Wired headphones are the end game for portable listening. They have none of the limits of wireless options, offering incredible sound quality that outmatches anything with a Bluetooth logo on the box. But not all is perfect in wired headphones land — if you want to use some of the more expensive and most glorious sounding wired options, you've got some considerations to make.
Some of the best headphones need extra power to drive. These headphones can be super thirsty for juice, so that they can more easily create their incredible experiences. Your phone and a USB dongle simply aren't going to cut the mustard. Then there's the matter of audio conversion — as impressive as the quality Qobuz (my best music streaming service of choice) can pump out, my iPhone can't keep up. If I want the best quality possible for my posh wired headphones, I'm going to need an extra device.
