Best Audiophile Headphones 2020: Ultimate High End Headphones

If you enjoy superior audio quality, the headphone market full of high-end options. There are luxury headphones with high-tech components and professional sets that offer a simple but excellent listening experience. Audiophile headphones emphasize high-end sound for the discerning listener. 

Best Audiophile Headphones 

Grado SR325e

These over-ear headphones are fantastic. They have a distinctive retro style paired with awesome audio output. They are open-backed and offer a light, clear sound. They have 360° rotating earcups that are comfortable and easy to wear for longer periods. They are fairly pricey, but their sound is worth the cost. The only downside of these headphones is their open back design, which tends to leak sound. Sound leaks won’t impact your listening experience, but they can be an issue if you are listening in a shared space. 

Sennheiser HD 820

This wired headphone set is a big investment, but it’s the right choice if you want the top of the line. They are a closed back headphone that has been engineered to pure perfection. They have used a combination of Gorilla Glass and sound-absorption chambers that stop sound waves from bouncing back into the drivers. The sound is stunning and precise with great frequency response and bass. They are built for a true audiophile doing reference-grade listening. 

Beyerdynamic Amiron

While these are not the attention-grabbing type of headphones, they are impressive if you give them a try. They have great transparency and great resolution. They fit well and are comfortable enough to wear for longer periods. If you have a good quality source that you want to listen to, these headphones will shine. They have a good sound, and the complete frequency range is smooth and consistent. They have a clear midrange for vocals and can handle even the most complex pieces of music. They offer great quality for the price. 

Grado SR80e

While these wired headphones are not as expensive as some of the others, they still offer a quality listening experience. They don’t have a lot of bells and whistles but certainly have great sound. They are one of the best on the market in this price category. They have a natural sound profile and can make any genre of music sound amazing. They are an open back headphone with a retro style that offers top-of-the-line performance. 

Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Generation)

This 3rd generation Beyerdynamic T1 is a high-end open back headphone. They work well for all types of listening, but you should use high-resolution audio files to get the most out of expensive headphones.  They were created for comfortable home listening with an open back design, replaceable velour and memory foam ear pads, and 3m long cable. These headphones offer a clean and clear sound along with rounded treble and good balance. 

Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony always offers a consistently good product. These headphones should top your list when looking for good sound. They have plush ear cups and noise cancellation. They also have innovative features such as Speak to Chat that let you talk to someone without having to take the earphones off. They have great sound quality using the new Sony DSEE Extreme sound processor, DAC and analog amplifier combo. The timing and dynamics are great and offer great low-frequency performance. Add in comfort and an amazing battery life, these noise canceling headphones are well worth what you will pay for them. 

Shure Aonic 3

While often we think quality headphones should have full ear cups, a wired earbud can sound almost as good. These sound-isolating earbuds are one of those good brands. No worries about batteries, just listening pleasure. These are some of the smaller earbuds and have a great fit. They are lightweight and have a cable that can go over your ears so it’s out of the way if you are out and about. These have a good sense of rhythm and the timing is fantastic too. Their sound is true to whatever the original source is. 

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This wireless headphone set from Sony offers great sound quality and noise cancellation. They are an affordable alternative to the professional headphones on our list. These Bluetooth headphones have a wired option and include a variety of tech such as voice assistance and a quick-charge battery. The noise-cancelling works well and won’t interfere with the quality of sound while you are listening. It can be turned on and off or simply adjusted easily with the app or touch controls. All this comes at a reasonable price that won’t break the bank. 

Klipsch T5M Wired

These are good, affordable earphones. They are in-ear and more than comfortable. They have great sound quality in this price range. They are detailed and dynamic offering great tonal balance and even better timing. They come with a clothing clip to avoid any cable noise. A good in-ear choice that won’t break the bank and are useable in various listening circumstances. 

Focal Stellia

This headphone set is similar to the Focal Utopia set. You get the Focal great sound quality with a great design. The closed back design means they are wearable everywhere. They also keep out sound from whatever is around you. The internal workings have been designed to work with DACs as well as portable music players. The earpieces have built-in diffusers and good foam absorption. They are refined and stylish and will give you the best sound possible. 

Final Thoughts 

When you are looking for the ultimate high-end headphone set, it’s a great idea to try before you buy. Experiencing it first-hand makes it much easier to discover the ones that suit your hearing and listening style best. If budget is a factor, then there many that deliver excellent sound quality without the studio headphone price tag. Do your research and try some out so you can find the best audiophile headphone to elevate your listening experience.

This post was last updated on 2025-03-13 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.