Exceptional sound for audiophiles and commuters alike
Whether you love to listen to your favorite music, need a playlist for your jog or just want some background music for your work commute, everyone can use a great pair of headphones. And while affordable headphones are easy on your wallet, they’re much less effective. There is nothing worse than getting into the beat and having it spoiled by chatting or background noise.
But finding the right pair of headphones isn’t as easy as you might think. There are several factors you need to take into consideration, like brand loyalty, budget, comfort and additional features. The latter tend to rank highest when it comes to making a final decision, but not all features are worth the money.
For example, most headphones have a frequency response rate between 20Hz-20KHz, which is the same as human hearing. However, some headphones go much lower or higher than that. But unless you have exceptional hearing or work in the music industry, a 70KHz headset won’t be of much use.
Either way, there are several models with fewer features at a more affordable price and consistently rank among the best wired headphones available.
Best of the best wired headphones
Sennheiser HD 820: available at Amazon
If you want something that packs an incredible punch and delivers sound like nothing else, then the Sennheiser HD 820 will be a great option. Sennheiser makes some of the highest-rated headphones available, and this model is no exception. The 56 mm Ring Radiator drivers provide reference-grade listening, which is nearly the best quality sound available. To give a comparison, it’s the same as what musicians and producers use in a recording session. The incorporated glass reflectors and frequency absorber systems provide you with the widest frequency range so that you can hear the faintest of details. However, it comes at a steep price. But if you want studio-quality sound, it’s well worth it.
Focal Stellia Closed-Back: available at Amazon
Focal has been making outstanding audio quality headphones for over 40 years. These headphones offer a frequency range of 5Hz-40KHz, which allows you to hear every single sound with acoustic purity. The set comes with a 4-foot 3.5 mm cable, studio connectors and a hard-shell carry case.
HIFIMAN Arya: available at Amazon
The Arya is one of the most expensive headphones on the market today. It makes use of a planar magnetic driver at nanometer thickness, which produces distortion-free sound. The metal headband is a rare feature in headphones, adding support and reducing pressure on your scalp. It has one of the highest frequency response rates available, at 8Hz-65KHz.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X: available at Amazon
Utilizing 45mm drivers, the M50X is the perfect way to deliver stunning audio quality, whether at home or during your commute. The earcups fold inwards, making it easy to carry or store away the headphones when not in use. And since the cups can rotate 90-degrees, the M50X is perfect for music mixing and DJing. It has a frequency response of 15Hz-20KHz and only weighs 10 ounces.
Monolith M1060: available at Amazon
While the M1060 might look like a standard pair of headphones, they have a special hidden feature. This model uses a unique planar magnetic driver, whereas regular headphone drivers use a cone-shaped membrane. This creates a flat diaphragm for the drive, producing better sound quality than other headphones. The open-back headphones also provide a more spacious sound experience, where closed-back headphones can make sound feel more localized.
Best bang for your buck wired headphones
OneOdio Wired Headphones: available at Amazon
This pair of closed-back over-ear headphones feature the industry-standard 50mm drivers, but still manage to deliver top-quality sound. The headphones are tuned to make instruments and vocals sound more natural, so it is a great addition for aspiring musicians or audiophiles. The set also comes with a detachable 3.5 mm cable for listening on a computer or audio device and a 6.35 mm for professional applications.
Jabra Evolve 80 UC: available at Amazon
The main focus of the Evolve 80 is noise cancellation. So if you travel in busy train cars, crowded busses or frequently go through noisy spaces, you should give this pair a try. It uses Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Passive Noise Cancellation (PNC) to filter out low-frequency background sounds. It has a built-in microphone you can use for video or phone calls, which swings out of the way when not in use.
Audeze LCD-1 Audiophile: available at Amazon
These headphones feature some of the biggest audio drivers available, and the massive 90mm planar magnetic open-back headphones allow you to play your music as loud as you want without distortion. The memory foam ear cups provide a comfortable listening experience, and the foldable headset comes with a 3.5 mm tangle-free cable.
Sony MDRZX110NC Noise Cancelling Headphones: available at Amazon
Sony has produced quality headphones for decades, so you shouldn’t overlook them in favor of other brand names. This set features a 35mm audio driver, which produces sound at a comfortable volume. Sony claims that the noise-cancellation will reduce ambient sound by up to 95%. And although this is primarily wired, if you wish to go wire-free, you can use the Bluetooth feature by inserting disposable batteries into the ear cup.
Skullcandy Riff On-Ear Headphones: available at Amazon
For a more affordable option that still delivers excellent sound quality, Skullcandy’s Riff is a popular choice and for good reason. It features a microphone in the left ear cup as well as volume and track controls and comes in six different colors. The headphones also fold and collapse when not in use. The memory foam ear cups are gentle on the ears, but the headband lacks any cushioning, which could be a problem during prolonged use.
Philips SHP9600 Wired: available at Amazon
The SHP9600 has an open-back design, creating a spacious sound environment. This model makes use of industry-standard 50 mm drivers with a frequency response rate of 12Hz-35KHz. It provides an excellent audio experience covering bass, mid and high tones. It also comes with a 3.5mm cable, which has a gold-plated jack.
beyerdynamic DT 1770: available at Amazon
Looking for a pair of studio-worthy headphones that won’t break the bank? The DT 1770 could be the right fit for you. It’s more affordable than other reference headphones and makes use of 45 mm dynamic Tesla neodymium drivers. The DT 1770 has one of the lowest frequency response rates, starting at an almost inaudible 5Hz. The set comes with a detachable, single-sided cable and a mini-XLR connection for studio sessions. Charlie Fripp is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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