4 elite headphones I tried at High End Vienna including a pair with Wi-Fi
and Meze's most expensive set ever

Date:
Sat, 06 Jun 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Description:
Of all the amazing headphones I tried at High End Vienna, these 4 really
stood out.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter This week, Ive been wading through the endless sea of incredible audio gear at 2026s High End Vienna,
and Ive seen plenty of sensational-sounding, innovative, and eye-wateringly expensive stuff.

One area I found myself glued to above all, was the World of Headphones hall, which featured some newly-announced sets with truly cutting edge
capabilities. For instance, I managed to go hands on with a pair of Wi-Fi headphones, and also tried a unique triple-driver set with ultra-advanced personalized EQ options. So, Im here to share the four sets of headphones
that impressed me the most at High End Vienna including some pairs announced at the show, as well as a few 2026 releases that I tried for the very first time. Latest Videos From Watch full video here: 1. Meze Audio Arta (Image credit: Future) The Meze Audio Arta open back circumaural headphones are striking in just about every way imaginable. In our news coverage, we likened them to a supercar in the audio realm. They have an attention-grabbing, futuristic aesthetic, seismic sound, and a huge 6,000 (about $7000 / 5,200) price-tag. And while Im not here to decide whether theyre truly worth such a fee, Im willing to say that these headphones really wowed me.

It was recommended that I listen to Cant Stop by Red Hot Chili Peppers, and
it wasnt hard to see why the track really showed these headphones at their best. Leading vocals were exceptionally clear, the tonal accuracy of guitars was top-notch, and subtle clicks and percussion were weighted beautifully. Despite their highly insightful nature, the Arta also have quite an exciting sound signature; bass was very punchy and got my head moving in no time. You may like 'Clear and non-fatiguing': HiFiMan's new Wi-Fi headphones are designed for the perfect audiophile experience, if money is no object High
End Vienna 2026 Best in Show awards: our favorite 11 speakers, streamers and more 'Sounds more like a supercar': Meze unveils Arta, elite audiophile headphones with sonic blades, replaceable parts and the price-tag of a small car

The planar magnetic drivers which Meze says have the highest-impedance to date in any set of PM cans provide almost tangible directionality, and elements like backing vocals were placed with great precision. Youll need a good quality amp to drive these, of course, though I suspect that will be no issue for anyone spending 6,000 on headphones.

I spoke to Mezes Acoustic Engineer, Alex Grigoras, about the headphones
sound, and he highlighted that the Arta are quite open compared to other products in our lineup, pointing to their thin and light diaphragm. The aim, he told me, was to build on the legacy of Mezes Empyrian line and almost capture the feeling of listening to a loudspeaker in a room. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. 2. Noble Audio FoKus Artemis (Image credit: Future) One of the most unique pairs of headphones I spotted out in Vienna was the Noble Audio FoKus Artemis, which are priced at $899 / 799. These noise-cancelling headphones use a triple-driver configuration: dynamic, planar magnetic, and balanced armature.

When I spoke to the team, they explained that although dynamic drivers are capable enough when it comes to handling bass and mids, this hybrid approach enables the headphones to offer enhanced highs, better articulation, and plenty of speed. And this was audible when I tried the Artemis for myself.

The FoKus Artemis were unlike anything Ive heard before, with an incredible spacey, hypnotic sound. With Allie Xs Black Eye , I was impressed by incredibly clear, well separated vocals, precise highs, and impactful low-end sound. Thanks to their open quality, this tracks deep bass was also exceptionally immersive it was almost as if I could feel it moving inside my head. What to read next The best wired headphones, all tested by TechRadar's audio experts Two of the most outrageous High End Vienna speakers we've ever seen just launched, and they sit at very opposite ends of the scale iFi and AMR showcase DACs at hugely different price-points, only at High End Vienna

Through Nobles work with Audiodo, the Artemis will also enable users to set a personal sound profile, rather than traditional EQ presets, making these headphones extremely personalizable and adaptable. Interestingly, the Artemis also have an IP rating something of a rarity for over-ears. Sure, its only IP52 meaning theyre partially dust resistant and protected against vertical drips of water akin to a light-to-middling rain-shower, say but its good to see a manufacturer being more transparent about waterproofing. 3. HiFiMAN HE1000 Wi-Fi (Image credit: Future) Using the HiFiMAN HE1000 Wi-Fi marked the first time that Id ever used a pair of Wi-Fi headphones, and Im really interested to see if some of the major players in the audio space will adopt it. Wi-Fi enables better streaming quality than Bluetooth can, and is the
main selling point of HiFiMANs $2,699 / 2,609 wireless open back headphones.

While I didnt have the ideal listening environment for these headphones I
was in the middle of a fairly busy (and noisy) demo space, I was impressed by what these cans had to offer. In Bitches Brew by Miles Davis, I enjoyed the open, precise soundstaging, the tonality of leading trumpet, and the subtlety of finer percussive details. I was listening using the companys HM2000
tablet, which enables a seamless Wi-Fi connection to the headphones, although the HE1000 can be used without this.

Although the HE1000 are fairly heavy and the earcups are large, I also found these to be surprisingly comfortable in-use, and the overall build quality here is very high to boot. They can only manage 6.5-7.5 hours of playback
when Wi-Fi streaming due to the more intensive drain compared to Bluetooth, but I certainly enjoyed my brief time with these cans. 4. Audeze LCD-5s
(Image credit: Future) One major piece of news out of High End Vienna was Audezes unveiling of the unveiling of the MM-520 studio headphones. That
model packs 90mm drivers, an open back design, and Audezes proprietary SLAM technology for optimizing air pressure and refining low-end sounds.

But as cool as this new announcement was, I wanted to highlight another pair of Audeze headphones that were released in 2026, the LCD-5s . These premium open back planar magnetic headphones really wowed me. When tuning into A
Tribe Called Quests Check the Rhime , I was stunned by the responsiveness in the treble range percussion was super-snappy, with a rapid decay and high-level precision. Vocals occupied a neat pocket in the mix, and bass was balanced expertly too.

SLAM tech is present here too, as are the 90mm drivers, resulting in spectacular audio quality, regardless of the genre youre listening to. On another note, I was a big fan of the LCD-5ss look. The tortoiseshell details and leather headband were real stand-out elements, helping these headphones feel especially luxurious a good thing, given that they come in at $4,500 / 3,999. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to
get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. The best noise cancelling headphones for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best noise cancelling headphones 1. Best overall: Sony WH-1000XM6 2. Best mid-range: Bose QuietComfort Headphones 3. Best under $100/100: 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 4. Best under $60/50: Soundcore Q30



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