This is a list put together by Team Headphoneer. It only lists products we have owned and/or reviewed and really like. Each item on the list is recommended with price/performance ratio in mind.
This is work in progress.
This list will be updated continuously.
OPEN BACK HEADPHONES
AKG K701, K702, Q701, K712
- These are basically different versions of the same headphone and sounds extremely good with a powerful amplifier. Open and spacious, but not very powerful deep bass. 701 and 702 are tuned identically, the other two are slightly different. The Q701 is a tad warmer, the K712 has a bit more bass.
SENNHEISER HD600, HD650, HD660S, HD660S2
- These headphones have a lot in common and are basically variations over the same basic design and construction. They have different drivers but are very much alike.
- Delicious mid-range, natural non fatiguing highs. Intimate soundstage, not the deepest bass. Needs a good amp to shine.
HIFIMAN HE400SE
- Great sounding headphones that need a powerful ammo to sound their best – but then it punches far, far, above is weight. Fantastic bass.
HIFIMAN SUNDARA
- One of the best headphones you can get for the money. Scales with a powerful amplifier.
FOCAL ELEAR/ELEX with Dekoni Fenestrated Sheepskin pads
- The Elear and the Elex is the same headphone with different pads. Supposedly the Elex has Clear OG pads. However, they sound better with Dekoni Fenestrated Sheepskin pads.
QUAD ERA-1
- A gem of a planar magnetic headphone that has not gotten the attention it deserves. Can be run by very modest sources.
BEYERDYNAMIC AMIRON HOME
- Delicious, warm yet detailed. Needs a good amp match
FOCAL CLEAR and CLEAR MG
- Both are great sounding. Slightly different tuning.
AUDEZE LCD-X
- Audeze’s most popular headphone to date. With good reason. Slightly dark sound but lots of detail and great bass. Got a significant upgrade in 2021.
AUDEZE LCD-3
- Velvety. Creamy. Delicious.
HIFIMAN ANANDA
- Great value from Hifiman. Spacious and detailed.
HIFIMAN HE-6 SE
- Almost as good as the original. The legend.
SENNHEISER HD800S
- Arguably the best dynamic headphone driver in the most comfortable chassis.
HIFIMAN HE1000
- Amongst the warmer sounding of Hifiman’s oval-egg-shaped headphones
HIFIMAN HE1000SE
FOCAL UTOPIA – both versions
- Arguably the best dynamic driver ever made. Ultra precise and well balanced.
HIFIMAN SUSVARA
- One of the best tuned headphones ever made with detail and precision to back it up.
CLOSED BACK HEADPHONES
BEYERDYNAMIC DT1770PRO
Denon AH-D5200
MR. SPEAKERS + DROP ETHER CX with black foam and felt filters
- With the right dampening material this is an impressive closed back headphone.
FOSTEX TH900 (mk1/mk2)
- V-shaped sound profile with very spacious soundstage, powerful bass and crisp treble.
ELECTROSTATIC HEADPHONES
STAX SR-L500
STAX SR-L700
STAX SR-007 mk2
STAX SR-009
STAX SR-009s
AUDEZE CRBN
KALDAS RR1 CONQUEST
DAN CLARK VOCE
NECTAR HIVE X
ESLAB ES-1a
VINTAGE HEADPHONES
HIFIMAN HE-6 original
HIFIMAN HE-500
HIFIMAN HE-560
OPPO PM1
STAX SR-007 mk1
STAX SR-507
STAX 404 / 4070 / 303
HEADPHONE AMPLIFIERS
SCHIIT MAGNI 3+/Heretic
SCHIIT JOTUNHEIM 2
MONOLITH THX AAA
- Stunning and powerful performance at a ridiculous price
REBEL AMP
- Sounds close to the Monolith but with a hint of warmth
WOO WA2
WOO WA22
BRYSTON BHA-1
cary sli-80 Signature
EAR HP4
DAC/AMPS
RME ADI-2 DAC FS
FERRUM ERCO
SPL PHONITOR xe
MYTEK BROOKLYN (all versions)
PORTABLE DAC/AMPS
DRAGONFLY RED
iFi DIABLO
THX ONYX
CHORD HUGO 2
IEMs
Kiwi Ears Cadenza
Kiiboom Allure
Sennheiser IE200
Letshuoer x Gizmodo Galileo
Moondrop Kato
iKKO OH10 Obsidian
Sennheiser IE800S
EARBUDS
Monk
Yuin PK2
Yuin PK1