7 Studio Headphones For Recording in 2023
When it comes to entering the recording or mixing studio, precision is crucial. Optimal studio headphones enable you to perceive every intricacy, allowing you to perform at your peak and create a flawlessly polished recording. In conjunction with your studio monitors, selecting the appropriate tool for each task is vital. Whether you require open-back headphones with a natural and spacious sound for refining your mix or comfortable closed-back headphones that provide impeccable isolation and clarity during tracking, choosing the right studio headphones for recording can be daunting. Fortunately, many options are available to accommodate any budget or purpose. So, prepare yourself with a cup of coffee and get ready as we handpick the finest studio headphones that cater to various budgets in 2023.
1. KRK KNS 8402 Studio Headphones For Recording
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
2. Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Studio 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
3. Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X Studio Headphones
The Audio Technica ATH-AD700X Headphones would be our second pick if soundstage likability were the basis for headphone selection. When you wear them, you’ll be transported to a different realm where the sound paints vivid pictures of stunning landscapes and awe-inspiring scenes. These headphones possess a refined grace, demonstrated by their reluctance towards excessive bass. Their distinct character makes them well worth their price.
Key Features
- Noise cancellation: No
- Transparency: Yes
- Driver: 43 mm dynamic
- Connection: 1/8″ (3.5 mm) mini Stereo, gold-plated
- Cable length: 3.0 m (9.8′)
- Frequency response: 5 Hz – 30,000 Hz
- Impedance: 38 Ω
- Sensitivity: 100 dB @ 1mW
- Weight: 265g
Design:
- Style: Over-ear headphones with an open-back design
- Earcups: allow air to go through, breathable for your ears, avoid causing discomfort
- Earpads: the earpads made of flexible fabric offer an extra level of comfort when worn
- Headband: the 3D wing support is designed to adjust automatically and provide a complete ear-fit without excessive pressure or the risk of headphones slipping off.
- Connectivity: the cable length is 3 meters, long enough for your movement and stable connection
Performance:
- Frequency response: range of 5Hz to 30,000 Hz for accurate and detailed sound production
- Sound quality: the open-back design allows to have the natural and spacious soundstage
- Soundstage: the sound signature is neutral, focusing on delivering precise and well-timed bass, although it may not satisfy bass enthusiasts.
- Sensitivity: high rate of 100dB/mW make them suitable for use with a wide range of audio equipment
- Microphone: no built-in microphone, no touch control for pickup/end calls
Pros:
- Significant driver, great for an enhanced soundstage
- self-adjusting headband
- Clear soundstage
- Great dynamics
Cons:
- Less portable
- Hard treble
- Lack of noise isolation
Pricing:
Available on Amazon at the cost of USD 118.72
4. beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO Headphones
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
5. Sennheiser HD 599 Studio Headphones
Sennheiser HD 599 is designed for audiophiles who demand exceptional sound quality and a sleek and elegant appearance. They feature an over-ear design with open backs, providing a comfortable listening experience without pressure on the ears. The padded headband and luxurious velour ear pads make them perfect for extended listening sessions. The headphones offer a range of connectivity options, including a robust 3-meter detachable cable, a 6.3-millimeter jack, and an additional 1.2-meter detachable cable with a 3.5-millimeter jack.
The timeless design cues include an ivory color, matte finish, brown headband stitching, and matte metallic detail, which convey quality at first glance. The premium components include Sennheiser-engineered transducers that use aluminum voice coils to deliver high efficiency, excellent dynamics, and extremely low distortion. These headphones use wired connectivity technology and do not require a battery for power.
Key Features
- Noise cancellation: No
- Transparency: Yes
- Driver: 38 mm dynamic
- Connection: 1/8″ (3.5 mm) mini Stereo, gold-plated
- Cable length: 3.0 m (9.8′)
- Frequency response: 12 Hz – 38,500 Hz
- Impedance: 50 Ω
- Sensitivity: 106 dB @ 1mW
- Weight: 250g
Design:
- Earpads: feature velour material that is soft, although not overly thick.
- Headband: crafted from premium leather, the material looks luxurious and offers comfort. It is adjustable to fit any head size comfortably, and the abundance of cushions inside the headband ensures no unnecessary pressure on the head while wearing it.
- Ear cushions: super soft cushion foam provide comfort to wear in long hours
- Connectivity: the cable length is 3 meters, long enough for your movement without losing connection. Also, they are replaceable.
Performance:
- Soundstage: expansive and open soundstage, creating a sensation of being within a music studio with multiple instruments.
- Imaging: the imaging is decent and precise as well. However, where these headphones truly excel is their exceptional mid-range, which is genuinely fantastic.
- Treble: the treble isn’t outstanding; it’s not excessively harsh or bothersome. However, the bass and sub-bass, which lie in the lower frequency range below 250 Hz, are slightly weaker.
- Lows: the low end is robust. While the detail is decent, in some tracks, the power of the low back can overpower the mids.
- Mids: the midrange is decent, occasionally bordering on remarkable. Though most of the frequency range is precise, there is some compression in the upper mids. Female vocals are relatively unaffected, but male vocals may sound constrained and heavy.
- Highs: the level of detail is exceptional, occasionally bordering on piercing, particularly when it comes to strings, although it never becomes unbearable. Despite this, the high end is not excessively bright, and everything is well-balanced.
Pros:
- Perfect passive soundstage
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Bulky design
- No noise isolation
Pricing:
Available on Amazon at the price of USD 149.99
6. Audeze LCD-X Studio Headphones For Recording
You can feel the quality and performance of the design of the headphones. These open-back headphones provide a great natural soundstage and are designed for professional audiophiles to produce music with such quality sound. Moreover, they easily connect with wide audio devices such as high-end audio players, amplifiers, and DACs. These headphones stand well in the market due to their brilliant and useful features.
Key Features
- Inputs: 1/4″ (6.35mm)
- Connection: wired
- Sensitivity: 103 dB/1mW
- Impedance: 20 Ω
- Cable length: 1.9 meter
- Weight: 612g
Design:
- Style: over-ear, open-back headphones
- Transducer: Planar Magnetic
- Earcups: classic matte black, and the vent is for air to get in and out
- Ear cushions: made from lambskin, which makes them comfortable and friendly looks
- Headband: made of premium leather, quite heavy, tho, but it’s comfortable even if you wear it for an extended period, but the wood here is very durable and robust.
- Connectivity: compatible with any genre
Performance:
- Sensitivity: it has 101 dB that can drive audio sources
- Frequency response: 10Hz – 50kHz, more comprehensive than other headphones, which provide better sound quality.
- Sound quality: impressive quality, balance, detail, and accurate sound in reproduction.
- Soundstage: separates the instrument sound well, easy to recognize and distinguish different sound
- Distortion: produced the sound without any unwanted artifacts.
- Planar Magnetic Drivers: the large diaphragm area in the field offers less distortion and better sound quality.
- Imaging: Perfectly for gaming, the soundstage provides an immersive experience in open-world games.
Pros:
- Great in imaging
- Classic looks
Cons:
- Quite expensive
- Require Amplifier
- a bit heavy
- limited ANC
Pricing:
Available in stock at the price of USD 1,199.00 at Amazon.
7. Monolith M1060 Headphones
With the MonolithTM M1060 planar headphones, music enthusiasts will receive a high-quality listening experience. The 106mm planar drivers produce a well-defined soundstage, revealing all the finer details in recordings. Featuring balanced sound, low distortion, and impressive imaging, these headphones provide a genuinely immersive audiophile listening experience—one of the best studio headphones for recording that we have reviewed.
Key Features
- Driver: 106 mm dynamic
- Cable: 3 meter
- Connection: wired
- Frequency response: 10Hz – 50,000 Hz
- Impedance: 5o Ω
- Sensitivity: 130 dB (1 V)
- Weight: 500g
Design:
- Earcups: the open-back earcups offer a holographic listening experience, as opposed to the isolated “inside your head” sound of traditional closed-back headphones. They create a feeling of being in the middle of a live performance rather than being cut off from the world.
- Headband: constructed from a singular piece of metal and features only a thin layer of foam bumps to prevent any potential damage or discomfort to the head.
- Connectivity: use a 3.5mm plug to connect to your device or amplifier.
Performance:
- Sound quality: boasts the distinctive characteristics of planar drivers, producing more transparent and open sound than traditional dynamic drivers.
- Mids: in particular, felt grainy and indistinct, lacking the depth and richness often found in dynamic driver headphones in this price range.
- Bass sound: while the bass response was satisfactory and occasionally enjoyable, it lacked clarity and impact similar to the mids. The kick drums failed to deliver the anticipated punch, and the basslines left us underwhelmed.
- Treble: the highs have a nice sparkle, but the gritty sound can be improved by replacing the pads with Audeze Vegan pads.
Pros:
- Great entry to Planar headphones
- Eye-catching design
- Competitive price
- Value-for-money
Cons:
- Sound rough and unfinished with some issues
- Poor build quality and materials
- Lack of left/right indicators
Pricing:
Available in stock at the price of USD 264.59 at Amazon.
Conclusion
We trust that this article has provided valuable guidance in selecting the studio headphones for recording that meet your needs. Nevertheless, it is crucial to prioritize your comfort when making the final decision. While sound quality undoubtedly plays a significant role, it won’t enhance your experience if you cannot comfortably wear and utilize the headphones. Discovering a pair of studio headphones for recording that combines exceptional sound with long-lasting comfort is the key to truly immersive and pleasurable listening sessions.
