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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-29 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Metrophones Studio Kans Isolation — biggest strength: up to 29 dB of sound isolation from liquid-filled ear cushions, which is the whole point of the design.
• Metrophones Studio Kans Isolation — biggest trade-off: it is a listening tool, not a recording tool. There is no interface, no preamp, no software and no bundled cable kit beyond its own replaceable stereo cable.
• Kellards Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 — biggest strength: a 2-in / 2-out USB-C audio interface with 4th Gen mic pres, up to 69 dB of gain, 24-bit / 192 kHz converters and a 120 dB dynamic range, plus a bundle that already includes studio monitor headphones, a pop filter and an XLR cable.
• Kellards Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 — biggest trade-off: it is a system, not a single accessory. You need a computer, a microphone and a little setup time before it does anything for you.
• Who each pick is for: Metrophones for players tracking in a loud room, drummers, and anyone who needs to hear a click or a mix while the outside world stays outside. Kellards Focusrite for singer-songwriters, podcasters and streamers building a first serious recording setup.
The Studio Kans Isolation is built around one idea: keep outside noise out. The ear cushions are liquid-filled, and the spec sheet puts isolation at up to 29 dB. That is a serious number in headphone terms, and it is the reason this model has stayed relevant for so long in tracking rooms where a drummer, a guitarist or a bassist needs to hear a backing track without the backing track bleeding into every open microphone.
Who should buy it: anyone whose main problem is the room, not the recording chain. Drummers tracking to a click, guitarists overdubbing next to a loud amp, and players who want to protect their hearing while working at volume. Who should skip it: anyone who actually needs to plug a microphone into a computer. This is a headphone, full stop. If your shopping list includes "record my vocals," the Metrophones is the wrong box to open first.
Kellards Focusrite Scarlett 2i2: Who It's For
The Kellards Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a bundle, and the bundle is the story. At the center is the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen, a 2-in / 2-out USB-C audio interface. Around it Kellards packs Polsen HPC-A30 studio monitor headphones, a pop filter and an XLR-to-XLR cable — four items in the box, which is exactly the point. You can take a microphone and a guitar, plug both in, and be recording without buying anything else.
The specs back up the "first serious setup" framing. The 4th Gen mic pres are ultra-low-noise with up to 69 dB of gain, enough headroom for demanding dynamic and ribbon mics. Converters run 24-bit / 192 kHz with a dynamic range up to 120 dB — the same converter family Focusrite uses in its flagship interfaces, according to the manufacturer. Auto Gain sets a recording level for you; Clip Safe catches a signal before it clips. Air mode adds presence and harmonic drive to vocals and guitars. Loopback lets podcasters and streamers blend audio from other apps on the computer into the recording. Supported software includes Pro Tools Artist, Ableton Live Lite and the Hitmaker Expansion plugin collection, and the unit runs on Windows and macOS. A 3-year manufacturer warranty covers it.
Who should buy it: singer-songwriters, podcasters, streamers, and anyone who wants a mic, a guitar and headphones working in one afternoon. Who should skip it: someone who only needs a quiet pair of headphones for editing, or a player whose only problem is a loud rehearsal room. If you already own an interface you like, this bundle duplicates gear you have.
• Best for tracking in a loud room → Metrophones Studio Kans Isolation. Up to 29 dB of isolation is the single most useful number here.
• Best for building a recording setup from zero → Kellards Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. Interface, monitor headphones, pop filter and XLR cable in one bundle.
• Best for hearing protection during long sessions → Metrophones Studio Kans Isolation. The liquid-filled cushion design exists to lower what reaches your ears.
• Best for capturing vocals and guitar → Kellards Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. Two combo inputs, up to 69 dB of preamp gain, Auto Gain and Clip Safe.
• Best for podcasting and streaming → Kellards Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. Loopback mixing and the included software suite are aimed squarely at creators.
• Best for cable longevity in a working studio → Metrophones Studio Kans Isolation. A 9-foot heavy-duty replaceable stereo cable is a repair-friendly design.
• Best for wireless convenience away from the desk → Metrophones Studio Kans Isolation. Bluetooth 4 with roughly 10 meters of range plus a 3.5 mm jack.
• Best for a beginner who wants guidance built in → Kellards Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. Auto Gain, Clip Safe and Air mode all reduce the learning curve.
In my opinion, the right answer depends on which half of "recording studio" you are missing. If you already have a way to record and your sessions are plagued by bleed and loud rooms, I would buy the Metrophones Studio Kans Isolation — the isolation is the feature, and nothing in the Kellards bundle replaces it. If you are starting from nothing and need to get sound into a computer, I would buy the Kellards Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, because it hands you the interface, the monitor headphones, the pop filter and the cable in one move. Two different jobs, two different boxes. Buy for the job you actually have this month.
FAQ
There is no single best pair — it depends on the job. If your priority is keeping outside noise out, the Metrophones Studio Kans Isolation is the one I would point to, given its liquid-filled cushions and up to 29 dB rating. If you need monitor headphones as part of a recording bundle, the Kellards Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 includes Polsen HPC-A30 studio monitor headphones alongside the interface.
Good studio headphones should be comfortable over long sessions and honest about what is in the mix. Over-ear designs like the Metrophones Studio Kans Isolation cover the whole ear with round earpieces and a dynamic driver rated 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, which is the full audible range. For tracking loud sources, isolation is the spec worth prioritizing.
For a home studio, pick headphones that match your weakest link. If your room is noisy or you share it with other people, the Metrophones Studio Kans Isolation and its up to 29 dB of isolation solve that directly. If your real gap is a recording chain, the Kellards Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 bundle covers the interface, monitor headphones, pop filter and cable so you are not buying pieces one at a time.
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