4 Bluetooth Headphones Audiophiles Avoid

If you’re looking for really good sound quality, you might think that paying more means getting better sound quality. This isn’t always the case, and many expensive headphones from well-known brands don’t meet true audiophile standards. We’ve ranked 11 top audiophile headphones in the past, and none of these brands are on this list. But several big brands are included, many of which might surprise you.

We looked at several highly marketed and well-known headphones from major brands released over the past couple of years. Many of them are very popular with online consumers and sell incredibly well to casual users. But if you’re serious about getting the best sound, the following popular headphones are ones audiophiles should avoid.

The Beats Solo 4 headphones look great with a sleek design, but a few quirks make them a poor choice for audiophiles. These aren’t actually over-ear headphones; rather, they are over-ear headphones. This isn’t a bad thing, as many consumers prefer it, but this design may cause comfort issues if you plan to wear them for extended periods. The cups can press against your ears instead of relieving pressure on your head, making for an uncomfortable listening experience.

This could be forgiven if the audio quality were superb, but unfortunately, according to many reviewers, the Beats Solo 4 falls flat. Testing showed that the headphones pushed the highs, while holding back the mids and bass. This gave the Beats Solo 4 headphones overall finer sound compared to other headphones in the same class and price range. While you can often find the Beats Solo 4 headphones on sale, the $200 retail price makes them a poor choice if you’re looking for a well-balanced audio profile and more than just a pair of headphones for the gym.

Skullcandy has been around for a long time. The brand makes many great headphones aimed at young people and those who like a bass-rich sound profile. There’s nothing wrong with that, especially if you like listening to rap and hip-hop music. But there comes a time when too much bass hampers the music listening experience.

The Skullcandy Crusher Wireless Headphones basically do what they say on the tin. They crush your skull due to the bass intensity, which can be adjusted via the bass slider. It can become so bass-heavy that it easily ruins the listening experience and may even accidentally damage your ears. The bass is so powerful that some have noted that, while there is no noise cancellation, the extreme bass is enough to cancel out most sounds.

Even if you like lots of bass in your audio listening experience, the risk of hearing damage from all the pounding, even when listening to music with minimal bass, is just too high for many. These are definitely not great headphones for audiophiles, but they are fun headphones for those looking for a gadget.

Dyson is known for creating incredibly stylish and expensive products. From vacuum cleaners to hair dryers, Dyson is a premium brand that has also moved into the audio space with the Dyson OnTrac headphones. These big headphones are sure to turn heads with their design, which allows for great customization with replaceable ear cups and outer caps.

But the Dyson OnTrac headphones come with a disappointing app, a lack of EQ customization options, and fall short in the sound department. For $500, the Dyson OnTrac headphones rival the best headphones, like the Apple AirPods Max. In terms of sound quality, they lag in almost every category.

It seems these headphones are style-focused, with the internals and sound secondary to the experience. If you’re more of a style person, these might suit you for an on-the-train look. But if you’re looking for great-sounding headphones, you can do much better for much less. Stick to your Dyson vacuum and leave these headphones on the store shelves.

You’re probably familiar with the Raycon brand if you’ve spent any time watching YouTube videos over the past few years. This headphone brand has sponsored many major YouTube channels, promoting its headphones to a large number of viewers. While the paid promotions helped establish the company and drive success, the headphones still have room to improve.

Many reviewers who have covered Raycon’s The Everyday Wireless On-Ear Headphones say that they feel rather cheap and don’t fit well. Many have noted that these are just generic earphones that don’t offer anything special in terms of audio, with even quite weak bass. This is surprising considering that the Raycon brand was created by Ray J, a popular R&B singer from the early 2000s.

The Raycon The Everyday Wireless On-Ear Headphones aren’t bad for casual users, but audiophiles consider them quite generic and lifeless. Many also note durability, connectivity, and overall tuning issues. All of this is even worse when you can find much better-sounding headphones at a much more reasonable price.