JustBeginning
Beginner's guide

So you're getting into audiophile headphones

Audiophile headphones are one of the rare hobbies where genuinely world-class sound is under $200 — and then you can spend years upgrading. The rabbit hole is real but optional. This guide covers day-one essentials: the right headphones, a DAC/amp only if you need one, and the clarity to ignore the rest.

By Colin B. · Published May 28, 2026 · Last reviewed May 28, 2026
Young man wearing headphones smiles at phone.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

  1. Sennheiser HD 560S — The classic open-back entry point — natural soundstage, balanced tuning, no separate amp required.
  2. Schiit Fulla E — Plug into USB and hear the difference — a clean DAC/amp that wakes up any headphone without a fortune.
  3. Moondrop Aria — The IEM world's best value pick — smoother and more detailed than earbuds at triple the price.
Budget total
$150
Typical total
$260
A $150 open-back headphone is a complete, satisfying setup. Add a $110 DAC/amp for the full experience — around $260 total.
At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

CategoryTop pickPriceWhere to buy
HeadphonesSennheiserSennheiser HD 560S$$ See on Amazon →
DAC/AmpSchiitSchiit Fulla E$$ See on Amazon →
IEMsMoondropMoondrop Aria$$ See on Amazon →
Stand & AccessoriesBrainwavzBrainwavz Hengja Headphone Hanger$ See on Amazon →
Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

Don't start with $300+ headphones. The biggest jump in audio quality happens in the first $150 of spending — the 'I can't go back' moment lands there. Everything above $300 is diminishing returns you can barely measure. Start with the HD 560S, live with it for six months, then decide if you want more.

Your source matters more than you think. Headphones reveal what's already in the signal. Streaming at Spotify 320kbps already sounds noticeably better than 128kbps; Tidal lossless is marginal improvement on top of that. Don't outrun your source — get good headphones first.

Fit is underrated. A $300 headphone worn reluctantly delivers less enjoyment than a $79 headphone that disappears on your head. Check fit notes before buying — Beyerdynamic clamps hard on large heads, Sennheiser is forgiving, Audio-Technica sits wide.

The gear

What you actually need

gray and black wireless headphones on desk

Photo by Petri R on Unsplash

Headphones

This purchase defines your audiophile experience — everything else serves the headphone. The two key decisions are open-back vs closed-back (which determines soundstage and isolation) and impedance (which determines whether you need an amplifier). Most beginners should start open-back at 120 ohms or under and worry about amps only after their first serious listen.

Headphones — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

Open-Back

Natural soundstage, hear your room. Home listening gold standard.

Isolation
None
Soundstage
Wide and airy
Best for
Home listening

Best for Critical listening, gaming at home, anyone in a quiet space

Tradeoff Everyone in the room hears your music; you hear the room too

↓ See our pick
Closed-Back

Sealed cups, real isolation, punchier bass. Office and commute.

Isolation
Good
Soundstage
Intimate
Best for
Commute, office

Best for Commuting, shared spaces, late-night listening

Tradeoff Less spacious soundstage than open-back at the same price point

↓ See our pick
IEM

In-ear precision. Pocketable audiophile sound for anywhere.

Isolation
Excellent
Portability
Pocketable
Best for
On the go

Best for Gym, commute, travel — anywhere a full headphone is impractical

Tradeoff In-ear fit requires finding the right tip size for your ear canal

↓ See our pick
Best starter
Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 560S

$$

The HD 560S is where most audiophile journeys should start. At 120 ohms it drives cleanly from a laptop or phone — no DAC/amp required on day one. The neutral, reference-leaning tuning sounds immediately more spacious and detailed than any consumer headphone you've worn. Sennheiser's build quality is proven over decades.

What we like

  • Drives cleanly from laptop on day one — no amp required
  • Neutral, reference tuning reveals what's actually in the recording
  • Sennheiser's 50-year headphone reputation behind every seam

What to know

  • Open-back means zero noise isolation — not for commutes or offices
  • Lean bass won't satisfy listeners coming from bass-boosted earbuds
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Koss

Koss KPH30iK On-Ear Headphones

$

The audiophile community's open secret. Koss has made these clip-ons for decades, and the sound relative to price is genuinely baffling — better bass extension and more natural presentation than most headphones under $100. For under $40 they're the perfect gateway drug, and they'll survive being tossed in a bag.

What we like

  • Sound quality that embarrasses headphones costing five times the price
  • Open-back design sounds spacious and natural, not closed-in
  • Under $40 — if you hate headphones, you've lost nothing

What to know

  • Clip-on form factor sits outside the ear — some find it uncomfortable long-term
  • Microphonic cable rustles audibly when the cord moves
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 600

$$$

The HD 600 has been a reference-class headphone for over 25 years. At 300 ohms it needs a proper amp to open up — but when driven correctly, the resolution and naturalness are still competitive with headphones costing five times as much. Don't buy these until you have a good amp. Once you do, they might be the last headphones you ever need.

What we like

  • 25-year proven reference standard — still measured against at every price
  • Resolution and naturalness that hold up against headphones at 5x the price
  • Open, airy soundstage that most closed-backs can't replicate

What to know

  • 300 ohms — sounds dead without a real amp. Budget for the amp too
  • The spider-web grille is a fingerprint magnet and looks delicate (it isn't)
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Audio-Technica

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

$$

The industry standard for professional monitoring. Closed-back cups give real isolation for commutes or late-night sessions, the detachable cable is sturdy, and the folding hinge survives bag travel. Not the most natural sound — slight bass emphasis — but the value and durability are hard to argue with if you need isolation.

What we like

  • Closed-back seal blocks ambient noise — works in offices and on commutes
  • Detachable cable and folding hinge built for real portability
  • Professional standard used in studios worldwide

What to know

  • Slight bass emphasis tilts away from reference-neutral tuning
  • Soundstage is narrower than open-back headphones at the same price
See on Amazon →
grey Erzetick device

Photo by Blaz Erzetic on Unsplash

DAC/Amp

A DAC (digital-to-analog converter) turns the 1s and 0s from your phone or computer into an actual audio signal. An amp gives that signal enough power to drive headphones properly. Most built-in laptop and phone outputs are mediocre — you'll hear congestion and flat dynamics. A $79-110 combo unit is the highest-impact upgrade you can make after the headphones themselves.

Best starter
Schiit

Schiit Fulla E

$$

Schiit builds their products in California and the Fulla E punches above its price. This all-in-one USB DAC/amp handles up to 32-bit/384kHz audio, outputs enough power for the HD 560S and most headphones under 300 ohms, and includes a 6.35mm adapter. Plug it in, turn the knob, hear the difference.

What we like

  • Built in California — Schiit's reputation for honest value is earned
  • Powers HD 560S and most sub-300ohm headphones cleanly
  • Single USB cable in, 3.5mm and 6.35mm out — dead simple setup

What to know

  • Desktop-only with wall power — not for portable use
  • Volume knob imbalance at very low levels is a known quirk
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
FiiO

FiiO E10K-TC USB DAC/Amp

$

The most-recommended entry-level DAC/amp on Head-Fi for good reason. USB-bus-powered, compact, and it adds meaningful clarity and dynamics to any headphone in the $50-200 range. The bass boost switch is a fun experiment but you probably won't use it long-term once your ears adjust to reference tuning.

What we like

  • Bus-powered from USB — no wall adapter, works from a laptop on a couch
  • Most recommended entry DAC/amp on Head-Fi for years running
  • Bass boost switch is genuinely fun for casual listening

What to know

  • Older circuit — dynamic range trails newer units at the same price
  • Output power caps before fully waking up 300-ohm headphones
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
TOPPING

TOPPING DX3 Pro+

$$$

Step up from a desktop combo to something that holds up in audiophile discussions. The DX3 Pro+ has balanced output, a proper headphone amplifier stage, and measurements that get praised at Audio Science Review. For anyone heading toward 300-ohm headphones or wanting balanced output — the sensible ceiling before full separates.

What we like

  • Balanced output future-proofs you for balanced cable headphones
  • Measurements praised at Audio Science Review — genuinely transparent
  • Powers 300-ohm HD 600 to full potential without breaking a sweat

What to know

  • Requires wall power brick — not bus-powered like the FiiO
  • Overkill for the HD 560S; most useful once you have 250+ ohm headphones
See on Amazon →

IEMs

In-Ear Monitors are the portable wing of audiophile listening. They fit entirely in the ear canal, isolate from ambient noise, and — especially in the Chinese audiophile market — deliver absurd performance per dollar. The Moondrop Aria at $79 delivers genuinely hi-fi sound in a jacket pocket. Start here if you listen mostly on the go.

Best starter
Moondrop

Moondrop Aria

$$

Moondrop's Aria established that $79 is the new floor for entry-level IEM performance. Single dynamic driver with a liquid metal shell, a smooth Harman-adjacent tuning, and a presentation that embarrasses earbuds at twice the price. The fit is forgiving; the included cable is fine; the upgrade itch doesn't hit for months.

What we like

  • Liquid metal shell construction is far nicer than plastic at the price
  • Harman-adjacent tuning is balanced and non-fatiguing for long sessions
  • Widely available, well-reviewed, safe first IEM purchase

What to know

  • Bass isn't ruler-flat — slight elevation that most find pleasing, some find colored
  • Included cable could be better — aftermarket is a worthwhile upgrade later
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
KZ

KZ ZSN Pro X

$

KZ's entry-level hybrid IEM is the answer when someone asks what to buy for under $25. The multi-driver design adds treble detail a single dynamic driver can't match at this price. V-shaped tuning emphasizes bass and treble — some love it, some find it fatiguing. Either way, it shows you the IEM world for almost nothing.

What we like

  • Under $25 with multi-driver hybrid tech usually found at $50+
  • Treble detail retrieval that single dynamic drivers can't match at this price
  • Good entry to understand what IEMs are before spending more

What to know

  • V-shaped signature is fun but not neutral — fatiguing for some at volume
  • Build feels budget — shell flex and connector tolerances show the price
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Moondrop

Moondrop KATO

$$$

When you're ready to stop apologizing for your IEMs in audiophile circles, the KATO is the move. Beryllium-coated diaphragm, extended detail retrieval, and a neutral-bright signature that rewards well-recorded material. Bring your own aftermarket cable — the stock cable is the one weak point on an otherwise exceptional IEM.

What we like

  • Beryllium diaphragm extends treble detail beyond what dynamics at 2x cost
  • Neutral-bright signature rewards high-quality recordings and well-mastered albums
  • Moondrop's KATO is a respected benchmark in the sub-$200 IEM market

What to know

  • Stock cable feels underwhelming at the price — budget $20 for an aftermarket
  • Neutral-bright signature can fatigue on bright masterings — know your library
See on Amazon →

Stand & Accessories

A headphone stand is optional but becomes practical quickly — leaving an HD 560S face-down on a desk scuffs the cups and looks like you don't care about your gear. More importantly: ear pads wear out. Budget headphones ship with mediocre foam; premium headphones develop flat spots after two years. Pad swaps are cheap maintenance that extends headphone life and often improves fit.

Best starter
Brainwavz

Brainwavz Hengja Headphone Hanger

$

A clamp-on headphone hanger that attaches to any desk edge without drilling. The Hengja holds anything from KPH30is to HD 600s, frees up desk space instantly, and costs less than a coffee. Universal clamp fits desks 1.8–4.3cm thick — check your desk before ordering.

What we like

  • Clamps to any desk edge in 30 seconds — no drilling, no tools
  • Holds any headphone from lightweight portables to full-size over-ears
  • Frees up desk space that a base-stand would occupy

What to know

  • Clamp range limits — won't fit very thick or glass desk edges
  • No cable management built in — cable hangs loose with the headphone
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Dekoni Audio

Dekoni Audio Choice Memory Foam Ear Pads (ATH-M50x)

$$

Ear pads degrade — foam compresses, pleather cracks — and replacing them restores comfort and sometimes improves isolation. Dekoni makes pads for most popular headphones (HD 560S, M50x, and dozens more) in fenestrated sheepskin or micro suede. Know that pad material can shift frequency response slightly when you swap.

What we like

  • Restores original comfort and seal on pads that have flattened over years
  • Multiple material options (sheepskin, velour, fenestrated) for tuning preference
  • Dekoni makes pads for most major headphone models — wide compatibility

What to know

  • Pad material can shift frequency response slightly — affects tuning
  • Higher cost than OEM replacement pads from the headphone manufacturer
See on Amazon →
Going deeper

Your first month as an audiophile

Audiophile headphone listening rewards patience — the first listen surprises you, the first upgrade teaches you, and somewhere around week three you start hearing things in music you've heard a hundred times before.

Read the guide →
Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

  • Balanced cables — Your single-ended DAC/amp can't output balanced anyway. Buy balanced cables when you have balanced output hardware — not before.
  • A tube amplifier — Gorgeous, warm, and a rabbit hole of its own. Learn what your solid-state amp sounds like first; then chase tubes after six months of reference.
  • Top-of-the-line headphones — The Focal Utopia and Sennheiser HD 800 S are astonishing. They also cost $3,000-5,000 and reveal flaws in everything upstream of them. Earn your way there.
  • A vinyl rig for headphones — Records pair beautifully with headphones but a proper turntable + phono preamp costs $500-1000 minimum. Music subscription is the right first source.
  • Cable risers and isolation platforms — Measurable effect is noise-floor-adjacent and inaudible on your first two years of gear. Spend the money on better music instead.
First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

  1. Order the Sennheiser HD 560S — it arrives in two days and the first listen is the moment this hobby clicks. · Buy
  2. Plug into your laptop headphone jack first — no DAC/amp yet. Note what you hear so you have a baseline for comparison. · Action
  3. Listen to a well-recorded reference track. Nils Lofgren's 'Keith Don't Go' (live) and Patricia Barber's 'Black Magic Woman' are classic audiophile test benchmarks. · Learn
  4. Spend a week at the laptop jack before buying a DAC/amp. The contrast teaches you more than any review. · Action
  5. Order the Schiit Fulla E after the first week if the HD 560S sounds congested or flat from your laptop — you'll know. · Buy
  6. Start a free trial of Tidal or Qobuz for lossless streaming. The difference is real once your gear is good enough to reveal it. · Action
    • Tidal · Lossless and hi-res streaming — free trial
    • Qobuz · Lossless streaming with a strong classical and jazz catalog
  7. Browse the r/headphones wiki before asking questions — the FAQ answers 80% of what beginners wonder about impedance, burn-in, and DAC/amps. · Learn
FAQ

Common questions

Do I need a DAC/amp to start, or can I plug the HD 560S into my laptop?

The HD 560S at 120 ohms drives fine from a laptop headphone jack on day one. A DAC/amp adds noticeable clarity and dynamics — worth it, but it doesn't need to happen the same day as the headphones. Buy the headphones first, live with them for a week at the laptop, then add the Schiit Fulla E when you want more.

What's the difference between open-back and closed-back headphones?

Open-back headphones have perforated ear cups — sound escapes both ways, creating a more spacious, natural soundstage. They offer zero noise isolation and leak audio to the room. Closed-back headphones seal around your ears for isolation and portability, with a more intimate sound. Most audiophiles end up owning both.

Does headphone burn-in actually change the sound?

The audio community has debated this for 20 years and there's no measured evidence that burn-in materially changes headphone frequency response. What does change is your ears adapting to a new sound signature over a few weeks, which feels like improvement. Burn-in files are a ritual, not a requirement. Skip it.

What streaming service should I use for audiophile-quality audio?

Tidal and Qobuz both offer lossless and hi-res streaming. Most listeners can't reliably distinguish lossless from Spotify 320kbps on a first headphone — but lossless is worth having as your setup improves. Try the Tidal free trial and decide after a week with your new headphones.

How does impedance affect which headphone I should buy?

Under 80 ohms: drives fine from phones and laptops. 80-200 ohms: benefits from a dedicated amp. 300+ ohms: requires a proper amp to reach full potential. The HD 600 at 300 ohms sounds flat and lifeless from a phone; it opens up completely from a good desktop amp. The HD 560S at 120 ohms is the sweet spot for laptop-friendly listening.

Is this hobby expensive to get into?

The entry point is surprisingly reasonable: the HD 560S alone at $150 is a complete, satisfying setup. Adding the Schiit Fulla E brings you to $260 for a system that holds up against setups costing three times as much. The hobby can become expensive — that's what the 'dont need yet' list is for.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

  • Head-Fi — The central audiophile headphone forum. Decades of accumulated gear wisdom, purchase advice threads, and measurement discussions. Search before posting — your question has an answer buried somewhere.
  • r/headphones — Active subreddit with a comprehensive wiki. Friendlier entry point than Head-Fi for beginners. Read the wiki before asking about recommendations or DAC/amps.
  • Rtings.com — Objective measurements and structured reviews for headphones. Frequency response graphs, isolation measurements, and head-to-head comparisons. Trust the measurements over subjective impressions in reviews.
  • Audio Science Review — Amir's measurement-focused review site. If it measures well here, it performs. Particular strength on DAC/amp reviews — the go-to for separating performance from marketing.
  • DMS (YouTube) — One of the most trusted independent reviewers in the headphone space. Balanced assessments, good value focus, honest about what matters at each price tier. Start here for IEM coverage.
  • Z Reviews (YouTube) — Eccentric, entertaining, and beloved. Z has reviewed more headphones and IEMs than almost anyone. The personality is an acquired taste; the recommendations track record is excellent.

As an Amazon Associate, JustBeginning earns from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commission from other affiliate programs linked on this page. Editorial recommendations are independent — we don't choose products based on commission rates.