Can you REALLY hear the difference between commercial and audiophile headphones?

I’ve not too long ago been stepping into the world of audiophile headphones, however I have been shopping for and borrowing industrial headphones for 20+ years now. And that acquired me pondering – what are the actual variations between headphones that most individuals purchase, and those which might be deemed ‘audiophile’? And, in the event you’re solely used to utilizing industrial cans – Bluetooth, ANC headphones – wouldn’t it actually be a large step up?Effectively, lengthy story brief, since I began utilizing the Sennheiser HD 650 audiophile headphones, I’ve fallen in love with listening to music once more. That is as a result of most of these headphone provide an audio expertise that the majority industrial cans don’t (or just cannot). And but, since making an attempt out the Bose Fairly Consolation Extremely industrial headphones, it is clear that they are fashionable for a cause, providing options that hi-fi headphones do not… The plot thickens.Picture 1 of 2A pair of Sennheiser HD 650s and a pair of Bose Fairly Consolation UItras – good examples of audiophile and industrial headphones.(Picture credit score: Future)(Picture credit score: Future)Completely wired or free and easyThere are many names for them – reference, professional, studio, hi-fi – however audiophile headphones, just like the HD 650s you could see in these images, are all the time wired. That is as a result of the primary purpose of professional headphones is audio accuracy – a large frequency vary, minimal distortion, and baggage of element. Being wired means these headphones obtain most audio data to realize all that. In distinction, my Bose wi-fi headphones are restricted within the quantity of data they will obtain by Bluetooth’s bandwidth, and so work with compressed audio.This looks as if a apparent win for professional headphones, however there have been current strides in wi-fi audio expertise and the reality is most individuals (most likely together with me) cannot really inform the distinction between lossless, max-info audio, and a barely compressed variant. What is the story between my two examples? Evaluating the HD 650s and Bose Ultras, the latter does sound implausible (particularly after just a little play with the app’s equaliser), however they don’t obtain the readability, sound stage, imaging and quantity of element on provide with the Sennheiser HD 650s.This wired/non-wired speak reveals essentially conflicting audio philosophies on the core of every kind of headphone – about how audio is offered to the listener, and the way that audio is supposed to be loved.Picture 1 of two(Picture credit score: Future)(Picture credit score: Future)Sound profiles: Pursuit of purity? I am right here for the enjoyable!Usually talking, audiophile headphones profit from all that data they obtain, and so current an correct illustration of all low, mid and excessive sound frequencies (bass, mids, treble). The ensuing sound profiles are sometimes described as impartial or balanced, and the upside is you’ll be able to pick particular person devices – which sound true to life – in a approach you simply cannot in most industrial cans.That was the factor that blew my thoughts once I first tried the HD 550 audiophile headphones. I placed on music I have been listening to for many years, and it sounded totally different: extra element, higher sound, higher organized. Audiophile headphones are additionally usually open-back – there isn’t a steel or plastic casing across the ears like all industrial headphones have. The down facet is you’ll be able to hear in case your associate farts in the identical room as you; the upside is music might be offered on a stage that’s vast and deep. The HD 650s do not really provide a really vast soundstage, and but it is noticeably grander than the Bose Ultras.Traditionally, industrial cans are much less bothered with accuracy – they’re all in regards to the good occasions. Again within the Nineteen Seventies music engineers realised that folks cherished it once they whacked up the bass and treble. Certain, the main points of the mids had been usually sacrificed (guitars, piano, snare drum and, err, the human voice), however my god was it punchy, energetic, and… enjoyable! That is known as a v-shaped sound profile, and industrial headphones generally include it preset (although some premium fashions can help you meaningfully change it with an in app equaliser).It is not simply that it is a enjoyable audio profile. This elevated bass and treble profile was additionally the results of the small and low cost drivers that got here with reasonably priced headphones. Again within the Walkman days of the 80s and 90s, a pair of Sony MDR-W05L (I had a pair!) struggled to breed deep bass and detailed treble in an correct approach. Whacking up these frequencies was a welcome answer.The outcome? Sweet for the ears.Picture 1 of two(Picture credit score: Future)(Picture credit score: Future)The factor is, Bluetooth headphones provide options like energetic noise cancelling (ANC), totally different preset frequency profiles, and apps that give the listener the choice to mess around with these profiles much more.That is what I did with my Bose Ultras – instantly went into the app and diminished the inflated bass. They sound bloody nice! Being wi-fi they’re additionally extremely handy to make use of when going to, and once I’m at, work. The ANC erases lots of the annoying sounds round me, they usually’re tremendous mild and cozy.However simply flipping from one to the opposite, listening to the fantastically produced Hey Nineteen by Steely Dan, and the presentation of devices, the imaging – how every instrument has its personal area, and is not crowded out by one other – and the little soundstage that the HD 650s provide, all works to provide a much more wealthy and deep expertise. Even once I dialled down that swampy, overbearing bass, the Bose Ultras had been nonetheless missing intimately and spacious presentation.So, sure, completely there’s a distinction in sound that even an audio beginner like me can discover. However does that imply I will be eliminating my Bose Ultras? Hell no. They’re far too handy, they usually sound actually good. However neither will I be ditching the professional cans anytime quickly. Maybe satirically, I am simply having approach an excessive amount of enjoyable with them.