If you walk into a home studio and see a music producer at work, they’ll probably be wearing headphones. But why not just listen to the audio straight out of speakers? Well, using headphones:
- ensures consistent monitoring despite room acoustics and speaker placement.
- provides isolation for focused recording and mixing.
- allows for late-night or private sessions without disturbing others.
- is indispensable for achieving professional-quality recordings and mixes.
When selecting the best headphones for a home studio, there are a few factors to consider:
Accuracy and Transparency of the Headphones
Look for headphones that offer a flat frequency response, meaning they reproduce audio as accurately as possible without emphasising or attenuating specific frequency ranges. This allows you to hear your recordings and mixes with greater precision.
Closed-Back or Open-Back Design
Closed-back headphones provide isolation from external noise and prevent sound leakage, making them suitable for tracking, recording and situations where you don’t want to disturb others. Open-back headphones have a more spacious and natural sound but allow sound leakage and do not isolate external noise as well. They are better suited for critical listening and mixing in quieter environments.
Studio Headphone Comfort
Since you’ll be wearing studio headphones for extended periods, comfort is important. Look for lightweight (yet sturdy) headphones with adjustable headbands and well-padded ear cups. Comfort varies from person to person, so try them on before you buy, if possible, to ensure a good fit.
Durable Studio Headphones
Consider the build quality and durability of the headphones. Choose headphones that can withstand regular use and are made from sturdy materials. Detachable cables are also beneficial for easy replacement if they become damaged.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Check the impedance and sensitivity specifications of the headphones. Higher impedance headphones may require more power to drive them properly, so ensure your audio interface or headphone amplifier can handle the impedance. Sensitivity determines how loud the headphones can get with a given input level.
Reference Listening and Mixing
If you plan to use the headphones for mixing, it’s essential to familiarise yourself with their sound characteristics. This helps you develop a reference point and understand how your mixes sound through other playback systems (e.g. speakers).
Some popular headphone options for home studios include the
- Sennheiser HD 600/650
- Beyerdynamic DT 880/990
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Sony MDR-7506
- AKG K701/K702.
Make sure you try out different models and find the ones that provide accurate and reliable sound reproduction. Tech stores such as JBHIFI usually have headphones you can test in-store.