Best HiFi Headphones 2026
Top-rated hifi headphones 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE
Home Audio Systems
Critical Music Enjoyment
Audiophile Listening
Key Feature:
• Wide frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Exceptional audio quality and detail
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
- • Not portable or practical for mobile use
- • May require headphone amplifier
Dan Clark Audio EXPANSEHeadphonesCircumauralOpenMagnetostaticDriver size: 76 x 51 mm4th Generation planar-magnetic...
⭐
4.9/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 552965
$5,168
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Open-Back
Critical Music Enjoyment
High-End Sources
Audiophile Listening
Key Feature:
• Wide frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
- • Premium materials and construction
✗ CONS
- • May lack excitement for casual listening
- • Revealing of poor source quality
Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Open-BackHeadphonesOpen designCircumauralPlanar magnetic driversImpedance: 13 OhmSensitivity: 92...
⭐
4.6/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 489356
$1,044
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Dan Clark Audio Noire X
Audiophile Listening
Home Audio Systems
Critical Music Enjoyment
Key Feature:
• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✓ PROS
- • Comfortable for extended listening
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
- • Not portable or practical for mobile use
- • May lack excitement for casual listening
Dan Clark Audio Noire XHeadphonesCircumauralClosed-back designMagnetostaticFrequency range: 20 Hz - 20000 HzImpedance:...
⭐
4.8/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 612482
$1,209
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Sennheiser HD 650
by
Sennheiser
Audiophile Listening
Home Audio Systems
High-End Sources
Key Feature:
• Exceptional audio quality and detail
✓ PROS
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
- • Premium materials and construction
✗ CONS
- • May require headphone amplifier
- • May lack excitement for casual listening
Sennheiser HD-650HeadphonesDynamicOpen-backImpedance: 300 OhmSound pressure level: 103 dBFrequency range: 10 - 41000...
⭐
4.8/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 471755
$384
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
HIFIMAN SUSVARA
by
HIFIMAN
Audiophile Listening
Home Audio Systems
High-End Sources
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended listening
✓ PROS
- • Exceptional audio quality and detail
- • Comfortable for extended listening
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive for quality models
- • May lack excitement for casual listening
HIFIMAN SUSVARAHigh-end hi-fi headphonesCircumauralOpen-back designMagnetostaticFrequency range: 6 - 75.000...
⭐
4.9/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 563571
$7,368
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
HIFIMAN ARYA Stealth
by
HIFIMAN
High-End Sources
Audiophile Listening
Home Audio Systems
Key Feature:
• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✓ PROS
- • Exceptional audio quality and detail
- • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
- • May require headphone amplifier
- • Very expensive for quality models
HIFIMAN ARYA StealthHi-Fi HeadphonesCircumauralOpenMagnetostaticFrequency range: 8 - 65000 HzImpedance: 32 OhmMax. SPL:...
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 563575
$725
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Dan Clark Audio STEALTH
Home Audio Systems
High-End Sources
Critical Music Enjoyment
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended listening
✓ PROS
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
- • Comfortable for extended listening
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive for quality models
- • Revealing of poor source quality
Dan Clark Audio STEALTHHeadphonesClosed-backCircumauralMagnetostaticDriver size: 76 x 51 mm4th generation planar...
⭐
4.7/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 528810
$4,707
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Meze Audio Liric 2nd Generation
by
Meze Audio
Home Audio Systems
Audiophile Listening
High-End Sources
Key Feature:
• Premium materials and construction
✓ PROS
- • Wide frequency response
- • Comfortable for extended listening
✗ CONS
- • Not portable or practical for mobile use
- • Revealing of poor source quality
Meze Audio Liric 2nd GenerationHi-Fi HeadphonesWired headphonesCircumauralClosed-back designMagnetostaticFrequency...
⭐
4.8/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 616690
$2,199
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Avantone Planar the II Creme
by
Avantone
Audiophile Listening
High-End Sources
Critical Music Enjoyment
Key Feature:
• Exceptional audio quality and detail
✓ PROS
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
- • Premium materials and construction
✗ CONS
- • Not portable or practical for mobile use
- • May require headphone amplifier
Avantone Planar the II CreamHeadphonesMagnetostaticOpen constructionCircumaural21 Micron PET diaphragmTransducer size:...
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 578473
$479
#10
⭐
4.8/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
HEDD HEDDphone One
by
HEDD
Audiophile Listening
Critical Music Enjoyment
Home Audio Systems
Key Feature:
• Premium materials and construction
✓ PROS
- • Comfortable for extended listening
- • Premium materials and construction
✗ CONS
- • Revealing of poor source quality
- • May lack excitement for casual listening
HEDD HEDDphone OneHeadphonesOpen designOver-ear design with Air Motion Transformer driver (electrodynamic...
⭐
4.8/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 484990
$1,814
#11
⭐
4.7/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
HIFIMAN ARYA Organic
by
HIFIMAN
High-End Sources
Critical Music Enjoyment
Audiophile Listening
Key Feature:
• Exceptional audio quality and detail
✓ PROS
- • Exceptional audio quality and detail
- • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
- • May require headphone amplifier
- • Very expensive for quality models
HIFIMAN ARYA OrganicHi-Fi HeadphonesCircumauralOpenMagnetostaticFrequency range: 8 - 65000 kHzImpdeance: 16 ohmSound...
⭐
4.7/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 572665
$978
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
HIFIMAN HE1000se
by
HIFIMAN
Audiophile Listening
Home Audio Systems
High-End Sources
Key Feature:
• Premium materials and construction
✓ PROS
- • Comfortable for extended listening
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
- • May lack excitement for casual listening
- • Very expensive for quality models
HIFIMAN HE1000seHigh-End Hi-Fi HeadphonesCircumauralOpen-back designMagnetostaticFrequency range: 8 - 65000...
⭐
4.6/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 563573
$2,089
#13
⭐
5.0/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Fostex TH1100RP
by
Fostex
Audiophile Listening
High-End Sources
Home Audio Systems
Key Feature:
• Premium materials and construction
✓ PROS
- • Comfortable for extended listening
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
- • Not portable or practical for mobile use
- • May lack excitement for casual listening
Fostex TH1100RPHeadphonesWiredCircumauralOpen designDynamicFrequency range: 5 Hz - 40000 HzImpedance: 32...
⭐
5.0/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 600865
$3,609
#14
⭐
4.7/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Meze Audio 105 Silva
by
Meze Audio
Critical Music Enjoyment
Audiophile Listening
Home Audio Systems
Key Feature:
• Wide frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Premium materials and construction
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
- • May lack excitement for casual listening
- • Very expensive for quality models
Meze Audio 105 SilvaHi-Fi HeadphonesWired headphonesCircumauralOpen-back designDynamicFrequency range: 5 Hz - 30000...
⭐
4.7/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 621452
$549
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Audeze LCD-2 Classic Closed New
by
Audeze
Critical Music Enjoyment
Home Audio Systems
High-End Sources
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended listening
✓ PROS
- • Exceptional audio quality and detail
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
- • May lack excitement for casual listening
- • Revealing of poor source quality
Audeze LCD-2 Classic Closed NewHeadphonesClosedCircumauralSensitivity (1W/1mW): 97 dBNeodymium magnets (N50)Impedance:...
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 517756
$1,099
How to Choose the Best HiFi Headphones
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced hifi headphones typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
