Buy Studio Headphones
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We often talk about isolation as it relates to headphones, and provide data on how well they block out the outside world. This metric applies equally to studio headphones, and can also be used as a measure of how well they prevent sound from leaking out, and thus how well they prevent unwanted signals from bleeding into your studio microphones.
Note: if you plan to create audio exclusively with electronic sources such as beats, loops, samples, and synths, or to work with material that has already been recorded (editing, mixing, or mastering), then this is not a hard requirement. For this reason, open and semi-open backed studio headphones do exist!
Our third point relates to the build of the headphones. Since they are a tool for music creation, they must be durable enough to handle being used for long periods of time, pulled on and off many times a session, and often thrown around with other recording gear.
If you need a pair of headphones for use in a studio, finding the right option for your needs can help elevate your production to the next level. If you need something for live studio recording, you'll want closed-back headphones, as you can monitor the live recording without sound leaking into the microphone. On the other hand, for mixing, many sound engineers may prefer more spacious and immersive open-back headphones as they can be more comfortable after a long day spent in the studio. The best studio headphones often have a coiled cable to give you enough range to move around your studio.
We've tested over 700 pairs of headphones, and below you'll find our recommendations for studio use. Also, check out our recommendations for the best DJ headphones, the best headphones for music, the best wired headphones, and the best audiophile headphones.
The best studio headphones with a closed-back design are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. Closed-back headphones are well-suited for tasks like recording audio as their design helps block out some background noise, so you can still monitor your audio without completely tuning out what's going on around you. They also leak less audio than open-backs, which is great for live sessions. However, they still bleed some audio at high volumes, so they may not be the best for extremely noise-sensitive recording situations. While this will likely be fine if you're monitoring a recording session from a separate room, it may be an issue if you're recording yourself.
These popular wired over-ears are well-known within the recording community. They provide amazing value and feel surprisingly well-built and durable despite their relatively low price point. They also come with three different cable options, including a coiled one that can stretch up to 10 feet so that you can move freely around your studio. They're comfortable too, and their ear cups can swivel.
For something a little more wallet-friendly, try the Sony MDR-7506. These retro over-ears have been a mainstay in studios thanks to their well-balanced sound and closed-back design, which helps lower the risk of your audio bleeding into a recording. Although they have a touch of extra thump, rumble, and boom to their sound, it doesn't overwhelm vocals and lead instruments, as the mid-range is very flat. They also deliver audio consistently across reseats and have a decent leakage performance, which is good if you're monitoring audio at a reasonable volume. Unfortunately, they struggle to block out ambient noise like ambient chatter.
Their coiled audio cable helps prevent tangles if you like to move around the studio. However, manufacturers start making cuts to build quality at this price point. Unlike the more expensive Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, the Sony's audio cable isn't detachable, so if it gets damaged, you'll need to replace the entire unit. Their build also feels plasticky and cheap, so they can make a creaking sound when you put them on your head. However, if you don't mind their build, they offer a well-balanced sound suitable for recording.
If you're on a tight budget, you'll want to check out the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. At this price point, you'll need to make some sacrifices to find something that still sounds good. While these over-ears look very similar to the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, they have a more plasticky design with a thinner metal frame and exposed audio cables. However, thanks to their wallet-friendly price, you can purchase several pairs for your recording studio without breaking the bank.
These premium open-back headphones have a very neutral sound profile, with an accurate mid-range response that ensures vocals and lead instruments sound clear and accurate. Their treble response is also very well-balanced, without being piercing or harsh. Like most open-back headphones, they struggle to reproduce the thump and rumble of low bass. Their audio cable is detachable, and they come with one extra in the box, along with a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter. They also have a sturdy, high-end build and a very comfortable fit. Unfortunately, the pin that keeps the hinges together is prone to coming loose over time, which is annoying, and some may prefer a bit less plastic in the build at their price.
The HiFiMan Arya are the best upper mid-range open-back studio headphones we've tested. You may prefer planar magnetic headphones if you're looking for an immersive passive soundstage for mixing. They have large drivers that are better able to represent the stereo image, and as a result, their soundstage seems natural, wide, and spacious. However, they're heavier and a lot bulkier than the Sennheiser HD 800 S. For their price point, they also don't seem as premium. However, if that's not an issue, they're worth considering for mixing.
Looking for something more affordable? Take a look at the HiFiMan Edition XS. They're the second planar magnetic headphones on this list, so you can expect an immersive, open, and natural soundstage that's well-suited for mixing and mastering. That said, they differ from the HiFiMan Arya in design. They have a typical headband design, which isn't as comfortable for long listening sessions. Their build quality isn't as good either, as their hinges are made of cheap-feeling plastic. However, if you don't want to pay top dollar for planar magnetics, they offer comparable performance at a lower price point.
The best lower mid-range open-back studio headphones we've tested are the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO. At this price point, you can expect to see more dynamic drivers than planar magnetic headphones. While their soundstage isn't as wide, spacious, or out-of-head as the HiFiMan Edition XS, they can deliver more overall bass. Their sound is more excited than neutral, which can color your mixes and be a deal-breaker if you're looking for accuracy.
The Superlux HD 681 are the best budget studio headphones we've tested. At this price point, there aren't very many choices out there for open-back headphones. Many of them, including the Superlux, have a flimsy, plasticky build quality and don't feel very durable. However, if you don't mind compromising a bit, these over-ears are worth considering. They have a semi-open-back design, meaning they leak less audio than most open-back headphones. It also helps them create a more immersive and spacious-seeming passive soundstage than most closed-back headphones. However, it's not as spacious as true open-backs like the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO.
They're comfortable and have a fairly neutral sound profile, so they're suitable for most genres and types of content. They have a very flat mid-range response, ensuring that vocals and lead instruments are accurate and clear. While the slightly over-emphasized treble gives them a slightly sharp sound, some may prefer this for studio work because it helps to bring out details and emphasize imperfections in tracks. Users with thick hair or who wear glasses may experience a drop in bass, as this can break the ear cups' seal on your head.
Oct 20, 2022: We've restructured this article to better reflect user expectations. We've added the following headphones: the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, HiFiMan Arya, and Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO. We've also cleared the Notable Mentions of any picks that are out-of-date or unavailable.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best studio headphones to buy for most people in each price range. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of our reviews for headphones that are good for neutral sound. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.
When it comes to studio headphone design, there are three options to consider: Closed-back on-ear, open-back on-ear, and in-ear. \n\nClosed-back headphones are best for recording applications as they fully enclose the ears, and the padding around the ear helps to avoid spill; which is unwanted traces of the backing track leaking out and ending up on your recording. The padding also provides an additional layer of comfort.
Closed-back designs are a bit more versatile as they can usually be applied to all studio-related tasks. Studio headphones also usually have less of a smiley curve response than ordinary hi-fi headphones, which often exhibit enhanced low and high-end response designed to flatter the sound and improve the everyday listening experience - not necessarily what you want from a pair of studio cans.
The likes of Audeze, Focal and AKG make some of the best high-end headphones, expensive reference cans used in mastering that often set you back well into four figures. However, these are really for professional engineers and out of reach of most of us producers. For mixing duties, most of these companies do more affordable models that are ideal for home studio set ups, and Audio-Technica, Beyerdynamic, Shure, Sennheiser and newcomers Austrian Audio are also reliable brands that deliver the goods. 781b155fdc