The Sound and the Music is very sensitive topics for many of people. Define the awesome is almost impossible. Everyone hears differently. That's why we divide and sort them by the price.
This list compiled not for professional musicians/audiophiles. The main audience is people who just want to listen the music all day long, while working on the computer. This list contains very good items, even audiophiles will find it reasonable.
Open/Close-back design is up to you. Open-back design is preferable for working in quiet environment, Close-back for open-space offices.
Therefore the criteria for awesomeness are:
- Comfort. Any inconvenience or pressure on ears are unacceptable.
- Mellowed Sound: soft, gentle, tender. For long hours of listening.
- Easy to drive. Should work fine without AMP or external DAC. And reveal full potential with it.
WARNING: Comfort criterion defines the Fit Type - Over Ear and On Ear are highly preferable. Many great products are not listed here case of Easy to drive and Mellow sound criteria, - most headphones should work good on any laptop/PC with on-board sound card.
- ~$50
- KOSS KSC75
- Koss Porta Pro
- Superlux HD668B
- Status Audio CB-1
- ~$100
- Audio Technica ATH-M40x
- Philips HiFi Stereo Headphones
- TAKSTAR PRO 82 Professional Studio Dynamic Monitor Headphone
- Takstar HI 2050
- Shure SRH440
- ~$150
- Apple AirPods
- ~$200
- Audio-Technica ATH-M60x
- Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE4XX Planar Magnetic Headphones
- Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro (need AMP ?)
- Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro (need AMP ?)
- ~$300
- Sennheiser HD 58X (need AMP ?)
- Beyerdynamic MMX 300
- ~$400
- ~$500
- ~$600 and more
Notice. If you need microphone, then use dedicated one or something like ModMic
Important. There are a lot more great headphones in the market. We recommend to take careful look at www.headphone.com.