5 Best Studio Headphones for Making Music
- Felix Eriksson
- Dec 15, 2017
- 7 min read
1. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
Buy on amazon <- Click Here The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x stole the show, with nearly double the votes of the next one in line.
We used to recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-M50, probably the most popular studio headphone on the planet before the newer ATH-M50x came along (not to mention very highly reviewed - over 5000 Amazon reviews!). The ATH-M50x being the newer model, recommendations for it have surpassed those for its predecessor. The differences between the models are not drastic - the newer ATH-M50x are slightly more comfortable and the cable is detachable, both of which are welcome features. The sound signature of the two is very similar.
What’s interesting is that the ATH-M50x are actually not that flat, which is the defining feature of studio headphones! They have what’s typically referred to as a “V-shaped” sound signature, where the lows and highs are accentuated a bit, which as we discussed makes things sound a bit better than they should. So, what gives? Why are these so highly praised?
While these headphones do suffer a bit from being over-hyped by producers and audiophiles, they are so popular because they are a great choice for people who want closed-back, over-ear headphones that can be used for (and sound good) for just about anything - not to mention the price is very attractive. Are they the most technically superior, flat, and honest headphones around? Definitely not. But remember, just because a headphone is technically superior doesn’t mean you’ll automatically like it better. For producing in the studio, what matters most is that you get used to the way your headphones sound. And when people get used to the ATH-M50x, the majority of the time they end up loving them.
Another complaint we saw a few times is that their sound space is a little tight. We honestly don’t think that’s fair criticism, since that’s normal for closed-back headphones. And speaking of closed-back, these actually have pretty great isolation, which makes them perfect for producing on-the-go and recording when mics are around.
Bottom Line: Unless you’re a veteran producer or already own a good pair of studio headphones in the $100-150 range, it’s difficult to do much better than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. They sound great (despite not being completely flat), they’re comfortable for long producing sessions, and their price tag makes them very attainable - for all these reasons they have become well-regarded by beginners and pros alike.
“probably the best cans in their price range for dance music - strong low end, well balanced, excellent soundstage for headphones in their price range, overall just a great pair of headphones.”
“low end is a bit hyped”
“the best in the price range... Insanely comfortable and good freq response.”
“Easily the best monitors in that price bracket ... And I mean easily”
“a little tight at first”
“clear flat response ... only thing that i can see eventually wearing out is the ear pads ...”
“Build quality is great”
“the high frequencies are difficult to mix on them as they come out a lot worse on other audio set-ups”
“tiniest bit too bassy for my liking.”
“there are some dips in the highs and boosts in the lows notably compared to other headphones”
“a little uncomfortable for long sessions”
“slightly inflated bass response when mixing”
“not nearly as spacious sounding as an open-back pair”
“pretty big low end boost”
“some of the most neutral sounding headphones I've ever heard.”
“fairly flexible in terms of producing, DJing and listening”
“flat, can hear sub bass well and are very very comfortable”
“coiled cord and metal plug which are small but very nice”
“not completely flat”
“...love them for listening to music, and as an alternate to listen to my mixes on. THEY ARE ANYTHING BUT FLAT, IMHO. Hyped Lows and Hyped Highs” 2. Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO-80 Closed Studio Headphones Buy on amazon <- Click Here The German-made Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 Studio Headphones are a stellar runner up to the ATH-M50x. In our research, most people consider them to sound superior, and better suited to music production than the ATH-M50x. They even cost slightly less. Like the ATH-M50x, they’re not exactly neutral; they have a pretty perceptible boost in the low end, and overall they have a “warmer” sound versus the Audio Technica headphones. The boosted bass actually makes these a very popular choice amongst electronic music producers who don’t mind feeling those low end frequencies more. The DT 770 gets high marks for comfort, as the velour pads are soft and pillow-like and the headphones apply very little pressure to your head and around your ears, making them ideal for long producing sessions. They look and feel rugged, and are a bit bulky - perhaps not as attractive (nor portable) as the ATH-M50x. There is an 80ohm and a 250ohm version of this studio headphone. The 80ohm version - the one that gets recommended most frequently - wins in the “ease of use” department, since you don’t need a headphone amp to drive it. To get the most out of the 250ohm version you’ll want a headphone amp, so definitely be aware of that. While neither the 80 or 250ohm versions have a flat response, it’s widely agreed upon that the slightly pricier 250ohm model is more neutral. Bottom Line: It’s interesting that many head-to-head comparisons tend to favor how the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 Studio Headphones sound as compared to the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, and yet the DT 770 are still lagging behind in terms of overall recommendations. The world of studio headphones evolves and opinions shift over time, so there might very well be a “rich get richer” effect going on. Regardless, if you can live with boosted bass, a more austere aesthetic and less portability, you might find the DT 770 is superior to the ATH-M50x, particularly if you’re an electronic music producer looking for studio headphones in the $100-$150 range.
“flat frequency response which is good for mixing and also are incredibly comfy.”
“they last forever and give great sound quality. Bass is loud but doesn't bleed”
“Only downside to the DT 770 I've found over the years is the cable. Also you'll need to change the velour pads every now and then.”
“extremely comfortable and cut out almost as much exterior noise as a canceling set.”
“slightly recessed mids”“a bit dodgy on the lowmids”
“mega comfy”
“I went with the 80ohm cuz I didn't want to have to f*ck with a head phone amplifier to power them.”
“very closed in and have a clear sound. Comfort is a 10. However I think the bass can be a bit boomy - still clear just a lot of sub - which can be good for accuracy but I would check on other references for the sub frequencies.” 3. Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro Studio Headphones
Buy on amazon <- Click Here The Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro Studio Headphones are fantastic, neutral sounding headphones. In number of recommendations, they were decidedly beat out by their sibling, the DT 770 PRO 80, likely for two reasons: 1) The DT 880 is in a higher price bracket, deterring those looking for headphones in that “sweet spot” $100-$150 range, and 2) not as many people are familiar or care to experiment with open (or semi-open in this case) headphones, costing these some votes. While the DT 770 and Audio Technica ATH-M50x are close contenders in terms of being closed-back, in a similar price range, and having a “V-shaped” sound signature, the Beyerdynamic DT 880 are in a class of their own. These are flat and neutral, making them very well suited for music production. They have semi-open back ear cups, which Beyerdynamic claims is the best of both open-back and closed-back. In our tests we would classify these much more as open-back, and as such you should make sure you have a quiet environment to use them in so you don’t have to worry about sound leakage. Bottom Line: While the ATH-M50x and DT 770 are excellent “all-rounders,” the DT 880 will definitely appeal more to pro users, both due to their neutral sound signature and semi-open-back design (not to mention their higher price tag). For the 250 ohm and 600 ohm versions, you’ll want a headphone amp (like the FiiO E10K ) to make sure you’re getting the best from them.
“Flatter and more comfortable than the M50s”
“Isolation is terrible and so is leakage so its only really good when at home”
“much more recessed mids but pack a super clean low end punch and have an amazing "sparkle" to the high frequencies.”
“much more honest and revealing than ATHm50”“flat pair of headphones that are decently priced”
“Excellent neutral, honest sound. Get [your mix] sounding awesome through your 880s and it'll sound awesome anywhere.”
“They are great headphones, but don't plan on using these around other people. They are open back, so the sound bleeds pretty bad. You'll also want a headphone amp to make them really sing.”
“enough bass reflex to keep the low end flat, but their semi-open design is great for using them as reference cans. Very flat all around, and very high quality in sound and construction.”
“extremely flat but they do lack bass response because they are open back” 4. Sony MDR-7506 Professional Headphones
Buy on amazon <- Click Here The cockroach of the headphones world; the Sony MDR-7506 just won’t die (in a good way, of course). Often cited as an “industry standard,” it’s hard to know if that label is still accurate. Regardless, the utilitarian 7506s are lauded for their sound and affordability.
“the highs are a little more pronounced than they should be”
“definitely some of the best cans under $100”
“more comfortable long-term than the ATH-M50s, who's pads get hard after a couple months”
“flaws in your music show much better”
“fairly flat frequency response as well, so all around good for mixing! I wouldn't recommend them the same for DJ/Live gigs though... Design is a bit weak for gigs. Too many easily breakable moveable parts, and the cord especially being the weakest link. Also flat frequency isn't necessarily best for live, something with a little more bass tends to be better. And I wouldn't prefer over-the-ear cans for live either.”
“Cheap, clean, flat and comfortable.”
“super flat response, a little "unsettling" to the ears, but if you mix on them and it sounds good, at least in my experience it's generally gonna sound really good on everything else.” 5. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Headphones
Buy on amazon <- Click Here The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is a popular “starter” headphone for people ready to venture into the world of high-end headphones. Mixed reviews on whether these are good for the long haul, or an upgrade to something like the beyerdynamic cans is warranted (if budget permits). However, just because they’re suitable entry-level headphones does’t mean pros don’t enjoy them - artists like Odesza, Amtrac, and Rob Swire of Knife Party all use them.
“Pretty flat response, fits snugly, can wear for hours at a time, wire is perfect length. Not the best for blocking outside noise but it does well enough.”
“lack slightly in very low frequencies”
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