In its rating of the best studio headphones I have collected models of well-known brands that are inexpensive for this niche, I have not forgotten the “legendary” headphones produced since the 70s-90s of the last century, which have come down to us almost unchanged, but at the peak of popularity. I selected different characteristics of devices so that you could choose for a professional or home studio.
AKG K 240 Studio
Opening the rating is a semi-open model for monitoring vocals, broadcasting, DJ, home recording, mixing, sound engineering and mastering with extended frequency response and patented drivers. Price - .
Pros:
- The main materials are leather and plastic.
- Self-adjusting metal headband and fit.
- Detachable cable, as in the Shure SRH840.
- Quick change of AKG proprietary cable with mini XLR connector. Threaded adapter to prevent self-loosening.
- The cable feed is one-way, as in the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro.
- Detailed sound through a professional patented Varimotion driver.
- Crystal clear highs, “beautiful” mids, tight bass.
- Extended frequency response.
- Converters XXL.
- Universal due to the ¼ ”TRS adapter.
Minuses:
- There is bass, but it is not clearly caught, they are not very suitable for dance music.
- Average insulation.
Will appeal to music lovers without pronounced dynamics, gamers. A good model for music professionals, for multimedia use. During recording, according to reviews from reviews, headphones best reproduce the guitar and female vocals. They give out the highs and mids well, and in terms of bass they sound the same as the Sony MDR-7506.
Sony MDR-7506
Unlike the previous model of the rating, MDR-7506 closed-type headphones for professional and amateur use with a twisted cable, wide stereo panorama, sound detail. Price - .
Pros:
- High quality, no backlash.
- Foldable design like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x.
- Detailed neutral sound with good balance of tonality.
- High sound insulation.
- Carrying case.
- Excellent volume due to the sensitivity parameter (106 dB).
- Neodymium speakers as in the Shure SRH840.
Minuses:
- For portable use, a twisted cord is not very convenient.
- Cannot be used with low power sources.
The universal model, despite the "prescription" of the release, is still in trend. Wide dynamic range, good detail with the smallest nuances of composition, cope with any genre. The pitch is “a little synthesized” rather than lively, as in the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, although, according to experts, this is rather a plus for studio headphones. According to reviews, a tight fit leads to fogging of the ears, in the Shure SRH840 this is not.
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
Specially designed for radio DJs and professional use. It is best to listen to music in uncompressed formats on this model.The monitor immediately cuts off from what is happening around, plunges into the melody, gives a detailed amazing realistic sound. Price - .
Pros:
- Fold-out ear pads, as in the Sony MDR-7506.
- Modular design with easily replaceable removable parts.
- Corrosion resistant gold-plated headphone plug, as in AKG K 240 Studio.
- Removable cord made of oxygen free copper.
- Excellent playback of uncompressed files.
- Low harmonic distortion - 0.1%. Clear, distortion-free sound.
- According to the diagrams, AHC shows a smooth curve without dips at the bottom or top.
- Very light - 220 g, lighter than AKG K 712 Pro (235 g).
Minuses:
- Short cord - only 130 cm.
- No transport / storage cover like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x.
The model is not designed to connect to smartphones, iPhones due to the high impedance of 64 Ohms, it will not reveal the sound spectrum, but when connected to the corresponding amplifiers it will produce an amazing realistic “muzlo” (according to reviews). For home listening without special equipment, low-impedance models are needed, at least such as the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 32 Ohm.
Shure SRH840
Professional studio monitor headphones with neutral, unadorned sound, even tonal balance and wide frequency response. Price - .
Pros:
- Beautiful view, comparable in size to Sennheiser HD 280 Pro and Sony MDR-7506.
- Replaceable ear pads included.
- Bag for carrying.
- Carefully calibrated frequency response, rich bass, extended top, transparent mids.
- Neodymium speakers as in the Sony MDR-7506.
- Oxygen-free copper twisted cord.
Minuses:
- When the head moves, the plastic creaks and is given in the ears.
- Not the most comfortable headband, lacks softness, crushes.
Here is the opinion of real users who tested different brands before purchasing. Shura-840 is very close in sound and stage width to Sony MDR-7506, but unlike Sony there is more depth here, Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is inferior in ergonomics, AKG K 712 Pro wins in stage disclosure, bass, but worse in high ...
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
The model has repeatedly won the "Best Choice" award in the range of up to $ 200. Comes in three colors: white, classic black and black and blue. It is positioned as a "workhorse" for sound engineers, workers involved in sound monitoring. Price - .
Pros:
- Several detachable cables included.
- Speakers - 45 mm.
- Low impedance 38 ohms, suitable for most Pro and consumer devices.
- Soft case for storage and transportation: soft fabric inside, and outside - leatherette.
- Foldable headphone design similar to YAMAHA HPH-MT8.
- Direct connector.
- They will do well with heavy music, a wide range - from metal to classical.
Minuses:
- The case is too small for the headphones.
- Heavy.
- May require the purchase of a sound card and updating the audio library.
- The socket of the plug is inconveniently located: the cord constantly clings to the collar.
Despite the nominations received, the model is not universal: it has a high overload capacity and a wide dynamic range, so listening at high volumes is uncomfortable. If we compare the ATH-M50x with the Sony MDR-7506, the former are more suitable for listening to music, while the latter are better taken as a working tool.
Fostex T50RP MK3
Semi-open headphones of the simplest kind - plastic cups attached to solid metal arcs, amaze with their high-resolution reproduction of complex symphonic works. Considered to be the cheapest isodynamic models. Price - .
Pros:
- Two detachable cables included, as in the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, one with a 3.5 mm jack, the other with 6.3 mm.
- Isodynamic emitters.
- Easy and fast feeding, perfect macrodynamics.
Minuses:
- A very rigid and unusual headband, although it fits any head size.
- A feature of the isodynamic driver is both plus and minus. Places tremendous demands on power and quality of beat and recording.
The main disadvantage of the model is discomfort: the headphones are very “tight”, they need powerful amplification. As an isodinam probe - cheap. But in terms of bass and treble sound quality it is inferior to Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and Shure SRH840.Well suited for listening to large-scale rich works. The most winning part of the model is the midrange.
YAMAHA HPH-MT8
Professional model with custom made emitter, high comfort level and suitable for 99% of sound equipment. Price - .
Pros:
- High-quality tanned leather on the trim, removable cushions, damped inner volume of the bowl.
- The wire is hidden inside the sliding arm structure.
- Large cups - 45 mm, as in the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x.
- Metal fork of bowl holder and rim design.
- Closed type with bass reflex holes for improved bass transmission.
- High AHCH.
- In terms of sound, there is a low level of distortion, well-developed mid frequencies, without skewing in timbres.
Minuses:
- This model is not folding, as it is written on some resources.
- There are no gold-plated connectors either.
Austere design, no frills, emphasis on sound transmission and reception. They sound best when connected to stationary equipment with a good headphone amplifier. Although a regular USB powered sound card has enough power for reproduction. In sound, they are close to the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x or Sennheiser HD 280 Pro with the addition of Yamahov's signature handwriting.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
Professional closed headphones for the diffuse field in three versions - 32, 80, 250 Ohms. According to observers, the DT 770 Pro is a compromise between sound insulation and sound quality with an edge to sound. The manufacturer is positioning the model "for responsible monitoring of music and sound." Price - .
Pros:
- The structural elements are completely metal.
- Anti-resonant plastic housing with internal damping.
- Removable ear pads made of memory material. As in YAMAHA HPH-MT8, it can be cleaned and even washed.
- PA speaker system to improve the quality of bass.
- Cable for all modifications made of oxygen-free copper with high-strength outer insulation. For 250 Ohm - 3 m twisted cable, for 80 Ohm - 3 m straight cable, for 32 Ohm - 1.6 m straight.
- 32-ohm and 80-ohm can be connected to a USB-powered sound card.
- Gold-plated mini-jack, as in AGK K712 Pro.
- By AHCh: good uniform midrange with an emphasis on the edge of the bass and treble.
- The sound is detailed, the stereo panorama is open, natural sound is 90-95%.
Minuses:
- Clumsy like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x.
- Fixed connection, difficult to change if necessary.
The model is in great demand due to the quality of sound supply, reliability of assembly and low price. They sound similar to the YAMAHA HPH-MT8 with a "touch" of the brand plaque. Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 32 omh are designed for connection to portable equipment. Some people use 32 ohms to listen to music from a smartphone or tablet, distortions and harmonics do not fall much, but the low frequencies begin to wheeze at maximum volume, the top hurts the ear. If you set the volume to medium, then, according to reviews, there will be a decent sound.
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 ohm already require a headphone amplifier. They are popular for listening to guitar vocals, are considered versatile in connection, and are often used for recording sessions.
For professional equipment, it is better to take the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250 ohm, they fully reveal the "live" sound, are recommended for accurate mixing.
Beyerdynamic DT 250 (250 Ohm)
Model for use in recording studios, monitoring and broadcasting. Mono and stereo sound reproduce correctly, with maximum sound insulation. Price - .
Pros:
- Retractable plates with 10 fixed positions.
- Like the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro, the ear cushions feature a memory surround.
- Detailed and detailed bright sound throughout the entire frequency range.
- Closed circuit with sound insulation - 16 dB.
- Very low distortion as measured by RMAA.
- Sophisticated, robust design for attaching the plug.
Minuses:
- To connect, you need expensive professional equipment, they are not suitable for home.
- High contact pressure - 4.5 N, takes some getting used to. The first impression is like a hoop.
- The sizes are indicated according to European standards, you need to translate into domestic ones.
According to reviewers, the model is a “successful” combination of sound quality, sound insulation and price. Very clear sound, lots of bass, detail and a good attack.They can be compared in terms of bass saturation with Sony MDR-7506 or Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, and in terms of clear attack and elaboration of the midrange - with Fostex T50RP MK3.
AKG K 712 Pro
Rounding out the rating are open hand-made headphones for professional sound engineers, for mixing and mastering with a specific cup design for comfortable long-term wearing. Price - .
Pros:
- The headband is made according to the requirements of ergonomics, provides a soft, reliable, precise fit.
- Fast cable replacement with professional XLR-mini connector.
- Open type design with signal routing technology for uncompromising airy sound.
- Improved bass section with +3 dB correction. Powerful bass sound.
- AKG Flat wire voice coil technology - maximum detail of the transmitted signal.
- Handcrafted by the best Austrian craftsmen, with emphasis and refinement down to the smallest detail.
- Lightweight, almost like a Beyerdynamic DT 250 (250 Ohm) (235/240 g) in weight.
- An extension cable is included.
Minuses:
- Requires a good in-ear amplifier.
- Warm-up and preamplifier are required. A calm, quiet environment is required.
Headphones, according to reviews - a bomb. The sound is not dry, like the Sony MDR-7506, not bright, like the YAMAHA HPH-MT8, but not lifeless monitor. Music lovers appreciated them as "relatives". Sound with slightly darkened treble and midrange, with a thick lower middle and added bass without density. The model technically and clearly delivers music, and the open type adds airiness and a sense of presence.
