TechPowerUp Over-Ear Headphones of the Year

Dan Clark Audio CORINA Electrostatic

Okay, hear us out. Imagine you absolutely need to have the most technologically advanced headphones on the planet with life-like audio reproduction, the best possible vocals, and pretty much experience the feel of live music without needing to justify the cost too much. That's where you need the expertise of Dan Clark, with the Dan Clark Audio CORINA. This is a set of electrostatic open-back headphones that costs as much as $4,500 and requires a separate energizer amplifier too, but, having taken it for a spin, we can't help but call this the best overall set of headphones tested all year and worth the money for someone looking to enjoy years, if not decades, of music. If you're an audiophile wanting to explore the upper limits of audio fidelity in 2023, this is the one to at least try out.

TechPowerUp Hardware of 2023 Runner Up

HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth Open-Back

HIFIMAN has, over the years, been a reliable source for cost-effective audiophile-grade headphones, and the HE1000 Stealth Open-Back is one of our "can't go wrong," recommendations for the premium/enthusiast category. This pair of planar magnetic open-back headphones offers improved bass compared to the rest of HIFIMAN's lineup, fantastic instrument separation and imaging, and a generally agreeable timbre considering its planar drivers. Its only shortcomings in the category are recessed vocals that aren't as detailed as the instruments, and a narrow sound-stage. Still, it's the best sounding audiophile headphones we've tested in its price range of roughly $1,300, and can be found for less during sales.

Notable Mentions

While open-back sets tend to rule the audiophile recommendations, Dan Clark Audio showed that closed-back sets deserve love too. The Dan Clark Audio STEALTH is one of the most premium planar magnetic driver headphones on the market at $4000, but sounds more open than it has any right to be. It introduced novel engineering in the form of acoustic metamaterials for the first time in headphones and ends up sounding correct no matter the genre. The recently released Dan Clark Audio E3 is worth looking into for most of the STEALTH's experience at a more affordable price. Another notable mention is the HEDDphone TWO Air Motion Transformer with its air motion transformer drivers for a punchy, well-bodied sound, a realistic bodied sound-stage, and an all-round top-tier technical performance combined with a unique and highly customizable headband; however its tonality can be a hit or a miss depending on your taste.

TechPowerUp In-Ear Monitors of the Year

64 Audio U4s

We are pleasantly surprised by the excellence of the 64 Audio U4s, which sets a new benchmark in the $1000-price range. The U4s, coupled with 64 Audio's Apex modules, deliver a balanced and customizable sound profile, making it a favorite among 64 Audio sets despite being the brand's most affordable universal fit IEMs at this time. Despite not being the most technically advanced at its price, the 64 Audio U4s earns a strong recommendation for its engaging and non-fatiguing sound, comfort, excellent instrument separation, and build quality.

TechPowerUp Hardware of 2023 Runner Up

Truthear x Crinacle ZERO:RED

In the more affordable price segment, you can't go wrong with the ~$55 Truthear x Crinacle ZERO:RED, which we found to be very well tuned for this category, with a subwoofer-sounding bass response, an impedance adapter giving it a warmer sound and added bass; decent instrument separation, and a low-fatigue treble response. You get more than what you pay for in general, although this won't top the detail retrieval charts, has a less-than-ergonomic cable, and it can potentially result in an uncomfortable fit due to the thick nozzle.

Notable Mentions

The HIFIMAN Svanar Wireless is the Rolls Royce of true-wireless IEMs though just double the price of an Apple AirPods Pro. This is the closest it gets to wired IEM levels of sound quality with all the convenience of true wireless mobility. It offers simply the best bass among any TWS headphones we've heard and is also very comfortable for extended hearing sessions. Its $500 price notwithstanding—there are less expensive versions offering very similar sound—the Svanar Wireless calls for medium to large ears. The 64 Audio Volür with a novel isobaric dual dynamic driver setup is also worthy of mention here.