Top 5 Best Studio Headphones in 2024

Selecting the ideal headphones might help you take your production to the next level if you require them for studio use. Closed-back headphones are ideal for live studio recording because they allow you to monitor the recording without having sound leak into the microphone. On the other hand, since they can be more comfortable after a long day in the studio, many sound engineers might prefer more roomy and immersive open-back headphones for mixing. In order to provide you with adequate range to roam around your studio, the finest studio headphones frequently come with a coiled wire.

Below are our recommendations for studio use based on our testing of over 785 pairs of headphones. Additionally, take a look at our suggestions for the best DJ headphones, the best headphones for music, the best wired headphones, and the best audiophile headphones.

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Last update on 2024-06-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best Studio Headphones in 2024

1.Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Last update on 2024-06-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

For neutral listening, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are excellent. They provide balanced audio reproduction that is appropriate for both general listening and recording. They don’t create a lot of low-bass, but your mixes have plenty of warmth and boom, and their over-emphasized high-bass partly makes up for it. They offer a treble that isn’t overly harsh or recessed, and their midrange is rather well-balanced, correctly reproducing instruments and vocals. Unfortunately, the soundstage performance is subpar due to their closed-back design.

There are two color options for the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: “Black” and “White.” The manufacturer selects a new limited edition colorway through a poll each year, so you may find additional colors—such as “Ice Blue,” “Purple and Black,” “Deep Sea Blue,” and “Lantern Glow”—available new or used. The ‘Black’ version was tested, but we anticipate that all hues will function similarly. Please let us know in the forums if you come across a different version of these headphones so we can update our review.

Closed-back headphones like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are excellent choices for both audio pros and enthusiasts. Their robust build and closed-back style are similar to the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO. Other than the Audio-Technica’s easily removable audio wire, the choice between the two in terms of comfort and sound quality will be a matter of personal preference. Other headphones of the same series, such as the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, which have a similar design and fit but are more reasonably priced, are also available from the manufacturer to accommodate a variety of budgets. However, they lack the neutrality and have a lower construction quality. Since then, Audio-Technica has also produced a wireless model with Bluetooth, called the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2. Their built-in microphone makes them more portable, but they don’t have the same deep bass as the wired model.

2.Sony MDR-7506

Last update on 2024-06-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Try the Sony MDR-7506 for something a little more affordable. Because of their closed-back design and well-balanced sound, these vintage over-ears have become a studio staple, reducing the possibility of your audio seeping into a recording. Their sound has a little bit more thud, rumble, and boom, but because of how flat their mid-range is, it doesn’t overpower lead vocals or lead instruments. Additionally, they have a respectable leakage performance and deliver audio consistently across seats, which is advantageous if you’re monitoring audio at a reasonable volume. Regretfully, they have trouble canceling out background chatter and other ambient noise.

If you want to walk about the studio, their coiled audio wire helps keep things from becoming tangled. But at this pricing bracket, manufacturers usually sacrifice quality in order to save costs. The Sony headphones’ audio cable isn’t detachable like that of the more costly Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, so if it breaks, you’ll have to replace the entire device unless you know how to fix soldering irons. They can creak when you put them on your head since, although having plastic and metal components, their construction feels cheap. They do, however, provide a balanced sound that is appropriate for recording. Unlike most modern headphones, they feature screws for easier part removal and replacement because they were initially intended to be repaired.

The Sony MDR-7506 is an excellent choice for neutral audio. They feature a powerful bass that doesn’t overpower the superb mid-range in their well-balanced sound. Clear vocals and instruments are combined with bright treble and a rich mid-range that provide for excellent analytical listening. However, audio may sound blocked off due to their subpar soundstage capability.

3.Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

Last update on 2024-06-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M20X is a good choice if you require multiple pairs of headphones but have a limited budget or want to stay within your means. While not as well-made as the Sony MDR-7506, these headphones nonetheless provide outstanding sound quality for a cheaper price. Though they feature a more plasticky design with a thinner metal frame and exposed cables, they resemble the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x in appearance.

Although they don’t have quite as much low bass as closed-back headphones, they provide a flat, neutral mid-range response that reproduces instruments and voices with clarity and accuracy. Nevertheless, sibilants such as cymbals and S and T sound lispy and dreary due to their considerable treble roll-off. However, they convey audio consistently, increasing the likelihood that you’ll hear the same sound from seat to seat.

Located below the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x at the bottom of the current ATH-M series, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are respectable over-ear headphones. These are reasonably priced closed-backs that work well in calm environments or for audio tracking and monitoring. Unfortunately, they don’t filter out much noise, so it’s best to save these for indoor use. This could significantly influence your listening experience in noisy situations or while commuting.

4.Sennheiser HD 800 S

Last update on 2024-06-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Give the Sennheiser HD 800 S some thought if open-back headphones are more your style. Open-back headphones are a good option for mixing as opposed to closed-back headphones, which are ideal for recording. Because of the way they are made, sound travels outside of the ear cups and into your surroundings, resulting in a more realistic and immersive soundstage. Although the Sennheiser headphones are the best available, not everyone can afford them due to their high price. To drive them, you’ll also need a strong amplifier, which might add to the expense if you don’t already have one.

With their precise mid-range response and neutral sound profile, these high-end open-back headphones guarantee that lead and vocal instruments sound crystal clear and precise. Their triple reaction is also very well-balanced without being piercing or harsh. Like most open-back headphones, they struggle to reproduce the thump and rumble of low bass. Their audio cable is detachable, and they come with one extra in the box, along with a 1/4″ to 1/8″ adapter.

They fit really well and have a premium, robust construction. Unfortunately, the hinge pin tends to come free with time, which is unpleasant, and for the price, some people could have preferred a little less plastic in the construction. Although they offer a deeper bass extension and are not plagued by this issue, the HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version is heavier and bulkier due to its planar magnetic drivers. Nevertheless, blending them is still something to think about.

5.HiFiMan Edition XS

Last update on 2024-06-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Are you trying to find something less expensive? Consider the HiFiMan Edition XS. Planar magnetic drivers are utilized by these to produce a natural-sounding, spacious, and immersive soundstage that is ideal for mixing and mastering. If you’re looking for less expensive planar magnetics, they nevertheless perform similarly to HiFiMan’s more expensive models. They fit nicely with a variety of genres due to their neutral sound profile. Like any open-back headphones, they miss some low bass, but your audio still sounds powerful because the rest of the range is well-balanced. The sound of the instruments and voices is bright, crisp, and detailed.

Their plastic-heavy design and cheap hinges detract from their build quality. It’s worth investing in a set of open-back cans made of higher-quality materials and feeling more robust.Checking out the Audeze MM-100 is worthwhile. Planar magnetic drivers, another feature of these headphones, produce an expansive and airy soundscape. Their treble range is recessed, thus their sound profile isn’t nearly as balanced as the HiFiMan’s. This can be advantageous since your ears won’t tire out as quickly if you use them for extended mix sessions.

The HiFiMan Edition XS are open-back planar-magnetic headphones and are the next generation of the HiFiMan Edition X. Unlike their predecessor, they have a more conventional headband and use a thinner diaphragm to help the reproduction of details in tracks while keeping distortion low. They also have the manufacturer’s ‘Stealth Magnets’ design to improve their sound quality. The result is a fairly neutral sound profile with present, bright vocals and lead instruments, making them versatile enough for most audio content. Their passive soundstage also feels wide, natural, and spacious. However, the headphones themselves are large and may not fit your head comfortably if you have a small head.

Buying Guide

The Best Headphones for Studio Tracking

Tracking headphones—headphones used by artists who record in studios—are often made of durable materials and are reasonably priced for large purchases. These are unlikely to improve the bass response, in contrast to many consumer models. In order to stop audio leaks, the earcups probably have closed designs and ample padding.

Their main function is to accommodate several musicians in a room, which makes them far less exciting than reference models for mixing and mastering. Generally speaking, they feature a flat response with a slight but audible bass. Expect especially crisp high-mids and highs because clarity and detail are the main points of emphasis.

The Best Headphones for Mixing and Mastering

A sound signature that precisely and clearly captures the whole frequency range is necessary for essential mixing and mastering tasks. There may be some sculpting at either end, but it will probably be a very modest impact.

The way these models are constructed and priced sets them apart from most tracking options: Most are far more expensive and feature semi-open designs. They aim to produce a more realistic sense of space and concentrate on precision, much like high-end home stereo systems.

It’s true that not many products in this category are portable or compatible with mobile devices, but that’s true of all the products in this market.

The Best Custom Fit Earphones

Custom-molded earphones are another option that many serious musicians and recording professionals should think about. Audiologists create these from impressions of your ear, so they are usually fairly expensive. Some models are designed for live performance, while others are best for mixing and mastering. Since these designs don’t leak sound at all, almost all of these designs are suitable for in-studio tracking.

You can certainly just remove one of the earpieces, but that can be disorienting due to the in-ear seal they create. However, if you typically record with both earcups on, you should appreciate that some models let you adjust the bass and treble response to preference. Top-end entries can also produce superb audio quality because they rely on multiple drivers to handle different regions of the frequency range. Vocalists or musicians who typically record with one headphone cup off the ear to get a better sense of pitch or in-room acoustics should probably avoid these options for tracking.