AudioFu

Best Studio Headphones 2025

Top-rated studio headphones 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: October 29, 2025 • Next update: November 5, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $50 Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $2,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Music Production For Audio Mixing For Recording Monitoring For Critical Listening For Professional Audio
BRANDS: beyerdynamic Superlux AKG Fostex Behringer Audio-Technica Audeze OneOdio Austrian Audio Sennheiser
Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa

by Audio-Technica
Audio Mixing Professional Audio Recording Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Industry standard reference tools
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent build quality and durability
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
  • • May sound less exciting than consumer models
  • • Utilitarian appearance

Audio-Technica ATH-R70xaStudio HeadphonesCircumauralOpen back deisgnFrequency range: 5 - 40.000 HzImpedance: 470...

⭐ 4.9/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 606036
$384
Buy at Thomann View Details
Audeze MM-100 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Audeze MM-100

by Audeze
Audio Mixing Music Production Recording Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✓ PROS
  • • Industry standard reference tools
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
  • • May require headphone amplifier
  • • Not optimized for casual entertainment

Audeze MM-100Studio HeadphonesCircumauralOpenMagnetostaticFrequency range: 20 Hz - 25000 HzImpedance: 18 ohmMax. sound...

⭐ 4.4/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 565054
$512
Buy at Thomann View Details
Focal Lensys Professional - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Focal Lensys Professional

by Focal
Music Production Audio Mixing Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Excellent build quality and durability
✓ PROS
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
  • • Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✗ CONS
  • • Utilitarian appearance
  • • Professional models can be expensive

Focal Lensys ProfessionalStudio HeadphonesWiredCircumauralClosed designDynamicFrequency range: 5 - 22000 HzImpedance:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 602170
$769
Buy at Thomann View Details
Neumann NDH 30 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Neumann NDH 30

by Neumann
Critical Listening Music Production Professional Audio
Key Feature:
• Wide frequency response
✓ PROS
  • • Wide frequency response
  • • Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✗ CONS
  • • May require headphone amplifier
  • • Utilitarian appearance

Neumann NDH 30Studio HeadphonesWiredCircumauralOpenDynamicFrequency range: 12 - 34000 HzImpedance: 120 OhmSound...

⭐ 4.6/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 542742
$600
Buy at Thomann View Details
Audeze LCD-XC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Audeze LCD-XC

by Audeze
Recording Monitoring Audio Mixing Music Production
Key Feature:
• Industry standard reference tools
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent build quality and durability
  • • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
  • • Professional models can be expensive
  • • May require headphone amplifier

Audeze LCD-XCHeadphones2021 Model with new headbandClosed-back designCircumauralGenuine leather ear pads106 mm...

⭐ 4.8/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 444911
$1,594
Buy at Thomann View Details
Shure SRH1540 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Shure SRH1540

by Shure
Audio Mixing Music Production Recording Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Excellent build quality and durability
✓ PROS
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
  • • Excellent build quality and durability
✗ CONS
  • • May sound less exciting than consumer models
  • • Not optimized for casual entertainment

Shure SRH1540HeadphonesClosed-backCircumauralDynamic40 mm driver with neodymium magnetImpedance: 46 OhmSPL: 99 dBMax....

⭐ 4.8/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 328082
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sennheiser HD-26 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sennheiser HD-26

by Sennheiser
Critical Listening Music Production Audio Mixing
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✓ PROS
  • • Wide frequency response
  • • Excellent build quality and durability
✗ CONS
  • • May sound less exciting than consumer models
  • • Not optimized for casual entertainment

Sennheiser HD-26HeadphonesFor professional monitoring applications in the broadcast sector for radio and...

⭐ 4.9/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 604678
$325
Buy at Thomann View Details
Steven Slate Audio VSX Essentials Edition - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Steven Slate Audio VSX Essentials Edition

by Steven Slate Audio
Recording Monitoring Audio Mixing Music Production
Key Feature:
• Excellent build quality and durability
✓ PROS
  • • Industry standard reference tools
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
  • • Not optimized for casual entertainment
  • • May sound less exciting than consumer models

Steven Slate Audio VSX Essentials EditionHeadphones / Modeling Plug-In SetCombination of specially developed headphones...

⭐ 4.4/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 554538
$403
Buy at Thomann View Details
Austrian Audio Hi-X60 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Austrian Audio Hi-X60

by Austrian Audio
Professional Audio Critical Listening Audio Mixing
Key Feature:
• Wide frequency response
✓ PROS
  • • Wide frequency response
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
  • • May require headphone amplifier
  • • Utilitarian appearance

Austrian Audio Hi-X60Studio headphonesClosed-back designCircumauralMetal hinges and earpieces for maximum...

⭐ 4.4/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 532731
$351
Buy at Thomann View Details
beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII

by beyerdynamic
Professional Audio Music Production Recording Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Wide frequency response
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent build quality and durability
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
  • • Not optimized for casual entertainment
  • • May sound less exciting than consumer models

beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKIIStudio HeadphonesFor monitoringrecording and editingCircumauralOpen-back...

⭐ 4.6/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 601698
$593
Buy at Thomann View Details
beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro MKII - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro MKII

by beyerdynamic
Recording Monitoring Music Production Audio Mixing
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✓ PROS
  • • Wide frequency response
  • • Excellent build quality and durability
✗ CONS
  • • Professional models can be expensive
  • • May require headphone amplifier

beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro MKIIStudio HeadphonesFor monitoringrecording and editingCircumauralClosed-back...

⭐ 4.9/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 601697
$593
Buy at Thomann View Details
Audeze MM-500 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Audeze MM-500

by Audeze
Music Production Recording Monitoring Professional Audio
Key Feature:
• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✓ PROS
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
  • • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
  • • Not optimized for casual entertainment
  • • May sound less exciting than consumer models

Audeze MM-500Studio HeadphonesCircumauralOpen backMagnetostaticDriver size: 90 mmFrequency range: 5 Hz - 50...

⭐ 4.9/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 547065
$1,979
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fostex TH909 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Fostex TH909

by Fostex
Recording Monitoring Music Production Audio Mixing
Key Feature:
• Industry standard reference tools
✓ PROS
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
  • • Industry standard reference tools
✗ CONS
  • • Professional models can be expensive
  • • Not optimized for casual entertainment

Fostex TH909Premium stereo headphonesNeodymium magnet drive with 1.5 Tesla magnetic flux density for impressive...

⭐ 4.6/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 447611
$1,979
Buy at Thomann View Details
Neumann NDH 20 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Neumann NDH 20

by Neumann
Recording Monitoring Audio Mixing Professional Audio
Key Feature:
• Wide frequency response
✓ PROS
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
  • • Industry standard reference tools
✗ CONS
  • • Not optimized for casual entertainment
  • • May sound less exciting than consumer models

Neumann NDH 20Studio HeadphonesFrequency range: 5 Hz - 30 kHzDynamic 38 mm drivers with neodymium magnetsImpedance: 150...

⭐ 4.5/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 458103
$527
Buy at Thomann View Details
beyerdynamic DT-250/250 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

beyerdynamic DT-250/250

by beyerdynamic
Recording Monitoring Critical Listening Audio Mixing
Key Feature:
• Excellent build quality and durability
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent build quality and durability
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
  • • Professional models can be expensive
  • • Utilitarian appearance

beyerdynamic DT-250/250, Stereo HeadphonesDT 250 is a lightweight, closed-back dynamic headphone that is designed...

⭐ 4.6/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 180486
$263
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Studio Headphones

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced studio headphones typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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