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The Best Hi-Fi Headphones Under $150

We’ve rounded up our favorite high-end headphones that cost $150 or less. All are wired; all are great.

wired headphones on a deskPhoto by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

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By Tucker Bowe

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You may think “hi-fi” means “expensive,” but as far as headphones are concerned, you can score great sound without breaking the bank. You might have to sacrifice modern conveniences, such as Bluetooth and a dedicated button for Alexa. But if you’re okay with wires, you’ll find a whole bevy of options.

Below, you’ll find some of our favorite high-end headphones that cost $150 or less. All are wired and great for at-home listening.

(Pro tip: if you want to level up your listening, you can pick up a headphone DAC/amp for pretty cheap and make these wired headphones really shine.)

How We Tested

tech roundupCourtesy of Brand

We’ve been writing about and reviewing headphones and desktop accessories for near-on a decade. We’ve had hand-on testing with the vast majority of the below wired headphones. We’ve also included a few headphones that are made by brands we trust and aim to get hands-on with them in the near future.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

Our Favorite Closed-Back Headphones under $50

tech roundupCourtesy of Brand

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

Specs

Headphones Closed-back
Frequency Response 15Hz – 20kHz
Impedance 47 ohms

Audio-Technica’s ATH-M20x have been fan favorites since they were originally released in 2014. The closed-back headphones have plush soft ear cups and a comfortable headband that doesn’t clamp down too tightly. The ATH-M20x have a relatively wide frequency response for this sub-$50 price range, making them a little more nuanced — and a good option for podcasters and other creatives.

Closed-Back Headphones for Less than $100

beyerdynamic dt 240 pro black headphonesBeyerdynamic

Beyerdynamic DT 240 Pro

Specs

Headphones Closed-back
Frequency Response 5Hz – 35kHz
Impedance 34 ohms

Beyerdynamic is one of the biggest names when it comes to really high-end (and usually pretty expensive) studio headphones. Its DT 240 Pro are excellent closed-back headphones that push sound well above their modest price. They’re well-built, comfortable to wear and boast a detailed sound.

Open-Back Headphones with Retro Appeal

styleGrado

Grado SR60x

Specs

Headphones Open-back
Frequency range 20Hz – 20kHz
Impedance Impedance

Released in 2021, the Grado SR60x is a new-and-improved version of the company’s previous SR60e headphones. They have the same industrial design from the 1940s and come with the same heavy-duty cord, but they have been upgraded with the company’s new “X Driver,” which promises superior soundstage. The cherry on top is that they’re made in the USA — Brooklyn, in fact. The only catch is that they’re open-back headphones, so they’re not ideal if you work in close quarters with others.

Fan Favorite Closed-Back Headphones

sony mdr 7506 black headphonesSony

Sony MDR-7506

Specs

Headphones Closed-back
Frequency Response 10Hz – 20kHz
Impedance 63 ohms

The Sony MDR-7506 are a blast from the past — originally released in 1991 — but these iconic headphones are still worth your money. Their sound is still vibrant and warm. They’re surprisingly great at blocking out outside sounds even without active noise-cancelation. And their soft ear cups and lightweight design make the Sony MDR-7506 some of the most comfortable headphones you can find.

Open-Back Headphones for Big, Spacious Sound

audio technica ath ad700x black headphonesAudio-Technica

Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X

Specs

Headphones Open-back
Frequency Response 5Hz – 30kHz
Impedance 38 ohms

You can probably tell just by looking at Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X what they sound like. These open-back headphones are rather large, swallowing your entire ears, and boast a huge, detailed soundstage. They’re ideal for enjoying hi-fi music at home when nobody else is around.

Grado’s Upgraded Open-Back Headphones

grado sr80xGrado

Grado SR80x

Specs

Headphones Open-back
Frequency Response 20Hz – 20kHz
Impedance 38 ohms

The Grado SR80x are identical in almost every way to the company’s SR60x that are already on this list. They have the same exact design — same ear cups and headband — but the SR80x has a slightly higher-end X driver that sounds a little more detailed and punchy. If you truly value sound quality and the extra $20 isn’t a big deal, we recommend upgrading to these bad boys.

Durable Closed-Back Headphones for DJs

v moda crossfade lp2 black headphonesV-Moda

V-Moda Crossfade LP2

Specs

Headphones Closed-back
Frequency Response 5Hz – 30kHz
Impedance 32 ohms

V-Moda makes some of the most conspicuous headphones in the world, and they’re the headphones of choice for some of the most popular DJs in the world, such as Martin Garrix and Kygo. The company’s flagship Crossfade headphones have side panels, called “shields,” that you can swap out and customize. The Crossfade LP2, specifically, are several years old but they have excellent 50mm drivers that produce vibrant and punchy sound. They’re also impressively rugged and well-built, so these are perfect for those who usually toss their headphones in their backpack.

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