Best Headphones for Sound Engineers and Audio Experts: Surprising Selection

When sound engineers are selecting headphones for their work, they often consider several important criteria to make an informed decision. Here are a few key factors they typically take into account:

1. Frequency Response: Sound engineers require headphones with a wide and accurate frequency response. This means that the headphones should reproduce sound across a broad range of frequencies, from low to high, without any significant distortion or exaggeration.
2. Impedance: Impedance refers to the electrical resistance of the headphones. Sound engineers often look for headphones with a relatively low impedance as they are easier to drive and can be used with a wider range of audio devices.
3. Sensitivity: Headphone sensitivity indicates how loud the headphones can get when driven by a given amount of power. Sound engineers prefer headphones with higher sensitivity, as they allow for better monitoring and accurate sound reproduction at lower volumes.
4. Transient Response: The transient response of headphones refers to how quickly they can respond to sudden changes in sound, such as transients or quick audio spikes. Accurate transient response is essential for sound engineers to catch the nuances and details in their audio work.
5. Noise Isolation: Sound engineers often work in environments with background noise. Good noise isolation helps them focus on the audio they’re working on without being distracted by external sounds. Closed-back headphones or those with active noise cancellation are popular choices for better noise isolation.
6. Comfort and Durability: Sound engineers may spend long hours wearing headphones, so comfort is crucial. Headphones with adjustable headbands, cushioned earpads, and lightweight designs are preferred. Durability is also important to ensure the headphones can withstand the rigors of professional use.
7. Reference Quality: Sound engineers require headphones that provide an accurate representation of the audio they are working on. These reference-quality headphones should have a neutral sound signature, avoiding excessive bass boosts or other colorations that could affect their judgment.
8. Cable Length and Connectors: The length of the cable can be important, especially for sound engineers who need to move around while working. Additionally, having detachable cables with sturdy connectors is beneficial as they can be replaced if damaged or upgraded to a different type of connector.
9. Brand Reputation and Reviews: Sound engineers often rely on reputable brands known for their quality and reliability. Reading reviews and seeking recommendations from other professionals can provide insights into the performance and reliability of different headphone models.

Based on the criteria above, and to make your life easier if you don’t have time to read the details, here are our top picks for you:

Don’t get stuck with one-dimensional audio that is going to sound terrible the second someone else listens to it. Let’s take a look at some of the best headphones for audio and sound engineers on the market today.

1. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro

The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Headphones is our first choice for the best headphones for music production. These closed-back headphones aren’t too expensive, but they offer great sound isolation and quality.

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary of the specs.

• Closed Back
• 64 Ohm Impedance
• 113 dB Sensitivity
• 40mm Drivers
• 3ft Cord
• 8 – 25,000 Hz Frequency Response

These headphones top our list because they perfectly blend quality and price. They aren’t as expensive as some of the larger brands’ studio headphones, but they can give you an edge when you are producing music. They also have great impedance and sensitivity values. Another perk? You won’t need an amplifier to use them to their full potential.

The synthetic leatherette ear cups collapse and fold, making them extremely portable. You don’t have to leave them at your studio! Included is a single-sided coiled cord that is 3.3ft long. Since these are closed-back headphones, you can expect a certain degree of noise isolation. The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones boast 32 dB noise attenuation. They block out a lot of outside sounds!

What We Liked

• Great price for the quality
• Completely collapsible
• Great sound quality

What We Disliked

• The headband padding is a little hard
• Can become uncomfortable after long periods of use

2. Audio-Technica ATH-M50X

Next up we have the closed-back Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Professional Monitor Headphones. These sensitive headphones come with a ton of extra features that will make your recording sessions accurate and enjoyable.

Before we get started, here’s a quick rundown of the specifications.

• Closed Back
• 47 Ohm Impedance
• 99 dB
• 45mm Drivers
• 9 – 9.8ft Cord
• 15 – 28,000 Hz Frequency Response

Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50X headphones are some of the best headphones for recording on our list. They come in at a modest price point, and you get a lot of great options for the price. It comes with three detachable cables, so you can choose between a coiled cable, a straight cable, and a shorter, portable cord. Speaking of portable, each comfortable ear cup swivels a full 90 degrees, allowing you to monitor through one ear when you need to.

The combination of 45mm drivers, copper voice coils, and neodymium magnets gives you beautiful, true sound no matter what you’re mixing (or where). This headset has it all, with enough choices to make it adaptable to whatever type of audio production you partake in. It also comes with a carrying pouch so you can take them with you without worrying about damaging them!

What We Liked

• 3 detachable cable options
• Great price point
• Solid build quality
• Great audio quality

What We Disliked

• No active noise cancellation
• Might take some adjusting

3. Etymotic Research 4XR

The 4XR earbuds are the only in-ear headphones on our list, and that’s for good reason. They are the best in-ear studio headphones that you can find for audio production. Plus, they come from the company that originally engineered in-ear headphones!

Here’s a quick rundown of the specifications.

• In-Ear
• 45 Ohm Impedance
• 98 dB Sensitivity
• 5ft Cord
• 20 – 16,000 Hz Frequency Response

If you thought that in-ear headphones wouldn’t work for most studio work, think again. Etymotic Research is the company that first engineered the in-ear headphone, and now they’ve created the perfect version for audio and sound production as well.

These in-ear headphones come with an assortment of different tips so you can get the perfect fit for your ears. That’s important because you’ll only get the highest noise isolation with the perfect fit. These in-ear headphones are able to boast a 98% noise reduction, which is pretty amazing. Plus, it comes with a detachable 5-foot cord. It’s perfect for doing close studio work, or for use with your mobile devices.

What really stands out about these headphones is the audio accuracy. They don’t have the same types of drivers as the over-ear headphones on our list, but they still give you great sensitivity and sound quality. Etymotic Research has really engineered a marvel with these headphones.

What We Liked

• Great mid-to-high frequencies
• Detachable cord
• Extremely portable

What We Disliked

• Smaller frequency response range

4. Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro

If you’re a true professional, you want the highest impedance and the widest frequency response possible, right? Look no further than the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro. These headphones are comfortable to wear and can be used in the studio and with your mobile devices.

If you’re in a hurry, check out this quick spec overview.

• Closed Back
• 250 Ohm Impedance
• 4 dB Sensitivity
• 45mm Drivers
• 8ft Cord
• 5 – 35,000 Hz Frequency Response

Beyerdynamic makes a ton of high-quality audio equipment. These headphones are just a single entry into their long line of great accessories and tools. They aren’t the most expensive headphones on our list, which is a good thing – you get a lot for the price that you’re paying, here.

This is a great long-wearing headset that you can use in your audio production and for listening to your favorite music on the go. You’ll need an adaptor to use them in a standard audio jack. If you include an amplifier, you’re going to get the most accurate, deepest sound for your studio.

In addition, the bass reflex system that these headphones use (along with the bigger drivers) gives you a deep, layered sound that will make you wonder how you ever survived without them.

What We Liked

• Great sound quality due to higher impedance, sensitivity, and frequency response
• Comfortable ear cups and headband
• Bass reflex system

What We Disliked

• You might need an amplifier to get the most out of these
• Expensive when including an amplifier
• The cord is not detachable

5. Shure SRH 840

While Shure is a lesser-known brand compared to some of the others on this list, these headphones really deliver on the quality. They’re really sensitive, which is great for giving you the best highs and lows for your audio production.

Here’s a quick overview of the specs.

• Closed Back
• 44 Ohm Impedance
• 102 dB Sensitivity
• 40mm Drivers
• 8ft Cord
• 5 – 25,000 Hz Frequency Response

Shure’s SRH 840 studio headphones are a bit on the expensive side when it comes to our list. That’s because they use the best materials and are optimized for listening critically. If you’re looking for the best headphones to get beautiful, textured sound, these are great for you.

Their dynamic range isn’t quite as high, but it has been tailored to give you exactly what you need. It comes with replacement ear cups, which is a nice touch, as well as a carrying bag and a coiled cable that you can detach for portability.

You’re getting what you pay for with these professional monitoring headphones. The build quality and audio quality are great, and they can really give your productions the depth that you want them to have. While a lot of headphones in the same price point will have more features, the Shure SRH 840 headphones present their features expertly without spreading their capabilities too thin.

What We Liked

• Dynamic neodymium magnets
• High sensitivity
• Comes with replacement earcups
• Detachable coiled cable

What We Disliked

• Smaller frequency response than other headphones in the price-point
• Some similarly-priced headphones have more features

6. Sennheiser HD 650

Sennheiser’s HD 650 Headphones are a technical marvel that absolutely cannot be passed up by anyone how is looking to do any mixing in the studio. These are the only open-back headphones on our list simply because they are the best.

Technical Specs:

• Open Back
• 300 Ohm Impedance
• 103 dB Sensitivity
• 40mm Drivers
• 8ft Cord
• 10 – 39,500 Hz Frequency Response

Sennheiser’s HD 650 headphones are extremely comfortable to wear and sensitive enough that you can hear every rise and dimension in your music. They are especially attuned to acoustic mixes, though they are great with any genre of music.

Really, it doesn’t get much better than this. Though there is no noise isolation to speak of, these headphones make up for it with true dynamic range, high fidelity, and build quality that is worth every penny of their price tag. The voice coils are lightweight, there’s enough bass to make any audio enthusiast weep. Though these won’t do you much good for recording, they work an absolute treat when it comes to mixing and other production activities.

These are easily the best studio headphones on our list. If you’re willing to pay a little extra, you’ll be blown away by the audio output on the Sennheiser HD 650.

What We Liked

• Huge audio output
• Gives you more detail than nearly any other set of headphones on this list3
• Very pricey

What We Disliked

• May require an amplifier to work as intended

7. Sony MDR-7506

Sony’s MDR-7506 Headphones present a low-budget option if you don’t want to spend a lot of studio headphones. You’ll get much of the same quality as you would from a more expensive brand, perhaps without the same depth. Still, they are a completely valid choice!

Here’s a quick overview of the specifications.

• Closed Back
• 63 Ohm Impedance
• 106 dB Sensitivity
• 40mm Drivers
• 8ft Cord
• 10 Hz – 20 kHz Frequency Response

The Sony MDR-7506 Headphone set is really only lacking build quality. However, this is a great beginning set of studio headphones for beginning sound engineers.

These headphones use neodymium magnets and a fairly standard voice coil to deliver great audio fidelity, even if you won’t be able to hear some of the nuances. The cord is long enough to reach across your studio and the ear cups are comfortable enough that you can wear them for long periods without experiencing fatigue.

If you find it important to have a solid set of headphones with basic features, Sony’s MDR-7506 headphones give you all of that at a startlingly low price.

What We Liked

• Comes with a plug adaptor
• Surprising quality for the price

What I Disliked

• Low-frequency response
• The cord is not detachable

Comparison Chart

Product	Price	Type	Impedance	Sensitivity	Driver Size	Cord length
Sennheiser HD 280 PRO	$	Closed Back	64 Ohm	113 dB	40mm	3.3ft
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x	$	Closed Back	47 Ohm	99 dB	45 mm	3.9 – 9.8ft
Etymotic Research 4XR	$$$	In-Ear	45 Ohm	98 dB	n/a	5ft
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro	$$	Closed Back	250 Ohm	100.4 dB	45mm	9.8ft
Shure SRH840	$$	Closed Back	44 Ohm	102 dB	40mm	9.8ft
Sennheiser HD 650	$$$	Open Back	300 Ohm	103 dB	40mm	9.8ft
Sony MDR-7506	$	Closed Back	63 Ohm	106 dB	40mm	9.8ft

Final Verdict

After careful consideration and years of experience, I can absolutely tell you that the best studio headphones for audio and sound engineers are the Sennheiser HD 650s. Among the headphones featured on this list, there’s nothing that quite measures up. It’s pricey, though – if you aren’t ready to commit, it’s probably best to go with something a little less expensive.

FAQs about headphones for sound engineers:

What is the significance of frequency response in headphones?

Frequency response indicates the range of frequencies that headphones can reproduce accurately. It is crucial for sound engineers to have headphones with a wide and flat frequency response to hear the full spectrum of audio accurately.

What is the purpose of impedance in headphones?

Impedance affects how much power is required to drive the headphones effectively. Sound engineers often choose headphones with lower impedance for compatibility with a variety of audio devices and to ensure adequate volume levels.

Are wireless headphones suitable for professional sound engineering work?

While wireless headphones offer convenience, many sound engineers prefer wired options for their reliability, lower latency, and consistent audio quality. Wired headphones also eliminate concerns about battery life.

What is the importance of noise isolation in headphones for sound engineers?

Noise isolation helps sound engineers focus on the audio they are working on by blocking external sounds. Closed-back headphones or those with active noise cancellation are commonly chosen for their better noise isolation.

Can studio monitors replace headphones for sound engineering work?

Studio monitors are excellent for accurate audio monitoring in a controlled environment. However, headphones provide a more intimate and detailed listening experience, making them indispensable for sound engineers, especially during tracking and mixing.

Are there any specific headphone brands recommended for sound engineers?

There are several reputable brands that produce high-quality headphones suitable for sound engineering, such as Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, Beyerdynamic, AKG, and Shure. The choice ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired sound characteristics.

Should I consider comfort when selecting headphones as a sound engineer?

Yes, comfort is essential, especially during long recording or mixing sessions. Look for headphones with adjustable headbands, cushioned earpads, and a lightweight design to ensure extended wearing comfort.

How long do headphones typically last in professional sound engineering use?

The lifespan of headphones can vary depending on usage and build quality. With proper care, high-quality headphones can last several years. Detachable cables are advantageous as they can be replaced if damaged.

Can headphones be calibrated for accurate audio reproduction?

Yes, some headphones can be calibrated using specialized software or measurement systems to achieve a more accurate and linear frequency response, which is beneficial for critical sound engineering work.

 

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