When you are a musician you need to have audio clarity to understand the notes being used in the song. You need headphones that provide accurate sound to have that clarity. If you are on a budget and need that clear audio, try one of these best Studio headphones under $50!
So you are a musician starting off your journey; but you are having trouble finding out the notes in songs you listen to. It probably isn’t your own fault, and it rather is the headphones’. Most headphones do not reproduce accurate audio, instead they give an exaggerated one; but with one of these best Studio Headphones, even if you’re on a budget, you are all good to start off!
These headphones, although under the budget of $50, produce as accurate audio as the day it was recorded. The clarity in the sound helps you catch on the tones and notes used on the instruments in the song; which also helps you out when you are recording your own songs, to know if you are off somewhere.
Most headsets focus on either the low tones or the highs. The mids and wider frequency range get blocked out by these lows and highs. Now music lovers do enjoy good bass in a song. But if the bass overpowers other instruments, it becomes hard to know what instrument is playing what notes.
To make sure that doesn’t happen, studio headphones emphasize not exaggerating any tone. Whether it is high, low, or mids, these headphones reproduce all tones equally. That is why most studios use these headphones to make sure that the recording is going right.
What’s the Difference Between Studio Headphones and Regular Ones?
The main difference between these two lies in the construction and calibration of sound. Studio headphones have a neutral sound, which might feel a bit flat to some people. But it is accurately representing the source audio. This can be used to make sure if the sounds are mixed right, or do they need any changes.
Meanwhile, normal headphones are usually targeting a signature sound rather than reproducing all sound equally or neutrally. Most headphones emphasize bass, as music lovers like bass in their songs; which is why these headphones are calibrated in such a way.
What to look for in Studio headphones?
Compatibility
Since Studio Headphones are usually used in recording, make sure they are compatible with whatever interface you are connecting these to. Whether you are directly connecting it with a computer or to an interface, make sure it has the proper input. Most of these headsets use a 3.5mm input with a 6.3mm adapter.
The adapter can be used to connect to a mixer or other audio equipment with a 6.3mm port. This is important as most studios use such equipment as a norm. So make sure your headphones include support for an adapter to switch between inputs; also, make sure they include the adapter otherwise you will have to buy one.
Construction
Studio Headphones are constructed differently than normal headsets. These have different components and calibration. While comfort might be a priority in any kind of headset, we also have to make sure they are durable. Headphones used in the studio are used differently than other headphones.
While you might use your headphones for listening to casual music, the ones in studios get used the most by their owners. Sound recording is a lengthy process so they get worn off and on all the time. The excessive stretching would break headphones with ease unless they are constructed with quality materials.
Comfort
There can be no compromise on comfort regardless of the kind of headphones you buy. If they are not comfortable to wear, no matter how good they sound you would not want to wear them. Comfort is factored in by a few elements, like the softness of ear cushions and headband, the weight, and breathability of the earpads.
There is just no compromise on comfort whatsoever, specifically for Studio Headphones. Studio owners are wearing headphones more than they wear anything else. They are recording sounds, adjusting levels, and mixing tracks for hours at a time. Without comfort wearing headphones for hours is not possible.
Noise Isolation and Leakage
When you are recording wearing headphones, you would not want the sound in the earpieces to leak out into the microphone. This just ruins the recording process so noise leakage is not preferred in Studio Headphones. Some headphones feature an open back which leaks noise, but it provides an expansive sound stage.
So using open-back headphones for recording might be a bad idea. But using these for mixing might help you expand your listening stage a bit. Also, you wouldn’t want outside noise to ruin your perception of the sound that is where noise isolation is important.
1. Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
The Audio-Technica brand is renowned for the studio and broadcasting equipment. The ATH-M20x is one of the best Studio Headphones in the price range. Not many brands can compete with these headphones at the price range.
The first thing that comes to mind when you see these headphones is the soft plush ear cushions. They are indeed very soft and feel comfortable once you find the sweet spot. Once you find the perfect adjustment spot, you can wear these for hours at a time.
The cable is long and thick for ensuring durability. These are monitoring headphones, meaning you would wear these to monitor recordings. Mixing tracks is easy with these thanks to the accurate sound reproduction.
People are complaining about how these do not work well on a PC. But to be honest these are not designed to work on a computer. Once you drive them with enough power by passing them through an amp or interface, you will see the difference in the sound. Overall a pretty decent pair of headphones worth its money.
Pros
- Great Sound Isolation
- Durable Construction
- Soft Ear Cushions
- Amazing Sound Clarity
Cons
- Requires Power to Drive Properly
- Do not Sound Well on PC or Phone
2. Samson SR850 Semi Open-Back Studio Reference Headphones
Samson is a name you might have heard while searching for microphones on Google. What you do not know they also make great Studio Headphones. The SR850 are great monitoring headphones. Not only are they focused on providing a linear and accurate sound but also on maximum comfort.
The headphones are semi open-back, which lets them stay cool while you wear them for longer hours. The velour ear pads are also breathable, making sure you stay cool while you wear them for larger durations. But the open-back design does make them less than ideal for recording. This design allows sound to escape from the earcups and make its way into the microphone.
If you use these for the purpose of mixing and listening to music, you won’t find better headphones in this price range. The 50mm drivers provide a wider range and frequency of sound. The headband adjusts to the head size automatically and these are quite durable as well.
Pros
- Velour for Breathability
- Open-back for Further Cooling
- Self-adjusting Headband
- 50mm Drivers for Wider Range
- Durable Construction
Cons
- Open-back Design is Bad for Recordings
3. Sony MDR7502 Professional Studio Headphones
Most people would associate Sony with their LED televisions or their famous gaming console the PlayStation. But Sony has been a pioneer and a top standard brand in audio product manufacturing. The Sony MDR7502 is the brand’s attempt at budget Studio Headphones.
These sound great and are pretty inexpensive. They can be used professionally and sound amazing, the voice clarity is on another level. They are very light as well, once you wear them you wouldn’t notice they are on your head. However, it seems to cut down costs on the headphones, Sony might have opted to use cheaper plastic for construction.
People have said that the earpieces separate from the headphones, but in our personal tests they seemed quite durable. The ear cushions were nice, but not thick enough, in some cases. Noise isolation is pretty decent on these and for an inexpensive pair, they are a great buy.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Great Sound Quality
- Lightweight
- Good Noise Isolation
Cons
- Cheap Construction
4. OneOdio Closed Back Over-Ear Monitor DJ Studio Headphones
Now OneOdio is a brand we might never have heard of. But once you hear the sound of these Studio Headphones, you will not regret buying these one bit. This headphone has very unique functionality. You can use each earpiece to listen to different sound sources simultaneously. Which is very different.
First of all, these headphones have a 3.5mm input on one earpiece and 6.3mm on the other. So you do not need an adapter for using these headphones with either input. Secondly, the earpieces can swivel around vertically and horizontally. Meaning you can twist the earpieces or turn them around 180-degrees.
50mm drivers provide great sound and a wider range of tones. The construction feels and looks durable. The ear cushions are soft and plush and the clamping force is really perfect. The best part about these headsets is that they can fold. This allows for maximum portability in case you have to take your headphones for a gig.
Pros
- Soft Ear Cushions
- Durable Construction
- Dual Input Mode
- Portable
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Included Cords Not Upto Mark
5. Edifier H840 Audiophile Over-The-Ear Headphones
In the search of the best Studio Headphones, we landed on the Edifier H840 after many recommendations. Let us tell you, we were not even the slightest bit disappointed. Other than a little design flaw, these things are perfect for studio use. The noise isolation on these is more than great, that it was a surprise to find out these do not have ANC.
The headphones have a good sound, the highs, the mids, and the lows all sound crystal clear. Construction-wise you can twist these without breaking them. They are very durable and will last you a long time before you need to switch them. The earcups are soft and plush enough to deliver maximum comfort.
Now to talk about the design flaw, when you adjust these you can hear a plastic creaking. We understand that is due to plastic on plastic contact somewhere near the joints of the headband and earcups. But other than that, these are a pretty decent buy.
The great combination of sound, durability, and comfort can also make these your everyday go to headphones.
Pros
- Great Noise Isolation
- Flexible and Strong
- Good Balance of Tones
- Comfortable Fit
Cons
- Creaking Noise While Adjusting
Conclusion
Studio Headphones are specialized for use in studios. They are neutral which is required to distinguish between different tones and sounds. If you are under a tight budget and just starting out your journey as a musician, you might get confused by the choices. But buying any one of these would give you the desired result as all of these are used in professional studios.
