Headphones are a discrete and affordable solution for working on the go, and they’re essential for monitoring while tracking. We’ve selected some of the best budget headphones for music production, and we’ll discuss some features to help you choose the right pair of cans.
Key Facts about Budget Headphones:
- Budget headphones can be very useful tools with sufficient detail for music production and editing, as well as isolation for tracking, allowing you to get to work without spending loads of money.
- When it comes to tracking vocals and instruments, closed-back headphone designs are preferable as they offer passive isolation, which decreases the amount of headphone bleed that the microphone picks up.
- The impedance rating, measured in ohms, determines how compatible a set of headphones is with different devices. Lower impedance (ratings below 50Ω) headphones generally perform well on consumer and professional audio devices, while higher impedance headphones could require a preamp.
- The accuracy of the response is more important than the specified range, so ensure that you check the response curve of the set of headphones you’re planning on buying. Having a 5 Hz – 40 kHz range doesn’t relate to the accuracy of the audio reproduction.
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Choosing the Best Budget Headphones
Headphones are built with different designs, so it’s important to know some of the basic terminology to ensure you pick the right type for your specific purpose:
- Closed-back designs offer the best isolation, which means less spill (better for discrete monitoring)
- Open-back designs can produce a more neutral sound and offer reduced ear fatigue (better for mixing)
- High impedance (150-250 Ohms and higher) headphones prefer devices with integrated preamplifiers
- Low impedance (anything below 80 Ohms) should perform well even with consumer devices.
Budget Headphones: Behringer BH20
When you need to stock up on a few pairs of headphones for your rehearsal space, or you simply want an affordable, dedicated pair for your vocal booth, the Behringer BH20 uses a closed-back design, which offers excellent isolation for monitoring while tracking. With the 40mm neodymium drivers, the BH20 produces a 10 Hz to 26 kHz frequency range and a maximum SPL of 99 dB.
Constructed with a familiar shape and a frame that weighs just 260 g in total, the BH20 headphones are equipped with soft ear cushions, providing comfort for extended listening periods. Meanwhile, the BH20 has an impedance rating of 32 ohms, making it suitable for use with a wide range of professional and consumer audio devices.
Included with the BH20 headphones is a 3-meter cable, which gives you some wiggle room, and a minijack adapter for connecting to TRS headphone sockets. In addition, there is a useful carry bag that protects your headphones when they’re not in use and makes for easy transportation.
Budget Headphones: Sony MDR-7506
The MDR-7506 has been the industry standard in film, TV, broadcast, and music studios for decades in the US and many other countries too. They’re comfortable, well-built, and offer decent isolation.
In addition, they reach low enough to deal with the frequency range found in today’s more sub-heavy music styles. So whether you use them for recording or mixing, the 7506 will prove equal to the task.
One weak point, however, is that the coating on the earpads tends to flake off after years of frequent use. So to avoid this, you can replace the pads with more durable ones from Dekoni.*
Budget Headphones: Audio-Technica M-Series
The Audio-Technica M-Series is one of the most popular closed-back headphone ranges, with affordable options loved by DJs, producers, podcasters, recording enthusiasts, and music lovers. While the ATH-M20x provides an ultra-accessible option for basic home recording, with a mid-forward sonic profile, the ATH-M30x offers improved detail for field recording applications.
In addition, these two more affordable options have a fixed 3-meter straight cable, while the M40x and M50x include multiple detachable cables in straight and coiled variants. Across the range, the impedance ratings are all below 50 ohms, so you can run any of the M-Series headphones on consumer or professional audio devices and expect optimal performance.
The ATH-M40x is the most neutral option in the range, which will deliver the best results for mixing. Meanwhile, if you prefer a slightly hyped low-end and high-frequency range, the ATH-M50x is the best choice, which is why it’s often preferred for DJing and beat production. The M50x also has a slightly larger driver (45 mm) to allow increased power.
Budget Headphones: Sennheiser HD PRO Series
One of the most popular choices for musicians, producers, and engineers, the Sennheiser HD PRO series has models specifically designed for different stages of the music production process. The most affordable closed-back options in the range are the HD 280 PRO with its excellent isolation, and the slightly more comfortable and detailed HD 300 PRO.
With 32 dB of passive noise attenuation, the HD 280 PRO is an ideal choice for vocal tracking, podcasting, and use in chaotic live environments. Its sonic profile is analytical, with a focused midrange, but some users do complain that the frame clamps down a little hard on your ears, which is especially noticeable during longer sessions.
For improved comfort, the HD 300 PRO is the next step up in the range, designed with softer earpads and a more forgiving headband. The 300 also offers more clarity and detail, particularly in the treble range, while the midrange is more linear than the 280, making it a better choice for mixing.
Budget Headphones: AKG K240 MKII
The classic K240 has been part of the furniture in studios since its introduction in 1975. The comfortable semi-open design makes them a great choice for mixing and editing at home or while traveling.
As a package, the K240 MKII ships with both coiled and straight cables, plus an additional set of velour earpads for additional comfort during extended hours in use.
The detail and relative neutrality you get from these headphones are the reason many producers and engineers swear by them – a great value set of cans.
Budget Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT PRO Series
Believe it or not, the first beyerdynamic headphone design was commercially launched in 1937, so it’s safe to say that this manufacturer knows a thing or two about headphones. In the more affordable end of the DT PRO Series headphone range, there is a clear distinction between closed-back designs for tracking and open-back designs for mixing.
Also, many of the models in the range are available in variants with different impedance ratings, so you can get the best option for your setup and application. The most popular choice is, of course, the DT-770 PRO with its excellent isolation, making it the ideal choice for home recording. However, the DT-770 PRO does not have the most neutral sound profile for mixing.
For this purpose, we recommend the DT-990 PRO, which offers a similar build quality and comfort level, but an open-back design with a wider soundstage and a more analytical overall profile. Throughout the range, one thing you can’t fault beyerdynamic on is the construction quality and availability of replacement parts, so they will certainly last.
Budget Headphones: Adam Audio H200
The H200 is a closed-back headphone design that draws from Adam Audio’s extensive expertise in loudspeaker manufacturing. Constructed using soft acoustic earcups, the H200 offers a balance of comfort, pristine audio quality, and excellent isolation for recording. With its 40 mm PEEK Performance drivers, the H200 has a frequency response of 2 Hz -23.5 kHz and a maximum SPL of 112.5 dB.
The H200 is versatile and suitable for tracking as well as mixing, with an impedance rating of 32 ohms that allows optimal performance on a wide range of consumer and pro audio gear. In addition, the H200 has an accompanying plugin that calibrates the main output of your DAW to ensure your mixes translate across all available playback systems.
Along with the headphones, you also get a detachable 3-meter cable and stereo minijack adapter, plus a carrying bag for easy transportation. Overall, the H200 is a worthy addition to the budget end of the headphones market, ideal for the modern music producer or recording artist.
Budget Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
The Audio-Technica ATH-R50x presents a different sonic image with its open-back design, producing a lively, open sound which is perfect for mixing. Built with comfortable velour ear cushions, the ATH-R50x promises the luxury of an audiophile headphone design at a price more musicians and home studio users can afford.
With the 45 mm high-efficiency drivers, the ATH-R50x offers a frequency range of 5 to 40,000 Hz with a sensitivity rating of 93.3 dB/mW. Although slightly larger than some studio headphones, the ATH-R50x weighs just 207g, so they certainly won’t stop you bobbing up and down while making beats or mixing.
The 50-ohm impedance rating makes them compatible with a wide range of audio devices, so you can use them with synths, drum machines, and grooveboxes in your studio. Along with the headphones, you also get short 1.2-meter and long 3-meter detachable cables, as well as a minijack adapter and carry bag.
Budget Headphones: Kali Audio HP-1
Besides the popular offerings in the budget studio monitor market, Kali Audio has been busy with some intriguing developments, including its first pair of headphones, the Highland Park HP-1. Rather than creating the HP-1 exclusively for studio users, Kali Audio decided to include some of the features we love from lifestyle headphones.
The HP-1 can function as a traditional wired pair of headphones or as Bluetooth ANC headphones with up to 40 hours of battery time. With a closed-back design, the 40 mm drivers deliver a frequency range of 18 Hz – 22 kHz, and the onboard DSP system allows you to choose between three different voicings, including Studio, Consumer, and Bass Heavy.
Overall, the HP-1 is built for comfort, with a vegan leather headband and ear cups, and it weighs only 150g. Also included is a cable for charging via USB-C, a stereo minijack cable, and a protective carry case to keep your headphones safe and dust-free when you’re not using them in your studio.
FAQ
- Are budget headphones good for music production?
Yes. Many of the more affordable sets of studio headphones provide adequate sound clarity for music production, recording, and editing.
- What are the best budget headphones for recording?
Closed-back headphone designs are usually better for recording because they naturally reduce the amount of sound leaked into the mic, while providing monitoring at the same time.
- Are expensive headphones better for mixing?
Not always. While premium headphones are generally well-built and comfortable with a refined sonic profile, their accuracy and translation are dependent on the frequency response curve and how familiar you are with it,
- What impedance should budget studio headphones have?
Headphones with an impedance rating below 80 ohms should perform well whether plugged into your audio interface or running directly from your laptop’s headphone port, while those with a higher impedance rating may need a preamplifier.
- Can you mix music on budget headphones?
Yes. Plenty of commercially successful songs have been mixed on budget headphones like the SONY MDR-7506, for example. However, it’s always worthwhile to check your mixes on different playback systems.
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