Learn how to pick out the perfect studio headphones for music production. Get tips on what features to look for and find out about our top five recommendations!
Music producers are always on the hunt for just the right studio headphones that will provide exceptional sound quality, comfort, and durability during extended wear. But with so many choices available today it can be a daunting task to select the best option. To make your search easier, we've done extensive research and testing to bring you our top picks of studio headphones that won't disappoint you!
THE TOP 5:
The Sennheiser HD 600 is a fan-favorite among music connoisseurs. This high-end pair of open-back headphones offer exceptional sound quality that made it the go-to choice for studios and audio professionals. You can personally experience why this model has become so popular by letting its outstanding clarity bring your favorite tunes to life!
Sound Quality:
The HD 600 delivers a remarkable audio experience, offering superb clarity and detail across an immense range of 12Hz to 39kHz frequencies. With its open-back design, you'll get the fullest, most balanced soundstage possible that accurately represents your music with tightly controlled bass and super-detailed mids & highs!
Comfort:
The HD 600 headphones provide comfort and convenience with their generous, velvety ear cups and adjustable headband. You can slip them on for hours without any worries about fatigue or strain - perfect for long listening sessions!
Durability:
The HD 600 is the headphones for long-term use! With its durable plastic frame, it can withstand all your favorite jam sessions and study marathons. And if you ever need to replace or repair something on these bad boys? No problem - their detachable cable and replaceable ear cups make that a breeze.
Sound Isolation:
The HD 600 headphones let you enjoy a natural, immersive audio experience with a soundstage like no other. But if you're in an environment that's noisy or bustling, the open-back design unfortunately means external noises can affect your listening pleasure.
Overall, If you're an audio engineer or music producer looking for top-notch sound quality and style, look no further than the Sennheiser HD 600. This luxurious model provides a naturally balanced listening experience in long studio sessions with its comfortable fit and durability that won't let you down!
The Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro is renowned for its superior sound quality, making it a go-to choice among audio engineers and producers in the studio. Music enthusiasts love this high-end open-back headphone too - so whether you're recording or just enjoying listening to tunes, get ready for amazing sound!
Sound Quality
The DT-990 Pro gives you an incredible audio experience. With a frequency range of 5Hz to 35kHz, your music will sound like the performers are right there with you! Plus, its open-back design creates a natural and spacious soundstage that lets all frequencies shine - from powerful bass to impressive highs - so every detail is heard clearly.
Comfort
Step into maximum comfort with the DT-990 Pro! Put them on and bask in luxurious velour ear cups that envelop your head like a gentle hug. Your ears will feel right at home as you enjoy their spaciousness while benefitting from an adjustable headband for just the right fit - no brain squeezes here! And since they are lightweight, you can wear 'em all day long without even noticing they're there.
Durability
DT-990 Pro Headphones are designed for longevity! Their strong metal frame can stand up to the most rigorous of uses and their detachable, springy cable is a bonus. The ear cups can even be swapped out if needed, so you'll have these headphones around for years to come - no need to worry about them wearing down anytime soon!
Sound Isolation
With the DT-990 Pro, you get an expansive and natural soundstage that makes it a great choice for mixing or music production. But if external noise is in your environment, be aware of its potential to interfere with your listening pleasure - this design doesn't provide any sound isolation!
Overall, the Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro is the perfect choice for music producers and audio engineers that demand a sound like no other. You'll experience all the nuances of your favorite tracks in exceptional quality with these headphones, while comfort comes as standard - making them suitable even during those marathon recording sessions! The only downside is the lack of noise isolation but it's negligible compared to its many benefits.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x makes professional and personal audio experiences come alive. Whether you're a sound engineer honing cuts in the studio, spinning classics on the ones & twos, or simply kicking back with your tunes at home – this closed-back headphone brings out every nuance of sound for an immersive listening experience that can't be beaten!
Sound Quality
The ATH-M50x provides an impressive sound experience. Listeners will enjoy the audio clarity and details these headphones deliver with a frequency response range of 15Hz to 28kHz, bringing out different sounds in music that other headphones may not pick up - all without any external interference from outside noise thanks to its closed-back design! Plus, expect powerful yet balanced bass tones for full richness.
Comfort
The ATH-M50x headphones are designed for maximum comfort - their memory foam ear cups provide a snug and secure fit, while the adjustable headband ensures you won't feel any tightness. And with its lightweight design, there's no need to worry about hours of listening fatigue!
Durability
Durable and dependable, the ATH-M50x headphones were designed to tackle whatever life throws at them! The plastic frame is super sturdy while swiveling ear cups make for easy portability and storage. You can be confident your cans will stand up against regular use – they're built like a tank!
Sound Isolation
For busy studios, the ATH-M50x offers a premium sound isolation experience that's sure to help you concentrate on your creative tasks. Keep external noise out and let clarity in - get ready for an immersive production process with those!
Overall, The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones are an outstanding pick for anyone serious about their sound. From studio engineers to music fans – these closed-backs will provide premium audio quality and seriously good noise isolation, all while being comfortable enough to wear all day long!
Sony MDR-7506
Sony's MDR-7506s are the perfect pick for any music aficionado, from producers to recording artists. With a noteworthy frequency range of 10Hz - 20kHz and closed back design, you're guaranteed superior sound insulation that ensures clear treble highs along with deep bass lows!
Sound Quality
Sony's MDR-7506 headphones deliver an outstanding listening experience that music professionals love. With 40mm drivers and 10-20kHz frequency response, your audio will sound crystal clear with punchy bass that never gets too overpowering - the perfect balance of detail and precision! These are definitely a must for any studio setup.
Comfort
Sony MDR-7506 headphones are perfect for those who like to listen in comfort! Its ergonomic design is sure to hug your head and ears securely, while the cushiony pleather ensures you won't mind wearing them all day. And with an adjustable fit that's feather light on the scalp, these cans make extended sessions a breeze!
Durability
The Sony MDR-7506 headphones are a must have for any professional looking to take their audio set up seriously. They're constructed with materials that can suffer long-term wear and tear, while the coiled cable is designed to stay tangle free - so you don't need worry about them getting out of shape over time! And when it's time to hit the road, they come complete with a sturdy carrying case ensuring your sound travels safely wherever you go.
Sound Isolation
The Sony MDR-7506 are perfect headphones for those who need to stay focused and be distraction free. With its closed back design, the external noise is blocked out so you can record vocals or instruments with greater clarity - even in noisy environments!
Overall
The Sony MDR-7506 headphones will take any audio professional's productions to the next level! Their incredible sound quality, comfort and durability offer an unmatched listening experience that won't let you down. Whether it's for monitoring or mixing, these babies are perfect for marathon sessions - enjoy detailed and accurate audio with absolute ease and zero fatigue even after lengthy use. Invest in the Sony MDR-7506 and know you're getting great bang for your buck! Its superior sound quality is perfect for any studio setting, and its durable design ensures it can handle even the toughest wear and tear.
AKG K240 Studio Audio professionals have long praised the AKG K240 Studio for its natural sound, comfortable design and rugged construction. Dive into our review to learn about their key features so you can decide if these classic headphones are right up your alley!
Sound Quality
With decades of experience and reliability under their belt, AKG K240 Studio monitoring headphones are the ideal choice for a natural sound that captures every nuance. The 30mm XXL transducers provide an impressive frequency range stretching from deep bass to sparkling highs - truly offering you control over your mix like never before!
Comfort
AKG K240 Studio headphones are an absolute must-have if you're serious about getting the most out of your studio work. Providing premium comfort, their velour earpads cradle and protect ears from strain during long sessions - all while being lightweight enough to ensure fatigue never sets in!
Durability
AKG K240 Studios are not just for the studio – they're built to last! From their sturdy construction and detachable cable that can take whatever life throws at them, you know your ears will stay happy even if things don't always go according to plan.
Sound Isolation
Get integrated performance with the AKG K240 Studio headphones. Enjoy excellent sound isolation to block out external noise, plus some ambient sound still manages to pass through - perfect when recording and needing simultaneous playback!
Drawbacks
The AKG K240 Studio headphones offer a unique sound and semi-open design, but noisy environments may put a damper on your listening experience. Unfortunately the lengthy cable can be tricky to manage and their fixed structure means you won't have quite as much portability compared to more compact models.
Overall, the AKG K240 Studio headphones are a sound investment for sure. You can enjoy natural and balanced sounds with maximum comfort - perfect for studio monitoring! The semi-open design provides just enough isolation from external noise to keep your workflows smooth without losing out on quality – making it such a well-rounded choice.
If you want headphones that will give your music aural justice, the AKG K240 Studio is definitely worth considering. Comfort and resilience are guaranteed even after long hours of use in either monitoring or mixing sessions.
Decision:
While the Sennheiser HD 600 may be the clear winner among these five headphones, its high price tag may not be feasible for everyone. For those on a tighter budget, we would recommend the Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro as a more affordable alternative.
The Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro passed our tests with flying colors! With an invigorating sound signature tailored to all the most discriminating audiophiles and mixers, this headset promises long studio sessions of pure pleasure. Its closed-back design ensures you won't be bothered by pesky distractions while creating your best work in peace and comfort.
While the Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro may not match the Sennheiser HD 600 in terms of overall sound quality and comfort, it's a great option for starting producers who are looking for a reliable pair of headphones without breaking the bank. Ultimately, the choice between these two headphones (or any of the other options on this list) will depend on your specific needs and budget, but we're confident that both the Sennheiser HD 600 and Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro will provide excellent performance for anyone in need of high-quality studio monitoring headphones.