Q. I love the sound of my open-back Grado headphones, but in my old age (55) I am over the constantly twisted cables and overall discomfort. I am not interested in Sennheisers as they sound completely muted to me. Do you have any suggestions for great-sounding headphones that are more luxurious in comfort and overall experience than my Grados, and are not planar-magnetic? I want something open-back and wired, and hopefully less than $300. Does that exist?

-A.F., Pittsburgh

A. I commend your commitment to quality and good sound, as shown by your choice of open-back, wired headphones. You have options, but what you are after will cost more than $300 especially with "luxurious" in your list of requirements. Please reevaluate your budget and get comfortable with the idea of spending more for something really special, headphones that will make you happy for a very long time. In the long run it is usually cheaper to spend more for quality and get what you want. You will have pride of ownership, the headphones will last and you won't be looking to make a change because you are not satisfied.

Audio-Technica has multiple open-back models priced between $79.99 to $299.99. I have not tested them in a while, and reviews are mixed with the lower-end models seeming to have higher owner satisfaction than the pricier offerings. If you have a hard cap of $300 they are worth checking out. audio-technica.com

True luxury begins with the $399 Meze AER 105 AER. They have a very comfortable fit, excellent sound that is lively and fun, and solid bass. A removable headphone cable is included and Meze offers an optional boom mic so you can make phone calls. For $499 you can get the Meze 105 Silva headphones, which offer noticeable sonic improvements and gorgeous mid-century modern styling that incorporates real wood. I have not heard the 105 Silva yet, but hope to soon. mezeaudio.com.

My top recommendation for anyone shopping for this kind of headphone (with a budget up to $1,000) is the $749 Focal Hadenys. I realize $749 is quite a stretch, but you should at least consider it. That $749 gets you headphones from a French company that makes some of the world's most highly acclaimed loudspeakers, some selling for over $500,000 per pair. At audio shows I hear speakers with six-figure price tags all the time. Not only do I think most of them are not worth the asking price, I think many of them don't sound very good at all! Unlike many ultra-high-end brands, Focal gets the sound right every time, no matter the price point. Focal takes special pride in their headphone line and like their speakers, Focal headphones are some of the most highly sought after in the world. They range from $599 to $4,999 per pair.

The Hadenys (ah-den-ees) is high-tech European luxury with avant-garde styling, premium quality modern materials and fine engineering that you can sense when you hold them. The sound is precise, accurate, open, clear, and detailed, with the tonal richness and warmth that keep the sound engaging. The Hadenys may be an aspirational product for many, but they are attainable and represent a lifetime investment. focal.com

As luxury products made in Europe that are distributed through protected channels, Meze and Focal headphones are rarely discounted and I could not find any discounts or current promotions for them. With the new tariffs price increases are practically a certainty and in some cases have happened already. If you are interested, best to act sooner rather than later to save money.

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