T3 - UK (2020-10)

OCTOBER 2020 T3 77

Wired headphones

ormally, when we

collect together the

best products in a

category, we get a

range of quality... but it turns out

wired headphones have been

polished to perfection over 100

years – who knew?

As a result, we’ve ended up

with not just one, two or three

but four pairs of five-star wired

cans in our possession. Now

what use is a group test of

equally fine audiophile-pleasing

headphones, we hear you ask?

Well each of these sonic stunners

has their own strengths,

meaning they will suit different

people and different needs.

So we’ve got a set of top-tier

headphones for you, regardless

of your budget and listening

preferences. Settle in and let’s

find out which is your best buy.

GRADO SR325E

£258, gradolabs.com

SENNHEISER HD 660 S

£429, sennheiser.com

The SR325e are among the leakiest open-backed headphones we’ve
tried – they’re not much good with other people around, or for
travelling. But in a quiet room, they sound as good as headphones
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expansive but still focused, powerful but never overwhelming... the
amount of detail they enable tracks to deliver is eye-opening. They
may not be for everyone, but we’ve never heard this level of audio
opulence at this kind of brilliant price.

If you want a pair of headphones designed for long periods of sinking

into your LPs alone, Sennheiser feels you. One look at the HD 660 S

tells you everything: clear and open earcups for air movement; big

plush pads that wrap around your ears for comfortable listening. The

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mids balance nicely against the bright and clear treble, and the bass

is controlled and mellow. They are totally open, so are no good for

noisy environments, but they’re so enjoyable to listen to.

EXPANSIVE AND INEXPENSIVE WIDE OPEN AND WARM

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