10 Best Studio Headphones Reviews in 2020

Best Studio headphones are an indispensable tool in the production, recording, mixing and mastering of music. But not every headphone is suitable for every job. Headphones are usually divided into three categories: open, closed and semi-open. Since each type of headphone has different advantages and disadvantages, it is important to know in advance what functions the headphones must perform. Whether a singer or music producer, there is a suitable headphone for every step in the studio. Many studio headphones are also ideal for private use, in order to enjoy the pure pleasure of music at the highest level.

Closed vs. open and half-open headphones

Closed headphones are usually used for recording and production because they have excellent noise cancellation. This makes it easier to hear smaller details in the music. At the same time, the closed space of the headphones is also a disadvantage, as no sounds get outside and the sound appears fuller. Sounds can also be thrown back from the closed ear cups so that a muffled sound can arise. Closed headphones are a must for listening to music in a noisy environment.

Open and half-open headphones, on the other hand, are more suitable for mixing and mastering. The ear cups are structured to allow air and sound to pass through, producing a sound that sounds more natural. Open and half-open headphones are therefore less suitable for listening to music in noisy surroundings. Semi-open headphones combine properties such as good natural sound and powerful bass. Because half-open headphones are not completely closed, there is no muffled sound.

What are the Best Studio Headphones Under 200 For Mixing, Recording Reviews

The best all-rounder – Audio Technica ATH-M50X (closed)

In addition to their good sound, the Audio Technica ATH-M50X headphones also have a successful design and can therefore not only be seen in the studio, but often also on the street. The closed headphones are ideal for listening to music in noisy environments, such as in the city. The auricles can be rotated up to 90 degrees and are therefore sufficiently flexible.

The 45mm aperture driver ensures exceptional clarity in the sound. The bass sound is also of excellent quality. The cables are completely removable and the model is stable. The versatile model from Audio Technica is suitable for musicians and singers as well as for private users.

With the ATH-M50X model, Audio Technica offers a solution for private and professional users alike.

Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro B001B1QENY

The semi-open model from Beyerdynamic combines the advantages of closed and open headphones. Because of this, the DT 880 Pro are a popular choice among professional musicians. They convince with a good sound quality and excellent wearing comfort. The soft shells ensure that the headphones can be worn for a long time without pain from the pressure. The half-open shells let enough air through so that instruments can be heard clearly. At the same time, the airflow allows the ears to be cooled. On the other hand, the DT 880 Pro successfully suppress external sound influences.

The sound of the DT 880 Pro is neutral and provides the listener with a full stereo sound. The robust workmanship ensures the necessary durability of the headphones. The DT 880 Pro require an amplifier on mobile devices. With a price below 200 euros, this all-rounder can certainly compete with the best of the best in its price class.

Sony MDR-7506 B000AJIF4E

Not all good headphones have to be expensive. Especially those who are just trying to gain a foothold as a singer have to pay attention to the budget at the beginning. This is where the MDR-7506 model excels. With a price of around 100 euros, Sony offers headphones that don’t have to hide behind other models in its price range. Despite the low price, the headphones are well made and have a good durability. The closed headphones offer good noise isolation and the MDR-7506 are also convincing when it comes to wearing comfort.

Due to the good isolation, the headphones are very suitable for the thorough control of sound tracks. The 40mm drivers enable deep bass and a wide dynamic range. The high level of comfort enables long recording sessions. An additional feature of the MDR-7506 is the ability to fold it. While this feature reduces the durability of many headphones, it is not a problem with the Sony model. Sony’s affordable model is the winner in the price-performance category due to its good quality in terms of sound and comfort.

V-Moda Crossfade LP2 B00HYH7HXA

With the V-Moda Crossfade LP2, performance and fashion collide. The headphones are robustly built and are particularly suitable for musicians who have to work a lot on the go and who rely on the durability of their products. The auricles can be rotated for flexible working. The plugs are gold-plated and the cables are removable. The V-Moda Crossfade LP2 has good noise isolation and is equipped with a 50mm double-diaphragm driver.

The highs are clear and the bass powerful and the mids can also be heard. The outer frame is made of steel and the cables are also reinforced. The headphones are primarily aimed at travelers and frequent users who do not want to forego quality with a robust design. The LP2s are customizable as you wish and are particularly suitable for DJing.

Avantone Pro MP1 B01E64T3E4

The Avantone Pro MP1 belong to the mixphones and are thus the first of their kind. The headphones allow you to choose between stereo, mono and a mix mode. With the Avantone Pro MP1 you get three headphones in one. The 50mm drivers deliver a clear sound. The bass and treble are balanced and the mids are clean too.

The Avantone Pro MP1 delivers a good, neutral sound that is perfect for working in the studio or on stage. With the many functions, the design was not spared. The headphones are made of good materials and colored highlights ensure a nice look. Unfortunately there is a bit of a problem with the optimal workmanship, so there are some prints here.

Focal Listen Closed Back Headphones B01H2NDPZY

Focal may not be the first choice for many musicians when it comes to studio headphones, but in 2018 the company released an interesting competitor in the studio headphones segment with the Spirit Professional headphones. The Focal Spirit Professionals particularly stand out due to their design. The padding of the ear cups and the padding of the headband are kept in beautiful, dark red and are a little eye-catcher.

If the red is too conspicuous for you, you can also opt for a black variant. The headphones were primarily developed as monitoring headphones for studio and home studio environments. Thanks to the closed design, mixing is also possible in a noisy environment. Bass frequencies are reproduced very well. The sound is neutral and shows no distortion.

Shure SRH1840 B0073A4FM4

The Shure SRH1840 headphones are also some of the best studio headphones on the market. In addition to its good design, it convinces above all with a 40mm driver, which enables detailed highs and powerful bass. The open headphones deliver a neutral and natural sound. This makes it easier to mix different speakers.

The SRH1840 is also very comfortable to wear and can be customized. The soft padding covers the ears well and the wearer is also equipped with extra padding. Shure created the headphones with an aluminum alloy and steel grilles that are not only of good quality, but also look good. The headphones are light and robust thanks to the high quality materials. The Shure SRH1840 are suitable for mixing, mastering,

AKG K240 MKII B0016MNBAM

Another manufacturer that has already made a name for itself in the field of studio headphones is AKG. With the K240 MKII model, the company offers semi-open headphones for studio work. The headphones are one of the most widely used studio headphones. The 30mm XXL transducer ensures strong lows, precise mids and clear highs. Thanks to the semi-open design, the bass tones come through quite well and at the same time the natural sound is not distorted. The headphones are quite affordable and have velvety ear cups that are very comfortable to wear.

The carrier is made of synthetic leather and ensures the right look. The cables are removable. The light weight is also a great advantage for long work in the studio. The headphones are very suitable for mixing and mastering, as well as studio monitoring. For DJs,

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO B0011UB9CQ

If you’re looking for headphones that will last for years, the build quality of the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO will surely impress you. The sturdy metal frame is impact resistant, and while the ear cups themselves are made of plastic, they still feel good enough to withstand a fall. Their sound profile differs from that of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. Due to the open-back design, they have a little less sub-bass and the highs tend to hiss. As open headphones, they let ambient noises through and also emit noises. The beyerdynamic studio headphones are able to reproduce even the smallest acoustic detail and are among the most popular headphones for studio work.

The beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO headphones have received numerous positive reviews from professional and private customers. All of these reviews have in common that there is agreement that the headphones convince with an excellent sound as well as good wearing comfort. The DT 990 PRO model may not be a fashion highlight, because it is kept rather simple, but you get excellent studio headphones at a low price.

Sennheiser HD 25-1 II B00009ZSYG

These headphones are light and weigh only 140g! The HD 25 is marketed as DJ headphones, which means that they can withstand the rigors of a tour and continue to function. You wouldn’t think this when you first felt them – they’re made entirely of plastic and pretty thin.
But apparently our concerns are misguided as these are the most widely used DJ headphones in the world, due in part to their durability and the fact that all components are easily replaceable.

They have a nice minimal design and look great when worn. The auricles feel similar to those of the HD 280 PRO. The auricles can be rotated a little, but due to their construction they can rotate very far.

The Sennheiser HD 25 has a separate headband. The HD 25 are very light and minimal, which makes them very comfortable to wear. Due to the on-ear design, however, you will always notice that you are wearing headphones. We were able to wear them continuously for many hours.

Once you’re familiar with the HD 25, you might ask yourself, “Why are they in a studio headphone guide? It turns out that while these are DJ headphones, they are surprisingly capable studio and production headphones.

The bass is very good, and there is a smooth roll-off beyond 50 Hz, so the sub-bass is pretty decent too. The mids and highs are incredibly crisp – the percussion and vocals sound very detailed.

Due to its light weight and clear sound, the HD 25 are good headphones for casual listening. However, the relatively short cable could be a limiting factor.

The isolation of these headphones is surprisingly good considering they are not on-ear headphones.

Even if the Sennheiser HD 25 should be known to most as DJ headphones, they are no mean feat in the studio. This is great news if you need headphones that are extremely durable and sound great too.

Conclusion

When looking for suitable studio headphones, the musician’s personal preferences are always important. It is therefore important to be clear in advance about the properties that the desired headphones should have. For some musicians, headphones may not be enough, as they are weak in certain areas, but outperform the competition in other areas. So it is not inconceivable in the studio to use several headphones.

For private users who want to use studio headphones for listening to music, closed headphones are recommended, as these usually have solid noise isolation. Open or semi-open headphones are primarily suitable for processes such as mixing and mastering. Ultimately, it makes sense Try different headphones and not rely entirely on the judgment of others. There is a suitable headphone for every professional group, be it a singer or a music producer. With some research, the perfect device for everyone can be found.

source https://homearama.tv/best-studio-headphones/