Cranking up your speakers can be fun, but there’s something a bit special about choosing instead to listen through headphones, fully immersed in your own personal musical nirvana.
Indeed, modern day living can demand private listening, to avoid disturbing others, escaping background noise or due to space restrictions. If you haven’t experienced high fidelity headphones, come in and give a pair a go. You might well be surprised at how enjoyable losing yourself in them can be…
Audiophile Listening
Many of our clients own high-end separates - killer systems filling the largest of spaces. For more intimate listening, they use dedicated headphone set-ups to replicate that level of audio quality. Focal Utopias do just that – the best sounding open-back cans we know with utterly superb clarity and comfort.
Open-back models let sound out, and in; they are designed that way to improve soundstage and reduce pressure. Closed-back are completely sealed, zero noise in or out: Focal Stellia for example. There are a variety of excellent models of both types at Peter Tyson, it’s very much a personal choice. Some people have a pair of each! Check out New York’s iconic Grado Labs and ranges from Sennheiser and Audeze.
Your system may already include a headphone amp. If not, consider a dedicated one; this can elevate audio quality dramatically. Something like a Sennheiser HDV820 will outperform an integrated version.
If you’re starting from scratch, the world is your oyster. We offer a choice of system ‘bundles’, we understand just how personal a choice headphones is. The outstanding Naim Atom HE high-res streaming all-in-one is our go-to, pair with cans that suit your needs, and ears.
Wireless and Bluetooth
For freedom of movement, wireless is your answer. Advances in Bluetooth technology mean these are now a true quality option and super convenient - just pair up and dance!???? We recommend trying Bowers & Wilkins Px8 or Px7, brand new Sonos Ace or a number of affordable options from JBL.
Ear buds
For ultimate portability, B&W Pi7, Pi5 or Sennheiser CX True Wireless will fit in your ears and your pocket, although there is a quality compromise for that convenience. Also consider battery life, especially if you’re out and about for lengthy periods.
Remember, even the best headphones can only reproduce what they are given, so your source is still key. If that is your phone, improve its output with a mobile DAC like AudioQuest’s Dragonfly. In your home system, try a dedicated headphone amp such as Musical Fidelity MX-HPA.
Or for extra quality and portability, connect your digital source to a headphone amp/DAC combo from Chord such as Hugo or Mojo.
Quality and comfort
Perhaps even more so than separates, with headphones you can instantly hear the difference in audio quality, so it’s essential to audition. The old adage applies - you get what you pay for. Likewise for comfort, build quality is paramount. You will be spending a lot of time wearing your headphones, so investing in the best you can is definitely worthwhile.
As always, please visit our stores or get in touch for expert advice and, crucially, try before you buy!
Carlisle – 01224 546756
Newcastle – 0191 285 7179