Ryan Harrell

The price of studio headphones has gone down steadily over the last few years, so much so that you can buy some of the best studio headphones under $100. In this guide, we’ll share our picks of the best options in this price range.

As I noted in an earlier article, buying studio headphones can be confusing. There is a surprising amount of nuance to buying the right pair. And the impact headphones will have on your music production can’t be understated. ​

At the same time, this is arguably the best time in the world to be buying studio headphones. Electronic music has never been more popular, and along with it, the number of people wanting to make music has never been bigger. A field that was once dominated by a handful of players is now flooded with competition. You can get an astonishing variety of studio headphones, often at throwaway prices.

I’ve tried to make sense of this wide variety in this guide. In the sections that follow, I’ll share a brief guide to buying the best studio headphones under $100. I’ll also share my review methodology before diving into the 10 best models on the market right now.

For a sneak peak, here are the best studio headphones under $100 in 2020:

• Best budget: Tascam TH-03
• Best open back: AKG K240
• Best overall: Audio Technica ATH-M40x

My Picks for the Best Studio Headphones Under $100 at a Glance

If you’re in a hurry and want to see the top results by category, check out the section below:

Best Budget Studio Headphones: Tascam TH-03 Studio Headphones

Best Open Back Studio Headphones: AKG K240

Best Overall: Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

The 10 Best Studio Headphones (Under $100)

Why exactly did I rate the ATH-M40x so high? What makes the Sennheiser HD280 such a longstanding popular choice? If you’re on a budget, which studio headphone gives you the most bang for your buck?

I’ll answer all these questions, and more, below.

Let’s take a closer look at our top picks:

1. ​Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

The M40x is the younger sibling of the uber-popular (and my favorite) studio headphones, the ATH-M50x. Like it’s elder brother, it has nearly the same design, features, and almost the same performance.

These are closed back headphones. Combined with the strong noise isolation and circamural design, they’ll nearly cut off all outside noise. Not great if you’re outdoors, but perfect for a studio setting. The cushioned headband and large cups are comfortable, though it can get a little hot if you use them for extended periods.

The 40mm drivers deliver a robust performance with a balanced audio profile. The frequency response is as flat as you can get in this price range. It can also get surprisingly loud without using an external audio interface or amplifier.

There are a bunch of extras such as a detachable cable (it ships with two types of cables), a carrying bag, and a portable, folding design. The ear cups also swivel away 90 degrees – perfect for one-ear monitoring.

2. ​Sennheiser HD280 PRO

It’s impossible for me to not be partial to the Sennheiser HD280.

After all, these were the first serious pair of headphones I ever bought.

It’s remarkable to me that after so many years, the HD280 still remains one of the best studio headphones on the market. It’s also the first pair most people buy when they graduate from “tinkering with Ableton” to “making music”.

Let’s look at what makes them great: the sound profile is well-balanced and neutral, the ear cups are comfortable, the noise isolation is exceptional, and they’re so durable that they’ll last you for decades.

That they come in at this price point is a testament to Sennheiser’s engineering.

If there are any complaints, it’s the lack of a few missing features. There is no detachable cable, nor do the ear cups swivel away. The large headband also reduces portability.

But apart from these minor complaints, the HD280 remains one of my favorite picks in this segment, and the headphones thousands of musicians across the world grow up on.

3. ​Yamaha HPH-MT5

The Yamaha HPH-MT5 is a difficult headphone to evaluate. By itself, it is a perfectly competent studio monitor with a balanced sound profile and a comfortable, light-weight design. The circumaural ear cups do a good job of isolating outside sound. And the overall performance is consistent.

But when seen in comparison to the ATH-M40x and the HD280 Pro, the Yamaha appears less than perfect. The sound is a little less loud than the M40x. And the build quality is slightly worse than HD280s.

Given that it comes in at the same price point, I can’t really recommend the HPH-MT5 over these two. Unless you have a particular affinity for the brand or want something lighter, you don’t really have any reason to choose it over HD280 or M40x.

4. ​AKG K240 Studio

The AKG K240 is the only semi open-back headphones on this list. Only partially open, these headphones promise to deliver the best of both worlds – the intimacy of closed-back headphones and the openness of open-back ones.

At least in theory.

In practice, you get a performance that is reliable but with significant sound leakage. The mix is much roomier, which makes it great for mixing, but the lack of intimacy undermines the accuracy a bit.

I see the AKG K240 as a secondary pair of headphones. They won’t be your daily driver when producing music. But if you’re mastering a track and need to get your mix right, the open design will help a great deal (closed-back headphones sit too close to the sound to give you an idea of the final mix).

Besides the audio performance, the AKG K240 is also surprisingly light, perhaps the lightest studio headphones you’ll use. The strap doesn’t have a lot of padding, which can be uncomfortable for extended use. But this also makes it lighter and more airy – great when the weather is hot.

5. ​Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

Is it the best sounding studio headphone on the market? Nope.

Is it the most comfortable studio headphone around? Nope to that as well.

But is it the most value for money studio headphones you can buy?

Definitely.

The M20x is the younger sibling of the top-rated M40x. It has the same design cues and nearly the same performance, but at a lower price point. The sound quality is nearly identical, except for a slight shrillness in the treble ranges. The bass is uniform and consistent and the mids never get muddy.

The big difference is build quality. Although well-made and robust, the M20x doesn’t have the finesse and durability of its elder sibling. The ear pads will get worn out after a year and the gold plating will wither away. Honestly, at this price range, you can’t really complain.

6. ​Presonus HD9

The PreSonus brand is known more for their studio monitors than their headphones. In fact, my very first monitors – Eris 4.5 – were from PreSonus.

Despite the lack of brand recognition, the HD-9 is a seriously good offering with great all-around performance. The sound is balanced and loud and the headphones have tons of cushioning for added comfort. The circumaural design covers the ears completely and delivers decent noise isolation. If PreSonus had added a detachable cable, it would have been a nearly perfect headphone.

Now for the downsides. Though well-balanced, these headphones rumble slightly at lower frequencies. The frequency response could be flatter.

All that cushioning also means that these headphones are particularly heavy and hot. Get ready for sweaty ears if you wear them in hot weather.

7. ​Sennheiser HD 200

The Sennheiser HD 200 is a difficult headphone to review. It’s impossible to analyze it without comparing it to the much more popular HD 280.

The audio performance is well-balanced, but perhaps because Senneheiser was targeting a more casual audience, it suffers from a slight emphasis on bass and treble frequencies. Casual listeners and hobbyist producers won’t even notice it, but if you’re serious about music production, this will (and should) bother you.

On the plus side, these headphones look great. In fact, I can confidently say that these are the best looking studio headphones on the market right now.

The large ear cups also serve a functional purpose: they cover the ears completely and block out unwanted outside noise. I found their noise isolation to be better than the HD280 Pro’s, which is commendable.

There are a bunch of missing features – no detachable cable, no swivel ear cups, etc. – but these are minor.

8. ​Yamaha RH50A

The Yamaha RH50A gets a lot of things right. The large ear cups do a good job of isolating sound. The thick headband is extremely comfortable. And the retro design looks better in-person than you’d think.

What the RH50A gets wrong is the sound. Yamaha bills these as “professional” headphones, but the performance is closer to conventional consumer headphones. The sound is surprisingly bass-heavy and the trebles stick out. The frequency response isn’t nearly as flat as you’d want in a pair of studio headphones.

Since you’re looking at this category for studio use, this makes the RH50A a poor recommendation. They sound great, but just not neutral enough for a studio setting.

9. ​Koss Pro-4AA

The Koss Pro-4AA is a legendary headphone that was originally launched in 1970. It was massively popular for the first half of the decade but was retired in 1980 as demand waned. Koss brought it back recently to tap into the renewed demand for retro audio gear.

I have mixed feelings about the 4AA. The lo-fi, retro sensibilities sound great and the design draws your attention. But Koss calls these “studio quality” headphones, and not “studio headphones”. Which pretty much is the heart of my complaint: these aren’t true studio headphones. Rather, these are high-quality headphones that merely mimic the flat response of true studio gear.

In practice, this means that the 4AA adds its own color to the mix. The audio, while sounding great, has a distinct tone.

This wouldn’t be a problem for the vast majority of users, but since we’re looking at headphones for use while music production, this added color is a big issue. Simply put, you can’t rely on these for accurate sound reproduction.

10. ​Tascam TH-03

The Tascam TH-03 is far from the best sounding studio headphones on the market.

It is, however, one of the cheapest studio headphones around.

Any review of the TH-03 has to keep this fact in mind. You can’t really complain about its unbalanced sound without factoring in the nearly throwaway price it is sold for.

It’s not all negative (apart from the price). The noise isolation is good and the well-padded headband is comfortable to wear. The ear cups swivel away for one-ear monitoring.

The build quality isn’t exactly great. The plastic looks and feels cheap. But at this price point, you can’t really complain.

Section II: A Brief Guide to Buying Studio Headphones

If you’re reading this article, you likely have at least some understanding of studio headphones. Since you’re searching for studio headphones, I also assume that you’re interested in music production. Or barring that, at least a more authentic listening experience.

Having said that, there is still an incredible amount of confusion and misinformation online about studio headphones. What makes a pair of headphones “studio” grade is up for debate, but there are clearly some distinguishing features shared across all such headphones.

Below, I’ll help you understand these distinguishing features and how to factor them into your purchase decisions.

Consumer vs Studio Headphones

One of the first things you need to understand is the difference between consumer-grade and studio-grade headphones.

Consumer headphones are exactly what you think they are: headphones designed for every day consumers. Think of your Skullcandys and Beats and Bose and Panasonics. The market is absolutely flooded with such headphones with new entrants seemingly launching every day.

The three key distinguishing features of consumer headphones are:

• Bass/treble heavy sound: Consumer headphones are designed for a pleasurable listening experience rather than accuracy. Since most casual listeners prefer their music to have loud bass and sharp trebles, the headphones tend to emphasize these frequency ranges.
• Design focus: Consumer headphones are meant to be worn in public. They’re as much a fashion accessory as a scarf or a watch. Brands routinely emphasize the design of their consumer headphones in their marketing.
• Wide price range: These headphones can be priced anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars. The quality of offerings varies greatly across this range, but you can usually get a decent pair for under $50.

In contrast, studio headphones are meant for studio use. You buy them not because you want to listen to Ye’s latest album; you buy them because you want to produce your own album.

The difference in purpose and target market means that there are a lot fewer studio headphones on the market than there are consumer headphones. A few brands – Audio Technica, beyerdynamic, Sennheiser, AKG, Sony, Shure, etc. – dominate. Some of the top selling models have remained unchanged for decades.

Thus, the three distinguishing features of studio headphones are:

• Sound accuracy: Studio headphones are meant for music production, not casual listening. For producers, it’s vital that they hear a sound exactly as it is meant to be, without any color added by the headphones. This is why studio headphones have a flat frequency response range and high accuracy.
• Durable build quality: You wear these headphones in a studio setting, not on the subway. Hence, manufacturers emphasize build quality over design. Studio headphones might not look particularly good, but they can usually take a beating. I’ve had my Sennheiser HD280 for over 10 years, for instance.
• Higher price: Since studio headphones are uniformly higher quality and are mostly made by a handful of manufacturers, their price tends to be generally high. You can find some headphones under $50, but you’ll usually have to spend around the $100 mark to see anything worth using in a studio setting.

But perhaps the biggest difference between consumer and studio grade headphones is in their frequency response.

Frequency response defines the range of bass, treble, and mid frequencies the headphones are capable of reproducing. Headphones are often tweaked to emphasize or de-emphasize certain frequencies based on the kind of listening experience the manufacturer intends to create.

Think of it as an EQ built into the headphones.

Consumer grade headphones want listeners to hear the deep thump of the bass and the clarity of the trebles. The mids, where the bulk of the ‘action’ happens, conversely, is often boring. Hence, they often suppress mid-frequencies and amplify bass and treble frequencies.

This is often called the “smile” curve – high bass and trebles, low mids.

In contrast, the defining quality of studio headphones is their accuracy or fidelity. The best studio headphones are the ones that can help you hear a sound exactly as it was meant to be heard when recorded. If the headphones emphasize or de-emphasize any particular frequency, it wouldn’t be any good.

Hence, most studio grade headphones have a “flat” frequency response. That is, they don’t emphasize any frequency; the bass, treble, and mid are all equally flat.

This leads to a “flatter” listening experience, but with greater accuracy. You won’t be wowed by the thumping bass on a pair of Audio Technica M50x. But you will get a much better listening experience.

This brings me to the question nearly everyone asks me about studio headphones:

Do you really need studio headphones to make music?

Yes and no. You can technically make music with consumer headphones, but since audio reproduction is neither accurate nor consistent, you – and your listeners – will never hear what you actually want to hear. Your music will sound completely different than what you intended.

So while you can make music without studio headphones, your results will be amateur at best. For anything more than tinkering around, you need accurate audio reproduction. And for that, you need studio headphones. I recommend buying them as soon as you know you’re serious about making music. No sooner. No later.

To sum it up:

• Consumer headphones focus delivering a more pleasurable listening experience instead of accuracy. Manufacturers routinely emphasize design over durability. The price range varies greatly and there is a large range of options to choose from. You can’t use consumer headphones for music production because the audio would be too inaccurate.
• Studio headphones focus on accuracy and fidelity over listening pleasure. Design is a secondary concern; sturdiness and durability are critical components.

 

Things to Consider When Buying Studio Headphones

The obvious question now is – what exactly should you look for when you’re buying studio headphones? What factors did I consider when I made this list?

Here’s a brief rundown of the top things to consider when you evaluate studio headphones:

• Audio quality & accuracy: ​The first, and most important element in any pair of studio headphones is the quality and accuracy of the sound reproduction. It’s not enough for a headphone to have loud bass or clear trebles; you also need it to be accurate. Look for a flat frequency response. The less ‘color’ the headphones add to the sound, the better it is for music production.
• Build quality: Studio headphones take a beating. You’ll wear them for hours while mixing and fine-tuning tracks. It’s not unusual for producers to carry them around from gig to gig and studio to studio. Sturdiness and quality of materials should be key factors. Also look for headphones with high-quality and detachable cables since that’s generally the first thing to break.
• Comfort: You’ll wear studio headphones for hours on end. Ear pads that are too stuffy or uncomfortable will make making music a chore. Look for wide, cushioned ear pads and light but durable headphone bands. The ideal pair of headphones should fit snugly without being uncomfortable.
• Noise isolation: Hearing ambient noise can make it difficult to pinpoint a sound and get your mix right. This is why most studio headphones offer some noise isolation. Look for a pair that will block unwanted noise and let you focus on the music.
• Price: As always, a perennial factor is price. There isn’t really a lot to choose from at the bottom end of the studio headphone pool. Be prepared to spend upwards of $50 to get anything worth your time. The good news is that the best studio headphones tend to fall between the $50-$150 range. You can get the same gear as the kind used by your favorite producers within this budget.
• Other features: Although not crucial, additional features such as detachable cables, portability, carrying cases, swiveling ear cups, etc. are nice to have. Don’t make your buying decision based on them, but if two headphones have the same price and sound quality, pick the one that will let you remove the cable or fold away easily.

Of course, the importance of these factors will vary depending on your budget. If you’re looking at the low-end of the segment, you have to be resigned to slightly lower audio quality and limited features. At the high-end of the segment, however, you can – and should – demand additional features, after sales service, warranty, etc.

 

Review Methodology

After analyzing dozens of products based on my product research, personal experience, and recommendations from friends, I whittled down my list to 11 studio headphones under $100:

Most of these were from brands I know and trust. I intentionally removed offerings from no-name brands with limited reviews and few users. While I’m all for trying new products, studio headphones are so vital to the music production process that I don’t want to risk buying a cheap, untested pair of headphones.

Since you buy studio headphones primarily to produce music, I gave it the highest weightage by far. I also want my headphones to be durable, so I emphasized build quality. Since this isn’t a cheap category, I reduced the importance of value for money.

Lastly, features got a nominal importance in my review.

I used the following formula to calculate the overall score of each set of headphones:

Over to You

This wraps up a rather lengthy guide to the best studio headphones under $100 right now. Hopefully, this should have helped clear the air about studio headphones and will help you make a better buying decision.

For more recommendations and advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Also read:

• Working without a fixed budget? Then you’ll want to read our guide to studio headphones
• Want more bass in your headphones? Check out our guide to the best bass headphones
• Want open back headphones? Here’s our pick of the best open back headphones right now
• Love Audio Technica? Then check out our guide to the best Audio Technica headphones on the market

References:

• Active vs passive noise cancellation [Califone]
• Sennheiser official website
• Audio Technica official website
• Tascam official website
• AKG official website
• Yamaha headphones official website

toAfter one of our toughest reviews, we finally have a list of the best open back headphones on the market right now. We looked at headphones across a huge range of prices and performances. Some of our top picks were expected, but some will definitely surprise you. From our tests, the Sennheiser HD 599 emerged as the best open back headphones for the price.

Read on to find out how we arrived at this result.

“Breathe”.

That’s the word I like to use to describe open back headphones.

Unlike their closed back brethren, the sound in open back headphones feels like it is “breathing”. Since the back is open, sound from the surroundings can enter and escape the headphones. This creates a sense of “roominess” and space that’s missing from closed back headphones. There is no isolation; sound leaks (and enters) into the surroundings. It’s like wearing speakers on your ears.

Buying open back headphones isn’t easy. Unless you know precisely what you’re looking for, you’ll quickly get confused with the sheer number of available options. And even when you zero down on what you want, who is to say that you won’t be distracted by delicious deal on a pair of headphones that’s just out of your budget?

Which is why I’ve taken a slightly different approach with this review. Instead of categorizing headphones by price – as I did in my best studio headphones roundup – I’ve sorted them based on buying criteria: performance, price, value for money, etc.

Overall, this was an expansive exercise. We ended up looking at over 30 headphones across a huge range of prices. This included everything from the cheap Samson SR850 to the extraordinary Focal Clear. I had first-hand reviews of most of these headphones. For others, I relied on input from friends and fellow-bloggers in the recording/audiophile community.

I divided all headphones into three categories based on price. Use the navigation below to jump to the category of your choice:

Here’s a quick overview of our best open back headphones at a glance:

Final Review Scores

In the course of compiling this guide, we compared 26 different open back headphones spread across three price-based categories (budget, mid-range, performance).

Here are the final review scores for all these headphones:

Headphones	Price Category	Editor Score	User Rating	Where to Buy
Samson SR850 Semi-Open-Back	$	4.4	4.1	Amazon
AKG K240STUDIO Semi-Open Studio Headphones	$	4.3	4	Amazon
SIVGA SV007 Over Ear Headphones	$	4.3	4.1	Amazon
Shure SRH144 Semi-Open	$	4	3.8	Amazon
Audio-Technica ATH-M2X	$	3.5	3.6	Amazon
Sennheiser HD 579	$$	4.5	4.2	Amazon
Sennheiser HD 599	$$	4.5	4.2	Amazon
Philips SHP9500S	$$	4.5	4.2	Amazon
Sennheiser HD 598 SR Open-Back Headphone	$$	4.4	4.2	Amazon
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO	$$	4.4	4.1	Amazon
Grado SR80e Prestige Series	$$	4.4	4	Amazon
Grado Prestige Series SR125e	$$	4.3	3.9	Amazon
Audio Technica ATH-AD700X	$$	4.2	3.9	Amazon
Sennheiser HD 600	$$$	4.8	4.6	Amazon
beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO	$$$	4.8	4.6	Amazon
Focal Clear Headphones	$$$	4.7	4.4	Amazon
Sennheiser HD 650	$$$	4.6	4.4	Amazon
Sennheiser HD 558	$$$	4.6	4.3	Amazon
Sennheiser HD 700	$$$	4.5	4.3	Amazon
Shure SRH1440	$$$	4.5	4.3	Amazon
Sennheiser HD 800	$$$	4.5	4.3	Amazon
Audio-Technica ATH-R70x	$$$	4.3	4	Amazon
Audeze LCDX Over Ear	$$$	4.2	3.9	Amazon
AKG K702 Reference Class	$$$	4.2	4	Amazon
Monoprice 116050 Monolith M1060	$$$	3.9	3.8	Amazon

In the sections to follow, we’ll take a closer look at the top five headphones for each of these categories.

If you’re curious about how open back headphones sound, check out this video:

The Best Budget Open Back Headphones

Just because you’re a budget buyer doesn’t mean that you have to settle for poor performance and dodgy build quality. There are a surprising number of open back headphones that sound great without costing an arm and a leg.

My criteria for this category was price above everything else. Although I had a budget cap, I tried to find the cheapest open back headphones on the market that deliver acceptable performance. After evaluating nearly a dozen headphones, here’s my list of the best open back headphones for budget buyers:

Not all of you would remember this, but in 1985, Eddie Murphy released a song that would reach no. 2 on the Billboard charts – “Party All The Time“:

The music video for this song featured a familiar pair of headphones: the AKG K240.

The AKG K240s were huge in the ’80s. They were the recording gear of choice for a number of producers. For a while, they were also AKG’s flagship model (a mantle now taken over by the K702).

That you can buy these iconic, decade-defining headphones for less than three figures is a testament to how much audio technology has improved over the years.

Although unchanged, the K240s still retain a big following among producers and casual listeners alike. They’re flat, nimble, and have well-balanced sound. Casual listeners might find this a little boring, but for critical listening, there are few better options in this price range.

Let’s take a closer look:

• Comfort: The dual headband design with the wide padding makes these one of the more comfortable headphones you’ll wear. The earcups are large enough to fit most ears. These are semi-open headphones so they’re not as open or breathable as fully open-back headphones.
• Design: Since the design is literally unchanged from the 70s, the K240s have a decidedly retro look. This is an iconic design. It might lack the flair of more modern headphones, but it is instantly recognizable. The build quality isn’t exceptional but good enough for this price range.
• Sound: The mid-range and trebles are exceptionally well-balanced in the K240s. The bass, however, is mediocre and lacks thickness. Aside from bass-heavy genres, you’ll enjoy using them for pretty much everything.

On the whole, the AKG K240s are iconic headphones that look decidedly retro and boast a proven, balanced sound profile. There are better sounding alternatives on the market (even from AKG’s own stable), but for this price, the K240s are impossible to beat.

The No-Frills Option: Samson SR850

For a no-frills, no-fuss pair of budget open back headphones, you can’t really go wrong with Samson’s SR850s. They’re priced less than lunch for two and boast sound quality that’s good enough to compete against headphones 3-4x costlier.

The design is almost identical to the AKG K240. In fact, the two headphones share the same architecture. The comfort level is similar to the AKG K240s as well, though the padding is slightly inferior. The build quality is better than the price would suggest as well.

The design and materials might not be premium, but the sound certainly is. Samson calls them “reference” monitors, which implies neutral, balanced performance. While I certainly wouldn’t recommend using them for mixing, they are certainly up to par on performance with more expensive studio monitors.

Since these are semi-open headphones, they have better isolation than purely open back headphones. Yet, they also have spacious sound staging and you’ll enjoy the roominess on reverb-heavy tracks. Still, I wouldn’t recommend wearing them outdoors – lots of sound still escapes.

Let’s look at the details in brief:

• Comfort: Similar to their design inspiration, the AKG K240s, the SR850s are comfortable and light weight. The thick, adjustable headband is great for use over hours. My only complaint is that the padding isn’t as plush as it could be.
• Design: The design is boring and utilitarian. There is no color anywhere, not even a dash of gray. They’re unremarkable for the most part. The build quality is decent enough, but don’t expect to use them for more than a couple of years.
• Performance: The sound performance is premium-grade, especially considering the price. The low-end performance is mediocre, but the mids make up for it. The highs are taut but have a shrill edge. Overall, these headphones sound expansive and spacious.

Overall, the Samson SR850 is a near clone of the AKG K240s but at a lower price point. They’re comfortable but unremarkable looking with premium-quality sound quality at a less than premium price.

The Lightweight Choice: Shure SRH144

The teeny-tiny headphones that could.

The Shure SRH144 aren’t exactly a sight to behold. They look like the cheap headphones that would ship with Sony’s Walkmans in the ’80s. In a sea of headphones with massive earcups, the SRH144’s tiny earpads feel out of place.

Where they do deliver, however, is in the sound quality.

The SRH144s have sharp highs and robust, thick mids. The bass notes aren’t exactly punchy, but we’re okay with compromising on the low-end if it means we get these crisp, clear highs. The sound staging is expansive and roomy. For the price, you can’t really beat the performance.

• Comfort: Since these are on the ear headphones, they’re not as comfortable as large over-ear competitors. Nevertheless, they’re exceptionally light at under 150gms and feel great to wear for long hours. Some more padding on the headband would have been nice.
• Design: Shure has tried to evoke a Beats-like feel with the design, but it only ends up looking more like cheap retro headphones – not that it’s a bad thing. The foldable headband works well but the hinges are a little weak.
• Performance: As expected, the bass is twangy and weak, but the mid-range more than makes up for it. The highs are clear except some muddiness in the low-high range. The sound staging creates a sense of space, which is complemented by the open design.

If you’re looking for an affordable, portable set of headphones with superb (for the price) mids and trebles performance, look no further. The retro-like design looks great and the low weight makes them extremely comfortable for long-term use.

The ‘Surprisingly Good’ Option: SIVGA SV007

Headphones from Chinese brands are often derided as “Chi-Fi”, a description that, I feel, is unfair. As you might have seen in my review of the best earbuds under $50, Chinese brands can hold their own in audio equipment now.

The Sivga SV007 is a great example. These made in China headphones look good and perform exceptionally well. They’re not as cheap as some of the others in the budget category, but their mix of price, performance, and design is difficult to beat.

Everything about these headphones screams “premium” (except for the price). The all-black packaging, carrying case, and even cable hardware feel good to hold. The headphones themselves have wooden ear cups that add a definite premium finish.

The sound quality is good, not great. The bass is poor but the mids trebles sound nice. The clarity is good enough to make this a worthy addition to this list, especially when coupled with the premium build quality.

• Comfort: The adjustable headband and thick stock earcups are comfortable to wear for long hours. They are slightly on the heavier side, however. The relaxed fit removes some of the discomfort from the weight.
• Design: Both the design and build quality are fantastic for this price range. The materials feel premium and there is a satisfying clickiness when adjusting the headband. The wooden finish looks nice as well.
• Performance: Low bass and tinny high-highs stop these headphones from becoming “great”. Nevertheless, the level of detail and clarity in the mids make these an acceptable, if not exceptional set of open back headphones.

While the SV007s aren’t cheap, their premium fit-finish and decent performance makes them one of the best open back headphones in the budget category. If you value build quality, these should be high on your shopping list.

The Value Pick: Audio-Technica ATH-M2X

If there’s one way to describe the ATH-M2X, it’s “great value”.

These don’t sound exceptional, nor do they feel “premium”. What they do offer, however, is robust Audio Technica performance at a wonderful price-to-performance ratio.

The sound is well-rounded and thick with an even profile across lows, mids, and trebles. The construction quality is good and their lightweight enough to wear for long hours without complaint.

Here’s a quick look at the details:

• Comfort: The low weight and relaxed fit makes these one of the more comfortable options on this list of the best open back headphones. The earcups are slightly on the smaller side, however, and might not fit large ears.
• Design: The ATH-M2x are designed for function over form. The plain black design won’t draw any attention. They do, however, feel well-built, with good construction quality. The plastic feels good to touch and the faux leather headband is durable enough to last years.
• Performance: The bass, as expected in this range, isn’t anything to write home about. But the rest of the sound profile is even and balanced. Since they’re open back, the sound staging feels wide and spacious as well. Great for most casual listeners.

These are some of the cheapest Audio Technica headphones you can buy. They don’t don’t anything particularly well, but they don’t do anything bad either. If you’re looking for robust, no-frills performance, you can’t go wrong with the ATH-M2x.

Best Open Back Headphones (Mid-Range)

How much is too much to spend on a pair of headphones?

If you looked at my selection of headphones above, you might have asked yourself this question. A $800 pair of headphones might sound nice, but are they really that good to warrant the price tag?

For most of you reading this, value for money trumps performance. Sure, you want your headphones to sound good, but you also want them at an affordable price tag.

Hence, in this section, I’ve looked at headphones that offer a good mix of price and performance. These headphones aren’t cheap (we’ll get to that later), but they will give you near audiophile-grade sound quality without the price tag.

Let’s start from the top with my first pick:

The first thing you’ll notice about the HD 599 is that they look really great. The silver, cream, and brown accents come together really well to create a “premium” feel. They’re a long way from the blandness of the ATH-R70x or Sennheiser’s own HD 650.

But it’s not just about the cosmetic touches. The HD 599 also perform remarkably well, with a even, balanced sound and spacious soundstaging. They’re a good fit for most genres but perform particularly well on treble-heavy tracks thanks to Sennheiser’s signature brightness.

Here’s a quick look at the key features:

• Comfort: Large ear pads, comfortably padded headband, and a light, relaxed fit make these one of the most comfortable headphones you’ll ever own. Since they’re open back, they’re highly breathable and are great for long listening sessions.
• Design: The HD 599 look great. The cream and brown color scheme looks really classy, and the silver accents add a dash of style. Although the earcups are large, they’re slender enough to not look awkward. The build quality is similarly premium and robust.
• Sound: Round low-end, even mids, and bright, chirpy trebles make up the HD 599’s audio performance. Save a slight muddiness in the low-mids/high-bass frequencies, these headphones sound as good as you can possibly get in this range.

On the whole the Sennheiser HD 599s have a near-perfect mix of everything you’d want from headphones in this range: great performance, great design, premium materials, and long-term comfort. If you can find a deal on it, there will be few better buys in this category.

The Well-Balanced Choice: Philips SHP9500S

The Philips SHP9500S aren’t the most stylish headphones on the market. Nor are they the best sounding. Their build quality could be better. And maybe the soundstaging isn’t as wide as it should be…

…but that doesn’t really matter, because as far as value for money goes, the Philips SHP9500S is one of the best open back headphones on the market right now.

The 9500S gets a ton of things right: decent, well-balanced sound, spacious soundstaging, an understated aesthetic, and low weight. Throw in the affordable price tag and you can see why I’ve ranked them second on my list.

Here’s a quick look at their key features:

• Comfort: The SHP9500S boast large, well-padded earcups, a relaxed fit, and most importantly for us, low weight. They sit comfortably over the ears and feel light enough to use for hours on end. One of the most comfortable pairs of headphones you’ll ever use.
• Design: Simple and practical, the SHP9000S design is nothing to write home about. It looks good in an understated way, but if you’re looking for something with more flash, look elsewhere (though you’re not likely to wear this outdoors anyway).
• Sound: The Philips SHP9000S excels in the mid-range. The mids are nearly as flat as you can get without any muddiness. Treble performance is good as well save a dip in the high-highs. Bass, while solid, has some muddiness in the low-bass frequencies.

On the whole, the Philips SHP9000S is one of the best value for money deals on the market. They don’t excel at anything in particular, but they do everything well enough to warrant a place in your shopping cart.

Spacious Soundtage: Grado SR80e Prestige Series

The Grado SR80e are a strange pair of headphones. For starters, they’re on-ear instead of over-ear – a rarity in the open back headphones category.

(For uninitiated, on-ear headphones don’t cover the ear fully. Rather, they sit on top of the ears, allowing the sound to enter/escape. Most open back headphones are over-the-ear to allow some degree of isolation).

Then there is the company itself. Grado is over half a century old, founded in 1953 by a watchmaker. Although it is a recognizable name, the company has brushed past bankruptcy plenty of times, selling as few as 12,000 units a year (something Sennheiser would likely accomplish in a day). The company is still family run and operates like a mom and pop store, not a corporate behemoth – surely, something a few of you would appreciate.

Back to the SR80e. These were among the first of Grado’s new “Prestige” series meant to revive the company. Their retro design isn’t just whimsical nostalgia; these are actually based off the original SR80 created in the 1980s. Plus, the retro design means that the company can keep material costs to a minimum.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the key features:

• Comfort: Although they’re light and comfortably padded, the on-ear design never sits right. The headband is also sparsely padded. You can wear them for hours, but expect your ears to be slightly sore afterwards. They could also use better padding material.
• Design: Simple and utilitarian is how you would describe the SR80e’s design. There are no design flourishes or color relief. The retro design looks good by itself and the construction materials are sturdy, but a few aesthetic touches would have helped.
• Sound: Nimble – that’s how you can describe the Grado SR80e performance. The sound is sparse and lean with sharp demarcations between frequencies. The low-end is smooth and the mids even. You can really feel the shift when a track switches from bass to high notes. The soundstaging is wide and spacious as well.

On the whole, Grado SR80e are one of the more interesting open back headphones on this list. They’re on-ear, open-back, and have a spacious sound staging. The sound is nimble and clear with well-stratified lines between lows, mids, and highs. If Grado can get its comfort and design problems sorted, I would happily recommend them even further

The Enduring Classic: beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

Although they lean heavily on the “price” side of the price:performance matrix, the beyerdynamic DT990 PRO are just too good to not include on this list. Boasting nearly the same performance as the DT1990 PRO but at a substantially lower price point, these are some of the best sounding headphones in this range.

The first thing you’ll notice about them is their big, sturdy-looking design. The earcups on the DT990 PRO are massive, offering ample cushioning. The design itself is fairly utilitarian, though it does have the same meshed back as the DT1990.

The build quality is fantastic. The headphones are built off a solid metal frame that can take a fair amount of punishment. The plastic on the earcups is dense and rugged.

Let’s look at some other features quickly:

• Comfort: Large earcups with generous padding make these one of the more comfortable headphones around. However, the fit is a little tight and the headband doesn’t have enough give in it. This makes them slightly uncomfortable after a couple of hours of use.
• Design: Although the design is fairly simple and utilitarian, the DT990 looks premium thanks to the high-quality materials used. The large earcups with white padding material stick out and attract attention. They are a little on the larger side, but I doubt you’ll wear them in public anyway (too much noise leakage in open back headphones).
• Sound: The DT990 PRO excels in the mid and treble ranges. The sound is even, balanced, and rich. They’re not as bright as the Sennheiser HD 599, but the mid-range is sharp and clear. The bass is thick and punchy, but there is an absent low-low end. Sub bass won’t jump out quite as much as it should.

On the whole, if you’re looking for a top of the line beyerdynamic and are willing to spend a little more, the DT990 PRO should be your top choice for the best open back headphones. They’re fantastic for critical listening and have the build quality to last you a long time.

The Starting Audiophile’s Choice: Audio Technica ATH-AD700X

I’ve made no secret of my love for Audio Technica as a brand. Their headphones consistently rank at the very top of my lists. So it shouldn’t be a surprise to see yet another offering from Audio Technica earn a spot in my rankings.

The ATH-AD700X are different from AudioTechnica’s other popular offerings (M20x, M40x and M50x) in that they’re open back, and they’re huge. The earcups are absolutely massive and if you walk around wearing them, you might as well look like an extra from Bladerunner.

(On that note: it’s always a bad idea to wear open back headphones in public. The sound will leak out and you’ll earn more than a few angry stares from people around you).

Massive earcups aside, the AD700x is comfortable and feels really open and spacious, thanks to a completely open back design. Wearing them feels like carrying around two little speakers strapped to your head.

On that note, let’s look at their key features:

• Comfort: Don’t let the huge earcups fool you: the AD700x is lightweight and comfortable. The dual-strap headband design removes a lot of weight without compromising on the comfort. And the massive earcups provide ample cushioning. My one complaint is the small size of ear openings in the earcups.
• Design: The design is nothing to write home about; it is as plain and utilitarian as they come. The mesh grill on the back of the earcups dominates. The large earcups also gives them an awkward silhouette. Fortunately, the build quality is decent and the construction solid enough to last you a long time.
• Sound: The AD700x performance is mixed bag. The low-end is surprisingly thick (for open back headphones), but the mid-range is on the muddier side. The trebles are bright and veering on the side of “shrill”. The sound staging is extremely spacious which creates a real sense of depth that I love.

On the whole, if you want a well-priced pair of Audio Technicas with robust, proven performance, you can’t go wrong with the AD700x. They’re not perfect, but the overall package is compelling, especially at the current price point.

The Best Open Back Headphones (Performance)

Performance. And nothing else.

If you’re looking at this category, your primary criteria is audiophile-grade sound quality. Price isn’t a concern for you. You want the best and you’re ready to splurge for it.

Audiophile grade headphones come in a range of prices. You can get reference-quality monitor headphones for a hundred bucks. And you can spend half a month’s salary on a pair of Focal Clear headphones.

At the bare minimum, expect to spend a few hundred dollars at least if you’re looking for audiophile-grade headphones. For a better mix of price and performance, jump to the next section.

Here’s my pick of the best open back headphones by performance:

Along with AKG, Sennheiser, AudioTechnica, and Sony, beyerdynamic ranks among the top “mainstream” headphone brands (beyond this, you’ll get into smaller audiophile brands).

Given that the DT1990 Pro is beyerdynamic’s top-of-the-line consumer-grade model, you can bet that it sounds absolutely fantastic. Let’s look at how it performs in more detail:

• Comfort: The comfort is top-notch, thanks to all the extra padding. The earcups are large but light, and the headband is generously padded. They’re also lighter than you’d expect (as with most open back headphones). The only complaint I have is that they sit slightly tighter if you have a large head
• Design: The DT1990 Pro looks good by all means. They are a little bulkier, but since they’re open back, you won’t likely use them outdoors. They also ship with an additional set of ear pads for “analytical” listening. If I have one complaint, it’s that they look too similar to beyerdynamic’s lower tier models.
• Sound: Since these are “critical listening” headphones, their sound signature is nearly flat.The bass is deep and punchy, the mid-range is flat and balanced, the highs are even. From music to gaming to movies, everything sounds sharp and clear. The one negative is that the trebles sound too sharp on bright, treble-heavy tracks.

While all these are fantastic, there is the question of value for money. As incredible as the DT1990 perform, they’re not so much better than the DT990 Pro, which are priced nearly a third of these headphones. If you’re buying these, you have to ask yourself: do I care so much about the small increase in sound quality to justify the price?

But if performance is your only criteria, you can’t go wrong with the beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro.

Best for Critical Listening: Sennheiser HD 650

As one of the top offerings from another iconic manufacturer, the Sennheiser HD650 ranks among our top performance picks. Meant for “critical”, rather than casual listening, these headphones are designed to give you an accurate rendition of the music as intended.

In actual use, this means that you won’t see the exaggerated bass or sharp trebles that characterize so many cheaper headphones. This can give you the impression that these headphones aren’t as loud as, say, a pair of Beats, but the clarity and accuracy is unmatched.

There are better Sennheisers on the market in terms of pure performance (and I’ve included a few below), but for the price-to-performance ratio, the HD650 is a great pick.

• Comfort: Large earcups, breathable open back, and a wide headband make these one of the more comfortable headphones you’ll wear. They sit slightly loose which can cause stability issues but also reduces the clamping effect common in so many headphones. If you want something you can wear for hours, don’t look further.
• Design: The Sennheiser HD650 isn’t the world’s prettiest set of headphones. The large earcups look bland and there is little color to break the monotony of black and gray. The headband is also slightly flimsy which a weak joint holding it in place. At this price point, you expect slightly better build quality and aesthetics
• Performance: These headphones stand out in their performance. The bass is round, full, and well-balanced. The mids are even and the treble doesn’t have the shrillness of the DT1990 Pro. My one complaint is the slight muddiness that plagues the low-bass frequencies. The performance is slightly below par on bass-heavy tracks.

Apart from the slight niggles in the low-end, these headphones perform remarkably well, especially considering that they’re priced significantly lower than the DT1990 Pro. You can get better sounding headphones, even from Sennheiser itself, but you have to ask if that slightly better performance warrants the substantially higher price.

Because of this price-to-performance ratio, I’ve ranked the Sennheiser HD650 among my 5 best open back headphones by performance.

The Sincere Audiophile: Audeze LCD-X

It’s difficult to evaluate the Audeze LCD-X. While the DT1990 Pro and Sennheiser HD650 still fall into the “consumer” category, the Audeze LCD-X is right up audiophile alley.

You can’t – and shouldn’t – just plug the Audeze LCD-X into your phone headphone jack and start blasting out Taylor Swift. You need an entire setup that will help you fully enjoy the intricate performance that the LCD-X brings to the table.

Here’s a bare minimum of what you’ll need: lossless WAV audio files (no MP3s), a dedicated headphone amplifier, and XLR cable connections. If you don’t have a dedicated headphone amp, don’t even bother with these headphones – you won’t really have much fun with them.

The other thing you need to know about the Audeze LCD-X is that they use planar magnetic drivers. Nearly all conventional headphones use dynamic drivers. They perform well, but they’re also susceptible to slight distortion, especially in the low-mids range.

If you recall our review of the best bass headphones, you’ll remember that planar magnetic drivers use two heavy magnets with a coil suspended between them. Because of the planar magnetic drivers, the Audeze LCD-X are one of the heaviest headphones you’ll ever wear. People frequently joke that they should be sold as fitness accessories, like weight vests.

Here’s a look at its key features:

• Comfort: Comfort isn’t the LCD-X’s strong suit. These cans are HEAVY. Despite the open back, they’re not particularly breathable either. Although the earcups are large, they’re held loosely in place. A real disappointment considering the price tag.
• Design: The Audeze LCD-X won’t win any design awards, but it isn’t completely hopeless either. The perforated headband is the only “unique” design touch. The earcups themselves can easily pass off as any standard open back headphones.
• Sound: The LCD-X sound so good that I’m okay overlooking the deep flaws in design and comfort. They sound bright, can handle any genre, have a large sound stage, and give you a real sense of space. It’s tough to find headphones that sound as good as these, even beyond this price range.

If you’re comfortable with the heft and setup prep, you’ll find that the Audeze LCD-X are simply the finest sounding pair of headphones you’ve ever used. They sound warm, soft, and lack any discernible distortion, even with the amp turned up.

The ‘Frighteningly Expensive’ Pick: Sennheiser HD 800

The HD 800 is the big daddy of the Sennheiser line-up, a pair of headphones so extraordinary in their performance – and price – that they transform mere mortals into audiophiles.

People, for some reason, recognize these. They’ll ask you if they’re are those “super expensive headphones” they once saw on Amazon. Audiophiles will nod in agreement with your taste. Like a superhero costume, You feel like a different person once you put these on.

Jokes aside, the HD 800 are a serious set of headphones, with the price to match it. They’re certainly one of the priciest of Sennheisers and sit at the top of the brand’s totem pole of consumer-grade offerings. Their sound quality is exceptional, as is their design and comfort. The only headphones that can beat them in pure performance is the Audeze LCD-X, and that too if you care more about critical listening than pure music joy.

Let’s see what they’re all about:

• Comfort: The Sennheiser HD 800 have large earcups lined with a soft suede-like material. The headband is similarly soft and well-padded. They fit slightly loose which is ideal for long listening sessions. These are pretty heavy, so you might get tired after using them for a while.
• Design: The HD 800 uses a lot of metal and premium materials in its construction. Everything feels well built and sturdy. The conical earcups with the silver finish are hard to miss. My only complaint is that they’re a little bulky for casual use.
• Sound: The HD 800 are one the best open back headphones in terms of sound quality. The output is consistent and well-balanced across the board. The bass has a strong punch, the mids are even, and the treble is bright without being sharp.

Of particular note is the treble performance. With most headphones, I have to turn down the volume because the treble gets too sharp. The HD 800 finds that rare balance between sharpness and brightness. Vocal and lead-guitar heavy tracks sound particularly good.

The Neutral Choice: Audio-Technica ATH-R70x

In an earlier review, The Verge called the Audio Technica R70x the “definition” of neutral sound.

I have to agree. AudioTechnica says that these are professional “reference” headphones, which means they’re meant to be used in a studio setting. Their frequency response is flat as it can get. You won’t find any of the colorization that often plagues headphones in the performance category.

Lookers these headphones are not. There is no color, no brushed metal, no fancy plastic pieces. The design is bare and industrial. These headphone are all about the performance in a studio setting.

This focus on studio performance also means that the R70x doesn’t do that well for casual listening. The flat sound can be a bit boring, especially when compared to the Sennheiser HD 600’s chirpiness. Nevertheless, if studio performance or critical listening is your criteria, you will love the R70x.

• Comfort: Although the ear pads are well-padded, they are slightly on the smaller side which can be uncomfortable for some. The headaband has an open top loop and two protruding pads to reduce the weight. This improves the comfort for long-term listening.
• Design: The ATH R70x feels well-built, but with an industrial aesthetic. There are few design flairs and everything looks like it was made for function, not form. This fits their purpose – studio recording – but a bit of color would have looked nice.
• Sound: In terms of sheer accuracy, the R70x sit right up there with the very best studio monitors around. They’re certainly better than one of my top picks, ATH M50x. The sound is flat and balanced, especially in the low end. Perfect for the studio, but a bit bland for casual listeners.

One of the problems I encountered is the high impedance. This means you’ll need a powerful amp if you want to get the volume up. Again, if you’re looking at reference headphones in this category, it is safe to assume that you already have access to a headphone amp.

Also read: Our list of the top Audio Technica headphones to buy in 2019.

Over to You

That draws this lengthy guide to the best open back headphones to a close. Hopefully, this should help you make a better decision on the right open back headphones for your budget and needs.

For more recommendations and advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Also read:

• Bass heads should read our guide to buying the best bass headphones
• If you’re on a budget, read our list of the best headphones under $100
• Pair up your headphones with a good DAC to get the best possible sound. Here are our top budget picks
• If you like your Audio Technica headphones, you’ll want to read this guide

References:

• Sennheiser headphones [Official website]
• Sony headphones [Official website]
• Audio Technica [Official website]
• AKG [Official website]
• beyerdynamic [Official website]
• Shure [Official website]

Play in perfect privacy – without compromising on sound quality – with our pick of the best headphones for guitar amps in 2020.

Regular readers might know this, but for the rest of you, here’s a disclosure: before I started electronic music production, I was a guitarist. I was never particularly good at it – I have a stronger knack for technical stuff than sheer virtuosity – but I have spent enough time with the instrument to know its ins and outs.

Growing up, I had to share a room with my big brother. Practicing the guitar meant either playing so softly that it was barely audible. Or plugging the guitar into an amp with headphones. I obviously chose the latter.

Guitar headphones are a necessity for a lot of us. You don’t always have the luxury of turning up the volume and playing all through the night. Some of us practice late at night. Some others share rooms with others. A guitar headphone makes it possible to keep practicing without the neighbors calling the cops on you.

But not every headphone works equally well with guitar amps. Most commercial headphones add too much “color” to the output. Most modern ones are particularly guilty of turning up the bass and treble. Practice using these headphone and you’ll barely hear the all-important meaty mids.

What you need are headphones with a flattish sound profile – something that will help you hear the entire audio spectrum, not just base and treble frequencies. And since you’ll be wearing them for hours, you also want these headphones to be comfortable. And of course, you should be able to plug them into your guitar amp easily (i.e. 1/4″ audio-in preferred).

Keeping this in mind, let’s take a closer look at the best headphones for guitar amp you can buy right now.

The 8 Best Headphones for Guitar Amp

Here are my picks for the best guitar headphones for different budgets and needs:

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is the first option on this roundup and the best overall headphones for a guitar amp. Plugging your guitar into an amp, turning the volume up, and singing your best music is a paradise for most guitar players. And if you want to have a good time without waking up the neighbors, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is the best headphones to accompany your playing.

The design is compact, and the headphones are foldable. Hence, they are fairly easy to carry around. Since it is also lightweight, you can listen to music for extended periods without feeling the strain on your ears.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is arguably the most popular pair of headphones, and for good reason. Many users have remarked on the overall performance of these headphones. They come with a closed-back design that ensures that you hear the best tunes from your guitar.

Another impressive feature is the mid-range. It is very impressive and is well complemented by the extended bass. Additionally, the treble on these headphones is pretty good. During testing, we did not observe any popping or hissing. Distortion was also very low.

The closed-back design ensures minimal sound leakage. Thus, people in the same room with you would likely have no idea you are listening to music.

While it comes with an impedance of just 38 Ohms, we observed that this did not affect the performance. It is a versatile model that supports different frequencies, and it excellent for use on a guitar amp.

What I don’t like:

Overall, these are excellent headphones that you will likely have a great time using. However, it does come with downsides. Something that we observed is the relatively narrow soundstage. This is likely a result of the closed-back design. Because of the relatively poor soundstage, the bass is somewhat low.

Best Multipurpose Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro

Beyerdynamic is one of the most popular manufacturers of headphones in the world. Their headphones are renowned for their sturdy construction and robust sound reproduction. They also come in 32, 80, and up to 250 ohms. Well, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro continues this tradition. These 32 ohms headphones might come at a relatively high price, but they are certainly worth it.

The headphones come with an excellent frequency range that reproduces sound almost impeccable. The frequency range of 5 Hz aids this sound reproduction to 35 kHz. Therefore, they are compatible with a lot of players, including your guitars. If you are playing with a guitar amp, we recommend the 32Ohms model to give excellent value for money.

Due to the range, every note that comes out from the headphones sounds great. They feel articulate and are highly defined. While others might lack punch and clarity, that is not the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro case.

With these headphones, you will enjoy impressive sounds because of the unbelievable noise isolation and zero bleeds. While there are other models in the Beyerdynamic line, the 770 Pro stands out and is excellent for any professional guitarist.

What I don’t like

There are, of course, some downsides. For one, unlike our top pick, these headphones lack that compact, foldable factor. Thus it can be a hassle carrying it around. Another thing I did not like is that the cable length of 5 meters is quite short. Compare that length to the 10-meter length found in the Audio-Technica model we reviewed.

Best Mid-Range Guitar Headphones: Sennheiser HD280PRO

Up next are headphones from another reputable brand. I love Sennheiser’s headphones as these were the first brand I bought, and it lasted for several years without any issues. This particular model is the go-to option when choosing headphones for guitar amps. The Sennheiser HD280PRO headphones are relatively cheap, but still, deliver sound performance that rivals even more expensive models. The mid-range on these headphones is the industry standard and is the best on this roundup.

It comes with a lovely, comfortable design. There is plenty of padding on the model, which makes it comfortable and lightweight. The headband also enjoys this padded treatment, as well as the ear pads. Wearing these headphones is very comfortable and is almost like wearing clouds on our ears.

Apart from the ergonomic design, another thing I love about these headphones is the weight. It might look like a pair of heavy headphones, but they are so lightweight you would forget you have them on. Additionally, the 9.8 feet long cable means you have plenty of leeway when using these headphones with your guitar amp. Lastly, in terms of design, the headphones come in a closed-ear design and circumaural ear coupling.

Performance-wise, these are excellent headphones. The frequency response and sound pressure result in headphones that deliver some of the best sounds. You will enjoy the natural and warm sound that emanates from these headphones.

What I don’t like

Overall, they are highly comfortable. However, I noticed that the first time I wore them, they felt super tight. However, the headband responsible for this loosens over time. Another flaw is that they get warm because of poor breathability.

Best High-End Headphones: Sennheiser HD 660S Open Back

The Sennheiser HD 660S headphones are impressive open-back listening headphones that are great for guitar amps. They come with several nice features, including good audio reproduction and comfortable design.

The headphones come with impressive bass performance. From my testing, the bass is excellent, punchy, and hits all the notes well. The treble is also of similar quality. Considering that these are high-end headphones, it isn’t too surprising that it sounds so great.

The appearance is appealing and indicates the premium price. It comes with a black matte finish. Inside, the oval cups are padded with soft, comfortable fabric. While they might not exactly turn heads, anyone that sees them will realize that they are not your average, run-of-the-mill headphones. The open design is very breathable. Therefore, you can wear these for hours on end without feeling hot around the ears. While it is made of plastic, the plastic here does not feel cheap at all.

Sennheiser has included useful accessories like adapters and cables.

In terms of performance, the Sennheiser HD 660S offers, among other things, excellent soundstage. It sounds very expansive and gives you impressive performance that is better than even closed-back headphones of a similar price.

What I don’t like

While the open-back design makes the Sennheiser HD 660S very breathable and comfortable to wear over long sessions, the downside is that they are rubbish if you want to block noise. They also leak a lot of sounds, so people around you will hear whatever you are listening to. However, if you are using them in a quiet room, then you will love the sound quality.

Best Budget Guitar Headphones: AKG K240

The AKG K240 headphones come at a low price and are the most affordable on this roundup. Despite the low price, it is impressive in many areas. In fact, some of its performance metrics rival those of more expensive models.

The first thing you’ll notice about the headphones is the classic design. The semi-open design comes with supersized transducers. This feature, coupled with the Varimotion diaphragm from AKG, results in a pair of headphones that give steady frequency response and an unbelievable soundstage.

During my test, I thoroughly enjoyed the strong treble range from the model. The midrange is even more impressive. However, it falters in the low-frequency range.

The 55 Ohms impedance isn’t designed for studio use, but it is certainly more than enough for a guitar amp. Inside the package, there is a pair of detachable cables. You can choose between the 3 m straight and 5 m coiled cable. You also get an adapter.

What I don’t like

Sound performance isn’t terrible on these headphones. However, the build screams ‘cheap’. It doesn’t feel solid. Additionally, I observed that the bass is somewhat explosive, especially when the volume is turned up.

Flattest Sound Profile: Yamaha HPH-MT7

With the Yamaha HPH-MT7, Yamaha brings an incredible monitoring pair of headphones to the market for the professional player. There are several reasons why I love these headphones.

First, although it is super accurate as a studio monitor, it still comes with a build and performance that makes it a great choice for casual listeners or DJs at live shows. At its core, these bad boys are made for DAWS and mixing, although they also deliver near-impeccable performance as guitar amp headphones. From all the headphones I reviewed, the Yamaha HPH-MT7 gives the best flattest sound profile.

The design is what you’d expect from Yamaha. It comes with a closed-back design and leather earcups. It is also lightweight and has plenty of padding to improve your comfort. Despite the leather earcups, it has enough space for your ears. Many big headphones often feel warm after some hours, but I did not experience that with these headphones. If you move around while listening to music, the snug fit of the headphones ensures that they don’t fall off.

They reproduce your music accurately and do not add too much ‘flavor’ to the original sound.

Because of the over-ear design, they provide impressive noise isolation. Therefore, you don’t have to turn it to the highest volume, except you are in a pretty loud environment.

What I don’t like

These are excellent headphones without much to complain about. Nevertheless, there is a flaw. The cable is fixed. Therefore, if anything happens to the cable, you might have to change the headphones.

Most Comfortable: AKG Pro Audio K553

This is a pair of headphones that get all the basics right – something that only a few headphones can boast of. At first glance, it might not seem like much. It looks bland and flat. However, hold it in your hands and wear it over your ears, and you’ll understand why it is so highly rated.

It comes with a highly comfortable design and is hands-down one of the most comfortable headphones money can buy. The large 50 mm drivers in the earcups make them large and ensure they cover your ears comfortably. The headphone also has the earcups swiveling around 90 degrees, which makes the lie flat when not in use. If you aren’t comfortable with the earpads, you can remove them and replace them with the memory foam earcups included in the package. The headband doesn’t feel too tight, and since it is made of aluminum, will last for a long time.

I love the excellent design of the 6.3 mm connector of the headphone.

Performance-wise, it gives an impressive sound stage and stereo separation, which is usually found in more expensive headphones. Even though it is a closed-back headphone, it still offers better soundstage than some open-back models.

What I don’t like

The cable is simply too long for comfort. It easily tangles and can be a pain to manage.

Most Reliable: Sony MDR7506

The MDR-7506 is one of the oldest headphones on this list. Yet it continues to top the sales charts simply because of its reliability and versatility. While other headphones might break or vary in their output, the MDR7506 has retained the same sound signature all these years.

The Sony MDR-7506 has a nice closed-back design that ensures minimal sound leakage as you play your music. The compact design is also foldable. Thus, you can save space and keep them out of the way when they are not in use. Sony has also provided a soft carry case to keep them in.

It has a sound impedance of 63 ohms, which is excellent because it makes it good for studio use and, of course, guitar amp. Despite the impressive technical specifications, it is quite affordable. The 40 mm drivers and large neodymium magnets ensure that the sound produced is clear and expansive.

One of the best things about this unit is that the mid-range frequency response is one of the best at this price range.

There is a 3-meter coiled cable that cannot be removed and a jack adapter to offer some versatility.

What I don’t like

While the closed-back design reduces sound leakage, it doesn’t help with output. Additionally, the treble range is somewhat disappointing, even though it is better than several other models in the same price category.

Over to You

A good guitar headphone makes all the difference during long practice sessions. Hopefully, this guide will help you zero-in on the best headphones for your guitar amp.

For more recommendations and advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Also Read:

• Our favorite studio headphones for all budgets and uses
• If you like your bass, check out our pick of the best bass headphones
• Play the drums as well? You’ll love our selection of the best headphones for drummers.

References:

• Audio Technica (Official website)
• Sony Headphones (Official website)
• AKG Audio (Official website)
• Sennheiser Audio (Official website)
• Yamaha Audio (official website)

Edit and produce like a pro with our selection of the best headphones for editing film, digital video, and audio you can buy right now.

Editors need accuracy.

It doesn’t matter what you’re editing – a feature-length movie, a car commercial, a YouTube video – you need accurate sound reproduction. While you might not be responsible for audio mixing, you need to be able to hear the nuances of what you’re editing, aside from keeping track of issues such as audio quality and syncing.

Commercial headphones aren’t a good fit for editors. For one, they add their own “color” to the audio mix – mostly by bumping up the frequencies in the low and top end. While this “color” might make commercial pop music sound better, it does not give you a clear idea of the raw audio.

What you need is a pair of tonally neutral headphones. Usually, these are studio monitors with a flat frequency response. That is, instead of adding any color, these headphones have a “flat” EQ curve. This gives you a far better idea of the actual audio.

But not any pair of studio headphones will do. You also need portability, comfort, and sufficient noise isolation. You will be wearing these headphones for hours, after all.

Based on all these requirements, I’ve picked my list of the best headphones for editing you can buy right now.

The 8 Best Headphones for Editing

As a video editor, these are some of the best editing headphones you can buy right now:

Very similar to the bestselling (and cheaper) Sony MDR-7506, we can find in these headphones very similar features and reliability just as the former. The differences are subtle. The Sony MDR-V6s have a higher dynamic range and are generally cheaper in stores. If you have a tighter budget, the V6 can replace the 7506 perfectly.

Inside the box are the MDR-V6 headphones with a 10-foot long, non-detachable coiled cable in full extension. There is also a 1/4″ adapter and a soft carry bag.

It has a wired connectivity technology with Neodymium magnets. The 40mm drivers produce detailed and powerful sound. It has an over-the-ear design which offers improved comfort while reducing external noises. The headphones have a frequency response from a sweep 5 Hertz to 30 kilohertz.

The Sony MDR-V6 are legendary studio headphones, but the finish isn’t very enticing. They feel weak and thin, and they shake a lot. Most of the construction materials are plastics, and the band is metal, with ergonomic leather padding. Still, its design is quite elegant. The excellent bass response means that working on an electronic track with heavy subwoofers in a DAW was a pleasure.

What I don’t like:

Its coiled cable is difficult to use when you’re far from the headphone jack, and you cannot detach it, unfortunately.

Cheaper Alternative to MDRV6: Sony MDR7506

If the MDRV6 is beyond your budget, the MDR7506 is a very reliable alternative.

The Sony MDR-7506 are the standard editing headphones that you can find in most editing studios around the world. They are light, have a sound pressure of 106 dB, and can be folded. The Sony product is perfect if you need a model that can eliminate background noise. This is very functional if you need total concentration.

The headphones can be folded tightly and stowed in the enclosed bag to save space.

Sony headphones are lightweight and sit comfortably. However, the ears are not completely enclosed by the ear pads, so that slight pressure points can appear on the ears after wearing them for a while.

It produces an overemphasized bass, with balanced highs and mids. When mixing, you will inevitably not create enough bass in the mix. The sound comes across well when listening to music or when playing a DJ. Outside noises are well attenuated, although outside noises can still get through.

What I don’t like

One of the downsides is the non-removable cable, part of which touches the skin and deteriorates over time. Also, its 63-ohm impedance can be a power issue for some low source devices.

Best Multi-Purpose Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is a closed, ohmic headphone system. The nominal impedance is 38 ohms. The single-sided helical cable is 3 meters long. The ATH-M50 can be folded up and stowed in the supplied bag to save space. As a special feature, the auricles can be folded down so that one-sided listening is also possible without any problems. The external attenuation is good; enough signals are still let through so that there is no unpleasant feeling.

The Audio Technica headphones sit very comfortably and do not cause pressure points even after long periods of use. The automatic setting adapts well to the shape of the head.

Sonically, the ATH-M50 is very impressive. The mids and highs can be perceived transparently and appear very balanced. The bass range is very powerful and dynamic, but too much overdone, in my opinion.

Much of the headphones are made of high grade plastic. This gives it a high-quality impression. A folding mechanism that clearly clicks into place in two stages makes the receiver correspondingly small for transport.

What I don’t like

The quality of the earpads is a little suspect. The noise isolation, while impressive, could use some work as well.

Best Open Back Headphones: AKG Pro Audio K702

The AKG K702 is a product that, according to the manufacturer, are only equipped with the best components. The K702 is a dynamic headphone that was constructed in an open design. The advantage lies in the possibility of communication with the “outside world.”

The disadvantage of open design is, for example, that a drummer will prefer closed headphones due to the very high sound level of his instrument. In general, one can say, “the louder your instrument, the more closed.”

With regard to the technical data, the AKG K702 is in the green area in all categories, or even far beyond. For example, a frequency response of 10 – 39,800 Hertz is more for the “higher, faster, further” group. With a nominal impedance of 62 ohms, the K702 is pleasantly low and can therefore fully exploit its sensitivity of 105 dB SPL/V. Its weight of 235 g is moderate due to the elaborate construction but can be described as light for the components offered.

The headphones have the standard 6.3 mm jack plug, which turns into a 3.5 mm mini-jack plug by unscrewing the top cover. Both plugs are gold-plated and thus ensure an optimized signal flow.

What I don’t like

The materials and build quality could be better. However, they are a bang for the bucks at the sound level. And of course, since they’re an open back design, privacy is non-existent.

Best Entry-Level Editing Headphones: Monoprice Premium Hi-Fi Dj

The Monoprice Premium Hi-Fi Dj’s large cushioned ear cups completely enclose the ears. The inside of the ear cups is made of soft synthetic leather, which is soft on the ears. An approx. 1x 4-foot long audio cable is at the left auricle. According to Monoprice, the frequency response extends from a deep 20 Hz up to 20 kHz. The maximum sound pressure is 100 dB.

The sound is very balanced and powerful without any particular frequency range being significantly emphasized.

The bass is very accurate, and the sound is very slightly forward, but without throwing into the typical hi-fi bass machine. That might cover the lower mids a bit, but I don’t consider that to be a major flaw in the intended area of application. The height range of the headphones, which consists of a wide variety of materials, is really very clear and brilliant.

In addition, the level that the headphones can generate is astonishing, which should not be neglected, especially when listening to music on the iPad or laptop. This is where the 40-ohm headphones can really exploit their full loudness potential.

What I don’t like

The ear pads are not very comfortable. They may be uncomfortable for several hours of use. Also, the build quality is poor. According to a user, it lasts around 6 to 11 months. But for the price, I don’t expect it to last more.

Best Value: Sennheiser HD280PRO Headphone

The HD 280 Pro joins a series of around 50 over-ear headphones in the Sennheiser range. The HD 280 Pro is quite cheap, especially in comparison to a Sennheiser HD8, which has a recommended retail price of over 300. Quite a difference that piques the interest to learn how that price difference affects the sound and quality.

Looking at the price, I grind my teeth for a moment and say: OK. But it would have been different. On the other hand: Anyone who knows the prices of replacement cables from Sennheiser knows that a cable can cost half or a third of the price of headphones. In this case, too, a replacement cable can be found easily, as Sennheiser is well organized in its own online shop.

I’ll be honest; I like Sennheiser’s packaging. Simple and classic and straight in design, simply from the inner values. The headphones are unpacked inside. Not a lot of plastic, not a lot of eye candy.

At first glance, the headphones look very simple. Matte black dominates, both on the shells and on the temple. The auricles are very large, the headphones encircle the ears, and large cushions surround the matte shells. These fit precisely into the lower part of the bracket, which also contains the hinge.

Without a cable, the HD 280 Pro should weigh 285 grams. Strange that it looks lighter. A look at my somewhat old-school analog kitchen scale shows around 250 grams. Have I now noticed the 35-gram difference? Certainly not, I trust Sennheiser and distrust my scales. With a cable, it is around 100 grams more. So that looks like a heavy cable. No wonder, it is a 1.3-meter long spiral cable that can be extended to 3 meters. The fact that there is no cable routing on both sides is forgiven.

Sound and silence sound a little ironic. But you get this from the HD 280 Pro when you put it on without sound: it is astonishingly silent. Sennheiser calls it “high passive noise insulation.”

What I don’t like

There isn’t anything I can complain about in the headphones. The Sennheiser is a bang for its price. Well-engineered, the sound produced is of high quality. If there’s one minor complaint, it’s about the sheer bulk of these headphones. A light pair these are not. Not meant for traveling at all. The earcups also don’t breath well at all and can get hot in summer months.

Also Consider: Sennheiser Pro Audio HD 300 PRO

In addition to countless microphones and wireless systems, the manufacturer Sennheiser has had various headphones in its range for many years. The latest development is the Sennheiser HD 300 Pro, which the company offers in three versions.

Like almost all headphones, the HD 300 Pro is almost completely black. The studio headphones have a restrained and discreet matte look, mainly made of plastic. This makes a solid impression and brings the weight of the headphones to just 297 grams. The ear cups and the headband are equipped with synthetic leather, which sits flat on the head and around the ears.

The auricles completely enclose the ears; the contact pressure is just right on my head. The headphones sit firmly on, allow faster head movements without falling, but do not squeeze the head completely. It fits.

The headphones can be folded up extremely compactly for transport, so they take up little storage space. With the HD 300 Pro, Sennheiser has developed very good headphones for recording or monitoring. Overall, the headphones are equipped with a sound restrainer, which can even be an advantage in the areas of application mentioned.

What I don’t like

It would have been nice if Sennheiser had given the HD 300 Pro a suitable bag for storage or transport. The HD 300 Pro is also less suitable for mixing and mastering; there are models with better resolution in the same price range and also from Sennheiser.

Honorable Mention: beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO

The DT-770 Pro dynamic headphones are currently available in 250 ohms, 80 ohms, 32 ohms, and 16 ohms. Its 250-ohm impedance clearly shows the primary purpose of this headphone is for musicians and singers in a music studio or home studio. For those who take care of the mix, it allows reproduction of a fairly wide sound spectrum.

You can tell the three versions of the DT-770 Pro from one another by the small white label emblazoned on the ear cups. In addition to the model name, depending on the version, you will find the addition 32, 80, or 250 ohms. The 80 and 250 ohms versions are offered with gray ear pads and the 32 ohms model with black ear pads.

At first glance, you can’t necessarily tell that the DT-770 Pro is a state-of-the-art headphone. In terms of design, other manufacturers are certainly investing more in this area than Beyerdynamic. But as is so often the case, the real advantages only come to the fore with the inner values.

The DT-770 Pro has to accept some criticism for the fixed cable and the bulky exterior. But if you can live with it, you should take a closer look at the DT-770 Pro and listen to it.

What I don’t like

These headphones are a little on the heavier side – not the most comfortable for long hours. The large cup design also makes them very unwieldy – forget about slipping them into your laptop bag while traveling.

Over to You

Good headphones make all the difference when you’re editing. Hopefully, this guide will help you find the best headphones for editing you can buy right now.

For more recommendations and advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Also Read:

• Our favorite studio headphones across budgets and use cases
• If you’re on a budget, refer to our list of the best studio headphones under $100

References:

• Audio Technica (Official website)
• Sony Headphones (Official website)
• AKG Audio (Official website)
• Sennheiser Audio (Official website)

Practice in privacy with our pick of the best headphones for digital piano.

Digital pianos almost always have built-in speakers (all our favorite digital pianos surely do). Some of these speakers even boast ample power. The Yamaha P125 – which we reviewed earlier – has four speakers that are more than capable of reproducing the full-range of authentic piano sounds.

But there are times when speakers are just a little too loud. Maybe you’re practicing late at night. Or maybe you don’t want to wake your family members or roommates. When that happens, you’ll want a good pair of headphones.

While most modern digital pianos will have a standard 1/8″ headphone-in port, you can’t – and shouldn’t – just use any random headphones. Most commercial headphones tend to emphasize bass and treble frequencies since that’s what sounds “good” in pop music.

But if you’re learning to play the piano, such headphones are a major handicap. With heightened treble and missing mids, your playing experience will suffer. How can you train your ears when your headphones actively suppress mid frequencies?

This is why you need specialized headphones for digital pianos.

Usually, these are studio monitors that have a flat frequency response. A flat frequency response means that they don’t add any “color” to the sound output. The trebles and bass aren’t accentuated, nor are the mids suppressed. As a result, you get a listening experience that’s as close to authentic as possible.

For a pianist, this authenticity is obviously a massive plus. But not any pair of studio headphones will do – you also want portability, ease of use, and comfort: traits that studio headphones lack.

Which is why I put together this list of the best headphones for digital pianos. All our top picks work perfectly with digital pianos. Choose the one that fits your budget and needs and start practicing.

The 8 Best Headphones for Digital Piano

Here are my top 8 picks for digital piano headphones you can buy right now:

Audio-Technica is a manufacturer which is renowned over the years for making quality headphones both for studio professionals and learners. ATH-M40x professional monitoring headphones are the overall best pair of headphones.

It is a closed headphone with a perfectly balanced sound. The headphones provide articulate and clear tone from bottom to top.

A common advantage of the Audio-Technica pairs of headphones is that they feel and look great. The construction of this model is very hard and made of plastic. It is sturdy, and features a frame made of metal which also gives the headband some reinforcements. This headband and ear cushions consist of professional-grade materials, making them look like premium headphones.

The noise isolation is impresive, thanks to the high quality construction of the materials and performance.

What I don’t like:

The ATH-M40x is my pick for the best-quality digital piano headphones. However, they have some problems. It has a narrower soundstage compared to other headphones. My point is that although it has a very detailed and accurate sound, you don’t get the sense of space which are noticed in other headphones.

Alternative to ATH-M40x: Philips SHP9500

The Phillips SHP9500 is a great pair of budget-friendly headphones. They are incredibly comfortable and have a sturdy yet lightweight and durable construction. These are not occasional headphones that can be used outdoors, but they deliver a well-balanced sound, just like the much more expensive open-back models.

The Phillips SHP9500 is a rugged headset with a sober and elegant design. They have large open headsets that fit well and provide a comfortable listening experience. They are durable and relatively light in relation to their size.

The Philips SHP9500 is a very good pair of open-back headphones. They have an excellent and balanced bass, but like most other open-ended headphones, they don’t have a subwoofer. Their midrange is almost perfect, and they produce an excellent sound, but a little too high. Their bass is less consistent than most other open headphones. Their distortion performance is also in the mid-range.

The SHP9500s have large open headsets that leak a lot and don’t block out ambient noise. This creates an immersive soundstage but also means that they are not for loud and noisy environments.

What I don’t like

These are not the most versatile headphones. Their sturdiness is suspect and any heavy use can damage the headband easily. The padding material also looks a bit cheap.

Most Affordable: Tascam TH-02

The cheapest in this review, the Tascam TH-02, is a compact and foldable headset, ensuring easy transport and storage. The ear cups of the TH-02 headset can be rotated 90°. They are then housed inside the hoop, which facilitates the storage of the headphones. Once folded, the headphones are easily transported, for recording outside the studio, for example.

It’s a pair of comfortable, easy-to-wear closed-back headphones for studio monitoring. The TH-02’s closed-back design is ideal for listening while recording, as it prevents sound energy leakage to the microphone. Thanks to the comfortable ear cushions that do not pass sound to the outside, there is no risk of the microphone picking up sounds from the headphones.

With its response curve stretching from 18Hz to 22 kHz, ensuring clear sound, you can also use the headphones for monitoring while mixing.

It has a padded headband with fine and tight seams and ear cushions combining elegance and comfort. With a closed-design, its dynamic transducers ensure deep bass and precise highs. The pack includes a 3.5mm to 6.35mm jack adapter.

It comes with a 50 mm diameter driver. The sound sensitivity is around 98 dB ± 3 dB. It has 18 to 22 kHz frequency response. It has 600 mW input power on the maximum. The headphones’ cable length measures 3 meters (full extension). It is fairly light in weight, measuring 298 grams.

What I don’t like

The headphones are one of the best selling on the market because of its sound quality and low price. However, it feels a little loose on people with average to bigger head sizes. They don’t fit in well for people with small heads.

Best for Pros: beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO

Beyerdynamic is one of the many German headphones manufacturers. Often kept in the shadow of Sennheiser, it is, however, a brand strongly established in the professional world with products like the DT 770 Pro.

It’s hard to fault the DT 770 Pro for its build quality. Everything exudes robustness in these headphones, even if it means sacrificing design in the process. The metal shells are massive, as is the heavily padded roll bar. The atria and their velvet-covered foams are wide.

The DT 770 Pro aims for maximum head contact and excellent insulation. As for accessories, you have a mini-jack adapter and a thick, solid, but fixed cable. No frills there either.

The DT 770 Pro carries a reputation for being a pair of bassy headphones. The frequency response of the DT 770 Pro is 80 Ohms: bass on the left, treble on the right. The frequency response curve is great: the slope tilts from left to right widely.

There is no annoying visible harmonic distortion. This is one of the great strengths of these headphones: it is very clean. Whether from a frequency or time point of view, there is no particular criticism to make.

It is wide for closed headphones but not extraordinary either. On the other hand, there’s no problem in positioning the sources in the mix. On its insulation side, it’s pretty good when compared to others in its competition.

What I don’t like

These headphones hit very hard at the bottom of the spectrum. Clearly, this is a product that will not be suitable for all users: so, try it out before you buy it. The rest of the spectrum is relatively neutral: the midrange and treble are clean, precise, balanced. However, despite the imbalance at the bottom of the spectrum, there is no audible masking problem, unlike some other bass headphones.

Best Open Back Headphones: AKG Pro Audio K245

Take your studio anywhere with the AKG K245 headphones. With its innovative design, these open headphones fold up so you can enjoy phenomenal sound even on the go. Its large 50mm drivers produce clear, defined sound, and its sturdy 3-axis metal hinges allow the headphones to be folded up for easier storage and transport.

A testament to the legendary quality of AKG products, the K245 is made from premium materials and components that ensure reliable long-term performance. Added to this are its self-adjusting headband and thick, slow rebound foam pads. It is designed to ensure the greatest listening comfort even over long periods.

It produces a studio-quality sound with top bass from large 50mm drivers. It has a fully folding design with 3-axis hinges on each side of the headphones. The AKG model has superior sensitivity with low impedance, equalling maximum efficiency with various devices

The pack includes a very comfortable self-adjusting headband and slow rebound foam pads. The product is made from high-quality components for long life.

What I don’t like

One of the downsides of the headphones is that the earpads which are made of vinyl leather are too thin. They tear quickly. So, don’t poke it with your fingernails. You may, however, order for new spares as the earpads are replaceable. Also, it’s too tiny-sized for average head sizes. The suspension is, therefore, too tight.

Best for traveling/Most compact: Yamaha HPH-50B

From the same line of HPH headphones, the HPH-50 is another Yamaha headphone worth mentioning in this review. This accessory has an excellent quality of treble and bass that provides an excellent sound experience when using them.

Also, it has a light and compact design. When you add this to the swivel capacity of the driver, it allows you to take them everywhere. This provides an excellent feeling of fit in the ears that reduces external noise. It allows you to concentrate on the sound you are listening to.

It’s a pair of closed headphones that is specially adapted for digital pianos and keyboards. The comfort while listening is impressive such thay you can wear it for long hours. These headphones offer a good balance between treble and bass while using it to listen to a recording or for musical performances with your digital piano.

The HPH model has a flexible mechanism which lets it rotate for up to 90 degrees. This makes it easily conform to the ear shape. The design of the arch also lets it fit perfectly to your head. The headphones are made to offer great comfort during extended period of use. Available for sale in white or black, it will match the finish and color of your digital piano.

What I don’t like

For a closed dynamic pair of headphones, you expect the Yamaha HPH-50B to be great for outdoor uses. However, you may be a little disappointed. It doesn’t cut cut out low ambient noises.

Best Wireless: Audio-Technica ATH-SR30BTBK

“Wireless” was not a word you’d ever use alongside a digital piano. But in the last few years, more and more manufacturers have started offering fantastic keywords with built-in Bluetooth. makes practicing sessions even easier with minimal impact to the sound quality.

If your digital piano supports Bluetooth – or you have an external Bluetooth adapter – you’ll want to consider this headphone.

The ATH-SR30BTK wireless headset offers a stable Bluetooth connection, intuitive hands-free functions, and a record battery life of 70 hours! It also features high-performance transducers and effective passive isolation for optimal listening in any situation.

Although its price is very affordable, the Audio-Technica ATH-SR30BTK wireless headphones have an advantage that is hard to match. Its rechargeable battery gives it an incredible run-time of 70 hours after a single charge via its micro-USB port. To date, I can say that it is the most enduring headphones in its category. Also featuring padded ear cushions and an on-ear design that provides effective passive isolation, the Audio-Technica model ensures comfortable use on the go.

Sound side, the device is also powerful thanks to dynamic transducers of 40 mm capable of delivering crisp and precise sound reproduction over its entire bandwidth. The Bluetooth 5.0 reinforces the listening experience by offering a very stable wireless connection and low power consumption.

The Audio-Technica ATH-SR30BTK headphones also have a double-layered housing. It keeps the acoustic space separate from the electronic part for better sound reproduction. Specially designed for mobile use, it also includes hands-free functions (remote control + microphone).

Note that its lightweight and foldable design makes it much easier to transport. It can be safely stored in a bag or left around the neck once the ear cups are rotated flat.

What I don’t like

Despite its advanced features such as large built-in battery and wireless connectivity, it sure has some downsides. One of these is that you cannot replace the earpads for larger over-the-ear ones.

Most Reliable: Sony MDR7506

The Sony MDR-7506 is a reliable closed headband headphone suitable for a digital piano. It is a set of closed-back headphones popular among studio professionals. The headphones have become a standard in the industry due to their reliability and clear sound and reliability.

The main reason they are so popular is that the neutral sound of the MDR-7506 makes them ideal for digital pianos. This is because they reproduce the instrument’s subtle nuances so well.

With this device, Sony offers audiophiles and professionals a typical soundstage that is wider than the average, especially when you compare it to other closed types of headphones. You have ample separation/space between the device. This makes it perfect for on-stage use.

Closed headphones (passive noise isolation) do an especially good job of canceling outside noise. Also, they prevent sound leakages. Construction-wise, they are reliable enough, although they are not the most robust on our list.

They have been on the market for a few years, however, and despite a few issues I’ll mention below, they are among the best-selling headphones around. They sound great for keyboard/piano and are now available at a lower price than ever.

What I don’t like

They have been around for quite a long time and for good reasons. They could certainly improve on some things, such as the fact that they get very hot and leave your ears a bit sore after prolonged use.

Over to You

A good pair of headphones are a necessity if you’re going to practice your piano for hours. Comfortable, precise headphones will not only be easy to wear but will also give you a more accurate sound reproduction. Hopefully, this guide will help you zero-in on the best headphones for a digital piano.

For more recommendations and advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Also Read:

• Our favorite studio headphones for all budgets and uses
• If you play the guitar, check out our favorite guitar amp headphones (hint: there’s quite a bit of overlap with this list)
• Play the drums as well? You’ll love our selection of the best headphones for drummers.

References:

• Audio Technica (Official website)
• Sony Headphones (Official website)
• AKG Audio (Official website)
• Sennheiser Audio (Official website)
• Yamaha Audio (official website)
• Tascam (official website)

Your expensive headphones need to be showcased, not hidden away in a drawer. A great headphone stand helps you store your headphones, showcase them, and even remove clutter from your desktop. We’ll look at the best headphone stands in the market right now and what to look for when buying them.

A headphone stand is one of those things you didn’t really know you needed until you actually get it.

Before I got my current stand, my headphones used to be all over the place. On the desktop, in the drawer, and sometimes, even perched on top of the monitor.

The headphone stand does two things: it creates a ‘default’ space to store your headphones, and it removes clutter from your desk.

An under-desk headphone mount will hide away the headphone while keeping it within reach. A desk stand will help you showcase your gear while reducing clutter.

Regardless of the path you choose, a headphone stand is really one of the best accessories you can buy for your desk. They’re cheap, last forever, and can usually take any and all your headphones.

Which brings us to the topic of the best headphone stands.

After 10+ hours of research and comparing over 20 stands, I can confidently say that these are the 3 best headphone stands you can buy right now:

There is a surprising amount of competition in headphone stands business. The lack of large, established brands means that the market is flooded with no-name Chinese knockoffs. And while this really isn’t a feature-heavy purchase, there is substantial difference in quality and design to make buying headphone stands difficult.

To make your decision easier, I’ve listed my picks for the best headphone stands on the market right now, along with my scores for all reviewed stands. I’ve also shared a brief buying guide and review methodology below.

Jump to the right section using the navigation below:

I. The Best Headphone Stands in 2020

Over the course of compiling this article, I reviewed 20 different headphone stands. This included both brand name stands as well as cheap Chinese imports.

Refer to this table to see the review score for each stand:

Model	Price	Build Quality	Value for Money	Design	Overall	Where to Buy
6amLifestyle Clip	$	4.8	4.5	4.8	4.695	Amazon
The Anchor Mount	$	4.5	4.7	4.7	4.65	Amazon
VESHOW Gaming	$	5	4.7	4.3	4.615	Amazon
EURPMASK Headset Stand	$	4.9	4.6	4.3	4.555	Amazon
OAPRIRE Hook	$	4.4	4.6	4.1	4.35	Amazon
AmoVee Hanger	$	4.1	4.8	4	4.305	Amazon
Tekbotic Holder	$$	4.8	4.6	4.7	4.69	Amazon
LUXA2 E-One	$$	4.8	4.3	4.8	4.625	Amazon
Artinova Wooden Holder	$$	4.9	4.4	4.6	4.605	Amazon
SAMDI Wooden Stand	$$	4.5	4.6	4.4	4.495	Amazon
Bluelounge Posto Stand	$$	4.6	4.6	4.3	4.48	Amazon
ZBRANDS Charging Stand	$$	4.3	4.6	4.4	4.445	Amazon
MOCREO Hanger	$$	4.4	4.7	4.2	4.425	Amazon
COZOO Holder	$$	4.3	4	4.8	4.395	Amazon
M WAY Stand	$$	4.3	4.2	4.6	4.385	Amazon
JackCubeDesign Stand	$$	4.5	4.5	4.2	4.38	Amazon
Tt eSPORTS HYPERION	$$	3.5	3.8	3.6	3.645	Amazon
AudioQuest PERCH	$$$	4.9	4	5	4.625	Amazon
elago Stand	$$$	4.7	4.1	4.8	4.53	Amazon
Twelve South Fermata	$$$	3.5	3.5	4.2	3.78	Amazon

I’ve organized this list by price into three categories – budget ($), mid-range ($$), and premium ($$$). The budget range is ideal for anyone looking for an affordable yet functional stand just to keep their desk organized. In the mid-range, you get a good trade-off between price, utility, and design. In the premium range, you’re essentially paying for design and build quality.

Here are my picks for the best headphone stands across these three categories:

• Best budget stand: 6amLifestyle Universal Headphone Clip
• Best mid-range: LUXA2 E-One
• Best premium stand: AudioQuest PERCH Headphone Stand

Why did I chose these stands? What makes them great? And what are some alternatives to them?

Let’s find out in the next section.

Best Budget Headphone Stands

Let’s start by looking at the bottom end of the market. Budget headphone stands might not have any of the features and superior design of the high-end gear on this list, but they all perform competitively enough where it matters: holding your headphones in place.

Here are my top three picks for the best budget headphone stands:

I have an irrational fear of most self-stick adhesive pads. Despite all the claims, I’ve found that few of them actually stick around on rough surfaces, especially when you’re trying to hang something heavy off of them.

This is why I was immediately drawn to this clip from 6amLifestyle. Unlike other mounts, this uses a locking screw. You don’t have to stick it under your table. Rather, you screw it at the table’s edge. The friction between the screw and the table – helped by the anti-slip nylon head – keep the mount in place.

The result is a much more secure mount that can easily hold even the heaviest of headphones. In fact, 6amLifestyle claims it can hold 10-15lbs of weight easily. And it is so confident in its claim that it offers a lifetime warranty.

The build quality is solid. The metal used is thick with a matte black finish. The screw is large and easy to use with a non-slip nylon head.

The only negative point is that your table needs to be at least 38mm thick to use (which is more than enough for most tables).

The best part? The price is low enough that you can buy more than one set for hanging multiple items off your table’s edge.

Alternative: ​​The Anchor Under-Desk Headphone Mount

This was the mount that started it all.

Before Anchor released its under-desk mount, the only way to hold a pair of headphones was to buy a full-fledged stand. Anchor changed that with its simple but innovative design.

The idea is simple: the W-shaped mount has high-quality 3M self-sticking adhesive at the top. To use it, just stick it under your table. The adhesive is strong enough to keep the mount in place even on glossy surfaces.

The first iteration of the Anchor mount was made from soft silicone. The current iteration uses a metal frame inside to increase durability without adding too much to the weight.

You can hang two sets of headphones off this mount without any fuss. I’ve tried to hang as many as three pairs without the adhesive giving way.

Design is a non-issue since it will be invisible underneath your desk anyway. Nonetheless, I like the feel of the silicone over the roughness of metal.

The one downside is that the adhesive is not completely fail-proof. I expect headphone stands to last for years, but I’m not sure if the adhesive will last that long – and I haven’t had enough time to test it.

Best Mid-Range Headphone Stands

The mid-range (denoted by ‘$$’) is the sweet spot for buying headphone stands. Products in this range have a nice mix of form and function. You won’t find any of the cheap Chinese makes that litter the bottom end of the market. Nor will you find exorbitantly priced offerings that ruin the luxury market.

For a list of my top-rated mid-range headphone stands, see below:

This offering from Luxa2 is one of the best looking headphone stands on the market.

Everything about it feels premium. It’s made from high-grade aluminium that looks good and feels sturdy. The base has soft rounded corners and brushed edges that look and feel great. The base is also heavy enough to fit nearly any pair of cans.

It also comes in four different colors/finishes – silver, gold, rose gold, and glossy black. All of these look good though I’m partial to the glossy black. I recommend picking a color that complements your desk and/or headphones.

Lastly, this Luxa2 stand comes pre-assembled, so you don’t have to mess around with any screws.

What’s not to like about that?

Best Wooden Headphone Stand: ​​Artinova Wooden Headset Holder

You know how to make any classic design better?

Make it in wood.

Wood is one of my favorite materials. It looks good on any surface (especially wooden desk surfaces), feels nice to touch, and is durable by itself.

This is why I’ve ranked this stand from Artinova so high on this list. Wood stands are generally expensive; Artinova manages to get this at a mid-range price point.

To be fair, this isn’t the mahogany from your granddad’s great desk. The wood used is cheap walnut, but it looks good all the same.

A downside is the lack of extra features. You don’t get any cable organizers or tablet notches. You also have to assemble everything yourself. Plus, the walnut finish might not look good on every desk.

Having said that, for this price range, this is one of the cheapest, and best looking headset stands on the market.

Best Designer Headphone Stand: ​​SAMDI Wooden Stand

I remember seeing a headphone stand similar to this design featured on This Is Colossal three years ago. I thought it was the most beautiful stand I had ever seen. Except that it cost nearly three figures and no way was I going to spend that much.

Three years and Chinese reverse engineering later, you have the same design from Samdi selling for less than the price of a dinner.

This is one of the most uniquely designed headphone stands on this list. Everyone who saw this on my desk remarked how cool it looked. The bent wood shaped like the Omega sign definitely stands out and wins big on design.

But it doesn’t just look good, it also works well. Wide cylinders at the base ensure that the stand doesn’t slip or leave any scratches on your table. The headband is also extra wide to accommodate larger headphones.

If I have any complaints, its that this stand might not be able to fit smaller headphones. Otherwise, this is one of the best designed headphone stands on the market right now.

Best Charging Stand: ​​ZBRANDS Headphone Charging Stand

I have to admit that I was conflicted about this stand from ZBrands. On one hand, it boasts a feature list that bests almost any other headphone stand on the market. On the other hand, I feel that these features are either unnecessary, or should be replaced with full-fledged alternatives.

In the end, I decided to include it on this list because it simply offers too much to ignore.

The basics: the stand is made from heavy-duty aluminium and has a sturdy base with considerable heft. It’s not the best looking stand out there, but it isn’t offensively designed either. As a bonus, the design is extra tall, which makes it ideal for holding longer headphones. There is also a nifty little hook at the back to handle all your cables.

Now the features: you can connect this stand to a power outlet. Once you do that, the three USB 3.0 ports come alive. There is also a dedicated power button to switch them on and off. You can use these ports to charge your tablets and phones.

The features are obviously a welcome addition, but you shouldn’t make a purchase decision based on their availability. Experience has taught me that accessories with “extra” USB ports often go kaput quickly, leaving you with a non-functional port. In general, the more features there are on a device, the more the number of failure points.

As a negative, the design, especially with the loud ZBrands branding, can look off on some desktops. The brushed silver aluminium contrasts aren’t for everyone.

Best Premium Headphone Stands

We now come to the top-end of the roundup. The sky is the limit as far as price is concerned in this category. From more reasonable $50 stands to “luxury” gear costing $200+, there is a massive variety at the high-end of the headphone stand market.

Given the lack of price constraints, the evaluation criteria is different for this category as well. Value for Money isn’t nearly as important as design and build quality. You don’t buy a $100 stand because it offers good value; you buy it because it looks good and complements your $300 headphones.

Keeping this in mind, let’s look at two of my top-rated high-end headphone stands:

At the top-end of the market, your biggest considerations are fit, finish, and construction quality. And the AudioQuest Perch performs remarkably well on all these counts.

The base is made from heavy plastic and won’t tip over regardless of the weight of the headphones. Two ‘rods’ emerge from the base to mimic a bird’s legs (hence the name ‘perch’). They end in a broad, leather clad top that can accommodate nearly any pair of headphones.

Everything about this stand screams “premium”. The plastic quality is great and the leather feels soft to touch. There are no cable organizing hooks or built-in USB ports. Rather, the focus is on great design and quality materials.

If you like your stands simple and classy, this should be your top choice.

Alternative. ​​eLago H-Headphone Stand

The eLago H headphone stand is another entrant in the list of “simple, but functional” designs. It eschews all fancy features and gimmicks for the most basic of designs built from superior materials. While not as classy as the AudioQuest Perch, the eLago stand will nevertheless look good on any desk.

Another plus is that this stand is available in several shades. If the default silver isn’t for you, you can choose from champagne gold or silver. The stand is also extra tall to accommodate

One small downside is that the headphone tray, while being deep enough, is quite narrow. This can leave some indent marks on the headphone band where it touches the tray.

For its price, this is one of the classiest headphone stands you can buy right now.

II. A Short Guide to Buying Headphone Stands

I normally like to keep my buying guides in separate articles. But headphone stands aren’t a feature-intensive category. You don’t have to worry about impedance and frequency response range and compatibility.

So I figured I’d share a brief guide to buying headphone stands right on this page. In the next few sections, I’ll cover the difference between stands and mounts. Later, I’ll discuss what features you should look for when buying any stand.

 

Headphone Stands vs Mounts

If you search for “headphone stand” on Amazon, one of the first things you’ll see is that the listings are filled with stands and mounts.

This represents the two broad product categories in this market.

• Headphone stands are wooden or metal stands that sit on your desktop. They usually have a wide and sturdy base and a flat edge at the top. You hang your headphones off the flat edge. Some stands have built-in features such as USB charging, cable holders, etc.
• Headphone mounts are usually metal hangers that stick to the bottom or side of a table. The headphones hang off the flat edge of the mount. Most mounts are barely visible and thus, don’t place a lot of emphasis on design. Additional features (such as USB charging) are rare in this category.

Headphone stands are usually more expensive than mounts. Since they stay on your table, they also tend to have a strong design-focus.

Mounts, on the other hand, can be as cheap as a few dollars. Since you can comfortably tuck them away under your table, you don’t have to worry as much about design.

Mounts can be either clips or mounts. The former “clip” to the edge of a table with the help of a screw.

Mounts, on the other hand, usually stick to the edge or bottom of a table with adhesive or (rarely) screws, such as The Anchor stand we covered above.

Clips are usually more sturdy than mounts. With the latter, everything depends on the quality of the adhesive and the weight of your headphones. The downside is that clips can leave a mark on the table – not the best option if you care about maintaining wood quality.

In the next section, I’ll briefly cover what you should look for when buying headphone stands.

 

What to Look For in Headphone Stands

Headphone stands are fairly easy to buy. You don’t have to worry about any technical details. If it looks good, is made from quality materials, and fits your headphones, you can buy it without fretting too much.

Having said that, there are a few things you should consider when buying a headphone stand:

• Design: How the stand looks is obviously a huge purchase criteria. Since the stand is visible and up front on your desk, you want it to match the rest of your room/desk’s aesthetic. Nothing kills a recording studio or gaming station faster than an ugly, cumbersome stand with a battered set of headphones hanging off it.
• Build quality: A headphone stand isn’t a frequent purchase. Once you buy one stand, you want to be able to use it for years. Build quality, which includes the quality and finish of materials used, should be your next big criteria. You want something that will last for years.
• Fit & Compatibility: Is the stand sturdy enough to hold your headphones? If it is a headphone clip/mount, is the adhesive strong enough to hang your headphones? Does the stand tilt over when you place a heavy pair of headphones on it? These are crucial questions and should guide your purchase decision.
• Your Headphones: What kind of headphone stand you buy should depend on the kind of headphones you want to hang off it. If you’re using $500 audiophile grade headphones, you don’t want to use a cheap, ugly stand to hold it. Conversely, if you’re using a $15 pair from Sony, does it really make sense to spend $50 on a stand? The weight, size, and cost of your headphones should factor into your decision.
• Desk, and Desk Space: Do you have enough room on your desk to accommodate a full-fledged headphone stand? If not, can you mount a stand underneath your desk? Is the desk made from glossy material that makes sticking things difficult? Or are you using an expensive heirloom mahogany desk that you don’t want to ruin? Everything from your desk’s wood-type to space availability should factor into your purchase decision.

These factors are uniformly important across all headphone stands, of course. If you’re buying a desktop stand, you want a good looking design.

But if you’re buying a desk mount, a much bigger consideration should be the strength of the adhesive and screws. If it can’t hold the weight of your headphones, the mount is no good.

 

Review Methodology

Before I started researching this market, I had no idea there was so much competition in it. A quick search for “headphone stand” on Amazon, for instance, shows nearly 8,000 results:

Making things even harder is the fact that there are no standout, established brands in this category. You can’t rely on a big name – Sennheiser, Sony, AKG – when you’re buying headphone stands. Rather, you have to comb through hundreds of offerings from tiny brands with some dubious names.

After analyzing hundreds of headphone stands based on my product research, personal experience, and recommendations from friends, I ended up with a list of 20 headphone stands.

(You can see all the review scores for each of these stands above)

This was a mixed bag of cheap mounts and expensive stands. Most of my pickings fell in the “mid-range” category ($15-$30). I had a healthy selection of mounts, stands and clips.

Next, I started my evaluation process.

To start with, I asked myself: “What do people look for in a headphone stand?”

The answer will of course vary from person to person, but for most, I assume the following metrics are particularly important:

1. Build quality: The quality of materials, finish, and sturdiness of the stand were some of my top ranking factors.
2. Design: Given that you’re going to keep the stand on your desk, design was a definite and important ranking factor. However, I reduced the importance of design when evaluating headphone mounts.
3. Value for Money: Value for money (VfM) is one of my most important factors in making any purchase decision, especially when it’s something utilitarian like a headphone stand. VfM is essentially a combination of price, design, and build quality.

Although some headphone stands offer additional features (such as built-in USB connections), I did not factor it in the overall rankings. I see these features as gimmicks with better alternatives. If you want additional USB ports, you’re much better off buying a standalone USB adapter (which you can replace) than buy an expensive headphone stand.

With these three rankings factors, I used the following formula to calculate my final score:

Over to You

With virtually thousands of options to choose from, picking the best headphone stands can be tough. Hopefully, this article will help you make a better decision. It’s best to pick a stand that matches your headphones. A premium $200 pair of headphones sitting on a flimsy $10 stand doesn’t do it justice, nor does it make sense to spend $75 on a stand to keep $20 headphones.

For more recommendations and advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Also read:

• Need headphones to match your stand? Check out our pick of the best studio headphones
• Bass heads should read our guide to buying the best bass headphones
• If you’re on a budget, you’ll want to read our list of the best headphones under $100

References:

• 6amLifestyle.com [Official website]
• AudioQuest.com [Official website]
• ElevationLab.com (The Anchor stand) [Official website]
• Luxa2.com [Official website]

You obviously need headphones to DJ. Whether it’s monitoring the mix or just listening to your own tracks during production, a good set of headphones is an absolute necessity. We’ll help you pick the best DJ headphones for your budget in this detailed buying guide.

I’ve always been a proponent of the “minimal” studio – buy less gear, spending money only on the most essential of equipment, and spend more time – and attention – on producing.

But there are a few things you can’t really do without. For every expensive (and unnecessary) vintage synth, there are headphones, monitors, and keyboards that are absolutely essential to producing, recording and mixing music.

As a DJ, headphones fall into that category. Sure, you can mix your tracks using nothing but the cheapest earphones you can find, but you’re not really going to get much mileage out of that approach. You need headphones designed specifically for producing and mixing music.

That’s where DJ headphones come into the picture. Good DJ headphones have three qualities that separate them from consumer headphones:

• Balanced (flat) sound profile that helps you hear the mix more accurately
• Highly durable build quality to withstand the grind of live shows
• Comfort-oriented features such as lower weight, thicker earpads, and swiveling earcups

Based on these qualities, I did a deep dive of the best DJ headphones you can buy right now. As always, I’ve divided my top choices into different categories based on their price and use case.

The Best DJ Headphones

Based on their price and real-world performance, these are the best DJ headphones to buy right now:

There are only few brands on the market right now that can compete with Sennheiser in terms of popularity in the headphone industry. The company has consistently made some of the best headphones I have used. The Sennheiser HD 25 is a budget level pair of headphones that are loved by audiophiles all over the world. It comes with features that I will discuss now that makes it the absolute best choice you can find below 100 dollars.

The design of the headphones is quite simple. At first glance, there is nothing outstanding about these headphones. They come with a very functional design. As with Sennheiser products, they are focused, not on appearance, but on performance. While it doesn’t look ‘sexy’, the build quality is undeniable. It is an absolute workhorse that can be used in a wide variety of situations without sustaining any damage. It serves for a long time, and you will use it for so long that you might have to pass them down since they simply refuse to break.

It feels so comfortable to wear and comes with a solid headband that can be adjusted to fit your head size. As for the earcups, they are hard wearing and come with a textured finish. The finish is scratch-resistant. While it isn’t made from real leather, the faux leather can be replaced when it wears out.

Isolation is great. While it isn’t a dedicated noise-cancelling pair of headphones, it does help to reduce unwanted sounds from your ear.

Sound quality is the best you will find at this price range. There is a reason many audiophiles and musicians love using these headphones. The sound is balanced and flat. Hence you do not get any coloring as you listen. Sounds are warm and are highly accurate.

Simply put, you will not find better-sounding headphones for less than 100 dollars than this unit.

What I don’t like:

It is a budget-level model. Hence you should not expect it to have the same sound performance of more expensive Sennheiser models. It has a rather mellow soundstage. Another issue I have with the unit is that it isn’t foldable; hence you need to make space for it in your bag if you are often on the go.

Most Comfortable DJ Headphones: Pioneer HDJ-2000MK2-S

You knew before you opened this link that you’d find at least one Pioneer offering on this list.

While Pioneer is best known for its industry-leading DJ controllers, their headphones are also extremely competent, at least for DJing.

A good sound, plenty of accessories and durability are but some of the reasons why these headphones are hands down some of the best pair of headphones you can invest in.

The headphones come in a stiff box that protects it until it reaches your hands and is unboxed. Therefore, if unboxing gets you excited, you will have a swell time with these headphones’ package.

The package contains a sturdy carrying case that protects the headphones, a pair of detachable cables, and your 1/8” to ¼” adapter. The carry case comes really handy as it comes with a band for keeping your headphones and a pocket to keep the cable and adapter.

The product comes in 3 different colors that you can choose from. Overall, the company gets so many things right in terms of design. It is simple yet elegant. It is also very well constructed. It features a compact, foldable design.

The cable is also detachable and comes in a three-headed 3.5mm connection design.

However, comfort is the main thing that draws users to them.

The comfort of these headphones is quite unrivalled. It feels like having a blanket over your ears. The headphones are lighter than regular headphones and come with a slim profile. Hence, they feel great on the head. While they aren’t the most expensive on the market, they come with premium construction. Durability is quite impressive. The ear cups swivel and feature metal hinges. Therefore, they do not break easily and will definitely last for long periods.

It wraps around your head naturally, following the contour of the head. I found myself using it for long periods with very minor discomfort.

Performance is quite good. It delivers a refined bass response, with sound clear and refined.

The Pioneer HDJ-2000MK2-S comes with improved noise isolation. Therefore as a DJ playing in a noisy club, you will be better able to hear your music.

Overall, these are exciting headphones that will last for a very long time. Whether you are just beginning on your DJ career or you are a professional, the performance and comfort of these headphones is sure to make them your headphones of choice.

What I don’t like

It is too simple. While this doesn’t detract from the performance, it lacks extra features that some might like. The response is also somewhat dull when compared with others in the same price range.

Best DJ Headphones for Professionals: Ultrasone PRO 900

The next on this roundup is this impressive product from Ultrasone. The Ultrasone Pro 900i headphones come with several interesting features and specifications that make it a top pick.

The unit features a thick headband. While you might be put off by thick headbands, I believe that you will enjoy using that found on these headphones. The thickness is cushioned and made to sit on your head quite comfortably. While the thick plastic make might make it seem to be a fragile unit, testing has revealed that it is anything but fragile. It lasts for a long time and will not break except if it is poorly used.

Additionally, the weight is even distributed across the headphones. Thus, it feels super comfortable. The earcups are well made and large. Thus, they sit over the ear snugly, and keeping with the design of the headband, they are lightweight and padded. I found them easy to slip on and wear. They come with hinges that let them swivel freely. Hinges are usually a source of concern for users, but thankfully, those found on these are well constructed and durable. The earcups might fit over the ear, but the earpads are what usually causes the most irritation for wearers. I was really impressed by the comfort delivered by these earpads. With a simple flick of the wrist, you can pull and remove them.

Durability extends to the cables of this unit. There are two cables; straight and coiled. Both of them are easy to manage and feel durable.

Sound performance is key in any headphones, and these are no exception. The first thing that I observed as I placed these over my ears was the isolation. Although it doesn’t completely eliminate outside sounds, it does a good job in isolating the sound from the headphones.

I love the frequencies from the unit: especially the low frequencies. They are spacious, something that isn’t commonly found in this price range. The mids as well are quite large, and there is no interference between them. The highs are appealing too. All the highs are accented, making these headphones give you a smooth yet punchy sound simultaneously.

Depth is impressive, and soundstage is pleasant. All these features combined to give a pair of headphones that give some of the best sounds at a mid-range price.

What I don’t like

While the tonal quality is good, some folks might not like it. There is a softening effect on the highs which not everyone would appreciate.

Best Bass Headphones: V-MODA Crossfade M-100

The V-Moda headphones are high quality headphones that deliver the best bass performance for any pair of headphones under $100. The company gives you the opportunity of customizing everything about this unit. Regardless of the customization option, you can rest assured of top quality build.

The packaging comes in a white and orange box made to withstand bumps and drops during shipping. Thus, it is rare to find damaged products in the case.

The headband is foldable and can bend in any direction without breaking. Using it is quite comfortable as well since it spreads pressure all around the head. Aside from the headphone, other parts are also made with top-notch parts. Take the cable for example. It is made from aramid-reinforced cable. Therefore, you can rest assured that it will not fray or break. The cable comes with a pair of 3.5mm inputs. What does this mean? Well, it allows you to mix two sounds at the same time. It also means that you can share with a friend.

These headphones are some of the most durable options at this price range. It is built to survive extreme temperature, UV exposure, salt and high humidity. Therefore, you can take them with you wherever you are headed to.

Comfort and isolation are good. As with several other headphones, these require some breaking in. Therefore, the first couple of time you wear them might not be so comfortable on the ears. Hopefully, it will feel more comfortable over time. If you are in doubt, you can always get bigger pads to help with comfort. In terms of isolation, these do a good job at eliminating low-level noise. However, loud noises are not exactly filtered out.

Sound performance is where the product reigns supreme, especially in terms of bass. From my testing, it offers the best bass performance at this price. Mids are mellow in comparison to the bass. However, considering that bass is well above normal levels, the Mids performance is still better than that of other options.

Depths and sound staging is good and better than average.

What I don’t like

The sound isn’t exciting. It is best for those looking for a punchy pair of headphones. If you are looking for something more rounded, you will have to look away from this product.

Best for Mixed Use: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

The M50x is a legendary piece of hardware and regularly ranks at the top of most “best headphones” lists (including ours!). They’re extremely versatile with an exceptionally flat, rounded sound. While they’re not designed specifically for DJs, the M50x excel in nearly any role, from producing to mixing to DJing.

These headphones are well constructed and look like they are bound to last for a long period. It features thick, padded earcups that swivel, foldable design that lets you carry them around with ease, and thick cords that will stand the test of time.

These headphones are the perfect blend of headphones that you can use in the studio and those that you can use with your phone. Design-wise, they aren’t as impressive as some other options on the market, but they have their own silent aesthetic quality. It comes with a rather large headband that might put off some potential buyers. Nevertheless, you will likely like the shallow cups and the headband that sticks to the heads’ contours snugly.

While that might drive some away, it will attract anyone looking for a pair of durable headphones. The design means that you can handle them roughly without fearing damage. The thick headband serves to insulate the headphones from drops and impacts. The swivel design of the cups means that you can use one ear to monitor sounds; great for DJs.

Padding all around the headphones is thick and quite comfortable. If you live in temperate regions, though, you might find the padding too thick for comfort. After a while, it starts to heat up your ears and feel uncomfortable.

The cables on this unit come in three types. There is one designed to be with you on the go while the other two are designed for home application. One downside of these headphones is that you can’t just use any type of cable. You have to use those from the manufacturer.

Performance is wonderful. Listening to music is quite the experience with these headphones as it delivers rich, vivid sounds. While it has been tuned by the manufacturer to impress, it thankfully delivers plenty of sound texture regardless of whether you are in the lows, mids, or high ranges.

What I don’t like

The M50x are big and bulky; they’re not the most comfortable for long hours in a hot, sweaty club.

Best for Mixed Use (Budget): Sony MDR7506

At first glance, these are old-fashioned headphones that look more at home in the ’90s than the 21st century. Sony has stuck with this design right from the time the first models came out and have refused to change it. Personally, I don’t mind; they still look great. With most of fashion geared toward “anti-fashion”, the vintage appearance of these headphones might just strike a chord with those who want to look “un-cool” but still look kind of cool.

These headphones are designed for studio monitoring, and that is visible in the overall build and design of this unit. The build quality is quite good, although these headphones might seem fragile. However, despite appearances, they are quite hardy and with proper handling, will last for a long, long time.

These Sony headphones are quite comfortable. Weighing just 230 grams, you can wear them for so long without any stress.

Sony has got sound quality right with these headphones. They work so well and can even be your main studio headphones. They deliver excellent sound across a wide variety of genres.

What I don’t like

The hinges of these budget-level headphones are an issue. Unlike several others on this roundup, they are made from plastic. This makes them less durable than I’d have liked. Furthermore, I don’t like that the cable cannot be detached from the headphones. If anything happens to the cable, you will have to replace the whole unit.

Over to You

It’s not always easy to zero-in on the best DJ headphones for your needs. Hopefully, this guide will help you zero-in on the right option.

For more recommendations and advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Also Read:

• Our list of the best studio headphones for every budget and need
• On a budget? Check out our favorite headphones under $100
• Drumming? See our top picks for headphones for drumming

References:

• Pioneer DJ (Official website)
• Sennheiser (Official website)
• Sony Audio (Official website)
• Audio Technica (Official website)
• V-Moda (Official website)
• Ultrasone (Official website)

Buying the best bass headphones isn’t just about selecting headphones with the loudest bass; it’s about finding headphones that deliver full, clear, well-rounded sound without compromising on the bass. In this guide, I’ll share my analysis for the best bass headphones on the market right now that fulfill this promise.

Bass. Isn’t that what we all care about in popular music? Loud beats, thick basslines, sharp snares. Good bass can make or break songs – and the headphones you use to listen to them.

But too often, headphone manufacturers make the mistake of confusing “good bass” with “loud bass”. Loudness is important, but you need clarity to balance things out. Headphones that focus too much on the low-end often feel “rumbly” and disorienting.

This was my objective in creating this roundup on the best bass headphones. I wanted to find not just headphones that deliver loud bass, but a pleasurable listening experience – robust mids, clear highs, and round bass.

Search for bass headphones and you’ll be confronted by hundreds of options. Besides well-known brands – Beats, Audio Technica, Sony – there are countless startups, Chinese makes, and small brands offering surprisingly competent products.

For this review, I evaluated 17 different headphones. My top 5 picks for the best bass headphones are:

• Best premium performance: V-MODA Crossfade M-100 ($$$)
• Best wireless: Beats Solo3 ($$$)
• Best mid-range: COWIN E7 Pro ($$)
• Best budget: JVC HARX700 ($)

There is a lot that goes into buying the perfect bass headphones. I’ll cover my top picks below. After that, we’ll do a deep dive into the things you should look for when buying the best bass headphones.

To quickly jump to the right section, use the navigation below

I. The Best Bass Headphones in 2019

With all the basics out of the way, let’s answer the question you originally came here for: what are the best bass headphones on the market right now?

From the cheapest TaoTronics to the most expensive V-Moda, I’ll share my list of the 8 best bass headphones you can buy right now, segregated into different categories.

Best Premium Bass Headphones

Premium headphones, i.e. headphones priced over $100, have a lot to offer for serious listeners. Because of superior materials and design, headphones in this category usually balance bass with performance in the mids and highs. They might be expensive, but if you have the money, I recommend going for bass headphones in this category.

Here are my picks for the best premium bass headphones:

For testing these headphones, I used this track:

Build quality & Design

The M-100 is arguably the best built headphones on this list. Fittingly so – it is also the priciest. Every part feels hefty and premium.

What I particularly like is the heft and durability of the headband. I tried twisting and turning it a million ways but it wouldn’t bend or break. And yet, it doesn’t weigh you down.

• The frame is made of steel, not plastic. While this does add to the weight, it also adds tremendous durability to the headphones. You’ll be hard pressed to break them, even with significant abuse.
• The cable is also reinforced with kevlar. V-Moda claims that it can withstand a million bends, which is more than what you’ll ever end up doing.
• The earcups use BLISS memory foam which contour to your ears. Memory foam is always a plus in earpads and I appreciate their inclusion here.
• My final favorite build feature is the CLIQFOLD design. These headphones collapse on themselves into a small, easy-to-carry package. Collapsing the hinges creates a very satisfying “click” sound – hence the name.

Finally, there’s the design. Now the M-100 is arguably an aggressive looking pair of headphones. I had the gun metal finish which, along with the hexagonal earcups, makes it look very much like part of any tactical gear. It’s not a design that will appeal to everyone.

The plus point is that you can customize the look of the M-100 with custom face plates. I’m not a big fan of their existing customization options, but if you like the military/metal/gilded aesthetic, this might be right for you.

Overall, the build quality is extremely satisfying and the design is good, if not for everyone.

Features

One of my favorite features in the M-100 is the detachable cable. Cables are often the first things to break in any heavily-used set of headphones. A detachable cable means that you can change the cable instead of the entire headphones in case of breakage. Not only that, you can plug in the cable into either of the earcups. You can even plug into another set of headphones for tandem DJ (i.e. SharePlay).

The M-100 comes with two pairs of cables just for this very purpose. You also get a carrying case.

The final feature that wins big in my review is V-Moda’s “Immortal Life” program. This program basically gives you a 50% discount in case you happen to damage or break your headphones for the entire life of your headphones.

Sound quality

Now comes the most important part – sound quality.

The M-100 uses patented dual diaphragm drivers. V-Moda claims this helps separate the mids/highs from the bass. In theory, this should help deliver clearer, crisper sound.

And the M-100 doesn’t disappoint. Unlike most bass-heavy headphones, the low-end doesn’t feel crowded here. You can feel the thump of the beat, but you won’t miss the shimmer of a synth or the body of a sax. The mids aren’t quite as clear as they can be, but it doesn’t bother me much.

Speaking of bass, the 50mm drivers deliver some of the best bass in the premium headphones category. The bass is loud but not distorted. And the dual diaphragms do a good job of separating it from the mids/highs.

Overall, I would give this a solid 4.8/5 on sound quality.

Alternative: ​​Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7GM SonicPro

I’ve made no secret of my appreciation for Audio Technica as a company and as a headphone manufacturer. The ATH M-50X remains my favorite studio headphones and I regularly rank their turntables among my top 10.

So you can imagine my excitement when I heard that Audio Technica was coming out with a bass-heavy pair of headphones – the MSR7GM Sonic Pro.

And like before, Audio Technica did not disappoint.

Build quality & Design

While not quite as “can survive the nuclear apocalypse” sturdy as the V-Moda M-100, the AT Sonic Pro is nevertheless a very durable offering. The frame is built from aluminium (not steal) coated with plastic and covered in ample memory foam. The use of aluminium reduces the weight without compromising on sturdiness. You will be hard-pressed to break these headphones.

The headband and earcups are covered in high-quality memory foam, sewn together in faux leather. The outer cups get a brushed aluminium finish. I like both the design and comfort on offer.

The Sonic Pro comes in two colors – Black and Gun-Metal gray. The black looks like any generic pair of headphones, but the gun-metal gray has a delightful brown finish. It looks truly premium and will shift eyes in your direction. Great design without the ostentatious of a Beats or even the M-100.

Overall, this is exactly what you’d expect from Audio Technica. Great build quality coupled with classy design and comfort.

Features

One of my favorite features in the Audio Technica MSR7GM is the detachable cable. As I said earlier, cables are usually the first point of breakage in any headphones. Since these are detachable, you can replace just the cable in case of a fault. These headphones even ship with three cables in the box to serve as replacements.

Another feature is the air damping technology. Audio Technica claims that it helps improve mid and high-frequency response, though it doesn’t really explain how it works.

The MSR7 is admittedly light on features. You don’t get a lifetime “50% discount” program, nor do you get SharedPlay.

Sound quality

The MSR7 performs exceptionally well in this department. These are the best sounding headphones on the market in this price range, period. The sound quality is lush without being overwhelming, loud without being annoying. If you appreciate the nuances in your music, you will love these headphones.

First, the bass. Now unlike the M-100, the bass on the MSR7 isn’t overwhelmingly loud. In fact, I would even say that it has softer bass than some of the cheaper headphones in this category. That’s not to say that the bass isn’t enjoyable. Far from it – you’ll appreciate the tightness and fast response, especially on complex EDM tracks.

These headphones shine in the mids, which are lush, loud and present. There is a palpable sense of “weight” in the mid-range. Considering that these headphones were designed in, and for the Japanese market, the focus on mids is understandable – Japanese music has an abundance of nuanced instrumentation in this range (unlike more bass/treble heavy western music).

The highs are detailed, bright and energetic. You’ll be able to hear sounds that you didn’t even know existed in the record. That said, the brightness of the highs can be confused for shrillness if you are overly sensitive.

On the whole, the MSR7GM isn’t the perfect pair of headphones if you want a loud, thumping bass. But if you want a well-rounded sound and sonically diverse listening experience, you’ll love its balanced profile.

Also read: Our best Audio Technica headphones to buy right now

Best Wireless Bass Headphones

It’s a good time to be alive if you’re not a fan of wires and cables. Wireless technology has never been better. Bluetooth headphones today have longer range, better battery life, and most importantly, nearly the same performance as wired headphones.

Compared to wireless earbuds, headphones benefit from a larger size. This improves the battery life substantially. While you’ll be hard-pressed to get more than 6-8 hours of battery life from earphones (4-5 hours realistically), headphones are often rated for 20+ hours.

My evaluation criteria for wireless headphones is slightly different. While sound quality is still important, I place a premium on battery life and easy pairing. After all, you buy wireless headphones for the wireless bit – if you can’t connect it to your phone or play music for hours, it’s not really worth your time.

Based on this criteria, I’ll look at some of the best wireless bass headphones available on the market below:

Build quality & Design

Despite their price tag, Beats headphones have always been slightly on the flimsier side. As a teardown by iFixit shows, Beats constantly uses poor quality parts and questionable design choices meant to reduce weight (such as using glue instead of screws).

The Beats Solo3 is no different. There is a flimsiness to these headphones that feels cheaper than the price tag. The headband is light and the folding hinges feel like they’re going to fall apart by your 10th fold. The earcups don’t have the plushness of the the ATH MSR7, and the underlying frame is all plastic, unlike the V-Modas or the Audio Technicas.

All in all, the build quality is a definite letdown. You pay a premium price for the Beats brand, but you don’t get premium build quality.

The design, however, is still eye-catching. Beats has always been promoted as a fashion accessory. The Solo3 is no different. You get a huge range of colors to choose from (gold, silver, and red being my personal favorites), and they all sport that familiar Beats logo. The colors also mean that you can be as loud or understated as you want to be. Pick a bright red and you’ll stand out. Choose black or silver and they’ll look classy.

Overall, this is exactly what you’d expect from a Beats headphones – great design backed by poor build quality. Don’t expect these to be a family heirloom.

Features

There are three reasons why I rank the Solo3 so highly:

• It has a stupidly good Bluetooth range at nearly 120+ feet.
• The new W1 chipset makes pairing with Apple devices quick and easy. It’s literally the best pairing experience I’ve had with any Bluetooth headphones, especially on Apple.
• You actually get the battery life as advertised – 40 hours.

These features are some of my top priorities in any wireless headphones, and the Solo3 doesn’t disappoint. If you use Apple products, you’ll enjoy the Solo3 user-experience a great deal.

Sound quality

There is a long-running joke among audiophiles that with any Beats headphones, the beats is really all that you hear – everything else is drowned out by the bass.

Now normally, I’d rate the Solo3 poorly because of its unbalanced sound profile. The bass is always too loud and the mids muted and unclear.

But since we’re talking about the best bass headphones, the Solo3’s bass focus is an advantage. There is a lot of thump and room in the low-end, which makes these the perfect headphones for any bass-heavy genre, especially hip hop and EDM.

In true Beats fashion, the trebles are also sharp and clear. There is a roominess to the highs without the shrillness that often accompanies it.

The mids are somewhat disappointing. There is some muddiness that impacts clarity. If you listen to genres with a lot of tonally complex instrumentation (jazz, classical music), these won’t be much fun for you.

Having said that, the Beats Solo3 serve the purpose – they are among the best bass headphones on the market right now. And thanks to Class-1 Bluetooth, you don’t lose much of the sound quality.

Alternative: ​​Bluedio U Plus (UFO) Pro

Bluedio doesn’t have the prestige of Audio Technica or the appeal of Beats, but this Chinese manufacturer makes some surprisingly competent products.

While it normally sticks to low to mid-range Bluetooth gear, the Bluedio U Plus Pro is one of the company’s few premium models. Despite the lack of pedigree, these headphones don’t disappoint.

Build quality & Design

Most of Bluedio’s headphones are notoriously bulky. The U Plus Pro, however, stands out with its better design and improved build quality. Although large in size, they feel smaller thanks to a sleeker form factor.

These headphones have a metal frame and plus earcups and headband. Metal finish on the earcup exterior looks great. They come in two colors – black and white. While the black looks generic enough, the white has hints of beige that stand out. From the design, it is easy to mistake these for Beats.

One of the great design features is the rotating earcups. The earcups swivel a complete 180. You can use them while DJing (though I can’t imagine any DJ using wireless headphones), or if you just want to be aware of your surroundings.

A negative point is the tight headband. The entire headphones feel like they’re pushing down on your ears, which makes them uncomfortable for long hours. You’ll want to wear them in for some time before they become comfortable to use.

The overall build quality is solid. There is some real heft to these headphones and they definitely fit the premium price tag.

Features

The Bluedio U Plus Pro advertises 12 drivers – 3 each for bass, mids, and trebles, and another set for controlling them. It also boasts a built-in chipset to control these drivers.

I’m not convinced these additional features are anything more than marketing hype. While the sound quality is good, it is nothing revolutionary – at least not enough to warrant the additional features.

A clear negative is the battery life. At 25 hours, it is just about average. The Solo3 gets much better battery life in a smaller package. Given the size of these headphones, I was expecting at least 30+ hours of playback.

Bluetooth range and quality is acceptable, though nothing outstanding.

There are volume and track controls on the right earcup. The buttons are nice and clicky. You can even switch between EQ modes using the on-ear controls.

Sound quality

Bluedio U Plus follows the same principles as its design inspiration – the Solo3. You get a ton of bass, muted mids and sharp trebles. Normally, I wouldn’t recommend these because of the unbalanced sound, but given that we’re looking at the best bass headphones, I’m giving it a bass.

The bass is constantly loud and punchy. In my tests, the bass was higher than the standard by around 7db. The bass frequency response is almost completely flat, though it trails off near the far end. You’ll hear a lot of details in the extreme low-end. D&B fans will love what these headphones do to subs and basslines.

Performance in the mids is even worse than the Solo3, however. The strong focus on the bass eats into the mids at the lower frequencies. You’ll struggle to hear higher-pitched basslines and low horns. The mids improve in performance as you reach the treble end though.

The trebles are loud but inconsistent. The low-trebles sound great, but anything in the extreme high-end is muted. There is a dip in the mid-trebles that reduces sibilants. However, there is an overall sharpness to the high-end that often risks turning into shrillness.

Overall, get these headphones for the bass. The sound is unbalanced, but if you’re looking for the best bass headphones, you won’t be disappointed.

Best Mid-Range Bass Headphones

The mid-range – is where you often find some of the best offerings on the market. Products in this range aren’t the flimsy, cheaply-made headphones at the low-end of the market. Nor are they overpriced, overloaded premium offerings. You get a nice mix between quality and cost – great for buyers who care about value for money.

Some of my favorite products can be found in this range. I’ll look at a few of the best bass headphones below.

Build quality & Design

The E7 Pro’s build quality is an upgrade from the E7. The earcups have a brushed metal finish that gives it a more premium look. The headband has a metal frame and ample cushioning. And the earcups have soft foam that is comfortable without getting too hot.

While these headphones won’t break at the drop of a hat, there is a cheap plastic quality to them. They certainly don’t feel as premium as the Audio Technicas or even the Beats Solo3. Yet, for this price, you can’t really complain.

The design is an improvement over the E7. The headphones look and feel sleeker. The addition of the brushed metal earcup plates makes them look more premium. They come in three shades – black, red, and silver. For my money, the silver looks the best, though the red is also a great looking option.

Overall, the design is nothing outstanding. It looks good but not overly so. You won’t manage to break these in a few months, but don’t expect them to last you for years either.

Features

The Cowin E7 Pro stands out among the competition because of its active noise cancellation.

Unlike noise isolation headphones, which passively block outside noise, active noise cancellation constantly listens to outside sound and creates a reverse signal to cancel it. This creates a much greater sense of silence and isolation.

The E7 Pro’s noise cancellation works great in low to medium noise environments. If you’re working in a slightly chirpy office or coffee shop, they’ll do a great job of blocking off noise.

The active noise cancellation fails at higher volumes, however. Don’t expect them to block out the noise in a crowded train or market.

A negative point is the noise cancellation system’s sensitivity to movement. Shake your head a little to quickly and the system will cut off, creating annoying gaps in music. I hope Cowin fixes this issue in future iterations of the software.

Other features include a built-in microphone which is clear enough for most purposes. The battery life is great at nearly 30 hours, though it also takes a lot of time to charge (~4 hours). A missing power saving feature means you have to switch them off manually every time.

Overall, the active noise cancellation feature alone is worth the money.

Sound quality

The Cowin E7 was famous for its sublime bass performance, especially in the low-low end. Unfortunately, it was mediocre at best at mids and highs.

The Cowin E7 Pro has fixed the unbalanced performance. You get much better mids and trebles along with the proven bass.

The bass response is nearly flat in the mid-high bass ranges. You’ll hear all the nuances in complex basslines. However, the low-bass range is muted. Subs and kicks will be slightly inaudible. Unlike its predecessor, the E7 Pro lacks that famous thump, but you get more clarity and nuanced performance.

The mids are really strong. The frequency response is nearly flat save a slight lift in the high-mid ranges. You’ll hear a lot of sounds you might miss otherwise.

The highs are actually the highlight of these headphones. A flat frequency response in the low-treble range allows sharp vocals and leads to shine through. Sibilants are muted thanks to a slight dip in the mid-high frequencies.

On the whole, the Cowin E7 Pro offers a well-balanced performance. The bass is loud and clear, and the mids-trebles are neither muddy nor muted.

Alternative: ​​Sony MDRXB950AP/H

Sony’s MDR XB950 is actually two different sets of headphones. AP/H refers to the wired version while B1 (i.e. XB950B1) is the wireless version. Apart from the wireless capabilities – and the higher price tag – the headphones have the same performance.

Since I’ve already covered a number of wireless headphones, I’ll focus on the wired version – XB950AP/H – here. I also feel that the wired version offers far better value for money.

Build quality & Design

The build quality on the MDR-XB950 is classic Sony – solid, no-fuss, premium. Despite the lower price tag, the earcups have high-end cushioning. The headband has a durable metal frame that feels good to touch. The earcups have a glossy black finish, and the stitching quality on the cushioning is good.

Overall, these headphones feel more premium than perhaps the price warranties. They have a heft that you’ll only find headphones priced in the $150+ range.

The design is, once again, classic Sony. It doesn’t stand out in a crowd. Yet, it doesn’t get lost either. The silver finish of the metal frame sticks out against the black of the headband and earcups which breaks the monotony of the black.

If there is one complaint, it is the headphones form factor. The earcups are relatively large and look a little bulky when worn. If you plan to wear them on the subway, be prepared for a few strange glances.

As far as comfort is concerned, the slender headband reduces the weight but also reduces cushioning. I’m personally not a fan of heavy headphones so I appreciate the low weight. But if you prefer extra padding on the headband, the thin cushioning here will be disappointing.

On the whole, the build quality and design are good if not exceptional. In this price range, however, I’m inclined to give it a solid 4.0/5 rating.

Features

These headphones don’t have a long list of features. Sony advertises its “acoustic bass booster” which is supposed to utilize the design of the earcups to improve bass delivery. I’m not sure how that plays out in actual use since the bass, while strong, isn’t overly so, nor does the earcup design stand out in particular.

You get in-line controls with a built-in mic. Combined with the low-weight and swivel earcup design, this makes the XB950 great for commutes.

Apart from this, you can also download Sony’s SmartKey app. Use it to customize the controls of the in-line remote. I didn’t find much use for it but I can’t fault Sony for trying.

On the whole, this isn’t the most feature-rich headphone offering on the market. But it isn’t missing any essential features either. 3/5.

Sound quality

As the name promises (“EXTRA bass”), these headphones do offer a great bass performance in this price range. But it’s not just about bass – you also get very clear mids. The trebles, however, are a problem and detract from the otherwise well-balanced sound profile.

Let’s start with the bass. The frequency response in the low-end is uniformly flat, save a little wobble near the high-bass end. It is also elevated by at least 5db. This creates a thick, loud sound, especially in the low and mid-bass ranges. You’ll hear nuanced basslines and chunky subs aplenty.

The mids are among the best I’ve seen in any headphones. Save a small dip in the low-mid frequency range, you get nearly flat frequency response. The mids aren’t artificially elevated either. These are great headphones for listening to jazz and other musically complex genres.

The trebles are a disappointment, to say the least. The performance is highly inconsistent. Some frequencies are muted, others jump out with a horrible shrillness. There is little clarity and any treble-heavy song will suffer for it.

On the whole, the bass and clear mids make up for the poor treble response. If you care about the beats more than you care about the highs (which you likely do if you’re reading about the best bass headphones), these would be perfect for you.

Best Budget Bass Headphones

There was a time when being on a budget meant listening to tinny headphones with wimpy bass and shrill trebles. Want something wireless? Be prepared to shell out another $100 for crappy Bluetooth (or worse, RF) headphones that wouldn’t work beyond 10 feet and deliver a weak signal.

That was then. Now you can get exceptionally well-made headphones with premium design and superior performance for under $50. And heck, if you look beyond the legacy brands like Sennheiser, you can even get wireless variants for the same price.

It’s truly a great time to be a budget bass headphones buyer. And in the next section, I’ll cover some of the best offerings on the market right now.

Build quality & Design

There is a definite plastic feel to the TaoTronics Bluetooth headphones. The earcups feel flimsy and the hinges don’t have that satisfying “click” sound you get in premium models.

This was expected, of course. For this price, you can’t really expect a metal frame and finish.

Having said that, the plastic feels like it is of good quality. Combined with the ample cushioning and memory foam on the earcups, you can even get away with thinking that these are more expensive than they actually are.

The design is inoffensive and classy. You get a single color emblazoned with the TaoTronics logo against a patterned background on the earcups. It won’t draw a lot of attention – of the negative or positive kind. I see this as a plus for people who want headphones that work well, not a fashion accessory.

Features

The feature list is packed. You get 4.1 Bluetooth connectivity and an advanced CSR chip to make pairing faster. The battery life is decent at 25 hours. You get fast charging – a full recharge in just 2 hours. And you get on-ear voice controls and hands-free calling.

There are a bunch of design features as well – the headband is adjustable and the headphones fold nicely into a small box. You can also swivel the earcups to get a better idea of your surroundings. The earcups use memory foam which is infinitely more comfortable.

On the whole, these are some of the most feature-rich headphones in the budget price range, and I wouldn’t mind recommending them on the features alone.

Sound quality

When evaluating headphones in the budget range, it is important to compare them against their peers. If you’ve been listening to Audio Technica’s MSR7, it’s easy to find the performance underwhelming. But when compared against similarly priced headphones, the sound quality is more than adequate.

The same is true for TaoTronics Bluetooth headphones. Will the sound quality blow you away? Will the bass make you grow hair on your chest? Will the mids and highs make even Justin Bieber sound tolerable?

Not really. Like most headphones in this range, the TaoTronics don’t do anything exceptionally well. The bass is loud, but it feels artificially inflated with little dynamism. You will feel the chunkiness of the bass, but you’ll be hard-pressed to hear the nuances in Dream Theater’s bass solos.

The mids and trebles are again satisfactory without disappointing. You can hear the thrash of electric guitars and the high pitched vocals in a Led Zeppelin song, but it won’t rock your world.

To their credit, these headphones do a good job of balancing the sound. Nothing stands out in particular, which is a nice thing to have.

On the whole, the sound quality is above average, decently balanced with a slight emphasis on the bass.

Alternative. ​​JVC HARX700

They’re big, they’re bulky, and they look like they belong to another era.

Yet, the JVC HARX700 is probably the single best-sounding pair of headphones in this price range.

Sure, they don’t have any of the features of TaoTronics offering above – no memory foam earcups, no Bluetooth, not even CVC 6.0 passive noise cancellation.

But where they do deliver, is in the sound quality. Few headphones in this price range can match up to HARX700’s rich bass and clear highs. And for this reason, they remain one of my top picks in the best bass headphones category.

Build quality & Design

There is no other way of saying it: the HARX700 is not a good looking set of headphones. The gray-black color scheme and huge earcups would have looked good in the ’90s, but stick out in an era of sleek, beautiful headphones.

But it’s not all terrible. Despite their size, the plastic quality on the earcups is nice. There is a surprising amount of heft to them.

One of my favorite design features is the headband. You get a soft cloth-like headband that fits perfectly over your head and keeps the weight low. Sure, the earcups might be enormous, but the lightweight headband actually makes these perfectly comfortable for long use.

Overall, don’t buy these if you’re looking for something fashionable. Buy them because of the sound quality.

Features

The features are pretty much non-existent. Apart from an extra long audio cable (11 feet!) and a 6.3mm plug, you don’t get anything else in the box.

Not really a product for feature hunters.

Sound quality

The sound quality is where these headphones shine. The bass is deep and rich. The trebles are strong and clear. And even the mids get their moment to come through. Honestly, these are the best sounding headphones that you can buy in this price range.

Let’s talk about the bass since that’s what we care about in this roundup. The frequency response is nearly flat save a slight dip in the low-bass range. You get a lot of thump and chunkiness throughout the low-end. The bass can easily compete with much more expensive headphones.

The mids are fat and clear. You’ll hear a lot of rhythmic clarity coming through. Great headphones for jazz and other complex genres.

The trebles are sharp without being shrill. There is a richness to the high-end. The frequency response in this range is flat except for the very-high end. And the dynamism is great – you can feel swift changes in volume.

On the whole, you’ll have to spend over $150 to get headphones with similar sound quality.

A Brief Guide to Buying the Best Bass Headphones

As I noted in my guide to buying studio headphones, there is a lot of nuance to buying any pair of headphones. The problem is particularly acute in bass headphones where the robustness of the bass has to be balanced by the clarity of highs and mids.

Sound might be the most important factor in buying headphones, but it isn’t the only one. You also have to decide on the price, design, build quality, and value for money. Unlike studio headphones – which are worn indoors in studios – conventional bass headphones are worn publicly. You also have to care about the look and feel.

I’ll help you make sense of all of these issues below.

How Bass Headphones Work

Headphones are technically complex products. Although the basic design is rather simple (which is why you see earphones selling for a few dollars), small differences in construction and materials leads to a big difference in quality.

Before you can start evaluating bass headphones, it’s important to know how they work.

Headphones essentially work by turning electrical signals into sound. The process works as follows:

1. Headphones are made up of small speakers housed inside a shell or case. This holds the headphone speakers together, amplifies the sound, and stops it from escaping. Open back headphones have, as you’d expect, an open case. This allows sound to come in and out of the speakers, creating a “roomier” sound profile.
2. The main component of a headphone is called the driver. The driver consists of a diaphragm, a permanent magnet, and a metal coil (sometimes called a “vocal coil”).
3. The driver is connected to the audio unit (such as your phone) by a pair of wires. This current passes a tiny electric current to the drivers.
4. When electric current flows through the headphone driver, it charges the metal coil and turns it into an electromagnet. This electromagnet can reverse its polarity based on the current. Thus, it is repelled or attracted to the permanent magnet in the driver based on current.
5. The rapid back and forth movement of the coil causes the diaphragm to vibrate in accordance with the sound waves. This vibration of the diaphragm produces sound in your ears.

Here’s an illustration of the diaphragm vibrations from Inner Fidelity:

All headphones, speakers, and earphones work on the same principle. Electric current causes a coil to be attracted/repelled to a magnet. This movement causes the diaphragm to vibrate, producing sound.

Going by this explanation, you’d think that the most important part of any headphones would be the driver, and you’d be absolutely right. Manufacturers will often advertise the size, quality, or type of the driver.

Let’s look at drivers in more detail.

 

Headphone Drivers Explained

As the primary sound-making unit in any pair of headphones, the driver is the single most important component in it. The quality of the driver has a big impact on its performance.

Drivers usually come in four varieties:

1. Dynamic drivers

Dynamic drivers are the most common type of drivers used in headphones. They follow the same building principles as I explained above – a large diaphram vibrates to produce sound. The size of the diaphragm makes them ideal for producing strong bass, though it often comes at the cost of clarity.

2. Balanced armature drivers

In balanced armature drivers, the diaphragm is tiny and horizontally installed within the headphones (or more commonly, in earphones). Most earphones that use these drivers have multiple armature drivers, going up to as many as 20 in high-end earphones.

3. Planar magnetic drivers

High-end headphones often come with planar magnetic drivers. In these drivers, the diaphragm is placed between two permanent magnets. A coiled wire going through the diaphragm makes it move back and forth between the magnets, producing vibrations, and thus, sound

4. Electrostatic drivers

In these drivers, the diaphragm is suspended between two electrified plates. Current flowing through the plates creates an electrostatic field, moving the diaphragm and producing sound. These drivers require a highly amplified signal and are usually found only in audiophile-grade headphones.

Most headphones you’ll find in retail stores use dynamic drivers. Most will also advertise the size of the driver. In theory, the larger the driver (i.e. the larger the diaphragm), the louder the bass (though this isn’t always true).

For example, TaoTronics bass headphones advertises its “50mm drivers”:

Others, such as the V-Moda Crossfade M-100, also advertise new driver designs such as their patented “dual driver” system:

Most low-end headphones (and notoriously, early Beats models) use generic drivers. But high-end headphones usually use drivers from companies like Japan’s STAX.

Essentially, when you’re buying headphones, consider the kind and quality of drivers it uses. The better the drivers, the better the overall experience.

I’ll look at a few other features you should look for when buying bass headphones.

 

What to Look for in Bass Headphones?

Regardless of your budget, here are a few things you should keep in mind when looking for the best bass headphones:

• Drivers: As I mentioned above, the drivers are the most important element in the headphones. Large drivers (~50mm) are generally better for bass performance than smaller ones. Look for headphones that use branded drivers (such as from STAX) or their own in-house designs.
• Build quality: Your headphones will take a beating, no matter how carefully you use them. Good built quality is essential lest you want to waste money replacing them every few months. Pay particular attention to the quality of the foam, audio cable, and hinges (if they’re foldable) as these are the first points of breakage.
• Design: Headphones are undoubtedly as much about fashion and design as they are about sound quality. While it shouldn’t be your top criteria, design should definitely matter in your eventual decision when picking the best bass headphones.
• Wired/Wireless: Wireless headphones have come a long way in quality but can’t really match their wired counterparts. If you do pick wireless headphones, pay close attention to the battery life.
• Open/Close back: Open back headphones, as the name implies, have an “open”, perforated enclosure. This allows the headphones to breathe and creates a roomier sound. Closed back headphones are (obviously) housed in a closed enclosure. This creates a tighter sound. Usually, most bass headphones are closed back.
• On-ear/over-ear: On-ear headphones sit on top of the ear while over-ear headphones cover the ear completely. The former are lighter and more comfortable to wear, but cause sound leakage. The latter can get hotter, but enclose the ear for better noise isolation.
• Comfort: Pick comfort as a priority if you plan on using the headphones for long hours. Padded earcups (bonus for memory foam), lightweight headbands, etc. are welcome features. If you’re a casual listener, you can overlook this aspect.
• Value for money: Rather than price, I suggest that you consider the headphones’ value for money. Don’t just sort by low-to-high price; it’s better to invest in an expensive pair of headphones that will last for years than to waste cash on cheap headphones that will break in months.
• Features: Lastly, consider any bonus features the headphones might have. Some have built-in amplifiers. Others allow you to customize the design. Consider this as the cherry on top of the headphone cake.

These are the exact same factors I considered when making this roundup. In the next section, I’ll quickly share my review methodology before diving into my list of the best bass headphones on the market.

 

Review Methodology

To create this roundup of the best bass headphones on the market, I first looked through currently available headphones on the market that emphasize bass. I removed low-quality and extremely expensive, audiophile grade offerings. I ended up with a list of 17 of the best bass headphones:

From this list, I selected 8 headphones for final evaluation. I looked at the headphones’ sound quality, design, build quality, features, and value for money.

To calculate my final score, I used this formula:

Final score = (Sound quality * 0.50) + (Build quality * 0.10) + (Design * 0.10) + (Features * 0.05) + (Value for Money * 0.25)

Over to You

Buying bass headphones comes with a set of unique challenges. Do you prioritize bass performance, or do you choose something that delivers robust, well-rounded sound with a special emphasis on bass?

Most of the headphones I’ve picked in this roundup of the best bass headphones focuses on the latter. This should help you buy headphones that deliver great performance on every track – with or without bass.

For more recommendations and advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Also read:

• Need open back headphones? Here’s our list of the top picks
• Producing music? You’ll want to pick something from our roundup of studio headphones
• Love Audio Technica? These are the best options from this brand right now
• Get more out of your headphones by pairing them up with a DAC. Here are our top budget picks in this category

References:

• Audio Technica official website
• How headphones work [YouTube Video]
• The Physics of How Your Earphone Jack Work [Wired.com]
• Sony headphones official website
• TaoTronics official website

Nearly 60 years after its founding, the Japanese company Audio-Technica remains one of the world’s most beloved audio brands. The best Audio-Technica headphones routinely rank among the world’s best-selling headphones, loved by audiophiles and casual users like. Find out which Audio-Technica headphones are right for you in this detailed roundup.

Bose might have a bigger brand. Sony might sell more units. But few headphone brands have the critical acclaim and commercial appeal of Audio-Technica.

The company that was founded in 1962 to manufacture phonograph cartridges (Audio-Technica’s turntables still rank among our favorites) has evolved over the decades to become a ferociously competitive and widely beloved headphone maker. The venerable ATH-M50x routinely ranks at the top of most beginner audiophile and studio monitors list (including ours). Their lower-tier models are universally praised for their attention to quality minus the price.

If you’re looking for Audio-Technica headphones, the biggest challenge isn’t to figure out if the brand is worth buying; it’s to figure out which among the company’s massive selection are the right option for you.

Which is where this guide will help. We’ve carefully combed through Audio-Technica’s (which we’ll shorten to ‘AT’ for this review) wide range and narrowed down to the 10 best Audio-Technica headphones you can buy right now. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a budget buyer, an audiophile, or a hip-hop head who needs deep bass, there’s an AT headphone for you.

Read on, or use the table of contents below to jump to the right section.

The 8 Best Audio-Technica Headphones: Detailed Analysis

You saw our picks for the best Audio-Technica headphones above.

In this section, we’ll do a deep dive into our top picks, why we chose them, and what’s the right option for you.

But before we can start, there’s something you should know:

With this note out of the way, let’s look at our picks for the best Audio-Technica headphones money can buy right now:

 

1. Best Overall: Audio-Technica ATH-M50X

Before we’d even started planning this review, we already knew what would be our best pick: the all-powerful, all-popular ATH-M50x.

Few headphones are as beloved as this one. An upgraded version of the bestselling M50, the M50x has topped the sales charts for years. Extremely versatile, relatively affordable, and accurate to a fault, the ATH-M50x is ideal for anyone – DJs, producers, and casual listeners alike.

The first thing you should know is that the ATH-M50x are studio monitors, not just “headphones”. That is, they are designed to be used in studio settings to accurately render sound. Essentially, this means they have a “flat” frequency response; the headphones do not accentuate or suppress any frequencies.

The result of this focus on accuracy is both positive and negative:

• Positive: You hear every track as it is supposed to be
• Negative: Poorly mixed tracks can sound flat since no batch of frequencies (lows, mids, highs) are emphasized

If you’re used to cheap headphones, the sheer fidelity of the ATH-M50x will be nothing less than shocking. This reviewer has personally seen friends who’ve used cheap Apple earbuds switch to M50x cans and the joy on their faces has been palpable.

If you’ve used fashionable expensive brands, like Beats, the accuracy of the M50x will be equally shocking. You’ll hear instruments you didn’t even know existed in the track. And you’ll appreciate your music a lot more when you realize that good songs aren’t just about a fat bass.

The best part about the ATH-M50x is that they sound equally good on any equipment type. Many premium headphones or studio monitors tend to be fussy about their input source. Some don’t sound good unless you plug them into a DAC and play only WAV files.

But the M50x will sound great regardless of whether you use crappy 128kbps MP3s on your 5 year old Android, or whether you plug it into a powerful DAC and use only FLAC audio.

(Of course, we at MIDINation always recommend investing in a DAC and using better quality audio source for a more pleasurable listening experience.)

Bottomline: if you have the money, buy these headphones. They’re not particularly expensive for the sheer quality and pedigree that you get. If this is your first step into audiophile gear, you will be blown away by their quality.

What we don’t like

While nothing is perfect, our list of complaints with the ATH-M50x is pretty limited:

• The earpads are a little bulky and can get uncomfortable after extended use
• Although they’re studio headphones, they do have a bass heavy sound stage which affects accuracy
• You don’t get a built-in microphone so if you intend to use them as a headset, look elsewhere. Or get an external microphone – you’re unlikely to find any audiophile-grade headphones with built-in mics.

2. Best Budget: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

When we first used the M20x, we couldn’t believe they were priced so low. The accuracy and sound quality are easily from one or two higher segments. It is a testament to Audio-Technica’s engineering that they could pack in so much into such as affordable package.

Sound quality: The first thing you’ll notice about the M20x is that the bass isn’t quite as punchy as some of the other consumer grade headphones on the market. Chalk it up to Audio-Technica’s conservative sensibilities, but the company hasn’t really jumped on the “drown everything in bass until you can’t hear anything” philosophy (looking at you, Beats).

The result of this bass-less focus is that you get to enjoy so much more o the mid and higher frequencies. If you’ve never used a decent pair of headphones before, you’ll be surprised at the things you can hear. We recommend tracks that emphasize the mids and highs – Kind of Blue by Miles Davis is a perennial favorite.

Another thing you’ll notice is that the headphones sound a little softer when you first plug them in. That’s because these have some of the highest impedance of any headphones in the Audio-Technica stable. This makes them great when used with preamps. But when plugged as is, you will have to turn up the volume to get a good punch.

The build quality is good. The earcups are large and lined with soft rubbery material. The headband is nicely padded, though the faux leather is prone to giving out.

On the whole, if you’re a budget buyer and need a pair of headphones for mixed use – casual listening, hobby level production, gaming and movies -the ATH-M20x is a fantastic option. The sound quality is incredible for the price you pay, the build quality is robust, and you get a brand that is respected by audiophiles the world over.

What we don’t like

One of the biggest complaints we have is with the earcups. The rubber material used in them tends to get hard and crusty over time. Thankfully, you can replace the cups, but at $25 a pop, it’s hardly affordable (we’d just recommend upgrading to M40x or M50x when that happens).

Another complaint is the lack of a detachable cord. As experienced users among you would know, cords are the first point of failure in any quality headphones. Since the M20x cord is built-in, you can’t replace it if it breaks. Thankfully, the cord is thick and heavily insulated which makes breakage a rarity.

Bass heads will also be a little disappointed by the tinnier bass.

Given the high impedance, we also recommend pairing these up with a good budget DAC.

3. Best for Audiophiles: Audio-Technica ATH-M70x

The way we’ve raved about the M50x, you might be led to believe that that’s the best Audio-Technica headphones money can buy.

That’s until you use the ATH-M70x.

The flagship model of Audio-Technica’s M-series, the M70x is everything an audiophile could ask for, and then some more. Boasting fantastic sound quality, extreme accuracy, and top-notch materials, this is a “bucket list” tier headphone. If you have the money, go buy it pronto. If you don’t, start saving right away.

Let’s start with the sound quality. The M70x are reference headphones. That is, they are meant to be used by producers in their studios and audiophiles who want to catch the tiniest of details in their favorite tracks. They are not meant for casual listeners. If you listen exclusively to Drake off YouTube videos and swear by Beats by Dre, you will be disappointed by the sheer flatness of these headphones.

However, if you are the kind of person who a) either makes music, and/or b) cares about listening to music critically, you will fall in love immediately with the M70x. The headphones are tuned incredibly flat. Nothing peaks, nothing troughs. Everything sounds exactly the way it was meant to be. Suddenly, barely audible parts in your favorite instruments start to pop. The mids – so often muted out by cheaper headphones – become thicker and more nuanced.

The difference in fidelity is staggering when compared to cheaper headphones. For music lovers, the M70x will start an enduring love affair – guaranteed.

As for the build quality, the M70x are decidedly lighter and more comfortable than the M50x. You will audibly sigh the first time you put these on and notice how light they sit on your head, and how airy they feel.

Low weight doesn’t mean that Audio-Technica has sacrificed on the build quality, however. Everything from the headband and the earcups to the swivel mechanism screams “built to last”. Detachable cables and replaceable earcups mean that even if you damage these critical bits, you can change them later.

Oh and as a bonus, the M70x comes with a nice travel case to protect your headphones when you’re on the go.

Overall, these headphones aren’t for everyone, but if you’re an audiophile/producer, they are one of the best Audio-Technica headphones you can buy. The sound quality is fantastic, the build quality is robust, and the way they feel – physically and aurally – is totally worth the hefty price tag.

What we don’t like

Nothing is perfect and neither is the M70x. Some of our biggest complaints are:

• The flatness makes these a poor choice for people who don’t have the equipment to complement them. If you don’t have high bitrate audio files or a preamp, you won’t be able to utilize the M70x to their fullest potential.
• Another negative is the overuse of plastic. At this price point, you’d expect higher quality materials in the headphones body (such as metal).
• Third, the M70x don’t fold which is a problem if you want to carry these around with you.
• Lastly, these headphones are tuned to work with preamps. Without one, the volume is a little on the lower side. Be prepared to hit the volume button all the way up if you don’t have a preamp/DAC.

4. Best Wireless: Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT

One of the first things you notice about the SR50s is how good they look. There are more radically designed headphones on the matter, and certainly more fashionable, but in terms of sheer class, you can’t beat the SR50s aesthetic.

Looks, of course, isn’t the reason to buy headphones. But the SR50BT (where ‘BT’ stands for ‘Bluetooth’) performs great on all the other counts as well – sound quality, features, and build quality.

Let’s start by talking about the sound quality. Unlike plenty of other Bluetooth headphones on the market, the SR50s have a truly neutral sound. The result is that you get to hear tracks as they were meant to be heard.

The sound quality itself is clear and crisp. We’d say it’s somewhere between the M40x and the M50x – nearly audiophile-grade, especially when plugged in (Bluetooth, by virtue of being wireless, can’t offer as good quality).

As for features, the SR50BT packs in a lot. Of particular note are the touch controls. Instead of buttons, you can interact with the headphones by touching the earcups. Even though they tend to malfunction at times, using them is always fun, such as palming the left speaker to switch between modes.

Speaking of modes, the SR50s support three modes – Hear Through (to let you hear what’s around you), Off (standard headset mode), and Noise Cancellation.

The build quality is good. The earcups are large but airy and the entire unit is surprisingly lightweight. The compression force from the headband is very low, making it a great choice for long-term usage.

On the whole, these are great Bluetooth speakers for someone who wants to prioritize sound quality over everything else. The noise cancellation might be less than ideal, but the great sound quality more than makes up for it.

What we don’t like

Some of our biggest complaints with the ATH-SR50 cans are:

• Bluetooth setup is error-prone on Windows. Windows 10 sometimes recognizes this as a handsfree headset which impacts sound quality.
• The earcups, while comfy, tend to run a little hot.
• Touch sensitive controls don’t always work.
• Ambient noise cancellation is okay, but can’t compete with Bose QuietComfort.

5. Best Open-Back Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X

Open back headphones aren’t nearly as popular as their closed back counterparts, largely because the sound leakage from these is a privacy nightmare.

Which is a shame because in terms of both “presence” and comfort, most open back headphones outperform closed back headphones.

(In case you’re wondering, here is our list of the best open back headphones right now.)

The same holds true for Audio-Technica’s budget-focused open back pair, the AD700x. A lower priced variant of the ever popular AD900x, these headphones promise nearly the same performance at a great value.

The first thing you should know is that open back headphones, as the name suggests, have an “open” back. That is, the enclosure is open, turning the headphones into mini speakers. While this results in sound leakage – everyone will be able to hear what you’re hearing – it also creates a powerful sense of “presence”. Listen to any live recording on a solid pair of open back headphones – such as this one – and you will feel that you’re literally there.

Keeping this in mind, the sound quality of ATH-AD700x offers a fantastic sense of “aliveness”. Put these on, throw up your favorite live album onto iTunes, and you will feel that you’ve been transported right to the concert. The sound is crisp, clear, and has a wide soundstage. Instruments don’t seem cramped up inside your head; you can hear them at a distance as if they’re placed all around the stage.

The frequency response is flat in theory (Audio-Technica bills these as “audiophile” grade). In practice, however, these cans clearly favor mids and trebles. The bass is noticeably muted and if you listen to a lot of bass-heavy tracks, look elsewhere (here are our favorite bass headphones).

As for the build quality, these are among the most comfortable headphones we’ve ever used. Mostly, this is because open back headphones tend to be airy and light. You can wear these for hours without sweating or getting uncomfortable.

Audio-Technica has also eschewed a solid band in favor of open cable design. For extra support, there are two foam pads called “3D wings”. These offer a great combination of comfort and support.

On the whole, if you’re looking for a pair of open back headphones, you will love the ATH-AD700x. They’re priced fantastically, are extremely comfortable, and boast Audio-Technica’s proven sound quality.

What we don’t like

• The low bass makes these a poor choice for a lot of modern music genres. Hip-hop, for instance, isn’t nearly as fun. They also make poor gaming headphones since the punch of explosions and gunshots is often lost in the crowded mids.
• Since they’re open back headphones, they leak out sound. Your spouse will hate you if you use them around the house.
• The lack of clamping force is great for comfort, but also means that the headphones tend to slide down sometimes, especially on people with smaller heads.

Final Words

Audio-Technica’s headphones are rated among the best in their respective categories for a reason: the company has a storied history of focusing on the essentials and choosing sound quality over gimmicks and trendy designs. You can safely pick any of the headphones we’ve listed above and not be disappointed.

Just to recap, here is our list of the best Audio-Technica headphones, sorted by category:

• Audio-Technica ATH-M50X (Best overall)
• Audio-Technica ATH-M20x (Best budget)
• Audio-Technica ATH-M70x (Best audiophile)
• Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT (Best wireless)
• Audio-Technica ATH-AD700x (Best open back)

Questions, suggestions, or doubts?

Send us an email here!

References:

• Audio Technica (official website)
• What is the effect of impedance on sound quality? (StackExchange.com)
• Audio Technica (Wikipedia)