Best Studio Headphones of 2021 for Music Production, Mixing, Tracking

Here are some of the best studio headphones that you can get if you are a musician, producer, or DJ from popular brands such as Sennheiser, Sony, Audio-Technica, Focal, and others.

If you ask a professional producer what headphones they use for monitoring their new mixes, you will get the answer that they use as many different studio monitors as they can. This means that you need both speakers and headphones if you want to hear what your track sounds like on different setups. You might even want to play the track in your car as well as your friend's car, and on some Bluetooth devices too. People listen to music on all kinds of devices, so you need to take all of them into account. But the best start would be a good pair of headphones, which is why we have compiled a list of the best studio headphones you can get at different price points.

Headphones, colloquially known as cans, are the most-used audio system of any professional music creator. They are crucial for monitoring the overall stereo image, the bass, the treble, and midrange, and some other minor details of a new track. Just like with any other playback device, studio headphones are a matter of personal preference. What works for someone else might not work for you. In fact, studio headphones are the most personalized choice that you can make in the studio when it comes to your equipment.

What you expect from a good pair of cans is that they grant you the ability to make music that sounds great on whichever device you play it back on, which typically means that you want to have a flat sound. Nonetheless, it is your personal choice, meaning that if you prefer headphones that are slightly more bass-heavy, then by any means go for them. It is still a good idea to have multiple headphones, perhaps one pair for everyday listening, one for mixing, and one durable pair for on-the-go listening and mixing.

We have prepared a list of eleven excellent options. You will find at least one or two pairs that will suit your liking on this list. Since Black Friday deals are coming soon, you might want to wait a bit longer to grab a more expensive pair or even multiple headphones for different purposes. Here is the list of some of the best studio headphones with their pros, cons, prices, and suitable usage scenarios.

The Focal Listen Professional studio headphones are an amazing choice for both casual listening and professional work. They are the best studio headphones around for the price. They fit great for most people and do a solid job of isolating noise. These headphones can be worn for many hours without discomfort. That is why it's a part of the best studio headphones list.

You are more likely to experience back pain or dry eyes if you use them for long periods, instead of any discomfort that is associated with wearing these cans. Despite the closed-back design, they are lightweight enough to be worn every day and will not make you feel fatigued. The memory foam ear pads are very comfortable and provide isolation from any outside noise and great comfort. The headphones do not weigh much, which means that wearing them for long sessions is no issue.

The sound of the Focal Listen Professionals is well-balanced. A punchy bass, clear mids, and a smooth treble create a beautiful listening experience for everyone who uses them. These best studio headphones also come in a gorgeous hard-shell case that allows for easy transport and allows you to carry multiple cords with you. The footprint of the headphones inside the case is very small and portable. It can fit into even very small backpacks, making them great for traveling as well.

If you only want to buy one pair of headphones for both the studio and casual listening, these are the ones to get. They can be worn for hours without any discomfort, just like a pair of open-back headphones.

These best studio headphones for the budget are another do-it-all pair of cans. If you are looking for a great pair under $50 that is suitable for both listening and mixing, then look no further. These headphones are a testimony of Sennheiser's legendary status among audiophiles. Sennheiser is the most recognizable brand when it comes to headphones. Their quality control standards ensure that all headphones that leave the factory are up to their high standards of sound quality. The HD-206 are no exception.

The HD-206 may not look very flashy, but they are amazingly accurate and durable for the price. In fact, these headphones easily beat other cans that cost double the price in both sound and build quality. They are extremely tough and can take a beating. The bass response of these headphones is crisp and full without overpowering the mids and the highs. In fact, you can hear a lot of detail in vocals and treble.

Also, the ear pads are made out of hypoallergenic material and are created to block out all external noise, whether that be in your studio or somewhere else. The price of these headphones makes them almost disposable but try not to throw them too hard into your bag or onto the table.

The design of these headphones is similar to that of their predecessor - the HD-201. This is a bit unfortunate as the looks of these headphones could use some redesign. Sennheiser follows the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" logic here, which is all right if you do not care about the way they look.

The Audio-Technica ATH-R70x are one of the most beautiful and unique-looking best studio headphones out there. Their open-back design allows for long listening and mixing sessions without fatigue. This model was designed with professionals in focus.

The openness of their design allows you to create amazing music that will sound great on any sound system. The headphones have a near-perfect flat, neutral sound that allows for perfect mastering and fine-tuning. If you take the incredible frequency response and high impedance into account, you can understand why a professional would want to use these headphones over anything else.

The ATH-R70x are great at reproducing mids and low mids. This means that voices and vocals will sound perfect on these headphones. Nothing sounds weird or muddy on these headphones. They are completely free of any weird bumps and harshness. Everything sounds crisp, clear, and detailed. Any distortion that happens in the lows can easily be polished as the headphones allow you to hear everything you need.

If you do not mind the open-back design and the fact that you need a good headphone amplifier due to the high impedance, then these headphones are perfect. Also, the headband on these cans gives the headphones a unique look. It is easy to put them on and take them off. They have engineered the headband to be lightweight, yet sturdy and suitable for long sessions.

The Sony MDRs have been around since 1991. This goes to show that a good pair of headphones will always be a good pair of headphones. Also, they would not be around for almost 40 years if they were not some of the best studio headphones at their price range. The original price is $99, but it is easy to find them for much less, especially on the second-hand market.

Professionals have been using the MDRs for decades in studios and broadcasts for decades. Sony is another reputable brand that is well-known for its high-quality products. Their audio department is no exception to the rule and you can see millions of professionals using Sony headphones for their work.

You may be partial to the old-school design and plastic body but do not doubt the quality and durability of these cans. Also, plastic is much lighter than metal, making them more comfortable for long listening sessions. The MDRs are excellent at exposing parts of sound that do not seem right, which means that they are perfect for studio use but perhaps not so much for everyday listening.

These headphones make all the right compromises without sacrificing sound quality. In fact, few studio headphones sound this good at this price point. The bass is punchy and the vocals are clear. The upper mids stand out slightly compared to the rest of the spectrum, but it is not a big deal.

If you want a solid pair of durable workhorse headphones at a very low price, these are the ones to get.

Another high-quality pair coming from Sennheiser, these headphones are a favorite among DJs for a good reason. The headphones can withstand high sound pressure levels without compromising on quality. They deliver great sound in any condition. What DJs want is something small and light that they can put on and take back off a hundred times in a session, which essentially describes the HD-25s.

DJs love these headphones for their rotatable ear cups, split headband, and robustness, allowing them to do their best when on the DJ booth. The Sennheiser HD-25 headphones reproduce accurate sound in a small and robust package. The on-ear design makes them very easy to put on and the flippable ear cups are great if you need to only have one ear cup on your ear. If you need a pair of headphones that will perform excellently in super-noisy environments, these are a no-brainer.

Do not be confused by the fact that DJs love to use these. They are still an amazing pair for the studio as well. They come in three varieties with three different price points: light, standard, and plus. If you do not mind the on-ear design and need something durable and portable, then these are an amazing choice.

Here is another pair from Audio-Technica at a much lower price point. The ATH-M50x are a well-established pair in the producer community. They have a flat sound profile but still pack a punchy bass and clear vocals. The M50x are the successor of the M40x, which were a favorite among content creators. The "x" in Audio-Technica's model names stands for "detachable cable".

You get three cables and a shell to carry the headphones around. The way that the ATH-M50x fold allows them to be easily transported and carried in hand. The sound quality is solid for the price, only lacking a bit of detail in the highs. The low impedance allows them to be plugged into anything, making them a versatile pair for everything.

These headphones are popular among DJs and gamers as well, thanks to their excellent sound quality and noise isolation.

Beyerdynamic is another brand that audiophiles are familiar with. They compete with Audio-Technica and AKG. The DT series is another lineup that has been around for decades. In contrast to Sony, Beyerdynamic has constantly changed and evolved their design. The DTs have always been great at mixing and professional work.

The sound profile of the DT1770 Pro is extraordinarily well-balanced, with some of the best detail in the lows that you can get. The mids are free from any phase shifting, which is great news for professionals who need clarity. These headphones provide a ton of detail into your music, allowing you to correct everything in the spectrum.

These headphones need a powerful amp, just like the ATH-R70x, given their very high impedance rating. Mastering, mixing, restoration, and tracking are all possible with these headphones thanks to their superb quality and design.

Despite the Pioneer brand name, these headphones are not suitable for DJ work or carrying around. The HRM-7 headphones focus on EDM producers, but their accuracy across the whole dynamic range make them a great choice for anyone. These headphones provide a clear sound image without any distortions or hyping. They perform extraordinarily in low mids and mids.

The airy highs are also super clear and easy to correct on these headphones, allowing you to make any necessary corrections to make your mix stand out. You have to be aware of are their overrepresented mids and low highs, so make sure to double-check them on another device.

The bulky design of these headphones makes them pretty bad for traveling or DJ use, unfortunately. Despite their size, they are nonetheless very light and comfortable, even during long mixing sessions. Be aware that they are not the most snug fit, which means that you should not dance or move around too much when wearing them.

Make sure to use a good amplifier with these headphones to get the most out of them. Their dynamic detail and clarity is excellent for professionals who want to make the perfect audio.

The Nuraphones are one of the most unique headphones with their unusual over-ear + in-ear design. They launched in large part thanks to a Kickstarter campaign, making them the largest Kickstarter campaign in Australia so far. The reason behind their massive popularity is that they allow you to have a highly-personalized listening experience.

So how do they do it? Nuraphones have a tiny microphone built into the speaker driver that measures the shape and length of your ear canal. It calculates the time it takes for the signal to travel. The headphones can be connected to pretty much anything. They have Bluetooth, a 3.5mm jack, and USB-C from the box.

The headphones can isolate well thanks to the in-ear and over-ear design and a lot of silicon that creates a seal between you and the outside world. The profiling is made to perfectly suit your needs. They have crisp highs, scooped mids, and punchy bass. The exact sound profile will vary with each user, but the majority of customers are pleased with the results.

By now, you have most likely guessed that these headphones are not studio-grade headphones per se but rather listening headphones. But, as mentioned previously, having multiple headphones and audio systems is a must for any professional and these headphones provide a useful insight into how your mix sounds on different devices.

The Mackie MP-240s use a hybrid driver design, which makes them sound great. The MF/HF armature driver is responsible for the mids and highs and the dynamic driver for bass. These IEMs are much better at sound reproduction than their cheaper MP-220 cousin. The mids are more detailed and defined, but they are also less prominent, which makes them less fatiguing for long listening sessions.

The highs are the high point of these IEMs, with their clear and smooth sound that delivers a perfect articulation. Do not even consider the MP-220 if you are interested in good in-ear monitors as these are substantially better for slightly more money.

If you are someone who prefers in-ear monitors over on-ear and over-ear headphone designs, then these are a fantastic choice. The E70s weigh only 9g, making them super easy to carry around and wear all day long. The silicone tips and the memory cables ensure a super snug fit that will not make them fall out of your ears on their own.

The sound of these earphones is extraordinary. The mids are clear and do not have fatiguing peaks, the bass is very punchy for IEMs, and the highs are great if you adjust them slightly in an EQ. The highs are a bit soft out of the box when you compare the earphones with traditional cans.

Unfortunately, the price of these in-ear monitors makes them hard to recommend. Over-ear studio headphones for the same price offer a better overall sound. At least the build quality is not something you need to worry about with these earphones. They can be worn for hours without fatigue and you can carry them around wherever you want.