Best Studio Headphones 2026
Top-rated studio headphones 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.4/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Steven Slate Audio VSX Essentials Edition
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
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa
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
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Audeze LCD-XC Leather Free
by
Audeze
Critical Listening
Professional Audio
Music Production
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✓ PROS
- • Excellent build quality and durability
- • Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✗ CONS
- • Professional models can be expensive
- • Not optimized for casual entertainment
Audeze LCD-XC Leather FreeHeadphonesNew headbandClosed-back designCircumauralArtificial leather ear pads106 mm...
⭐
4.8/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 530230
$1,594
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Steven Slate Audio VSX Platinum Edition
Music Production
Critical Listening
Recording Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Wide frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Comfortable for extended studio sessions
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
- • Not optimized for casual entertainment
- • Professional models can be expensive
Steven Slate Audio VSX Platinum EditionModelling Headphone SetCombination of specially developed headphones and...
⭐
4.8/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 578617
$637
#6
⭐
4.4/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Austrian Audio Hi-X60
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
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Audeze LCD-X
by
Audeze
Critical Listening
Recording Monitoring
Audio Mixing
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✓ PROS
- • Wide frequency response
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
- • Utilitarian appearance
- • Not optimized for casual entertainment
Audeze LCD-XHeadphonesModel 2021Improved headbandOpenCircumauralLeather ear pads106 mm driverNeodymium...
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 444908
$1,368
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#9
⭐
4.7/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
OLLO Audio X1 1.0 2024
by
OLLO Audio
Recording Monitoring
Critical Listening
Music Production
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✓ PROS
- • Comfortable for extended studio sessions
- • Excellent build quality and durability
✗ CONS
- • Utilitarian appearance
- • Not optimized for casual entertainment
OLLO Audio X1 1.0 2024Studio HeadphonesCircumauralOpen-back designDynamicFrequency range: 5 - 22.000 HzImpedance: 32...
⭐
4.7/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 607541
$593
#10
⭐
4.8/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Austrian Audio Hi-X65
Professional Audio
Audio Mixing
Recording Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Wide frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Industry standard reference tools
- • Excellent build quality and durability
✗ CONS
- • Not optimized for casual entertainment
- • May sound less exciting than consumer models
Austrian Audio Hi-X65Studio HeadphonesOpen backCircumauralMetal hinges and headband for maximum durabilityFoldable for...
⭐
4.8/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 519312
$351
#11
⭐
4.4/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Fostex T60RPmk2 Headphone
by
Fostex
Audio Mixing
Music Production
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Industry standard reference tools
✓ PROS
- • Excellent build quality and durability
- • Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✗ CONS
- • May require headphone amplifier
- • Utilitarian appearance
Fostex T60RPmk2 HeadphoneHeadphonesHalf-open back deisgnCircumauralOrthodynamicFrequency range: 10 - 40000 HzImepdance:...
⭐
4.4/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 618616
$705
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sennheiser HD-490 PRO Plus
by
Sennheiser
Audio Mixing
Recording Monitoring
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Industry standard reference tools
✓ PROS
- • Wide frequency response
- • Industry standard reference tools
✗ CONS
- • Professional models can be expensive
- • Utilitarian appearance
Sennheiser HD-490 PRO PlusStudio HeadphonesWired headphonesCircumauralOpenDynamicFrequency range: 5 - 36100...
⭐
4.9/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 579086
$468
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Audeze LCD-S20
by
Audeze
Audio Mixing
Recording Monitoring
Music Production
Key Feature:
• Industry standard reference tools
✓ PROS
- • Industry standard reference tools
- • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
- • May require headphone amplifier
- • Professional models can be expensive
Audeze LCD-S20HeadphonesWired headphonesOver-earClosed-backElectrostaticFrequency response: 10 - 40.000 HzImepdance: 18...
⭐
4.7/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 616224
$681
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
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
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.
