Audiophiles, ahoy!

You see them on the roads, in the metro, at the park, at the gym, and sometimes in office. If you don't pick the right one, you're done for. Headphones, or earphones, have become an essential part of our lives. But I might not like your kind of music or vice versa. And, different headphones are suited for different kinds of music.

Now, if you bought your pair of el cheapo headphones from the corner store, then you don't know what I mean. But if tone, timbre, balance and sound stage be your life's symphony, here's some good news: you're not alone.

In fact, there are many of you. And here's a meet-up that will be music to your ears - literally.

Headphone Connect, an event hosted by retailer Headphone Zone, is back this winter. The season, which kicks off in Mumbai on Saturday, will travel to New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad in the next few weeks.

Customers usually aren't able to experience high-end headphones before buying them and this event gives them that opportunity, says Raghav Somani, founder and CEO of Headphone Zone.

So, typically, what does one expect at such events? Meeting like-minded audiophiles, experiencing high-end headphones as well as other high-fidelity audio products, and getting the dope from experts. "We understand that some people are bassheads and so appreciate a coloured sound, whereas some prefer a flat/balanced sound signature and there exists a pair of headphones for a demo for every kind of listener," says Somani.

Besides headphones, this season will feature amplifiers and music players. In fact, the line-up includes Audeze's EL-8 and LCD collection of planar magnetic hand-crafted headphones; Jaybird X2 sports Bluetooth headphones; FiiO's new Android-based smart portable hi-resolution player X7; and RHA T20i premium in-ear headphones and its new S500 in-ears with micro-dynamic drivers. Whew!

The typical participant, I am told, "is either a headphone aficionado, a Head-Fier, a technology reviewer, a true-blood audiophile or a casual music listener with an interest in high-end audio".

I was still in two minds about attending the event. But then I heard about BYOG: bring your own gear. Yes, you could bring your own prized possessions and show them off to people who appreciate them.

However, entry isn't free. To limit the meet-up to genuine audiophiles, a limited number of access passes are available for Rs 1,000. I'm getting one. Aren't you?
The Barking Deer Brew pub, Lower Parel, Mumbai, November 28, 3 pm onwards
The Pint Room, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, December 5, 3 pm onwards
Bengaluru (December 19), Chennai (December 20) and Hyderabad (December 27): to be announced