Picture this: You’re in the studio — or working on some beats at home — and you’re getting ready to work on the next track. But you may be wondering, is there a piece of gear that could make your next studio session even better? Yes there is and that’s why you may want to look into studio headphones.
Simply put, studio headphones are specifically manufactured for sound isolation and a clear audio representation (aka, how the music or beat actually sounds).
According to audio engineer and Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) candidate, CUNY Graduate Center, Madeleine Campbell, studio headphones:
Typically have a flatter frequency response. This is important for anyone recording, mixing or producing music because it gives a more neutral reference point and can more accurately reveal any undesired qualities they may want to adjust.
And what about traditional consumer headphones? “Consumer headphones are often designed to enhance a tonal aspect of music like a low-end boost to provide more bass or a high-end bump for added brightness,” Madeleine says.
Here are our top studio headphone picks. 👇
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Featured in this article
Sennheiser HD 206 Stereo Headphone
- Clear Sound Quality: Delivers balanced audio for casual listening or basic studio work.
- Comfortable Fit: Padded ear cups and lightweight design reduce fatigue during long sessions.
- Durable Design: Built to withstand everyday use, adding to its long-term value.
- Minimizes Sound Bleed: Closed-back ear cups prevent sound leakage, making it ideal for quiet spaces.
The Sennheiser HD 206 headphones deliver reliable audio quality and comfort at a highly accessible price point, making them a solid choice for everyday use in both casual and studio settings.
- The lightweight design and cushioned ear pads offer extended comfort, making these headphones ideal for long listening or editing sessions without causing fatigue.
- With closed-back ear cups to minimize sound bleed, the HD 206 provides a focused listening experience, allowing for clear audio without distracting others—perfect for users working in shared or quiet spaces.
Altogether, the Sennheiser HD 206 headphones balance quality and affordability, ideal for budget-conscious listeners who still want a dependable audio experience.
- Reliable Sound Quality: Users consistently praise the HD 206 for its clear, well-balanced audio, making it ideal for casual listening and light studio work.
- Comfortable Fit for Long Use: The padded ear cups provide a comfortable fit for extended sessions, with many users noting they can wear these for hours without discomfort.
- Solid Build, Great Value: Many reviewers highlight the durable design and affordability, viewing these headphones as a great investment for everyday use.
- Effective Noise Isolation: The closed-back design reduces sound bleed, allowing users to focus on their audio without disturbing others nearby.
- Minor Warmth Issue: Some users report that the ear cups can feel warm after prolonged wear, particularly in warmer environments.
- Slight Limitations with High-End Audio: A few reviewers find the high frequencies less crisp than expected, but overall, the HD 206 offers excellent value for casual and budget-conscious listeners.
- Affordable option with reliable sound quality
- Lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
- Closed-back design reduces sound leakage
- Durable build that holds up to daily use
- Ear cups may feel warm after prolonged use
- Slightly limited performance on high frequencies
- Basic design lacks advanced features for audiophiles
Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone
- Detailed Sound Quality: 40mm drivers and neodymium magnets deliver powerful, clear audio across a wide frequency range.
- Noise Reduction: Closed-ear design minimizes outside noise, providing an immersive listening experience.
- Comfortable Fit: Cushioned ear pads and adjustable headband support extended, comfortable wear.
- Portable Design: Foldable structure and included case make it easy to store and travel with.
The Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm headphones deliver an impressive balance of clear, detailed audio, ideal for both professional and home audio use.
- High-Quality Sound Performance: Equipped with neodymium magnets and 40mm drivers, these headphones provide powerful, precise sound across a wide frequency range, making them well-suited for users looking to capture every nuance in their audio.
- Comfortable, Noise-Reducing Fit: The closed-ear design not only offers comfort for prolonged wear but also effectively minimizes external noise, providing an immersive listening experience for focused work or leisure.
Overall, the Sony MDR7506 headphones are a solid choice for users seeking reliability, clarity, and comfort in a professional-quality, foldable design.
- Clear, Balanced Sound: Users highlight the headphones' excellent sound clarity, capturing every detail with balanced highs and lows, ideal for both casual listening and professional monitoring.
- Comfort for Long Hours: The adjustable headband and cushioned ear pads provide a secure, comfortable fit, allowing for extended wear without discomfort.
- Effective Noise Isolation: Many users appreciate the closed-ear design, which blocks out external noise effectively, enhancing focus and immersion.
- Portability with Foldable Design: Users enjoy the foldable structure, making these headphones convenient for travel and easy to store in their provided case.
- Minor Drawbacks: Some mention that the non-detachable cord can be limiting, and ear pad wear may show with heavy use.
Overall, the Sony MDR7506 headphones offer robust sound quality, comfort, and durability, appealing to both audiophiles and professionals.
- Clear, balanced sound quality suitable for professional and home audio use.
- Comfortable for long-term wear, ideal for extended listening sessions.
- Durable build withstands regular use and travel.
- Foldable design enhances portability and storage convenience.
- Non-detachable cord limits flexibility for some users.
- Ear pads may show wear after prolonged use.
- Lacks wireless connectivity, which may not suit all users.
RØDE NTH-100 Professional Over-Ear Headphones
- Precision Sound: Delivers clear, detailed audio for accurate sound production.
- Breathable Comfort: Alcantara earcups with cooling gel reduce heat and fatigue.
- Customizable Setup: Dual-sided cable attachment adapts to user preference.
- Long-Term Reliability: Built to last with durable materials and lifetime warranty.
The RØDE NTH-100 professional over-ear headphones stand out as a professional-grade choice for users needing precise audio quality and exceptional comfort.
- Reliable Clarity for Studio Work: Custom-matched drivers and advanced acoustic design deliver detailed, clear sound suited for content creators and audio professionals, from music production to podcasting.
- Comfortable for Long Sessions: Alcantara earcups with integrated CoolTech gel offer breathable comfort and reduce heat buildup, making extended use fatigue-free.
Overall, the RØDE NTH-100 over-ear headphones combine professional sound quality with user-focused comfort, ideal for anyone seeking reliable, all-day headphones.
- Clear, Balanced Sound: Users highlight the headphones' balanced sound signature, which suits a range of audio tasks from voiceovers to music production.
- Long-Wear Comfort: Many find the Alcantara ear cushions exceptionally comfortable, even during long sessions, with minimal pressure on the head.
- Versatile Cable Positioning: The dual-sided cable attachment gives flexibility in setup, which users appreciate for varied studio layouts.
- Effective Cooling Design: CoolTech gel pads are praised for reducing heat and ear fatigue, a benefit noted by those who use the headphones for hours at a time.
- Solid Build Quality: Users describe the NTH-100 headphones from RØDE as well-constructed, with a reassuring weight and durable materials.
- Adjustable Fit Concerns: Some users mentioned minor concerns with the adjuster tabs, though these haven’t been common enough to be a major drawback.
- High audio clarity for professional tasks
- Comfortable for extended wear with cooling ear pads
- Durable design with a lifetime warranty
- Flexible cable attachment options
- Plastic adjuster tabs may feel less sturdy
- Slightly heavier than some other models
- Bulky and less portable, making them more suited to studio use than on-the-go
- Only available as wired headphones, limiting use for those who prefer wireless freedom
Focal Listen Professional
- Acoustic Precision: Exclusive cone technology delivers precise and neutral sound, essential for professional audio work.
- Comfortable Design: Features an ergonomic headband and ear cushions for long-lasting comfort during extended sessions.
- Dynamic Sound Range: Offers excellent dynamics with a wide frequency response, enhancing audio clarity and detail.
- Portable Protection: Comes with a compact, rigid carrying case, ensuring easy transport and protection on the go.
The Focal Listen Professional headphones deliver an impressive blend of precision, comfort, and acoustic performance for audio professionals.
- The exclusive cone technology ensures acoustic transparency and excellent dynamics, offering users total control over the audio spectrum, which is crucial for sound engineers and studio work.
- Designed for extended use, these headphones feature optimal comfort with a headband that evenly distributes weight and ear cushions that provide excellent isolation, making them suitable for long sessions without discomfort.
Overall, the Focal Listen Professional headphones are a reliable choice for those seeking high-quality sound and comfort, making them ideal for professional audio environments.
- Durable and Reliable: Users appreciate the robust build quality, noting that these headphones stand up well to regular use.
- Natural Sound and Clarity: Many users praise the headphones for their natural sound reproduction and clear vocal quality, making them suitable for critical listening.
- Impressive Soundstage: The expansive soundstage and effective noise isolation are frequently highlighted, providing an immersive listening experience.
- Comfort and Fit: While the majority find the headphones comfortable for extended wear, some users mention minor discomfort with the headband, often resolved with simple adjustments.
- Stylish and Practical Case: The included carrying case is noted for its stylish design and practicality, protecting the headphones during travel.
- Minor Drawbacks: A few users report initial discomfort with the headband, suggesting that aftermarket pads can improve comfort.
Overall, users find the Focal Listen Professional headphones to offer a premium audio experience with a few manageable comfort issues.
- Excellent sound clarity and dynamics for professional use.
- Comfortable fit suitable for long sessions.
- Effective noise isolation enhances focus.
- Durable build with a protective carrying case.
- Some users may experience minor headband discomfort.
- Initial adjustment period may be required for optimal fit.
- The closed-back design might not suit all listening preferences.
Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X Closed-Back Studio Headphones
- Studio-Grade Sound: STELLAR.45 drivers deliver clear, high-resolution audio for precise sound monitoring.
- Comfort & Adaptability: Soft ear pads and a detachable cable enhance comfort and flexibility for long sessions.
- Device Compatibility: Works seamlessly across various devices, thanks to its 48-ohm impedance.
- Noise Isolation: Closed-back design reduces ambient noise, improving focus during recording and mixing.
The Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X headphones excel in delivering premium sound for both recording and casual listening, thanks to their closed-back design and versatile compatibility.
- High-Performance Studio Sound: The STELLAR.45 drivers offer clear, distortion-free audio, making these headphones ideal for music producers and audio editors who require precise sound.
- Built for Comfort and Durability: The soft, replaceable ear pads and detachable cable enhance long-term comfort and adaptability, especially for extended listening sessions.
These headphones are a solid choice for users seeking reliable audio quality and robust design, ensuring lasting performance across various devices.
- Great Audio Precision: Users commend the STELLAR.45 drivers for delivering clear and accurate sound, ideal for both music production and casual listening.
- Comfortable Yet Firm Fit: The soft ear pads are appreciated for their comfort, though some users find the clamping force slightly strong at first, which eases with time.
- Versatile Device Compatibility: These headphones perform well across various devices, thanks to their 48-ohm impedance, making them suitable for a wide range of uses.
- Sturdy Build Quality: Reviewers note the durable construction, highlighting the detachable cable and replaceable ear pads as practical features.
- Effective Noise Isolation: The closed-back design effectively blocks out ambient noise, enhancing focus during recording or editing sessions.
- Portability Considerations: While praised for sound and comfort, users note these aren’t the most portable option due to their bulkier build.
- Clear, distortion-free audio with STELLAR.45 drivers.
- Durable build with replaceable ear pads and headband.
- Detachable, single-sided cable for easy management.
- Gold-plated connectors ensure reliable sound quality.
- Some users find the initial fit too tight.
- Bulkier design limits portability.
- Higher clamping force may require adjustment for comfort.
Why should you consider studio headphones compared to traditional ones?
There are a lot of advantages to using a set of studio headphones. According to Madeleine, there are some pretty big perks.
“To me, the biggest pro of studio headphones is that they translate my work more honestly so I have a better idea of what changes I want to make,” she says. “Manufacturers sometimes refer to this as minimal ‘coloration’ added to the audio signal.”
But take note: You aren’t going to use studio headphones for casual music listening, lounging, or commuting. First of all, Madeleine says that these headphones don’t have many of the bells and whistles found in regular headphones, like Bluetooth connectivity, noise canceling features, and so on. The reasoning behind this? “In a recording or production environment, these features can add unwanted latency and the hassle of dead batteries,” she says.
What should I look for in a pair of studio headphones?
First things first, Madeleine advises that there’s no universal answer for which headphones are best.
Odds are, Madeleine says, if you ask five professional musicians or audio engineers which pair they like the most, you’ll probably get five different answers. But that’s why we’re here to cut through the noise.
To begin, she recommends listening to music you’re really familiar with. Then, do an A/B comparison of your favorite song or podcast through studio headphones and the listening devices you’re currently using.
As you’re listening ask yourself these two questions:What differences jump out at you?Is there anything the studio headphones reveal that you aren’t hearing through consumer headphones?
As you notice differences and other observations, Madeleine outlines simple points for finding the right pair of studio headphones: “Purchasing criteria for a good pair of studio headphones will ultimately depend on your needs, but price, comfort and fit, frequency response, and the amount of isolation provided are all big contenders,” she says.
Finalize your needs and must-haves (like, price point, amount of isolation, etc.) and you’ll be good to go.
Now, let’s get to the best studio headphones for mixing and production.
Now, let’s chat about hearing health and studio headphones.
If you wear headphones for several hours at a time when making, mixing, or producing music, it is important to be mindful of your hearing health when wearing headphones for any prolonged period of time.
Before we get into health tips from Madeleine, Soundly’s lead audiologist Dr. Amy Sarow has a friendly word of overarching advice when it comes to studio headphones and volume. “Ideally listening volume should be below 80 decibels,” Dr. Amy says. “Keeping the volume at 60-70% of maximum volume is best.”
Healthy listening volume aside, when you’re sitting in the studio for hours on end, Madeleine has some tips. “After long stretches, especially at high loudness levels, your ears will become less sensitive,” she says. “This is listening fatigue.”
If you want to combat (or proactively target) listening fatigue, Madeleine says to give your ears a break. “Take a five-minute pause every hour to reset,” she says.
Next, Madeleine monitors loudness levels. “We know that sustained listening above 85 decibels substantially increases the risk of permanent hearing loss,” she says. “I once read that your volume level should generally be low enough for you to converse without raising your voice.”
I wear hearing aids. Can I even use studio headphones?
The short answer is yes, you can! Here, Madeleine gives some insights on how hearing aid users can also wear studio headphones.
“I’ve met several professional musicians and audio engineers who wear hearing aids and use studio headphones with great success,” she says. “Fit and positioning are critically important.”
Madeleine goes on to say that supra-aural headphones are specifically designed to sit on top of the ear while circumaural headphones fully encompass the ear. And, studio quality headphones are typically circumaural.
If you’re a BTE and RIC hearing aid user, Madeleine notes studio headphones are less likely to cause feedback. However, if you do experience feedback, try adjusting the headphone, which may be pressing down too much on your device’s microphones.
🌟Another handy tip for hearing aid wearers considering studio headphones: “If mixing and production are important to you, it may be worthwhile to have a designated hearing aid program with this in mind,” she says. “Remember that music is a far more complex signal than speech. We can’t treat them the same way!”
