Top Studio Headphones Under $100

Last Updated: September-12-2018 In this sub-$100 article we felt our existing six models were still popular and relevant enough to stay in our chart – so we expanded the list to include three additional headphones – the awesome AKG K240 Studio, the LyxPro HAS-30 and the Status Audio CB-1.

As recent as a decade ago, being able to do studio monitoring on a budget wasn’t exactly easy. However, in 2018, things are very different. Instead of having to invest your cash into a pair of $500 studio headphones, you can now get the job done for a lot less money. Today we are going to show you some of the very best headphones in the affordable segment. While all of them come in at under $100, some of them are actually among the best studio headphones period. We will go over our picks and then talk about what to expect from models found in this segment of the market. As you are about to see, affordable no longer has to mean bad!

9 Best Studio Headphones Under $100

What To Expect From $100 Headphones?

In many ways the $100 segment is the sweet spot of affordable studio headphones. You are getting decent hardware packed into relatively more elaborate frames, all backed up by good performance. Right around this price point you will start to experience that phenomenon where you get less additional performance as you throw more money in the pit. For example, the difference between a set of $100 headphones and a $200 pair of studio headphones is not that big at all. Once you get used to your affordable pair, it will take decent amount of money before you will experience a dramatic difference in performance. With that said, the most important thing to remember is that a $100 set of studio headphones will allow you to get the job done. The type of transparency these offer will get you plenty of insight into what goes in in your mix. In a context of a home studio, or even a half professional one, that's good enough to say the least. The $100 range is where most manufacturers generally cut on comfort and materials in order to boost that response.

Question Of Comfort

Comfort is probably the biggest issue we have to deal with when it comes to affordable headphones of any kind, not just studio ones. To get that perfect fit and finish every time, the company who's producing the headphones has to invest quite a bit of effort and funds. It mostly comes down to materials, weight of the headphones and how they clamp onto your head. The sad truth is that most of these are not among the primary objectives in the affordable segment. Does that mean you sentenced to everlasting discomfort? Not at all, but there will be little things that will start to stand out over time. For example, ear pads are among the usual suspects. Affordable headphones often times come with the most basic vinyl ear pads, which look pretty good but don't feel so great after an hour of use. Sweating is an issue, especially if you are working in a room that lacks an AC unit. Good thing is that almost every ear pad design you get out of the factory works. You will get that proper seal and isolation for sure, it's just about getting used to vinyl. As always, one way to deal with this issue is to swap the ear pads for a better pair. Some will argue that it's not worth the investment, but once you get into $100 range that is no longer the case. A decent set of ear pads can completely change your monitoring experience.

Headband Padding

While ear pads might be a problematic component, the rest of the padding is often done right. Most of the brands that produce high-end gear tend to use aspects from their more expensive models in their affordable headphones. In most cases you won’t get exactly the same as a premium model, but the core structure of the padding will be the same. This way, brands are able to cut down on costs while still providing an adequate level of comfort. Additionally, there are numerous models with a wire frame headband that have those little memory foam flaps. Those are a perfect example of a simple solution that is both inexpensive and effective.

Drivers

Transducers installed in some of the headphones we have shown you today are decent to say the least. That much is for certain. Transparency is always the elephant in the room, for a good reason too. Fortunately, most of these headphones bring a rather neutral response that can be corrected with EQ if there are any noticeable dips or spikes. However, more often than not, doing this isn't necessary. Aside from the range and transparency, drivers from this segment offer a good amount of definition. When it comes down to those subtle details in a mix, having that clarity definitely helps. Overall, it is becoming apparent that hardware is no longer that much of an issue. The eternal race to beat the competition is driving numerous brands to up their game in the affordable segment, which translates to better performance for less money.

Cables

Perhaps one of the most important differences between headphones you can get for around $100 and cheaper models is the cable. Aside from them being better quality in general, almost all of the models we have listed above will feature a detachable cable. This allows you to rest easy knowing that even if your cable goes bad, your headphones won't suddenly turn into an ornament. The other consequence of having a detachable cable is the ability to plug in one that is as long as you need it to be. If you check out the specs on most of our picks, you will find that each of them comes with two cables. One is often a flat 10 footer, while the other is a curled 10 feet unit. Granted, these lengths will work more than well with most studios, there are those special cases when you just need more cable. That little bit of versatility absolutely matters.

The Final Word

Buying a set of headphones in the $100 price range can be exactly what you need if you want studio-quality cans on a tight budget. It’s easy to get drawn into more expensive gear, but frankly it’s not necessary when you consider some of the features and sounds on offer from the phones on this page. Any of the models we’ve shown you today will help get you started in the studio and allow you to progress in sound mixing and editing. Chances are, it will be quite some time before you end up needing an upgrade!