HIGH-END HEADPHONES £500-£1,000
A FEW YEARS AGO, it looked as though the unstoppable march of low-cost wireless earbuds would sweep all before it, with an entire generation opting for convenience over sound quality. But, towards the end of the 2010s, more traditional over-ear audiophile headphones began to make a welcome comeback.
The cool kids decided that over-ear cans – like the newly resurgent vinyl – had a touch of retro chic about them, and they even embraced good old-fashioned wired connections too. Then, of course, the pandemic of 2020 changed everything, with many people turning to more expensive, high-quality headphones to help them while away the seemingly endless months of lockdown. The trend towards working from home also created a need for headphones that combined strong sound quality with technological versatility.
Many headphones in the £500+ price category provide wired and wireless listening for use with a wide variety of computers, tablets and smartphones, along with microphones for voice and video-calls, and sophisticated noise-cancellation features. And, as proof that the audiophile end of the market is continuing to grow, the mighty Apple decided that it wanted a piece of the high-end action too. Having effectively created the wireless earbud category with its AirPods range, Apple took an unexpected detour into the hi-fi market with its AirPods Max, which turned heads with its over-ear design and £550 price tag. Traditional hi-fi manufacturers seized the opportunity, developing a new generation of high-end headphones that combine audiophile sound quality with an impressive range of features that will meet all your needs for both work and play.
Apple AirPods Max £550
Denne historien er fra April 2023-utgaven av Hi-Fi Choice.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 2023-utgaven av Hi-Fi Choice.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Old boys network
As the lineups start to emerge for this summer's festivals, Nigel Williamson investigates where the problem lies for the continuing dearth of female headliners
DESTINATION: LEITH
Welcome to a friendly haven of Californian cool in the creative heart of a former Edinburgh port. Simon Berkovitch samples the sunshine on Leith
Core values
Apple’s revamped HomePod smart speaker off ers attractive sound quality, but its Apple-centric focus remains frustrating for Cliff Joseph
Forty something
Creek Audio is celebrating its big four-o with the release of the new 4040 A integrated. Nick Tate lights the candles and listens in
One for all
German high-ender AVM wants to make top all-in-one performers. David Vivian takes a listen to its all-singing integrated amp
Three for all
The 700 Series receives a helping of tech from the flagship 800 models. Ed Selley sees how the smallest speaker fares
All in one
DAP, DAC, amplifier and streaming device, is there anything A&K’s new Acro can’t do? Cliff Joseph finds out
Wooden wonder
Better known for its speakers, ELAC’s range of electronics now has a new flagship turntable. Ed Selley takes it for a spin
System matching
Why finding the perfect synergy between your chosen integrated amplifier and favourite speakers holds the key to maximising your system’s potential
Game on!
At times the hi-fi and gaming industries might seem like they’re worlds apart, but Cliff Joseph reckons they both share a love of high-quality sound