Buying headphones can be a daunting task, especially when you’re saving up to buy a pair of nice ones. Imagine, however, if those headphones came at a higher price than most cars.
There are a few pairs of headphones out there that seem to break down all price barriers — putting them not only in a league of their own when it comes to price, but also when it comes to availability.
Like what? Well, that’s what this guide is for. Here are some of the world’s most expensive headphones — and what makes them so expensive.
Focal Utopia by Tournaire ($120,000)
These headphones are at the top of the list, and it’s not a close competition. The second most-expensive headphones come in at $35,000 cheaper than the Focal Utopia by Tournaire headphones. Of course, the reason these are so expensive has nothing to do with how they sound — although the standard Focal Utopia headphones are known to sound pretty darn sweet. This particular version of the headphones boasts gold and diamonds decorated around the ear cups and headband — so you’re not really paying for superior audio quality here. You’re paying for the bling.
Onkyo H900M 20-carat diamonds ($85,000)
The Focal Utopia by Tournaire headphones aren’t the only headphones to feature diamonds. Onkyo has built a diamond-encrusted pair of headphones of its own. They’re a version of the company’s Onkyo H900M, and they’re pretty darn fancy. The diamonds are all featured on the ear cups, along with a ring of rubys. Of course, like the Focal Utopia by Tournaire headphones, these aren’t mass-produced — you’ll have to special order them if you’re interested.
Sennheiser HE-1 ($55,000)
The Sennheiser HE-1 headphones have been made famous both for their price and for their sound. These aren’t just a pair of standard headphones with some diamonds slapped onto them — they’re a culmination of Sennheiser‘s year of development, coupled with the latest technology. But of course, there’s still some gold. The headphones come with a beautifully-designed amplifier that’s crafted from glass and Carrara marble. They’re also the first electrostatic headphones to feature a Cool Class A MOS-FET high-voltage amplifier built directly into the ear cups.
Ultrasone ED5 LTD Edition 5 ($5,999)
It may be a pretty big jump between the Sennheiser HE-1 headphones and the Ultrasone ED5 LTD Edition 5 headphones, but that doesn’t make these cans any less pricey. Why are they so pricey? Well…they sound great. Those who have had a chance to test out these headphones hail them as some of the best-sounding headphones they’ve ever tried, thanks to their excellent stereo separation and detailed high-end. Safe to say, you’re a serious audiophile and have some money to burn, these are worth a look.
Abyss AB-1266 Phi ($5,495)
Abyss headphones may not be all that well-known, but the Abyss AB-1266 Phi is still work a look — even if only to wonder why they’re so expensive. The headphones feature planar magnetic drivers, along with a beautiful finish and polished metal accents. They’re certainly nice-looking headphones — and they may be worth checking out to see if they’re worth the price tag.
Audeze LCD-4z ($4,000)
We’ve reviewed Audeze headphones before and absolutely loved them — and the models we’ve reviewed are far cheaper than the LCD-4z. The LCD-4z are relatively new headphones, and they boast a magnesium housing aimed at keeping the weight of the headphones as low as possible. On top of that, you’ll find a sleek look with beautifully placed gold accents. Under the hood, the headphones are aimed at being extremely detailed — and they boast planar magnetic drivers like some of the other expensive headphones on this list.