Tag Archives: Best Headphones

Best Wireless Headphones 2023: On-Ear, ANC, Earbuds, Audiophile,

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We know how important it is to find the best wireless headphones for you; whether they are for your smartphone, music player or computer. For those on a budget, to those who have particular taste / requirements. Below you can see the best of the best wireless headphones and earphones available today. For all budgets and needs, 2023 continues to deliver!

BEST AUDIOPHILE WIRELESS HEADPHONES

1. Final ZE8000 – ANC TWS Earphones £299.00 (Currently on special offer for £199.00!)

Best Wireless Earbuds for Audiophiles. Best Allrounder

Final Ze8000

Final’s flagship TWS earphone is finally here and a cause for celebration by many audio fans out there. The design is like nothing else out there today. The looks and comfort of these earphones are unique and extremely effective. Add to that a fantastic sound quality that challenges some of the finest wired earphones out there as well as all the bells and whistles you expect from a TWS earphone these days and you have quite the package.

READ MORE: Final ZE8000 Review

2. Campfire Orbit TWS Earphones- £199.00

Best Wireless Earbuds for Audiophiles

Considering you can spend the same on Sony, Bose, Sennheiser and Apple – the Orbit provides audio that surpasses what the other popular brands would only dream of. Yes, you don’t get noise cancelling or fancy app tech with 1,000,000 features. What you do get is a product made by one of the best in the audio biz, and sound that you would normally need to pay over £1000 for…

READ MORE: Campfire Orbit Review

BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES UNDER £100

3. final x Dragon Ball Z – Frieza – £70.00

Best TWS for Audiobooks & TV

Final Audio have collaborated with Dragonball Z to produce 3 iconic and unique models based on main characters. The Frieza model is specifically designed for ASMR content. But it is also perfect for watching movies, animations and videos In general. Absolutely one to consider, if you use your earphones more for Audiobooks/ Movies over music (although they are great at that too!). They are also really small and light, so perfect for those with smaller ears or those who find it difficult to find a pair of buds that are comfortable.

READ MORE: final x Dragon Ball Z – Frieza – Review

4. SoundMAGIC P23BT Portable Wireless Headphones – £49.96

Best Budget Wireless On Ear Headphones

How do they do it? SoundMAGIC have once again made a killer headphone for a super price. The P23BT doubles up as a headset too with the included cable and boom mic (great for home office or even gaming). In addition, the headphone is lightweight and comfortable. Add into the mixer an incredibly impressive battery life and a simple ease of use and you have got yourself a bargain. They sound full and warm yet never bass heavy. They really do sound incredible and for a Wireless on ear headphone what more could you want?

READ MORE: SoundMAGIC P23BT Wireless Headphone Review

5. Lypertek PurePlay Z5 ANC True Wireless Earbuds – £99.00

Best Budget All-rounder under £100

Coming hot off the heels of Lyperteks now world famous PurePlay Z3, The Pureplay Z5 has changed the game completely. This is probably the best overall TWS ANC earphone you can buy for £99. They have ANC, Ambient mode, wireless charging, accompanying PUREPLAY ANC app with LDX Audio, sound customisation profiles and more. Add to that a fanstastc sound quality and brilliant mics and you can instantly see why the Z5 has made the cut.

READ MORE: Lypertek PurePlay Z5 ANC TWS Review

BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES FOR SPORT

6. Cleer Audio Arc II Sport – Open-Ear True Wireless Sports Earphones- £199

Best Running Headphones

Following the runaway success of the Cleer Audio‘s open ear Arc earphones, the Cleer Arc II SPORT has taken the concept of an open wireless earphone to a whole new level. The new Arc II Sport is superior to its predecessor in every single way. It has a longer battery life, a better, even more secure fit with an improved earhook design and supports wireless hands free and head gesture controls for answering calls and the like. This earphone has been designed from the bottom up for those who want to listen on the move while being simultaneously aware of their surroundings. One of the most stand out changes to the case is the addition of UV-C light that sanitises the earbuds while not in use. How great is that!?

READ MORE: Cleer Audio Arc II Sport – Open-Ear True Wireless Sports Earphones

BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES UNDER £150

7. final ZE3000 Wireless Earphones – £119

Best Budget Wireless Earphones for Sound Quality

True wireless earphones for the audiophiles and purists out there. The final ZE3000 don’t have many of the bells and whistles. They have no ANC, no ambient mode nor wireless charging. However they were designed from the bottom up for ultimate sound quality and in that they totally succeeded. They also look absolutely fantastic and fit perfectly. What more could you ask for at £119!

READ MORE: final ZE3000 True Wireless Earphones Review

8. final UX3000 ANC Wireless Headphones – £119

Best Budget Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones

final have really worked their magic here. Solid build quality, paired with great sound and effective ANC for under £120 is something rarely heard of. Add to that fantastic mic quality and you have an absolute bargain on offer. The final UX3000 can be recommend to absolutely anyone looking for a portable over-ear headphone and you will only see smiles on their faces.

What Our Customers Say:

These are exactly what I wanted from a pair of headphones – good sound quality, comfortable to wear, nicely made and all at a reasonable price!

Ian M 5* Review www.Hifiheadphones.co.uk

READ MORE: Final UX3000 ANC Wireless Headphones Review

9. Cleer Enduro ANC Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones – £149.00

Best Budget Wireless Headphones for Battery Life

The Cleer Enduro ANC is superb value. These wireless headphones have a fun and engaging sound signature that brings music to life thanks to the impressive levels of clarity and punch. The Enduro ANC is comfortable yet compact, and the sound signature is perfect for everyday use. The ANC is great for commuting with a massive battery life and the ambient noise control is a neat feature too.

READ MORE: Cleer Enduro ANC Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones Review

10. Final x Ultra Seven ZE3000 Ultra Guard TWS – £139.00

Best TWS Brand Merch

Final Audio’s Ultra Seven inspired earphones look and sound the part! They are essentially a re-skinned ZE3000 with a motif of Ultra guard from Ultra Seven. Part of the Ultraman umbrella, this series was first released as a live action television series in 1967! As you can see, the earphone body, charging case, and packaging of these earbuds are designed in the image of the uniform and helmet of the Ultra Guard paying homage and celebrating the 55th anniversary of Ultra Seven. A perfect piece of kit if you are into Japanese culture and want to stand out from the rest of the crowd.

READ MORE: Final x Ultra Seven ZE3000 Ultra Guard

BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES FOR GAMING

11. Audeze Maxwell Playstation/Xbox Wireless Gaming Headphones – £319.00/£349.00

Best Wireless Gaming Headset. Best Wireless Headphones for Battery Life

The Audeze Maxwell is quite literally a masterpiece. After years of relentless innovation building first class gaming headsets, Audeze has finally released the successor to the Penrose, The Maxwell. This is a serious piece of kit for serious gamers (and us casuals too!). An upgrade to the Penrose in every conceivable way, the Maxwells sound quality, wireless performance & battery life (80 Hours!!!) have all been pushed to the limits of possibility. Easily the best wireless gaming headset out there today.

What Our Customers Say:

I loved my Penrose headset and have had the Maxwell for just over a week. It is an upgrade in every single way. I am so happy I pre-ordered it back in December and it really does live up to the hype. The new chassis is really sturdy and has a premium feel to it. The sound is even better than the Penrose, no issue whatsoever with the wireless connections. I am so chuffed and will be using this for years to come. Great job Audeze

Josh Adams 5* Review www.Hifiheadphones.co.uk

READ MORE: Audeze Maxwell Review

Have We Missed Anything Out?

Please feel free to leave a comment below and let us know…

Audeze MM-500 Review

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Audeze have teamed up with legendary mixing engineer Manny Marroquin to create the special MM-500 planar magnetic headphones. Designed to be used in the studio as well as for audiophile listening the Audeze MM-500 are meant to be an all-rounder headphone. Tuned for a natural and balanced sound with slight leaning to the mid-low range and light sparkle in the high frequencies.

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Audeze MM-500: The Sound

First impressions when paired with FiiO E07K headphone amp shows the MM-500‘s neutral and balanced character. With a closer listen slight lifts in frequencies can be heard while still keeping the tone natural and harmonious. There is slight warmth and vividness while keeping the sound realistic and natural sounding. Listening to EDM and heavy metal revealed new, unheard layering to music. Switching to funk and jazz made the music shine and pop in pleasant ways keeping me entertained for hours.

These headphones really make me feel like I am in the club or studio, so much to love.

Although designed to be used in professional mixing environments, listening to different music genres really highlights the multi-talent of the Audeze MM-500 being a jack-of-all-trades. Low impedance and sensitivity make the MM-500 easy to drive from most sources, even when plugged straight to my Oppo A57s smartphone – although they do benefit greatly when paired with some form of amplification.

The MM-500 does not shy away from electronic music with deep rumbling bass that shows no distortion when listening to Drum & Bass – while funk and jazz sparkles and shines with an ‘alive’ sound. These headphones really make me feel like I am in the club or studio, so much to love.

Audeze MM-500 Earcup Grill

Comfort

As soon as the MM-500 are placed on my head I could feel that this is a quality headphone. It seems quite heavy at first, but the headband distributes the weight evenly. The slightly sloped ear pads encase the ears and gently hug the sides – again with just the right clamping force. Even after using for 2+ hours, there is nothing to complain about in the comfort zone – I just want to listen more!

Audeze MM-500 Earpads

Build Quality

As soon as these Audeze headphones are taken out of the box it becomes clear this is a serious headphone. The materials used throughout feel luxurious, the sturdy headband and folding ear cups blend perfectly together in a medley of sensations when holding. An understated, minimalistic look on the ear cups completes the indulgent feel of the MM-500. They feel and look extraordinary.

A surprising talented headphone in the studio and on a home Hi-Fi system

It is initially quite heavy in the hands – but the ease of which the earcups swing and fold flat – the cranking of the headband pins before placing on the head – and the way the leather headband sits snugly on the head – makes the MM-500 virtually vanish when the music kicks in.

Audeze MM-500 Cable

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Interested in all things Audeze? Check out more News and Reviews here!

Visit the official Audeze UK website here!

Read our Audeze Brand Story here!

Best Headphones 2023: Earbuds, Noise Cancelling, Wireless, Premium

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BEST HEADPHONES 2023

We know how important it is to find the best headphones for you; whether they are for your smartphone, music player, laptop, console or hi fi system. Here you can see the best of the best earphones, on ear, full size, Bluetooth, wireless and audiophile headphones to buy right now.

BEST EARPHONES

READ MORE: Best Earphones 2023

1. 64 Audio Volür – £2369.05

What started out as the Nio 2 evolved into a whole new word (and a UIEM) that never existed before. The Volür. The newest Universal must have IEM from 64 Audio. The pulsating heart of this new creation is made up of two new custom 9mm dynamic drivers set in a true isobaric configuration that delivers unprecedented low-frequency capability. The low end of the Volür will simply blow you away, not that the highs or the mids are ignored whatsoever. This new hybrid UIEM from 64 Audio is easily one of the best technical performing earphones that has a “fun” sounding signature in existence today. Those purple abalone faceplates also look fabulous. A must have in 2023.

READ MORE: 64 Audio Volür

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BEST WIRELESS EARBUDS

READ MORE: Best Wireless Headphones 2022

2. Lypertek PurePlay Z5 ANC True Wireless Earbuds – £99.00

Coming hot off the heels of Lyperteks now world famous PurePlay Z3, The Pureplay Z5 has changed the game completely. This is probably the best TWS ANC earphone you can buy for under £100. They have ANC, Ambient mode, wireless charging, accompanying PUREPLAY ANC app with LDX Audio, sound customisation profiles and more. Add to that a fanstastc sound quality and brilliant mics and you can instantly see why the Z5 has made the cut.

READ MORE: Lypertek PurePlay Z5 ANC TWS Review

More about the Lypertek Pureplay Z5
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BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Best Wireless Headphones 2022

3. final UX3000 ANC Wireless Headphones – £119

Final have really worked their magic here. Solid build quality, paired with great sound and effective ANC for under £120 is something rarely heard of. Add to that fantastic mic quality and you have an absolute bargain on offer. The UX3000 can be recommend to absolutely anyone looking for a portable over-ear headphone and you will only see smiles on their faces.

READ MORE: Final UX3000 ANC Wireless Headphones Review

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BEST ON EAR HEADPHONES

4. SoundMAGIC P23BT Portable Wireless Headphones – £49.99

How do they do it? SoundMAGIC have once again made a killer headphone for a super price. The P23BT doubles up as a headset too with the included cable and boom mic (great for home office or even gaming). In addition, the headphone is lightweight and comfortable. Add into the mixer an incredibly impressive battery life and a simple ease of use and you have got yourself a bargain. They sound full and warm yet never bass heavy. They really do sound incredible and for a Wireless on ear headphone what more could you want?

WATCH VIDEO: SoundMAGIC P23BT Wireless On Ear Headphone Review

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BEST OVER EAR HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Best Over Ear Headphones 2023

5. Audeze LCD-X Planar Magnetic Full Size Headphones – £1149

The Audeze LCD-X are a real eye-catching headphone. For a retail price that seems crazy at first glance, the bottom line is that the price-performance ratio of this headphones is absolutely fantastic. Not only due to the impeccable manufacture, but also a robust construction, use of high-quality materials and wonderful, detailed sound Loved by Audiophiles and sound engineers alike. If you want to give yourself a birthday or Christmas present, you can safely consider surprising yourself with the Audeze LCD-X.

READ MORE: Audeze LCD-X Planar Magnetic Headphones

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BEST STUDIO HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Best Over Ear Headphones 2020

6. Audeze MM-500 Planar Magnetic Full Size Studio Headphones – £1699

Audeze MM-500 is designed to suit the requirements of long daily listening sessions under almost any condition. World-class studio monitor? Check. Quick reference on-the-go? No problem. Deep late-night listening? Done. With its ease of drive, comfortable fit and trustworthy sound, you can count on the MM-500 to deliver in every situation. The MM-500’s planar magnetic drivers provide realism that audio professionals like Manny “can’t live without.” With lightning-fast transients, accurate frequency response and trusted mix translation.

READ MORE: Audeze MM-500 Planar Magnetic Studio Headphones

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BEST RUNNING HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Best Wireless Headphones 2023

7. Cleer Audio Arc II Sport – Open-Ear True Wireless Sports Earphones- £199

Following the runaway success of the Cleer Audio‘s open ear Arc earphones, the Cleer Arc II SPORT has taken the concept of an open wireless earphone to a whole new level. The new Arc II Sport is superior to its predecessor in every single way. It has a longer battery life, a better, even more secure fit with an improved earhook design and supports wireless hands free and head gesture controls for answering calls and the like. This earphone has been designed from the bottom up for those who want to listen on the move while being simultaneously aware of their surroundings. One of the most stand out changes to the case is the addition of UV-C light that sanitises the earbuds while not in use. How great is that!?

READ MORE: Cleer Audio ARC II Sport – Open-Ear True Wireless Sports Earphones

More about the Cleer Audio Arc II Sport
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BEST GAMING HEADPHONES

READ MORE: Christmas Gift Guide 2023

8. Audeze Maxwell Ps5/Xbox – £319.00/£349.00

With the advent of the PS5 and Xbox X consoles, gamers will want some headphones to maximise their experience. The Audeze Maxwell is a supercharged, reimagined Penrose. Now with 80hr+ battery life, Ultra-Low Latency Wireless with 3X range of traditional 2.4Ghz. As well as first-in-class Bluetooth 5.3. Including an Improved build with an all-new reinforced chassis from aluminium and steel. As well as The adoption of Audeze’s FILTER™ noise reduction technology for clear communications on top of their Award-winning Audeze 90mm planar magnetic drivers. This is the must have gaming headset of 2023.

More about the Audeze Maxwell
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Have We Missed Anything Out?

Please feel free to leave a comment below and let us know…

HiFiHeadphones Best Buy list

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Here at HiFiHeadphones we really are passionate about audio and listen to the products we offer. Our headphone guru and Youtube star John has put together a HiFiHeadphones best buy list, so read on to find out what our best headphones, earphones and headphone amps in 2022 are!

Best True Wireless with ANC

Lypertek PurePlay Z5 – £79.00

The PurePlay Z5 are one of the best, if not the best, true wireless models for daily use. They have ANC, Ambient mode, wireless charging, accompanying app and more along with truly suburb sound quality for a low price. – Full Review

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Best True Wireless for Sound Quality

Final ZE3000- £119.00

These don’t have a lot of features, no AThese don’t have a lot of features, no ANC, ambient mode or wireless charging. However they are designed for ultimate sound quality and in that they succeed, They also look awesome and fit perfectly. What more could you ask for at £119? – Full Review

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Best Wired Earphones under £100 

SoundMAGIC E11C Silver – £52.99

A Brilliant Budget Earphone that Sounds MAGIC. We have found the E11C to be a grown-up earphone with a keen knack for giving a clear and accurate presentation across the board. It is a true bargain and certainly a very good IEM for everyday use. The mic and controls are an added bonus and making use of the included case as well as regular cleaning ensures that these earphones last well beyond their warranty. Perfection? Not quite. But at £52 you will struggle to find a similar product worthy of your investment. – Full Review

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Best Wired Earphones £100-£300

Oriveti OH300 – £299

The OH300 really does a lot right, especially when you take into account the £299 price tag. With a detailed and even-handed sound signature that is tonally accurate yet not boring. There is power when needed, yet they always have a controlled and refined approach to rendering your favourite tracks. – Full Review

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Best Wired Earphones £300-£1000

Campfire Audio Holocene- £649.00

The Holocene are almost a scaled down Andromeda, but with a twist of their own of course, they are slightly warmer and less airy in the top end but still have a very enjoyable sound. The Holocene are fairly linear with a slight bass lift that doesn’t bleed into the midrange, allowing that to cut through with clarity and accuracy. The lower treble is dipped slightly, robbing them of some energy but also meaning they don’t sound fatiguing or sibilant, yet the upper treble is well presented with great extension and air. Overall they are a really impressive earphone, and make a superb daily driver. – Full Review

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Best Wired Earphones £1000-£2000

64 Audio U6t- £1,299.00

For the price, 64 Audio have created a brilliant everyday earphone that allows great insight into the recording with superb clarity and detail retrieval, wrapped up in a smooth, coherent and easy to listen to sound. They are such an easy earphone to live with. Providing a comfortable fit and refined sound that many fail to match. This is proof that 64 Audio really do know what they are doing when it comes to sound. A superb model for the price.

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Best Wired Earphones £2000+ 

64 Audio tia Fourte – £3,599.00

This model pushes the boundaries and shows what’s possible with only 4 drivers. This is a hybrid design with an intricate inner shell with chambers that help shape the sound. Nothing sounds overly boosted on the Fourte, but they do have a healthy dose of impact down low. The Fourte are very revealing and will throw up flaws in recordings, but the clarity in the midrange is truly astonishing. What’s even more impressive is how the top end just extends without rolling off at all.

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Best Wired Studio Earphones 

Etymotic ER-4SR – £305.95

If you are looking for neutrality, the ER-4SR are the industry standard – they do not flatter you with a smooth sound or hide any mistakes in recordings, so not great for everyday listening but superb if you want to hear every detail.

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Best Wireless Headphones under £100 

SoundMAGIC P23BT – £49.96

SoundMAGIC once again show that they are unrivalled when it comes to creating budget models with excellent sound quality, the P23BT has such an enjoyable sound that you quickly forget they only cost £50. Full Review

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Best Wireless Headphones £100+ 

Final UX3000- £119.00

The Final UX3000 ANC is a fantastic product for its price. Final have really worked their magic here. Solid build quality, paired with great sound and effective ANC for under £120 is something rarely heard of. Add to that fantastic mic quality and you have an absolute bargain on offer. The UX3000 can be recommend to anyone looking for a portable over-ear headphone. Full Review

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Best Headphones £100-£500

Sennheiser HD660s – £429.00

The latest addition to the HD6xx series comes with improved clarity, these are detailed and open sounding and paired with the excellent comfort the HD6xx series are known for, make these a superb headphone for the price.

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Best Headphones £500-£1000

Audeze LCD-2 Classic – £749.00

The LCD-2 Classic are a well controlled, but ultimately warm sounding headphone. They offer up a fatigue free sound with good width and height. If you listen to electronic centred music, old school rap/hip-hop and smoother more acoustic music they are a joy to listen to. Full Review

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Best Headphones £1000-£3000 

Final D8000 – £2,999.00

Instead of going for the usual neutral-ish sound signature of most high-end models, Final instead decided to make the D8000 enjoyable, with very punchy and dynamic bass and impressive clarity across the board, the D8000 stand out from the crowd.

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Best Headphones £3000+

Audeze LCD-5 -£3,999.00

These are resolving yet enjoyable, they have a reference like tuning without coming across clinical, they have an honest presentation without too much colouration or sweetness to the sound. Full Review

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Best Headphone DAC/Amp under £100

Periodic Audio Rhodium – £49.00

The Periodic Audio Rhodium is brilliant for the money, a USB-C dongle DAC/Amp that has a clean sound, even if the output power is a little limited.

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Best Headphone Amp £100-£300

JDS Labs Atom Amp+ – £129.00

The Atom Amp+ is a neutral and linear sounding amp that will pair well with most headphones and earphones on the market – it measures well and doesn’t cost a lot, what more could you want? – Full Review

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Best Headphone Amp £300-£1000

JDS Labs Element III -£499.00

The Element III comes with an all new digital volume encoder and optical input, you get perfect channel balance for sensitive IEM’s along with auto-gain and enough output power for most over-ears too – backed by that same linear sound JDS Labs are known for. They even added an opitical input, very handy for gamers or those who listen to CD’s . Full Review

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Best Headphone Amp £1000+ 

Burson Soloist 3X GT – £2,499.00

This amp is perfect for those who need the best from their hard to drive headphones, the perfect pairing for those select few headphones that need multiple watts of power – it’s dual mono, fully discrete design doesn’t compromise when it comes to sound quality either. 

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CanJam London 2022: News, Sale and Best Headphones Guide

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CanJam London 2022

CanJam London 2022 Update: It’s that time of year again!

We are very excited to be attending CanJam London 2022 on July 30th and 31st at Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge.

We will of course be attending with some of our favourite brands and showcasing some of their amazing products. From new releases to old favourites, it is going to be a blast.

Undoubtably, this will be a CanJam to remember. Due to the Covid pandemic, we have been without the show for the last few years (check out our review/ interviews from the last one in 2019 here). We are absolutely frothing at the bit to get amongst the action again! Indeed, CanJam is the place to try all of the best headphones, earphones, DACs, AMPs, DAPs and IEMs under one roof with likeminded people. Obviously we are all there to discover how best to listen to our favourite recordings.

To celebrate, we are running a sale on our brands that are going to CanJam London 2022! Make sure to check out our sale page over on Hifiheadphones for big discounts for a limited time only:

Hifiheadphones CanJam London 2022 Sale

Not only is this a chance to try out these amazing products. It’s also your chance to meet the people behind your favourite brands. Here is a list of just a few brands attending CanJam London 2022:

Audeze, 64 Audio, Focal, HifiMan, Campfire Audio, final, Rupert Neve, Burson, Westone, Chord, Roon, dCS, Meze, Rosson Audio and many many more.

CanJam Sneak Peek Time with Important Updates

As a matter of fact, the reason for this is to give you an idea of what brands we will be representing at CanJam 2022. Below are also some of the products you can expect to see.

Audeze

Audeze are going big this year. In addition to six tables of goods (SIX!) showcasing lots of favourites, there is also a very special newcomer! On show will be LCD-5. CRBN, LCD-X, LCD-XC, LCD-3, LCD-2 Classic. Euclid, Penrose and the brand new MM-500. All products will be powered by some of the finest equipment from the likes of Chord, Burson, Weiss and Eksonic.

Campfire Audio

This year, Campfire Audio is all about the Trifecta! Don’t worry though. There will be enough for everyone to try this new, completely unique IEM from one of the most interesting audio brands of today. For those that want to try other legendary favourites, we will also have Andromeda, Holocene and Supermoon samples there too.

final / Hifonix

Also, our friends over at Hifonix will be showcasing the brand new final D8000 Pro Limited edition. In all of it’s stunning, goldlike lovlyness, it is going to be a crowd pelaser. Certainly make sure to make your way over to their table to check out this rare, majestic work of headphone art!

64 Audio

You can meet the 64 Audio team this year as well as and try some of their finest IEMs. Absolutely make sure to check out the U6t, DUO, U12t, Tia Fourte, U18s, Nio and even more (these are only the universals) from the worlds best pro and custom IEM specialists.

Burson

Burson will be supplying headphone amps and DACs to a number of our brands this year. So you will not only get the chance to try out their incredible products, they will be paired with some of the best headphones in the world!

Westone Audio

With the recent release of the MACH Series of IEMs. Westone Audio will be showcasing the full range at this years CanJam. This is a rare opportunity to test out all 8 models in this impressive and diverse line-up.

Lastly but not Finally..

To celebrate the return of CanJam London, we will also be having a special CanJam 2022 page setup on Hifiheadphones with exclusive offers on some of the best products showing at this years event. Be sure to check out the CanJam 2022 Special page on Hifiheadphones from 30th July to 1st August to get some amazing deals on the best audio gear out there!

Campfire Audio Andromeda IEM Review

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Campfire Audio create works of art that just so happen to sound very good too. This year they have released an update to the insanely popular Andromeda. There are quite a few changes to the new version, and it looks as though it could be quite an improvement.

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Aesthetics and Build Quality

Campfire Audio’s Andromeda is about as bold as you can get when it comes to its design. The housings are made from machined aluminium, with a deep forest green anodised finish. The finish has been updated in this new version of the Andromeda, with a much smoother coating and a slightly richer shade of green.

The sound tube is made using stainless steel, which I am sure not only benefits the acoustics. It looks very striking too. Overall the Andromeda feels robust and built to last, while managing to stand out with its unique character.

Features and Comfort

Campfire Audio earphones have a very distinctive look, and the Andromeda is their champion. The design is very unusual, with a slightly futuristic shape to them. The shell’s design allows it to catch the light at different angles, which gives off a multitude of different shades of green. That is not the only purpose of this shape, the angled design provides superb comfort. The Andromeda sits perfectly in my ear, and with the included Final silicone eartips – the fit is snug and they seal extremely well which also helps towards isolation.

Another great feature of the Andromeda is the supplied cable. An upgrade on the older version, this time the Andromeda comes with their popular Silver Plated Copper Litz wire covered in a new smoky jacket. The cable is also more flexible than the previous version and uses a lightweight moulded ear hook design instead of memory wire – a definite improvement.

Campfire Audio don’t stop there, the Andromeda comes supplied with a newly designed leather carry pouch, foam and silicone eartips, a cleaning tool and even a fancy Campfire Audio lapel pin.

Sound Quality

The best way I can describe the sound of the Andromeda is organic. Sound comes across effortless, well balanced and with an impressively natural soundstage.

Bass

Bass comes across with authority and punch. It goes low and manages to keep controlled, even with more bass heavy tracks. Bass performs equally well with intricate instrumental, heavy rock and electronic music. This shows that the bass has been tuned to do what is needed, letting the quality of the production do the talking.

Midrange

Thanks to the controlled bass, there is no risk of the midrange getting over shadowed. Mids come across extremely clear with a musical richness – this is a welcome change from the analytical sound that is common amongst high-end earphone models. Vocals have presence and whether male or female, they sound uncoloured, engaging and with emotion.

Treble

Campfire Audio uses their very own Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber in the Andromeda, designed to improve treble extension and soundstage. This is very clear and noticable. Thetreble provides just the right amount of definition without going harsh or sibilant. Then, in addition the extension provided by the T.A.E.C. goes on and on, creating width and space with superb separation.

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Lypertek PurePlay Z5 award-winning wireless earbuds price drop

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Lypertek Summer Sale

Since its release, the Lypertek PurePlay Z5 has gained praise for its superior sound quality and range of impressive features – resulting in a number of awards and ‘recommended’ achievements. 

For this summer period, Lypertek has decided to roll out its first ever sale on the PurePlay Z5 with a massive summer deal! As of Monday 25th July, the price of the PurePlay Z5 will be reduced from £119 to £79! This offer will be available on Hifiheadphones and across all main platforms including Amazon (UK/US/EU), eBay and the Lypertek online store. The offer will carry on throughout the summer while stock lasts.

Not only is this the first time the PurePlay Z5 has gone on sale, this is also the biggest sale Lypertek has ever done. Here is a great chance for music lovers to grab one of the best ANC wireless earbuds out there at this incredible price for a limited time only.

Impressive Features

  • Driver: 10mm Dynamic Drivers
  • Battery: Up to 7 + 28 hours 
  • Audio Codecs: aptX / aptX Adaptive / AAC / SBC
  • Microphone: 3 microphones on each earbud with Hybrid ANC and cVc8.0 support
  • Chipset: Qualcomm QCC3046 / Bluetooth 5.2
  • Water Resistance Rating: IPX5

Check out our review – Here’s what we had to say

We said:

“The Lypertek PurePlay Z5 is one of the best, if not the best, true wireless models for daily use. They have ANC, Ambient mode, wireless charging, accompanying app and more. Add into the mix the superb sound quality and a fantastic low price. The sound is clean yet punchy, with great detail and layering without sounding boring. It’s also highly tuneable via the Lypertek app. The ANC is very effective on public transport, and the microphone quality is amongst the best we have used.”

Buy the Award-Winning PurePlay Z5 NOW for only £79*

*While stock lasts

Final UX3000 ANC Bluetooth Headphones Review

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Hot off the release of the ZE3000, Final have gone one step further and released their first ever wireless headphone, and it comes with ANC. The Final UX3000 ANC offers a universal user friendly sound whilst retaining that Final magic we love.

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Design 10/10:

These Headphones are simply stunning. The Shibo coating provides the UX3000 with a beautifully textured finish that acts as a finger print deterrent. The use of physical buttons over touch controls to play/pause, power on/off control the volume as well as turning the ANC on/off is reassuring and nicely implemented. The included 3.5mm audio cable that allows them to be used as a wired headphone without any battery is a marvel. They also fold up for easy storage and come with a soft carry pouch.

Fit and Comfort: 9/10

These are a very comfortable headphones. The earcups surround my ears with room to spare and the padding is soft yet dense enough to provide really good passive isolation and a very secure fit. The clamping force is moderate at most and the padding does a great job at alleviating any pressure. They  feel very secure when on the move.

Sound: 8/10

The Headphone essentially has two unique sound signatures. ANC on and ANC off. I find the UX3000 with ANC off to be an engaging and fun headphone, that handles most genres with ease. Sure it can be said that the UX3000 lacks a tiny bitof finesse and clarity overall, but for everything else offered its price point, I am not one to argue.

Fun, dynamic, engaging and full sounding

And here comes the ANC: 9/10

Turn the ANC on and the bass gets an extra helping of that sub-bass boost, with more focus on the bass and treble overall. When using these in high noise environments and with the ANC on – the sound is really enjoyable and upbeat.

So with ANC on you have a really fun, dynamic, engaging and full sounding headphone for on the go use. When you want a bit more clarity and detail you can turn ANC off and have a more linear yet fun and enjoyable sounding headphone.

Incredible microphone for an over-ear headphone

Mic: 10/10

The built in mic for taking calls is incredible for an over-ear headphone. The quality of the voice is outstanding. I even tested them out in strong wind and managed to have a full call with no major issues. They do a fantastic job at suppressing noise on your end so the other party can hear you loud and clear, with great tone too. Noise cancelling can also be activated while on calls, which will allow you to hear voices even more clearly without the fear of outside noise creeping in.

These are also perfect for working from home with very accurate and faithful voice reproduction, it doesn’t sound like you are using the mic from the headphones, they are that good.

Notable other Feautures:

  • ANC on its own mode. You can have the ANC turned on but the headphone turned off. Really good for scenarios such as being in a Library and wanting that extra silence.
  • Support AptX, AptX LL, SBC & AAC Codecs which is great for the audio quality side of thing.
  • 35 hour Battery life with ANC off or 25 hours with it on – More than enough for most of us out in the world.
  • Multipoint connection – You can stream music from once device and take calls from another
  • Wired mode – as mentioned above very useful if you run out of battery, or just what to try something different.

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Interested in what else final has to offer? Check out our other reviews and news of their products here.

Top 5 sub £100 Portable Audio Devices

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We often show off high end equipment, but here are our top 5 sub £100 bargains!

Periodic Audio Rhodium – £49

To begin with our top 5 sub £100 bargains we have the Periodic Audio Rhodium. It’s a compact USB-C DAC/Amp perfect for getting better quality audio from your phone. It undeniably increases the clarity and separation. While it has not been designed to drive some of the more demanding over-ear headphones, for earphone users this is an excellent choice to improve your portable setup.

Final E500 – £19.99

The Final E500 show that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get good clarity and a controlled sound. These are not designed to impress you with massive bass, or an exaggerated v-shaped sound. Instead opting for balance and detail. This means that the sound provided is very refined for the price and while these small earphones might not look like much, they sure do kick out a lot for the money.

SoundMAGIC E11c – £52.99

SoundMAGIC are kings at making affordable earphones and headphones. Furthermore, their products consistently win awards and they really do know how to make an excellent sounding product. The E11c is no exception. Originally designed an upgrade to the E10c, it has delivered in every single way. Coupled with more modern looks and a sound that is more controlled yet still punchy and fun: It is a fantastic earphone for everyday use.

Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 – £99

Another fantatic product and the only wireless model in this list, there is simply no better option for under £100. Overall, these earphones offer up a very fun and enjoyable sound. The PurePlay Z3 2.0 has a 70 hour battery life and an extremely stable bluetooth connection. In addtion to this they’re comfortable and look great, without compromising at all on audio quality.

SoundMAGIC P23BT – £49

Finally, it is SoundMAGIC once again that have made a killer headphone for a super price. The P23BT doubles up as a headset too with the included cable. In addition, the headphone is lightweight and comfortable. On top of that it has an incredibly impressive battery life and is super easy to use. The sound is full and warm yet never bass heavy. They really do sound incredible and can easily take on the big brands should they wish to.

Enjoyed our Top 5 Sub £100 list? Check out more from our Best Of Series HERE

Bonus round: Other great products that deserve their own Top 5 Sub £100 list!

HiFiHeadphones Top 10 Audio Products of 2021

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We have had some fantastic products this year, including the new Audeze LCD-5 which are some of the best headphones on the market. The 64 Audio U6t which brings their most popular custom IEM to the masses for a very reasonable price and the SoundMAGIC P23BT proving that you really can get excellent sound from a budget pair of headphones. We want to hear your questions about audio and headphones, so leave them in the comments and we will try and do a Q&A in the near future.

ALL FEATURED PRODUCTS:

Audeze LCD-5 Product Release

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For the past decade, Audeze’s LCD series has set the standard for planar magnetic headphone performance. Starting with the LCD-2 that ushered in a new era of planar technology in 2009, they then introduced the LCD-3 in 2011 and LCD-4 in 2015. With the LCD-5, everything has been improved – drivers, earpads, frame design – to set a new standard for performance and comfort.

The LCD-5 sets a new standard for accuracy. Its drivers are engineered with their award-winning Fluxor magnets and updated Fazor waveguides along with their new Patent-pending Parallel Uniforce™ voice coils, which employ varying width parallel traces to keep the impedance low and provide increased voltage headroom by altering the current density within each trace. The uniform force created by this optimization lowers distortion and provides better control over diaphragm movement, resulting in improved sonic resolution.

Weighing in at only 420 grams, the LCD-5 offers hours of listening pleasure. Every part has been re-engineered, using materials such as magnesium, aluminium and acetate which offer light weight and high rigidity. When you put on a pair of LCD-5s, your head and ears are cradled in materials of the finest quality. Supple premium leather and carbon-fibre pull all the elements together into a package of the finest craftsmanship, which are hand-assembled in their California workshop.

The LCD-5 cable is specially tuned with directional OCC high-purity copper strands that provide a low capacitance and low resistance path for the signal to travel from your amp to the drivers, maintaining unsurpassed clarity and precision.

Available to pre-order now: https://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/products/audeze-lcd-5-open-back-headphones-with-detachable-cable-leather

SoundMAGIC P23BT Review

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Looking for an affordable, wireless on-ear set of headphones? The SoundMAGIC P23BT might just be perfect for you, with impressive sound quality and easy to use design they are quite the bargain.

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Fit and Comfort

Here we review the new SoundMAGIC P23BT, an on-ear model which are compact in size and lightweight too. They will fit well over a wide range of head sizes due to a good amount of adjustment in the arms and the clamping force is just enough to provide a secure fit without inducing any discomfort.

Comfort is good, with the right amount of clamp to provide a secure yet comfortable fit I had no issues with the P23BT during longer listening sessions. The earpads are soft and provide ample cushioning, the headband has minimal padding but due to their weight this didn’t seem to cause any issues for me.

Features

The P23BT use bluetooth 5.0, a little behind most modern devices that use 5.2 but they do have the benefit of aptX HD / SBC and AAC codec compatibility. They use a 40mm dynamic driver and have an incredible battery life of roughly 54-60hrs of music playback, or 39-45hrs talk time, these are not a headphone you will find yourself needing to charge very often.

They don’t have ANC, instead rely on passive isolation, which is good enough for most daily use. These work wired too and come with a high quality boom mic attached to the analogue cable – this is a brilliant feature that makes them perfect for home office use too. We found that making sure there is no microphone boosting in the windows sound settings worked the best in terms of voice quality – but once set up the quality is excellent for video and voice calls when connected to a PC. These really are very versatile, and the boom mic is not something you see very often when it comes to this kind of product.

Playback controls are really easy to get the hand of, they use a touch pad on the left earcup and a simple double tap will pause the music, swipe up for volume up, down for volume down. Swipe forwards and backwards to skip tracks, you can also answer calls and activate voice assistant too. Call quality over bluetooth is perfectly acceptable in most environments but they are not the best for noisy outdoor calls.

Sound

Bass:

The P23BT is a well balanced headphone with just the right amount of warmth, body and punch down low to keep them engaging and enjoyable without overwhelming the rest of the sound. These are not bassy, they will not appeal to those who want a bass heavy sound, but those who want a daily headphone that works well with a multitude of genres will be happy with their sound and presentation. These do handle EQ well so if you do want a bit more punch, they can deliver, but out of the box they offer up a really enjoyable sound. The 40mm drivers can dig deep when needed, and hit hard too, but they are tuned in such a way that they do all of this with poise and control and never sound muffled or bloated.

Midrange:

Due to the controlled low end, the P23BT actually has a very well presented midrange for a budget, more consumer oriented product. This means that those who enjoy vocal and guitars to sit and and central in the mix will really enjoy the P23BT – these don’t follow the typical v-shaped sound that many consumer models have, this means you get to hear more in your favourite tracks. The bass does a good job at not bleeding into the midrange, which allows the P23BT to sound surprisingly well separated and detailed for the price. .

Treble:

Surprisingly well refined up top, these have a crisp and clean treble presentation but with a smooth transition from the upper midrange into the lower treble they are also not harsh or sibilant. There is a bit of a peak slightly higher up the range, but it’s not really fatiguing and tends to only show up on less well recorded music. There is good detail and extension up top, and the presence is good leaving them with a very pleasing tonal balance overall, never sounding dull. You do have to remember these are only £50, but for that price you get really impressive treble, normally you get muffled and splashy cymbals, instead of crisp and easy to distinguish and place crashes.

Soundstaging and Genres

The P23BT are not masters of soundstaging, but that’s ok, they are on-ears and have quite a direct presentation but instruments are still easy to place within the limited soundstage.

These are a great all rounder, their balanced yet slightly punch sound signature makes rock and pop sound engaging, yet these have enough detail and finesse to render acoustic and jazz brilliantly.

Who are they for?

  • The general listener who wants good sound quality at a modest price
  • Everyday users wanting a feature packed yet quality bluetooth headphone they can use at work and on the go

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Like all things that SoundMAGIC? Take look at more news and reviews here.

SoundMAGIC E11BT Wireless Earphone Review

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SoundMAGIC E11BT Earphone Review

SoundMAGIC are on a roll right now with their releases. First the E11 and E11C – already gaining numerous 5 star reviews. Then the E11D – their first USB-C dedicated earphone; and now the E11BT Bluetooth earphones. How do they hold up against the rest of the range?

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The packaging is pretty standard for SoundMAGIC, with the addition of a front window flap – showing off the earphones along with a nice close up picture of the housing. Inside you get a selection of silicone eartips, USB charging cable and a carry pouch.

SoundMAGIC has gone for a neckband design with the E11BT. The design is neat and feels very well built. The batteries are placed either side of the neckband and there is an inline 3 button control and microphone for playing music and taking calls. The cables are the right length so they don’t flap around, and call quality is also very good as the microphone height is ideal.

SoundMAGIC E11BT

Features and Comfort:

The specs for the E11BT are pretty impressive. You get the latest Bluetooth 5 technology which helps towards the sound quality, a transmission distance of up to 13 meters and improved battery life. The SoundMAGIC E11BT will give you up to around 20 hours of continuous talk time. I have also found out that with general use, battery life lasts and lasts. The manual states that you can expect between 48 and 60 hours of continuous playback and from my experience with the E11BT – this seems to be pretty accurate.

These earphones are AAC compatible which is great news for both Apple and Android users. There is no aptX compatibility. However, like aptX – the AAC codec will transmit your music in CD-like 16bit audio quality.

Connecting the earphones is easy. Once powered on, the E11BT automatically goes into pairing mode, with red and blue lights flashing. Then when the model appears on your device you can connect. I really like the battery level that’s shown on the home screen of my phone – very handy. When you’re not using them, the magnetic housings hang nicely around your neck.

Good news for sporty users. The E11BT has a high water resistance rating of IPX4 – this means that they will be able to withstand water splashes from any direction.

The E11BT is very comfortable to wear. The neckband has a smooth finish and is flexible, sitting nicely behind the neck, and the housings are a good size so no-one should have an issue with fit.

SoundMAGIC E11BT

Sound:

Unlike other earphones at this price point – instrument separation is superb. Every sound comes through clearly and crisp.

  • Bass: There is bass weight and punch coming from the low end – enough to keep the bassheads happy while keeping it controlled so it doesn’t bleed into the higher frequencies.

 

  • Midrange: Mids pop, and cut through effortlessly with an engaging tone. There is a real crispness that is not what you’d normally expect from a lower priced Bluetooth earphone.

 

  • Treble: The treble provides space and clarity and the soundstage is huge. You get a real sense of depth and width from the E11BT.

SoundMAGIC E11BT

Conclusion:

Overall, I can confidently say that these are the best Bluetooth earphones going at this price and possibly even under £100. Their sound quality, technology, design and comfort are normally associated with more expensive models – the SoundMAGIC E11BT should be top of your list when looking for a new Bluetooth earphone.

Sound:  5/5

Features: 5/5

Comfort: 4/5

Build: 4/5

Value: 5/5

Best Over Ear Headphones 2020: Open, Closed, Wireless, Audiophile

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Our picks for the best over ear headphones – open back and closed back

We know how important it is to find the best headphones for you; whether they are for your smartphone, music player, laptop or hi-fi system.

Here you can see the best of the best full size headphones to buy in 2019, 2020 and beyond.

BEST CLOSED BACK HEADPHONES

1. Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO – £125

Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro

The Beyerdynamic DT770 creates a spacial soundstage more akin to an open-back headphone, and delivers full bass with accurate highs and mids. What’s more, these are profoundly comfortable. 

BUY HERE: Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro Studio Headphones

 

2. Sennheiser HD820 – £1999

Sennheiser HD820

The HD820 is Sennheiser’s first closed back audiophile headphone release and it promises to be quite special. Based on the same design as the HD800S, the HD820 uses Gorilla Glass as its transducer cover and the curved shape of it allows the sound waves to reflect to an absorber – resulting in minimal resistance and creating an open sound that you would normally expect from an open backed headphone.

READ MORE: Sennheiser HD 820 Audiophile Headphone Review

 

3. Focal Stellia – £2799

Focal Stellia

Focal headphones are not only known for their excellent sound quality – they also look stunning. And the Stellia is no different. The finest materials have been used to create this closed back headphone, including a Beryllium dome electrodynamic driver. With a unique finish, inspired by the colours of cognac and mocha – the Focal Stellia looks as good as it sounds.

READ MORE: Focal Stellia Closed Back Headphone Review

 

BEST OPEN BACK HEADPHONES

 

4. MrSpeakers Ether 2 – £1900

MrSpeakers Ether 2

The Ether 2 have a great sense of neutrality, at the same time they offer an enjoyable listening experience and they never sound analytical. There is a hint of added body that creates a smooth listening experience that can be enjoyed for hours on end. 

READ MORE: MrSpeakers Ether 2 Open Back Headphone Review

 

5. Meze Empyrean – £2699

Meze Empyrean

The unique construction of the Empyrean was designed with the shape of the human ear in mind. As a result, they enjoy a greater degree of imaging than you’re likely to find anywhere else. Each Empyrean is hand crafted to exacting detail, and that level of precision is not only visible, but audible. 

READ MORE: Meze Empyrean Open Back Headphones Review

6. Final D8000 – £2999

Final D8000

The planar magnetic magnificence of the Final D8000 creates a listening experience without parallel. The unique construction, including a damping system (the same used in condenser microphones) allowing for a sound that surpasses the abilities of most planar magnetic and dynamic equipment. This requires a dedication to exacting detail you can only see in Final. 

BUY HERE: Final D8000 Audiophile Headphones

 

BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES

7. Bowers & Wilkins PX – £329

Bowers & Wilkins PX

The B&W PX is the ultimate portable headphone. With the latest aptX HD Bluetooth technology, wireless sound quality is of the highest level. Providing a very well balanced sound with tight bass – bass heads may want to look elsewhere – crystal clear clarity and superb soundstage. The PX also has adaptive noise cancelling and uses six microphones to help block out external sounds – allowing you to focus on the music. Along with the advanced technology – the PX has superb build quality and comfort – making them our go to recommendation for wireless headphones.

BUY HERE: Bowers & Wilkins PX Bluetooth Headphones

 

8. Audeze Mobius 3D – £349

Audeze Mobius 3D

Audeze have created a superb all rounder in the Mobius. Whether music, films or gaming is your thing – the Audeze Mobius does it all extremely well. Inside the housings are planar magnetic drivers, providing sound quality that even the audiophiles out there will appreciate. Then the 3D emulation technology delivers a superb surround sound experience, perfect for watching films or playing Fortnite and thanks to the integrated head tracking – you’ll hear sound effects as if they’re really there.

BUY HERE: Audeze Mobius Gaming Headphones

Have We Missed Anything Out?

Please feel free to leave a comment below and let us know…