Appearance, materials and design

Premium headphones often prioritize aesthetics, aiming to make a statement and attract attention. Marshall headphones, in particular, have excelled in this regard with their designs inspired by the brand's vintage amplifiers and combo. Many people choose Marshall headphones not primarily for their sound quality, but for their unique finishes and brand style. Take, for instance, the brutal Marshall Major IV with its rough leather trim and prominent golden studs — it's hard not to be captivated by its deliberate, edgy charm.

AirPods Max: Apple's perfect headphones.

Expensive headphones tend to offer more additional features and aesthetics. For example, the Denon AH-D5200 audiophile model uses exotic zebrano wood in the ear cups, providing both a visually appealing design and effective resonance damping.

Inexpensive headphones can be beautiful too, but due to the need to save money, most manufacturers cannot afford to experiment with appearance using a generic design as Apple AirPods.

Marshall headphones draw inspiration from the brand's iconic amplifiers and combo amps, catering primarily to fashion-conscious individuals.

Expensive headphones often incorporate premium materials such as metal for the headband, durable plastic for decoration, and leatherette, genuine leather, or breathable fabric (like velour or velvet) for the ear pads and headband. These high-quality materials enhance the tactile experience, prevent odor absorption, provide a comfortable fit with adjustable headbands, and add structural rigidity with the inclusion of metal components.

Cheaper headphones often use simpler and less durable materials, resulting in potential wear and tear over time. For instance, low-quality ear cups can easily get scratched when carried in a backpack, and inexpensive leatherette ear pads may become frayed with exposed foam rubber. However, it's worth noting that there are affordable headphones on the market that have gained a reputation for being incredibly durable, like the legendary the Panasonic RP-HJE125 with its indestructible wire. Nevertheless, it's important to consider that manufacturers have limited resources to allocate, and while strength may be prioritized, it can sometimes be indicative of compromises in other areas.

And don't forget about the kit. In the box with premium headphones, most likely, there will be a nice replacement cable and a beautiful carrying case, budget headphones cannot boast of this.

Marshall Headphones

Sound quality, sensitivity and impedance

One of the acoustic design options for a dynamic driver.

Inexpensive headphones typically use simple dynamic drivers, ranging from tiny 4-8 mm drivers in earbuds and in-ear models to 38-45 mm drivers in on-ear and over-ear headphones. Dynamic drivers consist of a coil placed in a magnetic field and a membrane that vibrates when an alternating current is applied to the coil. While these drivers can produce sound at high volumes and cover a wide frequency range, they are prone to harmonic distortion and have various technical limitations that restrict their performance. As a result, many entry-level models may sound either dry and neutral or exhibit an imbalance of bass or midrange frequencies, often requiring adjustment with an equalizer to achieve desired sound quality.

Expensive headphones offer superior sound quality due to advanced materials and hybrid drivers. They have lower impedance, reduced harmonic distortion, and can reproduce a wider frequency range of up to 40,000 Hz (compared to the standard 20,000 Hz). These headphones also provide accurate stereo imaging, enhanced detail, and well-articulated bass. However, it's important to note that many Hi-Fi headphones require a high-quality signal source and a good amplifier, as regular smartphones may not fully unlock their potential.

Premium models often incorporate dynamic drivers, but manufacturers employ various techniques to enhance their performance. For example, Xiaomi engineers used a dual-driver or quad-driver configuration in early versions of the Mi Pro and 1More in-ear models, with each driver responsible for a specific frequency range (bass, mids, and highs). In the Denon AH-D5200 over-ear headphones, Japanese designers implemented special vibration-damping suspensions for the speakers and used a lightweight yet rigid metal alloy for the diaphragm, effectively reducing diaphragm vibrations. These measures minimize resonances and unwanted overtones, resulting in an extended frequency range from 20,000 to 40,000 Hz.

Despite their similar appearances, TWS headphones from Jabra, Tozo, Beats, and Sennheiser have distinct differences.

In the world of Hi-Fi, it is common to find impressive technical innovations in headphones priced at $500 or more. For example, Fostex, a Japanese brand, incorporates planar magnetic drivers in many of their over-ear headphones. These drivers consist of a thin film with conductive layers placed between magnets. When an electrical signal passes through the conductive layers, the film moves within the magnetic field, generating sound waves. This technology offers exceptional sound detail, although the resulting sound can sometimes be described as analytical and less emotionally engaging. As a result, models like the T50RPmkIII are often used in music studios for critical listening and error detection.

Beyerdynamic, the German brand, incorporates Tesla drivers in their headphone products, which use denser nickel-iron composite magnets instead of traditional ferrite magnets. This increased magnetic field density allows for more efficient usage of the magnetic field and precise control of diaphragm movement. As a result, there is a significant improvement in sound detailing and a reduction in harmonic distortion. Instruments sound clear and well-separated, and the listener can perceive even the finest nuances of the audio reproduction. In general, the technical differences between expensive and cheap headphones are vast and constantly evolving due to the infinite combinations of drivers, coils, and diaphragms available on the market.

Dual speaker headphones

Additional functions

Many premium headphones often feature digital noise cancellation, auto-pause and wireless charging.

Apple revolutionized the market with its highly advanced AirPods and AirPods Pro headphones. Although not renowned for their exceptional sound quality, these headphones amazed experts when they were dissected, revealing a multitude of processors and sensors. The level of technological intricacy resembled the complex anatomy of Astartes warriors from Warhammer 40K, with their additional heart, spare lungs, and various implants.

AirPods introduced various electronic features such as automatic music pausing, multi-device connectivity, and headphone tracking if it gets lost. These functionalities became commonplace for other TWS models, and the range of features continued to expand. For instance, many 2020 models added support for Hi-Res codecs like aptX HD and LDAC. Wireless and fast charging also became more prevalent. However, these innovations were primarily limited to higher-priced headphones and rarely made their way to the budget segment.

LDAC-enabled headphones

Wireless headphones in recent years have seen the inclusion of hybrid ANC systems. These systems, using dedicated microphones and advanced algorithms, aim to minimize ambient noise, if not eliminate it entirely. In contrast, inexpensive headphones either lack ANC altogether or feature simplified versions that target only one frequency band and are less effective. The variation in ANC systems primarily lies in their methods of noise measurement and suppression, as well as their ability to effectively counter different types of noise, including low and high frequencies.

The price difference between expensive and cheap wireless headphones also becomes apparent when looking at the charging case. A high-end kit usually comes with a high-quality and nice case with an additional display, magnetic latches and scratch-resistant plastic. While in entry-level headphones, the plastic is usually easily soiled and scratches quickly, and the case itself looks boring.

Some premium wireless options support wireless Hi-Res audio transmission, preserving the original quality of the music. In some cases, manufacturers go the extra mile by incorporating built-in amplifier or sound card into the case. Amplifiers are commonly used to enhance the sound quality in music headphones, while sound cards are primarily used for virtual sound in gaming headsets. However, there are exceptions, such as the audiophile HiFiMan Deva Pro, which uses an external DAC to enhance the signal when connected via Bluetooth.

Conclusion

Most JBL products stand out for their powerful bass and are great for listening to electronic music.

While the quality of entry-level headphones has improved in recent years, it would be incorrect to completely disregard headphones priced under $1,000. We apologize if our previous statements gave that impression. Brands like JBL with their Tune series have made significant advancements, offering more balanced and interesting sound compared to their earlier models. Inexpensive Chinese brands like Knowledge Zenith have also introduced features like dual drivers and interchangeable cables, performing at a level comparable to affordable audiophile models from a decade ago. However, these examples are exceptions rather than the norm, and choosing an inexpensive model at random may not guarantee satisfaction.

Expensive headphones may appear superior in terms of specifications, aesthetics, and features, but a high price tag does not always guarantee quality. Therefore, it is crucial to read reviews and personally test headphones to ensure their performance meets your expectations. Additionally, different manufacturers often emphasize specific aspects of sound reproduction. For example, JBL products tend to prioritize bass, making them ideal for genres like hip-hop, techno, and drum and bass. On the other hand, Sennheiser headphones are known for their neutral and natural sound signature, making them a popular choice among jazz and classical music enthusiasts.