There are a lot of high-end headphones on the market, and many of them come with a lot of high-tech features. But what if you just want to listen to music in its purest form? Audiophile headphones, which place a strong focus on sound quality rather than streaming technology or sensors, are a testament to great sound.
We have put up a list of the top 5 best Sony audiophile headphones below. They are also not always excessively costly; outstanding sound quality for a low price may be found, so don’t rule out less expensive solutions.
Sony MDR-Z1R
Elitists who want the best sound possible from a high-quality source will appreciate the Sony MDR-Z1R. With six ear tip selections and three cables with a choice of regular 3.5mm, balanced 2.5mm, and 4.4mm connections, it is a sufficiently premium package deserving the best audiophile headphones. They just lack an in-line remote control.
The MDR-Z1R’s engineers chose a single driver over the more popular multiple unit technique used by many competitors, and it’s built to be sturdy and low-resonant. The end product is fantastic. They have an extremely clean and open sound, which allows them to delve deep into the recording’s production. They also sound confident and perceptive, disclosing layers of low-level data and organizing each track they encounter into a logical and cohesive whole.
Check out out our full Sony MDR-Z1R review here.
Specifications
- Input: 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm, 4.4 mm
- Mic: No
- Noise-canceling: Yes
- Bluetooth: No
Reasons to Purchase
- Clever engineering
- Detailed, amazing sound
- Refined, entertaining presentation
Reasons to Avoid
- No in-line remote
- Cable transmits noise
Purchase Sony MDR-Z1R
Sony IER-Z1R
The IER-Z1R headphones from Sony are not the sort of headphones that immediately catch your attention, but give them some time and their exceptional transparency and resolution will wow you. They are also really comfy, with well-placed earpads, and lightweight. If you want to hear them at their best, you will need a high-quality source and recordings, so don’t scrimp.
When everything is in place, Sony IER-Z1R headphones deliver a powerful sound that spans the whole frequency spectrum. Their clean middle vocals, excellent timing, and outstanding ability to tackle tough, chaotic tunes are all things we like. At this price point, you can have some of the best Sony audiophile headphones.
Specifications
- Input: 3.5 mm
- Mic: No
- Noise-canceling: Yes
- Bluetooth: No
- Wireless: No
- Type: Open-back
Reasons to Purchase
- Comfortable to use
- Neutral and detailed sound
- Expressive dynamics
Reasons to Avoid
- It may not sound nice to you at first use
Purchase Sony IER-Z1R
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sony understands when it’s on to something excellent. Take a look at the Sony WH-1000XM4, which is the successor to the five-star-rated WH-1000XM3. These amazing audiophile headphones should be at the top of your list if you are looking for the best-sounding wireless on-ears.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 improves on the XM3 with plusher ear cups, improved noise-canceling technology, and a slew of new functions, including Speak to Chat, which lets you communicate with someone without taking off your headphones. More significantly, the XM4 provides a significant improvement in sound quality. The existence of Sony’s new DSEE Extreme sound processor, when combined with Sony’s innovative DAC and analog amplifier combo, creates an addicting sensation of musicality and passion.
Sony’s WH series has long been regarded as the gold standard in terms of timing and dynamics, and the XM4 continues that tradition. The low-frequency performance and dynamic changes are really exciting. The XM4 is a superb combination of ease and quality when you consider the high level of comfort and enormous battery life.
Check out our full WH-1000XM4 review here.
Specifications
- Input: 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm,
- Mic: Yes
- Noise-canceling: Yes
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Wireless: Yes
- In-line remote control: Yes
Reasons to Purchase
- Amazing sense of timing
- Dynamic, detail-rich sound
- Clear sound with an amazing bass performance.
- Lightweight and comfortable to use
Reasons to Avoid
- No IP rating
- No aptX support
Purchase Sony WH-1000XM4
Sony WF-1000XM4
The Sony WF-1000XM4 in-ear model is the company’s top-of-the-line model. Their design credentials appear to be rather strong on paper. In a twin woofer and single tweeter arrangement, the Sony WF-1000XM4 uses three high-definition balanced armature drivers.
Using Sony WF-1000XM4 true wireless secure fit adaptor, they can also function as a wireless pair. While they function with a phone (if it has a 3.5mm headphone port), you should feed them high-quality audio files from a high-quality source to hear them at their finest. Streaming lossless CD-grade music from a laptop? We strongly advise pairing the Sony WF-1000XM4 with an external DAC/headphone amplifier. Trust us when we say you are in for a wonderful time.
On every level, the Sony WF-1000XM4 audiophile headphones are outstanding. They provide exactly what they promise and then some, thanks to their superb noise suppression and cutting-edge codec support. Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format, which allows for spatial audio on stereo headphones, and the LDAC codec, which can transfer data at up to 990 kbps, are both supported by the Sony WF-1000XM4.
Check out our full Sony WF-1000XM4 review here.
Specifications
- Input: 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm, 4.4 mm
- Mic: Yes
- Noise-canceling: Yes
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Wireless: Yes
- In-line remote control: Yes
Reasons to Purchase
- Amazing sense of timing
- Clear sound with an amazing bass performance.
- Lightweight and comfortable to use
Reasons to Avoid
- No IP rating
Purchase Sony WF-1000XM4
Sony MDR-Z7M2
Without a doubt, they are some of the best audiophile headphones we have ever heard. They are also reasonably priced. You should buy them without hesitation if sound quality is important to you. There is, however, a significant condition to take into account. They have an open back. That means that they transmit audio to everybody around you as well as allow outside noises in.
On the plus side, the Sony MDR-Z7M2’s atmosphere is beautifully airy and wide, allowing the music to shine through. Although this is a polished and beautifully smooth performance, there is still enough bite to gratify. There’s a wonderful sense of weight to the proceedings, and the sound is filled with authority. Finally, they have a well-balanced sound that works well with a variety of records.
Check out our full Sony Z7M2 review here.
Specifications
- Input: 6.3 mm
- Mic: Yes
- Noise-canceling: Yes
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Wireless: Yes
- In-line remote control: Yes
- Type: Open back
Reasons to Purchase
- Comfortable to use
- Transparency
- Lightweight
Reasons to Avoid
- No IP rating
Purchase Sony WF-1000XM4