Buying Guide
Best Headphone Setups for Audiophiles Under ₹10,000
Now you'll find that in a lot of our videos, we talk about headphones and IEMs, and quite often, we tell you that this sounds nice when paired along with such and such headphone amplifier and DAC and a balanced cable, but all of these add to the components and the costs of your complete audiophile-grade headphone setup. So we're going to pick a budget and work backwards from there and see if we can recommend a complete setup with all the components within that budget, and in today's video, we're talking about the best complete audiophile-grade headphone setups for under rupees 10,000. So that's a pretty tight budget, but we've got five incredible sounding setups - DAC, Amps, headphones or IEMs included for under 10,000 rupees.
Featured in this Blog
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Premium Economy
Sensible spending meets sophisticated quality in perfect harmony 💫.
I tend to describe premium economy products as finding that sweet spot where exceptional value meets refined performance. Think of it like business class comfort at economy prices - you're getting significantly more than what you paid for. These headphones deliver a refined listening experience that rivals more expensive alternatives, making them an intelligent choice for discerning listeners who appreciate both value and excellence.
This thoughtfully curated selection demonstrates our commitment to bringing you outstanding sound quality and robust construction without requiring a significant financial investment. Each product has been meticulously evaluated to ensure it delivers performance characteristics typically associated with higher price brackets.
When you see "💎 Premium Economy" products, expect refined audio experiences that bridge the gap between entry-level and high-end offerings, delivering impressive clarity and features at accessible price points.
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Ideal for Beginners
Lost in the vast world of audio equipment?
Don't worry, we're here to guide you 🤝! I believe that everyone's audiophile journey should start with something approachable and welcoming. These carefully selected products serve as the perfect entry point into high-quality sound, specifically chosen to help you navigate through sometimes overwhelming technical options. Think of them as your friendly neighbourhood guide who knows exactly where to start without getting lost in complex specifications.
These products strike an ideal balance between quality and accessibility, featuring user-friendly designs and straightforward functionality. They're specifically selected as the perfect starting point for your audiophile journey, offering serious performance without intimidating complexity or premium pricing that might discourage exploration.
When you encounter "🌱 Ideal for Beginners" products, expect approachable excellence - these are your stepping stones into the world of premium audio, designed to grow with your developing appreciation for great sound.
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Flat Sound Signature
I tend to describe a flat sound signature as the “studio monitor” of headphones—what goes in is what comes out. 🎚️ There’s no added flavour or colouration; it’s a true-to-source representation. Audiophiles and sound engineers who value neutrality and precision often gravitate toward this kind of tuning.
Here’s what’s actually happening: the entire frequency response is tuned to be as even as possible, so bass, mids, and treble are all balanced without any emphasis. This makes flat-sounding gear ideal for critical listening, mixing, or mastering, where accuracy matters more than excitement. But for casual listeners, it might feel a bit “boring.” That said, a well-done flat tuning can reveal the soul of a song like no other. 🎧
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Ultra-Wide Sound stage
Do you wish to bring the concert hall to your ears 🏛️?
I love describing ultra-wide soundstage as "audio magic" that creates a breathtaking three-dimensional environment around your head. These specialised headphones feature an exceptionally spacious soundstage that creates the illusion you're sitting in the sweet spot of a magnificent performance venue. Think of it like teleportation technology for your ears - suddenly you're not wearing headphones, you're sitting in Carnegie Hall with perfect acoustics.
The precise instrument placement and remarkable sense of space work together to transport you directly into the music, making you feel as though you're experiencing a live performance. This creates a listening experience that's grand, enveloping, and incredibly detailed 🎭.
When you encounter "😳 Ultra-Wide Soundstage" products, expect concert hall acoustics that make you forget you're wearing headphones through sheer spaciousness and realism.
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Bright & Sparkly Highs
Who says treble can't be done right ⭐?
I tend to describe these headphones as having "magical sparkle" in the high frequencies that makes cymbals shimmer and vocals shine without ever becoming harsh. These products excel in delivering pristine, crystalline high frequencies with remarkable precision and finesse. Think of it like the difference between cheap glitter and real diamonds - both sparkle, but one does it with elegance and refinement that never hurts your eyes.
The treble presentation is masterfully tuned to showcase delicate nuances in the upper register, offering brilliant and engaging listening without fatigue. Every cymbal shimmer, violin overtone, and vocal harmony is reproduced with exceptional clarity and natural brilliance ✨.
When you see "✨ Bright & Sparkly Highs" products, expect extraordinary treble clarity that discovers new layers of detail while maintaining smooth, fatigue-free listening.
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Sharp & Precise Details
Are you a lover of sharp and precise details 🔍?
I believe that detail retrieval is like having audio superpowers - suddenly, you hear things in familiar songs that you never knew existed. These premium headphones are meticulously engineered to deliver remarkably detailed and precise sound reproduction, capturing every subtle nuance with exceptional accuracy. Think of them like high-resolution cameras for your ears that reveal the finest textures and micro-details that most headphones simply miss.
The carefully tuned drivers and advanced acoustic design ensure even the most delicate musical elements are reproduced with stunning precision. From the gentle brush of a cymbal to the subtle resonance of acoustic instruments, these products capture and present every sonic detail with remarkable accuracy 🎯.
When you see "📌 Sharp & Precise Details" products, expect extraordinary detail resolution that reveals new layers in familiar recordings with stunning clarity and precision.
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Ideal for Beginners
Lost in the vast world of audio equipment?
Don't worry, we're here to guide you 🤝! I believe that everyone's audiophile journey should start with something approachable and welcoming. These carefully selected products serve as the perfect entry point into high-quality sound, specifically chosen to help you navigate through sometimes overwhelming technical options. Think of them as your friendly neighbourhood guide who knows exactly where to start without getting lost in complex specifications.
These products strike an ideal balance between quality and accessibility, featuring user-friendly designs and straightforward functionality. They're specifically selected as the perfect starting point for your audiophile journey, offering serious performance without intimidating complexity or premium pricing that might discourage exploration.
When you encounter "🌱 Ideal for Beginners" products, expect approachable excellence - these are your stepping stones into the world of premium audio, designed to grow with your developing appreciation for great sound.
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Balanced Output
I often say balanced output is like using both hands to carry something heavy — it distributes power evenly and keeps things stable. In audio gear, balanced output helps reduce unwanted noise and interference, especially over longer cables. Think of it as a cleaner, more efficient way to transmit your music, ideal for anyone using high-end DACs, amps, or studio-grade headphones 🎧. You’ll typically find it on gear with XLR or 4.4mm connectors, and it's a must-have if you’re chasing that ultra-clean signal path.
Here’s what’s actually happening: a balanced output uses two separate signals, one inverted, so when interference is picked up along the cable, it gets cancelled out when the signals are recombined. The result? Cleaner audio, better dynamic range, and more power output — especially when paired with balanced headphones. The trade-off? You’ll need gear that supports balanced connections on both ends to really enjoy the benefits.
When you see '⚖️ Balanced Output' products, expect: ultra-low noise, more headroom, and better synergy with high-impedance headphones or sensitive IEMs — ideal for serious listening setups.
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Use Wirelessly with Bluetooth
I tend to describe Bluetooth audio as wireless freedom with fewer strings attached — literally. When you see Use Wirelessly with Bluetooth, it means you can pair your headphones or IEMs with phones, laptops, or even TVs — all without reaching for a cable 🎶. It’s convenient, clutter-free, and great for everyday listening.
What’s happening behind the scenes is your gear is using Bluetooth codecs like SBC, AAC, LDAC, or aptX to compress and transmit your music wirelessly. Better codecs mean higher quality and lower latency. Of course, there’s a trade-off — Bluetooth won’t match the quality of wired gear, but today’s advancements have made the gap much smaller than before.
When you see '✂️ Use Wirelessly with Bluetooth' products, expect: tangle-free convenience and solid sound quality — great for commuting, workouts, or casual listening.
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Battery Life
In my experience, battery life is one of those things that separates a good day from a frustrating one. It's like having a fuel gauge you can rely on — longer battery life means less charging and more uninterrupted music. Whether you're on a flight or just commuting across town, this is one spec you don’t want to overlook 🔋.
Technically, battery life refers to the hours your device can play music on a single charge. Today’s headphones and DACs can range from 4 to 40+ hours, depending on things like Bluetooth codec, volume, and active features like ANC. More battery life also means better travel and portability, though it might come at the cost of size or weight.
When you see '⏳ Battery Life' products, expect: longer listening sessions, fewer charging breaks, and stress-free portability for music that goes the distance.
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DAC Chip
I like to say the DAC chip is the heart of any audio device — it’s the part that actually transforms digital files into music you can hear 🎧. Think of it like a chef decoding a recipe to create a delicious meal. The better the DAC chip, the more faithfully it translates your music. And in my experience, a great DAC can completely change how your headphones sound.
Now, here’s what’s actually happening: a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) takes digital signals (your MP3s, FLACs, or streams) and converts them into an analog waveform your ears can enjoy. Different DAC chips — like those from ESS, AKM, or Cirrus Logic — offer their own sound signatures, levels of clarity, and noise performance. A good DAC ensures accurate timing, minimal distortion, and exceptional resolution.
When you see '⚙️ DAC Chip' products, expect: clean, detailed audio and better synergy with high-quality headphones — perfect for anyone upgrading from average sound to audiophile quality.
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Power Output
I like to think of power output in audio gear like engine horsepower, it determines how much muscle your setup really has 💪. Whether you’re trying to drive a pair of power-hungry planar headphones or just want headroom for dynamic peaks, power output is the spec you want to check first.
Technically, it refers to the amount of electrical power (measured in mW or Watts) an amp or DAC/Amp combo can deliver to your headphones. More power means better control, improved dynamics, and the ability to handle demanding gear without distortion. But more isn’t always better, too much power with sensitive IEMs can introduce hiss or harshness.
When you see '🚀 Power Output' products, expect: strong driving capability, better dynamics, and optimal performance with headphones that need serious juice to shine.
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Value for Money
I've found that the best gear isn’t always the most expensive. Some products punch well above their weight and deliver performance that rivals higher-priced alternatives. That’s what we mean with the "Value for Money" badge. It’s our way of telling you that you’re getting something special without breaking the bank. 🥜
These products are all about maximum returns for minimal investment. You’re not just saving money — you’re gaining an audio experience that exceeds expectations. Whether it’s build quality, tuning, or bundled accessories, these picks overdeliver.
When you see '🥜 Value for Money' products, expect impressive performance at an affordable price, making them a smart pick for budget-conscious buyers or first-time audiophiles.
-
Ideal for Beginners
Lost in the vast world of audio equipment?
Don't worry, we're here to guide you 🤝! I believe that everyone's audiophile journey should start with something approachable and welcoming. These carefully selected products serve as the perfect entry point into high-quality sound, specifically chosen to help you navigate through sometimes overwhelming technical options. Think of them as your friendly neighbourhood guide who knows exactly where to start without getting lost in complex specifications.
These products strike an ideal balance between quality and accessibility, featuring user-friendly designs and straightforward functionality. They're specifically selected as the perfect starting point for your audiophile journey, offering serious performance without intimidating complexity or premium pricing that might discourage exploration.
When you encounter "🌱 Ideal for Beginners" products, expect approachable excellence - these are your stepping stones into the world of premium audio, designed to grow with your developing appreciation for great sound.
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Extra-bass Sound Signature
When I see "Extra-Bass," I immediately think of music that you don’t just hear—you feel. If you love bass drops that rumble in your chest and beats that move your body, this tuning is for you. It’s the sound signature that turns your headphones into a mini dance floor. 🕺💣
Here’s what’s actually going on: the low-frequency range is heavily boosted, giving you that thick, punchy bass response that dominates the overall sound. It’s incredibly satisfying for genres like EDM, trap, hip-hop, or Bollywood music with heavy beats. Just know that vocals and treble may take a slight backseat, but for bassheads, that’s a small price for such exhilarating impact.
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Bright & Sparkly Highs
Who says treble can't be done right ⭐?
I tend to describe these headphones as having "magical sparkle" in the high frequencies that makes cymbals shimmer and vocals shine without ever becoming harsh. These products excel in delivering pristine, crystalline high frequencies with remarkable precision and finesse. Think of it like the difference between cheap glitter and real diamonds - both sparkle, but one does it with elegance and refinement that never hurts your eyes.
The treble presentation is masterfully tuned to showcase delicate nuances in the upper register, offering brilliant and engaging listening without fatigue. Every cymbal shimmer, violin overtone, and vocal harmony is reproduced with exceptional clarity and natural brilliance ✨.
When you see "✨ Bright & Sparkly Highs" products, expect extraordinary treble clarity that discovers new layers of detail while maintaining smooth, fatigue-free listening.
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Aggressive and Energetic
Ready for an audio adrenaline rush 🏃♂️?
I love describing these headphones as having "lightning in a bottle" energy that keeps you on the edge of your seat. These are specifically engineered to deliver powerful, high-energy sound that makes every listening session feel like an adventure. Think of them like energy drinks for your ears - they transform ordinary tracks into pulse-pounding sonic experiences that keep you motivated and energised throughout your day.
The sound signature is carefully tuned to emphasise punch, impact, and musical drive, ensuring every beat hits with authority and excitement. These products excel at delivering intense, vibrant audio with exceptional dynamic contrast ⚡.
When you see "🧨 Aggressive and Energetic" products, expect high-energy performance that transforms your music into consistently exciting and invigorating sonic adventures.
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Like a Party in your Head
Now this one’s easy—if a sound signature makes you want to dance, sing, or just lose yourself in the music, that’s what I call a party in your head. 💃 It’s the kind of sound that’s fun, energetic, and unapologetically lively. Think strong bass, glimmering treble, and a forward midrange that grabs your attention right away.
Technically, it’s usually a V-shaped or bass-boosted signature that’s not too concerned with neutrality but focuses on excitement and engagement. It’s perfect for Bollywood, EDM, pop, or anything upbeat. While it may not be the most accurate tuning, it’s the kind that gets your feet tapping and your head nodding within seconds. And honestly? Sometimes, that’s all you need.
Intro
So in today's video, we're going to be talking about complete headphone setups for a given budget. Now you'll find that a lot of our videos, we talk about those amazing headphones and IEMs, and very often we tell you that this sounds really, really nice when paired along with such and such headphone amplifier and DAC and a balanced cable, but all of these add to the components and the costs of your complete audiophile-grade headphone setup. So we're going to pick a budget and work backwards from there and see if we can make a recommendation of a complete setup with all the components within that budget. And in today's video, we're talking about the best complete audiophile-grade headphone setups for under rupees 10,000. So that's a pretty tight budget, but we've got five incredible-sounding setups—DACs, Amps, headphones, or your IEMs included—for under 10,000 rupees that I want to share with you.
Setup 1
All right, guys, our first setup today is an IEM and a dongle DAC from FiiO. FiiO, for those of you familiar, is a highly respected brand from China in the audiophile community. They make some incredible DACs, Amps, Hi-Res Audio Players, and have a great range of In-Ear Monitors across all price buckets and categories. What I have with me is a relatively inexpensive IEM—the FD1 from FiiO. This is a single dynamic driver IEM, and it costs just under 5,000 rupees—4,999 to be precise. So I've taken about half my budget and put it on a great-sounding IEM like this. Now, to pair along with it, I'm taking the other half of my budget and going for a FiiO dongle DAC, which is for 4,799. This is the KA1—it has a simple 3.5 mm output that I can plug my FD1 into.
You'll find that this comes in two variants: one for Android with USB-C and a very similar variant but with a lightning cable specifically for iOS devices. And for a grand total of 9,798 rupees, we have a complete IEM system, which is an IEM plus a dongle DAC and Amp that you can use along with Android and iOS, and it sounds wonderful.
Some of you may say, "Hey Raghav, the FiiO FD1 is a little warm and a little laid-back for me, and I want something a little bit more exciting." And you'll find, for an additional 500 rupees (which is for 5,499 rupees), FiiO also has the FiiO FH1, which is a hybrid IEM—it's got a dynamic driver for the bass and a balanced armature for the treble, so it sounds a lot more fun and engaging. But because it goes just slightly over the 10,000-rupee budget, I'm sticking to the FD1 and the KA1 as my go-to headphone setup for under 10,000 rupees from FiiO.
Setup 2
All right, the second setup is also an IEM with a dongle DAC, but this is very, very different and, quite frankly, this is one of my favourite setups. So I really want to explain to you why I like this one so much. The IEM that I'm going for is for 5,999—so a little over 60% of my budget is going towards this, and it's because it's one of those IEMs that I really, really like. This is the Final VR 3000. Final Audio is a brand from Japan known for making some incredible IEMs, and the VR 3000 is a relatively inexpensive IEM from their lineup, made keeping in mind specifically the needs of gamers and people who are Virtual Reality enthusiasts. This is the VR 3000. Now, it's an incredible-sounding IEM, so you'll really find that there's really no secrets to making a gaming IEM or a Virtual Reality IEM, but the reason that the VR 3000 really appeals to gamers and to people who are into virtual reality is because it's got an incredibly wide Sound Stage. Now, what they don't know is that us audiophiles also really, really like a wide Sound Stage—it helps you separate out the instruments and hear a lot of different layers in the music, and it helps you visualise the instruments in front of you very, very clearly.
And that's why I really like the VR 3000. It also happens to be, in my opinion, one of the most comfortable and best-fitting IEMs for my ears at least—it virtually fits like a glove. So I really like it for that reason, and all things considered, I would take 60% of my budget and spend it on this IEM without blinking an eye. So now I'm left with about 4,000 rupees out of this build, and I'm gonna take that and use it for getting the Shanling UA1S dongle DAC. This is a very simple dongle DAC—you'll find that it comes with a detachable cable, it's got a 3.5 mm output that I'm plugging my VR 3000 into, and the detachable cable allows you to use a USB-C cable (which comes in the box) along with any Android phone that you may have or your laptop. And if you want, you can get yourself a USB-C to Lightning cable as well to plug this into your iOS device. And for just over 10,000—we're talking 10,298 rupees—I have a complete IEM setup: IEM + dongle DAC and Amp, which I think sounds incredible. It's a simple plug-and-play to your phone, and you'll find that the Sound Stage alone on this makes it one of my favourite setups at this price bucket.
Setup 3
All right, guys, my third setup today is a little interesting. I'm going with a Tripowin Zonnie, which is a beautiful balanced cable. It comes in two variants—the copper as well as the silver. I have with me the copper one right now. It looks really nice, sounds really nice and full-bodied and warm, and it's a 2.5 mm termination on this balanced cable, which goes not in the 3.5 mm output but the 2.5 mm output on the Astell&Kern XB10. This allows me to use the DAC's balanced output on the Astell&Kern XB10, and that's giving this output by the 2.5 mm port, and the balanced cable takes advantage of that. So we've got 2,999 that we've set aside for the Astell&Kern XB10, 1,799 that we've set aside for the Tripowin Zonnie, and now with the remaining amount, I'm trying to figure out what's the best IEM to go along with this pairing. I pick the CCA PLA 13. It costs rupees 3,999, and that's 40% of my budget, which I think is a reasonable amount. You'll also find that it's a planar magnetic IEM, so it really benefits from the balanced output, the balanced cable, and it sounds so much nicer with a nice DAC and Amp. I would highly recommend it to complete the setup for 8,788.
Setup 4
All right, my fourth setup—and this one's getting a little bit more interesting now. The question is: what if you take 75% of your budget—so on a 10,000-rupee complete setup, that's 7,500 rupees—and what if we take that on just getting a really, really nice-sounding IEM? Well, the IEM that I would go for is this—the Moondrop Aria for 7,400. This is a phenomenal IEM—it sounds absolutely fantastic—but you're left with a relatively tight budget for the DAC and Amp. So we're going to go along with the Astell&Kern XB10 again, only because this is the most budget-friendly DAC and Amp you're gonna get for 2,999. So for a grand total of 10,398, you now have a complete audiophile IEM setup—the Moondrop Aria as well as the Astell&Kern XB10 as your source. Now, here's the problem: I genuinely think that while you could do this and it's quite close to the 10,000-rupee budget, I think the Moondrop Aria deserves a much better DAC and Amp.
Will it work? Will it sound nice with the Astell&Kern XB10? Of course—the Moondrop Aria is a phenomenal IEM—but getting the Moondrop Aria also means that you want to be able to make the most out of it, so I would say maybe getting yourself a better DAC and Amp should be on the cards at some point in time in your journey.
Setup 5
Alright, guys, my fifth setup for the day is a full-sized headphone along with a DAC and Amp for under 10,000 rupees. This one's incredible, and therefore I thought I have to include it as my fifth and, in my opinion, one of the most special setups for under 10,000 rupees. Now, this is the Venture Electronics Supernova—it's a full-size, professional-grade headphone, and it's for only 4,199. And this is the Venture Electronics Megatron DAC and Headphone Amp—it's for 5,999, and it's a super powerful portable DAC that has a 4.4 mm, 2.5 mm, and a 3.5 mm unbalanced output, and it's capable of driving most full-size headphones effortlessly. Put together, both of these from Venture Electronics are a phenomenal combination that sounds really, really nice. The Megatron was specifically made for hard-to-drive headphones and IEMs. This is not meant to be used along with an easy-to-drive, sensitive IEM—it doesn't sound nice—but with hard-to-drive, full-sized headphones like the Supernova, this pairing is one that's been made in heaven.
The Megatron doesn't have an inbuilt battery, so you'll find it works pretty much like a dongle DAC. You plug it into your phone or your laptop via USB-C or Lightning, and it works right off the bat. You plug in your headphones to the front—so I'm using a 3.5 mm cable with the Supernova—and it's able to power it up effortlessly. And for a grand total of 10,198—which is just a little bit over the budget of 10,000 rupees—you have, in my opinion, a phenomenal-sounding, complete audiophile-grade headphone setup with headphone, DAC, and Amp included that just has to be plugged into your smartphone, and you are good to go. I have to recommend this setup—it sounds phenomenal for the price to my ears. I think this is the first entry-level headphone setup that I have to say sounds very, very good, and I'm happy to recommend to anyone who's looking for an audiophile-grade setup.
Conclusion
All right, guys, here were five setups—four IEM-based setups and one headphone-based setup—all of which are for under 10,000 rupees. These are complete audiophile-grade headphone systems with DACs, Amps, and headphones or IEMs included. In the case of one, we've even included a balanced cable to go along with it. And the entire setup put together sounds very, very nice. Now, needless to say, you'll find at this price bucket the IEMs are going to give you great value for money—you won't find too many headphone setups at this price point giving you great value for money. The only exception being this Venture Electronics combination, but I don't think you can go wrong with all five setups. There are only some pairings which I think are a little bit more logical than others from a budget point of view, but all five setups sound great, and I think as long as you use this as a rule of thumb, you'll be able to build your own setups for a budget of 10,000 rupees as a starting point.
And I hope you found this video useful. Thank you very much.
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