AudioFu

Best HiFi Headphones Under $800 2025

Affordable hifi headphones under $800 - 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
Shure AONIC 5-BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Shure AONIC 5-BK

by Shure
Home Audio Systems Audiophile Listening High-End Sources
Key Feature:
• Exceptional audio quality and detail
✓ PROS
  • • Exceptional audio quality and detail
  • • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
  • • Very expensive for quality models
  • • Revealing of poor source quality

Shure AONIC 5-BKSound Isolating In-Ear HeadphonesWith RMCE-UNI cable3 Balanced armature driverSensitivity: 119 dB...

⭐ 4.6/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 505826
$578
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sennheiser HD 660S2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sennheiser HD 660S2

by Sennheiser
Critical Music Enjoyment Home Audio Systems Audiophile Listening
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended listening
✓ PROS
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
  • • Exceptional audio quality and detail
✗ CONS
  • • Very expensive for quality models
  • • May lack excitement for casual listening

Sennheiser HD 660S2HeadphonesWiredCircumauralOpen designDynamicFrequency range: 8 - 41500 HzImpedance: 300 OhmSound...

⭐ 4.5/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 557336
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
HIFIMAN ARYA Stealth - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Meze Audio 105 Silva - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Shure AONIC 5-CL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Shure AONIC 5-CL

by Shure
Home Audio Systems Audiophile Listening Critical Music Enjoyment
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended listening
✓ PROS
  • • Premium materials and construction
  • • Exceptional audio quality and detail
✗ CONS
  • • May lack excitement for casual listening
  • • Revealing of poor source quality

Shure AONIC 5-CLSound Isolating In-Ear HeadphonesWith RMCE-UNI cable3 Balanced armature driverSensitivity: 119 dB...

⭐ 4.8/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 505830
$578
Buy at Thomann View Details
Shure SRH1840 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Shure SRH1840

by Shure
Home Audio Systems High-End Sources Critical Music Enjoyment
Key Feature:
• Wide frequency response
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable for extended listening
  • • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
  • • Not portable or practical for mobile use
  • • May require headphone amplifier

Shure SRH1840Reference Recording and Mastering HeadphonesOpen-backCircumauralDynamicNeodymium magnetNominal impedance:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 280207
$658
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.

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