We’ve Pulled Together the Best Headphones for Your Dollar.
Why read five different sites with one review each? What we’ve done is scavenged the web of editors top picks, from CNET to ZDNet and given you a one stop web review experience.
How to Choose Headphones:
| Headphones |
Earphones |
| Sealed - Sealed headphones are ideal for noisy environments though they can cause some harmonic distortion due to seal design. Open - Open headphones give the sound space to breathe, but they also let outside noise in. These are ideal for home use or somewhere quiet.
Circum-aural vs. Supra-aural - Circum-aural headphones fully cup the ear and rest against the head. These tend to be much more comfortable for extended listening sessions. Supra-aural rest against the ear and can be uncomfortable to some. |
Ear Buds - Ear buds are cheap, both in price and sound, but they are great for action sports because if you loose or break them, $15 replacements wont break you.
Ear Canal - These earphones can sometimes be a hard fit inside your ear canal, which can drive some people crazy. But if you find a match, they do a fantastic job of isolating you from outside sound and they do sound great. For a price. |
| Headphones and earphones come in so many shapes, styles, and price range it can be over whelming to decide what is right for you. For this list I have tried to stay within the medium to pricey range for the above average listener. This selection won’t float the boat for professional sound mastering or strict audiophiles. |
| When choosing a pair of headphones you should consider where you are going to use them most. If these are for blocking out sound on a noisy subway or office you’ll want to consider sound isolating earphones or sealed headphones. If you are going to wear your headphones while snowboarding or mountain biking you’ll want to hunt for a “best of the bad” set of cheap ear buds. I go through about 3 pairs a year due to wear and tear and paying $15-$20 a pop doesn’t bust my bank. |
| For home use you should seriously consider open headphones because these provide the best possible sound quality but can push upwards for $600 for ultra high-end balanced headphones. Never fear, good sets like the Grado SR60 can be purchased for $65. |
| Now, thanks to blue tooth technology today you can also get your hands on a pair of cord free headphones. Unfortunately these run average of $100 and 80 percent or more of that is spent on the blue tooth. |
| Experts may all agree on the advantages or shortcomings of any product they review but, at AudioReview.com, we believe that the average consumer can best summarize all the details a product has to offer… So read what users have to says! |
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A very helpful thread on the audioREVIEW forums entitled “Best Headphones”
AKG k701 Headphones - $449.00
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Specs:
- Revolutionary flat-wire voice coil technology
- Patented AKG Varimotion ultra-precision two-layer diaphragm
- Bi-wiring, high-performance cable with 1/4″ jack plug
- Comfortable, specially shaped “3D-Form” ear pads
- Complete with stylish storage cradle
- Individually tested and numbered
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4.20 out of 5 - 5 Reviews
audiowize Said: After letting them play for a little over 100 hours (they were used when I got them, but not well broken in), the sound has softened and the tunes are sweet. The bass control is out of this world!
tngiloy Said: The sound is clear and neutral. The bass is very good for headphones. I have yet to hear floorstanding speakers that match the sound from these cans. I’m sure there are some, but they are out of my price range. |
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Wes Phillips - Stereophile - 2006 Says: The K 701s just flat-out sound more like music as I hear it than any other headphones I’ve ever heard. I love ‘em and I won’t be sending ‘em back. They’re mine, all mine! Bwah hah haha haaa!
EnjoytheMusic - 2006 Says: The AKG K701 is one beautifully rounded performer. Top shelf sound, superb ergonomics, a competitive price and no quirks. The new reference has arrived and I’m not letting it go. Anyone wanna buy my K1000s?
Read More Reviews
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Merchants
Shure SE530 Isolating Earphones - $499.00
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Specs:
- Sound Isolating Design
- Speaker Type: Hi-Definition MicroSpeaker
- Included Premium Fit Kit (with additional 9” extension cable)
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CNet Says: Travel-happy audiophiles will be infinitely pleased with the Shure SE530s, but these earbuds should also be a consideration for anyone who has half a grand to drop on some sweet headphones.
anythingbutipod Says: Where the Shures clearly surpass most dynamic driver in-ear phones is their excellent clarity, precision, and “snappiness”.
Wes Phillips - Stereophile - 2007 Says: The SE530s are sonically well balanced, having both extended bass and a smooth, soaring top end, and at $449, they fall between the $299 Etymotics and the $1000 Ultimate Ears.
Read More Reviews
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Sennheiser HD 555 Headphones - $170.00
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Specs:
- A comfortable, high-quality headphone system
- Extended spatial field surrounds you with sound; ergonomic Acoustic Refinement (EAR) enables ideal sound channeling for a new kind of listening experience
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4.20 out of 5 - 5 Reviews
Garth Said: Ecellent headphones overall, but the mid bass boost is too much for me. (The HD-595 is better in this aspect) The spatial sound field is incredible …. it’s like the music is in your brain (I can’t say it in a better way). spilner Said: OK, so here’s what they give you after over 200 hours of intensive burning in: Generally speaking, it’s a nice, detailed and pretty well balanced sounding headphone. Now to be more specific. The harshness of the treble is pretty much gone..
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GoodCans Says: …offers surprisingly good detail in all areas; highs, mids and bass. In addition to great sound quality for a portable headphone, it’s light weight, comfortable, and collapsible.
TechRadar UK Says: Meticulous sound reproduction that enlightens not strains the ear, and a good retail price.
Read More Reviews
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Featured Merchants
Denon AH-D5000 - Headphones - $700
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Specs:
- Reference Audio, circum-aural
- Real Mahogany wood housing. Micro fiber diaphragm
- Acoustic optimizer for life like audio reproduction
- Gold plated aluminum connector.
- Light wieght magnesium frame structure
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Head Room Says: The scientific audio lab measurements don’t lie: the results we’ve seen in every category for the AH-D5000 rival that of any high-end audiophile reference headphone that has entered our testing facility
CNet.UL Says: The D5000s blew us away with stellar reproductions of every musical genre we threw at them — tightly orchestrated classical recitals, brutal black metal performances, chest-pounding drum ‘n’ bass, over-produced pop
HeadphoneReviews.org Says: The first thing that strikes you is the enveloping bass, the full-range sweetness of the trebles, followed by more of the bass. The bass is never completely tight; while most often pleasing
Read More Reviews
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Featured Merchants
Koss Portapro - Headphones - $50
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Specs:
- Dynamic-element design for deep bass performance
- Comfort Zone setting on temporal pad for comfortable, secure fit
- Collapsible for maximum portability when listening on the go
- Multipivoting ear plates and adjustable headband for added comfort
- Includes convenient carrying case
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4.45 out of 5 - 67 Reviews
RobDigital Said: Highs: Clear and not to sharp though ever so slightly hissy at low sample rates. Mids: Present and strong. Strong like English breakfast tea, not like Starbucks bold. Bass: The bass is very respectable for the size. They won’t send shockwaves through your heart like a nice set of JL subs, but they stand up to the spectrum and with the highs and lows create a rich listening experience. lisitsa Said: The other reviews have covered this as well, but there is something special about the bass. I once had this song which had a really punching bass for the first 20 seconds, and it literally felt like your ears were being plucked.
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GoodCans Says: …offers surprisingly good detail in all areas; highs, mids and bass. In addition to great sound quality for a portable headphone, it’s light weight, comfortable, and collapsible.
CNet Says: Koss hit a home run with the PortaPros. Love or hate the design, there’s no denying the sound quality here: they’re the ideal companion for mobile audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts.
Read More Reviews
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Sennheiser - HD 800 Headphones - $1,399
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Specs:
- Natural hearing experience - realistic and natural sound field with minimal resonance
- Biggest transducers ever used in headphones up to today - new innovative dynamic transducer design
- Note - You will need a headphone amp for these, a good one.
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GoodGearGuide.au Says: Despite the price we were very impressed with the Sennheiser HD 800 headphones. They consistently handled every bass and treble note we threw at them, and the build quality is exceptional.
CNet.au Says: it becomes clear that you need to make quite an investment to get the best out of these headphones. But if you’re a hi-fi hobbyist, or simply love music, then this is perhaps the best set your money can buy
HeadRoom Says: xtraordinary transient response. The natural snap of the leading edge of pianos and drums is beautifully coherent without being overly sharp; within each xylophone strike one hears both the instantaneously loud bell-like tone and the metallic ‘ting’ as the mallet strikes the bar
Read More Reviews
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Featured Merchants
Shure E3c - Sound Isolating Earphones - $69
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| Specs:
Speaker Type: Dynamic MicroDriver
Sensitivity (at 1kHz): 105dB SPL/mW
Impedance (at 1kHz): 16
Cable Length: E2c: 1.57m (62 inches) E2c (in black): 1.45m (56 inches)
Net Weight: 30g (1 oz)
Input Connector: 3.5 mm (1/8″) gold-plated stereo plug
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4.48 out of 5 - 25 Reviews
Evan S Said: I am am a drummer in a band and needed good headphones/ earphones for studio work and concerts. I have found that the E2c’s are very good for concerts because they block out alot of noise and you can’t really see that I’m wearing them. Low end bass is very good, but it is a little boomy.
Colin Said: The bass was very rich when I listened to Rap and Treble also brought out sounds I have never heard before in my music. I also watch a part of Saving Private Ryan on my Zune. I was at the end about 30 seconds before the planes came in for an attack I could hear the low rumble! I was amazed! |
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PC-Mag Says: These light, durable, and accurate ear-canal headphones provide lots of value but are slightly uncomfortable; a significant portion remains outside the ear. They’re a good choice for those who won’t be adding an amp to their rig.
Read More Reviews
Editors Note: These headphones have been discontinued but you can still find the quiet easily at online stores. Along with the price drop, $60 at Amazon.com, makes them well worth this list. These are a pair you should snatch up quick!
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Featured Merchants
Logitech FreePulse Wireless Headphones - $99
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| Specs:
Protocol: Bluetooth® 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate (EDR)
Range: Maximum 33 feet
Frequency: 2.4 GHz
Transmission format: Digital
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CNet Says: Users looking for an affordable, full-sounding pair of wireless headphones that can handle the abuse doled out by long jogs and cluttered gym bags need look no further.
3dxtreme Says: I have used the FreePulse Wireless headphones on both my iPod and my PC and I can tell you the experience has been very enjoyable. I’ve yet to kill the battery, rated for 6 hours of continuous use. Blue Tomorrow Says: Logitech’s FreePulse Bluetooth Headphones come a long way in providing an easy-to-use, private, wireless, listening experience that will sound good to most. The headphones have connection and range issues and their one-fit design will surely have many users grumbling. But we can certainly recommend these headphones to people who want to bring their audio device with them and not have to deal with routing wires from their pocket to their ears.
Read More Reviews
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Read more details and find out prices here.
Grado SR60 Headphones - $65
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| Specs:
Tranducer Type: dynamic
Operating Principle: open air
Frequency Response: 20-20
SPL 1mV: 98
Normal Impedance: 32ohms
Driver Matched db: .1
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4.53 out of 5 - 173 Reviews
Nick Said: These headphones are incredible! At $69.00 they are a steal for someone looking for a well built quality set of cans. I read all the reviews online for a good month before purchasing these cans. I would agree with all of them except comfort. I find them fitting perfect against my ears with no discomfort whatsoever.
vchu7105 Said: The Grado’s have a open air, light, but crystal clear feel to them making the music come alive. The Sony Earbuds can’t even compare, just a diffrent class. They are good for travel or mowing the lawn. |
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CNET Says: Grado’s cheapest headphones belt out big sound with pint-size portable audio devices.
IGN Says: As for value, I would venture to say that there will not be a better set of headphones for $70.00 until Grado figures out a tweak for these. If you are on a budget, you simply must buy the SR60s. And there is no way in hell you will be disappointed.
Read More Reviews
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Featured Merchants
Sennheiser PX 100 Headphones - $39
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| Specs:
Compact, folding, on-the-ear design
Open earcups and adjustable headband
Neodymium magnets for low distortion
4.5-foot cord with stereo mini plug (no full-size plug)
Hard carrying case included
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4.15 out of 5 - 13 Reviews
Larscis Said: When I bought these, I was skeptical as to how good they would actually sound. I’ve dealt with higher-end Sennheiser and Grado products before, but hadn’t really dealt in the portable market. After an initial break-in period of about three or four days, the sound quality was, for their size, phenomenal. For any iPod user, these are a definite step up, and they blow away any set of headphones in the price range.
Ray B. Said: I want to confirm anything positive you’ve read about the PX-100 headphones. As a musician with a post-master’s degree in music, I am VERY picky about music. The Sennheisers were my fifth try at finding decent replacements to the stock ear buds |
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Headphone Room Says: This might be the best “open” headphone for under $50 bucks, and a perfect choice for great listening on the go, at the gym, or directly from your laptop computer and/or iPod. Plus the PX100 has now been made iPhone compatible for happenin’ Apple Fashionistas!
CNet Says: The PX100 is a good choice for travelers seeking a compact headphone design.
Read More Reviews
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Featured Merchants
Shure SE310 Isolating Earphones - $299
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| Specs:
Peaker Type: Hi-Definition MicroSpeaker + Tuned BassPort
Sensitivity (1mW): 111 dB SPL/mW
Impedance (1kHz): 28
Frequency Range: 22Hz – 19kHz
Cable Length/with Extension: 18 in. / 45cm (54 in. / 136cm)
Color: Available in Black and White
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4.15 out of 5 - 13 Reviews
Headphone Room Says: We just can’t get past the fact that the SE310 is pretty much the perfect balance of everything we’ve hoped for in a mid-priced ear canal headphone for the past 15 years. Believe us, your iPod is lonely for a pair of SE310s.
CNet Says: If you’re looking for a premium listening experience, check out the Shure SE310 Sound Isolating Earphones. They sound fantastic and will probably outlast your MP3 player.
Digital Trends Says: The Shure SE310s are the best single-driver canalphones we have auditioned to date. While they lack a unique signature and sound slightly flat, overall performance was excellent. The design showcases the maturity of Shure’s place in the market, and the new ear sleeves are the most comfortable we have used.
Read More Reviews
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Featured
Related Links
Check out other user reviews of headphones on AudioREVIEW.com The Headphone Foums at AudioREVIEW.com
Last Updated 11/05/09
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June 18th, 2008 by 
adam
B&HPhotoVideo
March 7th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Thanks for the excellent headphone reviews. I’m looking for good quality in-ear IEM heapdhones to upgrade from the standard iPod earbuds. I also came across this http://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/best-headphones-top-10.html 10 Best Headphone Reviews that has some other good ideas.
March 10th, 2009 at 6:01 am
Didn’t you forget the Portapro by Koss? They are really great and would give any headphones a run for their money!
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:31 am
C’mon, the KOSS Protapros are quite a bit better than the PX100s, IMHO…surely they deserve a place here?
April 10th, 2009 at 1:49 am
The title of your review / article is “Editors Choice Best headphones” … I guess this could be something akin to a qualifying statement, where you later say “well we never claimed our editors knew what they were talking about”. But shame on you for playing this game. How could you possibly do a serious review (or a serious review of reviews as yours seems to attempt to be) without including the Sennheiser 600 or 650? The AKG 701? Any of the the UE IEM’s?
Regards
Dave
May 21st, 2009 at 11:44 pm
In order to improve the performance of your high-quality headphones it is highly recommended, to use a portable headphone amplifier.
You can find a nice selection of these at: portable-amplifier.com
October 26th, 2009 at 5:15 am
Dear Folks,
You have a boo-bo! Re Headphone reviews, the text is for the E2c - but your TITLE specifies the E3c!
You need a fix kids.
‘Best,
a.
P.S. This isn’t a site about military secret, yet your security “words” are more complex than I’ve encountered while placing an order on a “HTTPS” site. Kids, it is really overkill.
November 7th, 2009 at 9:54 am
hey pops -
Thanks for catching that - and yes - i know - no military secrets but spammers are probably a lot smarter than your average military professional. No offense obviously to the military. Spammers on the other hand are the scourge of this here series of tubes.
BTW - The refresh arrow will normally pull up an easier reCAPTCHA.