For relaxed listening at home, open-back headphones give the best soundstage, and among them the Grado Classic SR60 (€139) and SR325 (€369) are two of the best ways in. For listening away from home or in a shared space, closed-back models like the DALI iO-6 (€300) isolate better. As for amplification, Grado's 38-ohm headphones sound good straight from a phone or an integrated amplifier. A dedicated amplifier such as the FiiO K13 R2R (€329) only starts to pay off when you move up a level or want to plug in a computer.
Open or closed?
In a closed-back headphone, the back of the cup is sealed. Sound stays in, less street noise gets through and the bass sounds fuller. It is the natural choice for the train, a shared office or a living room where someone is watching TV.
In an open-back headphone, the cup lets air through. Sound leaks out into the room and outside noise comes in, but at home the trade is worth it because the soundstage is wider, instruments get room to breathe and listening is less tiring after two hours. In our listening room, people who try a good open-back headphone tend not to want to go back for listening at home.
What impedance and sensitivity tell you
Impedance, in ohms, is the resistance the headphone presents to the amplifier. Sensitivity, in dB, tells you how loud it plays on a small amount of power. A headphone with low impedance and high sensitivity, like Grado's 38 ohms, plays loud on very little power. One with higher impedance or lower sensitivity needs an amplifier with more headroom.
In practice, a phone or the headphone output of an integrated amplifier is enough for the most efficient headphones, especially at moderate volume. They start to fall short when the sound feels lifeless or short on dynamics, or when maximum volume barely gets there.
When does a DAC or headphone amplifier make sense?
It makes sense when you listen mostly from a computer, when your integrated amplifier has a modest headphone output or when you pick headphones that ask for more power. A model with a built-in DAC solves two things in one box. If you are still unsure what each piece does, our guide to DACs and streamers explains the difference.
Our selection of wired headphones
| Model | Price | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grado Classic SR60 | €139 | Open | First hi-fi headphones |
| DALI iO-6 | €300 | Closed | Home and travel, wired or wireless |
| Grado Classic SR325 | €369 | Open | Anyone who wants detailed treble |
| Grado Classic RS1 | €849 | Open | Anyone who values midrange and timbre |
| Grado Classic GS1000 | €1,299 | Open | Anyone after a wide soundstage |
| HEDD HEDDphone Two | €1,390 | Open | Demanding audiophiles and producers |
Why we chose each model
Grado Classic SR60 (€139)
The SR60 is the way into the Grado sound and remains one of the most recommended headphones for what it delivers at the price. It has a 44 mm dynamic driver in an open-back design, 38 ohms of impedance and an immediate, lively sound with expressive mids. The cable is fixed, with a 3.5 mm plug and a 6.3 mm adapter. They play well straight from a phone.
DALI iO-6 (€300)
The iO-6 is closed-back with active noise cancellation, a 30-hour battery and Bluetooth, USB-C and mini-jack inputs. Because the 3.5 mm cable is in the box, they also work wired to an amplifier and keep playing in passive mode if the battery runs out. They are what we recommend to anyone who wants a single pair for home and the street. You can read more in our guide to the DALI iO-8 and iO-12.
Grado Classic SR325 (€369)
The metal housing tames parasitic resonances and lets through open, detailed treble. They use the same 44 mm, 38-ohm driver as the SR60, with an 8-conductor cable. Anyone who has heard the SR60 and wants more air and dynamics will find the natural next step here.
Grado Classic RS1 (€849)
The mahogany body gives them a richness of timbre that metal or plastic housings cannot imitate. They extend from 12 Hz to 30 kHz and best capture what audiophiles look for in the brand, which is presence, immediacy and a deeply human midrange. They pair well with vocals, jazz and acoustic music.
Grado Classic GS1000 (€1,299)
The ear pads sit around the ear rather than on it, which creates a true listening booth and a soundstage much wider than usual for an open-back headphone. They have a 50 mm driver and a 12-conductor cable. They deserve a patient listen with a good amplifier.
HEDD HEDDphone Two (€1,390)
The result of three years of development, they use an AMT driver with VVT technology that keeps the response even across the spectrum. The strap system adjusts height, width, curvature and pressure, so they stay comfortable through long sessions. They were designed for producers, engineers and demanding audiophiles. We recommend hearing them in store with a quality amplifier.
Headphone amplifiers we have in store
| Model | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| FiiO K13 R2R | €329 | Desktop and computer, a first DAC with headphone amp |
| Heed Audio CanAmp II | €570 | Anyone who wants a simple dedicated amplifier |
| MOON 230HAD | €1,990 | Anyone who wants the best of one box, with a DAC and an output to the system |
The FiiO K13 R2R is a desktop DAC and amplifier with a balanced output of 2,400 mW per channel at 32 ohms, a 10-band PEQ and Bluetooth with LDAC. The Heed CanAmp II has a two-stage topology and a Class A power section. The MOON 230HAD combines a headphone amplifier, a DAC and a line-level preamplifier, with four digital inputs and a 10-year warranty. See them all in the headphone amplifiers collection.
What to consider before buying
- Think about where you will listen. At home, open-back wins. Away from home, or with people nearby, choose closed-back.
- Check the impedance and sensitivity on the headphone's spec sheet and compare them with the output of what you already own.
- Grado's open-back headphones are light and very expressive, but the fixed cable calls for some care day to day.
- Try them whenever you can. Pad comfort and weight vary a lot from head to head.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need a headphone amplifier?
Not always. With efficient headphones, a phone or the output of a good integrated amplifier is enough. It starts to make sense when you listen from a computer, when you move up a level or when volume and dynamics begin to run short.
Are open-back headphones good for listening away from home?
They are not the best fit. Sound leaks to whoever is next to you and outside noise gets in. For travel we recommend a closed-back model such as the DALI iO-6.
What is the best choice to start with?
The Grado Classic SR60, at €139, if you listen at home. The DALI iO-6, at €300, if you also want to take them with you.
Also read Grado, cartridges and headphones handmade in Brooklyn and DACs and streamers explained. You can see the whole range in the wired headphones collection.