The Best Studio Headphones in 2022

Creating music is all about finding the perfect beat and rhythm. As much as we’d hate to admit it, having the best equipment is necessary for creating the best music. Besides a good studio and music editor, you’re going to need quality studio headphones as well. It’s one of the best investments you can make right now.

A good quality pair of studio headphones will allow you to produce better music as they let you hear every note and rhythm more clearly. Of course, with so many options to choose from, finding the perfect studio headphones can be hard. However, with this guide, you’ll be able to find the studio headphones that will help you get the best music-producing experience yet.

When it comes to overall features and audio quality, the best studio headphones would have to be the Focal Listen Professional Studio Headphones. Considered the best by many studio producers, the Focal Listen Professional Studio Headphones are definitely worth the buy. Focal aims to make sure that the Focal Listen Professional Studio Headphones cover all of the basics. They have accurate sound output for mixing, superb comfort for those long hours in the studio, noise cancellation, and a “lively” listening experience similar to the type you get with open-back headphones. The Focal Listen Professional Studio Headphones have a very flexible, soft headband with “soft touch” material for added comfort. The Focal Listen Professional Studio Headphones are very lightweight, which adds to the comfort. The memory foam cushion on the driver wraps around your ears without getting too hot. But, they’re not just for comfort; the wraps also improve noise isolation. It doesn’t compare to the active cancellation Bose offers, but it’s still pretty good. The soundstage of the Focal Listen Professional Studio Headphones is big enough for you to enjoy a satisfying experience. These fantastic headphones offer the best audio quality you can find in studio headphones right now. Thanks to its amazing selection of features and additions, it’s the primary choice of many music producers right now.

Pros

• Good and comfortable fit
• Solid sound even at low volumes
• Unique and stylish

Cons

• Poor headband material of choice

Specification

• Price $269.10
• Frequency Response 5 Hz - 22 kHz
• Headphone Type Closed-back, over-ear
• Item Weight 10 ounces

Without a doubt, Sennheiser remains to be one of the most popular names when it comes to audio equipment. As far as studio headphones go, it’s hard to argue with the quality of the Sennheiser HD-206 Studio Headphones. The Sennheiser HD-206 Studio Headphones make the previous HD headphones sound boxy. It highlights the less noticeable low end and overemphasized upper mids of previous models. First of all, the bass reproduction is optimized so that everything in the 100-200 Hz range is much more powerful and has a strong presence. The upper midrange is tame, sounds smooth, and isn’t as overwhelming as it was in the 201s. The stereo sound stage is wide and has a lot of detail over the entire frequency range. The length of the cable is 3 meters, but some may think it’s too long. It’s true that it tends to get entangled, but if you’re recording on a guitar or electronic drums, the extra length can be a bonus. Long cords in the studio are very convenient because you can carry the instrument with you without unplugging them, but if you use your headphones a lot on the go, you’ll find the extra length can be a little annoying. So if you just want to listen to music on the go, the 206 is probably not your top choice. You can get the Sennheiser HD-206 Studio Headphones at a very low price. They’re some of the best budget options you can get right now, and it’s easy to see why so many producers choose them over any others. It’s a very good product that won’t put a dent in your budget.

Pros

• Great for tracking
• Lightweight
• Durable build

Cons

• Long cord

Specification

• Price $29.10
• Frequency Response 21 Hz - 18 kHz
• Headphone Type Closed-back, over-ear
• Item Weight 6.08 ounces

Sony has proven time and again that they are a multimedia giant. They create amazing headphones as well, and when it comes to studio headphones, the best that they have to offer right now is the Sony MDR-7506 Studio Headphones. It’s a good buy for its price. There are many pros and cons in the design of the MDR7506. For starters, the headset is almost entirely of plastic. However, it does come with a few pieces of metal and some visible screws. While the materials are lightweight and comfortable, it does mean that the headphones aren’t as durable as others. The good news is that these headphones are designed to be repaired and not just replaced. Sony even packs a service manual for the headphones to help users out. Additionally, Sony offers a soft carrying case to help give extra protection for the headset. However, some claim that it is not enough to cover the headset when it’s in the bag and rotated. On the plus side, even if it breaks, it doesn’t cost too much to replace it. Each ear cup can be folded more compactly for convenient travel. They don’t have luxurious memory foam pads, but they’re comfortable enough for mixing. Sure, the headband is a bit stronger and the crown hurts after a few hours, but you can always look at third-party earpads. With padding pleats and synthetic leather stitching, the look and feel of the headphones are cheap. The design of the headset might feel off, but that’s because it’s an old model. Still, there’s a lot to love in it. The Sony MDR-7506 Studio Headphones is an amazing pair of headphones made by one of the top names in the industry. Its audio quality and great build make it one of the best studio headphones that your money can buy right now.

Pros

• Built to last
• Good for longer wear
• Great audio quality

Cons

• Cable is rather heavy

Specification

• Price $89.99
• Frequency Response 10 Hz - 20 kHz
• Headphone Type Closed-back, over-ear
• Item Weight 8 ounces

We’ve got another pair of Sennheiser headphones on this list. This pair is a bit more expensive, but that also means you’ll get a lot more for it. We’re talking about the Sennheiser HD-25, the brand’s premier choice for studio headphones. The Sennheiser HD-25 was launched in celebration of Sennheiser’s 75th year within the business. Seinheiser only released 25,000 of the HD-25, making them a valuable find. DJs respect the HD 25’s ability to perform to their utmost, even in challenging and noisy environments. Additionally, the Sennheiser HD-25 also comes equipped with a swivelling ear cup for added comfort and useability. While not perfect, the Sennheiser HD-25 is undoubtedly a pair of studio headphones that’s worth your money. While a bit more expensive than other Sennheiser headsets out there, the HD-25 is definitely worth your money because of the amazing features and audio quality that it brings to the table.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Good design
• Preferred by professionals

Cons

• Not comfortable earpad

Specification

• Price $125.99
• Frequency Response 16 Hz - 22 kHz
• Headphone Type On-ear
• Item Weight 4.94 ounces

Audio-Technica is known for its high-end headphones that are made with superb tech. The ATH-M50x is the best they have to offer right now, and the device comes with everything that you’d need for a pair of studio headphones. In terms of workmanship and design, Audio Technica raises the bar with this amazing pair of headphones. Since its first release, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x has had several different color options. Some of the most popular options include dark blue and solid black. Looking beyond their aesthetic, the Audio Technica headphones are a fairly sturdy piece. The structure is primarily made out of plastic, but the combination of lightweight plastic and luxurious pads makes it comfortable to wear for those long sessions in the studio. The earcups of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x also rotate 90 degrees, so you can lay them flat on your neck when not in use and easily adjust them for the most comfortable fit. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones are built for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Thanks to their amazing features and build quality, they have made it onto this list and should make their way to your studio soon.

Pros

• Good for DJ
• Good value for quality
• Comfy

Cons

• Basic design

Specification

• Price $169.00
• Frequency Response 15 Hz - 28 kHz
• Headphone Type Closed-back, over-ear
• Item Weight 10.1 ounces

If price isn’t an issue and you’re looking for something more high-end, then the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X might just be what you’re looking for. It’s an amazing pair of headphones that will help get you to create some of the best music out there. The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X features an open design,  meaning that the headphones actually leak sound, but they can also leave out a certain amount of ambient noise, which is amazing for outdoor music sessions. There are benefits to the open approach, however, as the best approach offers dynamic complexity and coupling that outstrips even the name-brand alternatives we’ve covered so far. There’s nothing to complain about in terms of the quality of the materials or the solidity of the construction either. These headphones are extremely durable and should be able to withstand years of use. Naturally damaged parts, such as velcro gaskets or detachable connecting cables, can be easily replaced. While expensive, the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X is certainly something that you should consider investing in. It’s well worth the purchase whether it’s for professional use or for personal use.

Pros

• Very durable
• Very comfortable
• Good for mixing

Cons

• Bulky

Specification

• Price $279.00
• Frequency Response 5 Hz - 40 kHz
• Headphone Type Open-back, over-ear
• Item Weight 12.2 ounces