9 Best Headphones for Classical Music

Classical music has an unparalleled ability to transport us to different eras, evoke powerful emotions, and unravel intricate melodies that have stood the test of time. Whether it’s the grandeur of a symphony, the intimacy of a chamber piece, or the eloquence of an opera, the genre’s rich compositions deserve a listening experience that does them justice. This is where the perfect headphones come into play – those that offer the precision, clarity, and immersive soundstage needed to fully appreciate the complexity of classical music.

Let’s dive into the world of the best headphones crafted for classical music enthusiasts. This curated list of nine of the best headphones for classical music was chosen for their ability to capture the essence of orchestral brilliance and solo virtuosity. So, whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or a budding music enthusiast, prepare to embark on a journey that blends timeless melodies with cutting-edge audio technology. Let’s unravel the symphony of sound and discover the headphones that enrich the way we experience classical music.

AKG K240

Key Features

• Type: Open-back design
• Connectivity: Wired
• Impedance: 55 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 91 dB
• Driver: 30 mm
• Frequency Range: 15 Hz – 25 kHz
• Weight: 240 g

About the AKG K240

The AKG K240 is a well-regarded pair of headphones, often favored by users for their neutral and balanced sound profile. This makes them suitable for listening to classical music. Here are some aspects of the AKG K240 that are relevant to its performance when used for classical music:

The AKG K240 headphones are known for their relatively flat and neutral sound signature. For classical music, which often features a wide dynamic range and intricate instrumentation, a balanced sound profile can allow you to hear the full spectrum of instruments and nuances without coloration or distortion.

The K240 headphones have a semi-open design, which provides a more natural and spacious soundstage compared to closed-back headphones. This design can enhance the perception of depth and ambiance in classical recordings, making you feel like you’re listening to a live performance in a room.

Comfort is essential for longer listening sessions, especially when enjoying lengthy classical pieces. The AKG K240 has a lightweight design with adjustable headbands and cushioned earpads, making them comfortable to wear for extended periods.

The AKG K240 has an impedance of 55 ohms and a sensitivity of 91 dB. While they can be driven by a variety of devices, they might benefit from a headphone amplifier to achieve their full potential and dynamics, particularly if the source device is not very powerful.

Here is my full review of the AKG K240 headphones.

Sennheiser HD 600

Key Features

• Type: Open-back design
• Connectivity: Wired
• Impedance: 300 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 97 dB
• Driver: 40 mm
• Frequency Range: 12 Hz – 40 kHz
• Weight: Approximately 260 g

About the Sennheiser HD 600

The Sennheiser HD 600 headphones are well-regarded in the audiophile community for their balanced and natural sound signature, making them a popular choice for listening to classical music. Here’s how the HD 600’s features relate to their performance when used for classical music:

The HD 600 headphones are known for their neutral and accurate sound reproduction. This is particularly important for classical music, which often features a wide range of instruments and tonalities. The balanced sound of the HD 600 allows you to hear classical compositions as they were intended, without any exaggerated emphasis on specific frequencies.

The HD 600 features an open-back design, which helps create a spacious and immersive soundstage. When listening to classical music, this design can give you a sense of being in a concert hall, enhancing the overall listening experience and making orchestral performances sound more realistic.

With an impedance of 300 Ohms and a sensitivity of 97 dB, the HD 600 headphones can benefit from a headphone amplifier for optimal performance. This setup can provide better control over dynamics, ensuring that even the subtlest passages in classical music are clearly audible.

Due to their higher impedance, the HD 600 headphones are often paired with dedicated headphone amplifiers or audio interfaces to achieve their best performance. This also ensures that you get the full dynamic range and accuracy they offer.

Here is my full review of the Sennheiser HD 600 headphones.

HIFIMAN HE400se

Key Features

• Type: Open-back design
• Connectivity: Wired
• Impedance: 25 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 91.2 dB
• Driver: Planar magnetic
• Frequency Range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Weight: Not specified (Typically around 300-400 g)

About the HIFIMAN HE400se

The HE400se features a planar magnetic driver technology, known for its detailed and accurate sound reproduction. This driver type is particularly adept at producing a clear and well-extended midrange and treble, which is crucial for classical music. The headphones deliver a balanced and neutral sound profile that can present orchestral and chamber music in a faithful manner.

Like many other headphones in the HIFIMAN lineup, the HE400se has an open-back design that helps create a wide and immersive soundstage. This design enhances the sense of space and separation between instruments, allowing you to feel like you’re in the midst of a live orchestral performance.

The HE400se headphones are designed to be comfortable during extended listening sessions. The lightweight construction, adjustable headband, and ear cushioning contribute to the fatigue-free enjoyment of lengthy symphonies or operas.

The HE400se has an impedance of 25 ohms and a sensitivity of 91.2 dB, making it relatively easy to drive with a variety of devices. However, pairing them with a headphone amplifier or dedicated audio source can help reveal their full potential, especially in reproducing the dynamic range and intricate details of classical recordings.

The HE400se provides a compelling balance between price and performance. They offer planar magnetic technology at a relatively affordable price point compared to some other planar models, making them an attractive choice for those seeking high-quality audio without breaking the bank.

Here is my full review of the HIFIMAN HE400se headphones.

AKG K702

Key Features

• Type: Open-back design
• Connectivity: Wired
• Impedance: 62 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 105 dB
• Driver: Dynamic, 45 mm
• Frequency Range: 10 Hz – 39.8 kHz
• Weight: Approximately 235 g

About the AKG K740

The K702 headphones are renowned for their natural and detailed sound signature. This characteristic is ideal for classical music, allowing you to hear instruments with accuracy and clarity. The open-back design contributes to a spacious soundstage, which can create a more immersive and realistic listening experience, especially for orchestral and chamber music.

With an open-back design, the K702 produces a wide and airy soundstage. This design characteristic is particularly valuable for classical music, where the ability to spatially separate instruments can make you feel like you’re present in the concert hall, capturing the ambiance and acoustics of a live performance.

Classical music often features delicate passages and intricate arrangements. The K702’s emphasis on detail and clarity ensures that you can appreciate the nuances of each instrument, from the resonating deep notes of cellos and double basses to the high frequencies of violins and flutes.

The K702 has an impedance of 62 ohms and a sensitivity of 105 dB. While they can be driven by various devices, they can benefit from a headphone amplifier to unleash their full potential, ensuring optimal dynamics and clarity.

The K702 is often used by audio professionals and enthusiasts for critical listening due to its reference-like sound quality. This makes them suitable for those who want to hear classical music in a manner that stays true to the original recording.

Here is my full review of the AKG K702 headphones.

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

Key Features

• Type: Open-back design
• Connectivity: Wired
• Impedance: 250 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 96 dB
• Driver: Dynamic, 45 mm
• Frequency Range: 5 Hz – 35 kHz
• Weight: Approximately 360 g

About the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro

The DT 990 PRO headphones are known for their vibrant and dynamic sound signature. This characteristic can work well with classical music, adding a touch of liveliness to the listening experience. The headphones offer a pronounced treble response that can help bring out the intricacies of orchestral instruments, such as strings and woodwinds.

The open-back design of the DT 990 PRO contributes to a wide and airy soundstage. This design element is particularly beneficial for classical music, as it provides a sense of space and separation between instruments, creating a more immersive listening experience.

The emphasized treble response of the DT 990 PRO can enhance the clarity and detail of individual instruments in classical compositions. This is particularly useful for discerning between instruments in complex passages, allowing you to appreciate the orchestration and arrangement.

With an impedance of 250 ohms and a sensitivity of 96 dB, the DT 990 PRO benefits from being paired with a headphone amplifier to unlock its full potential. Adequate amplification ensures that you can fully appreciate the dynamics and nuances of classical recordings.

The DT 990 PRO is often considered a cost-effective option among audiophile headphones. They offer a blend of quality sound reproduction and affordability, making them accessible to a wide range of classical music enthusiasts.

Here is my full review of the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO headphones.

HIFIMAN Ananda

Key Features

• Type: Open-back design
• Connectivity: Wired
• Impedance: 25 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 103 dB
• Driver: Planar magnetic
• Frequency Range: 8 Hz – 55 kHz
• Weight: Approximately 399 g

About the HIFIMAN Ananda

The Ananda headphones are renowned for their exceptional sound quality. Their planar magnetic driver technology delivers a balanced, detailed, and immersive sound signature. This quality is particularly important for classical music, where the intricacies of orchestral and chamber compositions can be fully appreciated.

The open-back design of the Ananda contributes to a spacious and natural soundstage. This design choice recreates the feeling of being present in a concert hall, allowing the listener to perceive the dimensions and nuances of a live performance.

The planar magnetic drivers in the Ananda provide outstanding instrument separation. This means that each instrument in an orchestral or chamber piece can be distinctly heard, contributing to a more accurate and engaging listening experience.

Long classical compositions deserve comfortable headphones, and the Ananda delivers on this front. The headphones are designed for extended listening sessions, with lightweight construction, adjustable headbands, and plush ear cushions.

The Ananda has a relatively low impedance of 25 ohms and a sensitivity of 103 dB, making them easier to drive than some other planar magnetic headphones. However, they can still benefit from high-quality audio sources or amplifiers for optimal performance.

The Ananda headphones boast a luxurious design and build quality, using high-quality materials that ensure durability and comfort.

Here is my full review of the HIFIMAN Ananda headphones.

Philips SHP9600

Key Features

• Type: Open-back design
• Connectivity: Wired
• Impedance: 32 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 102 dB
• Driver: 50 mm neodymium drivers
• Frequency Range: 6 Hz – 69 kHz
• Weight: Approximately 320 g

About the Philips SHP9600

The SHP9600 headphones offer a well-balanced sound profile with clear mids and highs. While not as specialized for classical music as some high-end models, they deliver a pleasant and detailed sound that can make orchestral and chamber music enjoyable.

Similar to many other headphones in the Philips SHP series, the SHP9600 features an open-back design. This design characteristic allows for a more natural and spacious soundstage, which can enhance immersion and realism when listening to classical compositions.

The SHP9600 headphones provide decent instrument separation, allowing you to distinguish between different instruments in classical pieces. While not as precise as some high-end models, they can still deliver an enjoyable listening experience with well-defined instrument placement.

Comfort is a key consideration for long listening sessions, especially with classical music, which often features lengthy compositions. The SHP9600 is designed for comfort, with plush ear cushions and a lightweight build that allows for extended wear without discomfort.

The SHP9600 headphones are often considered to offer good value for their price point. They provide a balanced sound signature and some features typically found in more expensive models, making them an accessible option for classical music enthusiasts on a budget.

Here is my full review of the Philips SHP9600 headphones.

HIFIMAN Sundara

Key Features

• Type: Open-back design
• Connectivity: Wired
• Impedance: 37 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 94 dB
• Driver: Planar magnetic
• Frequency Range: 6 Hz – 75 kHz
• Weight: Approximately 372 g

About the HIFIMAN Sundara

The Sundara headphones are renowned for their exceptional sound quality. They utilize planar magnetic driver technology, which produces a balanced and highly detailed sound signature. This is particularly important for classical music, where intricate arrangements and a wide range of instruments demand clarity and precision.

The Sundara features an open-back design, which contributes to a spacious and natural soundstage. This design characteristic can recreate the acoustics of a concert hall, making orchestral and chamber music sound more immersive and lifelike.

Classical music often contains subtle nuances and fine details. The Sundara’s ability to reproduce these details accurately makes it an excellent choice for classical enthusiasts who want to hear every texture, timbre, and expression in the music.

The Sundara has an impedance of 37 ohms and a sensitivity of 94 dB. While they are relatively easy to drive with a variety of devices, using a dedicated headphone amplifier can unlock their full potential, providing improved dynamics and sound quality.

The Sundara headphones are built to last, with a durable construction that ensures longevity, making them suitable for years of classical music enjoyment.

Here is my full review of the HIFIMAN Sundara headphones.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

Key Features

• Type: Open-back design
• Connectivity: Wired
• Impedance: 300 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 103 dB
• Driver: Dynamic, 56 mm
• Frequency Range: 4 Hz – 51 kHz
• Weight: Approximately 330 g

About the Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S headphones are engineered for uncompromising sound quality. They offer an open-back design and Sennheiser’s proprietary transducer technology, resulting in a highly detailed, transparent, and well-balanced sound signature. They are the highest premium headphones on this list. And, these qualities are essential for experiencing the nuances and subtleties of classical music.

The open-back design creates a vast and immersive soundstage. When listening to classical music, this design feature can replicate the acoustics of a concert hall, providing a more realistic and spacious listening experience. It allows for a precise placement of instruments, which enhances the overall immersion.

Classical music often contains subtle details and nuances, and the HD 800 S headphones excel in reproducing them accurately. Their transparency and precision ensure that you can hear the texture, timbre, and articulation of each instrument, providing a deep and engaging listening experience.

With an impedance of 300 ohms and a sensitivity of 103 dB, the HD 800 S headphones work best when paired with a high-quality headphone amplifier. This combination allows you to unlock their full potential, providing exceptional dynamics and fidelity.

The HD 800 S headphones are meticulously crafted with premium materials to ensure durability and longevity. Their build quality matches their audiophile-grade performance.

Here is my full review of the Sennheiser HD 800 S headphones.

How to Pick the Right Headphones for Classical Music

Selecting the ideal headphones for an enriched classical music experience is a journey encompassing critical factors. Sound signature takes precedence, necessitating headphones with a balanced and neutral profile to faithfully reproduce the intricate harmonies. The choice between open-back and closed-back designs impacts the listening atmosphere, while driver types and frequency ranges preserve the full spectrum of classical instruments. Comfort ensures long sessions remain enjoyable, and personal testing remains pivotal, aligning headphones with individual auditory preferences.

Sound Signature Matters

In the context of classical music, a balanced and neutral sound signature is crucial. Classical compositions are intricate and dynamic, involving various instruments with different tonal qualities. Headphones that faithfully reproduce the original recording without adding coloration or emphasizing specific frequencies provide a more authentic listening experience. Avoid headphones with boosted bass or treble, as they can skew the delicate balance of classical compositions.

Open-Back Design for Immersion

Open-back headphones are well-suited for classical music due to their ability to create a more expansive and immersive soundstage. You’ll notice that every headphone on this list is open or semi-open back. This design allows sound to escape from the back of the ear cups, providing a sense of airiness and space. As a result, you can better perceive the depth and positioning of instruments in the music, replicating the ambiance of a live performance. However, it’s worth noting that open-back headphones may not be ideal for noisy environments as they offer minimal sound isolation.

Driver Type and Frequency Range

The choice of driver type impacts the headphones’ ability to reproduce classical music accurately. Planar magnetic and dynamic drivers are both suitable for classical music, with planar magnetic drivers often excelling in terms of detail and precision. A wide frequency range, typically spanning from 20 Hz to 20 kHz or beyond, ensures that you can hear the full spectrum of classical instruments, from the deepest contrabass notes to the most delicate piccolo tones. This range captures the subtleties and nuances that make classical music rich and engaging.

Comfort for Long Listening Sessions

Classical compositions can be lengthy, sometimes lasting several hours. Comfort is paramount to prevent listening fatigue during extended sessions. Look for headphones with plush, breathable ear cushions that encircle your ears comfortably. An adjustable headband ensures a secure yet pressure-free fit. Additionally, consider the weight and ergonomics of the headphones to prevent discomfort over time. Comfortable headphones allow you to fully immerse yourself in the music without distractions.

Budget and Personal Testing

Establishing a budget is essential when selecting headphones. It helps narrow down your options and ensures that you make a practical choice. However, within your budget range, consider testing headphones personally whenever possible. Sound perception is subjective, and what sounds best to one person may not be the same for another. Testing headphones allows you to evaluate their sound signature, comfort, and overall performance to find a pair that aligns with your personal preferences for classical music listening.

Conclusion

So, there you have it – my best headphones for soaking in the timeless beauty of classical music. From the graceful elegance of the Sennheiser HD 800 S to the affordable allure of the Philips SHP9500, there’s a pair here to suit every budget and ear. Remember, the perfect headphones aren’t just about technical specs; they’re about your unique connection with the music. So, trust your ears, find what resonates with your soul, and let the melodies of the great composers transport you to another world. Whether you’re losing yourself in the grand symphonies of Beethoven or savoring the intricate quartets of Mozart, the right pair of headphones can make the experience all the more magical. Happy listening!

Also, check out our other useful articles:

• Exploring the Different Types of Headphone Drivers
• Exploring Elegance and Craftsmanship: Cordoba C10 Review
• Reverberating Excellence: A Thorough Appraisal of the Cordoba C9 Parlor Classical Guitar
• The Ultimate Guide to the Best Beginner Classical Guitar

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Chadwick Becks

I have two degrees in guitar performance and was privileged to study under Aaron Shearer, Tom Kikta, David Skantar, Ken Karsh, Tim Bedner, and currently Christopher Berg. Outside my editorial work on this blog, I teach full-time across many genres including classical, jazz, blues, rock, funk, and metal.