50 Headphone Brands Ranked From Best To Worst
50 Headphone Brands Ranked From Best To Worst
50 Headphone Brands Ranked From Best To Worst
With nearly hundreds of headphone brands available in the market today, it can be quite a
challenge to distinguish the best from the worst ones. In fact, there are countless headphone
brands and way too many headphone models, popular or not, making rounds in various local
shops and online stores all over the world. No matter your budget or the style youre looking
for, you will surely find several that will meet your needs. This is because some brands
specialize exclusively in developing headphones for professional / studio purposes, whilst
others produce all types of headphones.
A Brief History of Headphones
Its been over a century since the first pair of headphones came out. In fact, in the late 1800s,
around the 1880s to be more precise, the first known headphones were created. However,
these werent made to listen to music. These headphones were quite heavy at about 10
pounds, made with just one earpiece, and are used by telephone operators. It was in the 1890s
when headphones that look quite like stethoscopes were made so that opera fans can listen to
music in the comforts of their home.
It was only in 1910 when the first pair of headphones that look quite similar to those that are
around today was manufactured. Credit goes to Nathaniel Baldwin who sold his creations to
the U.S. Navy; too bad he never patented his design. As years went by, headphone designs
have greatly evolved. In 1937, Beyerdynamic released the first dynamic headphones the
DT-48. More than a decade later, AKG produced one of the most popular pairs at that time,
the K120.
A turning point in the headphone industry or what can even be considered a milestone was the
time when Dr. Dre came out with Beats in 2008. Together with Jimmy Iovine and Monster,
Beats by Dr. Dre was manufactured and released to the public with a promise of superior
sound quality with such rich bass, along with a sleek and modern design that can make any
music enthusiast swoon. With some of the biggest names in the music industry endorsing
Beats, the launch became successful. The response was overwhelming and Beats was greatly
supported by the general public despite its massive price tag, compared to other headphones
during that time. That b logo on cans grew to be so famous and until today, these
headphones continue to make waves among audiophiles and music fans alike; especially since
it moved from Monster to Apple. While some would claim that Beats are overrated, it is
undeniable that the brand has paved the way for a new breed of headphones. Today,
headphones are no longer just considered accessories to your audio equipment or portable
music players; headphones have become gadgets on their own.
Weighing on sound quality, comfort, durability, design and price, the 30 headphone brands
below made the cut. Because manufacturers can give you such attractive and impressive
descriptions on their advertisements, it is always best to consider customer reviews and
feedback. Those who actually paid for the product, used it and voluntarily left their ratings
and reviews are the ones who will most likely give more accurate and honest brand and
product descriptions. And the brands you will see below are those that are popular and
considered best because of the most honest reasons.
The top positions of the best headphone brands with the highest and best customer
reviews and experience are primarily dominated by companies that specialize in
producing audio equipment for DJs and audio professionals, such as Audio Technica,
Beyerdynamic, V-MODA and Ultrasone
The price range of the top headphone brands is certainly within the highest end of the
(price) spectrum, as the top brands sell headphone models that range from around $50
(i.e Audio Technica M20X) up to $1,000 (i.e. Beyerdynamic T1 600!)
According to our analysis, the best headphone brand Audio Technica sells
headphones that according to users / customers are far superior in sound performance
than many well-known brands such as Beats of Bose, and yet cost a lot less. For
instance, the flagship Beats model Solo 2 is around 25% more expensive that the
outstanding Audio Technica M50x which has literally received thousands of
outstanding reviews and ratings from customers and industry experts alike!
There are a lot of small and not well-known headphone companies / brands, which
have produced some outstanding headphone models
Having said that, we have produced a table below which captures the top 10 headphones of
the top 10 brands.
Professional studio
1. Audio- Audio-Technica ATH-
monitor over ear $$$
Technica M50x
headphones
Professional studio
Beyerdynamic DT-880
2. Beyerdynamic monitor over ear $$$
Pro Headphones
headphones
Picture Brand Model Headphone Type Price
V-MODA Crossfade LP
Professional / studio
Over-Ear Noise-
4. V-MODA noise isolatio, durable $$$
Isolating Metal
headphones
Headphone
Pioneer HDJ-1500-S
Professional DJ over-
9. Pioneer Professional DJ $$$
ear headphones
Headphones
Picture Brand Model Headphone Type Price
Professional
Grado Prestige Series
10. Grado lightweight on-ear $$$
SR80e Headphones
headphones
The Top 10 best headphone brands are primarily (and not surprisingly!) companies
that specialize in producing equipment and products for DJs and audio professionals.
The only exceptions are Bose and Monster, which produces high-quality headphones
with high-tech features such as wireless, noise-cancellation capabilities, and
Panasonic (a mainstream consumer electronics company) that produces a wide array
of headphones, and indeed many other types of products.
1. Audio-Technica
When it comes to headphones, Audio-Technica is probably the first brand that comes to mind.
Specializing in professional, DJ and studio headphones, Audio-Technica started quite small in
Tokyo, Japan over half a century ago in 1962. The brand consistently lives up to its current
always listening tagline as they truly listened to their market and made sure they delivered
to their demands.
It was never a hit or miss for Audio-Technica. This manufacturer has received countless
industry awards as they focused on comfort, durability, style and most importantly, topnotch
audio quality. They continue making their products available in a wide range of prices to
remain accessible to customers from all walks of life. Many online retailers selling pages on
Audio-Technica are full of positive reviews coming from very happy customers who mostly
rave about how each pair of this brands headphones can give you a guarantee of amazing
sound quality, no matter its design or the series the pair belongs to.
If you dont like risking on a pair of cans from an unknown brand and you want to be assured
that you will be getting what you are paying for and possibly even more, Audio-Technica will
certainly not let you down.
2. Beyerdynamic
In the audio industry, this brand is a veteran. Beyerdynamics roots were planted in Berlin,
Germany where it was founded in 1924. It now holds its headquarters in Heilbronn, Germany.
It started as a family business and less than a decade short of a century later, it is still owned
and managed by the Beyer family.
Those who chose to invest on a pair from this brand have nothing but great things to say,
whether theyre simple music lovers or professionals. From unbelievably high quality sound
to incredible durability to extreme comfort, every dollar spent on a pair of Beyerdynamic
headphones is absolutely worth it.
3. Bose
Even before noise-cancelling headphones became popular, it was Dr. Amar G. Bose who
realized how important these are especially for those who travel. He was on a flight to Europe
in the late 1970s when he tried out the provided headphones on the plane. With the sound of
the engine roaring in the background, he can barely enjoy his music. Soon enough, Bose
noise-cancelling headphones from Bose were created.
Currently, Bose has a wide range of active noise-cancelling headphones including the
QuietComfort series, Space Shuttle Headset, Aviation Headset and many more. To cater to the
needs of the rest of the market, Bose has also come out with circumaural, supra-aural, in-ear
and mobile headphones, Bluetooth headsets included.
4. V-MODA
Based in Hollywood, California where all the glitz and
glamour are, its not even a wonder why professional DJ and producer Val Kolton first
developed innovations and patents for fashion headphone lines for DJs also known as the
Kolton Technology. He frequently travelled to Italy for research and in 2006, the first 33,000
pairs of high-fidelity headphones that come in 11 colors were finally launched. Eventually, the
company became known as V-MODA.
Probably the most notable among the many milestones of V-MODA over the past decade is its
collaboration with Apple in 2007. The first third-party headphone manufacturer for the Apple
iPhone and iPod was V-MODA through the Vibe Duo product line. In 2010, V-MODAs M
series made for modern audiophiles was developed and soon launched the year after in 2011.
With the brands unstoppable success, their offices, factories and sales channels have
extended to various countries that spans through several continents. Its headquarters are still
in Hollywood but Val Koltonis now holding office in the V-MODA design studio in Italy.
5. Monster Inc.
6. Panasonic
With their products available in almost all continents, it is no longer a surprise that Panasonic
falls on one of the top 10 spots on this list. Aside from Technics though, Panasonic has also
released a variety of headphones under the Panasonic brand name. Because of its popularity
and Panasonic being a household name, it was easy for them to breakthrough the headphone
industry and maintain success. With almost ten decades worth of research, innovation and
experience in manufacturing electronics, Panasonic is now also known as one of the
manufacturers of the best headphone models in the industry with focus on great sound quality,
comfort and style.
7. Ultrasone
Compared to the first few manufacturers that came before
this, Ultrasone is a fairly young brand as it was founded only in the early 90s. However, with
over 2 decades in the headphone game, Ultrasone seems to be here to stay. Founded in
Germany with manufacturing facilities in both its founding country and in Thailand,
Ultrasone has received support from music lovers and even professionals from all over the
world.
Ultrasone features several headphone series including the Editions, pro, hifi, DJ and in-ear
headphones among many others. Not very cheap pairs at all, you should be ready to spare a
few hundred dollars if you plan on getting a pair of cans from Ultrasone. For that price
though, you are guaranteed topnotch performance, power and durability.
8. AKG
AKG also takes credit for the first open-back and supra-aural headphones, the K50 model,
released in 1959. Among the many headphone models released by AKG, the K812 is currently
its flagship model. Available in varied prices, you can get some of the best AKG cans for less
than $100.
9. Pioneer
Founded in 1938 by Nozomu Matsumoto, Pioneer has since
made a huge name in the consumer electronics industry. A year before the companys
founding, Matsumoto has already developed the A-8 dynamic speaker. With multiple
collaborations with different companies and corporations, Pioneer has maintained it success
and decades later, it has proven to remain as one of the most established electronics
companies.
Pioneer headphones are very popular with many DJs in the world. In fact, there are
professionals and even groups that call themselves Pioneer DJs. The reason behind is because
Pioneer DJ is actually a division of the business that focuses mainly on DJ equipment.
Headphones made by Pioneer are highly regarded by consumers because of the belief that if
the top DJs are endorsing it, then it must be good. It is good to mention though that Pioneer
DJ came to be in 2015 when Pioneer sold its DJ equipment business division to KKR. The
quality of equipment, headphones included, did not deteriorate despite this change of
management In fact, it has even become better according to very happy customers who own
Pioneer cans.
10. Grado
11. Symphonized
If you want a unique pair of cans that surely stands out when
placed side by side with other regular-looking headphones, then you should definitely check
out those that are made by Symphonized. With their wooden designs as their main selling
point, you are not only getting a fashionable pair but a superior sounding one too.
Wood is known as a material with impressive acoustical properties. This is the reason why
many of the best speakers, musical instruments and more have wood as a key element. You
can choose from dark wood and light wood when selecting your pair of Symphonized
headphones. While the models available are not as many as those of other leading brands,
Symphonized has gained very positive reviews from consumers and professional critics
because each one is consistently durable and stylish. There are also earbuds and Bluetooth
speakers made from wood. Most importantly, as mentioned, the acoustical properties of wood
make Symphonized headphones produce such crystal clear and crisp, rich and natural sound.
12. Sony
From regular earphones and earbuds to full-sized headphones, Sony has also maintained its
position in the market as one of the top-selling brands. With so many headphone models
through the years, it could be challenging to point out which one is number 1 as Sony has
been consistent in producing only the best. Theres a pair of Sony headphones for everyone.
According to thousands of reviews from consumers and critics, Sony headphones are quite
consistent when it comes to durability. Sound quality varies though with some models better
than others. However, you can still feel assured that you will get fair sound quality even for
cheaper Sony cans.
13. Ferrari
There are individuals who are such huge fanatics of the Ferrari
brand and only a chosen few are fortunate enough to actually own a Ferrari vehicle. Whether
or not you own a Ferrari or not, you can afford a pair of genuine Ferrari headphones. The
earbuds made by this manufacturer arent as popular when it comes to ratings as compared to
full-sized over the head cans. All these headphones still come with the signature
CavallinoRampante (prancing horse) logo, with some that come in the usual yellow and black
and others in silver.
Ferrari headphones are expected to be as powerful as the four-wheeled vehicle and youll be
surprised that despite not being an actual specialist when it comes to audio equipment, these
pairs are quite competitive in sound quality. The best part? You can get a pair for a few
hundred dollars, depending on the style of your choice. You can choose from black, white or
even a shiny red pair of Ferrari headphones.
14. Koss
House of Marley pairs can sell for hundreds of dollars despite other bigger brands because of
the great sound quality it can offer. They offer in-ear, on-ear and over-ear headphones that are
all comfortable and feature the best acoustics and the source of the brands pride, Marleys
Signature Sound. This Signature Sound can give you the smoothest audio with very
powerful bass and precise mids with an energized high-end. Whether youre an artist, a studio
professional or a simple music enthusiast, Bob Marley fan or not, it wont be difficult to fall
in love with a pair of House of Marley headphones.
Today, Bowers & Wilkins has several popular headphones in their collection. The P7 features
over-ear headphones featuring the most advanced drive unit technology created by Bowers &
Wilkins expert engineers. The P5 wireless offers the same audio quality and impressive
drivers but adds the convenience and portability of high-quality wireless streaming. The P3 is
very lightweight and simple yet the sound quality is still undeniably superior. If youre one
who prefers in-ear headphones, the brand also offers the C5 Series 2.
17. Shure
Despite being in the business for long, it was only in 2009 when Shure began offering around-
ear headphones. Through the years, the selection expanded and in 2014, Shure on-ear portable
headphones also became available. Currently, there are three major segments of Shure
headphones portable, studio/professional, and premium/audiophile.
18. Sennheiser
Try looking into any random list of top headphones and
you will probably find a Sennheiser model there somewhere. From budget headphones for the
regular consumer to more expensive cans for the studio professional, Sennheiser made their
products available for the general population to enjoy. Celebrity DJs, artists and musicians
proudly use the Sennheiser brand and while the brand is far from being labeled as overrated or
overhyped because celebrities are spotted using it, it is good to mention that it has remained a
household name simply because of its consistent superior quality, extreme comfort, great
designs, durability and most importantly, the brand keeps their prices competitive and
reasonable.
As Sennheiser would put it, their goal is to provide the best possible sound experience to their
audience. Through the years, they remain consistent in their Pursuit of Perfect Sound.
Currently there are B&O headphones in all shapes and sizes from in-ear to on-ear to over
the ear headphones. Sticking to the sleek and classy designs which uses more of neutral colors
of black, grey and white, B&O headphones is well-loved by those who want to have the best
audio experience while staying stylish and simple at the same time.
20. Westone
Westone rightfully claims a spot in the top headphone brands because as their companys
tagline says, they are The In-Ear Experts. More than just for audio entertainment and
supplies for consumers and professionals, the brand also offers custom earmold products,
audiology supply, hearing protection for personal, digital or industrial use, as well as military
earpieces. Consumers have greatly praised Westone due to their expertise when it comes to in-
ear headphones that work impressively for all kinds of listeners.
Currently, some of the most loved models of PSB headphones by consumers and
professionals alike are the PSB M4U 2 Headphones which are active noise cancelling
headphones that look sleek and simple yet very comfortable to wear; the M4U 1 Headphones,
which are high performance over-ear headphones, and if you prefer in-ear headphones, the
M4U 4 Headphones can also offer high performance and powerful sound quality in a
lightweight and durable pair of in-ear monitors.
22. Creative
However, there are still countless consumers and professionals who stayed with Creative and
the company remained strong with a line of new products available to the market until today.
This Singaporean brand has stayed as a top choice due to the consistent durability and
impressive audio quality of their headphones. From in-ear to Bluetooth Wireless to high-
powered over-the-ear to performance gaming headphones, Creative has a pair for all kinds of
consumers.
24. SoundMAGIC
Of course, there are also SoundMAGIC over-the-head headphones that are equally
appreciated by plenty of consumers and professionals. Though reviews are actually varying
from very satisfied customers to those who think this brand is just okay, what remains
consistent though is that these consumers say that these headphones grow on them and upon
opening the box, you might not appreciate it right away, but after a certain burning in period,
you will fall in love with your SoundMAGIC headphones.
Among the popular headphone models of Sol Republic are Tracks and Master Tracks. Owners
and critics have praised the sleek design, comfortable fit and great sound quality that each pair
of Sol Republic cans can offer.
26. Skullcandy
Their reach has spanned across all continents and their products, from in-ear to full-sized
headphones have gained a lot of praises from all kinds of customers. What most likely
allowed them to stay strong despite strong competition coming in through the years is their
ability to offer their products at very reasonable prices. You can get a pair of very stylish
Skullcandy cans that surely wont disappoint.
27. Behringer
Just like some of the brands that have so far been included
in this list, Behringer is consistent in making other top lists when it comes to headphones and
other audio equipment. From being founded by UliBehringer in Germany, 1989, the brand
now has a worldwide reach. Their products are now made in China but the German
manufacturer still consistently meets the expectations of their consumers by ensuring high
quality materials used and durable built each time.
Behringer has received multiple awards through the years. Slowly but surely, they gained the
trust of their target market and their headphones remain a top choice among regular
consumers and audio professionals alike. Owned by the MUSIC Group, theres a wide variety
of Behringer audio products and accessories available in the market today from headphones to
musical instruments, amplifiers to microphones, wireless systems to power amplifiers and so
much more.
28. LG
LG headphones are not unheard of. Their most popular products are their Bluetooth headsets
that are usually used along with mobile phones. Sleek and classy, some of their top products
include the LG Tone Platinum, LG Tone Infinim, LG Tone Active and the LG Tone Ultra.
29. GranVela
GranVelawas able to make a difference and stay away from the Chinese electronic product
stereotype because of their promise to create great value and impressive designs while
ensuring the best quality sound for their audio equipment. Their headphones look hip and
stylish with great features to match and they continue to keep their prices reasonable. It is also
good to mention that GranVelas sales are mainly done online.
30. Beats
It seems like only yesterday when Beats by Dr. Dre took the
world by storm. Endorsed by music celebrities and more and getting through criticisms due to
its unique design and massive price tags, Beats surely went a long way from the time it was
founded by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine in 2008.
Initially partnered with Monster, Beats is now an independent division under Apple. With a
whopping 1.5B USD reported revenue in 2013, all the hate that was probably created by
competitors anyway have become irrelevant. Truth be told, Beats continues to be the preferred
brand of many professionals, celebrity musicians, artists and regular consumers. The B logo
has become a style icon and each pair of cans made by Beats is always guaranteed to sound
good, feel good and look good.