For listening to high-definition music, here is the updated ranking of the best hi-fi headphones for the stereo system, with models of open, closed, in-ear headphones, and Bluetooth headphones, in all price ranges.
If your priority is to find hi-fi music headphones with higher sound quality than the average for consumer models, in this buying guide we have put together a ranking of the most suitable audio headphones for this type of use.
For the audiophile, the best solution is to use a high-end open hi-fi headset so that you have the best possible audio quality with the best soundstage. Open headphones are great for less ear strain and for listening to an entire record in sublime audio quality. They cost a lot but are really worth it.
If, on the other hand, you are interested in listening to music more intimately, then we recommend closed headphones, which slightly lack in the amplitude of the sound compared to open headphones, but are still very good for this type of use.
Among the best hi-fi headphones, we have also selected headsets and models with wireless-Bluetooth technology. A wireless headphone will never be as good as a wired headphone, but if you are willing to give up a little in the audio quality you will have a better comfort of use to carry it around during the day and listen to music wirelessly via your smartphone.
Among the models of Bluetooth headphones that you will find in this ranking, we have been careful to select those that truly have exceptional performance for the fidelity of the sound representation.
So let’s go into detail and see which are the best hi-fi headphones of this year, selected for quality, price, performance, and ease of use. Let’s start with the most premium models and finish with the most entry-level ones, passing through all price ranges.
1. Beyerdynamic Amiron Home
The best hi-end headphones for audiophiles
Pros:
- Exceptional sound detail
- The most comfortable headphones we’ve ever tried
Cons:
- They require a major investment
The Beyerdynamic Amiron Home is the best Hi-Fi headphone with open type cable, suitable for those who prefer sound fidelity and neutrality in the representation of the audio track. They are also the most comfortable headphones to wear and we are sure that you will have no problem wearing them for listening to an entire record.
Keep in mind that, since headphones are open, those around you will be able to hear the music coming from the ear cups. This is why we recommend them to those who listen to music at home in a room dedicated to the hi-fi system.
They certainly charge, but the audio quality is truly excellent. These headphones do not prioritize any frequency range, and represent the sound stage very faithfully. The low frequencies are not emphasized as in consumer-grade closed headphones, but they do not lack power in the bass.
The highs and mids are clear and crystal clear, with the Beyerdynamic Amiron we find ourselves discovering sonic details that with other cheaper headphones we had not noticed existed. Even in the most complicated tracks, the Amiron is able to manage the high frequencies in a composed way, without creating distortions and keeping the musical components well separated.
Specifications include 45mm drivers, 250 Ohm nominal impedance, 5-40,000Hz frequency response, and 102dB sound pressure level. The cable is 3m long, so you can sit comfortably on the sofa next to the hi-fi system while listening to a record.
The Beyerdynamic Amiron Home are headphones for Hi-Fi systems high-priced but will provide tremendous satisfaction to audiophiles who want to complement their hi-end system with a top-of-the-line pair of headphones for wearability and sound quality.
2. Shure SRH1840
Professional open headphones for hi-fi system and recording studio
Pros:
- Very comfortable open headphones
- Quality of sound detail even at low volume
Cons:
- 2.1m cable for some may be short
The Shure SRH1840 are high fidelity headphones for listening to Hi Fi music . This is a very high quality open stereo headphone that allows you to listen to the sound track with a high level of precision, very comfortable to wear and also very light.
Weighing only 270 grams , built in aluminum and premium materials, with memory foam pads and velvet lining, soft and breathable, these are among the best headphones for wearability ever.
Each of the two 40mm drivers receives the signal separately with dedicated cable and Shure proprietary input. The two left and right cables then join in a single cable for a total length of 2.1 m. For some, this length may not be sufficient to reach the armchair or sofa, in which case we recommend purchasing a dedicated extension.
In addition to the comfort in wearing them, we prove that these hi-fi headphones are truly excellent for music listening comfort. Even at low volume levels we can perfectly recognize all the details of the music track, without having to turn up the volume. This is one of the positive aspects of open headphones compared to closed headphones, with the latter we often find ourselves tired after about half an hour of listening, while with open headphones we can listen to an entire disc without suffering from this problem.
That’s why the Shure SRH1840 are also great for professional use, for recording studios and for listening to audio mixes, first of all thanks to their sonic character which is neutral and faithful, and secondly because they are extremely comfortable to wear even for three or four hours of listening without interruptions.
3. Sennheiser HD 660 S
Hi Fi headphones with wire, among the best-selling ever
Pros:
- Ampio soundstage
- 150 ohm impedance good for versatility
Cons:
- They tighten a little
Among the most popular Hi-End headphones for Hi Fi systems of all time there are the Sennheiser HD 660 S. They are the best headphones for audiophiles around 400 euros, offer open design, for use at home, a superior sound quality for detailed listening, and a great level of wearability.
Both the ear cups and the headband are covered in soft velvet , with a good degree of breathability to be able to wear the hi-fi headphones for prolonged listening.
The stereo headphone has a 150 Ohm impedance , which has been lowered by 300 ohms from the previous version, to offer more versatility with mobile devices and hi-fi components. The sensitivity is 104 dB and the frequency response from 10 to 40,000Hz. They weigh only 260 grams .
The Sennheiser headphone drivers have been constructed of stainless steel for improved diaphragm performance during playback.
Some users may suffer from the fact that the headphone jack is strong enough, but this helps to keep them steady during a listening session. The ear cups are still soft and you should have no problem keeping them on for about an hour.
For sound quality the Sennheiser HD 660 S headphones are among the best for fidelity and accuracy . Low frequencies are present but not too bulky, with a fluid and light character, the headphones maintain a clear representation of the sound stage with evident separation of the musical instruments.
We use them for listening to Hi Res tracks , with a quality amplifier and DAC, and we are able to discover sonic details that were previously hidden. Sennheiser headphones have a truly impressive soundstage, with good breadth of dynamic range. If your hi-fi components are already of a high standard, the purchase of these open headphones will certainly be worth it.
4. Grade SR325x
Energetic and precise open headphones
Pros:
- Great timing
- Articulated ear pads
- Great for smartphones and portable DACs
Cons:
- Less soft ear pads than other hi-fi headphones
Among the professional Hi Fi headphones, the Grado Prestige SR325x are suitable for listening to Hi Fi music with perfect representation of the sound balance. They have an open design and are three of the best on-ear types.
In addition to the sonic balance, with the Grado headphones you will have excellent dynamic expressiveness , very precise timing and unprecedented build quality. They are definitely among the best Hi Fi headphones for the price of the moment.
With a nominal impedance of 38 ohm , the Grado headphones can be safely used even with the most common smartphones and MP3 players, because they do not require an amplifier like some more prestigious hi-fi headphones.
For wearability, the SR325x are on-ear headphones that do not wrap around the ear completely, but sit on the ear cup without tightening too much.
For listening to pop and hip hop music, with engaging rhythm sections, these HiFi headphones are definitely among the best we’ve ever tried, because they can represent the energy of a music track in a very engaging way.
It is convenient to have ear cups that can be rotated 360 ° in all positions, to be able to conveniently store them in the bag without fear of breaking them, or to rest them on the neck when not in use.
5. Bowers&Wilkins PX7
The best hi fi bluetooth headphones
Pros:
- Bluetooth
- Active cancellation of external noise
- Design and sound quality
Cons:
- Non-foldable ear cups
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 are audiophile wireless headphones for listening to high-resolution music. They are certainly among the best for design, build quality, sound quality and fidelity in the reproduction of the music track. They are highly recommended for those looking for a Bluetooth headset for quality listening on the move via smartphone.
These hi-fi bluetooth headphones allow you to listen to high-resolution digital files wirelessly thanks to aptX HD technology, a high-quality codec that allows you to transmit 24-bit Hi Res files over wireless connectivity. This is why we recommend them to those who want to make the most of their subscription to a high-quality streaming service such as Tidal Hi Fi or Spotify Premium.
The PX7s have active noise canceling functionality, to be activated using the button on the left pavilion, with the possibility of adjusting the intensity at low, medium, and high levels. In low mode, the headphones cancel the loudest noises and still maintain a good awareness of what is happening around. In high mode, however, we will be completely isolated from the outside world for a more intimate listening.
Excellent for autonomy, Bowers & Wilkins headphones last 30 hours and it only takes 15 minutes of charging via the USB-C port to have 5 hours of playback.
We love the design of these wireless headphones, and we think they are the best of all in style and build quality. The only problem is that we won’t be able to fold the ear cups inside the headband for better portability. For the rest, these hi-fi bluetooth headphones are highly recommended for the audiophile on the go.
6. Shure SE535-CL
Professional earphones for hi-fi music
Pros:
- Clear and precise sound
- Passive sound insulation
Cons:
- Design is not for everyone
The Shure SE535-CL are Hi Res earphones for listening to high fidelity Hi Fi music , the Shure SE535-CL wired headphones are among the best models currently available in the high price range. They have an attractive and modern design, and most importantly, truly exceptional sound quality.
Unlike other headphones with wire, with these headphones we will have to pass the cable over the ear , for better stability when we wear them.
These earphones are in-ear-canal type to block external noise and offer a certain type of acoustic isolation. They block up to 37 dB of external noise so you can listen to music at lower volumes first, and then with significantly better audio quality.
On each of the two earphones, the audio connection cable is removable, so that it can be replaced in the future. The earphones are sold with a series of rubber pads of different sizes to be able to adapt them to the size of our ear canal.
The Shure SE535-CL require a much larger investment than the average corded earphone, this is because the sound quality is truly superior compared to other earphones. Here we are faced with a product for connoisseurs with effective capabilities above average, and absolutely faithful sound representation.
7. Sony WH-1000XM4
The best wireless HiFi headphones for active noise cancellation
Pros:
- Superior audio quality
- Active noise cancellation
- High quality wireless headphones
Cons:
- The auricles warm up a little
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are the best Hi Res headphones of the moment for those looking for a bluetooth model. They offer remarkable audio quality and good value for money, we recommend them to all connoisseurs of high definition music who want to use their player wirelessly.
In this model of wireless headphones, Sony has managed to implement a truly exceptional sound quality , with excellent soundstage and good opening of the stereo image. Among the bluetooth closed headphones, the WH-1000XM4 are the best for opening sound.
The noise-canceling quality is also truly exceptional . The ear cups completely envelop the ear and offer an already very good level of sound insulation, if we then activate the active noise cancellation we will have a significant suppression of external noise for a better listening to music with headphones.
The headphones are compatible with Hi Res audio files, the 40mm drivers offer an extended frequency range to 40.000Hz . The music in the headphones is clear and crystalline, with excellent representation of all frequencies and good sound fidelity, even if we have noticed a slight emphasis on the low frequencies.
The auricles are articulated, to be able to conveniently store them in a bag or rest the neck. Build quality is excellent, and the touch controls are pretty handy so you can turn noise cancellation on or off at will.
8. V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Master
The best headphones for music for versatility and build quality
Pros:
- Excellent sound quality
- Foldable ear cups
- Interchangeable cable
Cons:
- Less comfortable to wear with glasses
The V-MODA are professional supra-aural headphones with cable , Hi Res type with excellent sound quality and excellent build quality. We recommend them to music lovers on the go, DJs looking for a durable and durable model, and gamers who can take advantage of their modular capability.
First of all for practicality, these are among the best headphones of the moment because they have completely foldable ear cups inside the headband, to be carried without problems in the bag.
These closed headphones are great for listening to music tracks in the recording studio, for audio mixing, and even for leisure. They have a completely different design from the usual headphones that we see around and are also customizable at the time of purchase.
An interesting feature is the ability to interchange the headphone cable with the best model for our needs. Some will prefer to connect a coiled cable, others a cable with a built-in microphone for audio calls. The V-MODA CROSSFADE M-100 Master are very versatile in this sense and allow different configurations.
9. Sony WF-1000XM4
The best hi-fi Bluetooth earphones
Pros:
- Excellent sound quality
- Active noise canceling
- High autonomy
Cons:
- No support for aptX HD
If you are looking for the best Bluetooth Hi Fi headphones for listening to music in high resolution wireless from your smartphone, the Sony WF-1000XM4 are the ones we recommend most highly.
Among the true wireless earphones , these are the ones we recommend for higher sound quality, for listening to lossless files through our dedicated streaming services. They also have a modern design, not too bulky, with touch controls for managing music tracks, voice calls, and voice assistant.
Once purchased, we find 3 rubber tips for adjusting the headset inside the ear canal. From the point of view of stability, Sony’s Bluetooth earphones are very good, and are also usable for sporting activities.
These wireless earphones also offer an excellent level of external noise reduction , thanks to the active noise-canceling system offered by the QN1e processor.
The internal processor of the wireless headphones is also able to manage amplification and DAC functions . It uses 96kHz LDAC processing for very high audio quality, however, there is no support for apt-X HD technology.
The earphones provide 6 hours of uninterrupted listening time, plus an additional 18 hours with the charging case. Sony headphones are compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant voice assistants.
10. Audio Technica ATH-M50X
The best budget hi fi headphones
Pros:
- Faithful and accurate sound
- Value for money
- The design is a bit big
Cons:
- Less soundstage than other hi-fi headphones
Among the best budget Hi Fi headphones we find the Audio Technica ATH-M50X, which offer an appreciable sound quality for those who love High Fidelity music. They are also among the best monitor headphones for recording studios, providing a faithful representation of music in stereo and different musical instruments.
Comfortable to wear, with a generous amount of padding around the 50mm driver, the ATH-M50X are also very comfortable to carry around thanks to the presence of articulated ear cups to be folded and stored inside the bag.
They offer a neutral and honest sound, these headphones are not like the Beats with emphasis on low frequencies, on the contrary, they are able to represent the sound scene correctly and faithfully. And for that they are great to be connected to your home hi-fi amplifier to listen to CDs, vinyls, and high definition digital music, as intended by the original manufacturer.
They are certainly less suitable to carry around because the design is a bit large, and also there is no microphone for making voice calls when connected to the smartphone.
Photo: amazon.com
