Holiday Gift Guide: 20 High-End Headphones We Want This Year

According to a study conducted by the NDP Group, 43 percent of the buying public has invested in premium headphones. With the holiday shopping season kicking into gear, that number is sure to spike. It's not all that surprising, really. Good sound is addictive. And now that headphones are seen as fashion accessories, the market is sure to keep growing. But just because a pair of headphones is expensive doesn't make them good. Having tested a number of elite options, we compiled a list of favorites we wouldn't mind receiving as gifts this year. Let us kick some flavor in your ear by sharing the 20 High-End Headphones We Want This Year.

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Click Here to Buy it Now at Best Buy, $200

Since our hands-on over the summer, we have yet to find a pair of headphones in the same price class that can top the P3. Precise and accurate, these lightweight headphones deliver balanced bass and clarity from its 30-millimeter mylar drivers. Ergonomics and build-quality are excellent thanks to an elegant combination of aluminum, a comfortable fabric that covers the earpads, and soft-touch leather. You won't find a better pair of headphones for $200.

Click Here to Buy It Now at Sennheiser, $350

The German tech staple continues to dominate with the launch of the Momentum. Sennheiser’s retro-inspired headphones are constructed from lavish materials such as brushed stainless steel and fine-sheep brown leather. Refined sound, smooth highs, and superb clarity best describe performance.

Click Here to Buy it Now at Beats, $300

Beats latest pair of bass blasters standout as the company’s best option and one of the elite models available this holiday. Beats brings the booming bass and aluminum frame from its Pro line and ups the ante with supple leather ear cups and a more comfortable headband.Active noise cancelling should reassure clean audio from all angles and provide a distraction-free listening experience.

Click Here to Buy it Now at V-Moda, $310

V-Moda’s garnered a cult following with its distinct headphone lineup. Having accumulated feedback from numerous sourcseincluding DJs, industry professionals, and consumers, the company went to work assembling what is by far its best model to date: the Crossfade M-100. Loaded with 50mm drivers, these noise makers distribute balanced and resonant sound that enhances all genres of music. But we’re digging the duo-jack plug-in that allows two people to share the listening experience by connecting two headphones together.

Click Here to Buy it Now at Apple, $250

Only a handful of headphone makers have experimented with Bluetooth functionality and maybe one or two have succeeded in producing a high-quality headset. Add Harman Kardon to the list. Sporting the same nostalgic and clean design of the Classic model, the BT’s present a wide dynamic range and solid bass reproduction that lives up to the company’s audio standard. It’s wireless capabilities are just as impressive with a receiving range of up to 100 feet.

Click Here to Buy it Now at Amazon, $1,200

Denon spent three years perfecting its high-end Music Maniac headphones and the end result is a pair of gorgeous cans with a solid build and full sound stage. Acoustics and bass sound great, even at low listening levels. Plus, higher resolution maintains crisp detailing. Noise isolation gets props as well, providing freedom to hear music in any setting without outside interference. As we preached before, if you like your music to sound as good as it looks, look no further.

Click Here to Buy it Now at Amazon, $300

Audio-Technica laced its popular headset with three noise-cancellation modes tuned to kill over 90 percent of noise and targeting low frequencies, mid-range, and milder listening sessions. On top of that, the ANC9’s 40mm dynamic drivers duplicate the punchy bass and clear highs heard in the company's W3000ANV model.

Click Here to Buy it Now at Sony, $300

Sony teamed up with X-Factor creator Simon Cowell to create a premium line of bass blasters engineered to produce a “high level of resolution” and “full-range audio.” Mission accomplished as the X series delivers outstanding sound from its massive 50mm drivers. The pillow-like and snug earpads seal the deal.

Click Here to Buy it Now at Monster, $200

Since separating from the Beats By Dre imprint, Monster has solidified its stance as one of the premier audio brands. One of its latest models, the DNA, combines unique style with great sound. Available in two-toned color schemes, the DNA sports a durable frame, along with good mid-range audio and rich vocal output. Bass levels are impactful but not overwhelming, plus noise isolation does a solid job of blocking outside clatter. Customizable side shields add to its stylish presence.

Click Here to Buy it Now at Audeze, $1,950

One has to ask what makes a pair of headphones worth $2,000? Well, let’s see: A frame housed in high-quality Zebra Wood and earcups donned in premium lambskin leather. Undeniable treble response, sharper acoustics, improved bass detailing, and what might arguably be the best mid-range found on any top-of-the-line headset. And with Audeze’s new LOTUS diaphragm allowing for “great control and lower distortion,” music lovers can expect nothing short of studio-esque results. The accompanying wooden case is also pretty sweet.

Click Here to Buy it Now at Amazon, $400

Those with the keen ear of a professional sound engineer will enjoy the exceptional audio and controlled bass response of Shure’s receivers. The SRH1440’s 40mm neodymium drivers kick out crisp acoustics and detailed highs, while its open-back design welcomes wide-stereo imaging and increased field depth. And though its frame might be on the bulky side, the headphones feel cozy on the head thanks to the velour-covered earcup padding and leather-coated headband.

Click Here to Buy it Now at Bose, $300

Only Bose can keep a three-year-old product on the market and have it outperform the competition. That's why it's the leader and innovator in acoustic noise cancelling technology. Bass on the QuiteComfort 5 is top-notch, though noise canceling remains the headphone’s biggest merit: Supporting microphones rest behind the grilles of each earpad to reduce ambient sound. They may have been on the scene for a minute, but the new limited edition blue shade gives the iconic headset a contemporary feel. You'll be hard-pressed to find a better model for the money.

Click Here to Buy it Now at California Silverado, $226

The San Francisco-based startup caught our attention with its retro-inspired and great sounding headphones. Straying away from the bass-blasting output common in today’s headsets, the Silverado’s focus more on middle and high sonic frequencies best suited for rock-inspired tunes. Custom sound chambers and 50mm drivers lay out crisp vocals and distortion-free results at high volumes. Like the V-Moda's, you'll find a duo-jack plug-in to share audio on two headsets via smartphone, tablet, or MP3 player.

Click Here to Buy it Now at Logic3, $400

Ferrari by Logic3's sound cans are a reflection of its supercar partner: sexy, beautifully constructed, and high-powered. Having worked close with the industry's best audio engineers and Ferrari’s team, the company has integrated 40mm drivers with cutting-edge ANC Technology into its creation, delivering top-notch resonances and sealing off sound from escaping the gorgeously constructed metal ear pads. Like pulling up in a Ferrari, you're sure to turn heads on the strip with these on your dome.

Click Here to Buy it Now at Amazon, $250

AKG’s noise-cancellation offering delivers a superior listening experience unparalleled to most headsets in its class. The black and silver profile accommodates the affluent leather ear cups, which pump out deep bass frequencies and clear highs. Its ability to carry out near-identical sound quality on both active and passive modes is also quite impressive.

Click Here to Buy it Now at B&H, $1,300

Audiophiles yearning for stereo system sound on the go have a headphone to call their own. Ultrasone’s S-Logic Plus technology dishes great audio transparency through its 40mm titanium-plated drivers, providing ample dynamic range and deep bass/treble. The closed-back design kills background noise, protecting user's ears from magnetic field radiation with ULE-technology. It obviously doesn't fall under the Beats price range, but the exceptional sonority and five-year warranty justify its high MSRP.

Click Here to Buy it Now at Pioneer, $260

Pioneer hit all the right notes with its latest on-ear creation. Built for “critical listening,” the SE-MJ591 utilizes 40mm drivers to generate frequency responses of 5 – 40,000 Hz, 108 dB/mW sensitivity, and 32 ohms impedance. Stereo imaging is remarkable, plus mids and lows are balanced smoothly. The brushed aluminum panels and affluent carry case are a fitting touch as well.

Click Here to Buy It Now at Logitech, $200

After acquiring Ultimate Ears a few years back, Logitech decided to bring the custom IEM and earphone manufacturer's technology to the masses with its Logitech UE line of audio products. The UE6000 model delivers superb sound performance that lets listeners blast music at high volumes without showing any signs of distortion. Not to mention its one of the more comfortable over-ear headphones on the market.

Click Here to Buy it Now at Klipsch, $350

Dipped in black and copper-tone shading, the M40 flaunts an attractive (and sturdy) casing. A dual-driver configuration consisting of a 40mm mid-bass driver and 15mm tweeter deliver clear highs and stabilized bass levels. Expect a wider dynamic range in acoustics and active noise cancellation, too.

Click Here to Buy it Now at Crutchfield, $400

PSB’s patented Room Feel Technology provides tonal balance that mirrors sound normally produced from premium stereo speakers. Plus its four noise-cancelling microphones and tri-mode archetype (Passive, Active, Noise-Cancelling) enhance multimedia playback. Perfect for those who feel more at home at an airport than their apartment.