There has been a steady evolution in the quality of studio headphones to take advantage of advances in audio recording quality. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, prices, quality, and sensitivity. In fact, there are simply too many features that make up an excellent studio headphone to name. Over-the-ear wireless headphones are currently the most favoured choice, but wired ones have better performance.
Below, we have a list of the best-rated studio headphones you’ll find in a market this 2023. They are categorized broadly on their sensitivity, price, impedance, and driver performance.
Best Studio Headphones 2023
1. Sennheiser HD 650 Open Back Professional
It has an open-back design and despite its relatively cheap price can be classified as having the best overall value. In HD 650 from Sennheiser, THD is just 0.05% and the design is an acoustic silk one. It’s aluminium coils mean that its transient response isn’t just fast, but the headphone is also lighter.
Frequency response is about 10 to 40,000Hz and the padding is also well-designed for the best comfort. With an on-point dynamic response and sensitivity, this headphone is the choice to die for.
Pros
- Affordable
- Clear and smooth bass
- Beautiful design
- Two-year warranty
- Superb audio quality
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- No noise cancellation technology is integrated
2. Beyerdynamic DT 770
DT 770 from Beyerdynamic blends excellently comfort, technology, and audio quality. The price is affordable, wide stereo imaging, spacious-over-the-ear design, and ear cover cup make this product a fantastic choice. While the holding forks are aluminium, the headphone is itself plastic with an “ear” for detail.
DT 770 is the best choice for studio mixing with brilliant dynamics.
Pros
- Extreme comfort
- Reasonable price
- Lightweight but durable
- Audio is crisp with a smooth, deep bass
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- No storage
- Impedance is 250-ohms
- Plastic body
3. Audio Technica ATH-M50X Professional
Technica ATH-M50X is one of the few studio headphones with a built-in noise cancellation technology. It is a superb choice for DJs and features a closed-back design. Its awesome sound is because it features a pair of rare earth 45mm drivers despite its budget pricing.
Storage of Ath-M50X is convenient and its earpads are soft for improved comfort.
Pros
- The frequency range is extended
- Audio quality is fantastic
- Ingenious noise cancellation design
- Contracting and stretching the long cord
- Detachable cord
- Comfortable
Cons
- Noise cancellation could be better
- Lacks durability
4. Sennheiser HD 800
HD 800 has better audio control than most other headphones listed here which makes it the go-to-choice for sound engineers and audiophiles. Despite its amazing level of comfort and impressive frequency response of 6 to 51000Hz, HD 800 is available for cheap. 3.4N+ contact pressure means that it fits snuggly without getting painful.
Pros
- There’s no sound distortion
- Impedance gets the best rating
- Durable and comfy earpads
- The frequency range is insane
- Open-back design
- Professional choice
- Lightweight
Cons
- Pricy
- Noise cancellation is absent
5. Beyerdynamic DT 990 Professional
The sounds produced by this studio applications-made headphone are clear and crisp, possessing high sensitivity and the best bass response. They are an ideal choice for music production and audio mixing because of their attention to detail. Noise cancellation is achieved by an ear cup which is kept comfortable. Also, although the body is plastic, the holding forks are aluminium and thus durable.
Pros
- Crisp and accurate sounds
- Deep bass
- Cushy design and earpad
- Lightweight and cheap
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Plastic body
- Lacks a storage
- Impedance is just 250-ohms
6. Sennheiser HD 280 Professional
It features an extended frequency range, accurate warm, natural sound reproduction, and a closed-ear design. The design remains ergonomic and although it doesn’t sport any stand-out feature, it does everything else better than other models. It stands on the balance between affordability and performance which makes it a mid-tier choice for beginners.
To round off, we have 64-ohms impedance, wire, 7.8-pounds, 9.8-feet cord, closed-ear design, and 25000Hz response.
Pros
- Noise cancellation
- Lightweight and compact
- Budget choice
- Durable body
- Portable by folding
Cons
- Not the best look
- Initially too tight on the ears
7. Sennheiser HD 600
For professionals who wish to master or practise their craft, HD 600 is a fantastic choice. The sound quality was superb not to mention its impressive comfort level. The components of this open-back design headphones are all removable and durable.
They are a perfect choice for the studio and don’t really fall behind in any headphone innovative feature.
Pros
- Solid sound quality
- All components are detachable
- Easily stored
- Cheap and lightweight
- Superb for long recording sessions
- Noise cancellation
Cons
- Too much plastic
- Can’t be folded
- Takes a while to adjust to
8. Bose QuietComfort 35 series II
Wireless headphones are not an ideal or recommended studio choice, but for those with a preference for it, QuietComfort 35 is a superb choice. Its noise cancellation technology is the best by a margin. There are plenty of interactive features to accompany the awesome audio quality and 20-hour runtime. The design is a closed-back one and it includes an ANC despite having a relatively low weight for a wireless design.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Best noise cancellation (Active)
- Superb audio
- Can be used both wireless and wired
- Balanced performance
Cons
- Auto-on cancellation for wireless use
- Pricy
9. AKG Q 701 Quincy Jones Sig
There are not many headphones that offer great audio quality and insane comfort with a transient response and budget price. The Voice coil technology is the Flat-Wire type and the durability is extreme.
Pros
- Earpads are shaped especially for comfort
- Affordable
- No distortion
- Durable and lightweight
- Affordable
Cons
- No noise cancellation
10. Sony MDR-7506 Large Diaphragm
The ear cups have a foamy design to increase comfort. While it is a bit low powered compared to other headphones, its overall value is higher based on performance. It doesn’t overperform or underperform in any area.
We get 63-ohms impedance, eight-ounces weight, 10000 to 2000Hz response, 1000mW max power, and closed-ear design.
Pros
- Noise isolation is solid
- Durable and comfy
- Superb value
- Accurate sound reproduction
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Plain look
- Cable can’t be detached