What are the best wired headphones under $500?

Best wired headphones under $500: 1) Meze 105 AER — best overall if you want an open-back audiophile headphone with a balanced, easy-to-like sound. 2) Sennheiser HD 660S2 — best for vocals, acoustic music, and a more intimate hi-fi presentation. 3) Sennheiser HD 560S — best value if you want strong sound quality well below the $500 ceiling. 4) FiiO FT1 — best closed-back pick if you need isolation. 5) Kiwi Ears Altruva — worth considering if you want a newer over-ear option with a wood-cup design. 6) Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X / “990 Pro X” listing — best to check carefully, because the referenced name appears inconsistently; Beyerdynamic’s Pro X-style tuning is usually aimed at studio/all-purpose use.

If you only buy one, I’d start with the Meze 105 AER for most music listening, or the HD 560S if value matters most. Choose closed-back only if you need to block sound or avoid leaking audio.