The Best-Sounding Headphones You Can Buy for $300 (More or Less)
It's time you get a set of headphones to go along with your higher-resolution music.
Whether you listen to MP3s, or better yet, WAVE or FLAC files, your music will sound better with a set of headphones over your ears or inner-ear monitors that go into your ears. Either way, you will be happier for it.
These over-the-ear headphones and in-ear monitors were tested using Apple (AAPL) - Get Report laptops and Google (GOOG) - Get Report (GOOGL) - Get Report Chromebooks; iPads and Android tablets; a classic iRiver iHP-120; an Astell & Kern AK100; a tiny SanDisk (SNDK) Sansa Clip; a second-generation Microsoft (MSFT) - Get Report Zune; the new Sony (SNE) - Get ReportDigital Walkman NWZ-A17; and a bunch of current smartphones, including a Nexus 6 and HTC's One M8 Harman Kardon (HAR) Edition from Sprint (S) - Get Report .
In short, with just about any platform for handling music files. And though over-the-ear models are a lot less portable than in-ear "buds," you may find the extra bulk will reward you with a much more comfortable listening experience.
The select devices below were chosen because they can reproduce sound clearly, honestly and accurately, and sell for $300 (some slightly more and others much less).
Our current choices:
Sony MDR-1R
Sony's newest entry into the $300, over-the-ear headphone race is the MDR-1R, which weighs 8.5 ounces.
The oblong ear cushions are made of soft leather, making for a luxurious feel. Same for the beautifully finished metal ear cups, which pivot horizontally and vertically to ensure a good fit.
The MDR-1R comes with two cables -- one for Apple products with a remote control and microphone and the other a plain cable for other connections. Both are terminated with an angled mini-plug for connecting to the music source. A carrying pouch is standard equipment.
The Sony product is very comfortable to wear and, after a proper break-in (at least 25 hours at normal listening levels), can provide excellent stereo sound. The MDR-1R officially sells for one penny under $300, but a quick Internet search found it selling for less in a number of places, with one department-store chain offering it for $220.
Aurisonics Rockets
Aurisonics is a Nashville, Tenn.-based company which makes noise-isolating, in-ear monitors (IEMs) for musicians and music professionals.
Last year, the company successfully completed Kickstarter funding of a new, consumer design it calls Rockets. These small "buds" are made of lightweight titanium and come with a few sets of ear tips to ensure a proper fit for each ear.
The Rockets have a single, 5.1-millimeter driver for each ear, supposedly a good match for your ear drum. The white aramid cable is color-coded (red for right) and designed for durability as well as sound.
And that's where the Aurisoncs excel. After a much-needed break-in period (you don't have to wear them all the time), these sound amazingly great. Single-driver headphones (and loudspeakers) exude quality sound, probably because of the lack of additional circuitry needed to blend the sound of separate woofers and tweeters.
The Rockets sell for $249 (IEMs only) and $299 for the IEMs with a microphone.
NAD VISO HP50
NAD Electronics'Viso HP50 is the popular hi-fi company's first headphone model. It's a closed-back design which has won numerous awards and drawn praise for its sound quality.
Not only do these 8-ounce headphones sound clear, clean and accurate, but also you can fold them up so that they're flat and put them into their included pouch for storage and travel when not in use.
Sound-wise they don't promote or demote any frequency range, unlike a number of currently popular headphone brands. They are true to the recorded music. And they are supremely comfortable to wear during longer listening sessions. Together, those factors make this product a desirable choice.
The Viso HP50s are priced at $299.
Celsus Sound Gramo One
These earbuds are the first product from a new company involving the founder of renowned hi-fi component-maker NuForce.
The Celsus Sound Gramo One is an open-back design worn in the outer portion of your ear but not in the ear canal. It's a single driver earbud design that covers just the opening -- similar to what Apple gives away with its products.
I'm usually not a fan of earpieces that rely on the size of your outer ear to stay in place, but these Grammo Ones turned out to be pretty comfortable in everyday use. As for sound, once you get the placement right, the 16mm drivers deliver great, accurate bass and a balanced sound.
The Gramo Ones come with a leather pouch and are priced at $249.
Philips Fidelio X2
This is the new, upgraded model of Philips' (PHG) - Get Report original Fidelio X1 luxury headphones. Philips got it right with the new, over-the-ear Fidelio X2s.
Philips engineers have changed the 50mm driver and the cable and improved just about everything concerning the enclosure, fit and finish to create a terrific-looking and -sounding new product.
Praised and coveted by reviewers and enthusiasts alike, the stunning X2s carry a retail price of $349 in the United States.
Sennheiser Momentum
Many headphones are compared with Sennheiser's Momentums in online reviews. That's because the German design looks and sounds great, and is comfortable to wear.
With its aluminum closed-back frame, leather trimmings and choice of three color schemes, the Sennheiser Momentum is an industry force to be reckoned with.
Momentum comes with a carrying case, a remote control and cables with small and large-sized jacks. Here's the best part: You can find these Sennheisers selling for about $100 online. At that price, they may be the bargain of this bunch of products -- but only if you ultimately like the sound.
Grado SR325e
The audio experts at Grado Labs have been making quality headphones (as well as phono cartridges) for decades. I know. I've owned many of their products.
The SR325e is the Brooklyn, N.Y.-based company's latest in this price range and the top of the company's Premium line. These over-the-ear "cans" sport an aluminum casing, improved drivers and upgraded cabling. All help the Grados to sound really clean, precise and real.
The classic 1960s styling -- they really do look like the great Grado headphones from the past -- adds to their aura.
Suggested retail price for the SR325e is $295.
Fostex T-50RP
Fostex is a Japanese company that makes speakers, speaker components and a large line of headphones ranging from $40 to way more than $1,000.
The full-sized closed-back T-50RP from the company's professional line stands out for a number of reasons. First, it is very comfortable to wear and sounds amazing. In fact, it sounds so good in original, stock form that it is now one of the favorite headphones that enthusiasts love to tweak. Fans are constantly making small but noticeable changes to many of the small components and wires inside. A number of small companies sell these highly regarded upgraded versions of the T-50RP for premium prices.
But these Fostex headphones sound awesome right out of the box -- especially at the $130 asking price. The T-50RP comes with a large, standard-size connector plug, but Fostex also offers an optional mini-plug cable for use with portable devices and laptops.
These are very highly recommended.
This article is commentary by an independent contributor. At the time of publication, the author held no positions in the stocks mentioned.
