Best Studio Headphones - Serious Candidates For Recording and Music Production

Last Updated: September-25-2018 Since we wrote this article, a few things had changed in the world of studio headphones. Thankfully most of our earlier recommendations stood up to scrutiny, although we removed the AKG K271 MKII and the AKG K52, to make way for the exceptional Etymotic Research ER4SR, as well as an excellent budget option in the Samson SR850.

Music production – it’s an industry that heavily relies on quality speakers and studio headphones. After all, these two devices are your only real connection with the music you are mixing. Traditionally, studio headphones have been considered to be a shortcut for real studio monitoring. However – as many top producers will testify – with the advanced performance and audio quality offered by modern headphones, this is no longer the case. Before we take a look at what the best studio headphones can offer and what to look out for when buying a new pair, let’s check out a rundown of the top 10 best studio headphones you can find on the market right now, spanning high-end, mid-range and affordable options.

10 Best Studio Headphones On The Market

Price Ranges

We all have different budgets, so if you want a more in-depth look at a specific price range, check out our dedicated pages below: Studio Headphones Under $50 Studio Headphones Under $100 Studio Headphones Under $200 Studio Headphones Under $300 Studio Headphones Under $500

Where Do Studio Headphones Fit In?

One of the most heated arguments in the music production community is over whether or not studio headphones are a good way to mix music. One side is adamant that you can use headphones for successful mixing and recording, while the other insists that studio monitor speakers are the only way. As with many things in the world of music, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. We believe that the ideal solution is to mix on studio monitors and then review the same mix with a pair of headphones to catch anything that slipped through. In some senses, studio headphones act like a magnifying lens – or a safety net. You can also do things the other way around, by mixing 90% of the time on headphones, with occasional monitor checks. One complements the other. However, not everyone can afford both a good set of monitors and a good set of headphones immediately, so using just one of these alone may have to suffice. The one you settle on will be down to you, your studio setup, your budget and other aspects. However, if you can stretch the budget to include both monitors and phones, you may start seeing better results in your mixing.

Understanding Different Types of Studio Headphones

When looking at studio headphones, there are four styles worth being aware of. All are suitable for studio referencing and critical listening, although each one offers their own positives and negatives: Closed Back Headphones The main draw to closed-back headphones is that, by sealing the drivers, the phones should eliminate all outside noise, leaving you in a cocoon of your own mix. Closed-back phones also keep that mix private, as the sound bleed is minimal to non-existent. The benefit of this immersion is that it should give you a good insight into the finest details of whatever project you are working on. In the context of studio use, closed-back headphones are the preferred tool for recording. This is because, as well as driving the instrument or vocal performance right into your ears, they will protect you from hearing any ambient instrument sounds or noises. Open Back Headphones At the complete opposite end of the headphone spectrum we have open-back headphones. Where closed-back phones have sealed driver housings, open-back pairs come with a fully transparent driver enclosure. The downside to this is obvious – the ability of these headphones to protect from external noise is very poor. However, this is a small price to pay for such a natural and airy sound that adds a spatial dimension to your music. In other words, the sound produced by these headphones creates the illusion of a soundstage. You can pinpoint exactly where the sound of each instrument is coming from relative to the headphones. Open-back headphones are mostly used for mixing music as they give you a better handle on how the mix is arranged, while offering a more comfortable experience for long studio sessions. The only issue here is that, due to the sound bleed, you have to use them in a quiet environment. Semi-Open-Back Headphones Naturally, there are a few alternatives to the two most popular styles – and one of these is semi-open-back phones. As the name suggests, this rarely-seen style is a compromise between open and closed-back headphones, providing slightly better isolation than the former, while still offering a relatively open sound. The actual benefits (and even the exact definition) is up for debate in the music community, although there are people who swear by from this hybrid style. In-Ear Headphones Pioneered by Etymotic Research more than 30 years ago, in-ear headphones or IEMs (in-ear monitors) are those that sit inside the ear canal. These are often supplied with a range of tip sizes and materials to help individuals attain the best fit. Providing you can find a good fit, you can seal out the rest of the world and achieve excellent sound quality for mixing and monitoring. The other benefits of this style include the fact that they are very portable and very lightweight.

What To Look For In Studio Headphones?

The current market of studio headphones is almost overwhelming. There are so many awesome models out there in all categories. Even so, there are only a few requirements that really need to be met: Performance The most important aspect of studio headphones is whether they can offer you a transparent tone, allowing you to hear the music as it really is. This transparency can be referred to as a natural, accurate sound with a flat response. Ultimately you don’t want big booming bass or peaks in other frequencies – you want the whole sound to be well balanced. This is why studio headphones can sound a bit odd to general consumers. Comfort Comfort is one of the most underrated yet most essential aspects of headphone design. Ultimately, these things are going to be on – or in – your ears for hours at a time, which can inevitably lead to fatigue (i.e. your ears start to hurt, your head starts to ache – neither of which is something you want to experience when working in a studio). This is why aspects such as padding for both the headband and the ear pads are essential here. You will also want something that offers a snug fit, but is fully adjustable. Build Quality The build quality of a pair of studio phones will largely depend on the price of the headphones. As you may expect, higher-end cans are usually made to last much longer, whereas a budget pair are less durable. If your budget allows, look for something that has a metal frame, which will prove more robust over time. Cables The cables a pair of phones comes with are also an issue that you should consider. While cheaper phones tend to have fixed cables, the standard for mid-range and high-end headphones is to have a detachable cable. This allows for a bit of versatility. Firstly, you can change the cable to a length or style (straight or coiled) that suits you, while you can also replace cables if they break (and, in studios, this is more often the first part of a headphones to be damaged). As you begin to rise out of the budget price ranges, you will find that headphones come with two or three different cables.

Creaking Cans?

Whatever price range you shop in and whatever model you end up with, you may notice a little creaking sound in the phones. This annoying noise is quite normal for headphones, although it’s more common in the budget and lower-end markets. This problem is usually down to a plastic part rubbing against another component. Some users report that applying a little oil, wax or petroleum jelly – even powdered Teflon – to the contact point can go a long way to remedying this problem. While we agree with this point, you always run the risk of damaging the plastic with certain lubricants. You may want to do a search for your specific pair to see if others have had this problem and how they have dealt with it, or contact the manufacturer directly.

The Final Word

As we have covered, studio headphones are an essential tool in the world of music recording and production. There are many models out there, but those we have highlighted today represent some of the best on the market, across a wide spectrum of price ranges. If you are on a limited budget, hopefully this guide has shown you that there are some awesome headphones that don’t cost a fortune. If you have a fortune to spend… well, get ready to enjoy the very best studio headphones on the market! Take your time to read reviews and, if possible, try out some pairs on your shortlist before you buy. Good luck with your new phones!

If you need more help with setting up your studio, check out the related buying guides for recording gear: Studio Monitors Audio Interfaces Microphones: Condenser|Dynamic|USB Laptops For Music Production MIDI Controllers DAW Software