How to Choose Studio Headphones for Music Production

Updated October 2026. Models and specs were checked on each maker’s website.

Studio headphones are often the first serious purchase for a home producer. They let you hear fine detail, work late without bothering anyone and record vocals without the backing track leaking into the mic. This guide explains the types of studio headphones, what the specs mean and which models producers use most.

Headphones vs Monitors

Headphones remove the room from the equation, which is a big plus in an untreated bedroom. But they also change how you hear stereo width, since each ear hears only one side, and they make bass levels harder to judge. That is why most producers use headphones and monitors together, and check every mix on other systems before releasing it.

Closed Back or Open Back?

• Closed back: sealed ear cups block outside noise and keep sound in. Best for recording, noisy rooms and working next to others.
• Open back: vented ear cups give a more natural, spacious sound that many people find better for mixing and long sessions. They leak sound in and out, so they are not suitable for recording near a microphone.

If you can only buy one pair and you record vocals, start with closed back.

Specs That Matter

• Impedance: low impedance models, around 32 to 80 ohms, are easy to drive from a laptop or phone. High impedance models, like 250 or 300 ohm versions, need a stronger headphone amp, which most good audio interfaces have.
• Comfort: you may wear them for hours, so weight, clamping force and pad material matter as much as sound.
• Detachable cable: cables are the first thing to fail, so a replaceable one extends the life of your headphones.
• Frequency response: most studio headphones cover far beyond human hearing on paper. How balanced they sound matters more than the numbers.

Studio Headphones Worth Considering

Closed back

• Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: a hugely popular all rounder with three detachable cables and a 38 ohm load that suits laptops.
• Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO: comfortable for long sessions, in 32, 80 or 250 ohm versions. The newer DT 770 PRO X has a 48 ohm load and a detachable cable.
• Sony MDR-7506: a long time studio and broadcast standard for tracking and editing.
• Sony MDR-M1: Sony’s newer closed back model, released in 2024, with a wider frequency range and detachable cables, aimed at mixing as well as recording.
• AKG K371: a foldable, easy to drive closed back pair that works for both tracking and checking mixes.

Open back

• Sennheiser HD 490 PRO: made for producers, with two sets of ear pads, one tuned for mixing and one for producing.
• Sennheiser HD 600 and HD 650: respected for natural, detailed sound. At 300 ohms they need an interface or amp with a strong headphone output.

Get More From Your Headphones

• Use correction software: tools like Sonarworks SoundID Reference can flatten the response of many popular headphones.
• Reference other tracks: compare your mix with professional songs in the same genre on the same headphones.
• Check on speakers too: test your bass and stereo image on monitors, a car or a phone before you finish.
• Protect your hearing: keep the volume moderate and take regular breaks. Your ears are your most important tool.

Next Steps

Read our guides to choosing studio monitors, choosing an audio interface and building a home studio. Then try your new headphones with our $1 sample packs.