I think buying headphones has to be a journey. I didn't start with $1000+ headphones. I started with $150 headphones and after 3 years and about 40 pairs of headphones later I KNOW what I like and what I don't. I now own multiple pairs of headphones over $1000+ and they all still wow me to this day and I have hundreds if not thousands of hours in them. They are that good.

Sound is so subjective that no one can tell you what you will like. I have absoluyetly hated beloved headphones and adored trash headphones. Reviews only work if the person reviewing the item has a similar taste to you. If they don't then whatever they say is meaningless.

Start cheap. It seems fruitless but it pays off in the end.

Amazon music. For the price it’s heard to beat and I’m 47. My hearing isn’t what it used to be.

I am fortunate enough to have expensive headphones and speakers. They each serve their own purpose. I don’t think they can do what the other one does and I enjoy them both equally.