Beyerdynamic Amiron

£415

At this level, you should expect no compromise. Which is fine, at least as far as Beyerdynamic is concerned, because these headphones aren’t in the business of making compromises.

A comfortable fit is not to be underestimated with headphones aimed at extended home listening, which is why Beyerdynamic has used alcantara microfibres (a blend of polyester and polyurethane with a similar texture to suede) and microvelour to make the earcups and headband. The result? You could wear them for hours without your ears ever feeling hot or uncomfortable.

We decide to blast out a rock classic, AC/DC’S It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll) – the song’s bagpipes are a good test of how a pair of headphones can handle treble. The Amirons take it in all their stride, keeping a good grip on the high frequencies without any harshness. On the softer side, the midrange vocals in Fountains Of Wayne’s Action Hero come across clearly too, giving an insightful rendition of the way Chris Collingwood drags and emphasises the ends of his words.

There’s no question that the Amirons can dig down into the lower frequencies either, even without the emphasis on bass that closed-back headphones have.

Of course, as is to be expected from the open-back design, the Amirons leak sound like a sieve. The upside of this, though, is a larger, more spacious quality to your music. Just be aware that other people around you will be able to hear whatever you’re listening to as well.

Our final piece of good news here is that the Amirons are now more than £100 cheaper than at launch. So, if you want a premium ear experience, buy a pair of these – and a year’s subscription to a quality music-streaming service.

The ability of the Amiron will keep you happy no matter what they’re playing.