7 Best Headphones For Recording Vocals in 2023
To capture vocals effectively, it is crucial to have the best headphones for recording vocals that provide clear and neutral monitoring of your singing. Opting for closed-back headphones that prevent sound leakage in both directions is essential. Considering the abundance of options in the market for studio monitor headphones, making the right choice can be challenging. Our aim is to provide clarity through this review, assisting you in navigating this complex decision-making process. We have evaluated and rated these headphones based on their suitability for recording vocals. Factors such as sound isolation, sound quality, build quality, comfort, versatility, and value were all taken into account to determine their rating.
1. Neumann NDH 20 Best Headphones For Recording Vocals
The Neumann NDH20 is an exceptional set of closed-back headphones that deliver the desired sound quality expected from studio headphones. With remarkable accuracy and focus, they provide ample detail for your audio needs. These headphones excel in isolation, making them an ideal choice for home recording sessions and studio work. Additionally, their secure fit ensures a locked-in and focused experience.
While many headphones may excel in certain aspects, it is uncommon to find a pair that checks off as many boxes as the Neumann NDH20. They are equally suitable for recording and headphone mixing, showcasing their versatility and capabilities.
Key Features
- Driver: 38 mm dynamic
- Cable: 3 meter
- Connection: wired
- Frequency response: 5 Hz – 30,000 Hz
- Impedance: 150 Ω
- Sensitivity: 114 dB (1 V)
- Weight: 390 g
Design:
- Earpads: The NDH 20 offers exceptional sound quality and its large memory foam ear pads ensure comfortable extended wear without causing fatigue.
- Headband: The headphones feature a sturdy spring steel headband that ensures a secure and comfortable fit.
- Connectivity: The headphones offer a 3-meter cable, providing ample length for unrestricted movement while maintaining a stable connection. Additionally, the cables are replaceable, offering flexibility and convenience.
Performance:
- Noise Isolation: These headphones offer excellent isolation, making them an ideal choice for home recording sessions and studio work. Moreover, their secure fit ensures that you are fully immersed and focused on your tasks.
- Sound quality: The Neumann NDH 20 is a closed-back headphone that combines superb isolation with a meticulously balanced sound profile and remarkable clarity, as one would anticipate from a Neumann product. With its outstanding resolution, the NDH 20 is perfectly suited for monitoring and mixing purposes, even in noisy and bustling surroundings. Its circumaural memory foam ear pads provide elevated comfort for extended periods of use.
- Soundstage: The NDH 20 provides an impressive level of detail and a well-balanced sound image that resembles the renowned studio loudspeakers produced by Neumann.
Pros:
- Secure fit
- Solidly built and durable
- Great noise isolation
Cons:
- Expensive price
Pricing:
Available on Amazon at the price of USD 549.00
2. beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO Best Headphones For Recording Vocals
The DT 770 Pro headphones, manufactured by Beyerdynamic, a long-standing German family-owned company, are part of their renowned classic series, trusted by music professionals for years. Beyerdynamic asserts that these closed-back studio headphones excel in noise isolation and minimal sound leakage, making them suitable for vocal recordings.
The headphones are equipped with sensitive transducers, capable of reproducing the entire frequency range and delivering precise monitoring of audio production. The impedance can be adjusted to accommodate different devices, with lower Ohms for smartphones and laptops and higher Ohms for professional equipment. Featuring a sturdy steel headband, the headphones ensure a secure fit, while the soft and adjustable ear cups guarantee comfort during extended studio sessions.
Key Features
- Driver: 45 mm dynamic
- Cable: 3 meter
- Connection: wired
- Frequency response: 5 Hz – 35,000 Hz
- Impedance: 250 Ω
- Sensitivity: 96 dB (1 V)
- Weight: 270g
Design:
- Earcups: The soft ear cups ensure comfort even during extended wear. The single-sided cable design allows easy and frequent putting on and removing the headphones without cable tangling issues.
- Headband: With a robust spring steel headband, these headphones provide a secure fit.
- Connectivity: The headphones offer versatile connectivity options with two included cables: a 3-meter straight cable and a coiled cable that can stretch up to 5 meters. Both cables feature a 3-pin mini XLR, a 3.5mm jack, and a screw-on 1/4-inch adapter for convenient compatibility.
Performance:
- Sound quality: The beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO headphones are beloved by music producers, sound engineers, and broadcasters worldwide. They offer exceptional precision in reproducing the entire frequency range, including impressive detail in low frequencies.
- Frequency response: Designed for critical music and sound monitoring, these headphones offer a neutral listening environment with outstanding isolation and excellent impulse response. High frequencies are delivered with analytical and distinct clarity, while ultra-low bass sounds are precisely defined and reproduced.
- Bass quality: The DT 1770 PRO utilizes innovative Tesla technology from Heilbronn, resulting in enhanced resolution and precise, powerful bass. As the flagship model, it sets new benchmarks for comfort and craftsmanship, providing an exceptional listening experience.
Pros:
- Exceptional comfort
- Breathable earcups
- Impressive soundstage
Cons:
- Limited noise isolation
- Sound leakage
Pricing:
Available on Amazon at the price of USD 159.00
3. KRK KNS 8402 Best Headphones For Recording Vocals
Regarding affordable monitors designed for home studios, KRK’s Rokit series is often considered the benchmark to beat. While the US brand is not as well-known, they have also been involved in the headphone market for over ten years. Recently, KRK upgraded their entry-level headphones and rebranded them as the 8402.
The KRK KNS 8402 headphones provide a distinct midrange that is very clear, with higher frequencies that are reasonably subdued and a balanced amount of bass. At first glance, this may not sound appealing, and it’s certainly not the type of sound profile you would desire for casual listening. However, in a tracking scenario where accuracy in pitch and timing is crucial, this frequency response is ideal.
Key Feature
- Impedance: 36 Ohm
- Cable: 2.50 m
- Sensitivity: 97 dB
- Frequency range: 5 – 23000 Hz
- Driver diameter: 40mm Neodymium
- Weight: 247 g
Design:
- Earpads: Indulge in exceptional comfort during extended listening sessions with luxurious acoustic memory foam pads wrapped in premium leatherette covers. These pads are designed to provide a comfortable and pleasurable experience, allowing you to enjoy your music fully without discomfort or fatigue.
- Earcups: The earcups are adjustable, allowing you to customize the positioning of the speaker units according to your preference. This feature enables you to achieve the perfect fit for your headphones, ensuring personalized comfort and optimal audio delivery tailored to your individual needs.
- Headband: Designed with reinforced nylon, the headband is durable and incorporates full-grip silicone padding. This combination enhances traction and provides improved comfort during extended wear.
Performance:
- Noise cancellation: they provide exceptional isolation of up to 30 dBA. This effectively reduces headphone “bleed” into the microphones during recording, ensuring clean audio capture. The outstanding isolation performance also allows you to fully immerse yourself in the music, enabling a focused listening experience without distractions from external sounds.
- Sound quality: With a maximum SPL of 124 dB, these headphones deliver ample volume while maintaining remarkable clarity and detail. They offer a clear and precise sound reproduction characterized by minimal distortion.
Pros:
- Strong built
- Good sound quality
Cons:
- Simple design
Pricing:
Available on Amazon at the price of USD 149.00
4. Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Headphones
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 wireless headphones combine exceptional performance with a sleek portable design. They boast touch control and voice assistant compatibility. With an impressive battery life of 60 hours, these headphones prioritize longevity over noise-cancellation features that tend to drain power. The over-ear design effectively blocks out surrounding noise, and the generously sized ear pads comfortably accommodate those with larger ears.
Key Feature
- Impedance: 38 Ohm
- Cable: 1.20 m
- Sensitivity: 99 dB
- Frequency range: 15 – 28000 Hz (Headphone) | 85 -15000 Hz (Microphone)
- Driver diameter: 45 mm
- Weight: 307 g
Design:
- Earcups: Enjoy the flexibility of 90-degree rotating ear cups, which provide a customizable fit and offer exceptional comfort for long listening sessions.
- Headband: The headphones feature durable metal sliders, ensuring increased reliability and stability, even during extended use.
- App: Enhance your headphone experience by downloading the A-T Connect app, which provides extensive control over your ATH-M50xBT2 headphones. With this app, you can effortlessly activate low latency mode, fine-tune the EQ settings, adjust the volume balance between left and right channels, choose your preferred voice assistant, locate misplaced headphones, switch between different codecs, and enjoy various additional features and functionalities.
Performance:
- Sound quality: The ATH-M50xBT2 headphones provide a thrilling wireless listening experience by delivering the legendary M50x studio sound, characterized by exceptional clarity and precise, deep bass response.
- Microphone: Experience crystal-clear phone calls and reliable communication with the built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant, thanks to the exceptional vocal pickup provided by dual microphones and beamforming technology.
- Battery life: When fully charged, you can enjoy free listening with the ATH-M50xBT2, which offers up to 50 hours of uninterrupted use.
Pros:
- Accurate response level
- Great noise cancellation
Cons:
- Limited bass sound
Pricing:
Available on Amazon at the price of USD 199.00
5. AIAIAI TMA-2 Best Headphones For Recording Vocals
AIAIAI has achieved something awe-inspiring with their TMA-2 modular custom build headphones. These headphones offer a unique modular design, allowing users to choose from various shapes and sizes to cater to their preferences.
Regardless of your configuration, you can trust that you’ll receive reliable, long-lasting, and crafted headphones with a focus on quality. AIAIAI is also making commendable efforts to reduce its environmental footprint by utilizing sustainable materials and recyclable components.
Furthermore, you can enhance your headphones’ functionality by purchasing additional cables, ear cups, ear pads, speaker units, and headbands at a later stage. This modular approach enables you to mix and match components, adapting to different scenarios as needed.
Key Feature
- Impedance: 32 Ohm
-
Max power: 70 mW
- Sensitivity: 117 dB
- Resonance frequency: 80 Hz
- Driver diameter: 40 mm
Design:
- Earpads: The E02 ear pads provide a closed design that delivers intense sound representation, emphasizing strong bass and low-end dynamics. Additionally, they offer high isolation to minimize external noise interference.
- Earcups: With adjustable cups, you can customize the positioning of the speaker units to achieve the ideal fit for your headphones. This feature allows for personalized comfort and optimal audio delivery based on individual preferences.
- Headband: The H02 headband, constructed with reinforced nylon, features full-grip silicone padding for improved traction and comfort.
- Connectivity: The C02 coiled cable is made of 1.5 meters of thermoplastic material with a soft touch surface. It can extend up to 3.2 meters, making it ideal for DJing or small studio applications. Additionally, it comes with a convenient 1/4 to 1/8 screw-on adapter.
- The angled stereo plug: helps minimize the risk of accidentally disconnecting the plug from the mixer, providing a more secure connection. Furthermore, its design ensures the cable is less obtrusive while beat mixing, allowing for smoother and uninterrupted mixing sessions.
- The stereo jack adaptor: enables a seamless transition from a smaller stereo mini jack (3.5 mm) to a larger stereo jack (6.3 mm). This convenient adaptor allows for easy compatibility between audio devices with various jack sizes.
Performance:
- Bass quality: Expertly crafted sound engineered for live performances. The dynamic and impactful audio delivery emphasizes bass and low-end frequencies for a powerful listening experience.
- Sound quality: The speaker unit of these headphones incorporates a bio-cellulose diaphragm, which is cultivated using specific bacteria and organic compounds. This precision-grown diaphragm offers superior stiffness, lightness, and strength compared to standard PET speaker units. As a result, the diaphragm can vibrate without the distortion commonly observed in other speakers. These characteristics enhance accuracy and finer sound details while maintaining clarity even at high volume levels.
Pros:
- Excellent design
- great sound quality
Cons:
- Some people might find it uncomfortable
Pricing:
Available on Amazon at the price of USD 200.00
6. MAONO AU-MH601 Headphones
If you intend to pre-mix your sets at home or in a studio, consider these headphones from MANOA. While they are closed-back headphones designed to be used in louder environments, they also offer sound quality appropriate for mixing in a controlled setting.
Key Feature
- Driver Size: 50 mm
- Magnet Type: Neodymium
- Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz
- Impedance: 32 Ohm
- Sensitivity: 105 dB±3dB at 1mW
- Max Input Power: 100mW
- Weight: 400 g
- Connectivity: 3-meter Cable
Design:
- Earpads: Immerse yourself in comfort with the MAONO MH601 headphones, which boast ultra-soft protein earmuffs and a circumaural design that conforms perfectly to the shape of your ears. These features enhance sound isolation, effectively reducing external interference and ensuring excellent breathability. Even during long periods of wear, you can enjoy fatigue-free and comfortable listening experiences.
- Headband: Enjoy effortless monitoring with the MH601 headphones, thanks to the 90-degree swiveling earcups that allow for convenient one-ear use. The self-adjustable, flexible headband ensures a personalized fit, accommodating various head sizes. Adjust the headband to your desired angle, and indulge in a customized and comfortable listening experience.
- Connectivity: Share your audio experience with friends using the MAONO MH601. It has an additional headphone jack, enabling you to connect multiple headphones for group enjoyment. The package includes two standard-sized 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapters, ensuring compatibility with mixers and other devices. Whether you want to enjoy music or movies together, the MH601 offers hassle-free connectivity options.
Performance:
- Hires Audio: The MAONO MH601 represents an upgraded edition of DJ studio headphones, integrating a 50mm large-aperture driver that elevates your listening experience with its superior sound quality. It ensures exceptional clarity throughout an extended frequency range, accompanied by a heightened bass response that is both deeper and more precise. The soft and comfortable closed-back ear pads effectively diminish background noise, enabling you to focus on your desired audio even in noisy city streets or bustling office environments.
Pros:
- It offers a neutral and flat sound profile
- Delivers clean and crisp bass response
- It provides a versatile fit for different head sizes
- Made with comfortable materials for extended use
Cons:
- It may not be the most durable option available
Pricing:
Available on Amazon at the price of USD 45.99
7. LyxPro HAS-10 Headphones
These headphones are the perfect option if your main priority is noise cancellation. A noteworthy characteristic of these headphones is the utilization of premium leather, which is present on both the headband and the ear cups. The leather offers a luxurious sensation on the skin and collaborates with the thick foam padding to establish a snug enclosure around your ears, effectively blocking external sounds.
Key Feature
- Driver Size: 45 mm
- Magnet Type: Neodymium
- Frequency Response: 10Hz to 26kHz
- Impedance: Not Specified
- Sensitivity: 98dB (±3dB)
- Max Input Power: Not Specified
- Weight: 294.84 g
- Connectivity: 3-meter Cable
Design:
- Headband: The premium leather extends to the headband and the ear cups, providing a delightful tactile sensation against your skin. Moreover, the leather, combined with the thick foam padding, collaborates effectively to form a secure and isolating seal around your ears.
- Built quality: The construction of these headphones is remarkably impressive. The stainless steel telescoping arms ensure a precise and comfortable fit. Additionally, the lightweight yet durable aluminum ear shells contribute to the overall sturdiness of the design. Despite incorporating high-quality materials, these headphones remain cost-efficient and surprisingly lightweight.
Performance:
- Noise cancellation: If your primary concern is noise isolation, rest assured that these headphones will meet your needs. As soon as you experience them, one of the prominent features that will catch your attention is the luxurious leather material used throughout. It excels at effectively blocking out background noise and aiding in your ability to focus and immerse yourself in your chosen activity.
- Sound quality: With its expansive frequency response and exceptional sound clarity, these headphones are well-suited for various DJing scenarios. They deliver the performance and audio quality needed to excel in most DJing situations.
Pros:
- Exceptional dynamic response
- Consistent use of leather material
- Solid construction and long-lasting durability
- Comfortable and effortless to wear
Cons:
- Bass tends to lean toward the heavier side
Pricing:
Available on Amazon at the price of USD 39.99
Conclusion
Upon reviewing this list, it is evident that there are numerous remarkable choices to consider. However, when it comes to recording, specific features are essential for optimal performance: maximum sound isolation, minimal sound leakage, and superb sound quality.
For these reasons, the Neumann NDH20 stands out as our top recommendation. It excels in all the necessary aspects, including outstanding build quality, comfortable fit, and impressive isolation. Moreover, these closed-back headphones deliver exceptional sound reproduction across a wide frequency range. Whether for professional or home recording sessions, the Neumann NDH20 is a reliable and solid choice.
