Headphones are a staple for the sound system of audiophile: as intrinsic as they are iconic. Whether you’re listening to a digital or analogue source, your choice of headphone and which headphone amplifier to couple it with can have a dramatic effect on your listening experience, a hi-end pair of headphones can be a world professional or personal purchase.

There are some truly astounding hi-end headphones available today which draw upon decades of research into drivers, materials and components to produce the finest possible sound – and here are the five that we believe have truly achieved their goal, alongside our suggestions for the best possible amplifier pairing. Headphone sockets are normally last minute additions to integrated amps and the like – which means quality can be compromised. The only way to do your hi-end amplifiers full justice is via the purchase of a dedicated headphone amplifier. Finding the right amp can be a headache – so we’ve covered that base for you too.

Remember, when it comes to hi-end headphones, every penny you spend will show in the sound. If you have the money to spend, there are whole worlds of detail and depth available to you. And remember, we stock each of the following in our showroom so you don’t have to take our word for it. If a pair of hi-end headphones are high on your hi-fi shopping list, come and see (and hear) these beauties for yourself and see why we – and the critics – love them so much.

Remember, all prices stated were correct at the time of publishing and may be subject to change.

1. Beyerdynamic Tesla T1 – £870

As far as hi-end on a budget is concerned, the Tesla T1 by Beyerdynamic are quite possibly the best you will find. These beautiful semi-open specimens have been designed to be airy and detail rich with perfect reproduction of fine tones – an excellent choice for a music producer, or a corresponding profession in which the deciphering of finer tones within  is essential. Comfort and outside noise reduction is also a key factor, as well as lightness. Weighing just 350g, this lightness is attributed in part to the specially designed 600-ohm coils which offer stunning sound clarity and a striking extra 7 decibels of volume on competing 600-ohm models. In 2010, the Tesla T1s won the What Hi-Fi?  Best Home On-Ear Headphones £800+ and they still hold their own in this category four years later.

Which amplifier?
We would recommend the Beyerdynamic A1 Headphone Amplifier (as pictured) for its ability to produce the finer tones and provide high quality audio amplification for even the most demanding of headphones – perfect for the detail thirsty T1s!

Why do we like them?
The levels of research and dedication is obvious and the details are plentiful, in both the sound and the phones themselves. A purchase of these – and a complimentary amplifier – will guarantee the listener hours upon hours of eking out the finest details audio has to offer.

Why do they like them?
‘A stunning pair of headphones that dig deeper into the recording than anything else we’ve heard at this price level’ (What Hi-Fi? Magazine)

2. Sennheiser HD800 – £999

Since the very second they were released onto the market, there are a pair of headphones which our customers continue to fall in love with time and time again. Sennheiser’s HD800s are that very pair. They have outsold every other model and the positive feedback continues to flood back to this very day, with the words ‘magical’ and ‘eargasm(s)’ cropping up surprisingly often! There are very few hi-fi products that will incite such a response – and such huge sales figures. And yet the HD800s continue to impress. Why? It probably has something to do with the advanced driver technology, precision engineered components and use of high-grade materials such as stainless steel and microfibre, the biggest transducers to be used in headphones to date and symmetrically tuned impedance, coming together to producing a clean, balanced and natural sound that has resulted in our most popular headphones ever. Or it could simply be over 60 years of Sennheisers innovation really showing some results.

Which amplifier?
There are a few options. If CD and vinyl are your poison, we’d recommend the Sennheiser HDVA600 (as pictured) for its consistently symmetrical signal; processing, complimenting the symmetrically tuned impedance of the HD800s. For digital, the HDVD800 offers the same sound quality, but with a built-in hi-end DAC.

Why do we like them?
Nothing much gets past our customers – they know a good quality headphone when they hear one. And these are simply stunning, on every level.

3. Oppo PM-1 Planar Magnetic – £1099

Quite simply one of the finest headphones we – or indeed anyone else – has ever heard. Designed entirely for complete usability: sound, comfort and build quality, these are not a pair of headphones to sit idly by as a pretty centrepiece. Oh no. These are designed for use, heavy use, and to deliver impeccable sound quality each and every time. High sensitivity combined with low weight and unique, precision engineered technologies have been combined to create a hi-end headphone that looks, feels and sounds every inch of quality, but still demands to be used day-in-day out. These bad boys may be pretty, but they’re rugged And that durability houses some pretty nifty features: a 7 layer diaphragm, planar magnetic drivers, double-sided spiralling coils – which leads to higher sensitivity – and high grade, easily replaceable components. In short, these are headphones designed to last. A pair of Oppo PM-1s will be by your side for a very long time.

Which amplifier?
It has to be the Oppo HA-1. A headphone-amp pairing made in audiophile heaven! Much like it’s headphone partner, it has won multiple, well deserved awards. In terms of build quality and design, you can’t ask for better. An in-built DAC means that the HA-1 is perfect for both analogue and digital audio, so all of your bases are covered.

Why do we like them?
These are headphones geared up to take on the world – and what a beautiful sounding world it will be! These are Oppo’s first headphones – and what a benchmark they have set.

Why do they like them?
‘They are gorgeous headphones, lavish, with attention to detail. You expect something shiny for £1100, but these really are special […] Elsewhere, the body is mostly made of aluminium. Build quality is exemplary. Oppo was keen to emphasise its intense quality control process.’ (What Hi-Fi? Magazine)

4. Grado PS1000e – £1699

With a handcrafted mahogany inner sleeve and precision machined chrome-plated aluminium outer-housing, the PS1000e is a beautiful thing to behold. But how does it sound? Well, this blend of wood and metal ensures there is no ringing in the headphone chamber which has been known to blur detail and colour sound. This combined with a unique vented diaphragm, a hybrid air chamber and drivers redesigned from the iconic flagship PS1000s, The result is a crisp, clear and well defined sound, with a level of detail and a realism that will assure audiophiles and professionals alike of consistent frequency response.

Which amplifier?
We love the pairing of the Grado PS1000e with the Sugden HA-4 so much we actually offer them as a package deal! The HA-4 is a masterclass in headphone amplifier design. It offers completely transparent reproduction of audio, allowing the listener to hear it in its truest form. Perfect for the ultra ‘real’ PS21000e.

Why do we like them?
In terms of sound, there’s not much out there that is quite so true. And if these are a little rich for your blood, the Grado GS1000e  are a more affordable substitute, And for the cheaper still, the RSE1 are a fantastic bet for a budget, all offering Grado’s signature realism

5. Abyss AB-1266 – £4254

Well. Of course we’re going to end with an Abyss. The Abyss, should we say. If only the best will do – then you may indeed have the best. The AB-1266 haven’t been around for very long, but they are already something of a legend in the hi-fi world. Partly for their price – of course – but also because of their jaw-dropping, astronomical sound. These are the reference headphones. The uncontested, unparalleled and unquestioned best in their class, and quite possibly the best ever made.  These headphones were slaved over – a point of obsession for their creators – the sound is deep, full bodied, lush and perfectly balanced – with every tiny detail broadcast in its fullest, most realistic glory. Beefy, sturdy and supplied with a host of gorgeously crafted accessories, you get a lot of bang for your buck. Yes, it’s expensive. But if you want the best in the world – that will likely remain the best in the world for a very long time – it’s worth the price tag.

Why do we like them?
The word ‘awesome’ is a little overused this day and age, so we prefer not to use it unless we really mean it. Well, in this instance, we really do mean it. The Abyss offer a truly awesome sound, are awesome to hold are awesome to behold and are just plain awesome. Get it? Good.

Why do they like them?
‘I think these are marvellous cans for small ensemble acoustic chamber, jazz, and world music, and would recommend them to avid headphone audiophiles with very healthy wallets to round out a world-class collection of headphones with something quite unusual and fun.’