The 7 Best Headphones For Music of 2025

The Sennheiser HD 800 S are the best headphones for music we've tested. They create an incredibly spacious and wholly immersive listening experience, making your music sound a bit like it's coming from two speakers in a room. If you're looking for the best and intend to spare no expense, these premium headphones are among the best open-back headphones you can buy. Their flat sound profile will also please audiophiles, as it makes vocals and lead instruments sound clear, present, detailed, and airy.

However, it's worth noting they're very expensive. That high price point can put them well out of reach for most people, especially considering the added cost of a dedicated amp. They're very well-built, with a sturdy-feeling design made of high-grade plastic reinforced by a metal frame and a braided detachable audio cable. Their spacious, breathable, and well-padded ear cups will also ensure you don't experience any discomfort, even during long listening sessions.

If they have one downside, it's their lack of low-bass thump. If you're a die-hard EDM fan who simply must feel the rumble and thump of a kick drum, consider the planar-driven HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version. However, the HiFiMan headphones are bulkier and less stable than the HD 800 S.

An excellent music listening experience doesn't necessitate a top-dollar investment: many sub-$500 headphones offer a high-quality audiophile experience with minimal sacrifices. Our pick at this price point are the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO. Like the Sennheiser HD 800 S, they use dynamic drivers, delivering a balanced sound that suits everything from techno to jazz. The HD 490 PRO actually bring more thump and punch to your mixes than the H 800 S, making them a great choice for more modern, electronics-heavy genres. Their balanced mid-range still ensures vocals and instruments are clearly and accurately represented, so there's something hear for every music lover.

While they're significantly less taxing on your wallet than the HD 800 S, the HD 490 PRO have some tradeoffs. First, their audio doesn't sound as immersive and spacious as their more premium cousin. Second, they're less sturdy, with flimsier plastic yokes, which aren't as robust as the rest of their construction. But they're comfortable and lightweight, making them a great choice for extended listening sessions. To top it all off, these headphones come with a second pair of swappable ear cups, which change their sound signature if you want to mix things up.

Looking for great sound at a mid-range price point? Check out the HiFiMan Sundara 2020. These are the next generation of the HiFiMan Sundara 2018, but with redesigned ear cup padding. Otherwise, the two models are nearly identical. Both feature the same flat sound profile that's suitable for different kinds of content. While kick drums and basslines lack a little thump and punch compared to the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, their mid-range is still exceptionally well-balanced, so vocals and instruments sound present, clear, and detailed.

These headphones feel comfortable and well-built, but their fit feels unstable and can slip around if you move your head when listening to music, and they heat up more than other HiFiMan headphones, which can become uncomfortable during long listening sessions. Fortunately, their low impedance means you won't need a powerful amp to drive them, and you can get the same sound quality from your phone or laptop. If you want headphones that are a bit lighter to wear with a more stable fit, the Sennheiser HD 560S are worth a look too. These cans are voiced a little brighter than the HiFiMan, which you may or may not prefer, but the HiFiMan cans still feel more premium.

For a great listening experience without breaking the bank, try the Philips Fidelio X2HR. These open-back headphones are bulkier than the HiFiMan Sundara 2020 and have a sound signature that's not as smooth, with more peaks and dips in the treble region, which can render sibilants harsh. However, their flat mid-range ensures vocals sound true-to-life, and they've enough mid and high bass to keep disco basslines feeling groovy and fun.

These headphones are mostly made of plastic but still feel well-built and durable. They clamp tighter on the head than most Philips headphones, but they won't cause discomfort during long listening sessions. Their low impedance also means you can get great-sounding audio without an amp: you can use them with your laptop and phone without significant changes in audio quality. That said, these are sometimes out of stock or fluctuate in price, so the FIIO FT1 are a great alternative. The FIIO are closed-back, too, which means your audio won't leak as much and you'll hear a much thumpier bass. Unfortunately, people who wear glasses won't get to experience the full impact of that bass, as the FIIO tend to sound quite different based on the facial accessories you wear and your head size. In contrast, the Philips offer a much more consistent sound across wears and wearers.

Looking for the best music headphones on a budget? Look no further than the Philips SHP9500. These entry-level audiophile headphones have an open-back design for a more spacious listening experience. They're decently well-built, but as expected at this price point, they don't feel as premium or durable as the Philips Fidelio X2HR. The fabric that covers the earpads can easily tear, and their swiveling ear cups aren't the sturdiest.

They have a generally flat sound, making them well-suited for genres like classical and folk that rely on accurately reproducing vocals and lead instruments. Whatever you're listening to, their detailed mids and treble provide plenty of clarity. Their main downside is a lack of low bass, which is typical for open-backs. If a thumpy low-end is important to you, the Superlux HD 681 are semi-open-backs that pack a punch. They've enough thump and rumble to keep EDM fans groovin' and a balanced mid-range that represents vocals and instruments accurately. Unfortunately, their treble response is piercing, and they have a disappointing build quality.

If you care about your music but don't want to sacrifice features like noise cancelling and portability, consider the Focal Bathys Wireless. They're Bluetooth headphones, which makes them easier to use when you're out and about. And they come with everyday essentials like a mic and a great active noise cancelling (ANC) feature that can block out noise like ambient chit-chat or rumbling engines. Their closed-back design doesn't leak your music, but they don't reproduce audio that sounds as immersive and wide as open-backed headphones like the Sennheiser HD 800 S. That said, unlike the analog-only headphones on this list, these cans come with support for wired USB-C audio along with analog and Bluetooth, making them very versatile.

They offer a balanced sound that suits every kind of music. They actually deliver much more low and mid-bass than the open-back Sennheiser, which makes them well-suited for genres like EDM and hip-hop. That said, their response in the upper mid-range and low-treble is a little uneven, so voices can sound just a touch harsh or dull depending on the pitch of the singer. Still, you can use their companion app's graphic EQ and presets to create a sound profile that suits your preferences. They're also very comfortable and have a 30-hour battery life, so they'll last through several full workdays without needing additional power.

While their impressive ANC is helpful for listening in noisy environments, it can't match the top-tier ANC of the Sony WH-1000XM6. If noise isolation is a top priority, the Sony are a good alternative to the Focal, although their sound can change depending on your head size and if you wear glasses, whereas the Focal are more consistent.

If you prefer an in-ear fit, consider the Meze ALBA. These wired in-ear monitors (IEMs) are a lightweight and portable alternative to bulkier over-ear audiophile headphones like the HiFiMan Sundara 2020. They offer a remarkably comfortable and secure fit, with over-ear cable routing that helps keep them stable even if you move around. The detachable cables are also a practical bonus, as you can easily replace them if they get damaged.

Their sound profile is balanced and detailed, making them a great match for a wide range of musical genres. Vocals and instruments are reproduced with accuracy and detail. Like most in-ears, though, they produce a more intimate soundstage than over-ears, so your audio lacks depth and feels like it's coming from inside your head. Still, this design also helps them block out more ambient noise than closed-back over-ears like the FIIO FT1.

If the Meze are outside your budget, the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED are a strong lower-cost alternative. They also feature over-ear cable routing and a similarly balanced sound, but with a twist: if you prefer a bassier sound, you can use the included 10-ohm adapter to boost the bass. That said, they don't include the ALBA's USB-C adapter and aren't quite as comfortable or well-built, making them slightly less versatile overall.

If you're still looking for more in-ear headphones, check out our best-sounding wireless earbuds article!