Never Miss Another Beat: Why an Investment in Audiophile Headphones Is Totally Worth It

A look at why high-end Audiophile headphones are perfect for discerning listeners…

Many people (mistakenly) think that only the most sophisticated ears can tell the difference between headphones that cost $100 and ones that cost $1000. The truth is, you might just be surprised at the difference your dollars can make when it comes to the audio performance of your device.

This is especially true if you choose to invest in a pair of high-end Audiophile headphones, that often comes with a pretty hefty price tag… But are Audiophile headphones really one of the best ways to listen to your favorite sounds? Do they live up to the hype? What even is the hype? Here’s a summary of the main points you need to know, which should help you cut through the noise.

What exactly are Audiophile headphones?

First thing’s first — these aren’t your standard headphones. They’re far less concerned with features like sweat resistance, Bluetooth connectivity or noise cancellation, and far more focused on the craftsmanship and audio performance. The goal for these headphones is sound purity, with Audiophiles providing a sound that’s high-end and as close to a live experience as possible.

If you’re somebody who intensely appreciates music and delights in hearing every single layer, bass note and background beat — a pair of Audiophile headphones could be the perfect option for your ears. Their openness of sound and accuracy is highly impressive and unique, as many other headphones simply provide basic stereo playback that lacks life and a sense of engagement. However, with Audiophiles you feel as if the sound is traveling all around you, giving you a truly immersive listening experience.

These headphones are a thing of beauty. With Audiophile’s, their build-quality and audio performance is pretty much unrivaled by any other type of headphone device you’ll find on the market. Their design is typically over-ear and with wires. But the headphones themselves are only part of the listening experience. Many audiophiles also have high-end turntables, headphone amplifiers and high-end digital media or CD players, for those who listen to digital music.

In a nutshell, think of Audiophile headphones as a luxury piece of technology, made only from the very best components and materials — kind of like an opulent meal from a Michelin star restaurant. Sure, you could eat for much cheaper, but the ingredients and experience are certainly worth your extra buck.

What should you look for in an Audiophile device?

If you’ve decided to take the plunge and purchase a pair of Audiophile headphones, then there are quite a couple of factors you should consider first. To make sure you get the pair that ticks every box for you, ask yourself the following:

• Open-back or closed-back?

This refers to the ear cup design of your headphones. Closed-back Audiophile headphones, such as the crystal clear Audeze EL-8’s, have the advantage of providing a certain degree of isolation, as they black some of the background noises around you, albeit not all of them. Open-back Audiophile headphones, like the NEXT model from Cleer Audio, tend to be the preferred choice of many listeners. That’s because their sound quality is considered to be better, with more multidimensional and spacious soundstages, closer to a traditional loudspeaker listening experience. This is certainly the case with the NEXT, with reviewers praising their high-end Lemo TMconnectors and vivid Hi-Res sound, thanks to the 40mm ironless magnesium drivers that do the job behind the scenes. Basically, before you decide, be sure to try a couple of open-back and closed-back pairs on for size and decide for yourself which sound you prefer.

• What about the audio detail?

You might think that to tell the difference between bad quality audio and good quality audio, you’d have to listen pretty hard. However, that’s not the case at all when it comes to Audiophile headphones. The superior sound quality should be obvious from the moment the pads touch your ears and you press play. When deciding on which pair to go for, be sure to tune-in to the detail of the sound as your music plays.

Does it sound pure to you? Can you hear even the subtlest details of the instruments or your favorite singer inhaling before hitting a high note? If not, then move on and try another pair. It’s also important that you bring your own music to demo Audiophile headphones with, when you’re in store. Pick a song you’re familiar with that has range to help you to determine exactly how the headphones play and sound.

Also, you should try to bring in your own source (phone, portable player) if you can to recreate your listening experience, not just the audio store. The audio richness and sound detail of Audiophile headphones should be their top selling point, which is why it’s important to keep an ear out (or two) that your chosen model lives up to these expectations. As with the headphones themselves, there is no “one size fits all” answer to this question. It’ll come as no surprise that the more you pay, the higher the device quality tends to be. But that’s more of a general rule than gospel truth. For example, take There’s also the out of this world price range, with the Focal Utopia by Tournaire coming in at a mind-boggling $120,000!

There’s no denying that the performance of pricier headphones will tick every box. But can you still get a fantastic pair for a whole lot less? Absolutely. Cleer Audio’s NEXT Audiophile headphones retail for around $699 — a pretty sweet deal, considering the amount of high-end features they’re packed with. Their lambskin, memory foam ear pads are shaped to surround the ear and hug the contours of the head, still giving you an incredible acoustic performance with their patented ironless motor assembly paired with their proprietary magnesium diaphragm. Proof that luxury doesn’t have to break the bank.

So before you buy, have a shop around first and compare a selection of different Audiophile models. You might just find yourself a steal…

To wrap it up

Overall, if you’re a music lover who appreciates those tiny details that often go unheard, then high-end Audiophile headphones are most certainly worth the extra cost. But don’t forget, there’s also a lot to consider when it comes to investing in the perfect pair of Audiophile headphones. As with any pricey item, it’s important to make sure that your hard-earned cash gets you something that can hit all the right notes. Unlike other types of expensive headphones, Audiophiles will retain their value for years to come — much like a vintage car or watch. So make sure you take your time to choose the perfect pair for you, as you’re likely to stick with them for many years to come…

Originally published at https://cleeraudio.com on April 17, 2021.