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Best Wired Headphones for Audiophiles in 2025

From budget to premium models, these are the best wired headphones, based on testing by CNET’s audio experts.

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What to consider

Budget

Know how much you’re willing to spend on headphones before you start doing serious research.

Open-back or closed-back

You can get better, more open and airy sound from open-back headphones, but they do leak — and let in — sound. Closed-back headphones are better for noisier environments.

Smartphone compatibility

Most of today’s smartphones no longer have a headphone jack. That means you can’t plug a passive wired headphone into a smartphone without an adapter (for a 3.5mm jack) or portable USB-C headphone amplifier.

Comfort

It’s important to know you can wear your headphones for long periods of time, without any pain or pinching.

Do you have the right equipment?

Some audiophile headphones are harder to drive, so you may need a headphone amp to get optimal sound quality.

Return policy

Make sure you buy from a reputable source, so you can return the headphones if you try them out and don’t care for them.

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I’ve been testing headphones for 20 years, and though I like the convenience of wireless cans and earbuds, if you want the best sound quality possible, wired headphones are still the way to go. True, many wireless headphones include a cord that turns them into wired headphones. But the models on this best list are wired-only unpowered headphones, and none of them have active noise canceling, which has a tendency to degrade sound quality. Note that with some wired headphones that are harder to drive, it’s best to use a headphone amp, including compact, affordable models like the iFi Go Link and iFi Go Link Max. CNET home audio editor Ty Pendelbury helped evaluate some of the headphones on this list.

Top wired over-ear headphones for the money

Sony MDR-M1

Pros

  • Excellent, accurate, highly detailed sound
  • Lightweight and comfortable, at less than half a pound
  • Cushy ear pads provide good passive noise isolation
  • One short (1.2 meter) and one longer (2.5 meter) cable included, as well as a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter

Cons

  • No carrying case or pouch included
  • Ear pad depth may be too shallow for all ear sizes

We’ve always been fans of Sony’s MDR-7506 wired studio monitor headphones, which have long been favorites of recording engineers and other sound professionals. The new-for-2024 MDR-M1 headphones are essentially a premium version of the 7506, delivering sound that’s hard to match for the price. These are the wired headphones that’ll make you realize what you’ve been missing after listening to wireless headphones for so long. They feature big, open sound with excellent clarity and accuracy, along with tight bass. Not only is their sound a noticeable step up from the 7506’s, but these also get high marks for their comfort level (they weigh a svelte 216 grams). No, there isn’t any noise canceling, but the soft, cushy ear pads offer good passive noise isolation.

Though they play louder with a headphone amp, they’re easy to drive (50 ohms), so you can plug them directly into a computer’s headphone port or a smartphone (likely with a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter). They come with 1.2-meter and 2.5-meter straight detachable cables and a 3.5mm to 6.3mm screw-in plug adapter, but they don’t include a carrying pouch or case. The only downside I see is that the ear pads aren’t all that deep, so it’s possible that people with large ears that stick out a bit might have some issue with the M1’s fit — your ears might press up against the drivers, which are notable for serving up distortion-free audio, even at higher volume levels. That said, they look and feel like an upgraded version of the 7506, so if those worked for you, these should too.

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Best entry-level audiophile headphones from Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 505

At $280, Sennheiser’s new-for-2025 HD 505 open-back headphones aren’t cheap, but they’re pretty affordable as far as audiophile-grade headphones go. Though these aren’t a major upgrade over the HD 560S — they’re built on the same HD 500 series chassis — they are superior. They include some small design improvements and they sound better, with slightly tighter bass and smoother treble, which makes the headphones more revealing.

I found the 237-gram HD 505 headphones lightweight and quite comfortable to wear during longer listening sessions. According to Sennheiser, they have a 120-ohm transducer with frequency response stretching from 12 to 38,500 Hz and less than 0.2% harmonic distortion (I used them with iFi’s new $80 Go Link Max DAC dongle). The headphones come with a 6-foot cable with a 3.5mm plug, and they include a 6.3mm adapter. The cables and ear pads are «modular,» which means they can easily be swapped out.

If you’re considering this model versus the HD 600, the entry-level model in Sennheiser’s 600 series, the HD 600 arguably offers a touch more clarity. But you can make a case that the HD 505’s bass performance is a little tighter, cleaner and more natural sounding. It’d be nice to see some HD 505 discounts to make them even more affordable than the HD 600 headphones. But only time will tell whether that happens.

Top open-back audiophile wired headphones

Sennheiser 660S2

Pros

  • Comfortable (so long as you don’t have a very big head)
  • Improved bass and treble performance (more clarity)
  • Less bass-shy than many studio headphones
  • Good build quality

Cons

  • Should ideally be paired with a headphone amplifier
  • Open design leaks sound

Though the Sennheiser 660S2 headphones may seem expensive, they’re one of the more affordable true audiophile headphones, sharing the same design as their predecessor, the 660S model. The changes are all on the inside, with improved airflow and upgraded drivers that include a new ultralight aluminum voice coil. This leads to better sound, with the bass adding more depth and definition, while the treble gains a bit more clarity and sizzle (the very natural-sounding mids remain pretty much unchanged as far as I can tell). The soundstage also seems more spacious and airy — yes, these are open-back headphones, so they do leak sound.

Note that the 660S2 requires some extra power to drive (it’s now a 300-ohm headphone), so you’ll want to pair it with a dedicated headphone amplifier. I did manage to use it with an iPhone, but I plugged it into the $80 iFi Go Link Max portable USB-C DAC that’s designed for use with USB-C smartphones (Lightning and USB-A adapters are also included). They sounded great while I listened to high-resolution tracks from Qobuz, the music streaming service.

Audiophile headphones usually have a very neutral sound profile, but the 660S2 ‘phones don’t suffer from being overly so. They mix in just enough excitement while also managing to sound really clean and smooth. They’re also comfortable headphones, though some people with larger heads have complained that they feel a bit too tight. (I have a more medium-size head, and they felt good over long listening sessions.)

Pros

  • Superb sound if you get a tight seal
  • Comfortable fit
  • Silicone and foam ear tips included, along with two detachable cables
  • Nice carrying case

Cons

  • Design may not be a perfect fit for everyone
  • Pricey

For a lot audiophiles, Sennheiser’s flagship IE 900 in-ear monitors are the gold standard for IEMs. However, they cost around $1,500. Not surprisingly, the step-down IE 600s aren’t at the IE 900’s level, but they still sound great, and they cost almost half the price. Though you’re going to get a little more bass extension with the IE 900s, which are also more revealing, I was plenty pleased with the tight, punchy bass and smooth treble performance of the IE 600. The mids are a tad forward but sound quite natural, and there’s a nice openness to the sound even though these are an in-ear model. These very articulate headphones allow you to hear each instrument distinctly on more complicated tracks, yet they manage to avoid being so revealing that they cause listening fatigue (some high-end headphones are so revealing, they accentuate the flaws in less well-recorded tracks to the point where you get fatigued).

Alas, with in-ear headphones (better known as earbuds), the key to optimal sound quality is getting a tight seal. In my case, these 3D-printed zirconium metal alloy buds ended up fitting my ears perfectly with the largest ear tips (I used the silicone tips, but three sizes of foam tips are also included). You get two proprietary micro-miniature coaxial (MMCX) detachable cables, with 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations. The cables have moldable ear hooks that you can bend to your liking and wrap around your ears. I’m used to having issues with this type of IEM around-the-ear design, so I was surprised by how well they ended up fitting. Other folks might not be so lucky, however.

Top wired studio monitor headphones under $250

Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Clean, clear sound
  • More dynamic sounding and less bass-shy than many studio headphones
  • Good build quality

Cons

  • Wired-only headphones with no extra features

We were fans of Beyerdynamic’s earlier DT 770 Pro headphones. The new DT 700 Pro X model is easier to drive than the 770 Pro, thanks to the company’s new Stellar.45 sound transducer with an impedance of 48 ohms, so it plays better with smartphones, tablets and laptops without requiring a headphone amp.

These headphones are targeted at content creators who want accurate audio reproduction, but they’re a bit more dynamic sounding and less bass-shy than many studio headphones, which tend to restrain the bass and hew to a very neutral sound profile. The DT 700 Pro X headphones are revealing and clean-sounding and offer invitingly open sound (particularly for closed-back headphones). They make you realize what you’ve been missing listening to similarly priced Bluetooth headphones. 

Unlike the earlier DT 770 Pro ‘phones, which are being sold at a nice discount (around $160), the DT 700 Pro X cans come with two interchangeable (detachable) straight cables in different lengths, and the DT 700 Pro Xs arguably have a cleaner look than their predecessor.

Solidly built — they weigh 350 grams — they’re quite comfortable, featuring upgraded soft, velour-covered memory foam earpads that offer decent passive noise isolation. The earpads and the headphones’ other parts are replaceable, Beyerdynamic says. 

The company also sells the open-back DT 900 Pro X headphones for $30 less. That model should provide slightly more open, airy sound, but the big drawback is that people around you can hear whatever you’re listening to — and sound also leaks in. This closed-back version is more versatile.

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Top mid-fi closed-back audiophile headphones

Focal Azurys

French audio company Focal is known for its high-end speakers and headphones. You might call it the Bowers & Wilkins of France. Some of its wired audiophile headphones cost upward of $3,000. But its entry-level Azurys, a $549 closed-back model, is more accessible to general consumers in terms of both price and design. Though these headphones don’t sound as open and airy as their open-back sibling, the Hadenys ($699), the closed-back design allows you to use them around others, whether that’s at home or in an open-office environment. Their cord also has a built-in microphone, which allows you to make calls with the headphones and is a tip-off that the Azurys are more for general use than some audiophile cans (to use the headphones with most smartphones, you’ll need a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter or a portable USB-C DAC like the Ifi Go Link or Go Link Max).

As for their design, both the Azurys and Hadenys are built on the same eye-catching chassis as Focal’s excellent Bathys ($799) wireless headphones. While they may not look or feel as luxurious as Focal’s higher-end models, they share some of those models’ design traits, and I found them comfortable to wear for longer listening sessions. At 306 grams, they aren’t too heavy, and thanks to the cloth covering on the ear pads, they didn’t steam up my ears as much as some over-ear models do in warmer environments. Overall, they seem fairly durable.

These are studio headphones, which means they have a more neutral sound profile. But I found they had enough bass energy to inject some excitement into my listening sessions, and the treble certainly has some sparkle to it. You aren’t going to get sound that’s as clean or pure as what you’d get with Focal’s higher-end models, but they do sound a little more revealing than the Bathys. Like that model, the Azurys headphones are easy to drive, so you can use them with devices like a laptop, phone, tablet or digital music player without using an amp.

Wired headphones FAQ

Are wired headphones still good?

Wired headphones didn’t stop existing once Apple got rid of the headphone port, with millions of people still using wired models. The benefits are that you don’t need to charge wired headphones, and they’re compatible with any device that has a headphone jack. Furthermore, the best medium- to high-end headphones, which are still being made today, are all wired. The only caveat to some of the more exotic models — and we’re usually talking in the thousands of dollars — is that they will require a separate headphone amplifier.

Are wired headphones better than wireless Bluetooth headphones?

Wired headphones are great, and the best ones will always sound better than lossy Bluetooth models. It’s all about the application. For instance, wireless earbuds are good for commuting, while wired ones are good for airline travel, since most in-flight entertainment systems don’t offer a Bluetooth connection. If you’re at home, then there’s no real reason to go wireless unless you simply don’t like headphone cords, which can sometimes be quite long. In summary, Bluetooth is best for convenience, while wired is best for sound quality.

What are the best wired headphones with a mic?

Depending on what you’re using them for — connecting to a phone, or to a digital media player — you may find that headphones with a remote are more useful than those with a microphone. One reason is that it’s difficult to find a phone with a headphone jack these days, and headphone adaptors like the iFi Go Link Max don’t work with microphones. If you’re using it for PC, there is still a wide range of gaming headsets available.

How do I make sure my wired headphones don’t break?

The cable is always the first part that fails, so if you’re looking for longevity, buy headphones with a replaceable cable — most 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cables are quite inexpensive, though premium cables can cost a lot. Note that if the headphones have a fixed cable, take care not to yank it.

Budget

Open-back or closed-back

Casual or analytical listening

Fit, aka comfort

Do you have the right equipment?

Compatibility with smartphones

Return policy

How we test over-ear headphones

We test over-ear headphones based on three key criteria: design, sound quality and value. 

Design

We assess not only how comfortably the headphones fit (their ergonomics) but also their build quality, including the quality of included cables and whether cables are detachable. We also note whether the headphones come with a carrying case or pouch and assess its quality.

Sound quality

We evaluate sound quality by listening to a set playlist of music tracks and comparing headphones to top competing products in their price range. Sonic traits such as bass definition, clarity, dynamic range and how natural the headphones sound are key factors in our assessment.

Value

We determine value after considering the strength of the headphones against all these criteria and what they’re able to deliver compared with other models in their price class.

Other wired headphones we tested

V-Moda M-200: V-Moda’s M-200 headphones were released in late 2019. These clean- and detailed-sounding over-ear headphones have excellent bass response, and the cushy earcups mean they’re also comfortable to wear. Featuring 50mm drivers with neodymium magnets, CCAW voice coils and fine-tuning by Roland engineers — yes, V-Moda is now owned by Roland — the M‑200s are Hi‑Res Audio-certified by the Japan Audio Society. Other V-Moda headphones tend to push the bass a little, but this set has the more neutral profile you’d expect from studio monitor headphones. They come with two cords, one of which has a built-in microphone for making calls. It would be nice if V-Moda offered Lightning or USB-C cables for phones without headphone jacks. Note that last year V-Moda released the M-200 ANC ($350), a wireless version of these headphones that includes active noise canceling. They also sound great, but their noise cancellation, call quality and overall feature set don’t match those of the AirPods Max.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Saturday, July 19

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for July 19.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.


Today’s Mini Crossword is a delight. I was thrilled to spot a cute salamander with a funny name in the clue for 9-Across. Good thing I remembered how to spell it! Keep reading for help with today’s Mini Crossword. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: See-through
Answer: CLEAR

6A clue: «Anybody home?»
Answer: HELLO

7A clue: Winged horse of Greek myth
Answer: PEGASUS

9A clue: Salamander known for its regenerative abilities (and adorable appearance)
Answer: AXOLOTL

10A clue: Texting format, for short
Answer: SMS

11A clue: Birthplace of bossa nova
Answer: RIO

12A clue: Even score
Answer: TIE

13A clue: Insect seen in Dalí’s «The Persistence of Memory»
Answer: ANT

14A clue: Directory abbr.
Answer: EXT

15A clue: Metroid console, for short
Answer: NES

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Party snack made with cereal and pretzels
Answer: CHEXMIX

2D clue: Gift with many interlocking pieces
Answer: LEGOSET

3D clue: Airline whose name comes from the Book of Hosea
Answer: ELAL

4D clue: Election loser
Answer: ALSORAN

5D clue: Stand-up comic’s act
Answer: ROUTINE

7D clue: Command that uses the «V» key
Answer: PASTE

8D clue: Pulling their arms might win you money
Answer: SLOTS

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Technologies

It’s the End of the Road for Microsoft Store Movies and TV Shows. What It Means for You

Microsoft has abruptly stopped offering rentals and sales of TV shows and movies on its media platforms.

Microsoft is exiting the market for selling and renting TV and movies across its platforms. There was no reason given for the abrupt change, with Microsoft simply posting the news on a support page on its Xbox website.

«Microsoft has stopped selling new movie and TV content. Existing customers can continue to access their previously purchased content on Windows and Xbox devices,» Microsoft said in the post.

The company said playback and download options will continue to be available for shows and movies people bought previously, but it’s the end of the road for new sales.

On the same page, Microsoft directed users to sign up for Movies Anywhere if they aren’t already members, which makes purchased content available across platforms, and to shop at other media stores including Amazon’s Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home.

A representative for Microsoft didn’t offer additional comment, but pointed CNET to a similar support blog post on Microsoft’s website.

Microsoft has partnered with many companies over the years to distribute video content since the early 2000s. The move comes as the company has been experiencing mass layoffs and cost cutting across many divisions, including its gaming studios, resulting in the cancellation of multiple upcoming Xbox games.

What happens to content I’ve bought from Microsoft?

Although Microsoft says previously purchased content isn’t going to be unavailable, there are some things to be aware of. According to the support page, you can’t transfer your purchases to another service (although they can be accessed on other services if Movies Anywhere makes them available, but that doesn’t apply to TV shows).

Microsoft isn’t offering refunds for any purchased content, either. 

Microsoft says that downloads of movies and TV shows will still work and will be available, «on Windows and in HD max resolution.» Movies and TV shows will still be playable on the Microsoft Movies & TV app.

The company says anyone who is having trouble accessing their purchases can reach out to Microsoft Support.

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Technologies

Microsoft Will Erase Your Passwords in 2 Weeks: What to Do Now

If the Authenticator app is your go-to password manager, you’ll need to pick a new one soon.

Microsoft is axing passwords starting in August — and if you use its Authenticator app, you’ll want to be prepared.

For years, Microsoft Authenticator has been a go-to for managing multifactor authentication and saved passwords. However, starting next month, it will no longer support passwords and will move to passkeys instead. That means your logins will soon rely more on things like PINs, fingerprint scans or facial recognition. 

Using a passkey can make your account safer, and it’s a move I’m excited about. I recently uncovered that 49% of US adults have risky password habits that can open the door to scammers getting access to your sensitive data.

If you’re a fan of Authenticator and not sure where to start before the switch, here are other password managers CNET recommends and steps you should take before August.

When will Microsoft Authenticator stop supporting passwords?

Microsoft Authenticator houses your passwords and lets you sign into all your Microsoft accounts using a PIN, facial recognition like Windows Hello, or other biometric data like a fingerprint. Authenticator can be used in other ways, such as verifying you’re logging in if you forgot your password, or using two-factor authentication as an extra layer of security for your accounts. In June, the company stopped letting users add passwords to Authenticator.

Starting this month, you won’t be able to use the autofill password function. And next month, you’ll no longer be able to use saved passwords.

If you still want to use passwords instead of passkeys, you can store them in Microsoft Edge. However, CNET experts recommend adopting passkeys during this transition. «Passkeys use public key cryptography to authenticate users, rather than relying on users themselves creating their own (often weak or reused) passwords to access their online accounts,» Tomaschek said.

Why are passkeys a better alternative to passwords?

So what exactly is a passkey? It’s a credential created by the Fast Identity Online Alliance that uses biometric data or a PIN to verify your identity and access your account. Think about using your fingerprint or Face ID to log into your account. That’s generally safer than using a password that is easy to guess or susceptible to a phishing attack.

«Passwords can be cracked, whereas passkeys need both the public and the locally stored private key to authenticate users, which can help mitigate risks like falling victim to phishing and brute-force or credential-stuffing attacks,» said Attila Tomaschek, CNET’s software senior writer and digital security expert.

Passkeys aren’t stored on servers like passwords. Instead, they’re stored only on your personal device. More conveniently, this takes the guesswork out of remembering your passwords and the need for a password manager.

How to set up a passkey in Microsoft Authenticator

Microsoft said in a May 1 blog post that it will automatically detect the best passkey to set up and make that your default sign-in option. «If you have a password and ‘one-time code’ set up on your account, we’ll prompt you to sign in with your one-time code instead of your password. After you’re signed in, you’ll be prompted to enroll a passkey. Then the next time you sign in, you’ll be prompted to sign in with your passkey,» according to the blog post.

To set up a new passkey, open your Authenticator app on your phone. Tap on your account and select «Set up a passkey.» You’ll be prompted to log in with your existing credentials. After you’re logged in, you can set up the passkey.

Other password manager alternatives 

Since Microsoft will get rid of all of your passwords in two weeks, you’ll need a new place to store your passwords safely. Tomaschek has a few of the best password manager recommendations after testing and reviewing several. 

The top recommendation is Bitwarden for its transparency. It’s open-source and audited annually. From a price perspective, the free plan lets you store infinite passwords across unlimited devices. The free plan also includes features most password managers would charge for, including password sharing and a username and password generator. 

Bitwarden’s upgraded plans have other upgraded features that could be worth the cost, too. 

Personally, Tomaschek has been using 1Password for a while, and he likes the interface and family plan. Even though it’s second on the list, Tomaschek says it’s just as good as Bitwarden. 

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