Headphone Buyers Guide and FAQ

Why do people spend so much money on Audiophile products?

Much of this obsession comes down to audiophiles (and those who appreciate fidelity in general) having a deeper understanding of how the physical hardware they use affects the reproduction of their music.  It is easy to become obsessed with minor annoyances in recordings, often easily overlooked by a layperson.

As your ability to listen improves, you will soon pick up on barely audible treble spikes, minor bass roll-offs, and much more. This is because when you know what to look for, it’s incredible how much of an effect these little things can have on your enjoyment of the music. 

Of course, good music sounds better through good audio equipment, but it is no longer necessary for pleasure.

An extra benefit to purchasing a set of audiophile headphones is that you can have incredible sound, but you don’t have to step into the ultra-pricey world of high-end HiFi systems. 

Many people do not have the space to accommodate a full-size Hifi setup, so headphones become a suitable compromise.  By going the headphone route, you can still experience extremely high levels of fidelity in a relatively compact package.

Additionally, the University of Houston had an interesting study that showed that the purchase of luxury goods is tied to the experience. In the headphone world, this is especially true because one is not simply purchasing an inert product but rather one that elicits emotion and experience. Therefore, its value isn’t just tied to the object but the value the buyer attaches to the way the music sounds.

Will I notice A Difference if I use audiophile Headphones?

A big concern of casual listeners (or people whose listening experiences have, in the past, been limited to consumer-grade headphones) is whether or not they will be able to notice the increased sound quality if they buy a set of audiophile headphones. The answer is most certainly YES! However, you might not be able to articulate what improvements you’re hearing; they simply sound better.

This short article dives a bit deeper into the advantages of upgrading to high-resolution headphones and how you can better learn to understand the causes of increased fidelity.

Things to consider when buying Audiophile Headphones

While sound quality should be of the utmost importance when buying audiophile headphones, don’t forget to consider a few other factors when looking for the best solution.  This will further your enjoyment of your headphones in the long term.

The best audiophile headphones in the world might have the best sound, but buying something better suited to the task is probably worth buying if they are too impractical for use in scenarios where you listen to music. We have highlighted some areas below that we think you should consider before purchasing.

Additionally, Audiophile headphones are more about purity, but there is a case to argue that there are headphones that make music sound amazing. This is actually considered different than a true audiophile experience, but many may actually prefer the musical aspects of such headphones.

Comfort & Fit

Comfort and fit both play significant roles in determining how good a match certain headphones are for you.  A set of uncomfortable headphones will make you want not to use them.

On the other hand, good audiophile headphones will be comfortable for long listening periods. Consider how these headphones are designed to be worn and how the materials, ventilation, padding, and weight impact comfort.

Consider Your Budget – The Best Headphones Ain’t Cheap

The price is one of the most significant barriers to entry for some of the world’s best-sounding headphones. Don’t be too disheartened; several budget headphone options produce about 95% of the sound that the multi $1000 versions do. 

The difference between an entry-level audiophile headphone and an ultra-high-end model is a sonic evolution instead of a revolution.

This is something that audiophiles refer to as diminishing returns. A headphone that is twice the price of another rarely will indicate a doubling in sound quality. Nevertheless, some bargains offer much value to headphone buyers on a budget.

What source should I use for high-resolution audiophile headphones?

Music is and always will be the show’s star, but your headphones have a massive effect on sound quality. Of course, the same is true for the source you use.  Assuming you are using high-resolution audio files, you will want to use an excellent source to ensure the signal is crispy clean and has enough power to drive your headphones to their full potential.

I use 2 “sources” (listed above) for most of my listening, One for home and one for on-the-go.  My home setup is an insane all-in-one Amp and DAC, and on the go, I will most likely be using my phone with an external DAC or a stand-alone DAP.

However, you don’t have to spend much to get great sound. Something like the budget-friendly Objective 2 amp, with its transparency and detail for home use, will blow your mind. On the other hand, if the portable clean sound on a budget is your thing, then many frugal audiophiles still swear by the Clip Mp3 Player by Sansa.

The short version of what I am trying to say is that you upgrade your files first, then headphones, and you can throw any extra at the sources.  The differences in sound quality from changing headphones can be night and day.

To read more about the best source hardware for your music, you can check our list of the best high-resolution music players.

Audiophile Headphone Availability and Servicing

Generally speaking, audiophile headphones will not be cheap, and as with all electronic goods, things can and do go wrong. However, given the high initial cost, most people will want to have a warranty and support system in place.

I tend to refer people to Amazon as a first-stop shop because they are very consumer-friendly when issues arise. However, many companies on this list value their customers and put effort into aftercare.

If it is a foreign company and you need to ship them back to the factory, you will most likely be paying the postage, and you will also want to have them insured both ways, which can certainly add to the cost worth considering.

Are Audiophile Headphones Better Than Speakers?

No. That’s the simple answer when we are discussing sound quality. A good set of speakers, in our experience, will always beat a great set of headphones. Speakers can take advantage of the space and the more realistic way we listen to music. Sound quality is better on speakers than on headphones.

However, the honest answer is that speakers may work better for you if you don’t have space or the budget for audiophile speakers. In that case, headphones are a fantastic solution that keeps improving yearly.