I've just crowned these Beyerdynamic headphones as the best audiophile closed-back cans, although it's a shame about the lack of microphone

When I was a young warthog, trying and failing to touch type with my wee hoofs at the family computer, I had a choice of two audio output devices—some relatively decent speakers or a headset that wouldn't look out of place in a call centre. As a teen growing up during the advent of both YouTube and MySpace, I opted for the headset that would make an audiophile weep every time. It was simply all I had. Thankfully, we've come a long way since then.

These days, those serious about sound and gaming are spoilt for choice.