Studio headphones are one of the most important tools for musicians and any audio professionals. However, we understand that as an up-and-coming musician, you cannot break the bank for a pair of headphones. That is why we scoured the market for the best budget studio headphones that can deliver an accurate and detailed sound reproduction without eating through your whole paycheck.
Buying guide for the best budget studio headphones
Before buying the best budget studio headphones, there are a few things you need to consider. In most cases, we must forgo durability because that is the one aspect manufacturers sacrifice when making affordable devices. Here are the features which will help you decide which pair will be the best cheap studio headphone for you.
Sound Quality
First and foremost, since studio headphones are used to produce music, they need to be able to reproduce sounds as accurately as possible. Most headphones that we use to listen to music emphasize some frequencies while de-emphasizing others to produce a pleasant listening experience. So check the frequency response range as you pick your studio headphones. The best budget mixing headphones should produce a natural sound without any added coloration.
Impedance
When it comes to studio headphones, whether budget or premium, impedance is as important as the frequency range, if not more. Generally, a higher impedance level is better for producing more accurate sound. However, you need more power to get the most out of higher impedance, hence, an amplifier. Usually, with headphones featuring 50 ohms or more, you should have an amplifier to utilize their maximum output.
Note that you can still use higher-impedance headphones without an amplifier, and they’ll work just fine. But, you won’t get the performance according to the headphones’ potential. So consider your requirements and the availability of an amplifier when picking your budget mixing and mastering headphones.
Form Factor
For a studio setting, controlling both external noise and sound leakage is crucial. That’s where headphone design comes in. To get a more natural and clear sound for mixing and mastering audio, going with open-back headphones is safe. But ensure you have a noise-free environment to utilize open-back headphones since they don’t do well in canceling external noise or preventing sound leakage.
On the other hand, closed-back headphones are perfect for canceling noise and allow little to no sound leakage. They might not be as natural-sounding as their counterpart, but they’re good for recording audio, providing sound isolation as support. So when searching for the best affordable studio headphones, consider the headphone design and your requirements accordingly.
Comfort
Last but not least, the headphones need to be comfortable to wear. Usually, professionals wear studio headphones for extended periods of time when mixing music. As a result, the headphones need to be well-padded so you can wear them for the whole studio session without much discomfort.
Best budget studio headphones | Top 7 picks
The best budget studio headphones are ideal for music production and will allow you to get your work done in the studio without any problems. We have listed some of the best cheap mixing headphones on the market that have all the qualities that a pair of studio headphones should have. We have ranked these headphones based on personal experience and user reviews.
List of the best budget studio headphones in 2023
- Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50X
- Sennheiser HD 599
- Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
- Sony MDR7506
- Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
- AKG K240
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
Impedance: 250 ohms
Frequency response: 5 Hz to 35 kHz
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro is among the most popular over-ear headphones on the market that is famous for its exceptional sound reproduction and comfort. For these two main features, these headphones have earned a strong reputation among music enthusiasts, audiophiles, and studio professionals.
Its excellent sound reproduction ensures that you get accurate audio so you can mix better in the studio. The open-back design of the headphones provides a more spacious and natural soundstage, which ensures you get an immersive and enjoyable listening experience. However, the open-back design also allows some sound leakage.
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro gets a lot of appraisals for how comfortable it is to wear. It is perfect for long listening sessions as well as extended studio use. They have a well-padded headband as well as well-padded earbuds. Lastly, their lightweight build also makes them perfect for extended sessions.
Pros
- Analytical sound reproduction
- Excellent soundstage
- Comfortable design
- Versatile usage options
- Replaceable ear pads
- Durable construction
Cons
- You need a powerful amplifier to utilize its high impedance
While the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro can produce a high impedance of up to 250 ohms, it needs a powerful amplifier to do so. Besides that, we think it is one of the best budget studio monitor headphones on the market because of how accurately it can reproduce sounds while remaining comfortable to wear.
Quantitative Measurements
- Sound Quality: 10/10
- Comfort: 10/10
- Design: 10/10
- Durability: 9/10
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X
Impedance: 38 ohms
Frequency response: 15 Hz to 28 kHz
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50X is another popular studio headphone that also got a lot of appraisals from everyone. Unlike the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro, which is an open-back headphone, this is a closed-back headphone. One of the biggest advantages of closed-back headphones is that they do not allow external sounds to ruin your listening experience.
One of the features we liked on these headphones is their rotating ear cups that allow you to listen and monitor the audio with a single ear. So, if you produce music where both of the earbuds produce different sounds, these are the perfect mixing and mastering headphones for you. For example, if you have two guitarists in your band, you can use these headphones to mix their sounds.
After testing out the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X for ourselves, we have come to the conclusion that it is the best budget studio headphones for people who are looking to make the most out of their money. It has the best price-feature ratio among all the headphones we have tested so far.
Pros
- Well-balanced sound
- Wide soundstage
- Comfortable to wear
- Comes with three detachable cables
- Durable build
Cons
- Can be a bit heavy for some people
While the heavier weight of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X might not be ideal for everyone, it is because these are more durable than other inexpensive studio headphones on the market. However, the extra weight does not become a hindrance in long studio sessions because of the comfortable padded build.
Quantitative Measurements
- Sound Quality: 10/10
- Comfort: 8/10
- Design: 8/10
- Durability: 10/10
Sennheiser HD 599
Impedance: 50 ohms
Frequency response: 12 Hz to 38.5 kHz
The Sennheiser HD 599 surprised us with its features that provide great value for your money. It has an impressive sound quality and is comfortable at the same time. Additionally, we loved its open-back design that allows air to pass through, keeping your head cool in long listening sessions. Furthermore, it also provides a spacious soundstage.
The design of these headphones also caught our eye. They feature a sleek and minimalistic design combined with modern and lightweight construction. They have well-padded velour ear cups, which provide a plush and comfortable fit. Overall, they have one of the best build qualities among the cheapest studio headphones.
The Sennheiser HD 599 is also one of the most versatile budget studio headphones out there. It comes with a detachable connector that you can remove when storing the headphones. It has a standard 3.5mm connector and also includes a 6.35mm adapter to connect with professional audio equipment.
Pros
- Natural sound signature
- Comfortable padding
- Stylish design
- Versatile audio applications
- Comes with a detachable connector
- Includes a 6.35mm adapter
Cons
- Not ideal for noisy studios
Since the Sennheiser HD 599 has an open-back design, it tends to let sound from other sources inside when you are listening to a recording. So, it is not ideal for you if you are in a shared studio where other people are working on their projects as well. However, if you have your own personal workspace, then these are some of the best budget studio headphones on the market.
Quantitative Measurements
- Sound Quality: 10/10
- Comfort: 9/10
- Design: 7/10
- Durability: 9/10
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
Impedance: 32 ohms
Frequency response: 5 Hz to 35 kHz
Even though we reviewed the version with 32 ohms of impedance, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro comes in various levels of impedance. However, remember that a pair of headphones with a high impedance level will require powerful amplifiers for optimal performance. Headphones with lower impedance levels are perfect for portable devices.
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro has a closed-back design that is praised for its high level of comfort, even with extended use. This is because closed-back headphones are usually not as comfortable to wear as open-back ones. It ensures that no noise can enter from outside when you are mixing audio. Additionally, it prevents audio leakages as well.
Pros
- Available in different impedance levels
- Detailed sound signature
- Effective noise isolation
- Prevents audio leakages
Cons
- Weak headband
Even though the earpads on these headphones are durable, the headband was not that sturdy. However, if you do not throw them around a lot, this will not be an issue. Overall, if you want a pair of headphones that excels in sound isolation and comfort, these are the best budget studio headphones for you.
Quantitative Measurements
- Sound Quality: 10/10
- Comfort: 10/10
- Design: 7/10
- Durability: 7/10
Sony MDR7506
Impedance: 63 ohms
Frequency response: 10 Hz to 20 kHz
The Sony MDR7506 is the best studio headphone under 100 among the ones we tested. It has been a staple for up-and-coming musicians in the audio industry for many years. It is known for its neutral and accurate sound reproduction. However, as always, we could not rely on word of mouth and had to test them out for ourselves.
While we loved the sound reproduction of these headphones, we thought that they were a little light on the bass. Except this, they provided accurate audio in mid-range and higher frequencies that were on par with some of the more expensive studio headphones on the market. Lastly, we also loved the noise isolation provided by its closed-back design.
Pros
- Neutral sound signature
- Comfortable plush padding
- Decent noise isolation
- Includes a 6.35mm adapter
Cons
- Can be a little bass-light
We loved the fact that Sony included a 6.35mm adapter with the standard 3.5mm mini-jack connector of the headphones. As a result, you can use these headphones for gaming, movies, and mixing as well. Overall, the features that these headphones bring in their price point make them some of the best budget studio headphones on the market.
Quantitative Measurements
- Sound Quality: 8/10
- Comfort: 9/10
- Design: 7/10
- Durability: 8/10
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
Impedance: 64 ohms
Frequency response: 8 Hz to 25 kHz
The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is an affordable pair of headphones that excels at sound isolation. However, it has a frequency response of up to 25 kHz, while most budget headphones have up to 35 kHz. As a result, it is not able to produce the most detailed sound. But it can still provide a natural sound reproduction that will allow you to mix music effectively.
While they might not be ideal for gaming or movies, we still think they are the best cheap headphones for music production on the market. Besides providing a natural sound reproduction, they provide an adjustable fit as well. So, you can wear these headphones comfortably for long mixing sessions with ease.
Pros
- Excellent sound isolation
- Good value for money
- Natural sound reproduction
- Adjustable headbands
Cons
- Does not produce the most detailed sound
In conclusion, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is a well-regarded closed-back headphone famous for its natural sound reproduction. If you are an up-and-coming record producer who is just tipping their toes in the water, these are the best budget studio headphones for you. However, if you require a higher frequency range, you can go for the Sony MDR7506.
Quantitative Measurements
- Sound Quality: 8/10
- Comfort: 8/10
- Design: 8/10
- Durability: 8/10
AKG K240
Impedance: 55 ohms
Frequency response: 15 Hz to 25 kHz
The AKG K240 is the most affordable studio headphones on our list. However, it is by no means worse than any of the other options we have listed. We have introduced it last on our list because it fits a specific group of music producers who already have an amplifier in the studio and just need a pair of studio headphones to start working on their project.
The AKG K240 is a pair of semi-open studio headphones. As a result, it gets the best of both worlds. The soundstage of these headphones is very good, so you can easily place specific instruments in the mix when producing music. Lastly, they have a comfortable design, so you can wear them for extended periods with ease.
Pros
- Accurate sound reproduction
- Good soundstage
- Comfortable design
- Affordable
Cons
- Needs a good-quality amplifier
While this is one of the best budget studio headphones on the market, we ranked it last because it needs a decent amplifier to sound its best. As a result, it drives up the cost. However, if you already have a decent amplifier in your studio and just need a budget studio headphone to pair with it, go for these.
Quantitative Measurements
- Sound Quality: 8/10
- Comfort: 9/10
- Design: 7/10
- Durability: 7/10
Final verdict
Studio headphones are a must-have for any audio professional and music producer because they help you hear every detail in your sound. However, we understand that studio equipment is very expensive and inaccessible to people who are just starting out, which is why budget studio headphones were made. If you liked our list of the best budget studio headphones, here are our choices of the best headphones for small ears and audiophile headphones for gaming.
