Whether you’re listening to your favorite tunes for pleasure or polishing up the mix for your next project in the studio, a high-quality set of headphones is one of the greatest investments a music lover can make. The sonic accuracy of high-end headphones allows you to hear the music of your favorite artists the way they intended it to be enjoyed. And for those who make their living in the studio, the reference-grade audio quality that premium headphones deliver is non-negotiable — how can you be sure that your mic placement needs to be adjusted or your mix is finished if you’re not hearing with the utmost accuracy?
What makes high-end headphones superior to more affordable offerings? Build quality, components, and design. That’s not to say that you can’t mix or enjoy your music on entry-level headphones, yet it’s generally true that sound quality and price are directly correlated. Truly, upgrading to a high-end set of headphones is an eye-opening (ear-opening?) experience that pays dividends by enhancing the sound of your productions and making your day-to-day listening even more enjoyable.
- What Are “High-end” Headphones?
- Why Professionals Should Own High-end Headphones
- Why Casual Listeners & Audiophiles Should Own High-end Headphones
- Hear the Difference for Yourself!
What Are “High-end” Headphones?
How much do “high-end headphones” cost? This article covers models ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, and we wholeheartedly endorse them all as “high-end headphones.” For musicians and listeners getting serious about their sound, even models on the low end of that price range offer significantly increased accuracy and musical enjoyment over low-end in-ears and headphones. In general, sound quality improves as price goes up.
How do you know when it’s time to upgrade? As with everything audio, trust your ears. We recommend that you research and audition high-end headphones as much as you possibly can to find the perfect pair for your needs — a task that your Sweetwater Sales Engineer is more than happy to help you with!
Why Professionals Should Own High-end Headphones
Your Headphones Are Tools
Whether used in the vocal booth, the live room, or the control room, headphones are tools in a professional studio. So, why would you trust your sound to an inferior tool? For studio work, you’ll want closed-back and open-back headphones to handle any recording or mixing situation. Once you know the ruler-flat frequency response and sonic characteristics of the AKG K812 open-back reference headphones, they’ll become a valuable reference point for your work. The powerful bass and amazing imaging of the Pioneer DJ HDJ-X10 professional DJ headphones make them the industry standard for gigging DJs. Plus, if you’re recording on location, then a pair of Austrian Audio Hi-X65 professional closed-back over-ear headphones are a great stand-in for monitoring sound sources and levels and crafting a preliminary mix before heading back to the studio to work on your regular monitors.
Headphones Are a Must-have for Binaural Mixes & Immersive Audio
Today’s cutting-edge immersive audio formats have changed the game for studio pros. In the old days, everything could be done on the monitors. But now, with the rising demand for immersive mixes, some of your work is best done on headphones. For example, if you need to deliver a binaural mix for a streaming release, then it must be done on headphones. The same goes for designing video game sound effects in Ambisonics. You can even use your headphones for mixing in Dolby Atmos. A great pair of headphones can help you lower the upfront cost of working in immersive audio without sacrificing the quality of your mix. The Focal Clear MG Pro open-back reference studio headphones are amazing for mixing and mastering.
Headphones Help Make Your Mixes Bulletproof
These days, most music listeners are using headphones or earbuds. Your studio headphones serve as a valuable double-check for a mix. A high-quality set of open-back cans helps you identify pumping, equalization issues, level disparities, and more. If your mix translates well from studio monitors to Neumann NDH 30 open-back studio headphones, then you’re probably in good shape. Are you new to mixing on headphones? Check out our article below for tips on getting great mixes.
Why Casual Listeners & Audiophiles Should Own High-end Headphones
You’ll Hear Your Favorite Music Like Never Before
Professionals aren’t the only people who will get a lot of mileage from a great pair of headphones. Not every music lover has the space or budgetary freedom to invest in a world-class set of speakers and playback equipment, so headphones are a natural choice. Headphone quality improves as the price increases, as do their drivers and internal components, all aimed at providing the most accurate sound possible.
How is the quality of a pair of headphones measured? An objective way to compare the performance of different sets of headphones is through their frequency-response range — a measure of the lowest and highest frequencies that a pair of headphones can reproduce. Take the Sennheiser HD 800 S open-back audiophile and reference headphones, for example. Their dynamic drivers are capable of a massive 4Hz to 51kHz frequency response. On the other hand, HEDD HEDDphone Two GT AMT driver headphones utilize VVT (Variable Velocity Transformation) technology to deliver a sweeping 10Hz–40kHz frequency range. Finally, ultra-high-end offerings such as the Audeze LCD-5s supply you with the very highest level of sonic range and accuracy, boasting a remarkable 5Hz–50kHz frequency response.
You’ll Enjoy Greater Comfort for Long Listening Sessions
Clarity aside, high-end headphones offer another essential quality: comfort. If you’re spending a lot of time listening to headphones, then comfort is necessary. Ideal for listeners who require superior sound and comfort, Focal Stellia closed-back headphones allow for hours upon hours of listening with minimal fatigue. Their 20mm memory-foam ear cushions provide a soft, supple, and secure feel topped with premium full-grain leather. Moreover, the Stellia borrows innovative yoke and headband mechanics from the ultra-high-end Focal Utopia to ensure optimal comfort for heads of all sizes.
The Right Amp or DAC Can Transform Listening Experience
When venturing into the world of high-end headphones, one key spec to consider is impedance. To put it simply, the higher the impedance, the more power you’ll need to drive the headphones. We always recommend picking up an external amplifier to make the most of your high-impedance headphones (roughly 100 ohms and up) because many devices with built-in amplifiers may not be able to drive them to an optimal listening level. Of course, Sweetwater also carries a plethora of low-impedance headphones from top brands and series for listeners who prefer to plug and play.
Another external piece of gear to consider is a dedicated DAC (digital-to-analog converter) or a combination amplifier/DAC. Every device you use to listen to digital music formats features a DAC, but they’re not all built equally — you’ll likely need a dedicated outboard DAC to enjoy premium digital formats such as DSD/DXD. Finally, dedicated DACs and amplifiers also often allow you to utilize a 4.4mm balanced connector, which is more robust than standard 3.5mm connectors and can reduce noise and crosstalk.
High-end Headphones Last Longer
Just about every listener out there has likely encountered issues with their headphones after a few years — cables that only work when bent a certain way, ripped padding, and the like. Not only are high-end headphones crafted to higher standards to provide a longer lifespan, but they also often sport easily replaceable cables, ear cushions, and more. Treat your high-end headphones with care, and you’ll enjoy years, even decades, of listening longevity.
Hear the Difference for Yourself!
It’s hard to describe precisely how much a new pair of headphones will improve your listening experience at home or in the studio. However, if you drop by the Sweetwater Music Store, then you can audition our comprehensive selection of headphones and hear how amazing our high-end headphones are. Need more help deciding what headphones are right for you? Pick up the phone and contact your personal Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700. They’re ready to weigh in at a moment’s notice.
