Studio headphones are a must-have for sound engineers, musicians, and everyone involved in a home or professional studio. Technology has advanced the type of studio headphones, with an option for wired or blue tooth headphones. No matter which headphone you choose, quality, sound reproduction, and accurate sound are considered when looking for the best headphone pair.
Headphone quality matters both for beginners and professional audiophiles. Comfort Nd durability are key features to look out for when purchasing a headphone. In terms of comfort and flexibility, you have various ones to choose from closed back to open back designs or swivel ear cups and none swivel cups. There’s so much involved in selecting headphones and distinguishing one from another.
We have narrowed it down to 10 of the best headphones pair.
The market offers several headphones of different prices and features, but it’s always a challenge picking one headphone over the other. I mean, there are so many headphone brands with almost similar abilities. All the same, the style of music hits different on different headphones. Overall, quality studio headphones play a crucial role in the country of both professional and upcoming artists.
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Consider the following features that distinguish one pair of headphones from the other.
What Are Studio Headphones?
Studio headphones are made for use in the recording studio. The studio headphones are specially designed to keep away unwanted noise, so the recording professional gets a clear frequency range in the tracks.
Studio headphones are different from consumer-grade headphones in terms of the sound quality, capturing every frequency of the tracks. The studio headphones make it easy for music producers to hear clear sounds of any audio interface.
The studio headphones do not boost certain frequencies but are designed to deliver quality, accurate sound that enhances the listening experience. As a musician, every tone is important to your melody, so you want to be sure of what you are hearing.
Who Uses Studio Headphones?
As the name suggests, studio headphones are designed to be used in studios. Studio headphones are used by podcasters, DJs, sound engineers, musicians, and all people involved in audio production.
Types of Studio Headphones
Studio headphone’s main types are open back, a semi-open back, or closed since.
- Open-back headphones are the best suggestion for people involved in mixing activities.
- Closed-back headphones eliminate sound from speakers. The closed-back headphones are best suggested when playing or creating music in a noisy environment or using a microphone.
- Semi-open back is not so common, and not many people know about it. The semi-open back has a closed back and an open back.
Compatibility with Other Devices
Yes, studio headphones are compatible with different devices such as music consoles, laptops, and smartphones. Users can connect via wires or blue tooth. There is no major difference between studio headphones from ordinary headphones except for quality.
What to check before purchase?
There are many things to consider when buying studio headphones; however, the basic factors are sound quality and budget. Different companies now offer different studio headphones for price ranges with almost the same quality. The first step is to settle on a price point.
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The next step is choosing which type of studio you want. You can select open back, closed-back, and semi-open or closed back. The three types are found across different price ranges. In terms of the type of studio headphones, you might have to consider the purpose of the headphones.
Brands say a lot. As much as we would love to say all brands are good quality, that’s not completely true. You’ve probably had an experience with different brands of headphones, and you may have one preference over the other.
So, to start, you can narrow down on your most trusted brand and check what options they have for you; if you’ve not used studio headphones before, you can check on consumer ratings.
So many brands offer studio headphones, and different consumers look for different features. So, in terms of settling down on a brand, you may have to research deeply. A quick tip is to avoid new brands. Also, consider adding a few extra notes to your budget if the price goes higher.
Guide on our review process
It is not easy to notice the difference between studio and regular headphones. In the first look at both headphones, they seem similar in almost all aspects. The challenge of differentiating between studio headphones and regular headphones made us do a review. Our headphones review focuses on price, pros, cons, warranty, and features.
Price Range
The best studio headphones stand in a price range of $50 to $500—the more expensive the studio headphones, the better the sound quality.
List of 10 the best studio headphones
Sennheiser HD 650
The HD 650 by Sennheiser standout form ten rest in offering superior quality sound. The headphones have a special focus on damping. The frequency response is 500Hz (-10dB) 10—39. While using the headphones, you will realize transient responses made possible by aluminum lightweight voice coils.
Optimized magnet systems reduce intermodulation and harmonic distortion that boost studio headset quality.
The features play a vital role in boosting sound quality and making Sennheiser HD 650 among the market’s best.
Advantages
- Offers sound quality
- THD to 0.05 percent
- It has a comfortable design
Disadvantages
- Costly
Warranty
- Sennheiser offers a two-year warranty
Sennheiser HD 600
The Sennheiser HD 600 is amongst the best studio headphones. The Sennheiser HD 600 is similar to the Sennheiser HD 650, ranking amongst the best studio headphones.
The headphones provide a transient response due to the lightweight voice coils.
An additional feature is the ferrous neodymium magnets that enhance optimum sensitivity and dynamics.
These headphones are advisable for mixing purposes.
Advantages
- Comfortable
- Offers high resolution
- Refined design
Disadvantages
- Costly
Warranty
- End-user two-year warranty
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
The ATH-M50x is the best fit for persons looking for budget-friendly studio headphones. They easily fit into an upcoming artist’s budget. Although it’s quite budget-friendly, pro audio reviewers have considered the headphones exceptional.
The headphones are earth magnets, copper-clad aluminum-made voice coils wire, and 44 mm drivers. The headphones offer a clear sound over a long frequency range.
The headphone’s design structure is circumaural, isolating sound in noisy environments.
The headband material offers comfort.
Advantages
- Affordable
- Great sound quality
- Circumaural design structure
- Long frequency range
Disadvantages
- Does not support a wireless connection
Warranty
- Limited end-user two-year warranty
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm is the best studio headphones for professional mixing.
The headphone offers high-quality pure sound resolution quality, making it ideal for studio recording. The headphone is unique since its velour ear pads are replaceable.
The headphone design is a closed-back and over-ear, perfect for studios. The back part of the headphones ear cups has a placard with the brand name Beyerdynamic.
The headphone has a great quality sound that considers every detail. The greatest selling point is amongst the most affordable studio headphones.
Advantages
- Affordable
- Long-lasting
- Comfortable
Disadvantages
- The cable is not detachable
Warranty
- Two-year warranty
Sennheiser HD280PRO
HD280PRO is another product of the Sennheiser company that’s more affordable. The headphone takes a closed-ear design with an attenuation of 32dB. The headphones take an ergonomic design which makes them comfortable and lightweight. The headphone’s ear cups are padded, giving your ears comfortably.
If you are looking for flexible studio headphones while moving, the Sennheiser HD280PRO is one to consider since you can fold and unfold. The ear cups can be folded flat or on the headband. The headphone is an ideal portable package.
If you’ve had headphones break due to a fall, then the heavy-duty Sennheiser HD280PRO is your best bet. Another great advantage is how easy it easy to replace parts of the headphones. In case one component gets damaged, you replace it. You can replace the ear pads, audio cord, and headband padding. The cable cord length is 9.8 feet long, and when coiled, it’s 3.3 feet.
Advantages
- Portable
- Comfortable
- Provides noise isolation
- Quality build
- Quality and accurate audio
Disadvantages
- The cable is non-detachable
- Heavy when coiled
- Only comfortable for people with small head sizes
Warranty
- Sennheiser offers a two-year warranty for the HD280PRO
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO
Over-ear DT 990 PRO by Beyerdynamic is excellent for editing, mastering, and mixing function. The headphone has a powerful treble and bass, perfect for the studio. This unit is amongst the most affordable studio headphones.
Take note that all the headphone parts except the metal band are made of plastic.
The headphone is very comfortable, especially because of the fluffy foam padding, so there is no need to worry about the material.
For their price, these headphones offer great sound quality capturing even the smallest details.
Germany-made headphones build make them durable and long-lasting. While using the headphones, expect -5-35.000 Hz frequency response. The headphones, by far, produce the best quality of sound across their price range.
Advantages
- Reasonable sound stage
- Affordable
- Extremely broad frequency
Disadvantages
- Poor build
Warranty
- Beyerdynamic offers a two-year warranty for the DT 990 PRO.
Direct Sound EX-29 Dynamic
The Direct Sound EX-29 Dynamic closed standouts out for being affordable yet quality headphones. The headphones do not need batteries, so environmentalists should consider these products. Another feature is the portability facet, since you can fold the headphones.
The headphones are great when playing music in a noisy environment—the headphones stand out for being able to withstand high noise levels. There are air cushions in place that prevent background sound from your speakers and microphones from interfering with the sound frequency.
The headphones inserts are color-coded to make it easier for you to locate R and L.
Advantages
- Strong build
- Affordable
- Straightforward to use
- Comfortable
Disadvantages
- The design is common
Warranty
- Direct Sound EX-29 Dynamic has one-year warranty
Sony MDR7506
Sony is a brand that has to build a name for itself with great quality products. The Sony MDR 7506 lives up to the standards of Sony, offering quality sound. The headphones have Neodymium magnets and 40 mm drivers, which enhance sound quality.
The headphone is favorable when you want to eliminate external sound and be comfortable.
The headphone is portable and allows you to fold and unfold. You can store it in its soft case. The disadvantage is the 9.8-foot cable is nondetachable. The package includes an adapter. Also noticeable is the gold plate at the end of the line.
Advantages
- Foldable
- Portable
- It comes with a soft case
- Affordable
- Exceptional sound
Disadvantages
- The cable is non-detachable.
- Made of plastic
Warranty
- Warranty is limited to 90 days
Shure SRH1540
It ranks amongst the best studio headphones in the world. The Shure SRH1540 Premium headphones have great features and exceptional sound quality. The sound quality is made possible by the neodymium 40 mm drivers. The headphones support bass at an extremely clear range.
The headphones are lightweight, making them easy to carry around, especially because their cap is made of carbon fiber and aluminum alloy. The materials used in the build make the headphones strong and durable.
The headphones design is the circumoral closed-back design which is perfect while creating over the ears. While using the headphones, you will realize the background sounds are reduced.
To make the user more comfortable, Shure has padded their adjustable headband.
As part of the package, the headphones come packed with an extra pair of Alcántara ear pads, two detachable cables, a case, an adapter that’s gold-plated.
The Shure studio headphones perform exceptionally. The headphones take a soothing sonic presentation to the ears, and the balance is maintained neutral, not leaning on either side.
Advantages
- Exceptional sound quality
- Comfortable
- Portable
- Durable
Disadvantages
- Expensive
Warranty
- Shure offers a two-year warranty for the SRH1540 Premium
AKG K240STUDIO
Semi-open headphones are not common, and you hardly find them among ordinary headphones. The AKG K240STUDIO Semi-Open over-ear headphones are simple headphones with outstanding quality.
The AKG studio headphones have a replaceable 3 m cable.
You will easily notice that the headphone is semi-open. The AKG K240STUDIO is the upgraded version of the earlier AKG K240.
The new AKG K240STUDIO version offers a long dynamic range and high sensitivity. All the parts of the headphone are made of plastic.
The headphones focus on the quality of highs and mids with exceptional guitar and vocal sound. You will also notice Cymbals and wind instruments sounds are enhanced.
The headphones have a detachable cable of 10 feet and a 6.3 mm adapter. AKG K240STUDIO Semi-Open Over-Ear Professional Studio Headphones are an affordable set with quality sound.
Advantages
- 55 Ohms
- Budget-friendly
- Semi-open structure
- Comfortable
Disadvantages
- Does not isolate sound
- It does not support bass
Warranty
- AKG offers a three-year warranty valid globally except for Canada and the United States of America
Which is the best of the best Studio Headphones?
As someone who uses studio headphones, you want to get quality sound. If you are considering quality sound, then you must choose the best hardware for your studio. Our list features 10 of the beat studio headphones across different price ranges, designs, and brands. The list features budget-friendly and high-end headphones semi-open, open back, and closed before and those with isolation and without. The index consists of the best, meaning they were a great fit; all you have to do is focus on your preferred specifications.
Our Top Pick: Shure SRH1540
Out of the 10, we have picked Shure SRH1540 Premium Closed-Back Headphones as the best. The pair of headphones have the best-unpaired sound quality. The headset also offers users comfort and has no difficulty over the ears. Another advantage is that it’s lightweight and has an adjustable headband, hence making it easy while move from one place to another. The headphones eliminate background noise, so they are a good fit while playing music in a noisy environment.
Our Budget Pick: Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250ohm
The open-back DT990 headphones are a great choice for people looking to save on cost. The headphones offer a can’t frequency response desired for creators, mixers, and DJs.
Conclusion
All the different headphones offer great quality sound per the manufacturers’ reviews. Of course, every brand wants to take the lead in being the best studio headphones producer. However, more factors make one brand better than the other. Overall, a user preference as the ability to meet the budget outweighs everything. While cheap headphones may match up with at least medium-priced headphones, they cannot equal up to pricey ones. The high the price, the better the quality you get. Price may not always be a point to consider, but it determines the components used in manufacture.
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Is it worth investing in good studio headphones?
Definitely yes. Good quality sound is the basis in the studio. Remember that you don’t have to buy high-end headphones – mid-choice ones are definitely enough to start with.
How to choose the right studio headphones?
It’s best to go to your local shop and then verify which ones are right for you. If you can afford it, you can order a few products online, test them at home and return any you don’t like.
