Black Friday sales are here, and I'm finding some great discounts on several of the best audiophile headphones that really are worth grabbing right now.
I've been testing audio products for more than 30 years, and I know what to look for when it comes to recommending the best headphones for all budgets. I've tested all of the products here. All are winners of a coveted Tom's Guide Editor's Choice award for their balance of performance, comfort and value for money at the full MSRP, so you can rest assured these top-rated audiophile headphones are even better value at these discounted prices.
Right now the best discounts I'm finding are on the Focal Bathys for $629 at Amazon. That's a whopping $170 off one of the most spectacular pairs of audiophile headphones with a built-in 24-bit/192kHz DAC for uncompromised sound.
Meanwhile, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are $314 at Walmart, which is the lowest-ever price I've seen these outstanding best wireless headphones at since they launched last year. Both are amazing discounts on popular models from legendary Hi-Fi brands that will get you audiophile sound for less.
Remember to follow our Black Friday deals coverage for more outstanding deals to shop across all Tom's Guide's tech and lifestyle categories.
Top Black Friday audiophile headphone deals — Quick links
- Sennheiser IE 200: was $149 now $119 @ Amazon
- Sony WH-1000XM4: was $348 now $239 @ Walmart
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless: was $379 now $259 @ Amazon
- Sennheiser HD 600: was $449 now $297 @ Amazon
- Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2: was $399 now $329 @ Amazon
- Sony WH-1000XM5: was $399 now $314 @ Walmart
- Focal Bathys: was $799 now $629 @ Amazon
Black Friday audiophile headphone deals — what to look for in 2023
Although you can find the best headphone deals at any time of the year, Black Friday deals tend to break all price records and 2023 is looking like no exception. It's not only about price though, and many factors come into play when shopping for the best headphones, but your decision should always come down to intended use. That being said, its a good idea to take the following categories into consideration before settling on any pair of headphones.
1. Style: When shopping for audiophile headphones, you’ll want to decide on whether you go for either a on-ear or over-ear headphone style, or earbuds.
2. Design and comfort: It's difficult to try out headphones before you buy, so make sure you read our full reviews and look out for areas where the reviewer mentions factors like the headband shape and any spring tension it places on your head or ears, or the amount of earcup padding for long-term comfort. Don’t be afraid to pass on headphones you don’t like the aesthetics of, too.
3. Sound quality: Different models offer different sound, and since you’re buying a pair to enjoy music individually, it’s important to find headphones that match your sound preference, be it heavy bass or distinctively clear to where you can hear the littlest nuances in recordings. Some models offer personalized sound via companion app, which allows the user to create their own profiles and tweak EQ levels to their hearing.
Each of my picks have the best sound quality with wireless and support aptX Adaptive or LDAC codecs to offer the best signal handling of music files over Bluetooth. These models also come supplied with cables for hard-wired connections and true audiophile listening capabilities via a dedicated headphone amp.
4. Battery life: Sennheiser's 60-hour battery life is a real crowd pleaser, but most wireless over-ear headphones typically manage around half that.
5. Accessories: It's disappointing spending money on a new pair of headphones only to find that you need to buy the accessories separately. For wired models, the manufacturer must include the aux cable, and any headphones that come with a carrying case, charging cable, user guide, and extra ear cups or tips are solid purchases.
6. Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best headphones. Although there are always exceptions, big-name brands will typically command a bit extra, but generally speaking, the less you spend on a pair of headphones the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn't always the best choice, as any money you save on your purchase won't do you much good if you're constantly needing to recharge your audio gear, or the sound quality is poor.
As the saying goes: timing is everything; and right now many of our favorite models are being discounted at online retailers, meaning you can bag a bargain for even less. Bookmark our best headphone deals page to keep track of the lowest prices.
