Best Wired Headphones of 2025: Uncompromising Sound Quality

Explore the best wired headphones of 2025 that offer stunning sound and comfort without compromising on performance.

The Advantages of Wired Headphones

Despite the growing trend towards wireless headphones, wired models still hold many advantages. For starters, wired connections eliminate sound latency, which is particularly beneficial in studio settings. The analog cable allows for instant connections to devices with AUX inputs such as amplifiers or digital-to-analog converters (DACs). Since wired headphones operate passively, you don’t have to worry about battery life. Although the gap in sound quality between wired and wireless headphones continues to narrow, you may still prefer wired options to catch every detail your sound system can offer, especially with devices that lack wireless capabilities.

Top Wired Headphones: An Overview

Best Overall Wired Headphones

Sennheiser HD 800 S

- Neutral Sound: 8.6

- Type: Over-ear

- Enclosure: Open-back

- Wireless: No

- Transducer: Dynamic

- Noise Cancellation: No

- Microphone: No

The best wired headphones we've tested are the Sennheiser HD 800 S. These high-end headphones cater to audiophiles willing to invest in top-notch sound quality. Due to their high price point, they may not be accessible to everyone, and you might need a powerful amplifier or audio interface to use them, adding to the overall cost. However, if you’re prepared to spend, these renowned headphones create an incredibly spacious and immersive passive soundstage thanks to their open design.

They’re also remarkably comfortable, so you won’t feel fatigued during extended studio sessions. With a well-balanced sound profile and very neutral mid-range frequencies, they deliver precise reproduction of vocals and core instruments. Although their open design lacks low-frequency response, the slight boost in high frequencies results in a warm sound. Being open-back headphones, they do leak sound, making them best suited for quiet environments.

If you’re looking for high-quality open-back headphones that reproduce more low frequencies, consider the HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version. These full-size headphones utilize planarmagnetic drivers, enhancing low-frequency reproduction. However, they are not as well-built and tend to be heavier. Nonetheless, they are also a solid choice when it comes to sound quality.

Best Upper Mid-Range Wired Headphones

Sennheiser HD 490 PRO

- Neutral Sound: 8.5

- Type: Over-ear

- Enclosure: Open-back

- Wireless: No

- Transducer: Dynamic

- Noise Cancellation: No

- Microphone: No

Don’t let our selection mislead you into thinking you need to spend a fortune to enjoy high-quality sound. The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO offers excellent performance at a more accessible price point than the HD 800 S. Like the flagship HD 800 S, they feature dynamic drivers tuned for balanced sound. The smooth midrange ensures accurate reproduction of vocals and instruments, and the high frequencies are detailed enough to satisfy fans of bright cymbals. If bass is your preference, the HD 490 PRO might be the better choice over the HD 800 S, as they produce a bit more low and mid frequencies. Plus, they include an extra set of changeable ear pads to customize the sound to your liking.

However, the HD 490 PRO does have a few drawbacks. Their plastic headband feels less sturdy than the rest of the construction, making them seem less reliable compared to the pricier HD 800 S. Still, they are the lightest headphones on our list and incredibly comfortable. Since they’re open-back, you may not frequently take them on the go. The main advantage of the open design is the decent soundstage, as the sound blends with the environment, creating a natural sense of space.

Best Mid-Range Wired Headphones

HiFiMan Edition XS

- Neutral Sound: 8.6

- Type: Over-ear

- Enclosure: Open-back

- Wireless: No

- Transducer: Planar magnetic

- Noise Cancellation: No

- Microphone: No

If you’re on the lookout for a great pair of wired headphones at a mid-range price, check out the HiFiMan Edition XS. Unlike the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, these headphones use planar magnetic drivers instead of dynamic ones, but both pairs share a surprisingly similar sound profile with deeper bass than typical open-back headphones. The Edition XS's versatile sound profile clearly reproduces vocals and instruments, although due to a dip in high-mid frequencies, vocals in dense mixes may sound slightly distant. Sharp sounds like hi-hats are bright but not piercing.

You can use these headphones at sufficient volume without a headphone amplifier, and they deliver consistent sound quality, so you don’t have to worry about variations from use to use. Their open-back design creates a spacious and natural passive soundstage that enhances the listening experience. One downside is that their soft headband can feel heavy on the head compared to the ski strap-style bands found on other models from this manufacturer, like the HiFiMan Sundara 2020, and the headphones may feel large if you have a smaller head. Overall, they are still well-constructed and fit comfortably on most people.

Best Lower Mid-Range Wired Headphones

Sennheiser HD 560S

- Neutral Sound: 8.2

- Type: Over-ear

- Enclosure: Open-back

- Wireless: No

- Transducer: Dynamic

- Noise Cancellation: No

- Microphone: No

The Sennheiser HD 560S ranks as our best wired headphones in the lower mid-range price category. While both headphone pairs are open-back, the Sennheiser HD 560S has advantages over the HiFiMan Edition XS. The HD 560S is slightly smaller and has a firmer clamp than the HiFiMan, making them more stable on the head. However, the HiFiMan boasts more powerful low frequencies, which may appeal to EDM enthusiasts. Still, the Sennheiser offers a flat sound with good bass for percussion, clear midrange, and high frequencies that reproduce detailed cymbals and vocal harmonics.

Thanks to the open design, the sound interacts with the surrounding environment, providing music with depth and acoustic charm. One benefit of these headphones is that they can connect to various sound sources with an impedance of 120 ohms and a sound pressure level of 110 dB. You'll likely not need a headphone amplifier, allowing you to connect them to a gaming console just as easily as to an audio interface, expecting a suitable output level. Their cable features a standard 1/8 inch TRS to 1/4 inch TRS stereo cable, so if it ever breaks or gets lost, you won’t need to purchase a proprietary replacement.

Best Budget Wired Headphones

Philips SHP9500

- Neutral Sound: 7.9

- Type: Over-ear

- Enclosure: Open-back

- Wireless: No

- Transducer: Dynamic

- Noise Cancellation: No

- Microphone: No

For audiophiles on a budget, the Philips SHP9500 stands out as the best full-size wired headphones we've tested. While they don’t sit as securely on the head as the more expensive Sennheiser HD 560S, they are still worth trying out since their open-back design creates a fantastic passive soundstage that feels spacious and wide, enhancing the listening experience. They're also very comfortable for long listening sessions.

These headphones exhibit a generally balanced sound profile that works well for various genres and content types. Their midrange is nearly flat, allowing instruments to sound realistic and detailed even in dense mixes, while the high frequencies are distinct and shimmering. However, the high frequencies are not as controlled as with the HD 560S and can sometimes feel a bit harsh. Ultimately, they reproduce even less low frequency than some other open-back models on this list, so bass enthusiasts may find them somewhat lacking.

If low-end response is important to you, the Superlux HD 681 is an excellent alternative to the Philips. The Superlux delivers a more powerful bass response that provides more depth and warmth in bass lines. Unfortunately, their high frequencies are harsher, causing sibilant sounds and sharp percussions like cymbals to be quite piercing, and the build quality feels cheaper.

Best Closed-Back Wired Headphones

Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO

- Neutral Sound: 7.9

- Type: Over-ear

- Enclosure: Closed-back

- Wireless: No

- Transducer: Dynamic

- Noise Cancellation: No

- Microphone: No

The Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO is the best closed-back headphones we've tested. These premium headphones are worth considering if you need a pair that can block out some background noise while letting less sound escape. They feature excellent build quality and come with a sturdy carrying case that, while a bit bulky, offers reliable protection when not in use. Unlike the more budget-friendly Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO, the DT 1770 PRO is equipped with a detachable audio cable, making replacement easier in case of damage.

Their overall sound profile is well-balanced, allowing for clear and detailed reproduction of vocals and instruments. However, due to their slightly bright sound signature, elements like cymbals or sibilant sounds can be piercing. The sound quality can also be inconsistent, so individuals who wear glasses or have thick hair may notice reduced bass, as the fit isn’t as predictable as with the Sennheiser HD 560S. Being closed-back headphones, the Beyerdynamic also create a more focused and less immersive passive soundstage than most others on this list.

Best In-Ear Wired Headphones

MOONDROP Blessing 3

- Neutral Sound: 8.1

- Type: In-ear

- Enclosure: Closed-back

- Wireless: No

- Transducer: Hybrid

- Noise Cancellation: No

- Microphone: No

The MOONDROP Blessing 3 are the best in-ear wired headphones we've tested. These premium in-ear monitors (IEMs) offer great sound quality and versatility compared to over-ear headphones, as you can purchase a cable with a microphone if you wish to make phone calls. They feature hybrid dynamic and balanced armature drivers for reproducing mid and high frequencies. This driver setup allows them to accurately reproduce high frequencies while delivering natural and detailed sound.

Their low-frequency response is also very neutral, effectively capturing thumps, percussion, and bass in compositions. They boast a sturdy build, with a detachable audio cable that reduces the risk of breaking if snagged. These headphones also fit comfortably. The cables wrap around the ears, preventing them from falling out, even with frequent head movement. While they lack active noise cancellation, which is typical for in-ear monitors, they still passively block a significant amount of mid-frequency noise like background conversations, making them convenient for on-the-go use if other options aren’t suitable.

However, they aren’t cheap and may not suit everyone. If you need reliable wired headphones at a much more affordable price, consider the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED. While they lack the slightly more complex hybrid driver configuration of the MOONDROP IEMs, their dynamic drivers provide a similarly balanced sound profile from low to high frequencies. In fact, noticeable discrepancies occur only in the mid-high frequencies, where harmonic content from instruments like cymbals sounds less open and detailed.

Also Consider

• Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000: If the Sennheiser HD 800 S is out of your budget, the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 makes an excellent alternative. They’re still pricey but very lightweight and provide detailed sound that can be beneficial for sound engineers. However, they don’t deliver the same spacious and immersive sound.
• Sennheiser HD 600: The Sennheiser HD 600 are well-built open-back headphones with a fairly neutral sound. However, they cannot reproduce as many low frequencies as the HiFiMan Edition XS, meaning you won't experience as deep bass in your music.
• Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO: The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO are open-back headphones, similar to the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO. They feature a sturdy construction and provide plenty of bass for open-back headphones. However, they sound a bit boomy and piercing, and their passive soundstage isn’t as engaging as other open-back headphones.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M20x: The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are budget-friendly closed-back headphones. Their closed design blocks more background noise than the Philips SHP9500 with open construction, but their passive soundstage isn’t as engaging, and the sound profile is less balanced.
• Philips SHP9600: The Philips SHP9600 closely resembles the Philips SHP9500, and choosing between the two depends on availability. Particularly for budget-conscious consumers, the selection will depend on pricing. The SHP9500 has the slight advantage of better airflow and reduced clamping force.
• TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO are wired in-ear monitors for audiophiles that provide rich sound with plenty of bass and high frequencies without breaking the bank. They’re comfortable and well-built, delivering stable sound when you achieve a proper fit. While their sound profile isn’t as neutral as the MOONDROP Blessing 3, fans of EDM and hip-hop will appreciate their punchy sound.
• Sennheiser IE 200: The Sennheiser IE 200 are less expensive and made from less exotic materials than the MOONDROP Blessing 3. However, they have slightly smaller casings, making them convenient for individuals with smaller ears. Their sound is similar, although the Sennheiser headphones have a warmer sound profile and are less detailed in the high-frequency range compared to the MOONDROP.

Check out our review of the best headphones for PS5 in 2025.

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