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While it can feel like there's a general trend to move towards wireless headphones, a wired design offers many benefits. A wired connection eliminates audio lag, which is beneficial for studio use,while their analog cable caninstantly connect to devices with an AUX inputlike an amplifier or DAC. Wired headphones work passively, so you don't need to worry about running out of battery.Whilethegap between wired and wireless headphones is growing smaller and smaller when it comes to audio quality, you may still prefer to use a wired design to ensure youhear all the detail your audio has to offer.
We've tested over 770 pairs of headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best wired options. If you're looking for our top picks for more specific types of wired headphones, check out our choices for thebest audiophile headphones,thebest headphones for studio use, and the best DJ headphones.
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Best Wired Headphones
Sennheiser HD 800 S 3
Neutral Sound
8.5
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Open-Back
Wireless No
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling No
Mic No
See all our test results
The best wired headphones we've tested are the Sennheiser HD 800 S. These top-of-the-line audiophile headphones are for people looking for the best. Their high price point already puts them out of reach of most people, and you'll also want to consider adding a powerful amp to drive them, which is an extra expense if you don't already have one. However, if you're prepared to shell out the money, these well-known headphones create an incredibly spacious and immersive passive soundstage thanks to their open-back design.
They're also very comfortable, so they won't cause fatigue during long studio sessions. They have a well-balanced sound profile with a very neutral mid-range, ensuring accurate vocals and lead instruments. They lack low bass because of their open-back design but still have some warmth to their sound, thanks to a small bump in the high bass. As open-back headphones, they bleed audio by design, so it's best to use them in a quiet room.
If you're looking for high-end headphones that can reproduce more bass, try the HiFiMan Arya. These over-ears have planar magnetic drivers, which help improve their bass reproduction. As a result, they have better low-frequency extension and deliver more thump and punch. However, the HiFiMan aren't as well-built, and their soundstage is less natural-sounding, although it's still quite excellent.
See our review
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Best Upper Mid-Range Wired Headphones
HiFiMan Edition XS 5
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Open-Back
Wireless No
Transducer Planar Magnetic
Noise Cancelling No
Mic No
See all our test results
If you're looking for a premium pair of headphones but want to keep the price under$1,000,the HiFiMan Edition XS are a good choice.Unlike the Sennheiser HD 800 S, these headphones have planar magnetic drivers instead of dynamic drivers, which helps them reproduce more bass despite their open-back design. However, their lower price means a compromise in build quality since they have plastic hinges that don't feel durable.
Their padded headband also feels heavy on your head compared to the ski-band headband styles found on other over-ears from this manufacturer, and the headphones feel bigif you have a small head. They're still well-built overall and have a comfortable fit for most people. They have a versatile sound profile that clearly reproduces vocals and instruments.
Although a dip in their high-mid weakens vocals and instruments, these elements are still present and detailed. Sibilants like hi-hats are also bright without being piercing. They deliver audio consistently, so you don't need to worry much about getting a different sound from use to use. Their open-backed design helps create an open, spacious, and natural passive soundstage, which helps make your audio more immersive.
See our review
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Best Mid-Range Wired Headphones
HiFiMan Sundara 2020 6
Neutral Sound
8.4
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Open-Back
Wireless No
Transducer Planar Magnetic
Noise Cancelling No
Mic No
See all our test results
The HiFiMan Sundara 2020 are a more affordable alternative to the pricy HiFiMan Edition XS. You can still expect planar magnetic drivers and a solid sound from these cans, although there are some slight differences. They have a ski-band headband design, which helps distribute the weight of the headphones on your head and ensures a more comfortable fit for long listening sessions. Their ear cups also have a smaller, more circular shape, which looks and feels less bulky than their more expensive counterpart. Although they clamp more tightly onto your head, it's not fatiguing or painful.
They have a neutral sound profile with a flat mid-range, so vocals and instruments sound clear, natural, and accurate. However, they lack more thump, rumble, and punch than the Edition XS. While their passive soundstage seems wide, spacious, and open, the headphones struggle to create an out-of-head audio experience, though it's still quite great overall.
See our review
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Best Lower Mid-Range Wired Headphones
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 2
Neutral Sound
8.3
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless No
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling No
Mic No
See all our test results
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO are the best mid-range wired headphones we've tested. Unlike the previous picks, they have a closed-back design and are among thebest headphones of this typewe've tested. These headphones usually have a cheaper price point than their open-back counterparts and are worth checking out if you want a pair of headphones that can block out some background noise and don't leak as much audio.
The Beyerdynamic also produce a less spacious-seeming, immersive passive soundstage than open-backs like the HiFiMan Sundara 2020. They do a better job of reproducing the thump and rumble of low bass compared to the previous open-back picks. They also have a well-balanced, accurate mid-range response, with instruments and lead vocals that sound present and detailed.
However, they have a slightly bright sound profile that makes elements like cymbals or S and T sounds seem piercing. Their audio delivery is inconsistent, so people wearing glasses or having thick hair might notice a drop in bass. If you're looking for a less analytical sound, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x have a more recessed treble range, so sibilants are dull rather than harsh. They have a warmer overall sound, but their soundstage doesn't feel as natural.
See our review
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Best Budget Wired Headphones
Superlux HD 681 1
Neutral Sound
8.3
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Semi-Open
Wireless No
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling No
Mic No
See all our test results
For audiophiles on a shoestring budget, the best wired over-ear headphones we've tested are the Superlux HD 681. You'll have to make larger sacrifices to save money at this price point. Their build is mostly low-grade plastic, the audio cable isn't detachable, and they're much less premium and durable than the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO. However, they're still worth checking out, especially as they have a semi-open design, unlike our previous picks. This helps tocreate an open and spacious soundstage, making your listening experience more immersive. It also has the added benefit of blocking background noise and reducing audio bleed.
These over-ear headphones are lightweight and have a very comfortable fit. They also have a very neutral sound profile suitable for various genres and types of content. Their bass response is slightly overemphasized across the range, adding some extra rumble, punch, and boom to mixes, but instruments and lead vocals are present and detailed. They have fairly consistent bass and treble delivery, but you may notice a drop in bass if you have thick hair or wear glasses.
If you don't mind spending more on a more comfortable and well-built design, it's worth considering the Philips SHP9600. They're the successor of the popular but discontinued Philips SHP9500 (which are worth checking out if you can get your hands on them). The SHP9600's headband is reinforced with a metal band, and they're well-padded, so you can better avoid fatigue over time. However, they lack a thumpy low bass due to their open-back design, and they compensate for this by adding a lot more high bass, which muddies vocals and instruments a bit.
See our review
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Best Wired Earbuds
MOONDROP Blessing 3 15
Neutral Sound
7.8
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless No
Transducer Hybrid
Noise Cancelling No
Mic No
See all our test results
The MOONDROP Blessing 3 are the best wired earbuds we've tested. These premium in-ear monitors (IEMs) are designed for good sound quality and offer some versatility over the over-ears listed here since you can buy a cable with a mic if you want to make phone calls. They have a hybrid driver design, including dynamic drivers and four armature drivers for the mid and treble ranges. It helps them accurately reproduce higher frequencies, ensuring a natural and detailed sound.
Their bass response is also very neutral, so your audio's rumble, punch, and boom are reproduced accurately. They have a very sturdy design, and the audio cable is detachable, so it's less likely to break if it snags on something. These headphones also have a comfortable fit for most people. The cables loop around your ears, which helps prevent them from falling out even if you move your head around a lot. They don't have ANC, which is normal for IEMs, but still passively block out an impressive amount of mid-range noise, like background conversations.
All that said, they aren't cheap and aren't for everyone. If you're looking for less expensive wired in-ears, the MOONDROP Aria are a much more budget-friendly option from the same brand. These in-ears aren't as well-built, block out much less noise, and only use dynamic drivers. While both models have fairly neutral mids, the Aria's treble is more recessed, which weakens sibilants like cymbals.
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Recent Updates
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Feb 07, 2024: We've made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are in stock.
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Jan 09, 2024: We've made minor updates to this article's text, but the picks have remained the same.
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Dec 08, 2023: We've updated the text for accuracy and clarity and added the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO as a Notable Mention.
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Nov 17, 2023: The Philips SHP9500 have been discontinued so we've replaced them with the more affordable Superlux HD 681.
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Oct 18, 2023: Verified that the picks represent the best recommendations in each category and made small changes to keep the text current.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best wired over-ear headphones to buy for most people depending on their needs. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for wired headphones. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.
