Beyerdynamic Amiron £545
Looks can be deceiving…
After putting each of these headphones through their paces, with a number of systems and out and about, we concluded that the Beyerdynamic Amiron is the pair that makes the greatest impression.
Proving that you shouldn’t judge a pair of headphones by its looks, the Amirons aren’t as luxurious as the other two, but they’re more comfortable and you’ll definitely be happy to wear them all day.
But with headphones it should be about performance, and that’s where the Amirons excel. Whether it’s in the bass, midrange or treble, they have an all-around detail and transparency that means, provided you’ve got high-quality audio going in, you’ll get the same quality coming out. There’s a tightness to its lower end, too. It keeps a song organised, even when tested with distorted guitars, rapid drums or high-powered synthesisers.
Hole in your pocket
In terms of pure sound quality, the Amirons just pip the Audio Technica ATHW1000ZS into second place, as good a pair as those headphones are. They also prove a far more enjoyable listen than Fostex’s TH610S.
However, the Amirons are openbacked headphones and leak a lot of sound, meaning others will be able to hear what you’re playing. If you want to err on the side of caution, and choose a pair of headphones with some degree of noise-confinement, we recommend picking up the Audio Technicas instead.
But if you currently have around £500 to spend on some high-end equipment burning a hole in your pocket, the Beyerdynamic Amirons get our vote.