Best studio headphones 2024: Top picks for music production and mixing, tested by experts

Quick menu

Pair of Beyerdynamic headphones sits on top of a MacBook Pro laptop

(Image credit: Future)

1. The list in brief
2. Recent updates to this guide
2. Best overall
3. Best for comfort
4. Best closed-back
5. Best for mixing
6. Best workhorse pair
7. Best for budget
8. More options we've tested
9. Buying advice

How we test
We research and test the latest studio headphones in all key areas to create unbiased product recommendations. We rate each pair out of 5 and use our review data to inform rankings in this guide. Read more about how we test here.

When creating a studio set-up, a lot of emphasis is placed on the quality of your monitors and the acoustic properties of the room you're working in, but we’d argue that a pair of the best studio headphones is just as important a consideration. Any credible producer or mix engineer knows how important it is to A/B a mix on a range of different listening devices, and in many ways your headphones and monitors should be seen as two sides of the same coin.

We’ve encountered plenty of producers that prefer using headphones as their primary tool for making creative and mix decisions. However you prefer to work, headphones are essential for assessing stereo image, low-end and fine detail within your mixes. Just like speakers, it’s important to choose the right pair of studio headphones, but that choice will be very personal to you.

In the simplest terms, the best studio headphones should be honest and clear - able to reproduce your projects in a way that gives you an accurate sonic picture of every aspect of the frequency range. There are plenty of factors to consider beyond just the sound to consider though - comfort and durability are equally important, and it’s also worth thinking about whether you want a pair that can double up for day-to-day music listening duties, too. And then there's the all important factor of cost to consider.

For this guide to the best studio headphones, we’ve rigorously tested every model and have highlighted the strengths, weaknesses and suitability for different musical disciplines below. We've included some expert buying advice at the bottom of this guide, so if you're here to learn more about studio cans before you buy, we'd recommend starting there.

Best studio headphones: Quick list

Below you’ll find a round-up of our top choices for the best studio headphones available today. You can jump to a more detailed review of every pick, along with our price comparison tool to help you find the best deals at retailers we trust.

Recent updates

Recent updates

08/02/24: We added buy if/avoid if info to each product entry to help you decide which set of headphones is right for you.
06/06/23: This guide was overhauled to improve navigation, particularly on mobile devices, and to make it clearer what each of our product picks is best at. This should make the overall experience of using the page much better.

The best studio headphones available today

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

Below you'll find full and detailed write-ups for each of the best studio headphones in our list, plus links out to full reviews. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

Best overall

Best studio headphones: Focal Listen Professional

(Image credit: Future)
The best studio headphones for all music production needs

Specifications

Type: Closed-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 5Hz - 22kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω
Driver type: Mylar/Titanium, 40mm
Connection: Wired

Reasons to buy

+
Sturdy and comfortable fit
+
Solid sound repro at low volumes
+
Distinctive looks

Reasons to avoid

-
Silicon headband attracts sweat
At a glance

✅ Buy if you want a set of the best all-round headphones: These deliver comfort and style, and are great for both listening to and mixing music.
❌ Avoid if the looks of your 'phones aren't important: Other cheaper cans still deliver a great sound, but just might not have the same Focal style. 

The Focal Listen Professionals are exactly what they say on the tin; ideal for both listening and pro duties. This puts them firmly top of the class in the all-rounder category. Overall, we found the fit to be snug, but not too tight that they made long periods in the mixing saddle unbearable. 

In fact far from it, the longest period of time we had them on for was around three hours, with the main issues just being back pain and the lack of blinking. While many engineers and audio specialists might prefer open-backed designs for their lack of fatigue, the closed-back Listen Pros perform admirably in this regard.

We found the response of these cans to be perfectly balanced, with remarkably neutral, punchy bass with plenty of extension, full, clear mids and sparkling, smooth highs. Complete with a beautiful hard-shell case, we don't think there's a better all-round studio headphone out there at this price.

Read our full Focal Listen Professional review

Best for budget

Best studio headphones: Sennheiser HD-206

(Image credit: Sennheiser)
The best studio headphones for making music for less

Specifications

Type: Closed-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 21Hz - 18kHz
Impedance: 24 Ω
Driver type: Dynamic, closed
Connection: Wired

Reasons to buy

+
Balanced response
+
Great for tracking
+
Durable yet lightweight

Reasons to avoid

-
Cord is a bit long
At a glance

✅ Buy if you need a set of good-performing headphones: Or as a second pair of reference headphones to give you another important insight into your mixes.
❌ Avoid if you are expecting the most sonically-accurate headphones: While they punch above their weight, other options are better for subtle mixing.

If you’re in the market for a cheap pair of headphones for everyday studio use, you need to check out the Sennheiser HD-206. Bearing the well-respected Sennheiser name on the headband, the extremely tough and durable HD-206’s are comfortable to wear for extended periods.

Remarkably accurate for the money, the HD-206’s measure up more than favourably to much pricier peers. We found the bass response in particular to be rich and crisp, with plenty of detail also to be found in the mids and highs - making these potentially some of the best guitar amp headphones if you're of the axe shredding persuasion.

The hypoallergenic ear pads are more than adequate for blocking out extraneous noise whether in the studio or out on the move, and at this price, you need never fear recklessly throwing these in your laptop bag. Grab a pair before Sennheiser realise how good they are and raise the price.

Read our full Sennheiser HD-206 review

Best for comfort

Best studio headphones: Røde NTH-100

(Image credit: Future)
The best for comfort and all-round comfort

Specifications

Type: Closed back, over-ear
Frequency response: 5Hz - 35Khz
Impedance: 32 Ω
Driver type: Dynamic 40mm
Connection: Wired

Reasons to buy

+
Exceedingly comfortable
+
Great all-round performance
+
Innovative design

Reasons to avoid

-
No hard case, just a bag
At a glance

✅ Buy if you want comfortable, stylish headphones: They sound equally good in the studio as they do connected to your hi-fi, too.
❌ Avoid if you want flexible and compact cans to take anywhere: They don't fold up like many headphones do for storing, nor is there a hard case. 

Røde has been in the market making more than just microphones for a good while now. With mixers aimed at podcasting and small audio interfaces for content creators, it is little wonder the company should now develop its first pair of headphones, the over-ear NTH-100s. 

Australian firm Røde is known for offering quality at competitive price points, and these debut headphones are no different. Much attention has gone into tuning the earcups - which we found have a distinctive, elongated shape for a more natural fit - and drivers so that they can deliver a fine balance of focus and width in the soundstage.

The NTH-100s are innovative in their design, and offer clear and faithful sound, comfort and quality construction throughout. These are some of the best headphones we’ve tested recently and also position highly in our guide to the best studio headphones under $200/£200.

Read the full Røde NTH-100 review

Best closed-back model

Best studio headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X

(Image credit: Future)
The best all-round, closed-back studio headphones

Specifications

Type: Closed-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 5Hz - 40kHz
Impedance: 48Ω
Driver type: Dynamic STELLAR.45, 50mm
Connection: Wired, detachable

Reasons to buy

+
Great isolation
+
Superb sound
+
Extremely comfortable

Reasons to avoid

-
Costlier than the DT 770 PRO
At a glance

✅ Buy if you need all-round headphones that, like many in our guide, deliver a great sound, comfort and a fantastic design.
❌ Avoid if you don't have the cash: There are cheaper options like the 770 Pro, which lacks a few features, but is nearly half the price. 

An upgrade both price and features-wise from the DT 770 Pro found elsewhere in this guide, the DT 700 PRO X features an updated look, even squishier earpads and improved sound thanks to a new STELLAR.45 transducer design with a faster response. This enables a detailed transient response and a reliable sound that’s distortion-free even at high sound pressure levels. 

Since the 770 PRO X is available with a single 48Ω impedance rating, these are a worthwhile pick for both studio and everyday applications, while remaining one of the more comfortable cans we’ve tried over long periods. That and the fact that the earpads, headband pad and cables can all be easily replaced - you get a choice of two cables already in the box - make these a solid choice if you want to level up from the 770 Pro.

Read our full Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X review

Best studio headphones for mixing

Best studio headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X

(Image credit: Future)
An update on a classic pair of studio cans

Specifications

Type: Open-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 5Hz - 40kHz
Impedance: 48 ohms
Driver type: Stellar.45
Connection: Wired

Reasons to buy

+
Bulletproof build quality
+
Extremely comfortable
+
Neutral, natural sound
+
Brilliant for mixing

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the best choice for tracking
-
Not very portable
At a glance

✅ Buy if you want great headphones for mixing: These have an incredibly neutral sound, meaning you won't overcompensate for anything - you'll hear what you mix.
❌ Avoid if you are a fan of portable headphones: These are among the largest here and not entirely practical to take out and about.

These all-new Beyerdynamic 'phones bridge the gap between, but do not replace, the other two models in this round-up (the DT 1770 and DT 770 Pro). They feature an updated driver design, detachable cables, a sleeker, more modern look and one fixed impedance rating, making them suitable for a more diverse range of applications. These upgrades are reflected in the higher price point, coming in at roughly $/£100 more than the older PRO models. 

As the open-back member of the squad, the DT 900 PRO X is Beyer’s suggestion as a weapon of choice for critical listening and mastering. They're also some of the best mixing headphones on the block. There's also a closed-back version, the 700 PRO X, that retails for the same cash.

The 900’s are probably the most comfortable full-size cans we’ve tried, but isolation from external noise is not the greatest, as you’d expect from open-back cans. Sound-wise, they have a flattish profile delivering each frequency range without bias or favour. Your ears will be privy to a refreshingly accurate portrayal of what’s actually there, exactly what you want from something that’s marketed as a studio reference monitor headphone. They will do an excellent job of revealing any issues in your own projects, quick to shine a light on any problem areas that may need attention.

Read our full Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X review

Best workhorse pair

Best studio headphones: Sony MDR-7506

(Image credit: Future)
The best workhorse headphones on this list

Specifications

Type: Closed-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 10Hz - 20kHz
Impedance: 63 Ω
Driver type: Neodymium, 40mm
Connection: Wired

Reasons to buy

+
Workhorse headphones
+
Comfortable for longer wear
+
Great-sounding 

Reasons to avoid

-
Long coiled cable is quite heavy
At a glance

✅ Buy if you want comfort and a practical design: And these are among the cheapest cans here to offer a great, workhorse performance.
❌ Avoid if you want some more modern headphone tech: Things like cooling gels, and shorter, lighter cables aren' an option here. These have a more old-school appeal.

The Sony MDR series has been around for years and has a solid studio pedigree, borne out by many decades of daily use in the recording and broadcast sectors worldwide. The current incarnation, the MDR-7506 is a brilliant combination of comfort, practicality and value. 

In our experience these are extremely comfortable to wear for extended periods, and are designed to expose what’s wrong with a recording rather than what’s right. On a par with other cans costing twice as much, in action the sound is punchy and clear throughout the spectrum (with a moderate boost in the upper mids), while managing not to be overly-flattering. 

So all in all the fact that these workhorse cans are available for well under a hundred dollars/pounds is not to be sniffed at.

Read our full Sony MDR-7506 review

More options we've tested

There are countless pairs of studio headphones on the market, and we've tested most of them. We've given you our top 6 choices above, but we wanted to include some notable mentions here for other models that have been across our testing bench.

Best studio headphones: Sennheiser HD 400 Pro

(Image credit: Future)
The best pro-quality studio ’phones from Sennheiser

Specifications

Type: Open back, over-ear
Frequency response: 6Hz - 38kHz
Impedance: : 120 Ω
Driver type: Dynamic
Connection: Wired

Reasons to buy

+
Rich yet accurate listening experience
+
Wide frequency response
+
Very comfortable

Reasons to avoid

-
Not cheap
At a glance

✅ Buy if you want a good balance of sonic accuracy: Without the harshness that sometimes comes with it.
❌ Avoid if you lack the budget: Cheaper options like the ones above can give you a silky smooth and accurate sound for way less. 

We think Sennheiser’s Pro-branded cans sound excellent. There’s complexity that lesser headphones just don’t convey. There’s clarity and balance aplenty too, but not the cold, hard treble-toppy steeliness that’s often mistaken for transparency. Instead, there’s a measured vividness; an equality where the mids, lows and highs co-exist without fighting one another.

Unlike some closed-back headphones that overblow bass frequencies due to build-up of pressure, the HD 400s allow for natural airflow, which not only improves the soundstage but also adds to the comfort when wearing them for long periods.

These are quality headphones that you’ll happily be able to trust when making creative decisions.

Read our full Sennheiser HD 400 Pro review

So those are our absolute top picks, but there are many more great options to choose from that offer something a little different in terms of features and performance. We've selected some more of our favourites below.

Best studio headphones: Sennheiser HD-25

(Image credit: Future)
The best studio headphones if you want a tried-and-tested DJ fave

Specifications

Type: On-ear
Frequency response: 16Hz - 22kHz
Impedance: 70 Ω
Driver type: Dynamic, closed
Connection: Wired

Reasons to buy

+
Pro choice
+
Lightweight
+
Robust

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the comfiest earpads
At a glance

✅ Buy if you want the best of both worlds: DJ headphones and studio headphones in one. They are reasonably expensive, but not if you consider this 2-for-1 potential.
❌ Avoid if you mix for long sessions: The ear pads take some getting used to. Or maybe we've just got big ears. 

Another long-standing studio favourite of ours, HD-25’s are acclaimed by pros for their ability to handle high sound pressure levels and deliver excellent sound reproduction. A stalwart of the DJ booth thanks to their split headband, rotatable earpieces and reputation for durability, the HD-25s delivers punchy and accurate sound in a lightweight yet robust package. 

Classified as an on-ear design, because the pads are circular and rest on the outside of the ear rather than enclosing it fully, the HD-25 is currently available in three flavours (Light, Standard and Plus) at three price points, for general studio/DJ duties you really can’t go wrong with a pair of Sennheiser HD-25’s.

Read our full Sennheiser HD 25 review

Best studio headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

(Image credit: Future)
One of the best all-round headphones for music production

Specifications

Type: Closed-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 15Hz - 28kHz
Impedance: 38 Ω
Driver type: Large-aperture w/rare earth magnets, 45mm
Connection: Wired

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable
+
DJ friendly
+
Comfortable

Reasons to avoid

-
Not very detailed high-end
At a glance

✅ Buy if you want a set of headphones to take on the move: These will fold up for a variety of occasions, from DJ-ing to remote sessions.
❌ Avoid if you want to hear all of your high frequency detail in all of its glory: They lacked some sparkle up there in our tests. 

The reissued M50 ('x’ = detachable cable) is a popular model across the audio world, competing directly with big players like Beyerdynamic and AKG. They are comfortable, fold and bend in all the right places, and are relatively light at just 285g.

The sound quality is good overall, though in our tests they did shy away from a detailed, airy HF region. The mids are clear and forward, while the bottom-end extends down without any peaky resonances. As with all the low impedance designs in this guide (these are 38 ohm), they are easily driven beyond our comfort threshold.

Read our full Audio-Technica ATH-M50x review

Best studio headphones: Beyerdynamic DT1770 PRO

(Image credit: Future)
The best studio headphones for mixing low-end frequencies

Specifications

Type: Closed-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 5Hz - 40kHz
Impedance: 250 Ω
Driver type: Dynamic Tesla neodymium, 45mm
Connection: Wired

Reasons to buy

+
Superb sound quality
+
Well built
+
Great low-end detail

Reasons to avoid

-
Not a budget-friendly option
At a glance

✅ Buy if you want some of the best Beyerdynamic headphones: They have one of the most detailed and accurate frequency responses, plus a beautiful soundstage.
❌ Don't buy if you haven't got a big studio budget: There are cheaper Beyerdynamics included here that sound (almost) as good.

Beyerdynamic is an audio heavyweight, responsible for the ubiquitous DT 100 tracking cans that were everywhere in the 1980’s and 90’s and are still available today. Their current range is huge, but designed specifically for mixing, the DT 1770s are exceedingly well balanced across the audible spectrum. 

We found the mid range to be free from audible phase shift, allowing the clarity essential for professional use. The sound stage projected into your head is as pleasurable as it is revealing. They provide a highly detailed view into your audio, from left to right, front to back, and even into the corners.

Being a high-impedance design, you’ll need to drive them hard, but from discrete reverb tails tucked behind a busy mid range, to tiny distortions and clips, they reproduce whatever your signal chain is capable of supplying. Audio restoration, mixing and tracking all greatly benefit from the quality the DT 1770s offer.

Read our full Beyerdynamic DT1770 PRO review

Best studio headphones: Austrian Audio Hi-X65

(Image credit: Future)
The best high-performance open-backed studio cans from ex-AKG employees

Specifications

Type: Open-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 5Hz - 28kHz
Impedance: 25 Ω
Driver type: 44mm high excursion driver
Connection: Wired

Reasons to buy

+
Neutral sonic signature
+
Very comfortable fit
+
Excellent detail and separation
+
Two detachable cables (1.2m / 3m)

Reasons to avoid

-
Less well known than Audio Technica, Sennheiser et al
At a glance

✅ Buy if you want some impressive looking headphones: They're well made and sonically detailed, but you need to be prepared to shell out quite a bit for them...
❌ Don't buy if you don't have funds burning a hole in your pocket: You could easily buy two A-B reference sets of most other models instead.

Relative newcomers to the pro headphone market, Austrian Audio fielded their latest studio-centric, open-back design in July of 2021 and have already scored a direct hit with critics and customers alike. They deliver excellent, balanced sound that remains neutral yet highly detailed, coupled with solid build quality, all leading to what we found to be an enjoyable listening experience whatever the setting.

Foldable construction for added portability, twin detachable cables of different 3-metre and 1.2-metre lengths to suit a variety of tasks and soft, slow-retention memory foam earpads for extended comfort all add to the appeal.

If you’re in the market for a premium pair of headphones that excels for mixing and critical listening, the Hi-X65’s tick a lot of boxes.

Read our full Austrian Audio Hi-X65 review

Best studio headphones: KRK KNS 8402

(Image credit: Future)
Impressive, updated headphones from the studio monitor giants

Specifications

Type: Closed back, over-ear
Frequency response: 10Hz - 22kHz
Impedance: 36 Ω
Driver type: 40mm Neodymium
Connection: Wired

Reasons to buy

+
Memory foam padding is very comfortable
+
Detachable cable with various additional cable types available
+
Replaceable earpads and headband

Reasons to avoid

-
Nothing at this price
At a glance

✅ Buy if you want headphones backed by expertise: One of the most distinctive studio monitor companies stuffed their knowledge into this set of headphones, all at a very reasonable price.
❌ Don't buy if you want a totally flat frequency response: We found them slightly subdued in the mid-range, but only very slightly. 

KRK are best known in music production circles for their Rokit monitors, which have become ubiquitous in bedroom studios. While their headphones are lesser known, they’re impressive for their price nonetheless.

The company’s top-end KNS 8400s have recently been refreshed, now branded KNS 8402. The headphones have had a stylish visual makeover, with subdued branding and a new metal plate design on the outside of the ear cups. The result is both stylish and professional looking.

Sonically, we found them to have a beautifully smooth high frequency response, very usable low frequency extension, a slightly subdued lower midrange and a present but not hyped upper midrange. Overall, we found them to be impressive for the price, and well tuned for mixing and mastering duties.

Read the full KRK KNS 8402 review

Pair of Shure SRH1540 headphones on a foam background

(Image credit: Future)
A firm favourite from a classic name in pro audio

Specifications

Type: Closed-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 5Hz - 25kHz
Impedance: 46 Ω
Driver type: 40mm neodymium driver
Connection: Wired, dual-exit

Reasons to buy

+
Exceptional detail and clarity
+
Light and comfortable fit
+
Impressive low-end extension
+
Alcantara ear pads

Reasons to avoid

-
Non-foldable
At a glance

✅ Buy if you want supremely comfortable headphones: Among the most comfortable we have used, with an excellent sonic performance, and wide soundstage.
❌ Don't buy if your budget is limited: There are many great cans available for less, because the SRH1540's glossy design and lovely feel come at a cost.  

With a pro audio pedigree stretching back decades, Shure is a name you should be able to trust when choosing a set of headphones for your studio. In practice, the premium model SRH1540’s do not disappoint us, delivering excellent acoustic performance, comfort and durability to professionals and audiophiles alike.

Offering an expansive soundstage and immaculate transient detail across the board, with clear, extended highs and warm bass in a lightweight alloy and carbon fibre architecture, the 1540’s are topped off with swish Alcantara leather earpads for supreme comfort and sound isolation.

Though far from the cheapest option on the list, the performance delivered by the 1540’s undoubtedly proves more than sufficient reward for the investment.

Read our full Shure SRH1540 review

Best studio headphones: Buying advice

Pair of Beyerdynamic headphones sat next to a Roland TR-09

(Image credit: Future)

What are the main types of studio headphones?

When it comes to studio headphone design, there are three options to consider: Closed-back on-ear, open-back on-ear, and in-ear.

Closed-back headphones are best for recording applications as they fully enclose the ears, and the padding around the ear helps to avoid spill; which is unwanted traces of the backing track leaking out and ending up on your recording. The padding also provides an additional layer of comfort.

Spill can be a problem if your performer likes to monitor with some volume - so when recording performers with microphones - this type of headphone is definitely the route to take.

Open-back cans tend to be lighter and are therefore a bit more comfortable to wear for longer periods, but they’re generally not as common. They present a higher risk of audio spill, so are more suitable for programming and mixing duties, rather than straight recording. They also don’t block out external noise as effectively as closed-back options, so there are definitely some compromises to be made here.

In-ear monitors (aka IEM’s), meanwhile, are usually reserved for on-stage monitoring, unless they’re extremely high quality, in which case they can be suitable for use in a studio environment. In-ears wouldn't be our first choice in this instance, but if you're splitting your time between stage and studio and only have budget for one set then in-ears could be the way to go.

What's the difference between studio headphones and normal music listening headphones?

One question you might be asking is why the distinction between regular and studio headphones - why can’t I just use any old set of cans for music production? Ok, that’s technically two questions, but the answer to both is the same - most headphones that are produced for ordinary everyday listening or gaming have an inherent boost somewhere in the frequency range to enhance the listening experience, usually making things sound better by boosting the bass and treble frequencies. 

In a studio headphone, this isn’t such a good idea, as you want your cans to accurately reflect the music you’re creating, rather than making it sound better than it actually is. For this reason, dedicated studio headphones will generally have been designed to exhibit a flatter frequency response than most regular cans, so that tracks made using them will sound better when played back on a wide range of systems.

You may have a pair of regular Bluetooth headphones and wonder if you can produce using those too? We weigh up the pros and cons of using Bluetooth headphones to produce music in this article.

A set of Sennheiser HD 400 Pro headphones on a desk

(Image credit: Sennheiser)

Do I need a pair of studio headphones?

Like the name implies, anything branded a studio headphone will have been designed especially for use in a recording studio setting, with particular focus on the tasks of tracking, programming, editing and mixing. The type of headphone you choose will be dependent on which of these tasks you’ll most need them for. An open-backed design is more prone to spill than a closed-back pair, so open-backs tend to be more useful when mixing and editing as opposed to tracking, since any spill can be picked up on microphones. 

Closed-back designs are a bit more versatile as they can usually be applied to all studio-related tasks. Studio headphones also usually have less of a smiley curve response than ordinary hi-fi headphones, which often exhibit enhanced low and high-end response designed to flatter the sound and improve the everyday listening experience - not necessarily what you want from a pair of studio cans.

Do I need an amp for my studio headphones?

One key aspect of headphone design that may influence the route you take is impedance. Good ‘impedance matching’ will help your headphones work more effectively, so here you need to consider what type of gear you’ll be plugging them into. Let us explain a little deeper…

High-impedance headphones are designed for studio environments like a band recording setup, where you might find multiple sets of cans plugged into a headphone splitter box that’s receiving a high-level input signal from one source, eg. a professional headphone amplifier. Meanwhile, low-impedance headphones are designed to be plugged directly into a single source, like a hi-fi stereo amp, audio interface or mobile phone, so they’re able to generate sound more efficiently from the lower-level input signal these devices put out.

Most studio headphones on the market today have a low enough impedance that they can happily be plugged into the outputs of regular devices such as mobile phones and laptops. Some models, however, such as the Beyerdynamic DT770, are available at a variety of impedances; the higher impedance models are intended for use in a studio setting where they’ll need to be driven by a separate headphone amp in order to perform at their best.

Generally, high-impedance headphones require higher signal levels to produce the same output level of low-impedance headphones. So broadly speaking, the higher a headphone’s impedance rating, the more ‘pro’ it was designed to be. We’ve included the impedance rating with our best studio headphones choices in this guide so it’s clear what you’re getting.

Headphones frequency range and response explained

The frequency range of your headphones is a good indicator of their quality as it shows the breadth of tones they can reproduce, from bass frequencies measured in Hz up to treble measured in kHz. The wider this range, the better, as it shows your headphones are capable of reproducing more of the range of the music you are playing through them. Generally the range of human hearing is 20Hz to 20kHz with the upper figure lowering as we get older.

The frequency response is this range plotted against the output of the ‘phones in dB on a graph, and is also important as it will show any colouration of the headphones i.e. where they might be boosted. Some cheaper sets, for example, might have a boost in the lower frequencies to give them a warmer, deeper sound. With music production, this is not good as you will end up removing bass in your mix to compensate, resulting in your music sounding bass light on other playback systems. 

What you want in your mixing headphones is a flat frequency response to accurately reproduce your music, without colouration. The frequency response is therefore quoted with the range of frequencies (40Hz to 20kHz, for example) and a +/-  figure in dB at the end, which indicates the variation in signal level over that range. The smaller this is, the better (look for something around +/-3dB or less).

Man records music into a laptop wearing headphones

(Image credit: Getty/Westend61)

Which brands make the best studio headphones?

The likes of Audeze, Focal and AKG make some of the best high-end headphones, expensive reference cans used in mastering that often set you back well into four figures. However, these are really for professional engineers and out of reach of most of us producers. For mixing duties, most of these companies do more affordable models that are ideal for home studio set ups, and Audio-Technica, Beyerdynamic, Shure, Sennheiser and newcomers Austrian Audio are also reliable brands that deliver the goods.

How much should I spend on studio headphones?

Like most audio products, the sky can be the limit with studio headphones in terms of price and, as we’ve said elsewhere in this guide, you can pay four figures for a set of cans with a super flat frequency response that will deliver the precision in playback you need for mixing and mastering. That said, as with studio monitors, the technology and design of studio headphones has been improving in recent years, and prices have been falling. So, as the range of phones we have on test shows, you can pay as little as just under $/£100 for a decent set, and certainly no more than $/£400, with the average sitting somewhere around $/£200-250.

What's the difference between wireless and wired headphones?

When it comes to headphones aimed at home listening, gaming or other day-to-day uses, wireless Bluetooth connectivity is becoming a pretty much standard feature. So is it time to invest in a set of Bluetooth headphones for the studio too? 

The short answer is no. You’ll notice that our guide here largely avoids wireless headphones, and the simple reason behind that is that wireless connections cause latency – i.e. a delay between the sound playing on your computer and you hearing it. For a whole multitude of reasons, tight timing can be key when recording and creating music, so latency is best avoided. Wireless headphones can also hinder the audio quality too.

While the technology is certainly improving, right now we’d suggest relying on wired listening in the studio. That said, an increasing number of headphones now let you have the best of both, with options for both wired and wireless operation, which could be a great option if you’re looking for a pair to use both in the studio and on the go.

We go into more detail in this feature looking at whether it's possible to produce music using Bluetooth headphones.

How we test studio headphones

Studio headphones on a desk

(Image credit: Future)

As with studio monitors, we test headphones with a variety of reference tunes – mostly very well produced standards, but some of our own trusted mixes as well. We use these to check frequency response and general overall quality in terms of spatial response and playback, and in terms of how good the 'phones are at delivering a response at low volume levels - the levels you should be mixing at to protect your ears. 

For the best studio monitor headphones we also test how good the isolation is. For mixing you might prefer less intrusion from the outside world so you can focus on the main elements in your music, so isolation is a key factor. 

The weight and comfort of the phones is also an important consideration, as you'll likely be wearing them for long sessions in the studio (although we obviously recommend taking regular breaks). Most of the time, the lighter the better but how the headphones embrace your head is important. Too loose is obviously not good, but too tight can mean too hot.

Finally, we look at elements such as build quality and durability and any bundled features such as cleaning kits and multiple cable length options. 

Read more about how we test music making gear and services at MusicRadar.

Dave Clews

Dave has been making music with computers since 1988 and his engineering, programming and keyboard-playing has featured on recordings by artists including George Michael, Kylie and Gary Barlow. A music technology writer since 2007, he’s Computer Music’s long-serving songwriting and music theory columnist, iCreate magazine’s resident Logic Pro expert and a regular contributor to MusicRadar and Attack Magazine. He also lectures on synthesis at Leeds Conservatoire of Music and is the author of Avid Pro Tools Basics.

With contributions from