The Best Studio Headphones of 2023

Cheap & cheerful studio headphones for a range of applications

Price: $79
Driver: 40 mm
Impedance: 47 Ohms
Frequency Response: 15 - 20,000 Hz
Design: Over-ear
Cable: Attached

Features:

• Contemporary design
• Great build quality
• Solid bass response
• Good noise isolation
• All-round performance

If you're looking for a pair of budget studio headphones, you can't go wrong with the Audio Technica ATH M20x. They are cheap, well-designed, and come in a 1.2 or 3 metre cable configuration so you can match them to your application. Consider these for basic tracking, mixing, or live performance if you're on a tight budget. They also provide great clarity for podcasting, and are affordable enough to purchase multiple pairs of studio headphones for collaborators and guests.

All-round studio headphones that'll perform for years to come

Price: $249
Driver: 45 mm
Impedance: 38 Ohms
Frequency Response: 15 - 28,000 Hz
Design: Over-ear
Cable: Detachable

Features:

• All-round performance
• Exceptional clarity
• Extended frequency range
• Professional build quality
• Excellent noise isolation

If you have a little more to spend but still want all-round studio headphones for mixing, DJing, and day-to-day listening, the Audio Technica M50Xs are hard to beat. For under $250 you get accurate audio, light-weight comfort, and excellent sound isolation. They are durable, with a foldable design for easy transport, and the pads and cables are replaceable. Even if you eventually pick up some more expensive pairs for specific tasks in the future, you'll never regret having the M50X studio headphones in your life.

Amazing price-to-performance ratio for mixing, mastering, and critical listening

Price: $375
Driver: 45 mm
Impedance: 48 Ohms
Frequency Response: 5 - 40,000 Hz
Design: Over-ear
Cable: Detachable

Features:

• Exceptional sound quality
• Fast, detailed transients
• High degree of comfort
• Intimate listening experience
• Solid construction

The Beyerdynamic DT900 PRO Xs are a highly cost-effective pair of studio headphones for mixing, critical listening, and general day-to-day use such as gaming or watching video content. While technically open-backed, they provide a surprisingly intimate listening experience and an incredible level of comfort for long sessions. The DT900 PRO Xs are well-constructed, with detachable cables, and drivers that pair well with laptops, tablets, and smartphones for when you don't have an audio interface on hand. These are the best studio headphones for those seeking an exceptional return on investment.

A complete modular headphone ecosystem

Price: $549
Driver: 40 mm
Impedance: 32 Ohms
Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz
Design: Over-ear
Cable: Detachable

Features:

• Iconic design
• Modular ecosystem
• High sound isolation
• Low-latency wireless
• Easy part replacement

The AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ are the first wireless headphones specifically designed for creators. The W+ Link technology provides ultra-low-latency (16ms), completely lossless audio from anywhere in your studio, allowing you to move freely with your workflow rather then be tethered to your desk. In addition, the closed-back design offers ample sound-isolation for tracking, while the modular TMA-2 ecosystem allows you to change spec or replace missing parts with ease. These are easily the best wireless studio headphones, not the mention the most flexible.

Excellent attenuation and comfort for long tracking sessions

Price: $359
Driver: 45 mm
Impedance: 48 Ohms
Frequency Reponse: 5 - 40,000 Hz
Design: Over-ear
Cable: Detachable

Features:

• Exceptional sound quality
• Fast, detailed transients
• High degree of comfort
• Excellent noise attenuation
• Solid construction

When you're tracking in the studio, it's important to have as much sound isolation as possible so you can hear the optimal mix. The Beyerdynamic DT700 PRO Xs are the best studio headphones for recording, with incredible noise attenuation and a high level of comfort that help take the frustration out of long tracking sessions. They are also great for mixing, listening, and gaming in loud environments and are built to last with detachable cables and solid construction. If you're looking for the best recording studio headphones, this is them.

Articulate soundstage that compliments Neumann monitors

Price: $929
Driver: 38 mm
Impedance: 120 Ohms
Frequency Reponse: 12 - 34,000 Hz
Design: Over-ear
Cable: Detachable

Features:

• High spatial resolution
• Precise imaging
• Balanced response
• Deep bass
• Premium construction

If you need the best high-end studio headphones to support your music making process, the Neumann NDH30s have you covered. They sport an expansive, deep, and detailed sound based on (and designed to compliment) Neumann's acclaimed KH monitor series. Precise tools for binaural mixes, the NDH30s are perfect for checking headphone compatibility and mixing immersive content for VR and gaming. Use them with Neumann's MA 1 calibration software and you have a professional monitoring setup that travels with you.