6 Best Wired Over-Ear Headphones You Can Afford

Are over-ear headphones worth it? Should you get wired headphones these days?

I hear these questions a lot when discussing headphones and my answer is that if you are a true audiophile, over-ear headphones beat any other option.

They’re the only way to go, really.

The reasons are simple. Firstly, over ear headphones are the largest, feature the largest drivers and offer superior sound quality. Yes, many smaller options deliver the goods and I’m all for a good set of earbuds, but at the premium level, nothing can offer a sonic attack as wide and rich across the audio spectrum as a good set of over-ear cans.

Furthermore, the overall comfort of over-ears is also superior, albeit under a few conditions. Firstly, the ear cups are massive, and while your ears have room to breathe inside, full comfort is only achieved with a set of comfortable earcups with solid materials.

I advise getting a lighter pair too, but it’s ultimately the sound quality that makes the over-ears so comfy. In-ears and on-ears tend to have a piercing treble issue that can cause ear fatigue, and over-ears are free of this problem thanks to that wider and cleared frequency range.

Although everything is going wireless these days, it an undeniable fact that wired products are more reliable. Bluetooth is great, but it’s still more expensive and less reliable. If you don’t need the wireless feature that much, I always say stick to the wired solution.

With that said, I’d like you to check out the best wired over-ear headphones on the market in 2022. Let’s dive in!

1: Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO Over-ear Wired Headphones

Editor’s Choice

These puppies have it all. If you are still not ready to pay extra to enter the premium domain, the DT 770 Pro set of cans from Beyerdinamic will take you as close as possible to high-end devices – at a significantly lower price, of course.

See my full review of the DT 770 Pro here.

What I like the most about this model is the real, unfiltered, and clear sound output they offer. None of the frequencies are altered or boosted, resulting in a clear sonic attack that genuinely showcases the source output.

I like approach for listening to music, but it’s an even bigger plus if you need headphones for studio use. For this reason, producers and engineers love the DT 770 PRO, but don’t think these cans are only for studio use. They are a great pick for music fans too.

The 32-ohm version set works amazingly for folks listening to their music on smaller players or phones. You won’t have to boost the signal at all, resulting in what they call a “sparkly” sound. The highs are fairly bright, just on the limit of becoming fatiguing during longer listening sessions, but without crossing the line.

In terms of durability, the headphones are solid. They are strongly built, with quality materials that won’t cause excessive weight or sweating. The pads are replaceable, and so is the headband. I haven’t excessively used this model but I know people who wore it for two years without the need to replace anything.

What’s in the Box?

• Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO headphones
• Audio cable
• User manual

What we like (Pros)

• Premium-level, clean, and realistic sound
• Top-value for money
• High comfort, good build material
• Great for studio use and music listening

What we like less (Cons)

• Trebles might be a tad too bright for some users

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2: OneOdio Wired Over-Ear Wired Headphones

Budget Pick

I tend to praise this set a lot. I might even sound repetitive but I’m yet to see and try a set of headphones that delivers such quality at a low price.

OneOdio’s wired set delivers a well-rounded, bass-driven sonic output bound to please the majority of users. The headphones are highly versatile and can tackle anything from classic rock, metal, through hip-hop and EDM.

The connection is solid with an on-board set of cables and it’s clear from the get-go that the manufacturer focused on sound quality first and foremost.

The noise isolation is decent and I like the punchy mids and how they drive the groove on top of those heavy basses.

The package includes dual cable compatibility, which is awesome. You can plug OneOdio into just about any device, and the best part is – the cables are replaceable. When a cable inevitably dies, you can just buy a new one and be on your way. They’re cheap and the sonic output won’t be affected in the slightest.

The headband is comfortable and extendable to fit all users. The earpads are decent, although this price range clearly won’t bring you exceptional materials. During extensive use, you are likely to experience sweating. For the listed price, I’m amazed!

What’s in the Box?

• OneOdio Wired headphones
• A set of cables
• User manual

What we like (Pros)

• Amazing sound quality at the lowest possible price
• Solid construction
• Versatile headband fits most users
• Replaceable cables

What we like less (Cons)

• The bass might get too strong for some users’ taste

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3: Philips Audio SHP9600MB Over-ear Wired Headphones

Exceptional Comfort

If you still want to stay within a reasonable price range and get something that’s extra-comfy while still packing an excellent sonic punch, I say check out this set from Philips.

The open-back design makes these headphones more breathable. The sound is natural and noise cancelation is of course low.

I love the manufacturer designed this model. The headband offers almost no pressure and clamping force, yet the headphones sit comfortably on the ears without falling off. The price is affordable, yes, but these cans rank among the most comfortable models I tried, ever.

The audio quality is high, and middles-oriented. This means the cans pack an extra punch and accentuate each instrument and the vocals. Unless you’re a super-bass fan, chances are you will like what this set offers very much.

Although geared towards mid-range EQ, the trebles and bass are well-rounded into the mix. The basses are booming and the trebles offer just enough clarity without causing fatigue. Again, very comfortable.

I like the elegant looks too, the manufacturer used quality materials to keep the earpads cool. Also included in the mix is a detachable mic – great for online calls and gaming. What’s not to like? If you want comfort, I say go for it!

What’s in the Box?

• Philips Audio SHP9600MB headphones
• 3.5mm audio cable
• 6.3mm adapter
• User manual

What we like (Pros)

• Top bang for the buck
• Amazing comfort
• Elegant design
• Detachable cable and mic
• High-quality, well-defined audio

What we like less (Cons)

• Earpads are not replacable

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4: Sony ZX Series MDR-ZX110 Wired Headphones

Best Super Cheap Option

I usually don’t recommend headphones this cheap. Why? Because most of them are garbage. Sorry, it is how it is. And, these are kind of on-ear headphones depending on how big your ears are but they are a cracking little unit so they made the cut.

With that said, these Sony cans are possibly the sole super-cheap headphones I would recommend to anyone. We’re talking 10 bucks price range here, folks!

So, the sound quality is amazing, right? No, of course not. But it’s pretty decent; for the listed price, it’s stellar!

In the sonic department, I’m most impressed by the clarity of the highs. They won’t cause ear fatigue and that’s what matters the most. The basses are decent, albeit nothing special, and the mids are pretty punchy.

As you can see from the attached image, the earcups are slightly smaller. This does affect comfort but not a whole lot. You can use this Sony set anywhere from one to three hours with next to no discomfort.

The headpand is expandable and fits most users, and I like the foldable design – extra useful for the traveling folks.

Again, value for money is what stands out the most here. I never thought 10 bucks were enough for a decent set of over-ear headphones, yet here we are!

What’s in the Box?

• Sony ZX Series MDR-ZX110 headphones
• User manual

What we like (Pros)

• The absolute lowest price that will actually get you decent headphones
• Decent comfort
• Good sound quality
• Foldable design, great for travel

What we like less (Cons)

• Bass frequencies are slightly lacking

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5: HIFIMAN Sundara Wired Over-ear Headphones

Premium Choice

We’re about to pick things up a notch. From super-cheap to high-end, check out HIFIMAN Sundara, the best premium over-ear headphones out there!

The moment you put your hands on these cans, you know your dealing with a premium item. They look amazing, I love the headband and sturdy and comfortable it is. The earcups are cool and smooth, they will fit your ears like a glove.

And then, the sound! I’m beyond impressed how wide the frequency range is on this model. You can listen to the songs you’ve heard hundreds, and possibly thousands of times before, and you’ll discover something new. Amazing!

The sonic output is realistic and incredibly well-balanced. The basses are booming, the mids are punchy, while the trebles are clear and smooth. The cans are open, expressive, and everything you’ll ever want from a set of headphones.

The build quality is exceptional. This model is built like a tank and will last for decades as long as you treat it right. I can’t recommend these enough. If you can afford this beast, I say go for it!

What’s in the Box?

• HIFIMAN Sundara headphones
• 3.5mm audiocable
• 6.35m cable adaptor
• Extra pair of earpads
• User manual

What we like (Pros)

• Exceptional sound quality, amazing clarity and detail
• High build quality
• Killer design
• Exceptional comfort

What we like less (Cons)

• Premium quality comes at a premium price

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6: Sennheiser HD 560 S Wired Over-ear Headphones

Best Audiophile

If you liked the Philips cans from this rundown but would like to take those qualities into the premium domain, this is the one – the Sennheiser HD 560.

I love how snugged and comfy your ears are when wearing this set. The manufacturer used high-end materials, making the HD 560 exceptionally light and comfortable. This is possibly my favorite headband on the entire market, and the earcups aren’t lagging behind too much either.

We’re looking at a set of open-back cans, but with an extra little trick called E.A.R. – Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement. This feature tilts the onboard drivers to fit your ears’ natural angle, delivering a natural, clear sonic output.

The audio response is mostly flat, just the way I like it. This means none of the audio frequencies are artificially boosted or affected in any way, delivering a realistic image. You get what the producer wanted you to hear. All headphones should operate like that, right?

The bass is there, grooving without booming over the rest of the sonic range. The middles are spectacular and the trebles are sweet and bright. Being open-back usually means a slightly lower bass attack for the sake of overall clarity. However, the sub-bass section has impressed me.

What’s in the Box?

• Sennheiser HD 560headphones
• 3.5mm audio cable
• 6.35m cable adaptor
• User manual

What we like (Pros)

• Audiophile level quality
• Amazing comfort
• E.A.R. technology
• Sound clarity. You get what the producer wanted you to hear

What we like less (Cons)

• The cable included in the package is flimsy

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Summing it up…

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I hope this rundown was useful to you, that you’ve learned something new and maybe even found your very own best wired over-ear headphones.

If you have a preferred pair, let us know in the comments below. Personally, I also love my Fostex TH-X00 but they are hard to come by these days.

Stay safe and have a good one, guys!

This post was last updated on 2025-03-20 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.