Buying Guide: the best headphones for audiophiles

Jeff Weisbein -

If you’re in the market for the best headphones for the geek and/or audiophile in your life (or for yourself), we have the perfect list of headphones for you to choose from. This list is comprised of over/on ear headphones from four different companies with the goal being to share excellent headphones without the ridiculous price tag that often comes along with the word “audiophile.” If you need a bigger list and a more detailed guide, head over to this article at HeadphonesLab.

Over/On Ear Headphones

Bowers & Wilkins P7.

Bowers & Wilkins P7 ($350) – Bowers & Wilkins is one of my favorite audio companies, known for its incredible technology and stunning design. I personally have been using the Bowers & Wilkins P7 headphones for a few years now. I love the comfort of the headphones and the fact it offers rich sound that works well with a wide range of music genres and sources. They also have a wireless version of the P7’s as well.

Meze 99 Neo.

Meze 99 Neo ($250) – The Meze 99 Neo headphones have a lot to offer. They are well-designed, very comfortable, and sound generally good. The 99 Neo’s are definitely a solid pair of cans with kick drums offering a nice deep punch and bass guitars sounding very smooth. And with a price tag of $250 they’re the lowest priced headphones on this list making them a great option if you’re more budget conscious. Meze also offers another model called the 99 Classics which are $50 more and have excellent reviews.

Master & Dynamic MH30.

Master & Dynamic MH30 ($299) – One of the newer audio companies on the scene, hailing from NYC, Master & Dynamic has a real winner with the MH30 headphones. The Master & Dynamic MH30 on ear headphones have a unique sound signature that could be described as smooth and airy. They really shine when it comes to their excellent midrange that is natural and warm, making both male and female vocalists sound clear and on point. You can read our full review here. They also have the MH40’s which are over ear if that’s more your thing.

Sennheiser HD600 ($286) – The HD600 headphones by Sennheiser are considered by many to be one of the ultimate headphone experiences for audiophiles. They really are classic. Having been around for 20 years now, they are still one of the top choice of headphones for both casual and critical listening. One thing to keep in mind about the HD600’s is they are open back, so they may not be ideal for public transit or airplanes–unless you enjoy sharing what you’re listening to and possibly bugging people.