10 Best Headphones For Classical Music In 2023

Feel The Lyrics And Music From The Instruments


by Emma Williams | Published On

Table of Contents

Headphones for classical music

If you are a classical music lover, I am sure you will love to have headphones that can help you enjoy classical songs and their instrumentation music even more.

You will likely love to hear more music from instruments and vocals rather than the bland treble or bass. Well, I have curated a list of the best classical music headphones just for you so that you do not have to spend your precious time searching for appropriate headphones, and you can enjoy classical music in the time you save.

I have also added a guide on how exactly you can go ahead and select a decent classical music headphone for you.

The 10 Best Headphones For Classical Music

Product Dimensions: 4.33 x 7.48 x 9.06 inches.
Connectivity Technology: Wired.

Positive: Provides Layered Motion Control, Includes Self-adjustable Hammock, Features Double Layered Ear-shells.
Negative: Quality Is Weak.

Philips Fidelio X2HR HeadphoneThe Philips Fidelio X2HR Headphone is ideal for audiophiles and serious music lovers. It boasts a robust design, with double layered ear-shells featuring pre-tilted speaker plates that optimize audio performance. These headphones feature 50 mm high-definition neodymium drivers with LMC diaphragms to ensure you experience crystal-clear sound. There is also an acoustic open-back architecture that enhances the depth and vibrancy of the music.

The deluxe memory foam earpads are encased in breathable velour material for extra comfort. This headset comes with a lightweight self-adjustable hammock with 3D mesh and a genuine leather outer headband for added comfort during extended listening sessions. Plus, it’s Hi-res Audio Certified to give you all those extended response frequencies in greater detail!

Customer Review For Philips Fidelio X2HR Headphone

Product Dimensions: 11 x 6.8 x 12.1 inches.
Connectivity Technology: Wired.

Positive: Includes 80% Thinner Diaphragm, Sleek Matte Black Finish, Provide Weight Spreading Strap.
Negative: Lack Of Longevity.

HIFIMAN SUNDARA HeadphonesThe HIFIMAN SUNDARA headphones are a revolutionary set of audio equipment that will take your listening experience to the next level. With its newly developed diaphragm, these headphones allow for comprehensive frequency response and more detailed sound thanks to its 80% thinner diaphragm.

It provides top-notch audio quality and comfort with its weight-spreading strap, allowing you to use them for extended periods without discomfort. Its sleek, sumptuous matte black finish adds a touch of class. At the same time, its all-metal headband increased durability in even the most demanding settings. The 3.5mm headphone connector offers yet another layer of security and dependability – your listening enjoyment is just a few steps away!

Customer Review For HIFIMAN SUNDARA Headphones

HIFIMAN SUNDARA Headphones Customer Review

Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 4.7 x 9.1 inches.
Connectivity Technology: Wired.

Positive: Single-sided Cable, Provide Exceptional Spaciousness, Spring Steel Headband Design.
Negative: Poor Fidelity.

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro HeadphonesThe Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Headphones provide the perfect sound quality for professional mixing, mastering and editing thanks to their open over-ear design. Clear and detailed mids, highs and lows allow you to pick out all the essential elements of a mix without distortion or noise.

Moreover, its large ear cups offer lasting comfort and effectively reduce background noise. The single-sided cable offers convenient usage – ideal for quick adjustments during studio work. Its Soft velour ear pads are also replaceable, so these headphones can always have that fresh look.

Customer Review For Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Headphones

Product Dimensions: 4.33 x 8.86 x 9.25 inches.
Connectivity Technology: Wireless.

Positive: Robust Design, Includes Versatile Accessories, Provides Bluetooth Connectivity.
Negative: Not Durable.

AKG Pro Audio K371BT Bluetooth HeadphonesWhen you need a pair of headphones, look no further than the AKG Pro Audio K371BT Bluetooth Headphones. They are foldable and collapsible for easy portability, and their 8-position articulated hinge ensures comfortable placement and retention for all head sizes. Their slow-retention foam earpads shape your ears for superior comfort and fits, eliminating any bass leakage associated with other headphones.

As if those features weren’t enough, they also offer an impressive 40-hour battery life so you can jam out to your favorite tunes without interruption. Adding even more volume is an expansive 50mm titanium driver that brings all your songs to life with crystal-clear audio quality.

Customer Review For AKG Pro Audio K371BT Bluetooth Headphones

Product Dimensions: 10.12 x 4.25 x 12.6 inches.
Connectivity Technology: Wired.

Positive: Delivers Low Harmonic Distortion, Includes Detachable Cables, Includes 150 Ohm Nominal Impedance.
Negative: Lousy Quality.

SENNHEISER HD 660 S HeadphoneHearing the best sound quality requires superior technology, and that’s what SENNHEISER delivers with the HD 660 S Headphone. It is equipped with improved transducers that are hand selected for low harmonic distortion and a nominal impedance of 150 ohms. It allows connections to home systems and mobile audio devices with high-fidelity signals.

It ensures the highest level of clarity. The detachable cables are made of OFC copper material, eliminating any risk of handling noise and disrupting your listening experience. With two connection cables supplied, you have even more freedom to enjoy the superior sound without restrictions.

Customer Review For SENNHEISER HD 660 S Headphone

Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 10 x 4.1 inches.
Connectivity Technology: Wired.

Positive: Offers Excellent Sound Isolation, Durable Design, And Comfortable Fit.
Negative: Closed-back Design.

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x HeadphoneThe Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is an excellent headphone designed with cutting-edge engineering and robust construction. The 40-millimeter drivers feature rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils, resulting in remarkably accurate audio reproduction.

Additionally, the design features a circumaural contour that wraps around your ears for unbeatable sound isolation in loud environments. If that wasn’t enough, it also has swiveling earcups that can pivot 90 degrees, allowing for one-eared monitoring. And the professional-grade material used for the headband and ear pads ensures durability and comfort over long listening sessions.

Customer Review For Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Headphone

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Headphone Customer Review

Product Dimensions: 4.45 x 7.83 x 8.35 inches.
Connectivity Technology: Wired.

Positive: Features AKG Flat-Wire Voice Coil Technology, Provide Phenomenal Comfort, Includes Varimotion Two-layer Diaphragm.
Negative: Design Could Be Better.

AKG Pro Audio K702 HeadphoneThe AKG Pro Audio K702 Headphone is an ideal accessory for any long work session. Its patented Varimotion two-layer diaphragm provides excellent audio performance with a heightened high-frequency range and improved low frequencies.

It also features a unique flat-wire voice coil, allowing for greater sensitivity, better impulse response and treble response to ensure crystal-clear sound. Additionally, carefully shaped 3D-foam ear pads fit perfectly around your ears to guarantee the best listening experience while still being comfortable enough to use for extended periods.

Customer Review For AKG Pro Audio K702 Headphone

Product Dimensions: 0.39 x 0.39 x 0.39 inches.
Connectivity Technology: Wired.

Positive: Includes 70 mm HD Drivers, Offers All-metal Housing, Ergonomic Ear Pad Design.
Negative: Very Expensive.

SONY MDR-Z1R WW2 Signature HeadphoneThe SONY MDR-Z1R WW2 Signature Headphone delivers the ultimate in sound quality with its 70 mm HD drivers and the ability to have a frequency response of up to 120Khz. Furthermore, the special resonance-free all-metal housing and Fibonacci patterned grill ensure no unnecessary harmonics blemish your sound experience.

Additionally, these headphones come with ergonomic ear pads for convenience and a beta titanium headband for strong support without adding too much bulk to the device. Plus, completing the luxurious design is the genuine leather headband and separated ground cable with silver-coated OFC materials that add style and excellent sound quality to this package.

Customer Review For SONY MDR-Z1R WW2 Signature Headphone

SONY MDR-Z1R WW2 Signature Headphone Customer Review

Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 7.9 x 3.9 inches.
Connectivity Technology: Wired.

Positive: Features Breathable Ear Cushions, Offers a Durable Steel Headband, Includes Precisely Angled Drivers.
Negative: Weak Sound Quality.

Philips SHP9500 HeadphoneThe Philips SHP9500 Headphone offers the best sound experience for its users. It has 50mm neodymium drivers for the perfect sound, and its angled design ensures accurate audio delivery right into your ears. Its over-the-ear design not only adds to the comfort while listening but also blocks unwanted noise from your surroundings.

With its breathable ear cushion and stainless steel headband, these headphones provide long-lasting comfort while allowing you to listen to your favorite music with authenticity. Lastly, its 3.5mm jack facilitates easy detachment of cable, making it an ideal choice for all music lovers.

Customer Review For Philips SHP9500 Headphone

Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 6 x 7.5 inches.
Connectivity Technology: Wired.

Positive: Deliver Convenient Controls, Including Sleek Protective Case, Durable & Lightweight.
Negative: Not Long-lasting.

Bose SoundLink HeadphoneThe Bose SoundLink HeadPhone is the ultimate way to experience your music like never before. From deep, immersive sound to accessible Bluetooth technology for seamless audio-video syncing, this headphone pushes all the boundaries. It gives you more than what you expect.

Its advanced microphone system allows clear calls even in windy or noisy environments. Its rechargeable li-ion battery will give you up to 15 hours of continuous playtime to enjoy your music without interruption. Even better, it allows users to easily switch between two Bluetooth devices and keep their entertainment going all day long!

Customer Review For Bose SoundLink Headphone

What Are Classical Music Headphones?

Headphones with a neutral audio effect are referred to as Classical music headphones. A melophile would search for headphones that allow them to focus on the lyrics and melody rather than the treble and bass.

These headphones could do justice to the classical genre of music by maintaining rhythm and tone while balancing sound at higher pitches.

They have a flatter sound signature that may accurately represent the sound as it is without adding color or increasing its frequency. As a result, they may make you listen to the original track quality rather than messing around and polishing the audio.

These headphones have a well-balanced sound profile, making them an excellent choice for listening to classical music.

Factors To Consider When Looking For Best Headphones For Classical Music

In general terms, Classical music sounds best in the mid-range, with no strong focus on sound effects. When choosing the right headphone, it is best to consider a variety of aspects.

The warmth of musical tones should be felt without being too bright or too deep. You might want to choose them by considering the following factors –

Different types of headphones contain various sound quality features, which could become the base for your ultimate listening experience.

There are headphones available with a noise canceling feature, and noise isolation, but that would not determine their actual sound quality.

It would instead become vital for you to understand different types of headphones that would make listening to classical music a mellow experience or even ruin it when you select the wrong kind and deliver bright sound levels.

  • In-ear: They fit like earplugs and block out the surrounding noise while pumping the audio straight into your ears. These headphones may not be suitable for listening to classical music as they can color the audio, which changes the original sound quality.
  • Open-back: They allow increased airflow and have open ear cups, which helps deliver enhanced sound quality. These headphones have an open back, which could let some audio escape and result in sound leakage, which is the spillage of sound from your headphones that makes others hear what you’re listening to. A good-quality open-back headphone can offer balanced audio for every instrument used in classical music, making it an ideal pick for listening to these soft tones.
  • Closed-back: These types of headphones are completely latched around the back of the ears, ensuring that no sound is spread out and delivering sound only to your ear. They can provide you with a more private listening experience. In addition, they can deliver enhanced audio isolation that would keep you away from outside noise. Closed-back headphones add more isolation as the sound is strictly around the earcups, reducing the clarity of the instruments played in classical music. Why would you want to hear deep bass when you just want to listen to warmer and clearer tones?

Comfort matters when you have to wear headphones for extended periods, as it will keep you from feeling stressed or fatigued while hanging them around your neck or carrying them on your head.

An uncomfortable set of headphones would ruin your music-listening experience. Classical music is about feeling the sound of each instrument, which you can do by using a light-on-the-ear set of headphones.

  • Material: The material used in headphones could make or break a deal. The earcup material should be lightweight and comfortable. Materials like leather are more durable and suitable for making earcup designs. Over-ear or on-ear headphones have padding or foam-like fabric around the earcups and under the headbands for increased comfort.
  • Weight: Weight is a significant factor, as heavy headphones would ruin listening to classical music by making you feel highly uncomfortable. Thus, look for a pair of lightweight headphones that do not make you feel like you are under some constant weight while listening to music.
  • Type: Comfort levels and types of headphones go hand in hand. Over-ear headphones could provide the most comfort as they are easier on the ear.

Classical music headphones should have a sound quality that gives the feeling of listening to the music as it was recorded. This maintains the originality of the audio track without playing around with or coloring its sound.

Frequency range: This refers to the various frequency ranges that any headphone can produce. Most headphones provide audio listening within the standard human hearing range of 20 hertz-20 kilohertz.

Sound signature: It is the feature of any audio device that enhances or reduces the frequencies of a specific type of audio. For classical music, a headphone with a neutral sound signature would be good because it offers how natural classical music would sound to you in your ears by maintaining the same frequency levels for all audio values. These headphones give out a balanced sound effect.

Drivers are parts of headphones that convert electrical energy into acoustic energy. They function by producing sound and are available in different sizes depending on the size of the headphones.

Larger drivers give a deeper bass and reach higher volumes, but the audio is distorted, and it becomes difficult to reproduce sound at those levels.

  • Planar Magnetic: These drivers include heavier magnets and their working is the same as that of dynamic drivers. They are installed on premium headphones like Audeze, HiFiman, Dan Clark Audio, etc. They offer no distortion at higher volumes and good bass.
  • Dynamic Drivers: These types of drivers produce sound by using magnetism and electromagnetism which leads to the movements of parts inside the headphones and are often called moving coil drivers. They are commonly used in headphones due to their pocket-friendly prices. Dynamic drivers are good for adding bass to the sound but are not good for producing sound at increased volumes. They are versatile and are used by many headphone brands, like Sennheiser.
  • Electrostatic: They work by using static electricity to generate an electric field for creating sound vibrations. These types of drivers deliver the most transparent and natural music listening. Headphones manufactured by STAX or Hifiman have electrostatic drivers in some of their models.
  • Balanced armature: They have a limited range of frequencies and basses. Due to this limitation, multiple drivers with varied frequency ranges are added to headphones. In-ear headphones use balanced armature drivers for decent sound quality.

It is measured in decibels and determines the maximum loudness of headphones when voltage is applied to them. It depends on the type of headphones and how much power they can support. Thus, smartphones could work well with low-sensitivity headphones, while higher-sensitivity headphones would need some extra power to operate optimally.

It determines the maximum power your headphones would require to reach high volumes. The primary rating of headphones is 8–60 ohms while maintaining a standard rate of 32 ohms. Low-impedance headphones could work below 50 ohms when attached to smartphones or tablets. High-impedance headphones above 50 ohms would need an external amplifier to produce good sound quality.

Conclusion

I sincerely hope that you were able to find the best headphone for classical music headphone using the list and the guide mentioned above.

However, if you were to take my opinion, I would suggest you go for Bose SoundLink headphones, as they have a perfect balance of voice-to-bass ratio that will allow you to enjoy classical music even more. Furthermore, I found the singer’s voice within the songs was crisp and clear. I believe that this is what truly separates regular headphones from classical music headphones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Sennheiser headphones are considered good for listening to classical music as they offer well-balanced audio listening along with a warm neutral sound that is mid-range and good quality. 

No. Classical music is focused more on mid-range. Instruments like violin and flute enter a treble range but the main emphasis should be on how you clear the mid-range sounds without them being drowned away due to the presence of these extreme sounds.

No. It is not healthy for your ear health. You should listen to music at appropriate levels as higher volumes could cause hearing loss. Avoid listening to music above 85dB for long hours. 

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