The 8 Best Studio Headphones - Winter 2020
Reviews

The best studio headphones we've tested so far are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. These headphones have received rave reviews over the last few years and for good reason: they sound really good. Their audio reproduction is neutral with deep and thumpy bass, well-balanced mids, but might be a bit bright on some tracks. They're suitable for a wide variety of music genres and are often used in studios as well. These are also a comfortable option for your longest mixing sessions. The cups are larger than other models in this lineup, which is great for larger ears too, but some might find the cup padding to be a bit stiff at times.

As with other models in this lineup, Audio-Technica employed a function-over-form design. They're sturdy but bland. Although they're comfortable enough to use on-the-go, the passive isolation isn't good, and the overall stability may cause them to fall off with heavy head movement. Nevertheless, these headphones are a great option at a fairly affordable price.

If you're looking for a good pair of studio headphones, these will certainly do the job.

If your studio recording setup is particularly noise-sensitive and you’re looking for in-ear headphones that leak very little sound, get the 1More Triple Driver, the best in-ear studio headphones we've reviewed so far. Even at loud volumes, they don't leak very much sound, which is important if you’re recording instruments or vocals with a microphone.

These in-ears reproduce audio very accurately so you can hear what you’re recording as intended. They’re very breathable, so you won’t need to worry about feeling overheated while wearing bulky over-ears, and they’re also super portable, which is great if you’re always recording on-the-go.

However, some people might feel like the in-ear fit isn't as comfortable to wear for long periods. It might also not be the best option for critical listeners who prefer having great audio quality with over-ear headphones. They are also don't feel very high-end and don't have detachable cables, making them a bit less durable than the TIN Audio T3. On the upside, they do feel a bit smaller in the ear, which some may prefer. Overall, they're still a decent option if you need in-ear headphones for your studio if you want to minimize the amount of sound leakage.

Wireless headphones generally aren’t ideal for studio use, but if you’re dead set on a wireless design, then consider the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. It may seem odd to get a gaming headset for studio use, but they sound great and have low wireless latency thanks to their base transmitter, which makes them suitable for mixing and mastering.

These headphones have an impressively neutral audio reproduction, which is important when you’re trying to mix a track just right. Their wireless transmitter is easy to set up, so you don’t have to waste too much time pairing them to your devices, and they have a swappable dual battery system which means you’ll be able to use them wirelessly for as long as you want if you always keep one battery charged.

Although 37 ms of latency should be fine for mixing or mastering, it’ll still be too high for most studio recording. On the upside, you can simply use these headphones wired with any of the included audio cables they come with to nullify the latency issues.  Some people might feel like they are a bit bulky, especially with a dedicated dock, for studio use, but if you're looking for a versatile and wireless setup, then the Arctis Pro Wireless is a surprisingly good option.

If you're on a tighter budget and are looking for the best budget studio headphones, then the Superlux HD 681 is our best-tested pair of headphones that fit these criteria so far. They might not feel as premium as other recommendations on this list, but their audio reproduction is great, especially for something as affordable. Their design also feels very light and is quite comfortable to wear during long recording or mixing sessions.

They have a very well-balanced sound with virtually flawless bass and a very flat and even mid-range. Their mid-range is slightly underemphasized, nudging vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix, but this effect is very subtle and most people won't hear it. Their treble performance is reasonable, but some may find these headphones sound a bit sibilant. That said, they have a surprisingly decent soundstage thanks to their semi-open design, which can be helpful while mixing.

Unfortunately, they feel very cheaply made. They feel a bit more durable than the even cheaper Koss UR20, but their build quality still doesn’t inspire much confidence. Their ear cup padding is also a bit stiff, which can take some time getting used to. You can also check out the Philips SHP9500 if you can spend a bit more. They are better-built and quite more comfortable, and the fully open-back design will give you an even more open sound. Their bass performance is less accurate, though, so for studio use, the Superlux are still a decent choice overall.