Best HiFi Headphones Under $500 2025

Affordable hifi headphones under $500 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $50 Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Audiophile Listening For Critical Music Enjoyment For Home Audio Systems For High-End Sources

BRANDS: Sennheiser HIFIMAN Yamaha Shure Meze Audio Superlux JVC Dan Clark Audio Behringer AKG

Meze Audio 99 Classics - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (41 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Meze Audio 99 Classics

by Meze Audio

Home Audio Systems Critical Music Enjoyment High-End Sources

Key Feature:

• Exceptional audio quality and detail

✓ PROS

• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
• Exceptional audio quality and detail

✗ CONS

• May lack excitement for casual listening
• Not portable or practical for mobile use

Meze Audio 99 ClassicsHi-Fi HeadphonesWired headphonesCircumauralClosed backDynamicFrequency range: 15 Hz - 25000...

⭐ 4.8/5 (41 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 616393

$340

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sennheiser HD-490 PRO - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Sennheiser HD-490 PRO

by Sennheiser

High-End Sources Critical Music Enjoyment Audiophile Listening

Key Feature:

• Wide frequency response

✓ PROS

• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
• Premium materials and construction

✗ CONS

• Revealing of poor source quality
• Very expensive for quality models

Sennheiser HD-490 PROStudio HeadphonesWired headphonesCircumauralOpenDynamicFrequency range: 5 - 36100 HzImpedance: 130...

⭐ 4.6/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 581283

$384

Buy at Thomann View Details

Avantone Planar the II Creme - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Meze Audio 105 Aer - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Meze Audio 105 Aer

by Meze Audio

Critical Music Enjoyment High-End Sources Home Audio Systems

Key Feature:

• Wide frequency response

✓ PROS

• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
• Exceptional audio quality and detail

✗ CONS

• May lack excitement for casual listening
• Very expensive for quality models

Meze Audio 105 AerHi-Fi HeadphonesWired headphonesCircumauralOpen backDynamicFrequency range: 5 Hz - 30000 HzImpedance:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 616344

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sennheiser HD 650 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Shure AONIC 4-BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Shure AONIC 4-BK

by Shure

Critical Music Enjoyment Audiophile Listening Home Audio Systems

Key Feature:

• Comfortable for extended listening

✓ PROS

• Exceptional audio quality and detail
• Comfortable for extended listening

✗ CONS

• Revealing of poor source quality
• Not portable or practical for mobile use

Shure AONIC 4-BKSound Isolating In-Ear HeadphonesWith RMCE-UNI cableHybrid of dynamic driver and balanced armature...

⭐ 4.9/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 505797

$347

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sennheiser HP 02-100 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Sennheiser HP 02-100

by Sennheiser

Audiophile Listening High-End Sources Critical Music Enjoyment

Key Feature:

• Comfortable for extended listening

✓ PROS

• Wide frequency response
• Comfortable for extended listening

✗ CONS

• May lack excitement for casual listening
• Revealing of poor source quality

Sennheiser HP 02-100HeadphoneSupraauralImpedance: 32 OhmRotatable ear cupsFrequency response: 20 - 20000 HzTwo-sided...

⭐ 4.8/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 335032

$384

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sennheiser HD 550 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Sennheiser HD 550

by Sennheiser

Audiophile Listening High-End Sources Critical Music Enjoyment

Key Feature:

• Comfortable for extended listening

✓ PROS

• Exceptional audio quality and detail
• Wide frequency response

✗ CONS

• Not portable or practical for mobile use
• May lack excitement for casual listening

Sennheiser HD 550HeadphonesCircumauralOpen-back designDynamicFrequency range: 6 - 39500 HzImpedance: 150 OhmSPL: 106.7...

⭐ 4.5/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 612263

$307

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sennheiser HD 600 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Sennheiser HD 600

by Sennheiser

Critical Music Enjoyment Home Audio Systems Audiophile Listening

Key Feature:

• Comfortable for extended listening

✓ PROS

• Wide frequency response
• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction

✗ CONS

• Not portable or practical for mobile use
• May lack excitement for casual listening

Sennheiser HD-600HeadphonesDynamicOpenCircumauralImpedance: 300 OhmSound pressure level: 97 dBFrequency range: 12 -...

⭐ 4.7/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 471751

$347

Buy at Thomann View Details

Avantone Planar the II Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.7/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Avantone Planar the II Red

by Avantone

High-End Sources Audiophile Listening Home Audio Systems

Key Feature:

• Comfortable for extended listening

✓ PROS

• Exceptional audio quality and detail
• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction

✗ CONS

• Very expensive for quality models
• May require headphone amplifier

Avantone Planar the II RedHeadphonesMagnetostaticOpen constructionCircumaural21 Micron PET diaphragmTransducer size: 70...

⭐ 4.7/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 578472

$472

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sennheiser HD 620S - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.7/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Sennheiser HD 620S

by Sennheiser

Critical Music Enjoyment Home Audio Systems High-End Sources

Key Feature:

• Wide frequency response

✓ PROS

• Comfortable for extended listening
• Wide frequency response

✗ CONS

• Not portable or practical for mobile use
• May lack excitement for casual listening

Sennheiser HD 620SOver-Ear HeadphonesWired headphonesCircumauralClosed-back designDynamicFrequency range: 6 - 30000...

⭐ 4.7/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 587750

$307

Buy at Thomann View Details

HIFIMAN ANANDA Nano - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.5/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

HIFIMAN ANANDA Nano

by HIFIMAN

Home Audio Systems Audiophile Listening High-End Sources

Key Feature:

• Premium materials and construction

✓ PROS

• Exceptional audio quality and detail
• Premium materials and construction

✗ CONS

• Not portable or practical for mobile use
• May lack excitement for casual listening

HIFIMAN ANANDA NanoHi-Fi HeadphonesCircumauralOpen designMagnetostaticFrequency range: 5 Hz - 55000 HzImpedance: 14...

⭐ 4.5/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 570129

$417

Buy at Thomann View Details

Avantone Planar the II Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.9/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Avantone Planar the II Black

by Avantone

Critical Music Enjoyment Audiophile Listening Home Audio Systems

Key Feature:

• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction

✓ PROS

• Premium materials and construction
• Comfortable for extended listening

✗ CONS

• May require headphone amplifier
• Revealing of poor source quality

Avantone Planar the II BlackHeadphonesMagnetostaticOpen constructionCircumaural21 Micron PET diaphragmTransducer size:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 578466

$479

Buy at Thomann View Details

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.

Best HiFi Headphones Under $500 2025

Meze Audio 99 Classics

Sennheiser HD-490 PRO

Avantone Planar the II Creme

Meze Audio 105 Aer

Sennheiser HD 650

Shure AONIC 4-BK

Sennheiser HP 02-100

Sennheiser HD 550

Sennheiser HD 600

Avantone Planar the II Red

Sennheiser HD 620S

HIFIMAN ANANDA Nano

Avantone Planar the II Black

How to Choose the Best HiFi Headphones

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying hifi headphones?

How much should I spend on hifi headphones?

Are expensive hifi headphones worth the investment?

What are the best brands for hifi headphones?

Should I buy hifi headphones online or in-store?

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