ALTERNATIVELY

AUDEZE LCD-3

£1789 / audeze.com

These stunning luxury headphones use the latest-gen version of Audeze’s planar magnetic tech, which employs twin sets of magnets with a wafer-thin diaphragm between them. The result is powerful and detailed sound to replicate tunes as the artist intended them, while the drivers won’t deteriorate with age. Best used with a headphone amp. Stuff says ★★★★★

ROSSON RAD-0

£2495 / rossonaudiodesign.com

Many of the words that appeal to audiophiles are here: open-backed, planar magnetic, rare earth magnets. Mind you, many of the words that appeal to the rest of us apply here too: insight, detail, dynamic potency, fun. So no matter which camp you fall in, these Rossons are bound to delight you. As long as your head is big enough for their sheer size, that is. Stuff says ★★★★★

FOCAL UTOPIA

£3699 / focal.com

One look at the price and the brand-name is enough to make us anxious and excited all at once. And sure enough, the Utopias are recklessly expensive headphones – but they’re also among the finest available at any price. Nothing is beyond them when it comes to delivering music, in full and with complete conviction. They’re a stupendously accomplished listen. Stuff says ★★★★★

SHURE KSE1200

£1799 / shure.com

Not every pair of in-ear monitors comes with its own amp. But then again, not every pair of in-ear monitors is an electrostatic design and not every pair sells for the thick end of two grand. If you’re interested in hearing every scrap of information in a recording, no matter how deep it’s buried, then the KSE1200S could constitute a bit of a bargain. Stuff says ★★★★★