The Best Headphones for Digital Piano 2025 – 8 Foolproof Picks

Last Updated on January 2, 2025

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

The Best Headphones for Digital Piano

Best overall: Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
“The younger sibling of the highly rated M50x offers similar performance at a lower price”

Most affordable: Tascam TH-02
“What the Tascam TH02 lacks in sound quality, it more than makes up for in price”

Best for pros: beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO
“The DT 770 has been a production mainstay for years and works equally well with pianos”

Best for traveling: Yamaha HPH-50B
“This compact Yamaha is the best audio experience you can have on the go without spending a mini fortune.”

Most reliable: Sony MDR7506
“With a design that hasn't changed in years, the MDR7506 skips the features but offers ever-reliable performance”

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.

We use rigorous research, reviews, and real-world performance when recommending products. Our reviewers include producers, performers, and active musicians. You can read more about our review process here. Be advised that MIDINation might earn referral commissions on purchases made through this website. This does not affect your final purchase price.
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About your reviewer

Ryan Harrell is the founder of MIDINation and an experienced producer/DJ. His first experience with electronic music production dates back to Cubase 3.0 in the summer of 1997, and he's been a fan ever since. He prefers Ableton as his primary DAW these days, though he is still partial to Cubase and Pro Tools. He lives in San Diego and freelances as a producer and part-time DJ.

The 8 Best Headphones for Digital Piano

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

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x are the best headphones for digital piano you can buy right now

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

The ATH-M50x is one of the greatest pair of headphones ever made. Its younger sibling, the M40x, takes the same base foundations, but makes it cheaper and more suitable for casual users. It still has the clarity of the M50x, but offers more comfort, lower weight, and slightly more color to the sound that makes it ideal for pianists.

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.

Recommended for: The M40x is ideal for pianists who want studio headphone-like clarity but don't want to compromise on comfort. The sound isn't as neutral as the M50x, which makes it more suitable for casual listening sessions as well. In terms of sheer versatility, the ATH-M40x is one of the best headphones for digital piano on the market right now.

Alternative to ATH-M40x: Philips SHP9500

PHILIPS SHP9500 is a great alternative to the best headphones for digital piano

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.

Recommended for: First, the headphones are for those who don't want to spend a lot on a pair of digital piano headphones. You can't use them in public or in a space where absolute silence is required. They are best enjoyed in a quiet, secluded environment, because of their open design.

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.

Recommended for: I recommend the Tascam TH-02 for anyone looking for a pair of cheap but high-quality headphones for their digital piano. It's a good choice for those who play in public , thanks to its closed-back design. They might not be the best headphones for digital pianos, but they're definitely one of the most affordable going around.

Best for Pros: beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO

beyerdynamic DT770 Pro is an example of studio headphones that emphasize clarity and fidelity over the listening experience

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.

Recommended for: This is a good pair of headphones for audiophiles and connoisseurs. The sound is precise and the clarity is incredibly. While it does add a bit more bass than I would like, it's still one of the best headphones for digital piano you can buy right now.

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.

Recommended for: The AKG Pro Audio K245 are suitable for people who are going to spend long sessions with their digital pianos. Also, the model is designed to fit people with small head sizes and can even fit toddlers. The comfort and wide sound stage makes them one of the best headphones for digital piano, though you'll want to avoid them if you want absolute privacy while playing.

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.

Recommended for: These headphones are lightweight, compact, and portable. It is suitable for artistes who are always on the go. It also has comfortable features for those who will be using it for long hours. If you'll be traveling or need something that's portable and lightweight, these are some of the best headphones for digital piano you can buy in 2020.

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.

Recommended for: To sum up, I can say that Audio-Technica has achieved a great feat by offering a headset with such battery runtime while maintaining good sound performance. Ideal for users who do not want to charge their headphones constantly. If your keyboard supports Bluetooth, these are arguably the best headphones for digital piano going around.

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.

Recommended for: The Sony MDR7506 is a very reliable closed-back headphone. It is perfect for you if you're going to use it in a crowded location – on stage in concerts, etc. The reliable and consistent performance easily make it the best headphones for digital piano right now.

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.

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References:

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  • Sep 23, 2020: Article first published