Having great headphones goes beyond just sound quality. Comfort and durability are also essential, especially if you want headphones suitable for listening.
Here are the best high-quality headphones you can buy right now.
Best Headphones For Audio Quality in 2025
1. Sony WH-1000XM6
The Sony WH-1000XM6 delivers a user-friendly sound with a strong emphasis on bass and treble, but a somewhat understated midrange.
Support for the SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs provides a high-quality wireless audio option.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 received a high rating for sound quality, achieving excellent results in all categories, including tonality, distortion, and immersion.
These headphones deliver excellent stereo imaging and spacious audio.
The Sony Headphones Connect app offers a custom equalizer, allowing you to tailor your sound profile to your preferences.
The app offers presets and allows you to create and save your own EQ settings. These EQ settings are stored directly on the headset, so they remain active even when the app is not in use.
2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra are my go-to headphones when I want pure comfort and clarity. They’re so lightweight and comfortable, they feel like I’m wearing my favorite hoodie.
I wear them for long editing sessions or on flights, and they usually don’t cause any fatigue after just a few hours. They’re incredibly comfortable on my head.
The sound quality is smooth and comfortable, with a neutral tone that’s great for all-day listening.
The lows aren’t overpowering, making them perfect for capturing subtle details in music or editing bass and drums in a mix.
If you’re looking for a studio headphone for the music lover and value comfort and great sound, these are the headphones for you.
I use these headphones for relaxing. They’re great for relaxing outside of work when I want great sound and can relax without having to turn off my music.
They’re also great for listening to music in the background or simply immersing myself in my favorite albums.
3. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony’s latest over-ear headphones are the WH-1000XM5, my top recommendation in our guide to the best headphones for music.
I believe the newly-installed V1 built-in processor further enhances noise-cancelling performance compared to the already excellent Sony WH-1000XM4.
In terms of audio performance in particular, no other product can match the Sony WH-1000XM5.
Music is crisp and clear, and the Sony Headphones Connect app lets you adjust the volume to suit your listening preferences. Firmware updates are also available through the app.
Like its predecessor, the Sony WH-1000XM5 features Adaptive Sound Control, which adjusts the volume based on your favorite locations, making it incredibly convenient.
The battery life is 30 hours on a full charge, and a three-minute quick charge provides an impressive three hours of music playback. This is a huge plus if you forget to charge late at night or during breakfast.
My only gripe is that the Sony WH-1000XM5 can’t fold like the Sony WH-1000XM4. The backpack-style case (while stylish) takes up more space in your bag. It’s a minor issue, but worth pointing out.
4. Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X are among the most comfortable full-size headphones we’ve tried, but they don’t offer the same level of noise isolation as you’d expect from an open-back headphone.
The DT 900 PRO X, an open-back headphone, is recommended by Beyer for precision listening and mastering. It’s also one of the best mixing headphones in the industry.
A closed-back version, the 700 PRO X, is also available at the same price.
In terms of sound quality, these headphones have a relatively flat profile, delivering each frequency band without any bias or distortion.
Touted as studio reference monitor headphones, you’ll experience a remarkable performance that accurately reproduces the sound you want, the actual sound.
These headphones will help you pinpoint any issues in your projects and quickly identify problem areas that require attention.
5. Audeze Maxwell
The Maxwell delivers exceptional sound quality, featuring large 90mm planar magnetic drivers. Designed to deliver exceptional sound quality for both gaming and music.
It supports a variety of connectivity options, including Bluetooth with support for LDAC, SBC, and AAC codecs, as well as wired USB-C and 3.5mm connections.
By default, the Audeze HD 800 S emphasizes frequencies between 3 and 6 kHz, making it ideal for ambience and string instrument sounds.
However, frequencies above 6 kHz and low-frequency frequencies are de-emphasized.
The Audeze HQ app offers a variety of EQ presets and custom EQ settings, which are particularly useful when switching between gaming and music listening modes.
For example, the “Audeze EQ” preset provides a more user-friendly sound tailored to your preference curve.
6. Apple AirPods Max
If you already own Apple products, the Apple AirPods Max are a no-brainer. They connect instantly, switch seamlessly between devices, and deliver a clear, immersive sound experience.
I can go from a Zoom call on my Mac to listening to music on my iPhone to watching a movie on my iPad without lifting a finger. This seamless experience is unmatched by any other product.
Furthermore, these headphones are built like premium headphones. The aluminum earcups are sturdy, and the memory foam padding is incredibly comfortable.
They also feature spatial audio, which adds a 3D surround sound experience, especially ideal for live or orchestral music.
These are the perfect headphones for musicians and music lovers who value premium quality and a seamless user experience.
They work incredibly well. There are no manipulation or syncing issues, and the sound is smooth and rich from the moment you press play.
These are the perfect headphones for musicians, producers, and music lovers already immersed in the Apple ecosystem.
7. Sennheiser HD 505
The Sennheiser HD 505 headphones are ideal for enjoying music at a reasonable price, despite their excellent sound quality.
These headphones are a pioneering product that marks a new era for Sennheiser headphones and are an attractive entry point for audiophiles.
The open-back design and smart new drivers combine to deliver an expansive and immersive listening experience, with a rich three-dimensional feel and excellent tactile response.
The high input impedance of 120 ohms is also a plus, sacrificing a bit of powerful sound for exceptional responsiveness and fidelity.
Wearing these headphones on the bus is a surefire way to win over friends (and the included travel bag is a bit uncomfortable), but at home, you won’t find a better pair in this price range.
The Sennheiser HD 505 is a breath of fresh air in the headphone market, offering a tactile soundstage, a wide and vibrant frequency response, and excellent comfort at a surprisingly affordable price.
While they may be a bit overly focused on the treble, they otherwise provide an ideal entry point to a better listening experience.
8. Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X
An upgrade from the DT 770 Pro in both price and features, the DT 700 PRO X delivers improved sound thanks to a redesigned design, softer earpads, and a new STELLAR.45 transducer design that delivers faster response.
One of the most comfortable headphones I’ve used in a long time, the DT 700 PRO X’s oversized velour earpads provide a comfortable, sofa-like feel while still allowing ample ventilation and breathability, even in warm environments.
The spring steel headband is made of memory foam for extended use.
The new transducer design delivers distortion-free, stable sound and a detailed transient response, even at high sound pressure levels.
The 770 PRO X is available in a single 48Ω impedance rating, making it a great choice for both studio and everyday use.
The fact that the earpads, headband pads, and cables are all easily replaceable (two cables are included in the box) makes them a great choice if you’re looking to upgrade from the 770 Pro.
9. HiFiMan Sundara
The HiFiMan Sundara is an open-back headset that reduces bass resonance and delivers exceptionally natural sound.
The AKG K371 boasts class-leading reproduction of a wide range of music genres, including heavy metal, rap, and acoustic.
The frequency response closely follows the headphone preference curve, allowing for a flexible response to a wide range of music genres.
The K371 slightly emphasizes the bass below 80Hz, adding depth without overemphasizing the mids and highs.
The closed-back design offers better sound isolation than the Sundara, making it more suitable for use in noisy environments.
The K371 excels across a wide range of musical styles, from heavy metal to acoustic, delivering clear vocals and excellent instrument separation. Its comfort and portability also make it a practical choice for everyday use.
10. Focal Bathys
The Focal Bathys headphones are like having a recording studio inside your headphones. From the sound profile to the materials, they’re top-notch quality in every way.
Leather ear pads, an aluminum frame, and studio-quality sound combine to create the feeling of being in the booth with the band.
The sound is incredibly detailed, with every nuance vividly conveyed. From the gentle breathing of a pre-recorded instrument to the delicate touch of a snare drum to the decay of a piano, everything is delivered with clarity and clarity.
These headphones are for musicians who are passionate about their music and want to fully experience it.
If you value premium gear, are looking for the perfect headphones for your music, and are a musician who dedicates every note to their craft, these are the headphones for you.
Music feels like a special moment within you, as if the artist is playing it just for you. Once you hear it, you’ll never go back. They’re the perfect choice for listening to music or simply savoring beautiful mixes.
Conclusion
Overall, these are the top 10 best headphones for Audio Quality to get in 2025. Choose the one that fits your budget.