We buy our own products and put them under the same testing methodology so that you can easily compare them. Unlike most websites, we do not get our products directly from the manufacturers, which means our units aren’t handpicked and actually represent what you would buy yourself. We spend a lot of time comparing the products side-by-side to validate our results and we keep them until they are discontinued so we can continually go back and make sure our reviews are always accurate.
Whether you’re an up-and-coming artist with an in-house studio or you work in sound design, if you’re passionate about music, you deserve the right studio headphones for your needs. Whatever your reasons are, you need headphones that are comfortable, can reproduce audio accurately and are built to last. We’ve reviewed 338 headphones so far, and below you’ll find our top picks for studio headphones to buy in 2019.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: Competent studio headphones that provide great value
Type: Over-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: No
Noise Cancelling: No
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are the best overall studio headphones we’ve reviewed so far. They sound great and are ideal for critical listening, mixing, and most studio use cases. Their closed-back design also makes them versatile enough for use during your daily commute and they feel sturdy enough to suffer a few drops without getting damaged.
The M50x have deep, powerful bass, a neutral mid-range, and well-balanced treble. They sound exciting without drowning or overpowering instruments and vocals. They’re comfortable enough to wear for extended listening sessions and they come with 3 detachable cables of different lengths, one of which is coiled, to help you navigate around your studio smoothly.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are well-built headphones with a rugged, utilitarian aesthetic that looks good, but they don’t stand out the way more premium studio headphones do, like the Sony MDR-1A. However, they provide great value for their price and are an excellent addition to any studio.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro: Well-built, durable open-back headphones
Type: Over-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: No
Noise Cancelling: No
If you’re looking for looking for studio headphones that feel particularly well-built, then get the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro. They’re very good critical listening headphones that should last you years thanks to the durable materials used in their build.
The DT 770 have an excellent and extended bass with near-perfect mid-range reproduction, allowing them to reproduce most tracks with very high accuracy. They sound a bit brighter overall than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and, like the rest of the Beyerdynamic lineup, they tend to be a bit piercing on sibilants like S and T sounds. They still sound better than some of the more expensive critical listening headphones we’ve tested, though, and are a good choice overall.
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 do fit a bit tightly right out-of-the-box, but they should loosen up a bit over time. If you use your studio mostly for mixing and prefer an open-back design, it’s worth considering the DT 990 PRO. They have a better soundstage, but since they leak more, they’re less suitable for a recording studio. Overall, both the DT 770 Pro and the DT 990 PRO are great studio headphones, almost unmatched in their price range.
Sony MDR-7506: Lightweight, portable headphones for producers on-the-go
Type: Over-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: No
Noise Cancelling: No
If you travel a lot between studios and are looking for something more portable, get the Sony MDR-7506. They’re lightweight over-ear headphones that can fold up in a more compact format that’s easy to transport.
The Sony MDR-7506 sound good overall and have deep, powerful, and punchy bass. Their sound signature is a bit less neutral than that of as the Audio-Technica M50x or the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro; however, some may prefer their more bass-heavy sound, especially those producing electronic music. They also don’t leak much sound, which makes them good over-eras for studio recording.
Unfortunately, the Sony MDR-7506 feel a little cheaply made. The plastic used in their build feels dense enough to survive a couple drops, but they have a thin metal headband and feel a bit flimsy overall. That said, they’re still a decent lightweight option for producers on-the-go looking for more portable studio headphones.
Shop Now
TIN Audio T3: Well-built in-ears for noise-sensitive studio recording
Type: In-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
Wireless: No
Noise Cancelling: No
If you do a lot of studio recording and need to be able to monitor what’s being played without recording any leakage, get the TIN Audio T3. They’re very well-built in-ear headphones that come with a sturdy, braided cable that can be replaced if it’s broken or if a longer cable is preferred. The earbuds are dense and made of polished metal that gives the headphones a premium look overall.
The TIN Audio T3 sound decent for in-ear headphones and they hardly leak at all. They have deep, rumbling bass that’s thumpy and punchy. Their mid-range is relatively even and the headphones sound well-balanced overall. They can a bit sharp on sibilants like S and T sounds, which can be irritating to some, but it’s less noticeable to others.
Unfortunately, the TIN Audio T3 can sound a bit boomy and cluttered. They also aren’t the most comfortable in-ear headphones we’ve tested. This shouldn’t be a problem if you take breaks between recordings; however, they may cause a bit of fatigue if you plan to record for long, continuous periods of time. Overall, the TIN Audio T3 are decent in-ears for recording thanks to their great build quality and low leakage.
Superlux HD 681: Budget open-back headphones that sound great
Type: Over-ear
Enclosure: Semi-open
Wireless: No
Noise Cancelling: No
If you’re looking to save money on your studio headphones but still want good sound, get the Superlux HD 681. They have a semi-open design that creates a more spacious soundstage than the closed-back models in this list, which is great for mixing, mastering, or other forms of critical listening that aren’t negatively affected by sound leakage.
The Superlux HD 681 sound impressive for budget headphones and have nearly flawless bass, an excellent, flat mid-range, and well-balanced treble. Like other headphones on this list, they can sound a little sharp on sibilants like S and T sounds, but are great otherwise.
Unfortunately, the low price of the Superlux HD 681 shows in their build quality. They feel plasticky and cheaply made. The plastic used in their build feels durable enough to handle a couple of drops, but they don’t look or feel like high-end headphones. However, they’re very inexpensive, which makes them a good choice for studios that frequently host guests and would need multiple pairs. As long as leakage isn’t a concern and you’re not bothered by their build quality, they’re very good critical listening headphones at a great price.
This guide may have been updated. To see all our measurements and our current recommendations for studio headphones, please go here.
