open-back

Do you listen to music critically, picking out all the details, or do you prefer getting lost in all the sounds? There’s no right or wrong way to listen to music — it’s all about having fun! So, if you are a die-hard bass head or a detail junkie, this has the best headphones under $500 for any listening style.

At Audio Advice, we love it when high-end brands like Audeze use trickle-down technologies to make their less expensive gear better. In this comparison, we put these three wired headphone models into the ring and let them duke it out. We will also weigh the pros and cons of open-back vs closed-back, and discuss which model you should choose. If you have been considering an Audeze headphone in this price range, you will have everything needed to choose the right pair for your listening application.

If you are in search of an exceptional sounding headphone and have the budget to back it, Focal Over-Ear headphones deliver some of the most detailed and immersive listening experiences you will find. This comparison will deep dive into each new model in Focal's lineup of high-end headphones for audiophiles. Read more to find out which model is the right one for your listening-style.