10 Best Studio Headphones for 2024

Have you ever attended a concert or watched a music production and wondered about the studio headphones used? DJs, for example, require complete isolation from crowd noise to produce high-quality music. This makes professional headphones mandatory for their work. The same is true for Audio engineers, musicians, and media professionals who use them to ensure accurate audio mixing, beats and recording. Unlike conventional headphones, studio headphones are intended to reproduce sound as accurately as possible, making them indispensable in studio environments.

What are Studio Headphones?

Studio headphones are made of high-quality materials such as strong headbands, smooth earpads, and connectors; headphones can even be connected wirelessly; one of the primary reasons professionals use these types of studio earphones is that they have a flat frequency response (headphones do not make any part of music sound louder or quieter than it actually is). Studio Monitor headphones can be open or closed back. Open back headphones produce a natural sound and are utilized for mixing, whilst closed back headphones provide isolation and are primarily used for recording.

Key Features:

• Studio headphones should have a flat frequency to ensure that they hear the music’s true sound.
• They are designed to produce an accurate sound from the music.
• Closed-back headphone are designed to provide noise isolation, e.g., Sennheiser HD 650, AKG K702
• Open-back headphones are designed for mixing, e.g., Sony MDR-7506, Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
• High-quality materials that last a long time go into the construction of Recording  studio headphones.

Normal Headphones VS Studio Headphones :

Feature	Normal headphones	Studio Headphones
Sound Quality	They are often enhanced for pleasing people.	They provide more accurate sound.
Frequency Response	They have boosted frequency.	They work on flat frequency.
Noise Isolation	Rarely comes with noise isolation.	Close back models are designed for noise Isolation.
Connectivity	Available in both Wired and Wireless	Available in both Wired and Wireless
Price	Less expensive	More Expensive

How to choose your Studio Monitor Headphones:

      Studio headphones can be quite expensive. Before choosing a pair, it’s important to determine your goal for purchasing them—whether it’s for music recording or mixing. Sound quality plays a crucial role in selecting the best headphones. Some brands offer additional padding, making the headphones comfortable for extended use. Depending on professional needs, some headphones may require amplifiers. Always read user reviews and consult with other audio professionals to determine the most suitable headphones. Additionally, check if the studio monitor headphones come with better replaceable parts. Based on your preferences and needs, it’s best to make an informed decision before buying.

For Beginners:

If you’re just starting out in music production or DJ, you might not need the most expensive or advanced Studio headphones. Focus on finding a pair that offers a good balance of sound quality, comfort, and affordability. Here’s what to look for:

• Closed-back design: This will help isolate you from external noise.
• Comfortable fit: You’ll be spending a lot of time with these headphones, so comfort is key.

Recommended Headphones:

• Bose Quiet Comfort: A popular choice for beginners offering a good balance of features and price.
• Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro: Another solid option known for its comfort and sound isolation.

For Professionals:

Professionals need headphones that give accurate sound reproduction and better durability. Consider these factors:

• Open-back design: These headphones offer a more natural soundstage, ideal for mixing and mastering.
• Flat frequency response: This ensures that all frequencies are represented accurately.

Recommended Headphones:

• Sennheiser HD 650: A classic choice for professionals known for its accuracy and detail.
• Marshall Major IV: Offers a wide soundstage and excellent imaging.

For Music Producers:

Music producers often need headphones that can handle a wide range of genres and production styles. Look for:

• Better sound signature: Professional Headphones that can handle both low-end and high-end frequencies well.
• Isolation: If you work in a noisy environment, closed-back headphones might be preferable.

Recommended Headphones:

• AKG K702: Offers a wide soundstage and detailed imaging, suitable for various genres.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M50x : Known for its accuracy and clarity, making it a popular choice among producers.

List of 7 Best Studio Headphone Brands

Sennheiser HD 650

       Sennheiser has always been a leading brand when it comes to studio headphones. The Sennheiser HD 650 has thick padded ear cushions and padding. They are designed to offer a natural sound and have been the number one choice for music lovers and DJs. They are often used by audio professionals in the studio. These are one of the few headphones that require amplifiers, as the sound impedance is close to 300 ohms. This model is open-back and is used for mixing.

Specifications:

Technical Details
Noise Control	No
Model	HD 650
Additional Feature	With Microphone
Age Range	Adult
Material	Aluminum
Style	Over Ear
Price	29,990 INR

Pros:

• It offers natural sound quality and is very suitable for mixing.
• It is designed for extended listening sessions.
• It offers replaceable parts.

Cons:

• It is expensive compared to other brands.
• It needs additional amplifiers because of its high impedance.

Best Known for: It is best used for Mixing and mastering for audio professionals.

Mostly Used by: Music Producers, Sound Engineers,Musician,Podcaster, Voice artists, Video Editors and Broadcast Professional

Bose Quiet Comfort Headphones

    Bose studio headphones have always been a game changer when it comes to studio use. They have recently introduced a new model called Bose QuietComfort. This model comes with noise cancellation and is frequently used for recording, as well as by music lovers. These headphones are closed-back and offer multiple modes, such as Quiet Mode, Awareness Mode, and Immersion Mode. They also feature an additional microphone that can filter out background noise easily. This model is a Bluetooth wireless headphone.

Specifications:

Technical Details
Noise control	Yes
Model	Quiet Comfort
Additional Feature	With Mic
Age Range	Adult
Material	Aluminum
Style	Over Ear
Price	35,900 INR

Pros:

• It provides excellent noise cancellation.
• It adapts to different environments and comes with suitable modes.

Cons:

• It is bulky compared to other models and not easy to transport.
• It is very expensive.

Best Known for: High quality sound and reliable connectivity.

Mostly Used by: Musician, Pod caster, Voice artists, Video Editors and Music Lovers.

Nirvana 751 ANC

         Boat Nirvana 751 ANC is a new player in the studio headphones market, having previously dominated the regular headphones space. It features active noise cancellation and offers more than 65 hours of battery life. It also comes with ASAP charge, providing 10 minutes of playback with just 10 minutes of charging. The Headphones are Suitable for long-term use. Its design resembles a premium product and is compatible with loud and clear bass

Specifications:

Technical Details
Noise Control	yes
Model	Nirvana 751 ANC
Additional feature	ASAP Charge
Age Range	Adult
Material	Plush
Style	2023
Price	4,450 INR

Pros:

• It provides active noise cancellation.
• One of the few headphones with long battery life.

Cons:

• Build quality is not as good as premium brands.
• It’s slightly heavy.

Best Known for: It’s known for Long lasting Battery.

Mostly Used by: Musician, Voice artists, Video Editors and DJ

Boult Anchor

    Boult Anchor is a high-grade wireless headphone designed for studio use, providing better audio quality. It is built for longer sessions with more comfort than most professional headphones. It is considered one of the cheapest alternatives by most audio engineers. This type of over-ear headphone offers better sound quality for music lovers. It is designed to give extended battery life. Anchor is considered one of the best recording headphones for mixing. It also connects effortlessly with Bluetooth, eliminating the hassle of tangled wires.

Specification:

Technical Details
Noise Control	Yes
Model	Anchor
Additional Feature	Extra Bass
Age Range	Adult
Material	Plastic
Style	Large
Price	3500 INR

Pros:

• It has one of the best designs for comfort.
• One of the few studio headphone models that come with water resistance.

Cons:

• The build quality is not sufficient and less durable.
• The bass is lacking compared to other recording headphones.

Best known for: It has a very comfortable design and affordable pricing.

Mostly Used by:,Musician,Pod caster, Voice artists, Video Editors and DJ

Marshall Major IV

    Most people are not even aware that Marshall has produced studio headphones specially designed for everyday listening and audio professionals. They were first introduced in 2020. They come with extended battery life and have a retro design that looks like it’s from the 90s. However, the comfort is top-notch, and they feature wireless charging and multiple control knobs. They are built with durable vinyl, which can be used for a long time, and they can also connect to multiple devices at the same time.

Specification:

Technical Details
Noise Control	Yes
Model	Major IV
Additional Feature	Wireless, Bluetooth, Mic, On Ear Headphone
Age Range	Adult
Material	Rubber
Style	Large
Price	11,999 INR

Pros:

• It comes with wireless charging.
• You can connect to multiple devices from phones to laptops.

Cons:

• It is expensive.
• It lacks ANC, so you can expect no active noise cancellation.

Best Known for: Marshall is considered to be a status symbol and is widely used among music lovers.

Mostly used by: Music producers, sound engineers, musicians, podcasters, voice artists, video editors, and broadcast professionals

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is an upgraded version of the ATH-M50. It comes with wireless connectivity and professional-grade features like better sound quality and deep bass. These studio headphones have on-ear controls for music players and can easily fold the earcups for convenient travel. They are widely used by commuters and travelers and are considered one of the best choices for headphone lovers.

Specifications:

Technical Details
Noise Control	None
Model	ATH-M50xBT2
Additional Feature	Microphone Included
Age Range	Adult
Material	Plastic
Style	Over Ear
Price	18,490 INR

Pros:

• It supports high-quality codecs like AAC and LDAC.
• It is ideally suited for travelers.

Cons:

• It is very expensive.
• It is bulky and not suited for all users.

Best Known For: It is easily portable.

Most Widely Used By: Commuters, travelers, music lovers, content creators, and students.

AKG K361BT

      The AKG K361BT is a popular model among sound engineers and YouTubers. They are designed for high-resolution audio and are one of the few professional headphones with 24 hours of battery life. They come with built-in microphones and are engineered to minimize distortion. These headphones are used by both casual listeners and audio professionals. Even if these studio headphones are used for long periods, they do not affect the ears.

Specification:

Technical Details
Noise Control	None
Model	AKG K361BT
Additional feature	Microphone, Volume Included
Age Range	Adult
Material	Plastic
style	Over-Head
Price	9,599 INR

Pros:

• It comes with a microphone and can also use a voice assistant.
• Accurate bass, mids, and highs.

Cons:

• It does not have sound customization options compared to other models.
• If the battery dies, there are no other charging options available.

Best Known For: Comfort and foldable design.

Mostly Used By: Sound engineers, music lovers, DJs, YouTubers, and content creators.

Notable mentions:

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro:

 The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro is a pair of open-back studio headphones, widely used by audio professionals and youtubers. They are especially good for mixing, mastering, and critical listening. Since they have an open-back design, they do not come with noise cancellation. These headphones are some of the best for recording in studios. They offer excellent sound clarity and have replaceable parts. Because they have a high impedance of 250 ohms, they require amplifiers to work properly. The open-back design also means that sound can be heard outside the headphones. Beyerdynamic is a well-known brand for professional audio equipment.

Soundcore by Anker:

  Soundcore offers a range of audio products, including studio monitor headphones. This brand is known for being budget-friendly. The headphones come with three different modes that are not widely available in other headphones: Transport, Outdoor, and Indoor. They are designed for high-resolution sound with custom 40mm drivers. The ear cups are made with memory foam, making them comfortable for long periods. They also feature multi-mode ANC (Active Noise Cancellation). This model is loved by DJs and broadcast professionals.

Sony MDR-MV1:

 The Sony MDR-MV1 is a specially designed monitor headphone known for its audio quality and performance. They provide excellent sound clarity, making them ideal for mixing and mastering. They have a well-designed ergonomic fit, and Sony is known for their build quality. This model is one of the more expensive professional headphones available on the market, best suited for mixing, mastering engineers, and music producers. The design is open-back, so it does not come with noise cancellation. These headphones are mostly used by professionals in studios.

Final Thoughts:

   If you are a professional DJ, music producer, or even a YouTuber, you always need studio headphones to get the best audio results in your work. When selecting headphones, it’s better to look for monitor headphones with accurate sound and a flat response. Comfortable ear pads are crucial for long sessions. It’s also important to decide between open-back or closed-back headphones. Remember, high-impedance headphones require a powerful amplifier. This article can help you choose the right audio tool for your work.