- **This guide is a work in progress and will be updated with new content regularly. If you have any suggestions, please tell me.**
- **Kept up to date here by Boxfish: http://pastebin.com/JTV1tk70 **
- **UPDATED: 1/1/13**
- Recommended Resources:
- Concise Multi-IEM Comparison by ClieOS
- http://www.head-fi.org/t/541204/concise-multi-iem-comparison-sony-mh1-mh1c-added-oct-23th-2012
- Glossary of Terms
- http://www.head-fi.org/a/glossary-of-terms
- Describing Sound Glossary
- http://www.head-fi.org/a/describing-sound-a-glossary
- Headphone Buying Guide For Newbies
- http://www.head-fi.org/a/a-hopefully-helpful-headphone-buying-guide-for-newbies-by-boomana
- Frequency Response of Headphones
- http://www.head-fi.org/a/frequency-response-of-headphones
- Gaming Headphone Guide
- http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-updated-10-30-12-dt990-listings-merged-and-updated
- Massive Portable Headphone Review
- http://www.head-fi.org/t/433318/shootout-104-portable-headphones-reviewed-klipsch-image-one-added-10-02-12
- 50+ Flagships Compared
- http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-50-headphones-compared
- Headphone Labeling:
- (B) - Bassy / Dark
- (A) - Analytical / Bright
- (V) - "V" Signature (Recessed mids)
- (N) - Neutral
- ( ) - Work in progress; to be determined
- [_) - Open design
- (_) - Closed design
- (_)} - Needs amplification
- (_)| - Good for gaming
- (_): - Active noise cancellation or excellent passive isolation
- +(_) - Exceptional value in category at price point
- (_)# - May be difficult to obtain
- (_)) - Beware of fakes
- =(_) - Good for production/monitoring/professional use
- ~(_) - Form over Function; questionable value
- <(_) - Exceptional comfort
- >(_) - Possible discomfort, research before purchase
- W(_) - Wireless (Bluetooth, KLEER, receiver, etc.)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Over-ear:
- $20 - (N) Sennheiser HD 201
- (B) Monoprice 8323
- $30 - (B) Panasonic HTF600
- (N)| JVC HARX700
- $40 - [N)| Superlux HD-681
- $50 - (N)} Sennheiser HD448
- <(B)# Sony MDR-XB500
- +=[N) Superlux HD668B
- (N)| Samson SR850
- +=(N) Koss DJ100
- $60 - (N) Shure SRH240
- $70 - (B) Creative Aurvana Live
- (N) JVC HARX900
- +=(N)} Fostex T50RP (B&H)
- <(B)# Sony MDR-XB700
- =(N) KRK KNS6400
- =(N) Sony MDR-V6
- +=(N) Jaycar Pro Monitor (Fischer FA-003)
- $80 -
- $90 - =(N): Shure SRH440
- (V) Philips Citiscape Uptown
- $100 - (B) Shure SRH 550DJ
- [A) Alessandro MS1
- [A)} AKG K240 MKII
- (B) V-Moda LP
- $110 - (A)| Audio Technica ATH-AD700
- $120 - (N)| Audio Technica ATH-A700
- (N) Audio Technica ATH-WS70
- (V) Ultrasone HFI-580
- =(N) Audio Technica ATH-M50
- $130 - =(N) AKG K272
- $140 - ~(N) Skullcandy Aviator
- +=(N) Brainwavz HM5
- $150 - (V) Ultrasone HFI-780
- =(N) Ultrasone DJ1 Pro
- [A) Grado SR125i
- (B) Shure SRH750DJ
- (B) M-Audio Q40
- =(N) Ultrasone HFI-680
- (N) California Headphones Silverado
- $160 - (N) Fischer Audio FA-003
- $170 - (N) Audio Technica ATH-A900
- =(N) Shure SRH840
- (B) Audio Techncica ATH-Pro700MK2
- $180 - (N) Beyerdynamic Custom One
- $190 - [V) Ultrasone HFI-2400
- $200 - (N)} Denon AH-D1100
- [A) Grado SR225i
- (N) Soundmagic HP100
- (B) V-Moda LP2
- :(N) Logitech UE6000
- $210 -
- $220 - (V) Ultrasone Pro 750
- $230 - =(N) Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro 250 ohm
- $240 - +=[N)}| Beyerdynamic DT880 600 ohm
- $250 - =[A)}| AKG K701/Q701/K702
- [N) Hifiman He-300
- ~( ) Phiaton PS 500
- =[N)}| Sennheiser HD598
- (V) Pioneer HDJ2000
- $260 - (N) Audio Technica A900X
- $270 - [A)} Audio Technica AD900
- $280 - =<[N)}| Beyerdynamic DT990 600 ohm
- $290 -
- $300 - [A) Grado SR325i
- =(N) Shure SRH940
- [A) Alessandro MS2
- <(B)}# Sony MDR-XB1000
- =(N): AKG K550
- <[N) Philips Fidelio L1
- ~:(B) Bose QC15 (Only for ANC)
- $310 -
- $320 - +=[N)} Sennheiser HD 600
- $330 - (V)} Ultrasone Pro 900
- (N) AKG K551
- $340 - =(N)} Denon AH-D2000
- $350 - +=[N)} Sennheiser HD 650
- [N)} Sony SA5000
- (N) Beyerdynamic DT48
- $360 -
- $370 -
- $380 -
- $390 - [ ) Audio Technica ATH-AD1000
- $400 - (N) Sony Z1000
- [N) Hifiman HE-400
- <( )} Beyerdynamic T70
- =[N) Shure SRH1440
- $410 -
- $420 - [N)} Stax SR-207
- $430 -
- $440 -
- $450 - [N)} Hifiman HE-4
- $460 - [N)} Stax SR-307
- $470 -
- $480 -
- $490 -
- $500 - (N)}# Thunderpants by Smeggy
- ( )} Grado RS2i
- W:(N) Logitech UE9000
- $510 -
- $520 -
- $530 - =(N)} Denon AH-D5000
- $540 -
- $550 - [V)} Ultrasone Pro 2900
- (N) Audio Technica W1000X
- $560 -
- $570 -
- $580 - =[N)} Stax SR-407
- $590 -
- $600 - [N)} Grado PS500
- =[N)} Audio Technica ATH-W1000X
- W[N) Senneheiser RS220
- $610 -
- $620 -
- $630 -
- $640 -
- $650 -
- $660 -
- $670 -
- $680 -
- $690 -
- $700 - [N)} Grado RS1i
- +[N)} Hifiman He-500
- [N)} Hifiman HE-5LE
- [N)} Alessandro MS Pro
- =[N)} Shure SRH1840
- =(N)} Denon AH-D7000
- $710 -
- $720 -
- $730 -
- $740 -
- $750 -
- $760 -
- $770 -
- $780 -
- $790 -
- $800 - =[N)] Stax SR-Sigma
- $810 -
- $820 -
- $830 - =[N)} Audio Technica ATH-W5000
- $840 -
- $850 -
- $860 -
- $870 -
- $880 -
- $890 -
- $900 -
- $910 -
- $920 -
- $930 -
- $940 -
- $950 -
- $960 -
- $970 -
- $980 -
- $990 -
- $1000 - +=[B)} Audeze LCD-2
- =[N)} Hifiman HE-6
- =[ )} Grado GS1000i
- =[N)}# AKG K1000
- $1,100- =[N)} Stax SR-507
- =(N)} JVC Victor DX1000
- $1,200- =[N)} HE Audio Jade
- $1,300- =[N)} Beyerdynamic Tesla T1
- =(N) Ultrasone Signuture Pro
- $1,469- ~(N) Ultrasone Edition 8
- $1,500- ==[N)} Sennheiser HD800
- $1,550- =[N)} Audio Technica ATH-W3000ANV
- $1,700- =[N)} Grado PS1000
- $1,950- =[N)} Audeze LCD-3
- $2,000- =(N)} Fostec TH900
- $2,500- =[N)} Stax SR-007MK2
- $2,750- ~(N)} Ultrasone Edition 10
- $3,000- ~(A)]# Sony MDR-R10 (Bass light)
- $4,000- ~(N)]# Sony MDR-R10 (Bass heavy)
- $5,250- =[N)} Stax SR-009
- $7,000- ~=[N)}# Sennheiser HE-90 Orpheus
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- On-Ear
- $10 - +[N)| Koss KSC75
- (B) JVC Flats
- $20 -
- $30 - +[N))| Koss Portapro
- (B) Philips Citiscape Metro
- [B) JVC HAS650
- $40 - (B) Senn PX 100-II
- $50 - [N) Yuin G2A
- (B): Philips Citiscape Downtown
- $60 - >(B) AKG K518
- $70 -
- $80 - +[A) Grado SR60i
- ~(A) Phiaton PS320
- W(N) Meelectronics AF-32
- $90 -
- $100 - >(B) AKG K181DJ
- [A) Grado SR80i
- [N) Audio Technica ES7
- (N) California Headphones Laredo
- $110 -
- $120 -
- $130 - [A) ATH-EW9
- =>(N): Sennheiser HD 25-1 II Refurb (Dakmart)
- $140 -
- $150 - [N) Yuin G1A
- =>(N): Sennheiser HD 25-1 II Adidas Refurb (Dakmart)
- $160 - (B) Aiaiai TMA-1
- (V) V-Moda M80
- $170 -
- $180 - =>(N): Senn HD 25-1 II
- $190 -
- $200 - W(B) Sennheiser MM-400
- $210 - =>(N): Sennheiser HD 25-1 II Adidas
- $220 - (A) ATH-ESW9A
- $230 - ~(B) Phaiton MS 400
- $240 -
- $250 - (N) Audio Technica ESW9
- $260 -
- $270 -
- $280 -
- $290 -
- $300 - (N) Beyer DT 1350
- ~(N) B&W P5
- $310 -
- $320 -
- $330 -
- $340 -
- $350 - +(N): Sennheiser Amperior
- $360 -
- $370 -
- $380 -
- $390 -
- $400 - (B) Audio Technica ES10
- $410 -
- $420 -
- $430 -
- $440 -
- $450 -
- $460 -
- $470 -
- $480 -
- $490 -
- $500 -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- In-Ear:
- $10 - (B) Monoprice 8320
- (B) Philips SHE3580
- (B) Meelectronics M6
- (N) Earsquake SHA
- (N) Xeport 3010
- (B) Brainwavz Alpha
- $20 - (N) Meelectronics CX21
- (N) JVC FXC51
- (B) Soundmagic PL21
- $30 - (B) Meelectronics M31
- (B) Vsonic GR99
- (B) JVC HA-FX1X
- (N) Soundmagic PL30
- (B) a-Jays One
- [ ) Blox E2C
- +(B) Xeport 5010
- $40 - (B) Sony XB41EX
- (B) Vsonic GR02
- (B) Meelectronics CC51
- (B) Soundmagic E10
- [ ) Yuin PK3
- ( ) Dunu DN-12
- ( ) Brainwavz M1
- $50 - (B)# Xears N3i
- (B)# Monster Turbine Refurb
- (B) TDK EB900
- (N)# Xears XE200RO
- (N) Meelectronics A151
- <+(N) Vsonic GR06
- ( ) Dunu DN-11
- (B) a-Jays Two
- (B) a-Jays Four
- (B) Future Sonics Atrio X
- $60 - (N) Brainwavz M2
- (N) Vsonic RO4Pro
- (N) Soundmagic PL50
- ( ) Yuin OK3
- (B) a-Jays Three
- (A): Etymotic MC5
- (B) Fischer Audio Silver Bullet
- $70 - (B) Fischer Audio Eterna
- (V) Fischer Audio Consonance
- (B) Beyerdynamic DTX 71 IE
- (B) Nuforce NE-700X
- $80 - (A) Hifiman RE0
- (B) Hippo VB
- [ ) Yuin PK2
- ( ) Shure SE115
- ( ) Phitaon PS-20
- ( ) Spider "Realvoice"
- ( ) Audio-Technica ATH-CK7
- ( ) Brainwavz M4
- ( ) Dunu DN-13
- (V) Ecci PR401
- $90 - ( ) Grado iGi
- (N) Brainwavz M3
- (N) t-Jays Two
- (B) Beyerdynamic DTX 101 IE
- $100 - (B): Shure SE215
- ( ) Phiaton PS-210
- (A): Etymotic HF5
- <(N) Westone 1
- (N) HiSoundAudio Crystal
- (N) Creative Aurvana 3
- $110 - (B) Sony MDR-EX510
- $120 - (N): Etymotic HF2
- (N): Ultimate Ears 700
- $130 - ( ) Yuin OK2
- ( ) Clarityone C1
- (N) Fischer Audio SBA-03
- ( ) Fischer Audio Tandem
- (B) Future Sonics Atrios
- $140 - (B) Klipsch Image X10
- (A): Etymotic HF3
- +(B) JVC HA-FXT90
- $150 - +(N) Hifiman HE262
- (N) Audio Technica CKM99
- $160 - [ ) Yuin PK1
- <( ): Shure SE315
- $170 - (N) UE TripleFi 10
- (B) Monster Turbine Pro Gold
- <(N) Vsonic GR07
- ( ) Audeo Phonak PFE112
- $180 - (A) Fischer Audio DBA-02
- (B) Radius W Pro DDM
- $190 -
- $200 - (B) Sony MDR-EX600
- [B) Sennheiser MX980
- $210 -
- $220 -
- $230 - <(N) Westone 2
- (N) ACS T15
- ( ) Yuin OK1
- $240 -
- $250 - +(N) Hifiman RE272
- (A): Etymotic ER4
- (B) Sennheiser IE7
- ( ) Radius HP-TWF21
- $260 -
- $270 -
- $280 -
- $290 - (N) Audio Technica CK10
- $300 - <(B) Westone 3
- ( ): Shure SE425
- ( ) Ortofon EQ5
- ( ) Grado GR8
- ( ) Monster Miles Davis Trumpet
- $310 -
- $320 -
- $330 - ( ) Ortofon EQ7
- $340 -
- $350 -
- $360 -
- $370 - (B) JVC FX700
- $380 -
- $390 -
- $400 - (A) J-Phonic K2 SP
- (B)) Sennheiser IE8
- (N) Shure SE535
- (A) Sony EX1000
- ( ) Grado GR10
- (N) Monster Miles Davis Tribute
- $410 -
- $420 -
- $430 -
- $440 -
- $450 -
- $460 -
- $470 -
- $480 -
- $490 -
- $500 - <(N) Westone 4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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