The 6 Best Studio Headphones for ANY BUDGET!
Whether you're an music producer/audio engineer, a singer tracking your vocals, an instrumentalist or a DJ cueing up a mix, a pair of reliable & trustworthy studio headphones should be your priority. Consider that not all headphones are equal, so you have to first know your work & needs in order to pick the right ones for your purpose.
With having this in mind, you have to also know that there are some very expensive and some cheap headphones, and that is for a reason. The amount of money you spend determines the quality you get.
Here are the 6 Best Studio headphones for any budget (according to my experience):
1. Audio Technica M20X (up to $50)
2. Sennheiser HD 206 (up to $50)
3. Audio Technica M50X (around $200)
4. Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro (around $200)
5. Austrian Audio Hi-X65 (High end - Our Choice!)
6. HEDDphone (High end)
1. Audio Technica M20X
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As a studio guy, these ones served me very well over the years! I'm very sure you can't find better ones in this price range! The ATH-M20x studio headphones are a great introduction to the critically acclaimed M-Series line. Modern design and high-quality materials combine to deliver a comfortable listening experience, with enhanced audio and effective isolation. An excellent choice for tracking and mixing. You can as well use them for mastering, but my advice is to rely more on your studio monitors or some higher end studio headphones since mastering is all about little details and slight adjustments that you actually need to hear.
Specifications:
- Type: Wired
- Open/Closed: Closed
- Fit Style: Circumaural (Around the Ear)
- Driver Size: 40mm
- Noise Attenuation: Passive Noise Isolating
- Frequency Response: 15Hz-20kHz
- Impedance: 47 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8", 1/4" adapter
- Cable Type: Straight
- Cable Length: 9.8'
- Features: Swivel Earcup
- Color: Black
- Weight: 0.42 lbs. (without cable and connector)
2. Sennheiser HD 206
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Sennheiser's HD 206 stereo headphones deliver high-end stereo sound and ambient noise attenuation without breaking the bank. You will experience faithful dynamic audio reproduction with loads of crisp, rich low-end punch. They are lightweight, with soft, comfortable on-ear cushions that yield great sonic isolation. Sennheiser HD 206 stereo headphones provide an enjoyable listening experience for every purpose you use them for.
Specifications:
- Solid bass response with detailed mids and highs create an enjoyable listening experience
- Rugged construction will stand up to the rigors of travel and mobile use
- Comfortable, hypoallergenic on-ear pads provide competent ambient noise attenuation
- 1/8" plug with 1/4" adapter included for flexible listening option
3. Audio Technica M50X
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If you're a fan of M20x, you need to check out their big brother, M50x! Not only M50x are better, but they offer an incredible quality! This is the most critically acclaimed model in the M-Series line, praised by top audio engineers and pro audio reviewers year after year. The ATH-M50x features the same coveted sonic signature, now with refined earpads and detachable cables. From large-aperture drivers to sound isolating earcups and robust construction, the M50x provides an unmatched experience for the most critical audio professionals.
Specifications:
- Type: Wired
- Open/Closed: Closed
- Fit Style: Circumaural (Around the Ear)
- Driver Size: 45mm
- Noise Attenuation: Passive Noise Isolating
- Frequency Response: 15Hz-28kHz
- Impedance: 38 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8", 1/4" adapter
- Cable Type: 2 x Straight, Coiled
- Cable Length: 9.8', 3.9'
- Detachable Cable: Yes
- Features: Swivel Earcups
- Foldable: Yes
- Color: Black
- Case/Bag: Drawstring Bag
- Weight: 0.62 lbs. (without cable and connector)
4. Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
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The DT 990 PRO headphones is the range’s open-back model offering impressive spaciousness.
These open-back studio headphones are a reliable tool for any sound enthusiast. The wide stereo image and three-dimensional sound reproduction make the beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO headphones a loyal companion for producers.
Outstanding tonal depth ensures that even small changes in the positioning of the acoustic source can be perceived while mixing.
Due to a weight reduction of the diaphragm an excellent sound reproduction quality is achieved. Its rugged design with a spring steel headband ensures a secure fit and withstands all demands. Soft headband and ear cushioning systems ensure a high comfort over long periods of time.
Specifications:
- Type: Wired
- Open/Closed: Open
- Fit Style: Circumaural (Around the Ear)
- Driver Size: 45mm
- Frequency Response: 5Hz-35kHz
- Impedance: 250 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8", 1/4" adapter
- Cable Type: Coiled
- Cable Length: 9.8'
- Color: Black
- Material: Velour Earpads
- Case/Bag: Drawstring Bag
- Weight: 0.55 lbs.
5. Austrian Audio Hi-X65 (Our Choice)
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Now, these are my personal favorites so far! Want to know why? Well, they’re built to satisfy the need for close, precise listening at these critical stages of the audio production process (mixing or mastering).
The same qualities that make them great for professional audio production also make them perfect for audiophiles who appreciate hearing every shade of nuance in the music they love or make.
Manufacturers said this sentence: "High Precision meets pure Enjoyment."
Hi-X65 headphones are built around a driver that was first designed with open headphones in mind, and listening to them is like opening a new window on your music. The open-back design brings a natural and spacious sound, giving new clarity to the placement and character of its individual elements.
Hi-X65 headphones provide a high-resolution, precise aural perspective and a critical new tool for professional mixing and mastering. You don't have to worry about their accuracy & precision because they got it all in one.
The overall build quality is the most insane thing I ever came across when it comes to headphones. Full metal construction with that nice leather for the best feeling possible when it comes to putting them on your head and using in your sessions.
I'm also the guy that looks at how they arrive after being shipped, and Austrian Audio got my attention there too! A fully protected box, stunning packaging, easy to unbox and attention to details. They even included one short and one longer cable depending on the environment you're working in. This company has my full respect & loyalty.
Specifications:
- Type: Wired
- Open/Closed: Open
- Fit Style: Circumaural (Around the Ear)
- Driver Size: 44mm
- Frequency Response: 5Hz-28kHz
- Impedance: 25 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8" plug, 1/4" adapter
- Cable Type: Straight
- Cable Length: 9.8 ft., 3.9 ft.
- Detachable Cable: Yes
- Features: Swivel Earcup
- Foldable: Yes
- Color: Black
- Material: Slow-retention Memory Foam Earpads
- Case/Bag: Carry Bag
- Weight: 0.70 lbs.
6. HEDD HEDDphone
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If you're looking to get the best of the best, without looking at the price tag, HEDDphones should be your way to go!
The first headphones utilizing full-range Air Motion Transformer technology, HEDDphone realizes the modern state-of-the-art potential of a groundbreaking 1960s invention to provide massive headroom and stunning resolution for effortlessly transparent, open, and natural 3-dimensional reproduction of any source material.
To reproduce the entire audible frequency band (and beyond), HEDDphone incorporates VVT (Variable Velocity Transform) technology and utilizes a newly designed variable diaphragm geometry that expands the AMT principle to accommodate the requirements of a linear, full-range (10Hz–40kHz) headphone transducer. This electrodynamic transducer allows air to move significantly faster than conventional voice coil, electrostatic, or planar designs.
It's insane to think that headphones can cost $1899, but at the same time, you're getting the quality that cannot be found on the market yet since they have their own unique technology implemented in them!
Specifications:
- Type: Wired
- Open/Closed: Open
- Fit Style: Circumaural (Around the Ear)
- Noise Attenuation: Passive Noise Isolating
- Frequency Response: 10Hz-40kHz
- Impedance: 42 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/4" plug
- Cable Type: Straight
- Foldable: Yes
- Color: Black
- Material: Vegan Pleather Earpads
- Weight: 1.58 lbs.
Conclusion:
Now, I guess you're asking yourself "Well, which ones are the best price-quality?", and my answer is very straight forward: Austrian Audio Hi-X65. Have in mind that I tried all of these headphones and I used each of them a lot! To my taste, I enjoyed Austrian Audio Hi-X65 the most! The build quality, the sound quality and overall response got me in love with these! HEDDphones are also outstanding, but for my personal taste, I'm going to stick with Hi-X65 for now. I'm really looking forward to more products from this company & all these companies I mentioned. If you follow my work, you probably know how much I love Audio Technica, Beyerdynamic, Austrian Audio & HEDD. All of these companies put their work into quality, so shout out to all of them! You won't mistake by buying any of their products, guaranteed!If you want to add a recommendation for the future blog post and get featured on, feel free to reach to our DM on Instagram or use our e-mail address: marko@md3sign.com
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