Denon 100th Anniversary Headphones (Wood Panel)

Why they're worth it

Looking at Denon's 100th Anniversary headphones, you may find yourself wondering what on earth would possess someone to pay $500 for a pair of headphones, and you pose a great question. After all, the sound quality is great, but it's not that great; you can get great-sounding headphones a lot cheaper. These headphones certainly won't fit in your laptop case as easily as a pair of earbuds will. They also aren't quite as convenient to use on your morning jog. And yet, they are somehow well worth the high price. Why, you ask? Well, to understand, you need to free your mind. Stop thinking so logically, so rationally, so mathematically. Sit back, relax, and think not with your mind, but with your senses. With these headphones, it's not just about frequency response, or high-grade polymer, or whether the cord is 4'6" or 4'9". It's about something more, something you can't put a price on: These headphones are about the experience. Think of them as you would a mint-condition, vintage Ford Thunderbird. It's fast, but not the fastest. It's drivable, but you wouldn't use it for your daily commute. Everything about it is classy, but it's not the kind of elegance you want to show off to all your friends; it's the kind you want to keep for your own enjoyment. In both cases, you've got another less expensive item that serves the same purpose, with even more bells and whistles, for your daily use. But nothing can replace the way you feel on the rare occasions you indulge yourself with the luxury of these headphones, just like you can't match the feeling of being behind the wheel of the T-Bird. It's as though the moment you put them on, everything else just fades away. Nothing can compare to the sheer emotion of using them. And 100 years from now, all cars might run on clean energy, and wired, over-ear headphones might be museum pieces, but just like the Thunderbird, these Denon headphones will be just as valuable as they are today, if not more.