50 Headphone Brands ranked from best to worst - based on more than 500,000 customer reviews

With nearly hundreds of headphone brands available in the market today, it can be quite a challenge to distinguish the best from the worst ones. In fact, there are countless headphone brands and way too many headphone models, popular or not, making rounds in various local shops and online stores all over the world. No matter your budget or the style you’re looking for, you will surely find several that will meet your needs. This is because some brands specialize exclusively in developing headphones for professional / studio purposes, whilst others produce all types of headphones.

A Brief History of Headphones

It’s been over a century since the first pair of headphones came out. In fact, in the late 1800’s, around the 1880’s to be more precise, the first known headphones were created. However, these weren’t made to listen to music. These headphones were quite heavy at about 10 pounds, made with just one earpiece, and are used by telephone operators. It was in the 1890’s when headphones that look quite like stethoscopes were made so that opera fans can listen to music in the comforts of their home.

It was only in 1910 when the first pair of headphones that look quite similar to those that are around today was manufactured. Credit goes to Nathaniel Baldwin who sold his creations to the U.S. Navy; too bad he never patented his design. As years went by, headphone designs have greatly evolved. In 1937, Beyerdynamic released the first dynamic headphones – the DT-48. More than a decade later, AKG produced one of the most popular pairs at that time, the K120.

Recent Developments in the Headphones industry

Fast forward to the early 2000’s, Apple released the iPod. This very popular music player came with those signature white earphones called the EarPods that sounded decent and fit fairly well. A lot of music enthusiasts were then seen with those white cables rather than extra large headphones. After all, these Apple EarPods can offer pretty much the same sound quality and are much lighter as well.

A turning point in the headphone industry or what can even be considered a milestone was the time when Dr. Dre came out with Beats in 2008. Together with Jimmy Iovine and Monster, Beats by Dr. Dre was manufactured and released to the public with a promise of superior sound quality with such rich bass, along with a sleek and modern design that can make any music enthusiast swoon. With some of the biggest names in the music industry endorsing Beats, the launch became successful. The response was overwhelming and Beats was greatly supported by the general public despite its massive price tag, compared to other headphones during that time. That “b” logo on cans grew to be so famous and until today, these headphones continue to make waves among audiophiles and music fans alike; especially since it moved from Monster to Apple. While some would claim that Beats are overrated, it is undeniable that the brand has paved the way for a new breed of headphones. Today, headphones are no longer just considered accessories to your audio equipment or portable music players; headphones have become gadgets on their own.

How We Came Up with the Top 50 Headphone Brands - Our Methodology

To come up with a list of the best headphone brands of today, we have taken into account over 500,000 reviews of the most popular headphone models from well-known brands. These reviews came from regular consumers, audiophiles, critics, musicians, music professionals and more. We believe that regardless of what industry experts say, ultimately it is the experience of customers / regular users that matters the most - Customer is King as they say!

Weighing on sound quality, comfort, durability, design and price, the 30 headphone brands below made the cut. Because manufacturers can give you such attractive and impressive descriptions on their advertisements, it is always best to consider customer reviews and feedback. Those who actually paid for the product, used it and voluntarily left their ratings and reviews are the ones who will most likely give more accurate and honest brand and product descriptions. And the brands you will see below are those that are popular and considered best because of the most honest reasons.

Key finding of our best headphone brands analysis

There are a lot of interesting results that have come out of our in-depth analysis of headphone brands, but the most important ones are:

• The top positions of the best headphone brands - with the highest and best customer reviews and experience - are primarily dominated by companies that specialize in producing audio equipment for DJs and audio professionals, such as Audio Technica, Beyerdynamic, V-MODA and Ultrasone
• The price range of the top headphone brands is certainly within the highest end of the (price) spectrum, as the top brands sell headphone models that range from around $50 (i.e Audio Technica M20X) up to $1,000 (i.e. Beyerdynamic T1 600!)
• According to our analysis, the best headphone brand - Audio Technica - sells headphones that according to users / customers are far superior in sound performance than many well-known brands such as Beats of Bose, and yet cost a lot less. For instance, the flagship Beats model Solo 2 is around 25% more expensive that the outstanding Audio Technica M50x - which has literally received thousands of outstanding reviews and ratings from customers and industry experts alike!
• There are a lot of small and not well-known headphone companies / brands, which have produced some outstanding headphone models
• There are headphone companies / headphone brands that specialise in producing specific types of headphones. For example, MEE Electronics and Westone mainly produce in-ear monitors / earbuds for professional musicians, whilst Bluedio and Sentey produce wireless / Bluetooth headphone brands at extremely competitive prices

Crème de la crème of audio performance - The best headphones of the best headphone brands

One of the main questions that people are looking an answer to is.. What’s the best headphones of the best brands? That’s a really good question, which is not easy to be answered. As mentioned, certain brands specialize in specific types of headphones. For instance, Audio Technica, which according to our analysis is the best headphone brand in terms of customer experience and satisfaction, mainly produces headphones for DJs and audio professionals, so obviously, if you are looking for a pair of stylish wireless headphones with bluetooth connectivity, Audio Technica won’t be an option for you, as it doesn’t manufacture such headphones.

Having said that, we have produced a table below which captures the top 10 headphones of the top 10 brands.

Results (1/3) - The top 10 best headphones brands

Picture	Brand	Model	Headphone Type	Price
Picture	Brand	Model	Headphone Type	Price
	1. Audio-Technica	Audio-Technica ATH-M50x	Professional studio monitor over ear headphones	$$$
	2. Beyerdynamic	Beyerdynamic DT-880 Pro Headphones	Professional studio monitor over ear headphones	$$$
	3. Bose	Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones - Apple devices, Black - Wired	Noise cancelling, light -weight over ear headphones, compatible with smart devices (wired)	$$$
	4. V-MODA	V-MODA Crossfade LP Over-Ear Noise-Isolating Metal Headphone	Professional / studio noise isolatio, durable headphones	$$$
	5. Monster Inc.	Monster DNA On-Ear Headphones	Noise isolation, highly comfortable on-ear headphones	$$
	6. Panasonic	Panasonic Quick-Fit Best in Class Over-the-Ear DJ Stereo Monitor Headphones	Over ear DJ, lightweight and comfortable headphones	$$
	7. Ultrasone	Ultrasone HFI-780 S-Logic Surround Sound Professional	Professional Closed back, over-ear headphones	$$$
	8. AKG	AKG Q 701 Quincy Jones Signature Reference-Class Premium Headphones	High performance over-ear professional headphones	$$$
	9. Pioneer	Pioneer HDJ-1500-S Professional DJ Headphones	Professional DJ over-ear headphones	$$$
	10. Grado	Grado Prestige Series SR80e Headphones	Professional lightweight on-ear headphones	$$$

• The Top 10 best headphone brands are primarily (and not surprisingly!) companies that specialize in producing equipment and products for DJs and audio professionals. The only exceptions are Bose and Monster, which produces high-quality headphones with high-tech features such as wireless, noise-cancellation capabilities, and Panasonic (a mainstream consumer electronics company) that produces a wide array of headphones, and indeed many other types of products.

1. Audio-Technica

When it comes to headphones, Audio-Technica is probably the first brand that comes to mind. Specializing in professional, DJ and studio headphones, Audio-Technica started quite small in Tokyo, Japan over half a century ago in 1962. The brand consistently lives up to its current “always listening” tagline as they truly listened to their market and made sure they delivered to their demands.

It was never a hit or miss for Audio-Technica. This manufacturer has received countless industry awards as they focused on comfort, durability, style and most importantly, topnotch audio quality. They continue making their products available in a wide range of prices to remain accessible to customers from all walks of life. Many online retailers’ selling pages on Audio-Technica are full of positive reviews coming from very happy customers who mostly rave about how each pair of this brand’s headphones can give you a guarantee of amazing sound quality, no matter its design or the series the pair belongs to.

If you don’t like risking on a pair of cans from an unknown brand and you want to be assured that you will be getting what you are paying for and possibly even more, Audio-Technica will certainly not let you down.

2. Beyerdynamic

Very closely trailing behind Audio-Technica when it comes to consistent sky-high customer reviews, Beyerdynamic has always been a favorite among many music enthusiasts. While portable professional, DJ and studio headphones are also their specialization, interpreters, intercoms and those used for broadcast and TV are also made by this manufacturer. One of the oldest headphone brands that maintained its success through the years, Beyerdynamic will turn a century old in less than 10 years.

In the audio industry, this brand is a veteran. Beyerdynamic’s roots were planted in Berlin, Germany where it was founded in 1924. It now holds its headquarters in Heilbronn, Germany. It started as a family business and less than a decade short of a century later, it is still owned and managed by the Beyer family.

Those who chose to invest on a pair from this brand have nothing but great things to say, whether they’re simple music lovers or professionals. From unbelievably high quality sound to incredible durability to extreme comfort, every dollar spent on a pair of Beyerdynamic headphones is absolutely worth it.

3. Bose

Based in Framingham, Massachusetts, Bose managed to become one of the most in-demand brands when it comes to audio equipment. With over 50 years in the business, this company founded by Dr. Amar G. Bose has grown into a 10,500-strong corporation that’s best known for its noise cancelling headphones and a wide range of other audio systems and speakers. There’s a Bose for your home, for the office, a professional music studio, your car and more. The brand has expanded to great limits and continues to make the best audio products in the market, headphones included.

Even before noise-cancelling headphones became popular, it was Dr. Amar G. Bose who realized how important these are especially for those who travel. He was on a flight to Europe in the late 1970’s when he tried out the provided headphones on the plane. With the sound of the engine roaring in the background, he can barely enjoy his music. Soon enough, Bose noise-cancelling headphones from Bose were created.

Currently, Bose has a wide range of active noise-cancelling headphones including the QuietComfort series, Space Shuttle Headset, Aviation Headset and many more. To cater to the needs of the rest of the market, Bose has also come out with circumaural, supra-aural, in-ear and mobile headphones, Bluetooth headsets included.

4. V-MODA

Based in Hollywood, California where all the glitz and glamour are, it’s not even a wonder why professional DJ and producer Val Kolton first developed innovations and patents for fashion headphone lines for DJ’s also known as the Kolton Technology. He frequently traveled to Italy for research and in 2006, the first 33,000 pairs of high-fidelity comfortable headphones (both over ear and on ear) that come in 11 colors were finally launched. Eventually, the company became known as V-MODA.

Probably the most notable among the many milestones of V-MODA over the past decade is its collaboration with Apple in 2007. The first third-party headphone manufacturer for the Apple iPhone and iPod was V-MODA through the Vibe Duo product line. In 2010, V-MODA’s M series made for modern audiophiles was developed and soon launched the year after in 2011.

With the brand’s unstoppable success, their offices, factories and sales channels have extended to various countries that spans through several continents. Its headquarters are still in Hollywood but Val Koltonis now holding office in the V-MODA design studio in Italy.

5. Monster Inc.

As early as 1978, Monster began manufacturing and marketing over 6,000 products that are mostly audio and video cables. Founder and CEO Noel Lee originally built audio cables until the company has venturedinto other audio products as well. It was in 2008 when Monster became a household name. It was this year that the first series of Beats by Dr. Dre were made in collaboration with Monster prior to become an independent brand or division now under Apple.

Truth be told, the challenge for Monster was the usual feedback of many customers and critics that their products are overpriced. However, with all the innovations they do with their headphones, superior audio quality, very impressive and fashionable designs and extreme comfort, the price have always been justified. Aside from Beats by Dr. Dre, other notable collaborations from Monster include Heartbeats with Lady Gaga in 2009, Diddybeats with PDiddy in 2010 and designs crafted and made with basketball superstars Lebron James and Yao Ming.

6. Panasonic

Panasonic produces a wide variety of hi-fi products amplifiers, CD players, tape decks, speakers, turntables and more. Panasonic has also released quite a large number of headphone models, particularly under the Technics brand. While Panasonic is now just two years short of a century old, Technics was founded only in 1965. It went into hiatus for a while then revived by Panasonic in 2014.

With their products available in almost all continents, it is no longer a surprise that Panasonic falls on one of the top 10 spots on this list. Aside from Technics though, Panasonic has also released a variety of headphones under the Panasonic brand name. Because of its popularity and Panasonic being a household name, it was easy for them to breakthrough the headphone industry and maintain success. With almost ten decades’ worth of research, innovation and experience in manufacturing electronics, Panasonic is now also known as one of the manufacturers of the best headphone models in the industry with focus on great sound quality, comfort and style.

7. Ultrasone

Compared to the first few manufacturers that came before this, Ultrasone is a fairly young brand as it was founded only in the early 90’s. However, with over 2 decades in the headphone game, Ultrasone seems to be here to stay. Founded in Germany with manufacturing facilities in both its founding country and in Thailand, Ultrasone has received support from music lovers and even professionals from all over the world.

Ultrasone features several headphone series including the Editions, pro, hifi, DJ and in-ear headphones among many others. Not very cheap pairs at all, you should be ready to spare a few hundred dollars if you plan on getting a pair of cans from Ultrasone. For that price though, you are guaranteed topnotch performance, power and durability.

8. AKG

AKG, which originally meant Akustische und Kino-GeräteGesellschaftm.b.H. (Acoustic and Cinema Equipment), is an Austrian manufacturer that was founded in 1947. Now known as AKG Acoustics, aside from headphones, the brand specializes in wireless audio systems, microphones and many other accessories for all kinds of consumers, professionals included. It was in 1949 when the first K120 DYN headphone model was produced by AKG.

AKG also takes credit for the first open-back and supra-aural headphones, the K50 model, released in 1959. Among the many headphone models released by AKG, the K812 is currently its flagship model. Available in varied prices, you can get some of the best AKG cans for less than $100.

9. Pioneer

Founded in 1938 by Nozomu Matsumoto, Pioneer has since made a huge name in the consumer electronics industry. A year before the company’s founding, Matsumoto has already developed the A-8 dynamic speaker. With multiple collaborations with different companies and corporations, Pioneer has maintained it success and decades later, it has proven to remain as one of the most established electronics companies.

Pioneer headphones are very popular with many DJ’s in the world. In fact, there are professionals and even groups that call themselves Pioneer DJ’s. The reason behind is because Pioneer DJ is actually a division of the business that focuses mainly on DJ equipment. Headphones made by Pioneer are highly regarded by consumers because of the belief that if the top DJ’s are endorsing it, then it must be good. It is good to mention though that Pioneer DJ came to be in 2015 when Pioneer sold its DJ equipment business division to KKR. The quality of equipment, headphones included, did not deteriorate despite this change of management In fact, it has even become better according to very happy customers who own Pioneer cans.

10. Grado

The founder of Grado is a master watchmaker, Joseph Grado. He established the company in Brooklyn, New York in 1954. The current CEO and President John Grado purchased the company in 1990. For over 60 decades, Grado has created a huge name in the headphone industry and each pair they release is meticulously crafted and impressively built, which earned them countless loyal customers and supporters. Perhaps it is their choice in focusing on headphones and cartridges, which allows them to put more time and effort into making the best products.

The specialties of Grado are high-fidelity, supra-aural and dynamic open-air headphones. Among its most popular models are those found in the Prestige Series, Reference Series, Statement Series and Professional Series, as well as In-Ears and many more limited edition and specialty headphones.

Results (2/3) - Second Tier Headphone brands (Top 11 to 20)

11. Symphonized

If you want a unique pair of cans that surely stands out when placed side by side with other regular-looking headphones, then you should definitely check out those that are made by Symphonized. With their wooden designs as their main selling point, you are not only getting a fashionable pair but a superior sounding one too.

Wood is known as a material with impressive acoustical properties. This is the reason why many of the best speakers, musical instruments and more have wood as a key element. You can choose from dark wood and light wood when selecting your pair of Symphonized headphones. While the models available are not as many as those of other leading brands, Symphonized has gained very positive reviews from consumers and professional critics because each one is consistently durable and stylish. There are also earbuds and Bluetooth speakers made from wood. Most importantly, as mentioned, the acoustical properties of wood make Symphonized headphones produce such crystal clear and crisp, rich and natural sound.

12. Sony

Sony is probably one of the most popular brands when it comes to electronics worldwide. In fact, many households most likely have at least one Sony product in its premises. Founded exactly 70 years ago in 1946, this Japanese brand has truly become a giant in consumer electronics, gaming and a whole lot more.

From regular earphones and earbuds to full-sized headphones, Sony has also maintained its position in the market as one of the top-selling brands. With so many headphone models through the years, it could be challenging to point out which one is number 1 as Sony has been consistent in producing only the best. There’s a pair of Sony headphones for everyone. According to thousands of reviews from consumers and critics, Sony headphones are quite consistent when it comes to durability. Sound quality varies though with some models better than others. However, you can still feel assured that you will get fair sound quality even for cheaper Sony cans.

13. Ferrari

There are individuals who are such huge fanatics of the Ferrari brand and only a chosen few are fortunate enough to actually own a Ferrari vehicle. Whether or not you own a Ferrari or not, you can afford a pair of genuine Ferrari headphones. The earbuds made by this manufacturer aren’t as popular when it comes to ratings as compared to full-sized over the head cans. All these headphones still come with the signature CavallinoRampante (prancing horse) logo, with some that come in the usual yellow and black and others in silver.

Ferrari headphones are expected to be as powerful as the four-wheeled vehicle and you’ll be surprised that despite not being an actual specialist when it comes to audio equipment, these pairs are quite competitive in sound quality. The best part? You can get a pair for a few hundred dollars, depending on the style of your choice. You can choose from black, white or even a shiny red pair of Ferrari headphones.

14. Koss

Headphones are the main products of Koss Corporation. Because the company focused on designing and manufacturing great headphones, they managed to maintain their top position in the headphone industry. Since its founding in 1958, Koss has created a number of different headphone models that caters to the needs of just about every individual. There are budget pairs and ones that professionals will be more than willing to invest in. The more notable models of Koss are the ones with vintage designs and other unique looking pairs.

If you’ve seen Radio Shack headphones in-store, these are actually Koss headphones that were simply rebranded for the Radio Shack store. With great sound quality, durability and comfort, there’s no wonder why this American brand has stayed as one of the top choices among consumers.

15. House of Marley

House of Marley is a brand that’s inspired by no other than the legendary Bob Marley. Its popularity may be attributed to the legions of fans of the late Jamaican reggae musician; however, many reviews from customers and critics also prove that this headphone manufacturer relies not only on the huge fandom but its designers and engineers have actually worked hard to produce very impressive cans and other audio products.

House of Marley pairs can sell for hundreds of dollars despite other bigger brands because of the great sound quality it can offer. They offer in-ear, on-ear and over-ear headphones that are all comfortable and feature the best acoustics and the source of the brand’s pride, Marley’s “Signature Sound”. This “Signature Sound” can give you the smoothest audio with very powerful bass and precise mids with an energized high-end. Whether you’re an artist, a studio professional or a simple music enthusiast, Bob Marley fan or not, it won’t be difficult to fall in love with a pair of House of Marley headphones.

16. Bowers & Wilkins

Bowers & Wilkins has been in the business of audio equipment for 50 years now. Since then, there are a number of home and car audio systems, headphones, speakers and more that have been released to the market. More recently, the company added iPod speakers to their wide range of products to cater to the needs of the general population and a large percentage of their market.

Today, Bowers & Wilkins has several popular headphones in their collection. The P7 features over-ear headphones featuring the most advanced drive unit technology created by Bowers & Wilkins’ expert engineers. The P5 wireless offers the same audio quality and impressive drivers but adds the convenience and portability of high-quality wireless streaming. The P3 is very lightweight and simple yet the sound quality is still undeniably superior. If you’re one who prefers in-ear headphones, the brand also offers the C5 Series 2.

17. Shure

Any music professional most likely owns or has tried at least one Shure audio equipment. The brand is so respected even by the most popular producers and despite newer ones that came along during its 9-decade strong dominance in the audio equipment industry, Shure still remained consistent as one of the top choices when it comes to both professional and consumer audio electronics. Aside from microphones, monitors, mixers and more, headphones remain as one of the specialties of Shure and choosing a pair of cans from this brand always guarantees great value for your money.

Despite being in the business for long, it was only in 2009 when Shure began offering around-ear headphones. Through the years, the selection expanded and in 2014, Shure on-ear portable headphones also became available. Currently, there are three major segments of Shure headphones - portable, studio/professional, and premium/audiophile.

18. Sennheiser

Try looking into any random list of top headphones and you will probably find a Sennheiser model there somewhere. From budget headphones for the regular consumer to more expensive cans for the studio professional, Sennheiser made their products available for the general population to enjoy. Celebrity DJ’s, artists and musicians proudly use the Sennheiser brand and while the brand is far from being labeled as overrated or overhyped because celebrities are spotted using it, it is good to mention that it has remained a household name simply because of its consistent superior quality, extreme comfort, great designs, durability and most importantly, the brand keeps their prices competitive and reasonable.

As Sennheiser would put it, their goal is to provide the best possible sound experience to their audience. Through the years, they remain consistent in their “Pursuit of Perfect Sound”.

19. B & O Headphones

Bang & Olufsen, also known as B&O is one of the biggest headphone brands in Denmark. Its popularity has reached wide lengths and spread throughout other parts of the world. As a manufacturer of television sets, various audio products and more, B&O headphones have become popular due to its constant pursuit of perfection. In fact, since its founding in 1925, the brand continues to take pride in their creation of acoustic art through meticulous building and calibration done by their craftsmen by hand.

Currently there are B&O headphones in all shapes and sizes - from in-ear to on-ear to over the ear headphones. Sticking to the sleek and classy designs which uses more of neutral colors of black, grey and white, B&O headphones is well-loved by those who want to have the best audio experience while staying stylish and simple at the same time.

20. Westone

Ron Morgan, Sr. was the founder of Westone Laboratories, established in 1959, Divide, Colorado, USA. Its current headquarters are held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with Jason Lockwood as President and CEO. Westone Music Products takes credit in inventing the very first in-ear monitor for musicians. They also took part in designing and manufacturing Shure’s E1 and E5.

Westone rightfully claims a spot in the top headphone brands because as their company’s tagline says, they are “The In-Ear Experts”. More than just for audio entertainment and supplies for consumers and professionals, the brand also offers custom earmold products, audiology supply, hearing protection for personal, digital or industrial use, as well as military earpieces. Consumers have greatly praised Westone due to their expertise when it comes to in-ear headphones that work impressively for all kinds of listeners.

Results (3/3) - Third Tier Headphone brands (Top 21 to 50)

21. PSB

The company specializes in loudspeakers, hence the name PSB Speakers. Founded by Paul Barton in 1972, PSB has expanded their offers in audio equipment and now manufacturers some of the best headphone models ever created.

Currently, some of the most loved models of PSB headphones by consumers and professionals alike are the PSB M4U 2 Headphones which are active noise cancelling headphones that look sleek and simple yet very comfortable to wear; the M4U 1 Headphones, which are high performance over-ear headphones, and if you prefer in-ear headphones, the M4U 4 Headphones can also offer high performance and powerful sound quality in a lightweight and durable pair of in-ear monitors.

22. Creative

Truth be told, Creative probably won’t be the first brand that comes to mind when you are shopping for a pair of stylish and high-powered headphones. Yes, they may have taken the world by storm when it comes to speakers, music players and other computer accessories including web cameras, but as soon as other brands grew in popularity, many of Creative’s best products were left under the shadow of these bigger brands.

However, there are still countless consumers and professionals who stayed with Creative and the company remained strong with a line of new products available to the market until today. This Singaporean brand has stayed as a top choice due to the consistent durability and impressive audio quality of their headphones. From in-ear to Bluetooth Wireless to high-powered over-the-ear to performance gaming headphones, Creative has a pair for all kinds of consumers.

23. MEE Audio

Fairly young with just over a decade in the business, MEE Audio specializes in crafting the best wireless, sports and high fidelity headphones that will cater to all kinds of consumers, young and old. The company focuses on sound quality, look and feel of each pair of cans to ensure the satisfaction of their target market. Since its founders are a group of audio enthusiasts as well, they made sure that music listening would always be at its absolute best with their products.

Among their popular headphone products are their pairs from the Runaway, Rumble, Touch and Matrix series, among others. Everyone is given a chance to experience superior sound quality matched with fashionable cans through MEE Audio.

24. SoundMAGIC

SoundMAGIC is generally more popular to consumers when it comes to in-ear headphones probably because they have a wide range of models to select from. What makes it a great choice aside from very impressive designs is because owners of SoundMAGIC in-ear headphones can attest to the fact that these are pretty good when it comes to noise isolation, comfort and durability. The best part is that you can choose from a number of earbuds that only costs less than $50.

Of course, there are also SoundMAGIC over-the-head headphones that are equally appreciated by plenty of consumers and professionals. Though reviews are actually varying from very satisfied customers to those who think this brand is just okay, what remains consistent though is that these consumers say that these headphones “grow on them” and upon opening the box, you might not appreciate it right away, but after a certain burning in period, you will fall in love with your SoundMAGIC headphones.

25. Sol Republic

Founded only 6 years ago in 2010, San Francisco, California by Scott Hix, Seth Combs and Kevin Lee, Sol Republic might be a new brand but it has gotten so big that it became known in many parts of the world. It must be because of the connections and experience its founders have made throughout the years such as working with Beats Audio, Monster and more. Now a multi-million dollar company with a wide range of wireless, in-ear and full-sized headphones, Sol Republic has become the brand of choice of countless consumers and professionals, celebrities included. There are also a number of speakers manufactured by Sol Republic that have received much attention as well.

Among the popular headphone models of Sol Republic are Tracks and Master Tracks. Owners and critics have praised the sleek design, comfortable fit and great sound quality that each pair of Sol Republic cans can offer.

26. Skullcandy

Skullcandy is known for its fun, hip and colorful designs that cater to just about any kind of consumer and professional there is. They’ve created partnerships with athletes, artists, celebrities and sports enthusiasts, which have probably helped increase their popularity from their headquarters in Utah to the rest of the world. Aside from the general consumer market, Skullcandy targets outdoor action sports demographics such as skaters and snowboarders.

Their reach has spanned across all continents and their products, from in-ear to full-sized headphones have gained a lot of praises from all kinds of customers. What most likely allowed them to stay strong despite strong competition coming in through the years is their ability to offer their products at very reasonable prices. You can get a pair of very stylish Skullcandy cans that surely won’t disappoint.

27. Behringer

Just like some of the brands that have so far been included in this list, Behringer is consistent in making other top lists when it comes to headphones and other audio equipment. From being founded by UliBehringer in Germany, 1989, the brand now has a worldwide reach. Their products are now made in China but the German manufacturer still consistently meets the expectations of their consumers by ensuring high quality materials used and durable built each time.

Behringer has received multiple awards through the years. Slowly but surely, they gained the trust of their target market and their headphones remain a top choice among regular consumers and audio professionals alike. Owned by the MUSIC Group, there’s a wide variety of Behringer audio products and accessories available in the market today from headphones to musical instruments, amplifiers to microphones, wireless systems to power amplifiers and so much more.

28. LG

A Korean company founded in 1947, LG is a household name when it comes to electronics, household appliances, telecommunication devices and more. LG has ventured into pretty much everything electronic - air-conditioners, refrigerators, microwaves, stoves and ovens, smartphones and basic mobile phones, and so much more. The trust that LG gained from its consumers allowed them to expand further and now, they already have a good reputation in audio equipment too.

LG headphones are not unheard of. Their most popular products are their Bluetooth headsets that are usually used along with mobile phones. Sleek and classy, some of their top products include the LG Tone Platinum, LG Tone Infinim, LG Tone Active and the LG Tone Ultra.

29. GranVela

Despite the preference of European or American brands over those made in China, GranVela made a difference and became one of the most successful Chinese-made brands of headphones and other electronics. Though it was only established in 2013, would you believe that their reported 15 employees have actually managed to reach markets in the US, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Canada, Japan, China and beyond? In fact, their reported sales revenue in 2015 was 300M USD!

GranVelawas able to make a difference and stay away from the Chinese electronic product stereotype because of their promise to create great value and impressive designs while ensuring the best quality sound for their audio equipment. Their headphones look hip and stylish with great features to match and they continue to keep their prices reasonable. It is also good to mention that GranVela’s sales are mainly done online.

30. Beats

It seems like only yesterday when Beats by Dr. Dre took the world by storm. Endorsed by music celebrities and more and getting through criticisms due to its unique design and massive price tags, Beats surely went a long way from the time it was founded by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine in 2008.

Initially partnered with Monster, Beats is now an independent division under Apple. With a whopping 1.5B USD reported revenue in 2013, all the hate that was probably created by competitors anyway have become irrelevant. Truth be told, Beats continues to be the preferred brand of many professionals, celebrity musicians, artists and regular consumers. The B logo has become a style icon and each pair of cans made by Beats is always guaranteed to sound good, feel good and look good.