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The Best Audiophile Headphones by Price Point

Audiophile Headphones by price point

The Audiophile Headphones for High-Quality Sound

What are the best headphones? The answer may surprise you that there is no universal consensus on the "best headphone" in the world. There is, however, the best headphone for YOU.

When the options are endless finding the best headphones can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Do you want a wireless headphone? What about a closed or open-back headphone? Luckily, there are some steps you can take to narrow down your search and find that perfect pair of audiophile headphones.

Step One: What type of music do you like to listen to? This is the first question Drew Baird, P.E., Owner and Founder of Moon Audio likes to ask our customers on the phone. The genres you listen to go a long way in helping us figure out what products (headphones, amps, DACs, etc.) will sound good to you. Your music says a lot about you, and some headphones sound better with certain genres than others.

Step Two: Do you like to get lost in your music or listen for every detail? If you like to get lost in the music, we call this the "Warm and Musical" listener. If you like to pick up on every single detail in a song, we call this the "Analytical" listener. Every headphone has a sound signature and pairs well with specific genres of music based on how they sound. A warmer headphone might bring out more emotion and intimacy in a jazz performance, or the feeling of a rumble on an intense EDM track. Analytical headphones are great for classical if you like listening for individual instruments in a large ensemble, the details in a live performance like fret buzz on the guitar, or nuances in a singer's voice.

Step Three: What is your budget? How much are you willing to spend on a pair of headphones? Everyone has to start somewhere, and a reminder to those just starting out on their audiophile journey: You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to get great sound.

The bottom line is that everyone hears differently, so there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the best audiophile headphones out there. The better question to be asked is "what is the best headphone for you?" Hopefully these steps and headphones guide can help you figure out the answer to that question. Happy headphone hunting!

Sennheiser, Sony WH1000XM5, HiFiMan headphones

Best Audiophile Headphones Under $500

HifiMan, Meze Audio, Dan Clark Audio headphones

Best Audiophile Headphones Under $1,000

Fostex, HiFiMan, Meze Audio headphones

Best Audiophile Headphones $1,000 - $3,000

Dan Clark Audio, Meze Audio, HiFiMan headphones

Best Audiophile Headphones for Reference Listening

Dragon Cables

Generally, stock audio cables are manufactured with subpar materials, metals with impurities, poor geometries, and an overabundance of layers to make them look and feel like a fire hose. Inconsistency and lack of quality control in stock cables can lead to poor sound quality and a veiled sound vs what the musician intended for you to hear and feel from the music. Dragon cables are handcrafted to the highest standards made to order according to your specific needs.

Why Dragon Cables?

At Moon Audio, we create a custom cable for you using the highest quality UP-OCC silver or copper conductors that can be manufactured. UP-OCC metals are void of impurities and are optimized for signal transfer and sound quality. We have one of the largest collections of audio and headphone connection options available online and we create limitless audio cable options depending on your specific gear and needs. Dragon Premium Cables feature the same quality construction as standard cables, but with upgraded solder and premium Furutech connectors.

Silver Dragon Sound Signature: The Silver Dragon is the original cable. Silver strands clarify instrument separation, increase the soundstage, and find previously lost high and mid-frequency sounds. Transients appear more cohesive and the bass is tighter for a more controlled sound. The detail and clarity of the Silver Dragon make it a perfect match for classical music and other genres with many nuanced instruments.

Black Dragon Sound Signature: The Black Dragon is warm and smooth with a musical presentation. Copper strands enhance the body, shape, and immediacy of the music. The detail and expansiveness of the Black Dragon make it a flexible fit where a broad range of musical genres are played. It can also improve bass frequencies on bass-light headphones. The smooth, musical quality makes it a perfect fit for headphones that tend to sound a bit edgy or bright. Despite its warmth, the Black Dragon does not have a laid-back, lush sound. It is much closer to neutral, making it a very natural-sounding cable.

Moon Audio Dragon Cables logo

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