15 Most Popular Headphones That Audiophiles Are Talking About in 2024

The future of headphones looks bright so far. (From: Olga Orel)
The future of headphones looks bright so far. (From: Olga Orel)

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From crowd-favorite budget IEMs to full-size wallet busters, we look at what the year 2024 has brought us so far.

So far, the year 2024 has been pretty fruitful when it comes to personal audio.

Many of the old-guard companies have broken their silence and released promising headphones as well as IEMs.

The trend of reviewer collaborations is still strong however for the first time we have a full homegrown product without the assistance of established outside manufacturers. Overall the public seems to have a bit of collab-fatigue as some of the releases like the Crinacle Singolo were flops.

However, there are still a few models that stand out for good reasons. I’m not talking about futuristic headphone concepts (like in our featured image) here. No, these are real-deal headphones you can get your hands on right now.

Before we delve deeper into the most popular 2024 headphone list, I have to disclaim that it’s not without my own biases. Some of these releases might not have garnered the largest search traffic or other interest metrics. But, as a personal audio enthusiast with almost 15 years of experience, I tried to bring what’s really noteworthy.

NameTypeConnectionDriversPrice
DMS OmegaOver-ear, open-backWiredDynamicBuy
MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSKIn-ear, closed-backWiredDynamic, balanced armature, planarBuy
Sennheiser HD620SOver-ear, closed-backWiredDynamicBuy
HiFiMan Susvara UnveiledOver-ear, open-backWiredPlanarBuy
ZMF Caldera ClosedOver-ear, closed-backWiredPlanarBuy
Focal HadenysOver-ear, open-backWiredDynamicBuy
Focal AzurysOver-ear, closed-backWiredDynamicBuy
Edifier Stax Spirit S5Over-ear, closed-backWiredPlanarBuy
Meze Audio LIRIC 2nd GenerationOver-ear, closed-backWiredPlanarBuy
Truthear GateIn-ear, closed-backWiredDynamicBuy
Hisenior Mega5 ESTIn-ear, closed-backWiredDynamic, balanced armature, electretBuy
Meze Audio AlbaIn-ear, closed-backWiredDynamicBuy
HEDD Heddphone TwoOver-ear, open-backWiredAir-motion transformerBuy
DUNU x Gizaudio DaVinciIn-ear, closed-backWiredDynamic, balanced armatureBuy
RAAL 1995 ImmanisOver-ear, open-backWiredTrue RibbonBuy

DMS Omega

You better look the part as well if you dare to don the Omegas! (From: Headphone.com)
You better look the part as well if you dare to don the Omegas! (From: Headphone.com)
  • Connection: Wired
  • Type: Over-ear, open-back
  • Driver Type(s): 50mm dynamic
  • Impedance: 32 Ω
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz

“This headphone is my love letter to audio,” said DMS, a long-time personal audio YouTuber. The rather curious-looking open-back headphones are interesting in that they’re not a collaboration. Rather DMS has done the design work and manufacturing to bring an actual product to market on his own.

The performance promise behind the Omega is simple – everything must work towards achieving the optimum frequency response according to DMS. That’s also the reason why the Omega sports rather divisive looks – it’s manufactured mostly by 3D printing, and everything is designed to get the best out of the 50mm dynamic driver.

Where to buy

MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK

Is the second coming of the Dusk the one? Apparently yes but only if you use the bundled DSP cable. (From: Shenzhen Audio)
Is the second coming of the Dusk the one? Apparently yes but only if you use the bundled DSP cable. (From: Hangout)
  • Connection: Wired
  • Type: In-ear, closed-back
  • Driver Type(s): 2x dynamic, 2x balanced armature, 2x planar
  • Impedance: 14.5 Ω
  • Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 24 kHz

After the Moondrop Blessing 3 which has traditionally been one of the more neutral offerings in the IEM space came the long wait for Crinacle to do his own twist on it. After all, the Blessing 2 Dusk is widely acknowledged as the superior sounding option compared to the vanilla Moondrop Blessing 2.

The “Blessing” moniker has been dropped with Crin’s tuning hopefully being enough of a blessing. For the first time, Dusk are a tribrid with planar drivers handling the highs. With that said, some already have expressed concern about the choice of using a USB-C DSP cable to achieve the intended frequency response.

Where to buy

Sennheiser HD620S

Sennheiser coming in elegant as always, be prepared to not have the HD620S look as nice at your place. (From: Sennheiser)
Sennheiser coming in elegant as always, be prepared to not have the HD620S look as nice at your place. (From: Sennheiser)
  • Connection: Wired
  • Type: Over-ear, closed-back
  • Driver Type(s): 42mm dynamic
  • Impedance: 150 Ω
  • Frequency Response: 6 Hz – 30 kHz

Closed-back Sennheiser HD650 have long been the dream headphones of many enthusiasts. Are the HD620S it? Not according to initial reviews but supposedly it’s a decent entry into the audiophile closed-back headphone niche.

The high-ish 150 ohm impedance means that the HD620S should also run fine with OTL tube amplifiers which is a rarity for closed-back headphones. Just make sure to have your listening position well-ventilated as the closed back capsules will trap heat and can make for a sweaty listening session.

Where to buy

HiFiMan Susvara Unveiled

The new SUSVARAs are called UNVEILED for a fairly obvious reason. (From: HiFiMan)
The new SUSVARAs are called UNVEILED for a fairly obvious reason. (From: HiFiMan)
  • Connection: Wired
  • Type: Over-ear, open-back
  • Driver Type(s): Planar magnetic
  • Impedance: 45 Ω
  • Frequency Response: 6 Hz – 75 kHz

HiFiMan’s latest Susvara iteration is turning heads with its bold design choice and eye-watering price tag.

The SUSVARA UNVEILED does exactly what it says on the tin – it ditches the traditional metal grill. This daring move aims to reduce sound wave reflections, potentially unleashing new levels of audio clarity.

But, of course, HiFiMan didn’t just take the old Susvaras and removed the metal grill. They also upgraded the drivers to make them just nanometer-thick for heightened sensitivity and nuanced reproduction.

The headphones also use HiFiMan’s Stealth Magnet technology and a silver conductor layer. Together, these promise to help you hear subtle sounds you’ve missed before.

At $8,000, it’s certainly not for the faint of wallet. But for those who are curious enough and have some cash to spare, these are definitely worth a try.

Where to buy

ZMF Caldera Closed

Wood, curves and great sound - these are also some of my favorite things! (From: ZMF)
Wood, curves and great sound – these are also some of my favorite things! (From: ZMF)
  • Connection: Wired
  • Type: Over-ear, closed-back
  • Driver Type(s): planar
  • Impedance: 60 Ω
  • Frequency Response: unspecified

Do ya like wood? You’re in luck then – headphone luthier extraordinaire and expert tone tuner Zachary Mehrbach from ZMF has come out with his woodiest offering yet – the closed-back version of the brand’s planar flagship the Caldera. Designed with an agreeable Harmanesque tuning, the Caldera Closed promises to be a feast for both the eyes and ears.

If your wallet can accommodate the Caldera Closed, be sure to maybe do some neck strength training as the combination of planar drivers and wooden earcups brings the total weight of the Caldera Closed to over 500 grams. The 60-ohm load also means that driving the beauty is best relegated to solid-state amps or transformer-coupled tubes.

Where to buy

Focal Hadenys

The Hadenys might be your ticket into Focal Hifi headphones. (From: Focal)
The Hadenys might be your ticket into Focal Hifi headphones. (From: Focal)
  • Connection: Wired
  • Type: Over-ear, open-back
  • Driver Type(s): 40mm dynamic
  • Impedance: 26 Ω
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 22 kHz

The French masters of the metal diaphragm headphones Focal have released their most affordable wired open-back yet. Built up to their luxury standards, the Hadenys open-backs use the same aluminum-magnesium alloy driver as the wireless Bathys.

Designed to be driven by just about anything out there the Hadenys are a great entry into Focal house sound.

While the build quality is, as always, very high the brown colorway can be polarising. Also, it might be worth inquiring how much is a pair of spare pads – in the past pad swaps for Focal headphones have been costly.

Where to buy

Focal Azurys

Yes, it's quite blue but you will probably like the sound and won't see the Azurys as you're wearing them. (From: Focal)
Yes, it’s quite blue but you will probably like the sound and won’t see the Azurys as you’re wearing them. (From: Focal)
  • Connection: Wired
  • Type: Over-ear, open-back
  • Driver Type(s): 40mm dynamic
  • Impedance: 26 Ω
  • Frequency Response: 15 Hz – 22 kHz

The sister release to the Hadenys, the Azurys are their closed-back sibling.

With the same 40mm aluminum-magnesium diaphragm driver, the Azurys are Focal’s entry-level closed-back. Priced a tad higher than the Hadenys, it’s arguably the more interesting offering due to there being a lack of good closed-back headphones on the market.

This time around the azure colorway will likely prove to be even more of a head-turner than the more subdued brown on the Hadenys.

At the same time, if Headephones.com measurements are to be trusted, the tuning is great for a closed-back and should satisfy most listeners.

Where to buy

Edifier Stax Spirit S5

The EDIFIER STAX SPIRIT S5 aim to change what you think about wireless sound quality. (From: EDIFIER)
The EDIFIER STAX SPIRIT S5 aim to change what you think about wireless sound quality. (From: EDIFIER)
  • Connection: Wireless
  • Type: Over-ear
  • Driver Type(s): Planar magnetic
  • Impedance: Not specified
  • Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 40 kHz

Edifier’s STAX SPIRIT S5 are in the running for the best wireless headphones ever, if you don’t mind not having ANC.

These headphones target the life-long problems most of us have against wireless headphones. This is all thanks to:

  • The latest Bluetooth technology that supports wireless lossless transmission
  • Planar magnetic drivers that you won’t usually see on Bluetooth headphones
  • And an 80-hour battery life

But that’s not all. They also added a secret sauce called “Edifier’s 2nd generation EqualMass™ wiring technology” to make sure the magnetic force is distributed evenly across the driver’s diaphragm. In theory, this should lead to more accurate sound reproduction and minimal harmonic distortion.

All these sound great on paper, but we’re yet to see if they actually translate in the real world. They still deserve to be on the list just for the attempt, though!

Where to buy

Meze Audio LIRIC 2nd Generation

The LIRIC 2nd Generation promise a lot of upgrades from the original version. (From: Meze Audio)
The LIRIC 2nd Generation promise a lot of upgrades from the original version. (From: Meze Audio)
  • Connection: Wired
  • Type: Over-ear, closed-back
  • Driver Type(s): Planar magnetic (Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array® MZ4)
  • Impedance: 61 Ω
  • Frequency Response: 4 Hz – 92 kHz

Meze Audio’s 2nd Generation LIRIC are trying to outdo their predecessors.

These closed-back headphones use the same drivers as the original, but with a new twist. They’ve added something called a Quarter Wavelength Resonator Mask (QWRM). This is supposed to smooth out high frequencies, which could make long listening sessions more enjoyable.

Plus, as expected with Meze Audio, the LIRIC 2nd Gen also have a pretty appealing style.

The earpads are magnetic and removable, making them easy to clean or replace. And, the earcups are made of striped ebony wood, which looks fancy and should last a long time.

Where to buy

Truthear Gate

Truthear has been hitting it out of the park with super affordable IEMs and the Gate is no different. (From: Truthear)
Truthear has been hitting it out of the park with super affordable IEMs and the Gate is no different. (From: Truthear)
  • Connection: Wired
  • Type: In-ear, closed-back
  • Driver Type(s): 10mm dynamic
  • Impedance: 28 Ω
  • Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 45 kHz

A successor to the well-received Truthear Hola, the Gate continues the ultra-affordable neutral-tuned IEM bloodline. Equipped with a 10mm carbon-composite driver, the Gate employs a very similar acoustic formula to its predecessor.

I’m quite sure that there will be very little to be upset about the Gate for the price. However, as is the case with these well-measuring IEMs, there will be those proclaiming that the Gate trounces IEM many times its price point.

While in some cases it might be the case, do try to keep a cool head and open mind!

Where to buy

Hisenior Mega5 EST

Want to hear what the EST treble is all about? The Mega5 EST are a great way to find it out! (From: Hisenior)
Want to hear what the EST treble is all about? The Mega5 EST are a great way to find it out! (From: Hisenior)
  • Connection: Wired
  • Type: In-ear, closed-back
  • Driver Type(s): 1x dynamic, 2x balanced armature, 2x electret
  • Impedance: 28 Ω
  • Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 45 kHz

While initially, the Mega5 EST flew under most radars, the IEMs blew up after a glowing review by DMS who claimed to “like them more than headphones”. On paper, the Mega5 EST look like a good deal with a 4-way crossover and electret high-frequency drivers.

And, according to our senior reviewer Eric, they deliver the goods!

Not only do the Mega5 EST offer that ethereal electret bass at an affordable price point, but the overall tuning is very hard to fault. Some might expect more zing from the electret drivers you’d have to go far up in price to get it.

Overall the Mega5 EST is an easy recommendation for those looking for a neutral pair of IEMs.

Where to buy

Meze Audio Alba

Have there ever been ugly looking Meze headphones? (From: Meze Audio)
Have there ever been ugly looking Meze headphones? (From: Meze Audio)
  • Connection: Wired
  • Type: In-ear, closed-back
  • Driver Type(s): 10.8mm dynamic
  • Impedance: 32 Ω
  • Frequency Response: 15 Hz – 25 kHz

Alba are the most affordable entry into the Romanian headphone specialist Meze Audio stable of offerings. The IEMs use a single almost-11mm dynamic driver in a ported earshell. As is tradition with Meze headphones, Alba also sport a rather striking design with porcelain-looking white earshells.

Despite being mostly known by their exquisite full-size headphones, Alba aren’t Meze’s first tango with the IEM format. In 2022 they came out with a more upmarket offering the Advar and I’m glad to report that the Alba at the very least don’t look out of place besides it.

Where to buy

HEDD Heddphone Two

The latest version of the Heddphone comes with improved sound and ergonomics. (From: HEDD)
The latest version of the Heddphone comes with improved sound and ergonomics. (From: HEDD)
  • Connection: Wired
  • Type: Over-ear, open-back
  • Driver Type(s): Air-motion transformer
  • Impedance: 41 Ω
  • Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 40 kHz

Previously known by their work in the studio monitor space, the German audio company HEDD shook the headphone community by releasing the Heddphone – a full-size offering that uses an air-motion transformer for a driver. That was in 2020 and four years later we have the improved Heddphone Two.

Sporting not only an improved AMT driver, the Heddphone Two overhauls one of the more serious drawbacks of its predecessor – ergonomics. The weight has shrunk from 780g to “mere” 550g and a very comfy suspension-type headband has been added. And reportedly the sound has been improved as well!

Where to buy

DUNU x Gizaudio DaVinci

Dunu has made a treat for woody IEM lovers. (From: Dunu)
Dunu has made a treat for woody IEM lovers. (From: Dunu)
  • Connection: Wired
  • Type: In-ear, closed-back
  • Driver Type(s): 2x dynamic, 4x balanced armature
  • Impedance: 35 Ω
  • Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 40 kHz

A collaboration between the IEM specialist DUNU and the Gizaudio reviewer collective, the DaVinci seems like a pretty straightforward hybrid, at least on the surface. With two dynamic bass drivers in 10mm and 8mm sizes and four balanced armature drivers, the DaVinci uses the crossover to set itself apart.

Despite using two types of drivers, the filtering divides the incoming signal into five bands. Furthermore, each band also uses a separate acoustic output tube to deliver the sonic goodies. The first impressions from reviewers are promising praising the tuning of the DaVinci.

Where to buy

RAAL 1995 Immanis

A close look at the RAAL 1995 Immanis headphones. (From: simorag)
A close look at the RAAL 1995 Immanis headphones. (From: simorag)

If the RAAL 1995 Immanis were a car, it would be a high-performance sports car with the engine of a muscle car.

These headphones take RAAL’s already impressive ribbon driver technology and crank it up to eleven with a triple ribbon motor system.

The result? Bass that digs deep, dynamics that’ll make your head spin, and a soundstage wider than the Grand Canyon.

To make it even better, the Immanis also look as high-end as their price suggests. They are made with a combination of glass fiber, aluminum, and walnut wood. So, they just stand out on their own even before you actually wear them.

Where to buy

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