In This Article:
The Case for Wired Headphones
As 2024 fades into 2025, it’s time for the eCoustics editorial team to look back on another year gone by and choose our favorite products from the year that was 2024. And while wireless ANC headphones are becoming more and more popular each year, there’s still a compelling use case for wired headphones when sound quality and longevity are paramount.
Plenty of great new wired headphones are available this year, with some having been introduced several years ago and some that have only been on the market a few months. We update these recommendations regularly and only include headphones that are currently available. Also, all models recommended here have been listened to by me or one of the other eCoustics editors. Only models we have first-hand experience with are eligible for the Editors’ Choice Awards.
There should be something here for virtually everyone as pricing ranges from under $100/pair to over $100,000 for a gorgeous rig that includes both the amplification and headphones finished in a rare and beautiful wood housing. Wired headphones saw many new models in 2024 with big names like Audeze, Meze, HiFiMAN, Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser, and relative new comers like FiiO offering new or upgraded headphones.
Fellow editors Chris Boylan, Ian White and Brian Mitchell also saw and heard some statement pieces this year that impressed them enough to add to our Editors’ Choice roster for 2024.
Best Studio Headphones
Studio headphones generally favor accuracy in tonal balance over imaging or dimensionality. They also typically feature a robust industrial design intended to hold up to the rigors and abuse of life in the recording studio. It was a particularly busy year for studio headphones. In 2024, we saw the Audeze MM-100 available in quantity (after a few delays), Beyerdynamic release the 700 and 900 Pro X models as well as refreshing the 1770 and 1990 with new MKII releases, Sennheiser releasing the HD 490 Pro and Sony augmenting their studio reference lineup with the upgraded MDR-M1 in addition to their industry standard MDR-7506.
With the previous models in several of these lines having lasted 15 years or more, these new headphones have big shoes to fill. Prices vary quite dramatically as do features among this group so even when narrowing it down to studio models there are a lot of decisions to be made.
Sony MDR-7506 ($99)
While the upgraded Sony MDR-M1 do offer significant improvements over the studio standard MDR-7506, it’s difficult to argue with the value proposition of the existing Sony studio headphones at their newly lowered price. Combining both sound quality and durability that are “good enough” for most users, it’s easy to see why these headphones continue to be top sellers for musicians and studio professionals worldwide. I foresee many remaining years in the MDR-7506 lifespan. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And if it’s on sale, then grab a pair.
Pros:
- Near neutral sound
- Lightweight but durable
- Won’t break the budget
Cons:
- Closed-back design limits stage
- Not the most detailed sound
- Lacks some low-end punch
Where to buy:
Honorable mention: If you love the MDR-7506 but want even better sonics and build quality, and have a bit more budget, you can’t go wrong with the upgrade option, the MDR-M1 ($249). It carries over all of the best qualities of the MDR-7506 but adds improved sound quality, better bass and potentially even greater durability due a larger improved driver as well as nice touches like a screw-in detachable cable.
Beyerdynamic DT770 ($149)
As with my recommendation of the Sony 7506, price was an important factor in recommending the Beyerdynamic DT 770. First released in 1985, the DT770 have been around even longer than Sony’s MDR-7506 which went on sale in 1991. Over 40 years, the DT770 have been improved but the current model still follows the original design. And at $149.99, it’s hard not to like them. Many users report 20 years of service or more out of their DT770s. Just replace those earpads every few years and you’re golden.
Having a history with the DT770, I understand why it has lasted 40+ years in the market. The parts that wear (headband and pads) are easily changeable. The cable that everyone worries about because it isn’t interchangeable has lasted 20+ years on mine without a hiccup, and they just work. They aren’t in vogue these days because they don’t have elevated bass. Nor will they have the larger stage of something like the DT 1990 MKII. However, they do offer a near neutral sound and their closed back design makes them equally at home in the booth, in the control room, at home, or even on the road. The DT770 is one of a very few do-it-all headphones at anywhere near the $149 asking price that can last a lifetime.
Pros:
- Built to withstand a rough life
- Near neutral sound
- Tons of pad options
Cons:
- Closed-back/limited stage
- Leaks sound at higher volumes (mostly due to pads)
- Fixed cable
Where to buy:
Best Open-Back Wired Headphones
Open-back wired audiophile headphones have also seen many new models this year, and I’ve tested several of them. My picks span from $699 to $4,500, with each standing out in its respective price range.
Best Under $1,000: Beyerdynamic 1990 MKII ($699)
For wired open back headphones, I’m awarding the Beyerdynamic 1990 MKII the eCoustics Editors’ Choice award for best in its price category ($699). Beyerdynamic has played it down by calling it a “MKII” but nearly everything inside the shell has been improved. A look at the specs shows a completely new driver with a lower impedance and a more engaging signature while remaining near neutral for use when mastering.
As an owner of all three generations of Beyerdynamic’s T-series models, I can say that the 1990 MKII obsoletes all of them. I could happily keep just it and let all the T1 and T5 headphones head on to new homes. At $699, the 1990 is not inexpensive, but with today’s high-end models reaching $4,000 or more, it represents an awesome value. To my ear, The Tesla driver of the 1990 MKII is Beyerdynamic’s best to date and if it hints at the upcoming T5 gen 4, it is going to be a strong competitor next year when I sit down to write this article for 2025.
Pros:
- Great sound – neutral but engaging
- Improved stage with good proportions
- Lots of detail
- Durable design
Cons:
- Can be a bit bright depending on track
- Can be snug on large heads
Where to buy:
Best Under $2,000: Sennheiser HD800 S ($1,400)
I’d be remiss not to mention the Sennheiser HD800 S as a strong offering at $1,400. It’s not a new model, but it remains in production and is still the standard by which a lot of people judge headphones, and for good reason. The HD800s helped define the category of wired audiophile headphones and still competes well against many models costing significantly more.
The HD800 S improved on an already strong HD800 and has for years been the standards bearer for dynamic driver headphones. Stage is about as good as is possible in a headphone and rivals models costing several times as much and impact, especially in the lows out-performs all but a very few planar and electrostatic models in the market. Detail is quite good if not quite at the level of those planar and electrostatic models, but at one-third the cost, the HD800s is still arguably the least expensive entry-point into flagship level audio.
Pros:
- Cavernous sound-stage
- Neutral sound signature
- Good bass impact and depth
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Bulky
- No isolation (by design)
- Low clamping force limits use-cases (best used seated)
Where to buy:
Best Under $3,000: Meze Audio Empyrean II ($2,999)
For their second-generation model, Meze Audio’s specialists have refined the exceptional Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver design from Rinaro Isodynamics, delivering a step-change in sonic performance. Empyrean II also comes with two sets of ear pads included, each designed for a different experience.
The new driver features total harmonic distortion (THD) that measures below 0.1% across the entire frequency range and the decrease in driver weight has allowed Meze to create a new version of the Empyrean that is easier to wear for longer listening sessions.
The Empyrean II are 385 grams without the earpads and whilst that puts it into the same camp with some of its rivals, the headband design and overall construction makes them one of the most comfortable headphones we have ever tried – long listening sessions (more than 2 hours) never feel that way – although we would prefer to see slightly stronger clamping force.
The Empyrean II (32 ohms and 105 dB sensitivity @ 1V, 1kHz) are not the hardest full-range headphones to drive but they definitely benefit from a high-end source and powerful amplifier.
The ethereal nature of their presentation is what makes them so unique, and the soundstage is absolutely enormous, extending well beyond the earcups.
When you get the source/amplifier right – the Meze Empyrean II is an experience that rivals some of the best loudspeakers around if you don’t prioritize low end impact that can energize a listening space.
Timbral accuracy, overall resolution, and presence are world class.
Pros:
- Incredibly comfortable to wear
- Impeccable Industrial design
- State-of-the-art resolution and clarity
- Detachable cables
- Superb build quality
- Simply one of the best headphones currently available
Cons:
- Bass could have greater impact
- Requires a high-end desktop amplifier, Dongle DAC or DAP
- Fairly Expensive
Where to buy:
Best Under $5,000: Audeze LCD-5 ($4,500)
I’ve already spent considerable time with the Audeze LCD-5 planar-magnetic headphones and, even after two years, they remain my top pick for planar magnetic headphones. If you want a mastering headphone that resolves like no other, the LCD-5 is as good as it gets. Just be prepared to pay for the privilege of ownership.
The LCD-5 is Audeze’s tour-de-force and shows off their engineering skill, design, chops, and tuning capabilities. It didn’t just improve on the previous model, it completely re-imagined it. The LCD-5 is smaller, lighter, with a faster, more detailed driver and a more comfortable fit. Its redesigned headband and suspension leave the LCD-5 with little in common with its predecessors except for Audeze’s branding. The result of all these upgrades is a more comfortable headphone with a myriad of details and nuances to the sound that remains in near perfect tonal balance and presents an engaging listening experience. Hallmarks of the sound are quick attack and decay, tons of transient detail, excellent imaging and instrument separation, and a realistic stage. In short, if I had to hear absolutely every detail, this is the headphone I’d reach for.
Pros:
- Detail, detail, detail
- Great comfort
- Easy to drive
- Reference tuning
- Pin-point imaging
- Fantastic treble extension without becoming bright
- Great kit
Cons:
- Limited slam and rumble
- Departure from previous Audeze house sound (pro for some, con for others)
Where to buy:
Best Closed Back Wired Headphones
It was not a particularly busy year for new closed back headphones. At the high end of the market, I reviewed the new Liric II from Meze that shows definite improvements over the original at a lower price. In addition, I reviewed the Sony MDR-M1 which offers an upgrade to the budget studio reference MDR-7506 in their studio line-up (covered above in the Studio Headphones category). However, my picks for best wired closed-back audiophile headphones include models released before 2024 which are still in production.
Best Under $1,000: DCA Noire X ($999)
The Dan Clark Audio Noire X is the evolution of the DCA Aeon line and does a good job of blurring the line between open and closed back. It is a closed back planar, but the soundstage is larger and better proportioned than most closed back headphone models. The sound quality is superb, but the build quality and aesthetics don’t quite measure up to the Meze Liric II ($2,000) or my upgrade pick below. But if you like the looks, save yourself some bucks and bring home an exceptionally great sounding pair of headphones.
Pros:
- Good detail and control
- Bigger stage than most closed-back models
- Good comfort
- Compact and fold-able
Cons:
- Aesthetics do little to differentiate it from other Aeon based models
- Design trade-offs limit durability
- Needs a solid amplifier to drive
Where to buy:
Best Under $2,500: ZMF Vérité Closed ($2,499)
My premium pick for closed back headphones for 2024 is the ZMF Verite Closed which offers both exceptional sound quality and superb aesthetic design.
The ZMF Verite closed gets our award over other options like the Kennerton Rognir because of several factors. Few would argue that Zach Mehrbach (ZMF Owner), has created some of the best looking headphones on the market and with just about any wood the buyer prefers. Very few other vendors can compete in the aesthetics department. That said, a great looking headphone is a little like owning a Corvette body. Without the motor, it isn’t much use. Not to worry though as the sound coming out of the Verite closed matches the looks. Slightly warm and fluid but with good clarity and balance. The tuning is influenced by the buyers choice of materials with some woods offering a closer to neutral tuning and others imparting a bit more warmth. Stage is large and well proportioned and rivals many open back models. When combined with good speed and precise imaging, the Verite Closed blurs the lines between open and closed back models while retaining the best features of both. When listening for pleasure, this is the headphone I most often reach for.
Pros:
- Personalize with wood choices galore
- Gorgeous
- Sound quality to match the looks
Cons:
- Slightly warm tuning
- Wood choice influences tonality
- Long wait times
Where to buy:
Best Cost No-Object Wired Headphones
The pricing of high-end audiophile headphones has shot through the roof in recent years. Do folks really pay more for a pair of headphones than they would for a car or even a home? Or do the buyers of these headphones already have multi-million dollar mansions and fleets of cars at their disposal so the few thousand they spend on a pair of headphones isn’t even noticeable? In any case, we’ve heard some incredible headphones lately that the top 0.5% might want to check out if they’re in the market.
Warwick Acoustics Aperio ($35,000)
It’s hard to ignore the Warwick Acoustics Aperio that I reviewed in 2024 as it may well be the best headphone I’ve ever heard. But at $35,000, the Aperio headphone system is not within reach of most of us. That cost does include an extremely capable pre-amp/energizer and cables in addition to the headphones. By providing both the Energizer and headphone, Warwick ensures perfect synergy and the results speak for themselves.
The name Aperio comes from Latin for uncover or reveal. That’s fitting as the level of detail retrieval outpaces the LCD-5, Stax-009s, DCA Corina, and even the vaunted Shangri-La. Most love electrostatic headphones for their speed which translates into better clarity, better transitions, and more dynamic range and the Aperio system delivers all of these in spades. If there is a flaw in the mastering, you know it. If the second viola 3rd chair hiccups, you hear it. Every glorious detail in the music is on full display. The Aperio begs the listener to bring their most complex and dynamic music selections and then present them at a level few can match, and with a grace almost none of them can dream of.
Where to buy:
Sennheiser HE-1 ($70,000)
Imagine a tube-powered headphone amplifier embedded in a block of white Carrera marble which presents its power tubes and dials to you at the touch of a button. And further imagine this elegant amplifier is connected to some of the finest electrostatic headphones in the world. This encapsulates the luxurious Sennheiser HE-1 headphone system, which is still built by hand by a master craftsman in Ireland.
Our editor at large Chris Boylan visited the factory in Tullamore, Ireland to see how this modern work of art is manufactured and both he and eCoustics CEO Brian Mitchell have listened to the HE-1 system for an extended period. In Chris’ words, “Bass drum and bass guitar have deep extension while still having a snappy percussive attack. Cymbals and hi-hats sound crisp and organic. Voices have perfect timbre, floating ethereally in space. The soundstage presented by the Sennheiser HE-1 was not huge and expansive; more intimate and engaging. It was as realistic a reproduction of recorded sound as I’ve ever heard.”
Even if 70 grand is outside the scope of your headphone budget, it’s worth seeking these out to see what’s possible in personal music reproduction. Local dealers sometimes host listening sessions and those who attend the “CanJam” headphone shows can sometimes get into a listening session as well. At CanJam, these sessions tend to book in advance so keep your eyes (and ears) peeled if you want to check them out in person. We got a private demo of the HE-1 you can watch on YouTube here.
Where to buy:
Audio-Technica HPA-KG NARU / ATH-AWKG NARU ($108,000)
Sounding as gorgeous as it looks, Audio-Technica’s HPA-KG NARU headphone amplifier/preamp ($108,000), flagship of the Narukami line, represents the company’s finest ever cost-no-object halo product. Adorned in rare kurogaki wood, the tube-powered amplifier and headphones represent some of the best – and certainly most expensive – personal sound reproduction money can buy. Kurogaki is a strain of Japanese black persimmon wood with striking wavy black patterns in the grain. This particular variation only comes up for auction every couple of years, and normally in small quantities.
Powered by four Takatsuki 300B power tubes, with ECC83S gold pin small-signal tubes, the HPA-KG NARU utilizes a dual-mono configuration with fully-balanced drive design. It offers both balanced 4.4 mm and standard 1/4-inch (6.35 mm) headphone jacks. In addition to its function as a headphone amplifier, the HPA-KG NARU can serve as a preamplifier for driving a separate power amp and speakers.
The companion ATH-AWKG NARU closed-back dynamic headphones are included with purchase of the amplifier. Like the NARU amplifier, the headphones are handcrafted in Tokyo, Japan, from kurogaki wood with hand-applied lacquer finish to bring out the wood’s natural beauty. Each pair has been specially optimized for use with the HPA-KG NARU amplifier. You can buy the headphones separately (standard version) for $4,200/pair.
Listening to a selection of lossless music tracks from TIDAL, our Editor at Large Chris Boylan said, “The system offered deep resonant bass, ultra-natural sounding male and female vocals and excellent overall musicality. The headphones fit comfortably and securely over my ears providing a nice little listening cocoon. Was it worth $108,000? For those with the means? Why not?”
Where to buy:
The Bottom Line
From under $100 to over $100,000, there is truly something for everyone in the wired headphone market. Whether you’re looking for a durable pair of studio reference headphones, an open, airy-sounding planar magnetic offering or a top of the line statement piece, one of our 2024 Editors’ Choice headphones is sure to fit the bill.
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Ian White
November 15, 2021 at 1:19 pm
The Meze Empyrean got shafted.
WJ
November 15, 2021 at 4:28 pm
Love the Empyrean but side by side with the LCD-5, I gotta go Audeze. I haven’t had an Elite yet to try and that may well outclass the LCD, time will tell.
WJ
Ian White
November 15, 2021 at 4:52 pm
You get to play with all of the really nice toys.
I’ll just edit and pretend to listen from afar.
Ian White
Freddy Krueger
July 30, 2022 at 2:08 pm
Didn’t anyone find the old xm3 in-ears a bit ”digital” sounding? Compared to the bowesr pi7 or m&d mw08.
Are the new one xm4 less artificial sounding?