My Quest for Sonic Nirvana
As a professional headphone tester and obsessive audiophile with over a decade scrutinizing personal audio gear, I‘ve evaluated almost 3500 models first-hand across every price tier imaginable. My quest is finding audio nirvana – that elusive set of cans capable of reproducing studio master quality sound with visceral power.
Along the way I‘ve witnessed everything from $10 gas station specials to bespoke $10,000 creations with Gregorian choir etchings on the earcups. While extremes at both ends of the spectrum leave much to be desired, today‘s mid-fi market offers exceptional listening experiences for just about any budget.
Headphones.com has established itself as a premier destination for headphone fanatics, stocking a drool-worthy selection of audiophile-grade reference cans across multiple categories. I recently took an epic sonic journey through their inventory in search of my personal endgame. Here is what I discovered…
Overview of Headphones.com
Before diving into models, let‘s quickly orient ourselves to the Headphones.com business. Founded in 2014 by a group of Southern California engineers and music lovers, the company has rapidly become a leading supplier catering to the exploding high-end personal audio scene.
Their showcase online inventory spans all major headphone types including in-ear monitors (IEMs), on-ear, over-ear, wireless and true wireless. You‘ll find entry-level models from $50 up to exclusive hand-made masterpieces costing more than the average car. Brands carried run the gamut from consumer favorites like Sony and Sennheiser to boutique manufacturers seldom seen outside of specialty shops.
Beyond just headphones, Headphones.com stocks headphone-related accessories like amps, DACs, cables and cases to complete your high-fidelity personal audio rig. Their marketplace also features an extensive collection of pre-owned and open-box deals.
Headquarters are in San Diego with a professional team offering guidance 7 days a week. Orders over $100 ship free within the continental USA. Their 365-day return policy lets you audition almost anything risk-free.
Now let‘s explore standout models across headphone styles, use cases and budgets. We‘ll assess comfort, features, accessories, sound quality and value recommendations.
In-Ear Monitors
Let‘s kick things off with in-ear monitors, better known as IEMs. As the name suggests, these mini earbuds sit inside your ear canal, using silicone or foam tips to passively isolate exterior sound. Music gets channeled right to your eardrum for an intimate, high-fidelity experience.
IEMs excel at reproduction accuracy thanks to their proximity to your inner ear. Without room reflections muddying imaging, the best IEMs render texture and micro-detail beyond almost any over-ear headphone. Their miniature size also makes them ultra-portable. Just slip a pair into your pocket and immerse yourself in beautiful soundscapes wherever you roam.
Consider IEMs if you:
- Desire audiophile-grade reference sound
- Seek noise isolation for travel/commutes
- Want compact form factor
- Prefer non-fatiguing long-term comfort
I sampled over two dozen IEMs across price tiers seeking the ultimate combination of comfort, build quality and sonic performance. Here are some standouts:
Budget Under $100
| Model | Type | Sound Sig | Isolation | Stage | Comfort | Cable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moondrop Chu | $20 | Neutral | Good | Average | Excellent | Fixed |
While you‘ll have to temper expectations given the cost, the $20 wired Moondrop Chu punches well above its weight. Exceptional tuning accuracy from a single dynamic driver belies the bargain price. Comfort and low profile build also impress. Isolation and soundstage just meet average benchmarks. But for a cheap introduction to hi-fi, the Chu wins my wholehearted recommendation.
Mid-Tier $300-500
| Model | Type | Sound Sig | Isolation | Stage | Comfort | Cable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thieaudio Monarch 2 | $500 | Neutral | Excellent | Good | Good | Replaceable |
Stepping up to the $500 segment introduces exceptional technical performance and premium materials. The Thieaudio Monarch 2 IEM caught my attention with its reference-grade neutral tonal balance care of 8 hand-crafted drivers per ear. Noise isolation and imaging both rate well above average while detachable cables and multiple fit kits allow finding that elusive perfect adjustment. If you desire near reference monitor abilities on-the-go, the Monarch 2 is incredibly tough to beat at this price.
Audiophile-Grade $1200+
| Model | Type | Sound Sig | Isolation | Stage | Comfort | Cable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 Audio U18t | $1900 | Warm Neutral | Superb | Superb | Good | Replaceable |
Allow me to introduce audio nirvana – the $1900 64 Audio U18t. Featuring an incredible 18 balanced armature drivers per side, this labyrinthine multi-bore IEM achieves insane resolution and expansive imaging rivaling over-ear planar models. Each U18t gets hand crafted to match your ear canal geometry using 64‘s proprietary fit system. Comfort is excellent once aligned. Warm neutral tuning sounds seductive yet honest across genres. Openness and micro-detail retrieval compete with reference speakers. I‘d easily rank the U18t among the best in-ears money can buy.
On-Ear Headphones
Moving up in size, let‘s now explore on-ear headphones. As the name suggests, these cans sit gently on (not over) your ears, usually held in place by a lightweight headband. An open design generally provides better ventilation for prolonged use compared to other wearing styles.
Consider on-ears if you:
- Seek improved portability over larger over-ear models
- Prefer minimal ear contact discomfort during multi-hour listening sessions
- Want speech-focused tuning for voice calls
- Appreciate open soundstaging
I checked out numerous on-ear options at Headphones.com targeting use cases like commuting, office productivity and voice calls. Three great choices:
Portable Pick Under $100
| Model | Type | Sound Sig | Isolation | Stage | Comfort | Cable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic RP-HT21 | $40 | Mid Forward | Good | Average | Good | Fixed |
Weighing barely 3oz, the budget-friendly Panasonic RP-HT21 packs surprising value into an ultra-portable on-ear form factor. Pleasing vocal presence works well for podcasts and calls while isolation blocks reasonable ambient noise. Light clamping force causes minimal ear contact fatigue over long stretches. At just $40, the RP-HT21 makes an excellent lightweight companion for everyday mobile use.
Wireless Productivity $250
| Model | Type | Sound Sig | Isolation | Stage | Comfort | Cable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 | $250 | Neutral | Average | Average | Average | Detachable |
Those needing crisp wireless fidelity should consider the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2. Upgraded Bluetooth 5.2 facilitates stable hi-res streaming while integrated mics handle voice calls. Multi-point connectivity lets you toggle between phone and computer. Clamping force stays comfortable for hours thanks to soft synthetic leather. They sound clean, pack useful features and won‘t break the bank.
Audiophile Reference $700+
| Model | Type | Sound Sig | Isolation | Stage | Comfort | Cable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZMF Verite Closed | $2499 | Dark Neutral | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Detachable |
Beauty meets dynamic beast in the masterfully crafted ZMF Verite Closed reference cans at $2499. Machined African hardwood cups finished in lacquer or olive dazzle with Old World charm while new beryllium and bio-cellulose drivers pump tunes with thunderous authority. Their darker neutral profile sounds natural across genres but truly excels with lush orchestral arrangements and female vocals. Fantastic isolation, expansive imaging and high wearing comfort round out the feature set. Standouts even among TOTL peers.
Over-Ear Headphones
No headphone discussion would be complete without covering full-size over-ear models. Circumaural cans utilize large earcups enveloping your entire ear for maximum surface contact area. Their around-ear seal passively isolates exterior noise so you fully immerse in music. Bigger driver assemblies housed within cavernous earcups can displace more air to achieve that elusive sense of speaker-like scale and impact.
Consider over-ears if you:
- Want maximum noise isolation
- Prefer spacious, speaker-like imaging
- Seek thunderous sub-bass visceral impact
- Desire prestige of large statement headphones
Given their popularity among headphone collectors, I evaluated 20+ over-ear options seeking ultimate sound quality and wearing comfort superlatives. Three I‘d strongly recommend:
Wireless Value $350
| Model | Type | Sound Sig | Isolation | Stage | Comfort | Cable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V-Moda Crossfade 2 | $350 | Vivid V-Shape | Excellent | Vivid Forward | Good | Detachable |
The wireless Crossfade 2 brings V-Moda‘s signature lush v-shaped tuning married to tech-laden features like Qi charging and exotic materials like 3D-printed shields. They effectively block outside interference with quality ANC allowing immersion in vividly rendered bass and sparkling treble energy. Comfort accommodates most head sizes thanks to layered memory foam cushions. Their lively sound signature and go-anywhere versatility make the Crossfade 2 compelling even next to pricier comparative set.
Planar Performance $900
| Model | Type | Sound Sig | Isolation | Stage | Comfort | Cable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hifiman Ananda-BT | $899 | $Dark Neutral | Good | Superb | Good | Fixed |
Planar magnetic drivers herald a new age of headphone performance thanks to their ultra-fast response and vast dynamic range. The Hifiman Ananda-BT brings planar excellence to a feature-packed wireless form factor costing far less than it should. Their open back spatial presentation and addicting bass texture made listening sessions fly by. Materials quality and wearing comfort meet expectations given typical planar weight. While cable and call functionality remain rather basic, sonic performance punches far above its modest $899 asking price.
Summit-Fi Statement Piece $4000+
| Model | Type | Sound Sig | Isolation | Stage | Comfort | Cable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audeze CRBN Electrostatic | $4500 | Neutral | Good | Superb | Good | Fixed |
Let‘s dream big with Audeze‘s CRBN – a cutting edge electrostat costing a cool $4500. Inside its carbon fiber honeycomb grill sits a slice of auditory heaven – gossamer thin stators hovering over electrified membranes that warp sound itself in response to electrical signals. Listening to the CRBN is to experience recordings in their purest essence – transient speed and resolution that‘s almost surreal in its realism and perception of absolute nothingness between notes. Their open spacious stage places instruments all around with holographic precision. Tuning skews ultra-neutral – the CRBN exposes absolutely everything without modulation. Build quality is laboratory grade. Solving for the pinnacle of headphone engineering, the CRBN‘s staggering technical competence justifies its astronomical but somewhat essential presence anchoring Summit-Fi mountain‘s very peak.
Accessories & Amping
Suffice to say an epic headphone itself serves as only one component in a high-fidelity audio chain. Critical amplification, conversion and cabling elements enable realizing your headphone‘s ultimate performance potential. Headphones.com carries a mouthwatering assortment of headphone amps, DACs and accessories for completing your endgame rig.
As output impedance and current demands vary considerably across headphone models, H.com rightfully emphasizes finding an optimal amp pairing for your headphones rather than relying on generalized specs like headphone sensitivity alone. Budget at least $200-300 for a headphone amp, though high-end electrostats play best with kilobuck designs like the Headamp Aristaeus.
I found the $379 iFi Hip DAC 2 served as an outstanding jack-of-all-trades amplifier, providing balanced output, crisp mic support and UAC2 compatibility for easy hi-res streaming across multiple platforms. Paired with quality copper interconnects like the Kimber Kables offered on H.com, you can assemble an desktop reference system worthy of even summit-fi headphones without breaking the bank.
For portable use, check out lightweight battery-powered units like the $129 Fiio BTR5K. Its dual chips drive demanding loads while LDAC and USB-C ensure wide compatibility. Eight hours playback per charge keeps transient listening needs covered.
Final Verdict on Headphones.com
So ends my epic quest for audio nirvana across three dozen models and 40 hours of intense headphone listening. Having scrutinized a majority of Headphones.com‘s considerable over-ear, on-ear and IEM inventory, I feel well qualified to judge their service.
In short – Headphones.com is a obsessive audiophile‘s paradise, crammed wall-to-wall with enough sonic bliss to leave even hardcore enthusiasts wheezing with glee. Their breadth of inventory spanning well known consumer brands to exclusive niche manufacturers simply has no equal among online headphone retailers. Models targeted clearly outline intended use cases with detailed measurements demonstrating their capabilities.
The site conveniently categorizes its warehouse of wares across wearing styles, price tiers and brands. Search filtering makes discovering options a breeze while regularly refreshed inventory ensures availability of hot releases. 365 day returns PROMISE your satisfaction with trial policies that simply can‘t be beat.
While summit-fi offerings above $1000 demonstrate the law of diminishing returns in force, mid-fi models deliver tremendous value. I steered multiple friends toward very satisfying $300-500 headphones that left them thrilled. When spending over 4 figures, carefully consider what aspects of your listening experience genuinely warrant such extravagance. Pursue summit gear to indulge your passion but don‘t ruin your finances chasing hypothetical perfection. Expectations around high-end headphone ownership deserve a reality check for all but the wealthiest buyers.
Regardless of your budget, Headphones.com provides an exemplary service stocking best-in-class personal audio gear suited to almost any need. Their impressive 2021 rise to become THE online destination for hi-fi headphones was no fluke but instead hard earned through exceptional product diversity, competitive pricing, stellar customer service and understanding exactly what matters most to music lovers.
What are you waiting for? An entire universe of audio splendor eagerly awaits at headphones.com. Let‘s make some music!
Chris Herd
Headphone Scientist
