise like background chit-chat or rumbling engines won't drown out your music. They're also wireless, so you don't need to worry about managing a long cable when you're out and about. They support the aptX Adaptive codec for high-res audio, which helps improve audio quality via Bluetooth. They also have a built-in DAC accessed via wired USB to convert digital signals to high-resolution analog.

These headphones have a balanced sound, with an EQ and presets in the companion software to help you customize it if you prefer a different profile. Unlike most audiophile headphones, they have a microphone, even if its performance isn't the best. If gaming or mic performance is important, you might prefer the RØDE NTH-100M. While wired headphones can receive audio from most consoles, these have a detachable boom mic with excellent recording quality and a well-balanced sound profile. However, both the RØDE and the Focal have a closed-back design, and their passive soundstages aren't very good. Both their soundstages seem small, and, audio seems to come from inside your head.