Whether it’s for a different perspective on the mix, or for foldback on the studio floor the humble headphone is a mighty studio staple. With choices ever evolving, here we round up our current favourite cans in 2024 for any occasion…
1- Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO
While no pair of headphones can do everything perfectly, we kick off with some that might come close. On the studio floor, Beyer’s other classic DT series cans are a familiar sight, but the company offers a more refined closed-back headphone design in their well-established DT 770 PRO. Designed for use by engineers, these headphones are naturally at home in the control room thanks to their exacting design that strives for a much truer response than some other closed-back designs. In fact they’re so flat that it can take a while to work out that it’s your other headphones that have got it wrong… In concert with decent isolation and a nice long list of available spares, this headwear lives up to its Pro moniker with a number of impedances also available - these make for decent matching to the available output.
2 - Sennheiser HD650
While closed back cans excel on the studio floor, many engineers love the inherent accuracy of open back headphones. OK, these are a bit too leaky to record with, but if you’re making finer decisions in the mix or even on the master, Sennheiser’s open backed HD650 are supremely light to wear and boast acuity that goes much further in either direction than your own hearing, stretching from 12Hz to 41kHz. These headphones also boast extremely tight production tolerances (± 1 dB) and “handpicked” components too; if you’re in any environment where the cable is in for a hard life you can get replacement ones as well. Along with a supremely light feel on the head, the HD650’s stand a good chance of telling it like it is for a long time to come.
3 - Neumann NHD 20
If you thought that closed tracking headphones were bumpy, and that reference headphones were open backed and leaky, Neumann NHD 20’s might agree to differ. Following on from the company’s foray into moving the air with speakers as well as listening to it with mics, NHD 20 sees Neumann getting up-close and personal with their premium headphone offering. With an emphasis on quality, these ones claim an “astonishingly detailed, well-balanced sound image”, along with comfort for extended periods thanks to large memory foam ear pads. In a departure from other closed cans’ plastic construction, these headphones sport high quality metal construction, foldable design for easy transportation, and two detachable leads to satisfy anyone whether they are of the straight or curly persuasion. Check out our test of these here.
4 - HEDDphone TWO
Staying on the premium theme, this statement headgear doesn’t just look different; it is different. Many engineers will be aware of ribbon mics’ lightning transient response that can leave other electrodynamic drivers for dust. Reversing the proceedings, and putting the tech into some serious headphone monitoring, is HEDD’s folded ribbon Air Motion Transformer inside their HEDDphone TWO. This employs ultra-light materials such as carbon-fibre and magnesium, to achieve what HEDD claim to be a 25% reduction in weight. HEDD’s smart HEDDband system enables you to personalise height, width, curvature, and clamping pressure, to rival the comfort and luxury of a high-end recliner. Not that these are all about perceived luxury. Audio performance is quoted as being exemplary, thanks to exceptional frequency extension, superior transients, and what HEDD describe as an “accurate timbre [with a] natural and pleasing sound signature”.
If you’re looking for something else that is also a bit different to the rest, an honourable mention goes to Audeze’s astonishing LCD-X open-backed uber-cans that boast planar magnetic drivers and balanced signal input on mini-XLR.
5 - Sony MDR 7506
Moving between the studio floor and control room, Sony’s MDR 7506’s are designed to take on Beyer’s omnipresent tracking cans and anything else that wants a fight. Do they go loud? Check. Are they comfy? Check. Can you get all the bits for them? Check. These all-rounder headphones are also just that little bit more comfortable thanks to their light weight and earpieces that pivot on two axes - finally acknowledging that most musicians’ and engineers don’t have steel necks or cube-shaped heads… On the subject of flexibility, these ones also fold up in a way that also protects the cable entry if you’re forced to stuff them into a case or bag. When the pads eventually go flat or start to flake a bit, they just happen to fit Beyer’s felty DT 250 pads with a little persuasion. If you’re looking for all-round headphones, MDR 7506’s are ones to check out.
6 - Austrian Audio Hi-X65
The choice of mid-priced open-backed headgear expanded when Austrian Audio released their Hi-X65 model in 2021. Readers of the blog might know the company for their condenser mic tech, but their technology also stretches to moving air with magnets as well. For anyone looking for an alternative to the other teutonic headgear, Austrian Audio Hi-X65’s might not disappoint with high quality construction and an emphasis on accurate reproduction. Foldable, metal construction that features all metal hinges and bow for maximum durability claims maximum durability and stability, while on the audio side of things Hi-X65’s feature Austrian Audio’s High Excursion Driver Technology which claims high precision sound and “outstanding” low THD performance at low frequencies. Comfort and convenience are also on the bill thanks to soft slow retention memory foam earpads for extended sessions. Added to that, everyone’s favourite pro practicality booster is there as well: a detachable cable with “pro or on-the-go” shape-shifting adaptor for ¼ inch and ⅛ inch connections.
7 - Beyerdynamic DT 250
Everyone likes headphones that they can rely on, but Beyer’s classic DT 100’s might be the only ones you can actually stand on. OK, they might not like it, and even if they do eventually break you won’t be out of luck thanks to a parts list featuring new screws, drivers, pads, headbands, you name it. In fact, can you really be sure that the oldest surviving DT’s have any original bits left on them at all?
Following on from Beyer’s super-utilitarian classic, the DT 250 is a refined model that loses the Cold War-era looks and actually dares to sound on a level with many competing models that were designed for an easy life in the control room… The curly lead is of course replaceable for those times when the bass player finally manages to skewer the thing with a chair leg. At least you can get a straight one instead so you don’t have to deal with the tangles like the ones on your parents’ landline…
How About You?
What’s your favourite headgear for the studio? Maybe you have some studio floor favourites or perhaps your chosen cans really come into their own when it comes down to the mix or master. Whatever your tool of choice for personalised monitoring, let us know in the comments.