WINNERS: Headphones – Sound+Image Awards 2023

For some music fans, headphones are all you need, along with a good source device, and perhaps a good headphone amp to get the very best out of your chosen pair of ear-huggers. 

These are the headphones that have wowed us over the last 12 months of our magazines Sound+Image, Australian Hi-Fi, Best Buys Audio & AV, and Audio Esoterica, and which represent our recommendations of the very best over-ear headphones available in Australia today for the home, for commute, even for getting back on a plane after all these months at home. (Apologies bud fans; we don't test them.)

For the full details on each and every winner, check out the Special Awards Issue of Sound+Image magazine, on sale now in print and digital editions. Print subscriptions here; digital issues here!

Now let's meet the winners!

Home Headphones

HOME HEADPHONES OF THE YEAR UNDER AU$5000
Grado RS-1x
AU$1199

HOME HEADPHONES OF THE YEAR OVER AU$5000
Yamaha YH-5000SE
AU$7499
Judges Comment:  Six years of research and 1000 prototype drivers preceded Yamaha’s release of its new flagship orthodynamic 5000 Series headphone, initially released in this Special Edition form priced at $7499.
Click to read our full review

Wireless Headphones (no ANC)

WIRELESS HEADPHONES OF THE YEAR (no ANC)
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
AU$169
Judges Comment: Audio-Technica’s junior Bluetooth headphones bring their powerful studio sound to the street at a bargain price.

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Wireless Noise-Canceilling Headphones

WIRELESS HEADPHONES OF THE YEAR UNDER AU$1000
Sony WH-1000XM5
AU$549

Judges Comment: With plenty that’s new, and the best stuff held over, Sony continues to deliver top-value wireless noise-cancellers.
Click to read our full review

WIRELESS HEADPHONES OF THE YEAR OVER AU$1000
Focal Bathys
AU$1199
Click to read our full review