Whether you’re recording or monitoring, at home or in a professional studio, a quality pair of studio headphones is always essential.
After testing a wide range of options throughout my career, I consider the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro to be the best studio headphones on the market today. They’re a solid all-around choice, suitable for a wide variety of applications.
But for those working on a tight budget, or just starting their production journey, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is the best way to go.
Contents
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Why you should trust me
I’ve been producing and engineering for over 15 years.
During that time, I’ve had hands-on experience with a wide array of monitoring setups – from high-end monitors and studio headphones to crappy earbuds and repurposed car speakers.
I know how to stretch a budget, and I know when a piece of gear doesn’t perform up to its asking price.
This experience, along with years of problem-solving in a variety of recording environments, has taught me what gear is worth your investment – and what isn’t.
How I chose and tested
When selecting which studio headphones to include on this list, there were several points I chose to keep tabs on. These points were primarily: frequency response, comfort, and whether or not the headphones lent themselves to professional or casual use – leaning towards professionalism.
At the end of the day, the criteria that makes a pair of headphones the best studio choice for you entirely depends on your own personal set of needs and preferences. So don’t feel pressured on making a decision unless you’re truly comfortable with the outcome.
Here’s my pick of the best studio headphones for music production in 2025:
- Best overall: Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro
- Best for tracking: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
- Best under $200: AKG K371
- Best budget: Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- Best for mixing: Shure SRH1840
- Best high-end: Sennheiser HD 800 S
Check the Honorable mentions for a couple more options that didn’t quite make my top list, but are still worth your consideration.
Best overall: Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro
- Design: Over-ear, open-back
- Frequency response: 5 Hz – 35 kHz
- Impedance: 250 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″adapter
The DT 880 Pro are one of the most popular studio headphones for a lot of reasons: they’re comfortable, they sound great, and they’re super durable.
These headphones have a frequency response of 5 Hz – 35 kHz, which is amazing. Overall, the curve is nominally flat, except for a slight peak around 7-10 kHz.
This won’t be such an issue for most, unless you’re a fan of trap music with loud hi-hats and claps. Even still, it’s much easier to work with something that’s over exaggerated rather than under.
Given the high impedance and sensitivity of these headphones, you will need an amp to get the most out of them. Also, since these are open-back headphones, you can forget about wearing them on your commute.
The DT 880 Pro headphones are meant to sit in the studio with your mixing desk and monitors.
Read my full Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro review for more details.
What I like
- Great for studio use.
- Good to help identify imperfections.
- Very comfortable.
- Super durable.
What I don’t like
- Might sound too clinical to some.
Best for tracking: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
- Design: Over-ear, closed-back
- Frequency response: 5 Hz – 35 kHz
- Impedance: 80, 250 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
While the DT 770 Pro are less expensive than the DT 880 Pro, they are still an incredibly high-quality option to consider. In terms of comfortability and performance, you really can’t go wrong here.
They’re closed-back headphones, perfect for tracking or monitoring applications. They also have a phenomenally detailed midrange, with some slight exaggerations in the high end (something of a signature attribute when it comes to Beyerdynamic). They also have great low end.
While each model has a frequency response of 5 Hz – 35 kHz, I recommend going for the 80-ohm model if anything. Although the higher the impedance, the more you’ll be able to get out of your headphones’ performance without potentially damaging them.
Read my full Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro review for more details.
What I like
- Highly accurate midrange.
- Perfect for monitoring.
- Comfortable and durable.
- Affordable.
What I don’t like
- Not as accurate as some higher-end options.
Best under $200: AKG K371
- Design: Over-ear, closed-back
- Frequency response: 5 Hz – 40 kHz
- Impedance: 32 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
As far as closed-back headphones are concerned, the K371 are probably the best studio headphones you buy under $200 as a primary pair. They’re not the most comfortable option available, but for a budget pair this isn’t much of an issue.
They have a frequency response of 5 Hz – 40 kHz, which is far wider than one would expect from a pair of headphones costing this much.
There is some exaggeration in the lows and highs, but the V-shaped curve is far less notable than you would find on some others.
Read my full AKG K371 review for more details.
What I like
- Wide and neutral frequency response.
- Quite comfortable.
- Affordable at under $200.
What I don’t like
- Slight exaggeration in low and high frequencies.
Best budget: Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- Design: Over-ear, closed-back
- Frequency response: 15 Hz – 24 kHz
- Impedance: 35 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
These Audio-Technica headphones are something of a staple in bedroom producer circles. They’re fashionable, comfortable, and are an especially great choice for EDM and hip-hop.
Although the ATH-M40x are one of the less expensive options at around $100, they still hold up well against most of the competition.
They’re highly portable due to their collapsible design and swiveling earcups. What’s even better is that they have detachable cords, greatly improving their longevity.
I should note that the sound signature here is fairly colored, making them a less viable option when it comes to mixing and mastering, but great for casual listening and tracking.
The ATH-M40x headphones have a frequency response of 15 Hz – 24 kHz, which is quite impressive for the price.
Read my full Audio-Technica ATH-M40x review for more details.
What I like
- Fairly flat frequency response.
- Comfortable.
- Affordable at around $100.
What I don’t like
- Fairly colored sound signature.
Best for mixing: Shure SRH1840
- Design: Over-ear, open-back
- Frequency response: 10 Hz – 30 kHz
- Impedance: 65 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
These are Shure’s highest-end studio headphones, and at just around $500, they’re surprisingly affordable for what they are. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and sound great.
Due to their open-back design, the low end is not as prominent as you might expect. However, they are extremely balanced and neutral – qualities that make them some of the best headphones you can get for mixing.
They have a frequency response of 10 Hz – 30 kHz, and are ideal for most kinds of music except for EDM or hip-hop where the extra bass response may be desired.
Read my full Shure SRH1840 review for more details.
What I like
- Neutral and transparent.
- Perfect for mixing and mastering.
- Lightweight and comfortable.
What I don’t like
- Not ideal for bass-heavy music.
Best high-end: Sennheiser HD 800 S
- Design: Over-ear, open-back
- Frequency response: 4 Hz – 51 kHz (-10 dB)
- Impedance: 300 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/4″, 4.4 mm plug
These are the crème de la crème when it comes to headphones, albeit divisive. The HD 800 S have a massive soundstage and an incredibly dynamic sound. For some, these headphones sound too analytical, but I personally favor that.
With a frequency response of 4 Hz – 51 kHz at the minus 10 dB points, and no hype whatsoever, these are perfect for mixing and mastering. The frequency response is more or less flat, peaking in the upper registers.
All in all, if you have the cash to spare and are looking for some of the best studio headphones around, go test these out for yourself. These will redefine your ideas of what high-quality means, as the HD 800 S are the top of the line.
What I like
- Massive soundstage.
- True reference headphones.
- Comfortable.
What I don’t like
- Quite bulky.
Honorable mentions
- Sennheiser HD 600. A great choice for nearly any music producer, they have a wide frequency response of 12 Hz – 39 kHz and are fairly neutral across the frequency spectrum. The one potential flaw in these headphones is an overhyped high end and a slight lack in the lowest of lows. However, the accuracy of their performance can easily outride these small issues.
- Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro. These headphones are incredibly detailed and balanced across the entire spectrum. They have an extremely wide frequency response of 5 Hz – 40 kHz, and have a nominally flat curve. While these might not be the most affordable of the bunch, they’re definitely worth the expense.
Conclusion
There you have it, my 2025 list of the best studio headphones to buy for music production. I hope you came out at the end of this article with a bit of information in your skull.
What really constitutes the best set of studio cans is merely personal preference. Some people like the $15 Sony in-ears, and others like the $3000 Sennheisers – pick your poison.
