Studios are some of the best places for recording vocal or instrumental tracks. We daresay that they ARE the best places for recording! (Well, you would hope so, at least!)
When it comes to using headphones in a studio, having the right set for you is crucial to getting the best experience when you are in the studio, both for recording and for mixing.
While studios often have many different tools when it comes to recording in studios, the simple fact is that when it comes to sound systems, enough isn’t enough!
So, you should always be on the hunt for better headphones whenever possible. Jump to the best Headphones for Podcasting.
But that’s not exactly an easy hunt to undertake, as there are so many high-quality recording headphones out there, it can be kind of dizzying to sort through!
Fortunately, we have managed to do some of the heavy work for you, and have compiled this little guide for you and your searches for the perfect studio headphones.
Here, we will show you some of the best products that you can find in this particular market, as well as discuss with you some of the features that you should be aware of when looking for studio headphones for recording on your own time.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X
When it comes to high-quality headphones that are perfect for mixing and recording, we can’t recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X enough.
Is it a popular and perhaps slightly basic option when it comes to studio headphones? Perhaps.
But in the world of studio tech and recording equipment, basic is by no means bad. It’s a perfect baseline for other products and gear to beat.
And Audio-Technica certainly sets a high bar to beat indeed!
The build quality of these studio headphones is excellent and makes this headset very durable too.
So, you can rest easy knowing that these headphones will stay up and running after years of use, as well as even a couple of hard knocks.
And let’s be real: In a recording studio, that’s just an inevitability! It is a great way of seeing that these headphones were built with recording settings and studios in mind.
And, of course, that’s not even mentioning the overall sound quality that these headphones have.
Able to accurately reproduced virtually any sound that they pick up, they are perfect for keeping a recording session going smoothly and without any interruptions.
So, if you’re struggling to pick a headset for the studio, you can’t go wrong with the ATH-M50X!
Pros
- The build quality of these headphones is impressive, allowing them to be reliable and durable, all while looking great.
- The company has a long track record of producing high-quality audio equipment, so the headphones are coming from a reliable source.
- The sound quality of the notes it picks up is even and accurate.
Cons
- Switching sound settings with these headphones may take a while.
Also Available From: Guitar Center
Best Headset Microphone For Recording Audio
Focal Listen Professional Studio Headphones
Of course, there are plenty of other high-quality headphones out there that you can choose from besides the previous example, that can fit a massive range of roles in the recording and sound mixing process.
Focal for example has a set of headphones that make for the ideal jack-of-all-trades headphones that can be used in all of these roles, with their Professional Studio headphones!
The responsiveness of the cans on these headphones is excellent, able to pick up a massive range of tones, whilst also maintaining a punchy bass to them.
Couple that excellent sound quality with a headset frame that is well-made and durable, and you would already have a stellar product on your hands.
However, where we think Focal shines with these headphones is in their comfort.
That might sound a little like a luxury to some, but consider this: if your job is to work in a recording studio, that’s potentially hours on end where you have to be wearing a headset for mixing and recording.
So comfort will be a pretty big deal!
Fortunately, these headphones are renowned for their comfort to wear.
While they may feel a little snug at first, once they are on your head, they remain comfortable to wear for hours on end!
Pros
- The build quality of these headphones makes them reliable and tough.
- These headphones are incredibly comfortable to wear for hours at a time.
- The sound quality that these headsets produce and the record are immaculate.
Cons
- The silicon sweatband these headphones use can accumulate sweat over time, affecting the smell and feel of these headphones.
Also Available From: Walmart
Sennheiser HD280 Pro
If your sound equipment isn’t being compared to an Audio-Technica, then they’re almost certainly being held up to compare against Sennheiser’s line of audio equipment and headsets.
This particular set, the HD280 Pro, is widely considered to be some of the most reliable headphones that you can get for a recording booth in a studio. Same reason that World famous Podcast hosts like Joe Rogan uses this headphone set .
And it’s not hard to see why. The closed headphone design is form-fitting but still makes for a pretty comfortable set of headphones to wear in the studio during mixing and recording sessions.
Plus, with the ability to pick up plenty of tones while maintaining a strong bass, they perform pretty well too.
Not only that, but their simple design also makes them incredibly robust, making them tough enough for the occasional tumble that is bound to happen in a busy recording booth or studio.
Plus, with how widely used the headphones are, these might be some of the easiest headsets to get a hold of for your studio, both in terms of finding them and purchasing them.
Are they some of the fanciest and highest-tech headphones out there? No, not by a long shot.
But with reliability and clarity like this, you don’t need all that extra gear!
Pros
- Usually amongst the most reasonably priced professional
- Plenty of options for extras and other sound equipment to be bought with these headphones.
- Plenty of comforts to be found with these headphones.
Cons
- The design of these headphones is purely functional. With no extra bells or whistles, they do what they do well, and not much else.
Also Available From: Sennheiser
Sony MDR-7506
Sony is a world-renowned manufacturer when it comes to technology and sound equipment, from speakers to microphones to, you guessed it, headphones as well.
One of their bestselling products in the field, the MDR-7506, is also amongst the best models to choose from when considering your studio recording headphones.
Like many of the best studio headphones, these have a closed-back design, allowing you to focus entirely on the noises that your headphones can pick up, and not have to worry about any of that annoying ambient noise.
And it’ll be quite an impressive noise that you’ll get back from these headphones too, as the sound quality of the headphones themselves are extremely impressive.
The sound profile that you’ll receive from these Sony products is a very neutral tone, whilst still managing to add a little extra rumble and thump to give any vocal performance that little extra boost.
(Don’t worry about the extra bassy tone overwhelming any vocal or instrument performance, however. Your sounds will still come through excellently!)
Plus, they’re pretty comfortable too, o you’ll be able to wear these headphones for long periods without causing any headaches, both metaphorically, and literally!
Pros
- The superb sound quality enriches any tones that it picks up, without drowning out any natural sounds.
- Closed-back design means that ambient noise will not interfere with your recording headphones.
- With plenty of comfort, these headphones support your head whilst you’re busy recording any audio at the studio.
Cons
- These headphones do struggle to block out a lot of ambient sounds.
Also Available From: Sweetwater
Sennheiser HD800S
What, you thought that you’d heard the last of Sennheiser on this list?
Well, think again!
With such an extensive library and range of different headphones for us to pick and choose from, we could hardly leave it at just one set of studio recording headphones by this remarkable company, could we?
One of the first things that you will likely notice when looking at these headphones is the positively huge cups that these headphones have.
These are to house the equally large transducers that these headphones have, which are among the largest drivers that you’ll find on a commercial set of headphones.
These all come together to create an effect that replicates a very large sound stage for the ideal resonance from your audio recordings, all contained within a humble set of headphones.
These headphones easily reproduce the neutral tone that any good recording headphones should be looking for, as well as making sure that both vocals and instruments come through loud and clear.
Plus, with several features of the headphones, from the detachable audio cable to the multiple options for adapters for these headphones, as well as a case to carry them in, you have the whole package right here!
Pros
- Large transducers help create the perfect sound environment.
- These headphones are incredibly comfortable to wear.
- Provides a neutral tone that is perfect for vocals and instrumentation.
- These headphones are surprisingly transport-friendly, especially when compared to many other studio headphones.
Cons
- Despite their otherwise high quality and performance, the amount of plastic used in this product makes it feel cheaper than it is.
Also Available From: Sennheiser
Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X
Beyerdynamic has long since been a reliable name for audio equipment when it comes to setting up studios, well known for not just their high-quality products, but also the extra features that they often come with.
Take the DT 700 Pro x, for example.
They have everything that you could want in a straight upgrade from a base set of studio headphones, from squishier cushion cups for extra comfort and long stretches of being used, to improved sound quality from a high-end transducer that these particular microphones use.
However, the specs don’t stop at just ‘standard headphones, but more’.
The transducers for these headphones are working overtime to make sure that your headphones will be able to pick up virtually any sound clearly, without any distortions.
Plus, the cans on this headset do what many other studio mics can do, and effectively block out many ambient sounds that could otherwise interfere with not just recording and mixing, but playback as well.
So, if you’re looking to upgrade your current studio setup into something that is a little higher-end, or going full professional, these headphones will be an investment that you will not regret!
Pros
- These headphones have improved sound quality and clarity over many other headphones.
- These headphones are comfier and can be worn and used for longer periods.
- A detachable headphone wire makes this relatively easily transportable.
- Excellently able to cancel out background noises with ease.
Cons
- All these extra features come at a cost. The DT700 Pro x is a noticeably pricier option for many people.
Also Available From: Beyerdynamic
Buyer’s Guide
So, as you can see, there is plenty of variety out there when it comes to looking for new headphones that will serve you well in your studio setup.
However, with a market as big as this, there are hundreds of studio headphones that you will be able to find out there, many of which might also be suitable fits for your need.
For equipment as vital as this, you don’t want to be jumping into the deep end without knowing what you are in for, so to speak.
So, before you make a final decision, consider the following factors that you may find important when considering buying a studio headset for recording.
Recording Quality
This is a massive point, and arguably THE most important factor when it comes to deciding on a headphone set for your studio.
Your headphones will need to be able to register a vast range of tones, notes, and other sounds, and, most importantly, they will need to be able to register them accurately.
After all, there’s no point in a set of headphones that simply flatten every sound that it picks up into an unintelligible mess!
Ambiance Noises
This is another key feature that can affect the overall sound quality of a headphone studio setup made for recording, especially in noisier environments.
With how powerful the equipment that studio setups have and work with, it is very easy to find that background noises such as unwanted notes, muffling, and even mouth noises are picked up.
So, you’re going to want studio headphones that have some way of at least mitigating these sounds, if not outright canceling them altogether.
There are a few ways that this can be done.
Many headphones will have closed-back designs that completely encapsulate the ear to stop excess noise, whereas others will sacrifice that aspect for comfort, so they can be worn for longer periods instead.
Extras
This is a particularly important factor if you are purchasing your first set of studio headphones, or are still currently setting up a studio.
Many entry-level studio headphones will also come with other pieces of audio equipment as part of a package deal, such as mic stands, or pop filters, among many other accessories.
This will not be as much of a selling point for already established studios that already have all their equipment needs met, but it can be an excellent way of getting more gear for your studio if you are new to this particular industry, so don’t rule it completely out.
Transportability
The issue of transportability is a factor that many ordinary headphones have little trouble with, as they can simply be folded up or placed in a bag whilst they are being moved.
However, the same cannot be said for many studio headphones, as these larger and more sensitive pieces of equipment are noticeably heavier.
So, when looking for a studio headphone setup, try and see if any of the items you are looking at come with carrying cases as standard or even have parts that can be detached and transported separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Differences Between Normal & Studio Headphones?
The difference between studio headphones and normal headphones that most people use is a little tricky for newcomers to the industry, but they are noticeable if you know what you are looking for.
Generally, normal headphones used for music and gaming tend to have a little better boost to enhance the experience that you are using them for.
However, while a little boost is not bad in studio headphones, ideally you want to keep your playback sounding as natural as possible so that mixing and recording are easier and more accurate.
Can Studio Headphones Be Used For Other Purposes?
With their excellent sound clarity, studio headphones do work quite well for listening to music, talking through them, and even gaming.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are plenty of options that you can choose from when deciding on your next set of studio mics.
All you have to do now is pick one of these headsets for yourself!
