Great audio quality is probably the number one feature most people will look for in a pair of new headphones.
However not everyone can afford a pair of high end audiophile headphones.
Fortunately you no longer have to spend your life savings to have high-fidelity sound reproduction in your headphones.
Here we will look at 6 great headphones that won’t break the bank, so read on for my list of the best audiophile headphones under $100.
“Hi, Tom here from Aeon Reviews.com and here we will look at the best audiophile headphones under $100″
What Are Audiophile Headphones?
Audiophile headphones will have a different definition to different people.
An audiophile is a person who is highly enthusiastic about high-fidelity sound reproduction.
So sound quality comes ahead of everything else for someone seeking audiophile grade headphones.
Some audiophiles only consider certain brands to be worthy of being able to produce audiophile quality headphones.
Whereas some will consider a famous brand with a track record of producing quality and reliable headphones as being producers of audiophile equipment.
For example, a company like Focal would be a go-to for many audio enthusiasts. But good luck finding a pair of headphones from them for under $1,000.
However companies like Sony, Sennheiser, and AKG are able to put out high-fidelity headphones for much less.
It really depends on how the enthusiast defines audiophile-level sound.
Audiophile Headphones For Cheap
Gone are the days where you almost always had to spend hundreds, if not thousands, in order to get a pair of audiophile grade headphones.
Today there are many options for headphones which produce high-fidelity audio for under $100.
This article will not only cover headphones which can produce a high-end sound, but also excel in areas such as comfort, and build quality.
Here I will go over my recommendations for the best audiophile headphones under $100.
Best Audiophile Headphones Under $100
1/ Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 – Best Cheap Open Back Audiophile Headphones
2/ Audio-Technica ATH-M40x – Best Cheap Closed Back Audiophile Headphones
3/ AKG Pro Audio K240 Studio – Best Cheap Semi-Open Audiophile Headphones
4/ Sony MDR7506 Professional – Best Cheap Closed Back Studio Audiophile Headphones
5/ Superlux HD668B Dynamic Semi-Open Headphones – Best Budget Audiophile Headphones
6/ Anker Soundcore Life Q30 – Best Wireless Audiophile Headphones with Active Noise Cancelling
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1/Philips Audio Philips SHP9500 (Best Cheap Open Back Audiophile Headphones)
Pros
Crisp, Balanced & Accurate Sound
Comfortable
Durable Cons
Slightly Lacking In Bass
Crisp, Balanced & Accurate Sound
Comfortable
Durable
Slightly Lacking In Bass
Connection – Wired (3.5mm)
Impedance – 32 Ohms
Item Weight – 300 Grams
Materials – Plastic, Metal, Foam
Bringing 50 years experience in precision audio, Philips are always worth considering as a brand when choosing an audiophile headphone.
Sound quality, comfort, ergonomics, and value for money are brought together in one perfect package with the SHP9500 from Philips.
Read on to discover more about the awesome SHP9500.
Sound
Overall the Philips SHP9500 offers a crisp and well-balanced sound.
The audio is reproduced with great accuracy, and contributes to an incredible listening experience.
The trebles are detailed, mid range sounds excellent, and the bass sits just right.
These headphones sound really balanced overall across the ranges.
In terms of performance, the SHP9500 has large 50mm drivers, and a wide frequency response range of 12 – 35kHz.
They have a relatively low impedance of 32 ohms and a maximum power rating of 200mW.
Combined with a sensitivity rating of 101dB, these Philips headphones produce a clear and detailed sound.
Whether you are using these headphones for gaming or casual listening, vocal clarity is assured.
Pros
The Philips SHP9500 have been specially designed to give the utmost comfort to all users, regardless of head shape, ear size, etc.
They have a soft headband cushion, which is reinforced with a double layer for maximum comfort.
The ear cups are large but completely breathable. So you’ll enjoy a great, comfortable, and uninterrupted listening experience for hours.
Also, the drivers in these headphones have been engineered and angled to fit the ear’s natural geometry.
In terms of durability, the Philips’ SHP9500 is one of the most well-made open back headphones available at this price point.
Cons
Although extremely comfortable, if you do not like the included ear pads it may be quite difficult to change them for different ones (however there are users who have posted guides on the web explaining how to achieve this).
Also, if you are looking for headphones which deliver booming bass, you may need to consider using an external amp with these.
Although comfortable, some may say these feel somewhat bulky. So you may find these don’t stay in place if you are wearing them for any physical activity.
Final Opinion…
Many audiophiles agree that the SHP9500 match (and sometimes excel) many of the more premium priced headphones in many aspects.
Great for music or gaming, the SHP9500 offer absolute value for money.
Well made, comfortable, and their audio reproduction is unmatched. You will find you can use these for hours without experiencing even the slightest discomfort to your ears.
2/ Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Professional Headphones (Best Closed Back Audiophile Headphones)
Pros
Accurate & Clear Sound
Great For Studio & Everyday Use
Comfortable Cons
Slight Sound Leakage
Accurate & Clear Sound
Great For Studio & Everyday Use
Comfortable
Slight Sound Leakage
Connection – Wired (3.5mm)
Impedance – 35 Ohms
Item Weight – 240 Grams
Materials – Plastic, Metal, Protein Leather
If you are looking for critically acclaimed sonic performance for monitoring purposes, check out the Audio-Technica ATH-M40X.
Excelling in areas such as audio quality, accuracy, and robust construction. It is easy to see why these headphones are one of the most popular audiophile headphones in this price category.
But it isn’t just in these areas where the ATH-M40X excels however, so read on to discover more about these great headphones.
Sound
The ATH-M40X are tuned flat for an incredibly accurate sound monitoring experience across the entire frequency range.
I was impressed at how well these headphones sounded across a range of devices and genres.
The mid and high ranges are reproduced with impressive clarity.
The balance and dynamics you get are really great for the price.
Overall, there is a nice rich sound with punchy bass with the M40X.
Pros
Despite having relatively large ear pads, these headphones don’t feel heavy on the head, and are comfortable for long periods.
And although these are relatively large headphones, they do fold to become quite compact, and come with a carry pouch.
The thick plastic body on top of a metal frame makes for a really sturdy and long lasting set of headphones.
The ear pads also swivel 180 degrees, making them ideal for one ear monitoring, or DJ applications.
I also liked how you can pick up a Bluetooth adapter for these to easily make them wireless.
What Could be Improved
The bass is solid, but not as emphasized as on its big brother, the M50X.
These headphones don’t clamp as much as other studio headphones, which means there is inevitably some slight sound leakage.
Final Opinion…
No longer seen as the budget version of the ATH-M50X, the M40X has built up a fearsome reputation as one of the best monitoring headphones at this price point.
At home in the studio, or for everyday use for listening to music.
It is easy to see why these great all-rounders are often the go-to headphones for audiophiles on a tight budget.
3/ AKG Pro Audio K240 STUDIO (Best Cheap Semi-Open Audiophile Headphones)
Pros
Clear & Open Soundstage
Reliable
Great For The Studio Cons
Slight Sound Leakage
Clear & Open Soundstage
Reliable
Great For The Studio
Slight Sound Leakage
Connection – Wired (3.5mm with 6.3 mm screw-on adapter)
Impedance – 55 Ohms
Item Weight – 240 Grams
Materials – Plastic, Metal, Synthetic Leather
Looking for a quality pair of semi-open back headphones that won’t break the bank? AKG have got you covered.
Great for general purpose use, but don’t let the low price tag deceive you into thinking that these can’t deliver for professional purposes. The K240 Studio are actually the standard in many recording settings.
High-end audio quality , comfort, and a great price make these hard to pass on when choosing audiophile headphones for under $100.
Sound
The clarity you get here for the price is great, making the K240 great for monitoring vocals. There is a clear frequency response here also.
The XXL transducers of the K240 provide more detail to the mids and highs.
The bass is solid but that’s about all I can say. There are certainly more bass heavy headphones out there, but this is of course the norm for studio headphones.
The semi-open design of the K240 makes for an open soundstage with good acoustics.
There is a flat response overall, making them ideal for studio use.
Pros
Overall a really reliable pair of cans, I hear of very few problems with these failing in the audiophile community.
These are also a really comfortable pair of headphones also, making them ideal for extended use.
These headphones feel and sound great out of the box, with very little burn-in time required.
I was also pleasantly surprised that the cable was detachable, something you don’t generally see with budget headphones.
What Could Be Improved
Although great for monitoring, the K240 isn’t ideal for mixing or mastering, and there are much better headphones out there that can achieve this.
As these are semi-open back headphones, there will be some sound leakage into your surroundings.
As a result you will also get reduced isolation.
But many will find the bass levels here to be sufficient, but increased bass may be a desire for some.
Final Opinion…
This level of sound quality and clarity is often hard to find at this price point.
And the AKG Pro Audio K240 Studio have a great track record when it comes to reliability, with many audiophiles reporting having had them for many years.
Great for extended use when monitoring, with many users reporting being able to use these for hours at a time.
A great sounding, reliable, and tried and tested pair of headphones.
4/ Sony MDR7506 Professional (Best Closed Back Studio Audiophile Headphones)
Pros
Great for a Range of Genres
Reliable For Production & Mixing
Minimal Sound Leakage Cons
May Pick Up Ambient Noise
Great for a Range of Genres
Reliable For Production & Mixing
Minimal Sound Leakage
May Pick Up Ambient Noise
Connection – Wired (3.5mm with 6.3 mm screw-on adapter)
Impedance – 63 Ohms
Item Weight – 230 Grams
Materials – Plastic, Metal, Protein Leather
For almost 30 years the Sony MDR7506 has been one of Sony’s most successful studio headphones.
It’s reliability, great sound, and ability to be used in a range of applications make it no surprise that it is included here in our list of audiophile headphones under $100.
Read on to discover why these have been the go-to headphones in the past for such artists as Dr Dre, Foo Fighters, and Paul Van Dyk.
Sound
These headphones really focus on the the mid-range, which is what makes these headphones great at highlighting any imperfections while producing or mixing.
Overall there is an accurate response with a neutral sound from the 40mm drivers.
The bass is just there really. Hits nice and tight, but quite unpronounced.
The frequency response delivered here means the Sony MDR7506 sounds great across a range of music genres.
Pros
Measuring a 63-ohm impedance, these headphones are at home when plugged into a range of devices, from phones or laptops.
These headphones are lightweight and comfortable to wear for long periods.
Initially I thought the somewhat thin padding of the ear pads would be a problem. But the Sony MDR7506 are so lightweight this was never really an issue.
If you do feel thicker ear pads are required, there are a number of places online where these can be picked up.
Despite the design you will find minimal sound leakage here.
What Could Be Improved
Due to the lightweight nature of these headphones, you may find they don’t have the durability of other headphones.
Of course many of us audiophiles like keeping our headphones on display and in pristine condition, so this will likely not be an issue. However this may be a consideration if you are planning on taking these on a commute, or in a bag with you.
Also, the MDR7506 isn’t great at isolating you from ambient environmental noises.
Final Opinion…
Don’t get caught up in the hype of other newer, more expensive studio headphones. The Sony MDR7506 has delivered time and time again in studio settings, whilst demonstrating a versatility for everyday use also.
These are perfect if you are looking for a pair of studio headphones that will help you pick out those little imperfections on a track.
Yes there are better headphones out there purely for listening to music.
However you will enjoy discovering small details in your favorite tracks that you likely haven’t noticed before.
5/ Superlux HD668B Dynamic Semi-Open Headphones (Best Budget Audiophile Headphones)
Pros
Responds Well To EQ Adjustments
Includes Accessories
Comfortable Cons
Slight Sound Leakage
Responds Well To EQ Adjustments
Includes Accessories
Comfortable
Slight Sound Leakage
Connection – Wired (3.5mm)
Item Weight – 221 Grams
Impedance – 63 Ohms
Materials – Plastic, Metal, Protein Leather
Superlux are know for taking inspiration from more established audio brands, and delivering budget headphones which can go toe to toe with the big boys in terms of sound and design.
The HD668B is one of Superlux’s flagship products which helped solidify their impressive reputation in the world of headphones.
But what features make this budget audiophile headphone so great? Read on to find out more.
Sound
The 50mm dynamic drivers deliver a solid and tight bass here, which sits nicely within the range, and isn’t too overpowering.
The mid-range is fairly flat, with the highs being more sharper and pronounced.
The HD668B responds well to any EQ adjustments you throw at them.
I would describe the sound overall as balanced, open, and bright.
Pros
Great for critical listening applications.
Relying on paddles instead of a typical headband makes for a comfortable fit, as these paddles adjust easily to the shape of your head.
The ear cups are big enough to accommodate ears of many shapes and sizes.
I was also impressed at the number of accessories you get at such a super low price (2 x detachable cables and a carry pouch as standard).
Aesthetically Superlux have done a great job with their budget, as these could easily be mistaken for a more expensive Audio-Technica or AKG model.
Cons
You may notice that these headphones do let in slightly more ambient noise than your typical semi-open back headphone.
There is some sound leakage here also, which may be a consideration depending on what environment you wish to use them in.
These may also feel slightly bulky to some, and I would have liked more adjustability with the headband, as people with oversized heads may find these somewhat tight.
Final Opinion…
A great choice for both casual and critical listeners who are on a tight budget.
Slightly higher impedance than many of the headphones in this article, so consider this if you wish to drive these at high volumes.
I’m certain you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the performance you get for the price with these headphones
One of the best bang for your buck headphones on the market today.
6/ Anker Soundcore Life Q30 (Best Wireless Audiophile Headphones with ANC)
Pros
Customizable Sound
Packed With Features
Comfortable Cons
Not Great For Using With Calls
Customizable Sound
Packed With Features
Comfortable
Not Great For Using With Calls
Connection – Bluetooth (wired optional)
Item Weight – 260 Grams
Impedance – 16 Ohms
Materials – Plastic, Metal, Protein Leather & Memory Foam
Once considered a luxury, it wasn’t that long ago that you would struggle to pick up a pair of over-ear headphones with ANC (active noise cancelling) for under $250.
Fortunately, with advances in the technology, it is now possible to pick up a quality set of headphones with this feature for under $100.
Of all the ANC headphones available in this category, why did I choose the Anker Soundcore Life Q30?
Read on to find out more.
Sound
The mid-range and treble are smooth and clear.
High frequencies in particular sound lively and well managed here.
The bass frequencies are noticeably pronounced. So if you are looking for a more neutral sounding headphone, you may need to make some adjustments via the Soundcore Smartphone App.
I would describe the soundstage as fairly wide, with noticeable channel separation.
Overall the Q30 sounds great regardless of whatever genre of music you throw at it.
Pros
Utilising Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling, the Q30’s claim to block out up to 95% of low-frequency ambient sound (such as engines).
You can also choose from Outdoor, Transport or Indoor noise cancelling modes depending on where you plan to use these, and the level of noise cancelling required.
A nice feature is being able to touch the right earcup for 1-2 seconds to enable ‘Transparency Mode’, which allows more external sound in to enable you to hear people talking for example.
You can expect around 40 hours of noise cancelling play time on a full charge (and around 60 hours with ANC off), however the fast charge feature means you can get 4 hours of play from just a 5 minute charge!
Install the Soundcore app on your phone to easily switch ANC modes, and also choose from 22 EQ presets.
Pairing these to your phone couldn’t be simpler, just tap your smartphone on the right ear cup to connect.
The Q30’s are comfortable over long periods due to the lightweight design coupled with memory foam ear cups. The angle of the ear cups also adjusts around 15 degrees.
Cons
You may find there is some audio leak at high volume levels.
If you are using these for calls, you may notice the call quality takes a noticeable dip when any kind of ambient noise is present.
A wider range of touch controls would have been nice, however that may be asking a lot at this price point.
Final Opinion…
A really great set of headphones for the price.
Solid ANC, an impressive battery life, and a pleasing amount of adjustability to the audio via the app.
If you are looking for a pair of wireless headphones with active noise cancelling that won’t break the bank, then check the Q30 out.
Conclusion
So that brings us to the end of my list of the best audiophile headphones under $100.
It has never been a better time to experience high-fidelity sound reproduction on a budget.
Whether it is for everyday or professional applications, you can not go wrong with the headphones we have covered in this article.
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