THE WORD “AUDIOPHILE” has become a term with many meanings: enthusiast, hobbyist, audio snob, fan of intense high frequencies, seeker of the ultimate listening experience. For our purposes, let’s think of audiophile headphones as those that appeal to people looking for the best listening experience possible and which are made for folks willing to pay extra money to get that experience. So what is it that makes premium headphones “premium,” anyway? And are the bells and whistles really worth it?
Common Features in Premium Over-Ear Headphones
Planar Magnetic or Electrostatic drivers. Both of these drivers work on a similar principle but are executed in different ways. However, to understand how they operate, you first have to understand how dynamic drivers (which are used in a lot of over-ear headphones) work. You’re probably familiar with the cones that are in speakers. These cones are mounted on springy material, and electrical impulses are sent to them, which moves the cones back and forth and, in turn, moves the air to create sound.
Most over-ear headphones have a similar setup to this but in a smaller form. The reason this method is standard is because it’s inexpensive and isn’t prone to breaking if you drop the headphones. However, dynamic drivers can be limited by how quickly they can move (which will alter sound) and can also wear out over time. Dynamic drivers are also prone to distortion at higher volumes, which happens if the cones vibrate too much.
Planar magnetic and electrostatic headphones work very differently from dynamic headphones. In both cases, the driver is a diaphragm, a thin piece of film-like material suspended between sets of magnets. As you probably remember from elementary school science class, when you put two magnets with the same charge near each other, they repel. And when you put oppositely charged magnets together, they attract. This is due to the magnetic field between them. So, imagine this diaphragm that’s making our sounds is in between these magnets, suspended in a neutral, balanced field. Any change in the field is going to push and pull that little piece of film back and forth.
The difference between planar magnetic and electrostatic is how that change in the field occurs. In electrostatic, a current is passed through charged metal plates on either side of the diaphragm, and that’s what moves it. In planar magnetic, the diaphragm itself has tiny conductors in it, and the current passes through the diaphragm. In both versions, the current passes through the field, the film moves, and sound waves are formed. The diaphragm film is far more flexible and sensitive to small changes in charge than dynamic drivers, and able to better reproduce sounds as a result.
Many fans of these kinds of headphones note the detail and delicacy with which these products can produce sounds, as well as better bass response, less distortion, and a better sense of space. This is because rather than having small cones pointing directly at the ear, planar magnetic and electrostatic headphones often create a zone of sound larger than the ear, which many fans say makes them feel more immersed in the music.
With all of these pros, there are bound to be a few cons. Planar and electrostatic technology is only possible in over-ear styles, and often very large over-ears. The magnets add a lot of weight, so the headphones can be quite heavy. Many headphones of this kind are also open-backed, which require a quiet listening environment, so these are not the headphones to use when you’re on the go. They also need a good amount, as well as a controlled amount, of power, so a headphone amp is a must. And of course, there’s the cost. Introductory models of these sorts of headphones generally run around $300 or more, plus the cost of an amp. Top-of-the-line model headphones max out in the $2,000-$3,000 range or more, depending on materials.
Higher quality build materials. In this range of headphones, you’ll also find things like leather headbands, plush earpads, oxygen-free cables, wooden earcup housings, and metal hinges and connection points. With the exception of the cables (and occasionally the wooden housing), most of these elements are for looks and durability rather than sound. But if you’re investing in something in this range, you’ll want them to last and look as beautiful as they sound.
Common Features in Premium In-Ear Headphones
Multiple balanced-armature drivers. Balanced armature (BA) drivers are the in-ear version of the planar magnetic headphone. So, rather than the impulses of the current moving the driver as in dynamic setups (as we discussed above), balanced armature drivers also use magnets, but on a much smaller scale. The diaphragm sits on top of a drive rod, which is attached to a coil of metal threaded between two magnets. As with planar magnetic technology, but much smaller, the current passes through the coil, affecting the magnetic field and causing the coil to move. The coil then moves the drive rod, which in turn moves the diaphragm and creates the sound.
Often in premium headphones, several BA drivers will be used, with each one assigned to a range of frequencies. BA, like planar magnetic, is more sensitive and able to produce sounds with better delicacy and accuracy than dynamic drivers. And, the more drivers involved, the better each frequency can be represented.
Audeze LCD-2 $995
Hi-Fi Man HE-400 $299
Ultrasone Edition 10 $2,749
Shure SE846 from $999
Ultimate Ears UE11 Pro $1,150
*prices as of press time
But the cons are similar. If you bang around your BA headphones, the delicate magnetic field can be disturbed and your headphones can be ruined. Also, fit is a huge component of how in-ears sound, so many enthusiasts can disagree greatly on one pair of headphones. Often, unless you are willing to spring for custom-molded monitors, a certain amount of trial and error is required to find the right pair of in-ears for you. When it comes to cost, once one starts looking into two to four drivers, the price rises into the $200 and over range, with custom monitors starting at around $800, and maxing out in the $2,000 range.
As is the case with over-ears, oxygen-free cables, metal connection points, and gold-plated plugs are the norm. However, you’ll also want to look for removable/replaceable cables, that are reinforced for better durability. If you aren’t getting custom monitors, you’ll want a broad range of tip materials and sizes to ensure you’ll get a fit that works for you.
The Bottom Line: Is It Worth It?
When headphones like these are made well, in terms of audio quality, the answer for most audiophiles is yes: The extra money is worth it. If you’ve been longing for a detailed and deep music-listening experience, chances are you’ll feel the same way. The key is understanding where your dollars are going. Are you spending money on the drivers or the gold-plated earcups? Now that you know what features are important in terms of sound and durability, the decision of how much extra you want to spend on cosmetics is completely up to your taste and budget.
Lauren Dragan is an audio tech writer and voice actor who has been published in the Wirecutter, HE Mag, Home Theater, Sound +Vision, and Time, among others. Since 2012, she’s tested over 250 headphones.
EH ROBERTCOX says
Good explanations on the differences of the types of headphones, but your list of 5 Best Audiophile Headphones is highly inaccurate. Do some research….
Sennheiser HD 800 are the top rated dynamic headphone by professional reviewers and users.