Best Studio Headphones On Amazon This Year

Audio engineers and producers have long recognized the benefits of studio headphones—from improved sound quality to reduced distortion—to justify the investment. But it wasn’t until recent years that the technology began to permeate the world of home recording, and even then, only with specialized headphones.A big part of the reason studio-quality headphones are so expensive is the unique design features of each headphone. That“bump” in the earcup called the eardrum is sensitive enough to detect minute variations in sound pressure, so engineers design the drivers to minimize this sensitivity with designs that slice off small chunks of sound.The result is a headphone with a large, open sound field that‘s more open than open-back headphones, making it easy to reproduce a wide range of sounds. The result: a better-sounding listening experience. Any musician needs a good, reliable pair of studio headphones, so we've looked at some products and found some of the best on the market. For help figuring out how to purchase the best studio headphones, keep on reading our buying guide.

Tips

Experiment with different types of headphones to find what is the most comfortable for you. If you are new to studio headphones, you can find headphones with a more relaxed, open design that is less restrictive. Conversely, if you’ve worn headphones in the recording studio for years, you may have less to think about since you know what you like. Comfort is always key, so think about how comfortable you want ot be while working in the studio.

Studio headphones range quite a bit in price.

Inexpensive

cheaper studio headphones will cost between $30 and $60. These are pretty basic, and may not have all of the best features and capabilities as more expensive options. However, they are a great starter or backup pair.

Mid-range

From $75 to around $175, you’ll find studio headphones that have large enough drivers, noise-reduction features, and comfortable construction for everyday use.

Expensive

High-end studio headphone models high-end features can cost well over $200. These are high-quality products that will last a lifetime, but may not be within everyone's price range.

How Do We Chose Our Selection Of Studio Headphones?

Brand

As we always strive to source top brands and provide you with a selection of quality products, we focused on popular and high-performing brands. These brands are known to produce only the best and most durable headphones possible, and we ensured that our list featured these quality brands as well.

Reviews

We took a look at reviews from existing customers to ensure that the products on this list are worth your money. The users of these headphones rated each product and selected the ones that they feel provided the most benefits.

Price

The price of each item on our selection list is fair, no doubt about that. We've included a wide range of headphones that fit every budget so you can always find a product for you.

What Are Some Features To Look For In Studio Headphones?

Types

There is a perfect fit for each listener, so it is important to know the difference between each type of headphones before making a purchase. If you don't know your size, it's always better to get a size that's a little bit bigger than you're used to. You wouldn't want a pair of headphones that are too tight. Some models come with an adapter that will make them smaller in size.

Plug Type

Most headphones on your list feature a standard 3.5mm headphone plug. This is one of several ways that manufacturers have managed to keep the cost down. You can also find models with micro-USB, Lightning or 3M.

Charging Time

You don t want to spend hours recharging your headphones every day. With such a feature, some models will automatically switch to the low battery mode when they lose power.

Noise Reduction Rating

Noise reduction ratings are generally given as numbers that relate to decibels (dB) and are usually given by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. As noise reduction rating is often dependent on how the headphone will be used, this feature is to some extent subjective. It's important, therefore, to check the rating before you make your purchase to avoid any unforeseen risks.

Portability

Depending on where you will use your studio headphones, you may or may not want a more portable option. Some headphones are foldable, which is helpful in packing them to take them on the go, or just for simply storing them.

About

A studio headphone is any headphone that has been designed and engineered to deliver clear, crisp sound while staying lightweight, comfortable, and durable. A good headphone’s impedance (how much resistance it has to the flow of current) determines the type of sound it can reproduce. For example, many studio headphones have a headphone impedance of 10 ohms or less, which produces clear and crisp audio with little distortion. The more resistance a studio model has, the better the audio quality it will sound.