Where to Test Headphones: Best Stores & Testing Guide (2024)

You can find places to test headphones at major electronics retailers like Best Buy, specialized musical instrument stores like Guitar Center, and high-end audiophile boutiques. For the best experience, visit a dedicated audio showroom or an Apple Store to try on specific consumer models before making a final purchase.

Testing headphones in person is the only way to truly understand the “clamping force,” soundstage, and tonal balance that reviews simply cannot convey. Whether you are looking for noise-canceling headphones for travel or open-back studio monitors for mixing, knowing exactly where to go will save you hours of return-shipping headaches.

Key Takeaways: Quick Guide to Testing Locations

If you are in a rush, here is a summary of the best places to go based on what you are looking for:

Where to Test Headphones: The Best Physical Locations

Finding a physical location to try on headphones is becoming harder as online shopping grows, but several major chains still maintain “try-before-you-buy” kiosks.

Best Buy and Magnolia Design Centers

Best Buy is the most accessible location for most people to test headphones in the United States and Canada. Most locations feature a dedicated headphone aisle with tethered units that are powered and ready for playback.

If you are looking for premium gear, look for a Best Buy with a Magnolia Home Theater or Magnolia Design Center inside. These sub-stores carry higher-end brands like Bowers & Wilkins or McIntosh and often provide a much quieter environment for critical listening.

Guitar Center and Sam Ash

For those interested in professional audio or “flat” sound signatures, Guitar Center is the gold standard. They have a dedicated “Pro Audio” section where you can test headphones meant for studio recording and DJing.

Unlike consumer stores, these shops allow you to compare the durability and cable quality of brands like Beyerdynamic and AKG. Most locations have a “headphone bar” where you can plug in and switch between 10-20 different models instantly.

The Apple Store

If your main interest is the AirPods Max or the latest Beats products, the Apple Store offers the cleanest testing environment. The staff is usually trained to help you pair the devices with your own iPhone to test features like Spatial Audio and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).

B&H Photo Video (New York City)

If you happen to be in Manhattan, B&H Photo Video has arguably the largest headphone testing wall in the world. They carry everything from $20 earbuds to $5,000 audiophile masterpieces. It is a rite of passage for audio enthusiasts to visit their “Superstore” to try headphones in person.

Where Can I Try Headphones if I Live in a Small Town?

Not everyone lives near a major metropolis with a Magnolia or a B&H. If you are wondering where to try on headphones in a more rural area, you have a few specialized options.

Local Hi-Fi and Home Theater Shops

Many independent “Home Theater” installers have small showrooms. While they might focus on speakers, they often carry 2-3 high-end headphone brands like Focal or Grado. Call ahead and ask if they have “floor models” available for a demo.

Micro Center

For PC gamers, Micro Center is an excellent place to test gaming headsets. They often have brands like HyperX, SteelSeries, and Razer on display. This is crucial because gaming headsets vary wildly in “clamping force,” which can cause headaches if not tested beforehand.

Airport Electronics Kiosks (InMotion)

If you are traveling, InMotion stores in airports are surprisingly good places to try headphones. They specialize in travel-friendly noise-canceling gear. Since their customers are literally about to board planes, they encourage you to test the ANC effectiveness against the ambient terminal noise.

How to Properly Test Headphones: A Step-by-Step Guide

Simply putting the headphones on is not enough. To make an informed decision, follow this professional testing protocol.

Step 1: Bring Your Own Source Material

Don’t rely on the “demo loops” provided by the store. These tracks are mastered to make even cheap headphones sound good.

• Use a high-quality streaming service (Tidal, Qobuz, or Apple Music Lossless).


• Create a “Testing Playlist” featuring songs you know by heart.


• Include one track with heavy bass, one with female vocals, and one classical piece for “soundstage” evaluation.

Step 2: Check for Comfort and “Hot Spots”

Where to try headphones is just as important as how long you try them. Wear the headphones for at least 10-15 minutes while walking around the store.

• Weight: Does the headband press on the “crown” of your head?


• Heat: Do the ear pads make your ears feel sweaty immediately?


• Glasses: If you wear glasses, check if the pads create a “seal” over the frames.

Step 3: Test the “Isolation” vs. “Cancellation”

If you are testing Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), stop the music. Listen to the store’s hum. A high-quality pair like the Sony WH-1000XM5 should make the background chatter almost vanish.

Step 4: Evaluate the “Sound Signature”

Every brand has a “house sound.” Use the following table to identify your preference:

Expert Tips for the Best Testing Experience

Based on years of auditing audio equipment, here are some “insider” tips to ensure you get the most out of your visit to the store:

• Go during “Off-Peak” Hours: Visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning. Stores like Best Buy are loud on weekends, making it impossible to hear the nuances of open-back headphones.
• Bring an Adapter: If you have a modern iPhone, bring a Lightning or USB-C to 3.5mm “Dongle.” Many store displays still rely on traditional headphone jacks.
• Sanitation Matters: Most professional stores provide alcohol wipes. If they don’t, bring your own to wipe down the ear pads before and after use.
• Ask about the “Return Window”: Even after testing, your ears might “fatigue” after two hours of use at home. Always confirm a 15-to-30-day return policy.

The “At-Home” Testing Alternative

If you cannot find a physical store where to try on headphones, you can use the “Buy and Return” strategy used by many audiophiles.

Crutchfield

Crutchfield is legendary in the audio world for its customer service. They have a very liberal return policy and offer “Headphones.com” style expertise. You can buy two pairs, compare them at home for a week, and send back the one you like least for a small flat-rate shipping fee.

Amazon (With Caution)

Amazon allows for easy returns, but be careful not to “serial return” items, as this can flag your account. Only use this for brands like Sennheiser or Bose that have official storefronts on the platform.

CanJam and Audio Expos

If you are a serious enthusiast, look for a CanJam event near you. These are global headphone conventions where manufacturers bring their entire lineups for the public to test. It is the only place on earth where you can test a $50,000 Sennheiser HE-1 next to a $100 budget king.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Best Buy let you try on all headphones?

Most Best Buy locations have 10-15 consumer models (Sony, Bose, Beats) on open display for testing. However, higher-end audiophile models or budget “in-box” headphones usually require a staff member to assist you, or they may not be available for demo at all.

Where can I try on headphones like the AirPods Max?

The Apple Store is the best place to try the AirPods Max. They have dedicated stations where you can test the fit and the “Transparency Mode” in a real-world environment. Some Target and Best Buy locations also have them on display, but they are often broken or poorly maintained.

Can I test in-ear monitors (IEMs) in stores?

Due to hygiene concerns, most stores like Guitar Center do not allow you to test in-ear monitors (earbuds) unless you purchase your own set of foam or silicone tips. Some high-end boutique shops may have “demo” units that they sanitize with UV light, but this is rare.

Is it better to test headphones with a dedicated amp?

If you are testing high-impedance headphones (like the Sennheiser HD660S or Beyerdynamic DT 880), they will sound quiet and “thin” if plugged directly into a phone. At stores like Guitar Center, ask to plug them into an audio interface or a dedicated headphone amplifier to hear their full potential.

Are there hygiene risks when testing headphones in public?

Yes, headphones can harbor bacteria or skin oils from previous users. Always check if the store provides sanitary covers or wipes. If you have sensitive skin, it is best to test headphones at a high-end boutique where they manually clean the equipment after every client.