Open-back wired audiophile headphones for dedicated home listening with amplification.
Sennheiser's flagship closed-back with 56mm ring radiator drivers and Gorilla Glass reflector technology. Delivers remarkably open soundstage for a closed-back design with up to 26 dB isolation.
Flagship planar magnetic technology at mid-tier pricing. Originally $1,599, now $600-650 with soundstage approaching the HD 800 S.
Exceptional dynamic expression capturing music's emotional impact. What Hi-Fi? describes the presentation as 'elusive to most rivals.'
Proof that wireless can satisfy audiophiles. What Hi-Fi? rated it their highest-scoring wireless headphones ever.
The mainstream benchmark with industry-leading ANC. Best balance of quality and convenience for everyday listening.
| Product | Sound Quality · 40% | Soundstage · 20% | Comfort · 15% | Build Quality · 15% | Value · 10% | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1Sennheiser HD 820 | 10 | 9.5 | 8 | 9.5 | 5.5 | 9.1 | $2199 |
2HiFiMAN Arya Stealth Magnet | 9.5 | 9.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 9.1 | $599 |
3Focal Clear Mg | 9.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 9.5 | 7 | 8.8 | $1599 |
4Focal Bathys Mg | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8.4 | $1450 |
5Sony WH-1000XM6 | 8 | 7.5 | 9 | 9 | 8.5 | 8.3 | $398 |
These are high-end open-back headphones designed for home listening with a dedicated amplifier or DAC. They deliver the absolute best soundstage and detail retrieval but are not portable—sound leaks freely, there's no Bluetooth, and most require quality amplification. If you need wireless or travel-friendly headphones, see our wireless ANC list instead.
We test headphones for sound quality, soundstage, and detail retrieval using reference recordings across multiple genres. High-impedance headphones are tested with quality amplification.
Audiophile-grade clarity and detail
Spatial presentation and imaging
Long listening session comfort
Materials and craftsmanship
Performance per dollar