Whether you’re recording, monitoring, at home, or a professional studio, headphones are always going to be a necessity. Throughout my career, I’ve tested a wide range of cans, and in this article, I’ll show you what I consider to be the best studio headphones in 2024 to help you get the most out of your music productions.
About the author
How I chose the headphones for this list?
When selecting which headphones to include on this list, there were several points I chose to keep tabs on. These points were primarily: frequency response, comfort, and whether or not the headphones lent themselves to professional or casual use – leaning towards professionalism.
At the end of the day, the criteria that makes a pair of headphones the best studio choice for you entirely depends on your own personal set of needs and preferences. So don’t feel pressured on making a decision unless you’re truly comfortable with the outcome.
To find out more about how we test and rate headphones here at Higher Hz and why you can trust our reviews, check out this page.
These are the best studio headphones to buy for music production:
- Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro
- Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
- AKG K371
- Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- Sennheiser HD 600
- Shure SRH1840
- Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro
- Sennheiser HD 800 S
Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro
The best all-around studio headphones
- Type: Wired
- Design: Over-ear, open-back
- Earcups swivel: No
- Frequency response: 5 Hz – 35 kHz
- Impedance: 250 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″adapter
The DT 880 Pro are one of the most popular studio headphones for a lot of reasons: they’re comfortable, they sound great, and they’re super durable.
These headphones have a frequency response of 5 Hz – 35 kHz, which is amazing. Overall, the curve is nominally flat, except for a slight peak around 7-10 kHz. This won’t be such an issue for most, unless you’re a fan of trap music with loud hi-hats and claps. Even still, it’s much easier to work with something that’s over exaggerated rather than under.
Given the high impedance and sensitivity of these headphones, you will need an amp to get the most out of them. Also, since these are open-back headphones, you can forget about wearing them on your commute. These are meant to sit in the studio with your mixing desk and monitors.
Read the full Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro review to find out more.
What I like
- Great for studio use.
- Good to help identify imperfections.
- Very comfortable.
- Super durable.
What I don’t like
- Might sound too clinical to some.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
The best headphones for tracking
- Type: Wired
- Design: Over-ear, closed-back
- Earcups swivel: No
- Frequency response: 5 Hz – 35 kHz
- Impedance: 80, 250 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
While the DT 770 Pro are less expensive than the DT 880 Pro, they are still an incredibly high-quality option to consider. In terms of comfortability and performance, you really can’t go wrong here.
They’re closed-back headphones, perfect for tracking or monitoring applications. They also have a phenomenally detailed midrange, with some slight exaggerations in the high end (something of a signature attribute when it comes to Beyerdynamic). They also have great low end, possibly due to the closed-back design.
While each model has a frequency response of 5 Hz – 35 kHz, I recommend going for the 80-ohm model if anything. Although the higher the impedance, the more you’ll be able to get out of your headphones’ performance without potentially damaging them.
Read the full Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro review to find out more.
What I like
- Highly accurate midrange.
- Perfect for monitoring.
- Comfortable and durable.
- Affordable.
What I don’t like
- Not as accurate as some high-end options.
AKG K371
The best option under $200
- Type: Wired
- Design: Over-ear, closed-back
- Earcups swivel: Yes
- Frequency response: 5 Hz – 40 kHz
- Impedance: 32 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
As far as closed-back studio headphones are concerned, the AKG K371 are probably the best you can do for the price. They’re not the most comfortable studio headphones available, but for a budget option this isn’t much of an issue.
They have a frequency response of 5 Hz – 40 kHz, which is far wider than one would expect from a pair of headphones costing this much. There is some exaggeration in the lows and highs, but the V-shaped curve is far less notable than you would find on some others.
Read the full AKG K371 review to find out more.
What I like
- Wide and neutral frequency response.
- Quite comfortable.
- Affordable at under $200.
What I don’t like
- Slight exaggeration in low and high frequencies.
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
The best for around $100
- Type: Wired
- Design: Over-ear, closed-back
- Earcups swivel: Yes
- Frequency response: 15 Hz – 24 kHz
- Impedance: 35 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
These Audio-Technica headphones are something of a staple in bedroom producer circles. They’re fashionable, comfortable, and are an especially great choice for EDM and hip-hop.
Although the ATH-M40x are one of the less expensive options, they still hold up to most of their competition. They’re highly portable due to their collapsible design and swiveling earcups. What’s even better is that they have detachable cords, greatly improving their longevity.
I should note that the sound signature here is fairly colored, making it a less viable option when it comes to mixing and mastering, but great for casual listening and tracking.
The ATH-M40x headphones have a frequency response of 15 Hz – 24 kHz, which is quite impressive for a pair of headphones costing just around $100.
Read the full Audio-Technica ATH-M40x review to find out more.
What I like
- Fairly flat frequency response.
- Comfortable.
- Affordable at around $100.
What I don’t like
- Fairly colored sound signature.
Sennheiser HD 600
Some of the most comfortable
- Type: Wired
- Design: Over-ear, open-back
- Earcups swivel: No
- Frequency response: 12 Hz – 39 kHz
- Impedance: 300 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
The HD 600 are a great choice for nearly any music producer. They have a wide frequency response of 12 Hz – 39 kHz, and are fairly neutral across the frequency spectrum. They’re also rather comfortable.
The one potential flaw in these headphones is an overhyped high end, and a slight lack in the lowest of lows. However, the accuracy of their performance can easily outride these small issues, especially when powered with an amp.
The HD 600 are open-back so wearing them on your commute will be far from ideal, but when it comes to serious music-making, these are some of the best studio headphones around.
Read the full Sennheiser HD 600 review to find out more.
What I like
- Accurate.
- Good for critical listening.
- Comfortable.
What I don’t like
- Might be too bright for some.
Shure SRH1840
The best headphones for mixing
- Type: Wired
- Design: Over-ear, open-back
- Earcups swivel: No
- Frequency response: 10 Hz – 30 kHz
- Impedance: 65 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
These are Shure’s highest-end studio headphones, and at $500, they’re surprisingly affordable for what they are. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and sound great.
Due to their open-back design, the low end is not as prominent as you might expect. However, they are extremely balanced and neutral. They have a frequency response of 10 Hz – 30 kHz, and are ideal for most kinds of music except for EDM or hip-hop where the extra bass response may be desired.
The SRH1840 are also a great choice for mixing. So, if you do end up buying these headphones, you’re more or less set for life.
Read the full Shure SRH1840 review to find out more.
What I like
- Neutral and transparent.
- Perfect for mixing and mastering.
- Lightweight and comfortable.
What I don’t like
- Not ideal for heavy-bass music.
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro
The pro studio-grade headphones
- Type: Wired
- Design: Over-ear, open-back
- Earcups swivel: No
- Frequency response: 5 Hz – 40 kHz
- Impedance: 250 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
The DT 1990 Pro are another great studio choice to consider here. They’re incredibly detailed and balanced across the entire spectrum.
While these might not be the most affordable of the bunch, they’re definitely worth the expense. They have an extremely wide frequency response of 5 Hz – 40 kHz, and have a nominally flat curve.
Some say that the treble of the DT 1990 Pro is quite bright, but this is a fairly subjective take. However, I found no issues myself.
What I like
- Detailed and balanced sound.
- Comfortable.
- High-quality build.
What I don’t like
- Not the cheapest option.
Sennheiser HD 800 S
The most high-end option
- Type: Wired
- Design: Over-ear, open-back
- Earcups swivel: No
- Frequency response: 4 Hz – 51 kHz (-10 dB)
- Impedance: 300 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/4″, 4.4 mm plug
These are the crème de la crème when it comes to headphones, albeit divisive. The HD 800 S have a massive soundstage, and an incredibly dynamic sound. For some, these headphones sound too analytical, but I personally favor that.
With a frequency response of 4 Hz – 51 kHz at the minus 10 dB points, and no hype whatsoever, these are perfect for mixing and mastering. The frequency response is more or less flat, peaking in the upper registers.
All in all, if you have the cash to spare and are looking for some of the best studio headphones around, go test these out for yourself. These will redefine your ideas of what high-quality means, as the HD 800 S are the top of the line.
What I like
- Massive soundstage.
- True reference headphones.
- Comfortable.
What I don’t like
- Quite bulky.
Conclusion
There you have it, my 2024 list of the best studio headphones to buy for music production. I hope you came out at the end of this article with a bit of information in your skull.
What really constitutes the best set of studio cans is merely personal preference. Some people like the $15 Sony in-ears, and others like the $3000 Sennheisers – pick your poison.