Dope or Nope: Ranking the Best Wired Headphones Under ₹2000

I have tried a lot and a lot of earphones (Being someone who loves listening to music) and want to flex my earphones, here’s me doing God’s work: compiling a list of the best wired headphones under ₹2,000 — no BS, no “sponsored” opinions, just the raw dope and the definite nopes.

🔥 1. boAt BassHeads 900 / 900 Pro

💸 Price: ₹999 – ₹1,200
🎧 Vibe: Bassheads unite. These bad boys are made for the folks who want their headphones to sound like a club but live in a PG with quiet hours.

✅ Why it’s Dope:

• 40mm drivers = BASS that thumps.
• Foldable design so you can flex your gamer aesthetic on the go.
• Lightweight = comfy even during 3-hour breakup playlists.

🚫 Why it’s also kinda mid:

• The highs? A bit shy.
• Not for “music producers” who think they hear frequencies dogs can’t.

Verdict:
You want a budget banger that doesn’t feel like you stole it from a local train vendor? Get these.

🎧 2. CLAW SM50 Pro – aka “Studio Vibes for Broke Creators”

💸 Price: ₹1,800 – ₹1,950
🎧 Vibe: If you’ve ever said, “I’m thinking of starting a podcast” — this is your sign.

✅ Why it slaps:

• Super clean sound. No “over-bassy” garbage.
• Detachable cables. You feel cool just plugging ’em in.
• Comes with 6.3mm adapter = compatible with your cousin’s DJ setup (that he never uses).

🚫 Why it’s not for normies:

• Not your punchy “dhinchak” sound.
• Looks big on small heads. (Yes, I looked like a WiFi router.)

Verdict:
If you’re a creator, streamer, or someone who says “I need flat sound,” go for it. These are criminally underrated.

🔊 3. Sony MDR-ZX110 / ZX310 / XB450

💸 Price: ₹1,000 – ₹1,500
🎧 Vibe: The kid who brought these to school had taste. And an attitude.

✅ Why they still rock in 2025:

• OG Sony durability. You can throw ‘em. They won’t die.
• Super lightweight, foldable, and travel-proof.
• XB450 is for that BASS-boosted madness. Trap, EDM? Say less.

🚫 Why you might roll your eyes:

• Earpads after 1 year = crispy and suspicious.
• Gets tight after long hours (if you have a big head like me).

Verdict:
If you need that one pair that just works and never complains — these are your ride or die.

🎤 4. Sennheiser HD 400s – For the Softcore Audiophiles

💸 Price: ₹4,450 – ₹5,600
🎧 Vibe: These are the “I like clear vocals and real instruments” headphones. Zero drama, 100% clarity.

✅ Why it earns respect:

• Clean, crisp sound.
• Lightweight = no pressure headaches.
• Passive noise isolation is solid.

🚫 What’ll bug you:

• The bass is on vacation. Not for the “BOOM BOOM” crowd.
• Cable is longer than your attention span.

Verdict:
If your Spotify Wrapped includes “Lo-Fi Beats to Study and Cry To,” this is your soulmate.

🎶 5. Audio-Technica ATH-S100iS / AX1iS

💸 Price: ₹1,000 – ₹2,000
🎧 Vibe: This one’s the introvert that minds its own business and delivers banger after banger.

✅ Why you’ll obsess over it:

• Balanced sound. Like, actually.
• Works for calls, music, and casual mixing.
• It’s Audio-Technica. People will assume you know stuff.

🚫 Why your friend with JBLs will say “meh”:

• Doesn’t punch in the bass section.
• Build quality is like… “don’t drop me pls.”

Verdict:
This one’s for the quiet legends. Not showy, not flashy — just consistent. Like your crush who replies to stories but never texts first.

✨ Bonus Mentions:

• Zebronics Zeb-Rush: Budget gaming headset under ₹999. Mic’s surprisingly decent. Looks like a Transformer.
• Koss KPH7: Retro-looking, feather-light, sounds better than it should.

Level Up Your Audio Journey

You’ve mastered the wired headphone game, but your search for perfect audio clarity might just be starting. If you’re ready to ditch the big earcups and dive into an even higher tier of detail, accuracy, and sound isolation, your next step is IEMs (In-Ear Monitors). Check out our detailed breakdown of the Best IEMs to Buy Right Now—it’s the ultimate upgrade for music producers and serious audiophiles who want studio quality in a tiny package.

🎯 Ultimate Cheat Sheet: