Finding the perfect pair of headphones can be a challenge, especially if you’re on a budget. However, you don’t need to break the bank to get a high-quality listening experience.
In fact, there are plenty of excellent headphones available for under $500 that offer great sound quality, comfort, and durability.
Whether you’re looking for noise-cancelling headphones for travel, wireless headphones for convenience, or studio-quality headphones for professional use, there are plenty of options available at this price point. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best headphones under $500 and explore their features and benefits.
Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are one of the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market, providing excellent isolation from ambient noise in a variety of environments.
This is a very comfortable pair of headphones with a lightweight design that does not weigh down your ears when you wear them. It has an IPX5 rating, which is considered “water resistant” meaning it can be submerged in water for up to half an hour without sustaining damage.
There are two main buttons on the side of these headphones, which includes a volume up/down button and a call button. In addition, there are touch controls on both sides of the right ear cup that allow users to easily access various functions while using the headphones.
These headphones also have an ambient sound mode, which lets users hear their surroundings without taking off their headphones. However, they may not be as effective in certain environments, like busy streets or subways.
The headphones come with a USB charging cable, which is convenient for charging these headphones while they are not in use.
Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is a great noise-cancelling headphone for people looking for a premium pair of headphones that provide great sound quality and excellent isolation. It’s comfortable to wear for long periods of time and has plenty of design options, so it might be worth the purchase price.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II is a great choice if you are looking for an all-rounder in noise-cancelling headphones. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II provides excellent noise cancellation, long battery life, comfortable design, and convenient voice assistant integration.
The headphones are a little bulky but with their excellent noise cancellation feature, they’re definitely worth the price tag. You can find these headphones for around $300 on Amazon.
Sennheiser HD 660 S
The Sennheiser HD 660 S headphones are a top choice for those looking for a pair of high-end headphones. The headphones come with a comfortable and lightweight design, along with a durable build.
These headphones also feature a wide frequency range of 10 Hz – 41 kHz, which is ideal for critical listening and audio mixing. The headphones have a sensitivity rating of 104 dB SPL / 1 V RMS, which is high for this type of headphone.
The headphones also have a comfortable and open-back design that makes these headphones ideal for those who want a spacious soundstage. Furthermore, the headphones have an impedance of 150 ohms, which means they should be able to power up even the weakest of amps.
However, the headphones have an exposed cable, which is a potential source of noise. Also, the cable is very short, which means you may have to carry your headphones around with you wherever you go.
Overall, if you are looking for a pair of high-end headphones that can do it all, the Sennheiser HD 660 S headphones are a great choice.
Shure AONIC 50
Shure has always been a trusted name in the industry when it comes to making great-sounding, high-quality headphones. Sure AONIC 50 is one of the most premium noise-canceling headphones that the company offers.
The headphones have a lot to offer, but they may be too expensive for most people.
However, if you want a great-sounding, comfortable, and versatile pair of noise-canceling headphones then you may consider purchasing this pair of headphones.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
I’ve been using this headphone for over 6 months now and have found it to be a great pair of headphones overall.
The sound quality is outstanding for the price and the bass performance is impressive. The headphones provide clear and detailed sound with a nice balance of mid-range and high-end frequencies. The highs are crisp and the mids are nicely balanced.
I was initially worried that the headphone would be too heavy for my head but it doesn’t weigh much at all. I don’t think the extra weight really affects the quality of the sound. The headphone is very comfortable to wear and can be worn for extended periods of time.
The detachable cable is extremely flexible and has a strong build quality. I love the options for using headphones with different devices and with different accessories. I usually use the straight cable for desktop and laptop use and the coiled one for portable use such as when watching videos on a long flight or while traveling.
I’m not sure how the noise isolation performs in real-life situations, but the headphones have good passive noise isolation, so I don’t have to worry about the headphones disturbing others around me.
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
The DT 990 Pro headphones are a versatile set of closed-back headphones with a comfortable and durable build. They are lightweight and come with a coiled detachable cable for a low-profile aesthetic.
The headphones are designed to deliver a deep and clear sound with a focus on midrange and treble frequencies. This is achieved by utilizing a highly efficient driver unit and a powerful headphone amp to produce deep, smooth bass.
The soft velour ear pads and padded headband make the DT 990 Pro comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The coiled cable can be easily replaced if damaged or if a different cable length or type is preferred.
The headphones are compatible with most popular music players and computers with a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Overall, these are a great pair of headphones for music lovers. If you want headphones with good sound quality at a reasonable price, then the DT 990 Pro is worth a try.
Philips SHP9500
The Sony SHP-HZ950 has everything you need for a perfect home entertainment experience. This amazing wireless headset features a detachable 1.5 m (5.1) premium gold-plated stereo cable for easy connection to your mobile device.
The open-back design of the headphone provides an excellent soundstage, making it suitable for any listening session. The high-quality 50 mm drivers produce clear and detailed sound, providing a rich and deep bass experience.
This headphone also features a wide frequency range, allowing you to listen to all sorts of music and audio content. Its 50 mm drivers are capable of delivering the best sound quality at low and high volumes, making it suitable for all sorts of situations.
The SHP-HZ950 can connect to both Android and iOS devices and can be used with most smartphones and tablets. The headphone also has built-in Bluetooth technology that allows you to instantly connect to your favorite streaming services such as Spotify, Pandora, Google Play Music, and more.
Another interesting feature of the Sony SHP-HZ950 is that it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. You don’t have to worry about cleaning and maintaining the headphone as it has a lifetime warranty.
Overall, the Sony SHP-HZ950 is an amazing and versatile headset that can be used for any kind of situation.
AKG K702
The K702 is a great pair of headphones for anyone who needs a pair of high-quality, open-back headphones that will last for years.
This pair of headphones is ideal for studio mixing, mastering, and general music listening. The open-back design allows for a large soundstage and accurate representation of audio.
The K702’s frequency response is flat and neutral, which makes it easy to hear each individual element of the audio track. The headphones also have a good level of detail and clarity, making it easier to pick out individual elements in a mix.
The headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods of time and come with a padded headband and large ear cups, making it comfortable to wear during long recording sessions.
The headphones are built with high-quality materials, and are sturdy enough to withstand heavy use. The included carrying pouch makes it easy to take the headphones on and off when not in use.
The only thing that you might not like about the K702 is that the lack of bass makes it unsuitable for bass-heavy music genres.
Overall, if you are looking for a pair of high-quality open-back headphones then the K702 might be a good choice for you.
Hifiman HE-400i
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones are among the best noise-cancelling headphones for asmr headphones. With their detailed and accurate sound and their comfortable and lightweight design, these headphones are the perfect choice for asmr headphones.
They feature planar magnetic drivers for accurate sound reproduction with a wide soundstage and powerful bass. The driver has a frequency response that covers a range of 20Hz – 35kHz, and the sensitivity is 93dB.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones are made of high-quality materials that will provide you with a durable product. The headphones come with velour ear pads for a comfortable fit, and they have a detachable cable with volume control that allows you to easily replace it with a longer one.
If you want a durable pair of headphones that offer high-quality audio and noise cancellation, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones are the best option for you.
Grado SR325e
The Grado SR325e is a very high-quality headphone that offers excellent audio quality and comfort.
It has a sturdy build with an aluminum alloy headband and a soft leather-clad headband. The headphones have a sturdy and reliable design, making them ideal for long-term use.
They are also designed to provide maximum comfort with their soft foam ear pads. The headphones are also comfortable to wear even for extended periods of time.
The Grado SR325e comes with a detachable 3.5 mm audio cable that is detachable, making it easy to use in a variety of environments. The open-back design of the headphones allows for better air circulation and provides a wider sound stage.
The headphones are equipped with a large 40 mm drivers with a frequency response of 18 Hz to 24 kHz.
The headphones also come with a microphone for taking calls. However, the microphone is built into the remote control, which is a bit inconvenient.
In summary, the Grado SR325e is an excellent pair of headphones that is perfect for listening to music in a variety of environments. They provide excellent comfort and high-quality audio.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the best ASMR headphones are those that are designed to provide a comfortable and immersive listening experience. They should have excellent sound quality, noise-canceling capabilities, and a comfortable fit. Whether you’re new to ASMR or a seasoned listener, investing in a good pair of headphones will enhance your overall experience and help you achieve deeper relaxation and a more restful sleep.
