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Expert Earphones and Headphones Reviews

Best Full Size Headphones To Buy In 2017 – Expert Reviews

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Steve

Best Full Size Over-Ear Headphones 2017

We’ve have some of the best full size hi-fi headphones from under £100 to over £1000 from 2017. The reviews are designed to help you choose from the massive selection of hi-fi and audiophile headphones available with open back and closed back designs. From established brands like Beyerdynamic and Sennheiser, to new creative brands like MrSpeakers and Audeze.

Scroll down for in depth reviews of our favourite full size open back and closed back headphones.

Shop: Visit our Full Size Headphones Store

Best Full Size Headphones Under £50

Edifier H840

The closed-back Edifier H840 has audio quality which belies its entry-level price. Low-cost headphones can emphasise the bass a little too much but the Edifier H840 has a good balance throughout the frequency range, with midrange and treble coming through with impressive clarity. Bass is there too, and prominent enough to give a bit of weight to those basslines without stealing the show.

Build quality is also impressive for headphones at this price; they are quite rugged, but light and comfortable as well.

They can be used either in the home or as a portable model, since the closed-back design offers good isolation from exterior sounds and the H840 can be powered sufficiently by a phone, or a portable music player.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

If you’re on a budget, there is no need to compromise on sound quality. For the asking price, the Edifier H840 represents amazing value.

Best Full Size Headphones Under £150

Sennheiser HD461G (Android) or HD461i (Apple)

Sennheiser’s HD461 models come in two flavours, depending on whether you have an Apple handset (with a headphone socket!) or an Android handset. Designed primarily for portable use, the HD461 models can also be used with home equipment as they will still work in standard 3.5mm stereo sockets.

Also, the cables are available separately as spares, so if you change your phone from one type to the other, you only need to get the appropriate cable for full functionality with your new handset.

The design is light and comfortable with a sound akin to what Sennheiser generally prefers; a warm comfortable sound with enough sparkle at the treble end to keep things interesting and vibrant, but without any danger of listener fatigue. The HD461 design hsa a little bit of extra bass than usual however, so if you’re a bass fan then these are worth a try.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

For a bassy accompaniment at home or on the move, the HD461i (or HD461G) will give full functionality with your handset, whether Apple of Android. With spare cables available too, there is no need to change your headphones if you change your phone (iPhone 7 notwithstanding!).

SoundMAGIC HP151

The new HP151 from SoundMAGIC is perfect for those who want to treat themselves to some excellent sound and build quality, but without breaking the bank. The HP151 comes with a sturdy carry case and an extension cable for more options if listening at home, but is otherwise suitable for portable use, being of a closed-back design. Be aware however that whilst the HP151 will work well with commercial genres, classical or similar may require more amplification than a phone/handset can provide on its own, as those music types generally have quieter recordings, with less dynamic compression applied during production.

The HP151 sound has a good amount of well controlled bass from its 53mm drivers, and midrange/treble are clear and present. It’s a comfortable sound, and it is not likely that listener fatigue will set in.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

The HP151 is a fantastic all-rounder, with a bassy yet crisp sound. It has a spacious and wide presentation considering the closed back design, and it looks really good too!

READ MORE: SoundMAGIC HP151 Full Review

Best Full Size Headphones Under £350

Final Sonorous III

Final makes some excellent-sounding headphones with great build quality too. Their closed-back Sonorous range encompasses many models, but the Sonorous III is a point of interest as it gives some amazing sound quality for the price. With slightly boosted bass and treble, the Sonorous III gives a little added shine to your tracks without going overboard. The low impedance of this design makes it suitable for using with a portable device or phone, for enjoying your collection in the home, or out and about.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

The Sonorous III is a favourite here for its relaxed, natural sound. However the Sonorous II is also noteworthy as a more neutral version, giving a more faithful rendition of your recordings and particularly suitable for classical and acoustic performances.

Best Full Size Headphones Under £800

Now we start to enter the price range of diminishing returns; for instance, headphones costing £800 will not sound twice as good as those costing £400, but if you are intent on raising your headphones game, these smaller improvements are still worthwhile to make your music collection come alive again.

Beyerdynamic Amiron Home

Beyerdynamic has impressed us for many years and continues to do so with new models such as the Amiron Home. With sterling build quality and sound quality alike, the open-back Amiron Home does everything well. All frequencies are very well balanced with each other, with treble a little gentler than quite a few of Beyerdynamic’s previous models.

So the sound is natural and smooth; ideal for relaxing at home (where else?), and quite suitable for any music genres that can be thrown at it.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

The Beyerdynamic Amiron Home is a real treat to use, and is as comfortable to wear as it is to listen to.

MrSpeakers Aeon

A relatively new maker, MrSpeakers has certainly caused a stir with their line of planar-magnetic models recently. Not least with the Aeon, a lightweight design which hits heavy with some excellent sound quality. The design lends itself well to portable uses, although additional amplification may be required if using with a phone.

The sound is fairly well balanced with a little extra bass and lovely clear midrange and treble. The Aeon is well suited for all genres, but a real treat with anything likely to get you moving!

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

If your portable audio game needs updating, the MrSpeakers Aeon is one to look at, although the Aeon is equally enjoyable if you like to stay put.

READ MORE: MrSpeakers Aeon Full Review

Best Full Size Headphones Under £1000

Focal Elear

Focal’s recent additions to their lineup show a slight move away from the generally brighter sound of their previous models, to a gentler more laid-back sound which nevertheless gives detail in spades. The Elear is an exquisitely comfortable model to wear also, and gives the impression of the venerable HD650 but with a little bit of extra treble presence.

The Elear is not a light model at 434g, so this may be worth bearing in mind but the sound is very pleasing indeed.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

French company Focal has produced a real hit with the Elear, and it is easy to understand how; they’re great fun!

READ MORE: Focal Elear Full Review

Pioneer SE-Monitor5

Pioneer’s new SE-Monitor5 is where headphones start to get sumptuous and luxurious! Build quality is like an executive car, and the plush padding is much the same. The SE-Monitor5 may be a little heavy for some at 480g but they are made for relaxing at home and swallow up the sides of the head with their huge earcups.

The sound is as you would expect from Pioneer at this price, with well-controlled bass doing just what it needs to according to the music genre being enjoyed. Higher frequencies follow suit and remain faithful to the music, only to add a little bit of extra excitement and glamour to proceedings, whilst staying very relaxing.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

The SE-Monitor5 is incredibly comfortable and bound to please anyone who gives them a listen.

READ MORE: Pioneer SE-Monitor5 Full Review

Best Full Size Headphones Over £1000!

If you have got bored of circling Switzerland in your yacht then you’re probably lost, but you may be wealthy enough to consider the following models for your floating games room! These higher priced models may seem as steep as a black route ski slope, but those who accept no compromise will find the following offerings very interesting.

Sennheiser HD800S

Sennheiser is no stranger to premium headphones, and has followed up on the excellent HD800, released a few years ago. Some felt that the HD800 is incredibly detailed but at the cost of a certain amount of musicality, so Sennheiser now has the HD800S which offers a little more in the way of ‘soul’. Bass is very responsive to what different music genres need without overdoing things, and midrange/treble give some excellent soundstage and imaging with a slightly gentler presentation when compared to the older HD800.

The HD800S is however just as comfortable as its older brother the HD800; these models can be worn for hours on end with no trouble.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

The HD800S is a very popular model and with good reason; it’s as enjoyable as it is comfortable and has a fair amount of visual impact as well.

READ MORE: Sennheiser HD800S Full Review

Audeze LCD-4

Audeze has plenty of models, but at the top of the range we have the planar-magnetic LCD-4. Top notch build quality is to be expected at this price, including unique drivers which feature NASA technology in their nano-scale diaphragms. These light, thin diaphragms can move very quickly with no inertia, making transient response times very fast, and bass precise with nice extension and very good control.

Made from 30 year old Macassar wood, the earcups are set off by bright silver grilles making the LCD-4 a treat to look at as well as to listen to. As well as the excellent bass, midrange and treble follow in good order with a smooth transition between, but with perhaps a slightly recessed midrange, putting bass and treble at the forefront of the presentation.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

For the last word in headphones, this may need to be your first stop!

Best Headphones Under £150 – 2016

Posted on July 25, 2016 by John

We have compiled a list of the best headphones under £150. Our list includes full size, on ear, closed and open back headphones from brands like Sennheiser, KEF, Beyerdynamic, Fostex, SoundMAGIC and more.

Best Headphones Under £150

Koss PortaPro

Most portable headphones understandably are closed back so that they can isolate you from your surroundings – the Koss PortaPro is a great open backed option if you want a wide, open sound and want to be able to hear what’s going on around you. The headphone’s lightweight and comfortable design makes them a good sports option too.

Thomson WHP3001BK

The Thomson’s are currently our lowest priced wireless headphones – but don’t let that put you off. They fit over the ear, they are closed back and thanks to their floating headband design they are very comfortable – perfect for long listening sessions. Their sound is ideally suited for TV and radio.

Sennheiser Urbanite

The Urbanite was Sennheiser’s answer to the popular Beats headphone movement and they have done a great job for a fraction of the price. These headphones have a warm sound with great bass that doesn’t clutter the midrange and smooth, engaging detail. They also fold up and are very comfortable – great for listening on the move.

Grado SR80e

Grado’s SR80e is quite possibly the best open back headphone you can get for under £100. Being open backed you wouldn’t want to use them in public – unless you want others to hear your guilty pleasures, but their lightweight build and exciting, detailed sound makes them a great option for home use.

Lindy Cromo NCX-100

Lindy is still fairly unknown as a brand but they produce extremely good headphones at a low price. The Cromo NCX-100 is their noise cancelling model and it challenges higher priced offerings from bigger brands. They have superb build quality and comfort with a fun and engaging sound.

Fostex T20RP, T40RP, T50RP

Fostex’s recent RP series of headphones give a lot of bang for the buck. They come as either closed, open or semi-open which means there is one to suit all scenarios. They are tough to drive so may need an amp, but will sound superb with a smooth richness and clear detail. The range also boasts replaceable cables and a great comfort.

SoundMAGIC HP150

SoundMAGIC has dominated the low priced earphone market for a few years now thanks to the E10 and the HP150 is currently their flagship full sized wired headphone. The HP150’s superb build quality, comfort and fold up design combined with their clear and punchy sound makes them ideal for portable, home or studio use.

Beyerdynamic DT770

From one favourite to another – the DT770 can be seen in nearly every recording studio worldwide. This is due to their extremely tough build, great isolation and comfort. In terms of sound they are a superb all rounders with excellent bass and treble emphasis.

Sennheiser HD25 II

The HD25 has been around for ever and they still have enough unique points to be current. They are extremely popular, especially with DJs and recording studios. Most of all they deliver great sound, deep bass, isolation, durability and pretty much every part on them can be replaced thanks to the amount of spares available.

KEF M400

Finally KEF’s entry level portable offers everything you would want from your headphone on the move. First of all they fold up, have a replaceable cable, are smartphone compatible and come in a range of colours. In addition they also sound great with a well balanced sound that is very enjoyable and easy to listen to.

MrSpeakers ETHER Headphone Review

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Steve

MrSpeakers ETHER Open Back Headphone Review – Ether You’ll Like Them or Love Them

Well known for the ‘Mad Dog’ and other mods based on Fostex T50RP headphones, MrSpeakers has brought us the ETHER models, consisting of the open-backed ETHER (reviewed here) and the ETHER C which is a closed-back variant. Both are driven by planar magnetic technology. Can the MrSpeakers ETHER prove to be a new and indisposable medium for disseminating music, or does it just cause drowsiness and send us to sleep? Read on!

Pros:

Extremely light and comfortable

Sounds divine

Designed really well

Case is strong and no bigger than necessary

Cons:

Headband self-adjusts too readily unless fixed for one user

Design and Appearance

The ETHER appears to have a design which is based on the best points of other brands’ headphones, and it’s nice to see them all on one model. Plush and thick earpads, large earcups, and sturdy cable connectors which are easy enough to get the cable onto and off again. The headband and yokes are strong yet flexible and in all, the design is very well thought out and very,very light!

Durability and Build quality

Durability is always hard to gauge with new models, but nothing stands out as seeming particularly vulnerable to damage caused by wear and tear. As alluded to above, the design is a good one and the headphones should stand the test of time!

Comfort

With headphones donned, comfort levels match those of any of the favoured dynamic headphones. Even the Sennheiser HD650 or HD540 models get a run for their money. People may forget they are wearing these headphones, unless they are playing music through them of course. One slight gripe is the headband strap adjusting itself bigger as the headphones are fiddled with, but there are a pair of stoppers which can be moved and secured to prevent this.

Sound characteristics

Sampled with the standard Chord Hugo as DAC/AMP, it’s perhaps important to mention that the sound can be improved by using a proper ‘plug in’ powered amp such as the excellent Audeze Deckard or the great value Musical Fidelity V90-HPA. Having said that, a humble Fiio X3 DAP can do a very good job of powering the MrSpeakers ETHER; it’s only until a rather underpowered android handset is tried that the ETHER sounds noticeably insipid and anaemic.

However, as it is the MrSpeakers ETHER dazzles and cajoles with dexterity and power, definition and silkiness, space and slam.

Bass

The ETHER is not as bassy as some other makers’ planar magnetic designs; the bass is not accentuated but does a good job. It starts low in frequency terms and does what’s required if the music calls for it. Dance genres enjoy a good bit of sub bass and hip hop or funk styles get a good weighty quality to the kick drums. It’s well controlled too; shaking drum skins are not lost through the mix, even with hard rock guitars kicking in.

Mids

Midrange is noticeably present on the ETHER; perhaps due to the relatively reined-in bass. There is perhaps a slight bump in the upper-mid range but it doesn’t cause any problems with sibilance. There’s a sense of a slightly sharper and more revealing sound but it stays on the right side of the comfort line. Due to this, vocals, reed instruments and distorted guitars stand out along with associated delay effects, creating a very pleasing and immediate sense of space and imaging.

Treble

No detail goes unnoticed, but at the same time the ETHER stays the right side of any sibilant or fatigue-inducing territory; even with a multitude of brass instruments blaring, the frequency response makes it comfortable. Not to say that the ETHER is a dark pair of headphones; there is a decent amount of sparkle and shimmer there. In other words, the icing on the cake!

Soundstage and Separation

Imaging and separation is exceptionally good on the ETHER, making it amongst the best headphones for this feature. I’ve picked out a flaw or two in tracks I’ve been listening to for years previous; there’s now a vibraslap sound out there which will always have a squeaky floorboard under it, and let’s not get started on kick drum pedals. Everything is perfectly rendered; for better or worse.

A superb soundstage is to expected from large open-backed headphones such as these and because of that, this may be the only feature of the ETHER which hasn’t knocked our socks off. However, the huge and expansive sound of these headphones serves as the perfect counterpoint to some very special sounding features indeed.

Music genres good for and why

The ETHER is best with anything which is well recorded; if the performers or musicians have colds or are wearing bracelets, the listener knows about it. Whether it’s annoying or all the more engrossing is up to the listener. A sense of space is very well rendered on the ETHER; live and classical styles come out of it very well. Other music types do very well too, but no single one can be recommended over another. They’re all brilliant.

Summary

The MrSpeakers ETHER just goes to show that a world-class headphone needn’t require a big corporation to produce it; in this world of crowd funding and 3D printing anyone can have a go, but getting it this right is going to test anyone’s mettle.

Best full size hi-fi headphones to buy in 2015 – Expert Reviews

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Tony

Best Full Size Over-Ear Headphones

We’ve collected the best full size hi-fi headphones from under £100 to over £1000 from 2015. The reviews are designed to help you choose from the massive selection of hi-fi and audiophile headphones with open back and closed back designs available. From trusted brands like Shure and Grado, to the freshest new brands like SoundMAGIC and Final Audio Design.

Scroll down for in depth reviews of our favourite full size open back and closed back headphones.

Shop: Visit our Over-Ear Headphones Store.

More Info: Read our Best On-Ear Headphones Buying Guide.

Best Over-Ear Headphones Under £100

Grado SR80i

There are not many good Hi-Fi headphones for under £100, but the SR80i is an exception. The Grado SR80i is a great first step into high quality full size Hi-Fi headphones. Choosing the best Grado headphone is a little tricky as they are all excellent, but the sensibly priced Grado SR80i headphone is a worthy contender for best entry level on ear Hi-Fi headphone.

The SR80i is a energetic sounding headphone, with excellent clarity through the mids/highs, highly detailed resolution and a solid bass kick. Grado’s have a very up-front sound that can bring music to life. The SR80i is an on-ear headphone, so they can require a bit of re-adjusting after some use to get them comfortable again.

Unlike some audiophile class headphones the Grado SR80i’s are sensitive enough to give good response without any dedicated amplification, as they are rated at a very efficient 32 ohms.

All of the Grado range are fully open back headphones, which means sound can leak in and out of the ear cup. If this isn’t a problem then the SR80i is a very solid choice for a home listening Hi-Fi headphone.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

Delivery stunningly good sound quality for the price. If the open back headphone design is no problem then you should definitely consider this headphone.

Best Over-Ear Headphones Under £200

Beyerdynamic DT770

Featuring a fully sealed (closed back) design and extremely robust build quality, the Beyerdynamic DT770 is a real workhorse of a headphone that is suitable for daily use and abuse.

With a pedigree in studio and live recording, Beyerdynamic is the number one choice at the BBC – check out photos on the BBC Radio 1 website and you will see most guests wearing the DT770.

Bass response is powerful and positional accuracy is excellent, making this a firm favourite for gaming and movies. However, the DT770 is a versatile headphone and is great for long music listening sessions also.

The DT770 is available in an easy to drive 80 Ohm version (suitable for home and even mobile listening) and also a much harder to drive 250 Ohm version that is designed to be plugged into a high output power mixing desk or dedicated headphone amp.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

Robustly built and with superb sound quality, if you are looking for a closed back headphone with a big sound then the DT770 should be high on your list.

SoundMAGIC HP150

SoundMAGIC’s second generation full size HP150 headphone (replacing the excellent HP100) is a fantastic addition to any audiophile headphone setup. With a natural midrange, wide soundstage and excellent detail resolution, the HP150 has an engaging sound that makes this a perfect everyday headphone for home or the office.

Despite the closed back headphone design, music is given breathing space and voices sound natural. Overall a very well balanced headphone.

The low impedance of the HP150 makes them suitable for use with portable players without the need for further amplification.

Generously padded earcups and adjustable headband provide for a comfortable listening experience, even during longer listening sessions. The construction of the HP150 is very solid, and the earcups swivel so the headphone can easily be stored in the included hard case.

The HP150 is a closed back model; this headphone type is best for situations where isolation is requires, but if this is not an issue then also consider the SoundMAGIC HP200, which is generally thought of as better for natural-sounding music.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

The HP150 represents fantastic value for money and gives a sound which is engaging, fun and of impressive quality. Great for all genres.

Best Over-Ear Headphones Under £500

Shure SRH1540

With this closed-back full size headphones, Shure have made a fantastic headphone for people who like their bass, but without the bloat of similar ‘basshead’ headphones when it comes to a wide range of music and styles. However, the SRH1540 will pick up and run with higher levels of bass if the track has them – lower quality recordings/mixes are faithfully reproduced.

The overall sound is exciting, yet smooth. It has been said that they give the sound of music recorded using ribbon microphones and there is a hint of a vintage feel to the sound.

They are immediately engaging, and along with a fine build quality they are certainly headphones to hanker for; aircraft-grade aluminium alloy and carbon fibre make for some very solid headphones indeed, while at 286g, they are very light considering the materials and solid feel.

The impedance/sensitivity of these headphones should be suitable for most portable players and applications, but a portable amp will allow them to be at their best.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

If you like a good warm detailed sound but find higher frequencies tend to lead to fatigue, then these headphones are definitely recommended.

HiFiMAN HE-400

A relatively new name, HiFiMAN has made itself very well known in recent years with its range of planar magnetic headphones among other models.

The HE-400 is a very low-cost taste of what this technology can do with your music; the bass is not like anything heard from dynamic headphones, and the soundstage and imaging is breathtaking.

The bass is not bloated or overemphasised; it is simply replicated in the headphones so that it is felt by the ear, as well as heard. Sub bass is sublime.

The 440g weight may not suit everyone but there is some wonderful technology to account for; the HE-400 is certainly for those who accept no compromise when it comes to sound quality.

The sound signature is rich and detailed; there is a slight roll-off at the top end making these relatively warm but not at the expense of details. This is one to consider if you dislike too much high-frequency energy getting in the way.

Their wide-open design may not lend itself well to shared environments such as the train or bus, but with headphones like these to listen to, why would you want to go out?

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

The HiFiMAN HE-400s are heavy hitters when listening at home and lend a wonderful weight to any music.

Best Over-Ear Headphones Under £1000

Final Audio Design Pandora Hope VI

The Pandora Hope VI is the bigger brother to the Hope IV model and includes the same hybrid driver technology, i.e. two speakers per ear.

Constructed with both dynamic and a balanced armature drivers, the Hope VI delivers the warm and engaging sound most headphone users are looking for, but with greater accuracy and speed when compared to similarly-priced dynamic models. There is no crossover; the full frequency range of both drivers is used.

The Hope models have a BAM (balancing air movement) mechanism to ensure that air flowing within the earcups does not compromise the sound; this, with the dual driver technology, leads to a listening experience which is great value for money.

Made from matt-finished ABS thermoplastic resin, the Hope IV has a very solid and well built feel – these have been made to last through many years of listening pleasure. The earpads feature a highly elastic synthetic leather material which provides a good seal for great bass response and further isolation.

The 1.5m detachable cable is also great quality, with strain reliefs to ensure that it remains free of problems should the cable get snagged.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

The Hope VI is certainly worth considering as an upgrade if you like listening to details within music and appreciate great imaging, but do not want to compromise where it comes to bass.

Ultrasone Signature Pro

Ultrasone’s range includes some fantastic portables and the Signature pro is no exception. Easily driven, these headphones are perfect for commuting or around town. The modest design is low-profile enough for those who want to stay under the headphone fashion radar; the spartan design belies the rich, sumptuous sound within.

Featuring Ultrasone’s own S-Logic™ Natural Surround system, these have the ‘speakers in a room’ effect due to the way the technology uses your ears as part of how they work. The audio is reflected off of the pinna of the ear into the ear canal just as sound is naturally, leading to a fully immersive presentation.

The Signature Pro has bass which is not overblown or pumped up; it is bright without being sibilant and the midrange is well balanced with great detail. Soundstage is amazing and isolation is impressive.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

At home on the train or in the living room, the Ultrasone Signature pro takes high-end audio wherever you wish to go. Altogether, a very solidly built and high quality portable.

Beyerdynamic Tesla T1

Founded in 1924 Beyerdynamic is one of the oldest names in audio and still manufactures most of their products in Germany by hand. The Tesla T1 is the culmination of many years of experience, which is evident from the beautiful finish of the headphone and superbly balanced sound. Delivered in its aluminium flight case the Beyer T1 has a solid industrial beauty that exudes high end build quality.

The A1 amplifier is the perfect partner to the T1 which at 600ohms is not an east headphone to drive. With its unique intelligent-circuit concept the Beyerdynamic A1 is capable of reproducing an amazingly wide frequency range which stretches way above human perception. Underneath the large front-panel-mounted aluminium volume control is a high grade ALPS-potentiometer for smooth volume adjustment. This is just part of the attention to detail that ranges from the outer unit construction to its quality integral components – use of a generously-dimensioned toroidal core transformer, plus a combination of carefully selected components allows even the highest-impedance headphones to be driven flawlessly over the entire frequency range.

We feel the Tesla T1 is the best balanced, most comfortable high end headphone available. Offering a level of insight that is at times staggering, the T1 breathes life into music. If there is one problem with this headphone it is the fact you cannot listen to basic quality MP3’s or fizzy low res music – the T1 is simply too revealing and compressed music is shown up for its lack of definition.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

The sound is fluid and natural, there is a fast sense of detail that is crisp and precise without being fatiguing. The headphones themselves are surprisingly light and in typical Beyer style really comfy.

Fostex TH-900

The Fostex TH-900 is among the best sounding closed-back headphones, they are a treat for anyone who likes a smooth, effortless presentation.

With a low impedance of 25 ohms and 100dB sensitivity, these can be enjoyed on the move or at home; however a separate amplifier is required to get the best out of them if used for portable applications.

They have a warm sound signature, but at the same time have a speed and tightness which provides a lot of impact in the bass region. They are well balanced and the sound really must be heard to be believed; the TH-900 exudes beautiful quality in terms of both sound and build.

The protein leather earpads feel as comfortable against the skin as the music feels against the ear; these are amazingly comfortable headphones and really deserve the high esteem in which they are held by audiophiles everywhere.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

Possibly the best quality closed-back headphones currently on the market. The price only seems high if you haven’t heard them yet!

Best Over-Ear Headphones Over £1000

Grado PS1000

The flagship Grado PS1000 is a headphone for someone looking for the very best headphone available. With the ear cups hand internally crafted with mahogany, while the outer is machined from a non-resonant metal material. The drivers are manufactured to tolerances far exceeding normal expectations, making the PS1000 a very special headphone that deserves serious attention.

Often described as a portable listening room, the PS1000 offers levels of clarity and detail that is normally reserved for dedicated listening spaces costing tens of thousands to construct.

When choosing a high end headphone like the PS1000 the best advice we can offer is to try the headphones out for yourself with your own equipment (we offer a 30 day money back guarantee).

The PS1000 sounds best when matched with a good quality headphone amplifier, but is relatively easy to drive and can sound great connected with any good quality audio source.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

We are big fans of the “Grado sound” and the PS1000 has the trademark lively, detailed delivery that is both engaging and exciting. This headphone has to be heard if you are serious about your music.

Audeze LCD-3

The LCD-3 is a headphone which does not compromise in the search for the highest quality audio reproduction. The planar magnetic drivers deliver a very fast and powerful sound, with breathtaking imaging and realism. Your music will come to life.

More than one audiophile has remarked that these are the best headphones they’ve heard, and they certainly live up to their reputation.

Individual instruments are as real to the listener as the spaces they’re recorded in; the effect is a truly immersive listening experience which is hard to find anywhere else outside of full electrostatics.

The LCD3 is a headphone for enjoying at home – the weight and wide open-backed design is not for the street or more strenuous activities; also a headphone amp is recommended.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

Whilst you wonder how people can afford to buy these headphones, LCD-3 owners everywhere are marvelling at how you can go without them.

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