While people should pay attention to the sound quality of headphones, a significant factor in choosing a new pair is the design and style. Luckily for people who love a retro vibe, there are a ton of headphones that look cool and sound amazing at the same time. Many of these headphones will not have as many fancy features as thebest headphones of 2024,likeANC, but they make up for it with incredible designs and sound quality.
Whether you want a pair of headphones togame withor to wear every day, it’s hard to go wrong with one of these retro options. A new pair of retro headphones is a great way to improve the vibe when listening to your favorite music. That being said, there are quite a few options out there, so here’s a handy guide to help make the decision easier.
Updated on August 13th, 2024, by Vineet Washington: Some more information has been highlighted to better describe the potential of these retro headphones. The “How to Choose the Best Retro Headphones” section has been tweaked to show more information and help make the purchase decision easier.
The Best Retro Headphones in 2024
Koss Porta Pro
The acclaimed Koss Porta Pro has captivated audiophiles and music enthusiasts for decades and is one of the most popular headphones worldwide. Its distinctive retro aesthetic, lightweight design, and adjustable headband ensure a snug fit, while the foam ear cushions provide long-lasting comfort during extended listening sessions.
Koss is credited with creating the first pair of stereo headphones in 1958. While these aren’t that old, the Koss Porta Pro was initially released in 1984. Besides a few material changes, these headphones have remained mainly the same throughout the modern era. They have a fantastic look that would excite any retro design fan for a very reasonable price. Simply put, it is hard to go wrong with the Koss Porta Pro.
Like many of Koss’s other offerings, the Porta Pros are incredibly lightweight and can easily be worn all day long with little to no fatigue. Despite the on-ear design, these headphones work well even if you have piercings that would generally get agitated by headphones. Plus, if the stock earpads that come with these headphones are a bit too thin for you, there is a very active community of modders who have madereplacement pads that offer way more padding and comfort. In terms of specifications, the Koss Porta Pro features a frequency response of 5Hz to 25000Hz and uses a simple 3.5mm connector for audio. There is also an inline microphone for taking phone calls and adjusting the volume without having to reach for your phone or audio source.
Using an open-back design, the Porta Pro headphones will not isolate you from the world around you. There is a good chance people next to you can also hear your music if you have the volume high enough. Despite that, these small and unassuming headphones deliver surprisingly fantastic sound quality. The fairly flat frequency response will not blow anyone away compared to other open-back headphones, but these headphones are a ton of fun to listen to, especially for just $60.
Sennheiser HD 599
Topping Sennheiser’s 500 series, the HD 599 is a full-sized premium headphone that offers near-audiophile levels of sound quality and exceptional wearing comfort thanks to the large ear cups and soft replaceable ear pads. The Sennheiser-engineered transducers use aluminum voice coils, delivering high efficiency, excellent dynamics, and extremely low distortion.
Sennheiser is another headphone brand that has been around an incredibly long time, like Koss, so it makes sense that their retro design would also be on point. The Sennheiser HD 599 is an excellent choice if you like the colorway and vibe of the Porta Pro but want an over-ear design that produces a more robust design.
As part of Sennheiser’s HD lineup, the HD599 has the same extremely comfortable velour ear pads as the higher-end HD600s. But instead of black, these headphones come in a retro-filled ivory and brown colorway that screams early 2000s PC tower. The shape and lines have a more modern touch, which can turn some people off, but they do a great job of retaining the retro vibe while also providing incredible comfort. It features a frequency response range of 12Hz to 38500Hz and is fairly lightweight at just 250 grams, which adds to its overall comfort level.
The HD599 also uses an open-back design like the Porta Pro, which is not great for isolation or noise bleed. Because of the bulkier form factor, the HD599 is not great for listening to music on your commute, but in your office or sitting in a quiet room to enjoy music, these headphones excel. The relatively small 38mm drivers deliver excellent sound quality depending on the source material. It’s rare to see open-back headphones with exaggerated bass, and while the HD599 doesn’t overdo it, in some songs, the lows can overpower the mids and highs, making it hard to pick out distinct sounds in the mix. But as long as you are not analytically listening to your music, this slight over-emphasis on the lows will not ruin your listening experience.
Marshall Major IV
The Marshall Major IV combines enhanced usability with classic Marshall elements for an iconic and innovative design. Backed by the famous Marshall sound, these headphones pack quite a punch, delivering roaring bass, smooth mids, and brilliant treble for a rich, unrivaled sound that is hard to put down.
The Marshall Major headphones bring a very fun retro design that doesn’t look like a lot of the other headphones out there. Plus, because they are wireless, they are much more approachable than the majority of other retro headphones, which are wired. In the fourth iteration, the Marshall Major IV has made some minor tweaks for added comfort over the previous versions but still retains the charm and appeal that made the Major III such a crowd favorite.
The Major IV uses an on-ear design like the Porta Pro, and while it is not quite as light, it makes up for it with a ton of added padding on the earpads. If you have a lot of ear piercings or wear glasses, you might find it hard to get a comfortable fit with these headphones and might have better luck with the Porta Pro or the Grado SR80X. That being said, for most other people, the Major IV is incredibly comfortable for all-day use, and the 80-hour time can easily back it up. As for sound output, there are 40mm drivers and a frequency response range of 20Hz to 20000Hz. You can use the headphones wirelessly over Bluetooth or through a 3.5mm wired connection.
Unlike the first couple of headphones in this guide, the Major IV has a closed-back design, which helps with noise isolation and sound leakage. Combined with the foldable design, these headphones are perfect for any setting, whether commuting on a crowded train or just chilling out listening to some tunes. The closed-back design and a bit more power in the bass give the Marshall IV a very powerful sound. It won’t be to everyone’s liking, but it is very easy to get lost in music with these headphones on, as long as you are okay with the low-end overpowering the mids and highs at times.
Meze 99 Classics
The Meze 99 Classics delivers perfectly natural sound even to the pickiest of audio lovers. The walnut wood ear cups, soft ear pads, and the spring steel headband will make the 99 Classics an heirloom rather than just a pair of headphones.
The Meze 99 Classic is perfect for people who want a pair of headphones that can easily last them a lifetime and even be passed down while still looking fabulous. The timeless design of these headphones, with the wood finish on the earcups, is certainly eye-catching, but it also delivers incredible sound quality that sounds amazing regardless of what you are listening to. It features 40mm drivers and a frequency response range of 15Hz to 25000Hz. It has a resistance of 32 Ohms and the fairly lightweight nature of the headphones makes it feel a lot more comfortable than it may look.
Despite the high price and premium feel, the 99 Classics don’t have any of those fancy features that most other modern headphones do at this price point. While that can be a bummer for some, it also makes the experience of using these headphones an absolute joy. Simply plug them in, put them on your head, and sit back and listen to some music. The auto-adjusting headband makes it easy to find a comfortable fit, and even though it is slightly heavier than other headphones in this guide, the 99 Classics are still very comfortable as long as you are not moving around too much. There is nothing to fuss with, and there is very little to get in the way of you listening to music.
Many headphones at this price point and niche tend to have a very clinical sound to them, which is accurate, but at times, it can be kind of boring to listen to. So it’s nice to see the 99 Classic has a bit more of a consumer-friendly frequency response. The bass has a bit more emphasis, making it punchy and powerful, but the mids and highs still shine through. Regardless of the genre you are listening to, these headphones handle it amazingly and are a joy to listen to.
Grado SR80x
Part of a long lineage of amazing headphones, the Grado SR80X offers amazing sound for a very reasonable price. Using Grado Lab’s newest 44mm drivers, these headphones improve efficiency, reduce distortion, and preserve the harmonic integrity of your music, no matter the genre you are listening to.
In this day and age, it is strange to see a pair of headphones that is entirely put together in New York, but since 1958, Grado Labs has been doing just that, and unlike some other niche headphone brands, the SR80x won’t cost you an arm and a leg. This is not the cheapest pair of headphones, but it is also not the most expensive, making it the perfect middle ground for people looking for an excellent middle-of-the-road pair of headphones.
Because the Prestige lineup hasn’t changed the outside since its original release, the SR80x looks like it jumped out of the past when first picking it up. The friction adjustment points are not the best for dialing in the perfect sizing, but these headphones are pretty comfortable once you do. The SR80x is a fair bit heavier than the Koss Porta Pros, but because of the Goldilocks clamping force, these headphones are pretty comfortable to wear for long periods. Just like the Koss modding community, there is a large modding community for theSR80x that makes after-party padsincrease comfort and change the sound. Despite being older headphones, they feature fourth-generation 44mm drivers with a frequency response range of 20Hz to 20000Hz.
Speaking about sound, the SR80x is a pleasure to listen to. They are not the most accurate clinical headphones out there, but after putting them on and listening to a few tracks, you will see how fun they are. Drums and low-end sounds are sharp and snappy while also delivering a fair amount of power, and the mids and highs dazzle with a bit of sparkle for vocals and higher-pitched instruments like guitars. They might be a bit too sharp for some, but after getting used to their sound, people tend to gravitate back towards the SR80x more and more.
Koss KPH30i
The incredibly lightweight and affordable Koss KPH30i delivers extremely spacious sound for on-the-go use and a pleasant retro design. Available in four colorways, you are sure to find an option that fits your style, and for just $30, people can easily pick a couple of these.
Budget headphones are in a weird place these days. With many options under $50, it’s hard to separate the chaff from what’s actually worth picking up. Thankfully, for anyone looking for an affordable pair of headphones that exudes a retro vibe and sounds pretty impressive for their price, the Koss KPH30i is here to save the day.
In some ways, the KPH30i can be considered the little sibling to the Koss Porta Pro. With a similar design and weight, it is also incredibly comfortable for all-day use. Most people, regardless of whether they have ear piercings or wear glasses, will find these headphones extremely comfortable. However, the adjustment points are prone to snapping, so just be careful when sizing the headphones to your head. Plus, the same aftermarket ear pads that work for the Grado SR80x also work for the KPH30i, although they do change the vibe of the headphones quite a bit. The excellent sound is thanks to the solid drivers and a frequency response range of 15Hz to 25000Hz.
When it comes to sound quality, these tiny little headphones pack quite the punch and are incredibly fun to listen to. Like the Porta Pro, the KPH30i also uses an open-back design, so there will be some sound leakage at higher volumes, and noise isolation is nonexistent. The bass and low end are not as powerful as headphones like the Marshall Major IV or Meze 99 Classic, but it produces an enjoyable frequency response that is easy to listen to all day. Nothing is too sharp; very few people experience ear fatigue regardless of the genre.
Alternatively, if you are looking for entry-level retro headphones that are even cheaper than the Koss KPH30i, check out theJLab Rewind Wireless Retro Headphones for just $20. They are wireless headphones with 12 hours of battery life on a single charge and use 35mm drivers to deliver acceptable sound quality.
How to Choose the Best Retro Headphones
Buyers should consider these key factors before choosing a new set of headphones:
Design
The first step when looking for retro headphones is figuring out the vibe you want them to exude. There are a couple of ways you can go with a retro design: either the tan and beige plastic look, a timeless design like the Meze Classic 99 with a wood finish, or something like the Grado SR80X, whose form factor and overall look give off that retro vibe.
Sound Quality
These headphones still have to be fun to listen to and look good, so the next thing you should look for is the overall sound quality. With the more retro designs, you will not get things like ANC or spatial audio support, but solid sound quality can easily compensate for the lack of special features. The type and size of the driver, along with the frequency response range and impedance will dictate how well the headphones sound. The larger the driver and wider the frequency response range, the better the sound output.
Comfort
There’s nothing worse than jamming out to your favorite music and cutting it short because the headphones are uncomfortable. So, make sure to find headphones with a reputation for being comfortable for the best experience possible. Not just the materials for the earcups and headband, but the comfort level is also affected by the clamping force and that is something that you can only find out by trying the headphones on. Those with larger head sizes will feel the clamping force much more than smaller head sizes when considering the same headphones.
Connectivity
You can find retro-style headphones in both wired and wireless connectivity options. The retro nature of the headphones truly stands out with wired models, but wireless ones come with their own benefits. They are easier to travel with and can be connected to phones that do not have a 3.5mm port without having to use a dongle.
FAQ
Q: Did earbuds exist in the 1980s?
With the surge in popularity of portable music players in the ’80s, the first earbuds were also introduced. While they follow the same basic concept of earbuds that we are used to today, most people would not find the earbuds from the ’80s and ’90s pretty uncomfortable and the sound quality is pretty lacking.
Q: Why did the headphone jack go away?
One of the main reasons many companies have removed the headphone jack from their mobile devices is because of space. Some phones are trying to bring it back like the Asus Zenfone 10, but with the widespread acceptance of Bluetooth headphones, we will probably never see it become a standard feature on mobile devices again.
