Best HiFi Headphones Under $5,000 2025

Affordable hifi headphones under $5,000 - 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 Elite Tungsten - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Meze Audio Elite Tungsten

by Meze Audio

Audiophile Listening High-End Sources Home Audio Systems

Key Feature:

• Comfortable for extended listening

✓ PROS

• Exceptional audio quality and detail
• Wide frequency response

✗ CONS

• Not portable or practical for mobile use
• Very expensive for quality models

Meze Audio Elite TungstenHi-Fi HeadphonesWiredCircumauralOpen-back designMagnetostaticFrequency range: 3 Hz - 112000...

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 616716

$4,400

Buy at Thomann View Details

Meze Audio Empyrean II - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Meze Audio Empyrean II

by Meze Audio

Audiophile Listening Critical Music Enjoyment High-End Sources

Key Feature:

• Premium materials and construction

✓ PROS

• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
• Comfortable for extended listening

✗ CONS

• Not portable or practical for mobile use
• Very expensive for quality models

Meze Audio Empyrean IIHi-Fi HeadphonesWired headphonesCircumauralOpen backMagnetostaticFrequency range: 8 Hz - 110000...

⭐ 4.6/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 616735

$3,299

Buy at Thomann View Details

Dan Clark Audio STEALTH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Dan Clark Audio STEALTH

by Dan Clark Audio

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

Buy at Thomann View Details

HIFIMAN HE1000se - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

HIFIMAN HE1000 Unveiled - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

HIFIMAN HE1000 Unveiled

by HIFIMAN

Critical Music Enjoyment Audiophile Listening Home Audio Systems

Key Feature:

• Premium materials and construction

✓ PROS

• Exceptional audio quality and detail
• Premium materials and construction

✗ CONS

• Not portable or practical for mobile use
• Very expensive for quality models

HIFIMAN HE1000 UnveiledHi-Fi HeadphonesCircumauralOpen-back deisgnMagnetostaticFrequency range: 8 Hz - 65000...

⭐ 4.5/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 606661

$3,255

Buy at Thomann View Details

HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La

by HIFIMAN

Critical Music Enjoyment High-End Sources Home Audio Systems

Key Feature:

• Comfortable for extended listening

✓ PROS

• Premium materials and construction
• Wide frequency response

✗ CONS

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

HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La, HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La*Set consisting of: **Hi-Fi Headphones*WiredOver-earOpen...

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 595082

$2,111

Buy at Thomann View Details

Fostex TH1100RP - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Meze Audio Liric 2nd Generation - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Meze Audio Poet - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (41 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Meze Audio Poet

by Meze Audio

Audiophile Listening Critical Music Enjoyment Home Audio Systems

Key Feature:

• Premium materials and construction

✓ PROS

• Exceptional audio quality and detail
• Comfortable for extended listening

✗ CONS

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

Meze Audio PoetHeadphonesWired headphonesCircumauralOpen-back designMagnetostaticFrequency range: 4 Hz - 96000...

⭐ 4.7/5 (41 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 616746

$2,199

Buy at Thomann View Details

HEDD HEDDphone Two GT - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.7/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

HEDD HEDDphone Two GT

by HEDD

High-End Sources Critical Music Enjoyment Home Audio Systems

Key Feature:

• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction

✓ PROS

• Comfortable for extended listening
• Premium materials and construction

✗ CONS

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

HEDD , Passive Hi-Fi HeadphonesOpen-backed designCircumauralBased on HEDD HEDDphone Two DesignAir Motion Transformer...

⭐ 4.7/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 601326

$2,364

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 $5,000 2025

Meze Audio Elite Tungsten

Meze Audio Empyrean II

Dan Clark Audio STEALTH

HIFIMAN HE1000se

HIFIMAN HE1000 Unveiled

HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La

Fostex TH1100RP

Meze Audio Liric 2nd Generation

Meze Audio Poet

HEDD HEDDphone Two GT

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?

Related Best Lists

Best Studio Headphones

Best Bluetooth Headphones

Best True Wireless Headphones

Best Drummer's Headphones

Best TV Headphones

Best Children's Headphones

Cookie Preferences

Essential Cookies

Analytics Cookies

Functional Cookies

Marketing Cookies