Best Studio Headphones: The Ultimate Guide (2024)
In this guide you’ll learn what Studio Headphones are, they’re main purpose, the important specs to look for when selecting a pair of studio headphones and of course, you’ll learn the best studio headphones available on the market today.
I’ve categorized the headphones by price range, starting with budget studio headphones, moving on to mid-level headphones and lastly high-end headphones.
What are Studio Headphones?
Headphones designed for studio use differ quite a bit from the common headphones, which are designed for simply listening to music.
Studio Headphones are made specifically for either mixing, tracking or recording music. They don’t try to enhance or exaggerate the bass or sound in any way, which many other headphones do to improve listening pleasure.
This is because in the studio you want to hear the most accurate version of the song you’re mixing or recording, without any enhancements or character of sound that only a certain pair of headphones can pickup.
Why Use Studio Headphones?
To paint a picture…
Imagine mixing a track on Beats by Dre headphones or any headphones which increase the bass.
You’ve finished your mix and everything sounds great!
But now when you or your listener plays it back on any other speakers or a different pair of headphones…
The bass just isn’t there like it was while you were mixing on your Beats by Dre. You’ll need to have those same bass enhancing headphones or earbuds to be able to hear the same mix you want everyone to hear.
This is why hearing your mix in its truest form is so essential and why studio headphones are useful.
* In this case, If you were using studio headphones you would know the bass wasn’t as intense in reality and it needed some extra work in the mix.
Who Needs Studio Headphones?
Sound engineers, music producers, recording artists and audiophiles are some examples of those who would benefit from having a pair of these headphones.
Buyers Guide
Other than the price, there are a few important things you’ll want to know and look for when you're selecting which pair of studio headphones to purchase.
Here are they are:
Closed-Back Headphones
Closed-back headphones are simply constructed with a hard enclosed back. This is the most common type of headphone that most people have come across. It creates a more isolated sound between the headphone and your ear, making the audio feel more in your head.
These are great for recording as minimal sound will escape the headphones and bleed into your recording.
Open-Back Headphones
Open-back headphones, like the name suggests has an open back. Most often there are slits or wholes constructed on the back of the headphones to open them up. This allows some sound to escape into the open (yes, other can hear).
What this does is allow the audio take up more space, giving it a more realistic and true sound. It also limits ear fatigue, which you can get listening to closed-back headphones for long periods of time.
These are not used for recording, but are great for tracking and mixing as you can wear them for longer periods of time and will get a more full and dynamic sound out of them.
Impedance
Measured in Ohms.
Low Impedance Headphones work well with smaller audio output devices – smartphone, laptop, tablets.
*They work with high impedance amps as well, but wont be as efficient.
High Impedance Headphones will offer a more detailed sound with larger range but will need a high impedance amp – external usb, tube amp
*They may work with low impedance outputs like smartphones, but the sound will be low as there is not enough power to fully support the High Impedance headphones.
32 Ohms = Laptops, Smartphones
80 Ohms = Universal studio usage
250+ Ohms = Professional end devices/ Home Stereo
Circumaural (Over-Ear)
Headphones with larger ear pads making contact around the ear. These headphones are super comfortable for wearing at long periods of time, but are usually larger in size and more expensive.
Supraaural (On-Ear)
Headphones with smaller ear pads making contact on the ear.
These headphones are usually smaller and more portable but you may find them tight or uncomfortable wearing after a while since the pressure of the hear pads is constantly pressing your ear.
Replacement parts
The option to replace parts is valuable as it can save you from having to purchase a whole new pair of headphones.
Common replaceable parts are the ear pads and cable, which can get worn out over time.
Frequency Response
This states which sound frequencies are audible through a pair of headphones.
From the low frequencies (Hz) to the higher frequencies (kHz).
Accessories
Any extra accessories like carrying cases or cords that are included with the pair of studio headphones.
Best Studio Headphones Under $100
These are the top studio headphones under $100, all of these are quality headphones giving you the best bang for you buck.
Sony MDR-7506
TYPE: Close-back headphones
FIT: Over-Ear (Circumaural)
IMPEDANCE: 63 Ohms
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10Hz-20kHz
REPLACEABLE PARTS: Ear pads
ACCESSORIES: Carrying bag, unimatch plug
Audio Technica ATH-M 40X
TYPE: Closed-back
FIT: Over-Ear
IMPEDANCE: 35 Ohms
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 15Hz-24kHz
REPLACEABLE PARTS: Cable,
ACCESSORIES: Carrying bag, plug,
Grado SR60-e
TYPE: Open-back
FIT: On-Ear (Supraaural)
IMPEDANCE: 32 Ohms
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz-20kHz
REPLACEABLE PARTS: Ear pads
ACCESSORIES: Jack Adapter
Shure SRH440
TYPE: Closed-back
FIT: Over-Ear
IMPEDANCE: 44 Ohms
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10Hz-22kHz
REPLACEABLE PARTS: Cable Cord, Ear Pads
ACCESSORIES: Ear pads, carrying bag, Jack adapter
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
TYPE: Closed-back
FIT: Over-Ear
IMPEDANCE: 64 Ohms
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 8Hz-25kHz
REPLACEABLE PARTS: Ear Pads, Head band
ACCESSORIES: Jack adapter
Best Mid-Price Studio Headphones
These studio headphones are perfect if you’re looking to step up your sound, quality and comfort while mixing and recording.
Beyerdynamic DT 770
TYPE: Closed-back
FIT: Over-Ear (Circumaural)
IMPEDANCE: 80 Ohms
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 5Hz-35kHz
REPLACEABLE PARTS: Ear pads,
ACCESSORIES: Stereo Jack adapter, carrying bag
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
TYPE: Closed-back
FIT: Over-Ear
IMPEDANCE: 38 Ohms
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 15Hz-25kHz
REPLACEABLE PARTS: Cable cord, ear pads
ACCESSORIES: Detachable Coil Cable & Detachable straight cable
Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro
TYPE: Semi-Open
FIT: Over-Ear
IMPEDANCE: 250 Ohms
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 5Hz -35kHz
REPLACEABLE PARTS: Ear-Pads
ACCESSORIES: Jack Adapter, Drawstring Bag
Best High-End Studio Headphones
These are the some of the best studio headphones available on the market. Take a look at the best professional grade headphones for studio use below.
Sennheiser HD 820
TYPE: Closed-Back
FIT: Over-Ear
IMPEDANCE: 300 Ohms
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 12-43kHz
REPLACEABLE PARTS: Ear pads
ACCESSORIES: USB flash drive with manual, Jack Plug, Microfiber cloth
Conclusion
Now that you know the best studio headphones available across all budgets, you should start by picking a pair that suits your needs best for what you’ll be using them for.
All of the headphones on this list are top choices used by many professionals and independent music creators across the music industry.
Keep in mind that, Closed-back headphones are perfect for recording, as the sound won’t bleed from the headphones into the recording.
Open- back headphones are perfect for mixing audio, they open up the sound for a bigger more realistic experience, but this is because it allows for sound to escape the headphones. So it’s not ideal for recording.
Pro Tip – Visit your local music store, many of them have popular studio monitors setup for you to test so you can go ahead and test out some options yourself before making your final choice.
I hope this guide has helped you understand the use for studio headphones and which pair would be best for you and your music needs!
Which pair of studio headphones are you planning on getting?