Last Updated on October 18, 2016 by Tim
High-quality headphones offer an audio experience that will change the way you listen to your favorite music at the office. You can clearly hear the different sounds or voices that you have never heard before. The audio industry has grown so much over the last few years and companies have produced a wide range of headphones that cater to different listeners. These headphones come with a hefty price tag, but you can already enjoy accurate and detailed sounds for just under $500. Below are some of the best headphones under $500 that you can consider:
AKG K702
The K702 features a completely-balanced sound and an impressive mix translation. You will hear accurate and realistic sounds that can improve your mood. The sound field has the right sound position, and listening to your favorite tracks will make you think that you are seated inside a giant concert hall.
These studio headphones are designed to be used with an amplifier. The bass is in good quality, but you will be most impressed with how they produce acoustic instruments and voices. This model is ideal for people who want more than just listening to their favorite music, but do not wish to spend more than $500 for a pair of headphones.
AKG K712 Pro
The K712 Pro is another AKG option that promises outstanding sound quality that you would expect from the brand. These headphones offer more bass than the other AKG models being offered. They give you a listening experience that lets you hear the full sound spectrum, with the mids and highs being equally-balanced. The bass is not at all overpowering.
Moreover, the K712 Pro is comfortable to wear. It has a lightweight construction and the headband adjusts automatically to fit your head. The earcups are made of soft leather that feels satisfying even after several hours of usage.
Audio Technica ATH-IM04
The Audio Technica ATH-IM04 is the brand’s first in-ear headphone. The company promises user comfort and professional sound quality in this model, and it did not disappoint. These headphones produced accurate sounds. The vocals, low thumps, and chords can be heard with crystal clear quality.
| AKG K702 | Features completely-balanced sound & impressive mix translation; produces accurate & realistic; studio headphones designed for use with amplifier | Very Good | Mid-Range | 4.5 / 5 |
| AKG K712 Pro | Offers more bass with balanced mids & highs; comfortable to wear with a lightweight construction & adjustable headband; earcups made of soft leather | Very Good | Mid-Range | 4.4 / 5 |
| Audio Technica ATH-IM04 | Professional sound quality in-ear headphones producing accurate sounds with crystal clear quality; unit is lightweight and comfortable with detachable cord; body constructed with durable materials | Very Good | High | 4.3 / 5 |
| HiFiMan HE400S | Produces phenomenal sounds & can be plugged into a smartphone; fitted with silver ear cups; lightweight at 12.3 oz. with impedance rated of 22 Ohms | Good | Mid-Range | 4.1 / 5 |
| Sennheiser HD600 | Uses a neodymium magnet technology to minimize distortion; utilizes 9-ft Y-cable & a wire to each ear cup; sports an open-air design | Excellent | Mid-Range | 4.8 / 5 |
| Audio Technica ATH-W1000XAudiophile Cherrywood | Offers competitive sound quality but without noise cancellation & wireless audio transmission; has a 53 mm big driver; bulky looking but not heavy; can be worn for longer hours | Very Good | Very High | 4.4 / 5 |
| BeoPlay H6 | Known for high-quality sound & stylish design; body made of premium materials & metals with close headphones that feature customized drivers & a neodymium magnet system; good mid-range model. | Very Good | Mid-Range | 4.4 / 5 |
| Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro | Has bulky construction but with customizable sound & design; earcups are replaceable with more panel options; it has a 4-position lever along rear side of each earcup to control sound quality | Very Good | Low | 4.3 / 5 |
The only possible downside is its bulky exterior, but the entire unit is lightweight and comfortable to wear. Unlike most in-ear headphones, the ATH-IM04 offers a detachable cord. Its body is made of durable materials, too. These headphones are best suited for mobile and professional use.
HiFiMan HE400S
The HiFiMan HE400S produces phenomenal sounds without boosting any part of the bass, treble, or mid-range. Such feature is a rare find in headphones these days. Most serious listeners often plug their headphones into a stereo receiver jack or a special amplifier designed for headphones. This model will surely sound great when used this way, but it can also deliver when plugged into a smartphone, which is a big plus.
The headband and the silver ear cups offer a refined look. It is lightweight, too, at only 12.3 ounces. The impedance is rated at 22Ohms. Overall, the HE400S is an ideal choice for avid audio fans.
Sennheiser HD600
Sennheiser’s HD600 uses a neodymium magnet technology that works to minimize distortion and power the aluminum voice coils. Its Y-cable, which is nine feet long and has one wire to each ear cup, brings your music to the drivers. This cable is terminated in a 3.5-millimeter, 1/8-inch stereo minijack connection.
The company lets you replace the cable and ear pads, but will cost you $25 and $41, respectively. Its open-air design allows outside sounds to come in. This means you might have difficulty listening to your favorite playlist while situated in a loud environment.
Audio Technica ATH-W1000X Audiophile Cherrywood
This model is produced under Audio Technica’s W series. These headphones look different from many of its other companions in the product line. They do not offer noise cancellation and wireless audio transmission, but the sound quality is competitive. The driver is big at 53 millimeters in size to produce high-quality sounds. While the whole unit is bulky, they are not particularly heavy. You can wear these headphones for a long time with ease and comfort.
BeoPlay H6
The BeoPlay H6 is popular for its high-quality sound and stylish design. Its body is made of premium materials and metals to give it a classy appearance. These close headphones feature customized drivers and a neodymium magnet system that contribute to the product’s high-quality performance. Furthermore, the H6 promises balanced sound effects, making it a good mid-range model.
Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro
The Custom One Pro looks more gamer-like because of its bulky construction, but you can customize its sound and design. You can replace the earcup panels by unscrewing eight Allen bolts (four on each earcup). The Allen wrench is included in the package, so do not worry. There are numerous optional panel designs that you can choose from through the company’s website for only $19 per set.
The cable comes with a 1/4-inch adapter that you can also replace with a headset microphone worth $83. The leatherette headband and earpads are replaceable, as well, with black, brown, or white versions. The most interesting feature of these headphones is the four-position lever along the rear side of each earcup that lets you control these sound quality. If you want customizability and you are willing to pay more for it, then this could be your best bet.
Conclusion
These are the eight best headphones under $500 that you should consider. All of them come with various features that can accommodate different sound-tripping needs. They can prove that you do not need to spend so much on a good pair of headphones. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, you can try reading through this article from TheTechnologyReporter.com covering the best headphones under $200. Take time in reading each product review so you can make a comparison, and finally decide which model best suits you.
