Best Audiophile Headphones Under $500

AKG Pro Audio K702 Studio Headphone

Having been in the audio business for over 120 years, AKG makes music products and professional studio equipment worldwide. Their products include the AKG Pro Audio K702 Reference Studio Headphones with an over-ear design (maximum wearing comfort), open back, flat wire, and superior sound quality. 

With excellent noise isolation and shaped 3D-foam ear pads (for optimum fit), they will look great on any musician’s head and have sophisticated open technology for an expansive and airy sound.

For a supremely comfortable listening experience, AKG Pro Audio K702 features oversized circumaural ear cups with lambskin padding and a unique flat-wire voice coil (for higher sensitivity). 

The K702 Detachable Cable Length of 3 m provides flexibility and ease of use and features Sensitivity headphones with 105 dB SPL/V that improve sound quality by preventing ambient noise from entering the headphones. There is also a Patented Varimotion two-layer diaphragm (for improved high-frequency sound quality). 

The AKG Pro Audio K702 is perfect for producers and audio engineers who require the highest level of performance and audio quality in their recordings and have the option to replace the ear pads. 

Whether working on a new album or preserving your classic tracks for future generations, the Audio K702 headphones will give you the precision and clarity you need to get the job done right, with a maximum input power of 200mW and a frequency bandwidth of 10 - 39800 Hz.

Features of AKG Pro Audio K702 Studio Headphones

The AKG Pro Audio K702 is a reference-quality open-back headphone with a flat, ribbed wire and a snug fit for excellent fidelity and isolation. Its conventional voice coils and round wires provide phenomenal comfort with an audio frequency range of 10-39800 Hz and a phenomenal degree of immersion.

The AKG Pro Audio K702 is also equipped with a Reference Studio cable for the best sound quality possible and has an innovative diaphragm for precisely tuning the capsule for the highest level of performance and an ergonomic padded genuine leather headband that provides maximum comfort and pain-free listening. So overall the AKG Pro K702 as the best audiophile headphones under $500 in market.

Reasons You Need These AKG Pro Audio K702 Headphones

• Open-Back design 
• Works with a wide range of portable devices
• Ultra flat frequency response
• Designed by AKG engineers for the most accurate audio reproduction
• Active Noise Cancellation
• Flat, tangle-resistant cable

Shaazi Says: It is so comforting to listen to classical music with AKG Pro Audio K702 Headphones; they sound fantastic. I don’t even use my phone’s volume because these headphones are that good.

Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro Headphone

A high-end over-ear studio headphone from Beyerdynamics, the DT 880 Pro offers excellent value. Under $500, the headphone features soft lambskin ear pads for a comfortable and durable listening experience and a rugged, adjustable, soft padded headband; these headphones can be rotated to fit any head type perfectly.

The DT 880 Pro has a frequency response of 5 - 35.000 Hz and is an excellent choice for those looking for high-quality headphones that won’t break the bank and is an enjoyable headphone to wear for long hours. In addition to a detachable single-sided cable, the DT 880 Pro comes with a nylon carrying case that makes it easy to store and transport. 

Its Nominal Sound Pressure Level is 96 dB, and its long-lasting cable with excellent sound quality. These Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro Over-Ear Studio Headphones have fantastic sound quality and are suitable for most genres of music. 

DT 880 has a well-rounded sound that includes plenty of basses, clear highs, and a 250-ohm impedance. Professional audio producers and Sound Designers will find the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro Headphones (easy-to-service construction) a perfect choice.

There are also models like DT 770 / 880 / 990 Pro, so whether you’re in need of studio headphones for mixing or recording, the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro-semi-open studio headphones (unique spaciousness) are a great choice that won’t disappoint, and they can be used for long monitoring sessions, studio monitoring, mixing, and mastering due to the DT 880 Pro Soft’s adjustable ear cups, soft and highly sensitive transducers.

Features of the DT 880 Pro Headphone

As a high-end studio headphone designed by Beyerdynamic, the DT 880 features a Semi-Open Design (extra lightweight construction and low noise level), large, soft ear pads, a cloth headband, and a Neutral, relaxed, relatively spatial, more restrained bass sound, transparent, with detachable cable, stereo 6.35 mm jack adapter, drawstring bag, and warranty booklet, among other features.

DT 880 Pro is a professional studio headphone that has received positive customer reviews, and users appreciate the lower weighted design and the high quality of sound; reviewers also praise the comfort of the fit, which most people say they can wear all day long without being uncomfortable. 

Summary Of Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro

The DT 880 Pro from Beyerdynamic provides excellent sound quality, and you can adjust the headband to ensure that they fit any head size perfectly, so whether you’re an audiophile or musician, the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro headphones will add a little extra oomph to your recordings and are best audiophile headphones under $500.

Reasons to Buy:

• Audiophile-grade over-ear headphone
• A new design that is made for professional use and offers maximum comfort
• Transparent sound quality and high dynamic range
•  Wide frequency response
• Enhanced bass
• DT 880 Pro Designed for professional musicians

ROAN Says: You can go right with the DT 880 Pro headphones as they have a great sound with all the features and functionality it is possible to want. It’s a great pair of headphones and has all the features you might need for any music.

Sennheiser Hd6xx Open Back Sennheiser’s Flagship Headset

Whether you are a professional or a music lover, the Sennheiser HD6XX open-back offers an excellent pair of headphones that will last for years to come. Whether you’re a DJ, they deliver clear sound and come with a host of features that make them want to enjoy your music at home without disturbing your roommates; the open-back Sennheiser HD 6XX headphones are worth a try, and you can buy them for under $500.

Audiophiles and music lovers will love the Sennheiser HD6XX for their modern Midnight Blue design and sound quality, and it comes with leather ear cups and a headband, Massdrop x Sennheiser, and a frequency response of 10 Hz to 41 kHz and has a THD < 0.05%.

With a nominal impedance of 300 ohms, the Sennheiser HD6XX is ideal for music lovers who want to experience the best sound quality. Sennheiser HD6XX is equipped with a stainless steel cable of six feet and a Standard 3.5mm 1/8-inch plug for connection to laptops, phones, and digital assistants.

Features of the Sennheiser HD6XX Headphones

With an extended frequency response, and a good soundstage, these Sennheiser HD6XX come with both entertainment and sound, and they are made in Romania. They weigh 9.2 oz (260 g) without the cable, so they are comfortable and lightweight, perfect for long listening sessions.

What do I think of the Sennheiser HD6XX Headphones?

A great option is the Sennheiser HD6XX headphones, which deliver excellent sound quality as well as being comfortable to wear for a long time. If you are looking for open-back headphones that are affordable (under $500) and deliver excellent sound, then the Sennheiser HD6XX should be on your list of best audiophile headphones under $500.

Reasons You Should Buy The Sennheiser HD6XX Headset

• 3D soundstage and Acoustic Refinement 
• Soft ear cushions for maximum wearing comfort and a stable fit
• The transparent, open-back design lets you hear your surroundings
• The circumaural design delivers excellent sound, even in loud environments

*Rayyan Says: I’m an audio professional, and I use Sennheiser HD6XX headphones daily to mix and record music, and they come with a carrying case, provide great sound for the price, and are comfortable to wear for long hours. I’m a production sound designer in Hollywood, and I work with Sennheiser HD6XX headphones on a daily basis. They’re excellent, and they’re very comfortable.*

HIFIMAN HE400SE Wired Headphone

The HIFIMAN HE400SE headphones are convenient, lightweight, and easy to use, but how good is the sound quality? Many audiophiles wonder, so don’t worry. We will compare the HIFIMAN HE400SE Stealth Headphones to alternatives such as the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro, AKG Pro Audio K702, and Sennheiser HD6XX headphones in this article.

The HIFIMAN HE400SE is a high-end, full-size open-back headphone with strong magnets to ensure that the ear cups remain stable even when you are bouncing around to your favorite tunes and have high sensitivity.

Features of the HIFIMAN HE 400 SE Headphones

Stereo drivers and neodymium magnets in the HIFIMAN HE400SE provide exceptional sound quality, while the device is lightweight and comfortable to wear, and it features conductive layers to reduce distortion. Additionally, the HE400SE comes with a detachable cable that can be easily replaced.

A positive side to HIFIMAN HE 400 SE headphones is that they are well built, look great on them, have Stealth Magnets to prevent passing waves, and have a 91dB sensitivity. The HE 400 SE comes with a protected newly designed casing and HIFIMAN’s advanced magnet design, which will reduce wave diffraction turbulence.

Furthermore, the HIFIMAN HE400SE has an over-ear design provides you with plenty of space around your ears so you can hear clearly that; it will keep them in place while you enjoy the powerful sound and detailed audio, and they are better than conventional dynamic headphones with a frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz and an Impedance of 25 Ohms.

HIFIMAN’s HE400SE headphones are described as “the ultimate in comfort and sound quality,” come with Dual-sided high-performance 3.5mm cables and are optimized for low-voltage sources due to their high sensitivity.

Upon receiving my HIFIMAN Stealth Magnets, I was satisfied because the headphones are comfortable to listen to for hours, and the HE400se remains cool, so it is an excellent choice in warm weather. Overall, the HIFIMAN headphones are stylish and comfortable and are the best audiophile headphones under $500.

Reasons To Buy HIFIMAN HE400SE Headset

• Transparent, right-angle ribbons provide a natural soundstage, Exclusive ‘VentiFuse’ technology 
• Planar Magnetic Design
• Oiled-leather ear cushions for extended comfort 
• Integrated microphone/remote controls

Fazzy Reveiw: I got the HIFIMAN HE400SE for Christmas 2023, and I am very satisfied with it and would recommend it to any audiophile.

SENNHEISER HD 660 S HiRes Headphone

How about audiophile headphones under $500? Are they really worth the investment? The Sennheiser HD 660 S audiophile headphones are an excellent choice for people who value crisp sound and immersive listening experiences. The SENNHEISER HD 660 S offers everything from professional studio monitors to travel headphones.

With a nominal impedance of 150 ohms, the Sennheiser HD S660 audiophile headphones offer an immersive audio experience for users and are suitable for direct connection to smartphones. In addition to its lightweight design and neodymium magnet system, the Sennheiser HD S660 headphones have a contact pressure of 6.0 N - 1 N, are para-aramid reinforced, and have detachable cables (OFC copper) that ensure signal integrity and low handling noise. There are two connection cables included with the Sennheiser HD S660: a 6.35-millimeter stereo plug, followed by a 4.4-millimeter Pentaconn balanced stereo plug, and an included length of 6.35 millimeters to 3.5 millimeters.

Features of the Sennheiser HD 660 S Headphone

The Sennheiser 660 S HD headphone has a frequency response of 10 to 41,000 Hz. Audiophiles will love these Sennheiser Reference class headphones because they come with several features. And with that, you can find the perfect fit for your head with the detachable cable and adjustable headband, and they have improved transducers with low harmonic distortion. 

Reasons You Need To Buy Sennheiser HD 660 S Headphone

• 1.2m cord length
• Open-back design with optimal sound isolation
• High-quality 50 mm neodymium drivers with a dynamic range of up to 122 dB
• Comfortable and foldable earcups

Jimmi Says: Sennheiser made a pair of excellent headphones that were within my budget, and their sound quality was spectacular; there are no better headphones at this price point.

Sennheiser HD 560 Headphone

The Sennheiser HD 560 headphones are made for music lovers who demand the best sound possible and feature a frequency response of 6 – 38,000 Hz of 20-20,000 Hz, an Impedance of 120 Ohms, and a T.H.D. of <0.05%. The Sennheiser HD 560 headphones deliver accurate sound reproduction with a Sensitivity of 110dB at 1 kHz, 1V, regardless of the track you’re listening to. 

There is no doubt that the HD 560 S is the right choice, and they come with an ultra-light, adjustable headband and articulating ear cups, plus lusciously soft earpads for long-term comfort so that one can enjoy the absolute best sound possible with these over-the-ear headphones. 

The brand Sennheiser offers a wide range of audiophile headphones, and under budget range, these headphones deliver linear performance, which makes them best for analytical audio enthusiasts.

The HD 560 S has an Open ear cup design, and for people who desire supreme sound quality, these headsets would be best because of E.A.R. angled transducers for the best sound experience.

The Sennheiser features are designed to reproduce music and have a detachable cable with a 1/4-inch (6.3mm) plug, which makes them best for High-end recording studios. Also, these headset features a flexible adapter for connecting to 1/8-inch (3.5mm) sources (Like amplifiers, A/V receivers, audio interface, and ergonomic Acoustic Refinement which makes them perfect for use.

So, overall if you’re looking for an audiophile-grade pair of headphones that won’t break the bank, then the Sennheiser HD 560 S should be at the top of your list.

Reasons Why You Should Buy Sennheiser HD 560 S Headset

• Over Air design
• Dynamic transducers
• Incredibly lightweight,
• Ultra-comfortable design

Sophia Says: If you’re a fan of audiobooks, the Sennheiser HD 560 S Audiophile Headphones are your best choice, and the headphones are extremely comfortable and offer excellent noise-cancellation features, so they’re perfect for on-the-go use.

Blue Satellite Wireless Headphone

Many people are familiar with the brands that produce the best headphones. For example, sony, bang & Olufsen, Bose, Beyerdynamic DT 880 pro, akg pro audio k702, and Sennheiser hd6xx headset are just a few of the brands that come to mind. 

However, what about Blue Satellite? Blue Satellite is a brand that produces high-quality headphones and earphones. Blue Satellite headphones are worth checking out for a cinematic music experience. The Blue Satellite headphones are designed with high-quality speakers and ear cups to deliver clear sound while providing a comfortable fit, and they feature custom 44mm ultra-responsive drivers (30mm for ANC) and an audiophile amplifier.

The Blue Satellite wireless sets have a lightweight headset design that allows you to wear the headphones for long periods of time with an excellent battery life of up to 24 hours. This headphone also uses Bluetooth 4.1 wireless technology, which allows you to listen to music wirelessly.

Blue Satellite headphones are designed with audiophiles in mind and have foldable construction to offer no-compromise sound and THD, with total harmonic distortion of 0.5% with A2DP + AVRCP + HSP + HFP profiles. Blue Satellite has a special low-frequency response and has ANC transducers of 30mm dedicated ANC drivers, and it has microphone sensitivity (0dB = 1V/Pa @1kHz) of -32dB.

Features of Blue Satellite Headphones?

As far as high-end headphones go, there is no doubt that Blue Satellite headphones have set the bar high because they are designed with audiophiles in mind and feature the highest quality materials and craftsmanship, so overall, the blue satellite is the best audiophile headphones under $500.

Things You Should Know About The Blue Satellite Headphones

• Electret condenser microphone
• 3.5 mm audio connector
• 50mm drivers for deep lows
• Micro-driver technology 
• Bluetooth connectivity for wireless listening
• 40mm drivers for supernatural sound

*Merry Says: My story began when I came across the Blue Satellite headphones, and I was immediately smitten with the appearance, sound quality, and price of these headphones.*

SoundMAGIC HP151 HiFi Headphones

The sound magic hp151 is a high-end product famous as an isolating foldable headset with a large 53mm driver and high-fidelity sound. With the soundmagic stainless steel headband, you can wear these headphones for a long time. one of the most notable features of sound magic hp151 headphones is their sound quality, and they have low impedance and high sensitivity, and an ergonomic design, so that is why many users also know these speakers as what hi-fi award-winning in-ear headphones.

Features of the SoundMAGIC HP151 Audiophile Headphones

The soundmagic hp151 headphones feature a stainless steel frame and a kevlar-reinforced wire that prevents tangle; they also come removable cable (2.5m) so that you can detach and attach them when you want; not only that, you will also get a 6.35mm jack adaptor, flight adapter, and hard carry case. So, overall, the soundmagic hp151 is for those who want top-notch audio performance.

Reasons To Buy SoundMAGIC HP151 Headphone

• Built-in microphone 
• Good Ear cups with soft leatherette pads
• Headband made of iron wire
• Superior sound quality with Silver Lining Technology
• Lightweight, foldable design for the best comfort

Allen Says: SoundMAGIC HP151 Audiophile Headphones sound incredible, and the noise canceling feature makes it so easy to block out anything else in the world and immerse yourself in your music. I love how powerful HP151 headphones are, so that is why I would love to recommend you.