A classic evolved: Sennheiser's HD650 rolled out six years after its predecessor, the HD600, and went on to earn its own cult status.  The new millenium saw a rise in genres of electronic music and Sennheiser scored in its response with this warmer, bassier cousin to the HD600. This became one of the most important models in Head-Fi ever to have been released, justifying its place in the headphone history books. [See Product Desc. For More] Innerfidelity's Tyll Hertsens brings the social studies for one of the hobby's most important headphones. Check out the rest of Sennheiser's legendary line-up here, or view our other open-back headphone options here as well as the amplifiers to drive them here. // Most customers test the HD650 alongside the HD600, and the HD660s. // Care tip: We recommend changing earpads every year or two for hygiene reasons. Check out the KITO or YAXI range if you need to freshen the headphones up. Bad smelling headphones aren't cool.  // For added headband comfort: Check out the DEKONI Nuggets.

Sennheiser celebrate the turn of the decade ready to build a new legacy with the HD560S. Affordable open-back headphones now have a new face fronting excellence.  HD560S lovers will delight in its superb detail retrieval excelling in reproducing details in strings and other acoustic instruments in pristine recordings. StereoNET praise it to "someone looking for clean, no-nonsense sound without breaking the bank". [See Product Desc. For More] Spatially, angled drivers with EAR (Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement) technology from Sennheiser create a realistic portrayal of stage rarely heard in open-back headphones at price point. Its 120ohm impedance makes HD560S a great match for any integrated amplifier's headphone outputs, ruling out source impedance mismatches. Headfonia says its "balance is impressive and the longer you listen to this headphone, the better it gets", adding it to his list of Recommended Buys. This is unfussy reference listening that'll bring out the most of the recordings you want pristinely rendered – this here stands up to all scrutiny. View all of Sennheiser's other offerings here, or check out all our other headphones here.

The ATH-R70x is Audio-Technica's first pair of open-back reference professional headphones and feature specially designed drivers and acoustically transparent housings fashioned from aluminum honeycomb mesh. These headphones provide an accurate and natural open-back sound. When you're done with this hit, view the rest of Audio-Technica's line-up here, or browse our other headphones here.

What a statement Bluetooth like Bathys Dune is. Through it Focal invites anyone, to listen anywhere. In clear and obvious style. Focal's trademark M-shaped aluminium-magnesium dynamic driver brings you flagship sound on the go. 5 ⭐ came from What Hi-Fi? because "the success of Focal's first effort" isn't surprising. Headfonics say Bathys "represents a serious upgrade on consumer headphone choices from the likes of Sony and Bose", something Digital Trends second.  Wired writes Bathys is Bluetooth "even staunch audio nerds can enjoy". Superb acoustics on the part of Focal's know-how are a given, and the warm, rich and detailed fidelity of Bathys breaks new ground for a portable headphone of its size – wired or unwired. However, what makes Bathys truly compelling is its range of noise cancelling, Bluetooth 5.1, Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive and app-controlled EQ. [See Product Desc. For More] Its name comes from the French word ‘bathyscaphe’, the first submarine exploration vehicle. And Bathys is the embodiment of calm, depth and absolute silence. It's already scooped up TechHive's Editors Choice award, and is ecoustics' favourite noise-cancelling headphone for 2022. Audioholics says Bathys "takes its place among the top sound quality-focused wireless headphones available", and gave it a Product of the Year award. Stuff slapped 5 ⭐ on this Bluetooth beast too. Audiophile-Heaven lauds Bathys. At the cutting edge of tech, but dressed up in finery as a finished product like only Focal can. Blurring the lines between lifestyle and audiophilia has become typical from France's masters of savoir faire. Bathys is proof that Focal has mastered that.  The Bathys design comes inherited from Focal’s open and closed-back audiophile headphones such as Clear MG and Radiance. The earcup grilles repeat Focal’s design language, highly aesthetic curves drawing attention to the company's prestigious logo symbolising style, luxury and belief in better. A white back-lit system beneath the logo may be activated if desired, for an understated, chic effect. Another standout feature of Bathys is its elegant and timeless black-silver colourway, for effortless sophistication. Indeed, this wireless Focal is something you want to be seen with, but also to hear. The comparisons to its bigger audiophile siblings visually are apt, but so are they sonically. Bathys promises a big chunk of Focal fidelity on the move, its M-shaped aluminium-magnesium drivers among the most audiophile-grade mounted in a wireless headphone before.  This driver's stiffness, light weight and damping not only promises you a warm, immersive and authoritative presentation of music in stock tuning. It's also fine ground for EQ to be implemented – and Bathys comes together with EQ pre-sets for listeners to select via the Focal & Naim control app for iOS and Android. Not only does Bathys sound excellent – it can be made yours truly, too, when you select your favourite sound signature.  aptX™ Adaptive ensures wireless transmission stability in most conditions.  Focal added a Silent mode of cancellation optimised for trips with high background noise but let's you switch to a Soft mode to aid concentration at work, while Transparency mode enables you to stay connected to your surroundings. And a USB-C cable gives you the listener the final ability to access Bathys' 24/192 DAC via a computer or phone, when seeking uncompromised fidelity. The sense of completeness in Bathys' package promises that form and function have truly met. Despite its humble entry into the world of Focal, Bathys is in fact one of Focal's proudest Head-Fi releases. And there is much more to explore from Focal for those seeking ever-greater levels of wired sound quality here, and you can also browse all of our Bluetooth headphones here. 

Sennheiser set the bar high for what it took to be considered a modern flagship headphone in 2015 with the HD800S, and this model still holds its ground among the plethora of elite choices present. Can a lightweight headphone (just 330 grams) also be a heavyweight as an audiophile reference for Sennheiser?  LISTEN NOW HD800S father Axel Grell drops bombshell With soundstage for days, precise images and the ability to expose the tiniest detail, the HD800S continues to impress those who desire to hear everything in their music. [See Product Desc. For More] We recommend you hear it through iBasso Audio's DX320, HiBy Music's R8, or dedicate a full desktop set-up space for it. Further notes: The HD820 is popularly viewed as the closed-back equivalent of the HD800S, after they've tested Sennheiser's waters with the HD600, HD650 and HD660s. // Care tip: We recommend changing earpads every year or two for hygiene reasons. Check out the KITO or YAXI range if you need to freshen the headphones up. Bad smelling headphones aren't cool.  // For added headband comfort: Check out the DEKONI Nuggets. / Photography by Zepp Crew.

Managing the complicated acoustic design for the Vérité driver in a closed-back headphone may have been ZMF Headphones' toughest challenge to date. But the way they pulled it off with aplomb would have given little hint to that. Expect nearly all the Vérité's beryllium-coated transparency and detail in this closed model, with the benefits of privacy and isolation to boot. Positive Feedback were rendered "speechless at how you achieved the performance you achieved with these". [See Product Desc. For More] Its driver starts with a sandwich driver core of softer plastic PEN for effective damping at higher frequencies, this surface being coated with beryllium for the metal's stiffness, lightness and air acceleration properties.  That means Vérité Closed's driver moves as a perfect piston over all frequencies up to and above its working range, keeping distortion down due to cone and modal break-up. Audiophile Style compared the closed version against its open brethren, publishing a comprehensive study complete with measurements to conclude "they're as good as anything on the market today" and what "ZMF have achieved with the Vérité is truly remarkable". Stereophile's Herb Reichert says the "Vérités come closer to [Sony's] MDR-R10s in basic sonic character than any other headphones I've auditioned ... may even exceed Sony's cult classics in their illusion of speed and transparency". It's rightfully Headfonia's "best-of-the-best in the closed-back world". Make the headphone that made Stereophile's shortlist of Headphone Product of the Year 2020 yours today. OR... enjoy a smoother, more relaxed sound with ZMF's Eikon and ZMF's Atticus, or browse our other closed-back options here!

When Audio-Technica's classic monitoring headphone M50X went wireless, we seized ATH-M50xBT2 immediately and added it to our carts. Gen 2.0 is now the host with the most, with Bluetooth 5.0 and LDAC™ promising greater use case scenarios to enjoy its legendary sound. M50XBT2 fits comfortably over your ears, without the fuss of the cables and harnesses the legendary M50x studio sound for an exhilarating wireless listening experience, with exceptional clarity and deep, accurate bass response. Audio-Technica allow you to hear and be heard too, with dual beam-forming microphones for great voice pick-up helping you to work from home without any second guessing. // Care tip: We recommend changing earpads every year or two for hygiene reasons. Check out the KITO or YAXI range if you need to freshen the headphones up. Bad smelling headphones aren't cool.  When you're done with this hit, view the rest of Audio-Technica's line-up here, or browse our other headphones here.

As the most critically acclaimed model in the M-Series line, Audio-Technica's ATH-M50 is praised by top audio engineers and pro audio reviewers year after year. It's also available as a Bluetooth headphone here. From the large aperture drivers, sound isolating earcups and robust construction, the M50x provides an unmatched experience for the most critical audio professionals. // Care tip: We recommend changing earpads every year or two for hygiene reasons. Check out the KITO or YAXI range if you need to freshen the headphones up. Bad smelling headphones aren't cool.  // For added headband comfort: Check out the DEKONI Nuggets. When you're done with this hit, view the rest of Audio-Technica's line-up here, or browse our other headphones here.

Audio-Technica's ATH-M40x professional monitor headphones are tuned flat for incredibly accurate audio monitoring across an extended frequency range. Your studio experience is enhanced with superior sound isolation and swiveling earcups for convenient one-ear monitoring. // Care tip: We recommend changing earpads every year or two for hygiene reasons. Check out the KITO or YAXI range if you need to freshen the headphones up. Bad smelling headphones aren't cool.  // For added headband comfort: Check out the DEKONI Nuggets. When you're done with this hit, view the rest of Audio-Technica's line-up here, or browse our other headphones here.

Creative Labs took the venerable Foster biocellulose dynamic driver and enclosed them in teak cups, to present you the E-MU Teak. The 50mm dynamic drivers at the heart of these headphones give you a big bass, big excitement and plenty of zeal, to keep driving your beats forward. Pair this with your energetic rock and you can't go wrong with this at home or on the go, with E-MU's easy-to-drive nature flexible everywhere. Also view our other headphones here.

1997 was the year this legend was born. Old but never outdated, Sennheiser's ever-reliable HD600 has continued to earn its place. Always a litmus test for correctness and neutrality, these vintage, classic headphones are a gateway into this hobby and cement their place in the pantheon of modern audiophile gear. [See Product Desc. For More] Innerfidelity's Tyll Hertsens brings the social studies for arguably the hobby's most important headphone. Check out the rest of Sennheiser's legendary line-up here, or view our other open-back headphone options here. // Most customers test the HD600 alongside the HD650, and the HD660s. // Care tip: We recommend changing earpads every year or two for hygiene reasons. Check out the KITO or YAXI range if you need to freshen the headphones up. Bad smelling headphones aren't cool.  // For added headband comfort: Check out the DEKONI Nuggets.

Bose raise the bar yet further as noise-cancelling headphone market leaders with the HP700. With the best noise-cancelling ability seen – or heard – yet, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa support, Bose Augmented Reality (AR) and 20 hours of battery life give you wonderful audio with total comfort, practicality and style. Check out all of Bose's industry-leading products here, or view our other wireless gear here.

This is the closed-back headphone from ZMF Headphones that everyone's been dreaming of. Bokeh is the first closed-back ZMF that can claim to be truly portable, with its isolation brought on the go with you in backpacks to offices and hotel rooms. It's the same ZMF quality and promise of durability sans unwieldy storage case. With customary lifetime ZMF driver warranty especially important as Bokeh gets put about the rigours of daily life, this is a build and tuning that will stand the test of time. Headfonia rates its effectiveness channeling ZMF's spirit, something Headfonics echo. It's a TechPowerUp award-winner. Brought to a new and affordable price point, the Bokeh is just the latest ZMF that stands to become a classic, bringing their cherished house sound with you on the go whether via USB dongle DAC/amp, music player or small desktop amp. [See Product Desc. For More] A natural step up from Tago Studio's T3-01 that traverses the bus then the desk, the Bokeh combines ergonomic portability with ZMF's traditional ability to scale from sound quality. ZMF's new entry-level is greater than the sum of its parts.  A new 80ohm Liquid Crystal Polymer driver is pushed to its acoustic limits with proprietary ZMF work, in their patented Atrium Damping System (ADS) first found in the flagship Atrium. All this tuning potential in earcup acoustics extends to Bokeh's owners with new Caldera earpads useful add-on options. Caldera pads bear a special fluted, tapered, horn-shaped design that take on the form of acoustic amplifiers. Leather or suede directly contribute to which frequencies you choose to enhance, making Bokeh such a pleasure because ADS makes it so versatile. Bokeh grants ZMF full control over a soundscape, with internal cavity design challenging the physical limits of linear full-range reproduction in closed-backs like never before. Acoustic dampers work closely together with driver mounting position for optimal diffusion effects, allowing ZMF to introduce greater perceived soundstage width and depth.  An incredible amount of fine-tuning took place selecting distances within the cup and damping material for optimal airflow, a five-year research and development process before ZMF deemed Bokeh ready to release to the public. Brought to a new point of cost-effectiveness is an 80ohm LCP driver that is the beating heart of Bokeh. It's a load that's simultaneously easy to drive for any partnering amplifier – such that a studio console, mixer or tube amplifier with varying output impedance mates comfortably with suitable damping factor. In fact, ZMF's newborn showcases a nominally flat impedance and thus exhibits the company's DNA, taking to tube amplification with exactly the same aplomb as its bigger siblings. Apart from frequency response being less prone to variation from impedance mismatch, Bokeh's easy load means many modern bridge-tied load outputs on music players won't grind their gears pushing into inordinately low impedances – small power supplies and output stages producing less in the way of distortion and noise as a result. Bokeh will make for a happy result running from iBasso Audio's DC07 Pro, DC Elite and DX180, but high output impedance, imperfect voltage sources from FiiO and Shanling will not be tested untowardly either – music players from the latter both having enough mettle to push this ZMF very satisfactorily.  Settling down from its travels at its natural habitat that is the desk, Bokeh will continue to display sound that belies its cost, scaling into small desktop amps from iFi Audio and HIFIMAN.  It's this versatility that really elevates Bokeh beyond the generic releases that otherwise dominates the mainstream. To find out how ZMF craft elevates the headphone hobby check out their other releases here, or view all our other headphones here.

Sony's new WH-1000XM5 headphones with LDAC and industry-leading noise-cancelling rewrite the rules for distraction-free listening and call clarity, building on the legacy they created. 5 ⭐ arrived from What Hi-Fi?. With two processors controlling eight microphones, Auto NC Optimiser for automatically optimising noise-cancelling based on your wearing conditions and environment, and a specially designed driver unit, WH-1000XM5 feels like a breath of fresh air built on a tried-and-trusted Sony formula. From airplane noise to people’s voices, Sony's WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones with multiple microphone noise-cancelling keep out more high and mid frequency sounds than ever. [See Product Desc. For More] And with Auto NC Optimiser, noise-cancelling is automatically optimised based on your wearing conditions and environment. With four microphones on each earcup, WH-1000XM5 is Sony's biggest ever step forward in noise-cancelling. Ambient sound is captured even more accurately for a dramatic reduction in high frequency noise. Thanks to Auto NC Optimiser, noise-cancelling performance is always and automatically optimised based on wearing conditions and external environmental factors such as atmospheric pressure. The Integrated Processor V1 specially developed by Sony unlocks the full potential of Sony's HD Noise-Cancelling Processor QN1. This unique combination of technology controls eight microphones to deliver unprecedented noise-cancelling quality. WH-1000XM5's heritage gets a boost with a new 30mm driver unit featuring a soft edge. The carbon fibre composite material achieves light weight and high rigidity dome for improved sound clarity, especially in high frequency ranges. Unique Sony technologies include an amplifier for WH-1000XM5 yielding premium lead-free solder containing gold for excellent conductivity, Fine Sound Resistor for even power distribution and optimised circuitry for an improved signal-to-noise ratio to ensure clear, consistent sound. WH-1000XM5's Precise Voice Pickup Technology uses four beamforming microphones and an AI-based noise reduction algorithm to isolate your voice precisely. Sony's newly developed wind noise reduction structure minimises wind noise during calls. Wherever you are, you’ll always hear and be heard clearly. These lightweight headphones are beautifully finished in soft fit leather nailing the comfort aspect. This material fits snugly around the head with less pressure on the ears while keeping out external sounds.  Sony's noise-less design with step-less slider, seamless swivel and hanger makes WH-1000XM5 a pleasure to wear for long hours – and up to 30 hours of battery life on a single charge ensures you might well don them for a whole day. Also view all of Sony's other releases here, or our other wireless gear here.

Bigger is better when it comes to HIFIMAN, and the huge planar-magnetic diaphragm brought to bear in Edition XS is proof of that. It's eCoustics' Best Value Open-Back Headphone of 2022, something Headphonesty concur with. That's quickly led to accolades arriving from Headfonia and Headfonics. All the authority of HIFIMAN's flagships surface here, with the head-enveloping Edition XS pushing a wall of sound at your ears for sound that immerses – an experience that you can very much feel, as you can hear.  Keeping such a large driver under control is no problem for HIFIMAN's double-sided planar-magnetic array. [See Product Desc. For More] Just that alone wouldn't ensure a completely low-distortion affair, though. HIFIMAN's Stealth Magnet technology shows up here, with magnets that claim to be acoustically transparent allowing soundwaves to propagate to your ear with minimal diffraction and turbulent interaction with the surrounding structure.  Edition XS also brings NEO super Diaphragm to bear – a sub-two micron driver that's said to be up to 75 per cent thinner than its predecessor from 2015. Reducing mass allows for HIFIMAN to produce lightning-quick reaction times and transients, aiding reproduction of detail and soundstage cues. Naturally, a massive driver does no harm to the passive generation of a holographic, immersive soundstage around you as you listen. MOONSTAR Reviews says Edition XS "will immediately mesmerise you with its technical capabilities". Milk all that there is from Edition XS by ensuring it is properly driven by Questyle Audio's M12 and CMA18P current-mode amplifiers; the latter together with iBasso Audio's 4.4mm CB17 or the Nobunaga Labs Advance TPC. Or view our other offerings from HIFIMAN here, and our other headphones here.