10 Most Expensive Headphones of 2019

1. Best Budget: Dolby Dimension Wireless

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Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5

The visual design of the Dolby Dimension Wireless is sleek and completely black. The minimalist design means these headphones don’t stand out while outdoors. They come with some of the best features a pair of Bluetooth headphones can have. Read onwards to figure out the value that you’ll be getting in return for the price tag.

The battery life is a reasonable 15 hours and there is a quick charge feature that allows you to enjoy 2 hours for only 20 minutes of charging time. Bluetooth 4.2 is implemented that provides a range of up to 100 feet and reliable connection quality. Furthermore, it’s an APTX low latency design, which means there is no noticeable lag. This is ideal when watching movies because there will be no lip sync issues.

A Dolby Dimension App is included that allows you to alter the audio experience. You can toggle low power mode, manage devices, adjust the cinematic sounds, and set your LifeMix level. The app is available via Android and iOS devices so compatibility with your smartphone shouldn’t be an issue.

The custom-designed 40mm audio drivers pack a powerful punch that provides strong bass and balance across the 20-20KHz frequency response. The cinematic sound quality means these headphones are the ideal choice for movie enthusiasts.

The headphones are comfortable due to the soft padding at the headband and earcups. They do a good job of balancing comfort and bulk because they are not too big. The pleasing visual design means you won’t mind wearing these while out and about.

The Dolby Dimension Wireless has a few drawbacks you shouldn’t overlook before making the purchase. Firstly, there is no wired connection option, which means you’re stuck when the battery life runs out. Furthermore, they don’t have the most practical implementation for users on the go.

Overall, the Dolby Dimension Wireless is a good choice for movie enthusiasts that are after a cinematic experience. You’ll love these headphones if you are after reliable Bluetooth connectivity, a sleek visual design, and a comfortable fit.

2. Bowers & Wilkins P9

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

The Bowers & Wilkins P9 has a leather brown design that oozes class and a premium finish. You’ll love how they feel in-hand and long-lasting durability. The P9 is their flagship offering that is highly rated in the marketplace. Read the entire review to figure out if these headphones are the right choice for your requirements.

These headphones were designed from 50 years of experience and make use of 40mm audio drivers to provide HD crystal clear audio. The combination of deep bass, clear treble, and insightful midrange means you’re getting a complete experience.

A secure carrying case is included that allows you to store the headphones wherever you go safely. The headphones also have a foldable design, which means they can be reduced down to size to fit in your bag comfortably.

Italian leather does a nice job of providing a soft and comfortable fit. The headband is especially well-padded, which is a feature that’s lacking in some headphones in this buyer’s guide. Furthermore, the leather is durable so you don’t have to worry about the headphones wearing out after a short period.

The Bowers & Wilkins P9 headphones come with a few drawbacks that should be considered before investing. There is a strong clamping force that can be frustrating during long wearing sessions. Furthermore, the bass is a touch on the strong side, which can be problematic for users that want a cleaner sound profile.

To conclude, the Bowers & Wilkins P9 is a competitive pair of headphones that deliver one of the best audio experiences from a leather design. You’ll love these headphones if you want Italian leather, well-implemented audio drivers, and excellent durability. However, comfort could be improved by removing the clamping pressure.

3. JBL E50BT

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

The JBL E50BT headphones are packed full of features the modern headphone buyer will appreciate. JBL is a proven audio brand that consistently delivers highly rated offerings in the marketplace. These headphones are aimed at audiophiles that demand loud audio and reliable Bluetooth connectivity.

The 50mm audio drivers provide a full spectrum of audio reproduction that will immerse you into the music. However, the frequency response is a standard 20-20KHz, which indicates that these headphones may lack the depth of sound. Fortunately, the bass implementation is strong so you’ll be able to enjoy music genres like rap, rock, and hip-hop.

The Bluetooth wireless connection lasts for 18 hours and can be recharged via a USB connection. The lithium-ion battery is reliable for the long term, but adds some bulk to the earcups. The wireless connection is great for streaming music or taking a phone call via the built-in microphone. The mic comes with echo-cancelation technology to ensure the recipient receives a clean signal.

Large earcups mean that your entire ear will fit inside the confines. Therefore, no pressure is exerted on your ears and the breathable material keeps them sweat-proof. The headband has decent soft padding on the underside and they are highly adjustable.

ShareMe technology is implemented that allows you to transmit music to other compatible devices wirelessly. Therefore, you can share music with others around you that also have ShareMe headphones.

Before adding the JBL E50BT to the virtual shopping basket consider some of the potential deal breakers. Firstly, they offer poor noise isolation so you need to be in an isolated environment to enjoy clear audio. This means you’ll sacrifice audio quality when outdoors in noisy areas. Additionally, they have a somewhat awkward fit, which means the ergonomics could be improved.

To conclude, the JBL E50BT are some of the best Bluetooth headphones for buyers with a big budget. You’ll love these headphones if you need a durable build, reliable Bluetooth connectivity, and solid audio reproduction. The large audio drivers straightforwardly produce loud audio, but the limited frequency response needs to be taken into account.

4. Best Value: Sennheiser HD 800

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Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5

Sennheiser is a well-known audio brand that has some of the best audio drivers in the industry. The HD 800 is one of their flagship offerings for audiophiles. They are aimed at professionals that have the equipment to make use of the 300ohm impedance. Delve deeper into the features to understand what you’re getting here.

The insulated cables have a twin core connection that is shielded against frequency disturbances caused by ambient noise. It’s also a durable cable that will not wear out after a few months of constant use.

The patented 56mm ring transducers within the audio drivers mean you’re getting rich audio that is a joy to experience. The components are manufactured in Germany and handcrafted by sound engineers that pay attention to the smallest of details. Each pair of HD 800’s shipped out is given special care and attention.

The ergonomic earcups have titanium strength to protect the audio drivers but are packed full of soft material. Therefore, you’ll find the fit comfortable – especially because the headband has more soft padding on the underside than most.

There are plenty of positives to the Sennheiser HD 800, but there are also a few negatives that shouldn’t be ignored. Firstly, the look is not visually pleasing and bulky. Furthermore, the price is steep so you’ll need to be sure the quality here is something that you’ll appreciate.

To conclude, the Sennheiser HD 800 is one of the best choices on the market if you are looking for expensive headphones that provide good value in return. Every buying factor indicates that these are the complete package.

5. HIFIMAN HE1000

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

The HIFIMAN HE1000 headphones offer some of the best audio driver implementation that’s available in the marketplace. However, at around $2,500 you need to be sure it’s something that matches your requirements. These headphones have a bulky planar magnetic design so they are geared towards sitting down rather than portability.

The luxurious finish and quality materials is immediately evident when you glance at the headphones. The distinct look oozes with style that adds value to the purchase. The headband has minimal soft padding on the underside but is dotted with holes to allow for ventilation. The large earcups have plenty of soft padding and are large enough any ear sizes.

7 years of research and devotion has gone into the groundbreaking asymmetrical magnetic circuit. The advanced audio drivers were the world’s first with a nanometer diaphragm thickness. Therefore, the reproduction of live music is remarkable and an upgrade over almost every other headphone on the market. You’ll be amazed at the clarity of each note if you’ve never used planar magnetic headphones before.

The frequency response is a staggering 8-65KHz, which means you’ll enjoy thumping bass and crisp highs that bring out the best of any music genre. Furthermore, the distortion is minimal due to the design of the planar magnetic audio drivers. Therefore, you’ll never break out of the immersion that’s provided here.

You can also count on the headphones to stand the test of time due to the premium use of materials. The headband has a steady arch structure that will not easily break, and the grill mesh of the earcups adequately protects the audio drivers.

Before adding the HIFIMAN HE1000 to the shopping basket take a few moments to consider some of the drawbacks. Firstly, there is no travel case so you’ll need the right bag to properly protect them. Also, they are very bulky, which might be off-putting for users that are used to portable Bluetooth headphones.

Overall, the HIFIMAN HE1000 headphones are a dream come true for audiophile enthusiasts for whom price isn’t an issue. You’ll love these headphones if you need well-implemented planar magnetic audio drivers, a premium finish, and one of the widest frequency response ranges out there.

6. Audeze LCD-X

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

The Audeze LCD-X is a remarkable piece of kit that offers some of the best audio that money can buy. The all black and bulky design is striking. They are interned to be used indoors in an isolated environment due to the open back design. Delve deeper into the features to figure out if the quality here is worth the asking price.

These are professional grade headphones that are ideal for sound engineers, musicians, and DJ’s. The frequency response is an amazing 5-50KHz and the ultra-large 106mm planar magnetic audio drivers have a sophisticated design. The audio drivers provide near zero distortion and space-age materials are used to create a thinner than human hair diaphragm. They have been acoustically engineered for accurate audio that’s true to life.

However, the extra-large audio drivers mean the earcups are big and bulky, which means portability is limited. On the bright side, you’ll have no problem getting your entire ear inside the earcup. The comfort has been carefully considered here since plenty of soft padding is added around the earcups. The headband provides a snug fit and has plenty of holes so you are kept well-ventilated.

It’s a 20 ohm design, which means you’ll have a much better experience with an amplifier. However, regular devices like smartphones and laptops can adequately power these headphones without problems.

These headphones are handcrafted in California and engineered by some of the top sound professionals in the industry. Each pair of headphones is given special attention, which means you can expect your pair to work as described.

The Audeze LCD-X have a few drawbacks that should be evaluated before proceeding with the purchase. The large and bulky design means comfort is somewhat lacking. Furthermore, they are relatively heavy, which might become an issue during long wearing sessions.

To conclude, the Audeze LCD-X headphones are a good choice for professionals and audio enthusiasts that can appreciate sophisticated audio drivers. You’ll love these Audeze headphones if you’re after planar magnetic audio drivers and don’t mind paying a premium price.

7. Sony MDRZ1R

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

Sony is a popular electronics brand that consistently releases highly rated headphones for every price bracket. The Sony MDRZ1R is one of their top offerings that comes packed with a comfortable design, impressive audio drivers, and attention to detail that’s worthy of the asking price. They are aimed at the serious audiophile that can appreciate the small differences in audio quality.

70mm audio drivers are used that allow you to hear every detail cross the amazing 4-120KHz frequency response range. Your music comes to life once you unleash the full power of these headphones. Old songs can be enjoyed in a new way as you’ll hear sounds you wouldn’t be able to with average headphones.

The ergonomic design is another highlight that allows for hours of comfortable listening. The soft padding of the earcups is specifically chosen to be breathable and soft at the same time. Furthermore, the headphones have a nice balance of bulk and comfort so they aren’t the heaviest in this buyer’s guide.

Silver coated OFC cables are used that minimize resistance and signal loss. Therefore, you can enjoy a clean audio experience just as it was intended to be heard by the artist. The cable is also durable so don’t worry about it wearing out after a few years.

To summarize, the Sony MDRZ1R is a great choice for professionals that need to hear every detail of the sound reproduction. You’ll also appreciate the comfortable fit, luxurious finish, and excellent cable quality. However, they are pricy so you’ll need to carefully evaluate your needs to see if it’s a good match.

8. Top Pick: Focal Utopia

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Editor’s Rating: 5/5

The Focal Utopia headphones are meant to be used in low noise isolated environments. The open back nature means noise leakage is significant, but more importantly, noise isolation is minimal. Therefore, use these in a quiet room to enjoy the full extent of the subtle sounds that will be heard with these headphones.

The frequency response is an impressive 5-40KHz, which means you’ll enjoy strong bass and crisp highs that over-deliver. Every note of your music track will come to life in an immersive manner that just isn’t available at the budget end of the scale.

The 13.1 foot cable is long enough to provide the freedom to sit at a distance from the audio emitting device. Furthermore, the cable is designed to drastically reduce interference due to the low impedance rating. Therefore, you don’t need a lot of power to adequately use these headphones.

The headphones have a comfortable design that will not frustrate during long listening sessions. There is extensive soft padding on the earcups and underside of the headband. The materials feel luxurious and it shows the designer has given a lot of attention to detail in this department.

The Focal Utopia are considered among the best headphones on the planet, but there are a few potential deal breakers to consider. The soundstage is relatively small compared to other open back headphones. Furthermore, the midrange to treble transition can somewhat sound strange. Finally, the price is very steep and it can be argued that you can get a better deal at a lower price if you’re willing to slightly sacrifice some quality.

To conclude, the Focal Utopia are in a class of their own when it comes to audio fidelity. They accurately reproduce music that will impress even the audiophiles among you. Furthermore, the comfort is excellent allowing you to enjoy these headphones for long durations. However, they are very expensive so make sure that you have the budget and requirement for such technology.

9. Audeze LCD-4

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Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5

Audeze is a premium audio brand that consistently delivers highly rated audiophile grade headphones. These feature planar magnetic technology that will take your audio experience to an entirely new level. Delve deeper into the features on offer to figure out if these headphones are worthy of the high price tag.

The large planar magnetic audio drivers come with a number of advantages such as audio accuracy, near zero distortion, and diaphragms that are thinner than a human hair. Therefore, audio quality is better than almost every other headphone on the market. Just be prepared to put up with the bulky look and feel that might be a deal breaker for some of you.

Patented industry leading technology is implemented here and they are manufactured in the United States. Therefore, you can count on these headphones to deliver a premier audio experience that’s not going to disappoint even the most demanding audiophile.

The comfort is geared towards users at home or in a professional studio. That’s because the large earcups are not ideal for going outdoors. The earcups have plenty of soft padding and durability to ensure longevity. However, the underside of the headband has limited soft padding.

The Audeze LCD-4 is one of the best headphones out there, but there are also a few negatives to consider. They are heavy and therefore slightly cumbersome to wear. Also, the upper-mid range could be improved to provide added clarity.

To summarize, the Audeze LCD-4 is a breathtaking piece of technology that’s geared towards the audiophiles. You’ll love these headphones if you need a wide soundstage, great sonic texture, and a beautiful build. However, the price tag is very high so you’ll need to be sure it’s something you can appreciate.

10. Ultrasone Edition 10

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Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5

The Ultrasone Edition 10 headphones provide a very wide frequency response and a professional grade audio level. They are one of the most expensive headphones on the planet, but in return, you’re getting sophistication that’s unmatched by most other headphones.

The frequency range is an amazing 5-45KHz, which means you can expect deep lows that allow bass boosted music to come to life. Furthermore, you’ll appreciate the accurate mids and highs that provide clean vocals. Therefore, you’ll enjoy every note in the way that the artists intended it to be heard.

They are surround sound headphones that increase the immersion factor of enjoying your audio experience. Titanium-plated 40mm audio drivers are implemented that are packed full of industry-leading technology. For example, the precision dampening and micro-acoustic reinforcement is combined so that the space within the earcup is utilized to its full potential.

The brown visual design is distinctive and might not be for everyone. However, the premium use of materials means they feel nice in-hand. These headphones are also durable so you don’t have to worry about them wearing out after a short period of time.

Included in the package you receive a cleaning towel, premium case, and artfully crafted stand. These accessories improve your enjoyment of using these headphones since you don’t need to buy them separately.

The Ultrasone Edition 10 headphones come with a few disadvantages that could be potential deal breakers. The price tag is huge and it can be argued that you can get a much better deal at half the price. However, if you’re looking at headphones in this price range then money probably isn’t a factor for you. Additionally, the brown visual design might be off-putting for some buyer’s that want a different look.

To conclude, the Ultrasone Edition 10 headphones are an impressive offering for the audiophile that wants one of the best audio experiences in the world. The combination of the wide frequency response, premium use of materials, and sophisticated technology means you’re getting an impressive piece of kit.