AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Studio Headphones for Beginner 2026
The top pick is Superlux HD-681 B ($25). Behringer HPM1100-BK gives you the most for the money at $10. PreSonus HD7 Professional On-Ear Monitoring Headphones leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 110 models across 31 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 2, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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These Superlux HD-681Bs are a phenomenal value for anyone on a tight budget needing a decent studio reference. The sound is surprisingly clear and balanced for the price, making them great for tracking, casual listening, and even some basic mixing. They're a sweet deal for budding producers or anyone needing a reliable, affordable pair of headphones.
Pros
- Surprisingly detailed sound for the price, revealing subtle nuances
- Comfortable clamping force for extended mixing sessions
- Semi-open design provides a more natural soundstage than closed-backs
Cons
- Plastic build feels somewhat flimsy, not ideal for rough handling
- Cable is prone to tangling, a braided option would be better
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Honestly, for $13, these are hard to beat. They offer a surprisingly accurate representation of your audio, making them perfect for beginner home recordists, podcasters, or anyone needing a reliable monitoring solution on a tight budget. Don't expect audiophile-grade sound, but for the price, the clarity and decent comfort are a real win.
Pros
- Surprisingly neutral frequency response for tracking and mixing.
- Comfortable clamping force – long sessions are manageable.
- Robust cable and metal headband offer decent durability.
Cons
- Plastic earcups feel cheap and lack premium isolation.
- Soundstage is narrow; not ideal for immersive listening.
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Honestly, for eleven bucks, you can’t really complain. These are great for budget-conscious podcasters, voiceover artists, or anyone needing a basic monitoring solution. Don't expect audiophile-grade performance, but they’re a solid starting point.
Pros
- Cobalt capsule delivers surprisingly clean, detailed audio reproduction
- Oxygen-free copper cable minimizes signal degradation and noise
- Robust, single-sided cable design reduces tangling and strain
Cons
- Build quality feels plasticky and lacks premium durability
- Soundstage is narrow, lacking a sense of spaciousness
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These Superlux HD-662 Evo's are an absolute steal for budget-conscious musicians and home recordists. They deliver a surprisingly clear and revealing soundstage for their price point, making them ideal for tracking and basic mixing – just be mindful of the slightly uneven bass. If you need a reliable, comfortable pair of headphones without emptying your wallet, these are a great starting point.
Pros
- Surprisingly detailed sound for the price, revealing subtle nuances
- Lightweight and comfortable for extended mixing sessions
- Detachable cables offer convenience and protect against damage
Cons
- Plastic build feels a bit flimsy, lacks premium robustness
- Bass response can be slightly uneven, requiring EQ adjustments
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These Superlux HD-660 Pros are a phenomenal value if you need a closed-back headphone for tracking, casual listening, or just want to experience a wider soundstage on a budget. They’re a great option for musicians needing isolation in the studio or anyone wanting a surprising amount of detail without a premium-priced investment – just be aware of the build quality limitations.
Pros
- Surprisingly detailed soundstage for the price; reveals nuances in recordings.
- Robust clamping force ensures a secure, comfortable fit during extended use.
- 150 Ohm impedance offers more headroom and control with higher-powered amps.
Cons
- Plastic build feels noticeably cheap, impacting long-term durability.
- Bass response can be slightly uneven, lacking tight low-end definition.
46AudioFu
Index↓ 8.3%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$40 · Aug 17$37 now$37€33 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
These Superlux HD-668 Bs are a remarkable value – seriously impressive detail for the money. They're perfect for budget-conscious producers, audio students, or anyone needing a neutral reference for critical listening. Just be aware they're not a bass-heavy experience, and the open design isn’t for silent environments.
Pros
- Excellent detail retrieval for the price point, revealing subtle nuances.
- Surprisingly wide soundstage for a closed-back design, creating a more immersive experience.
- Comfortable for extended listening sessions thanks to the self-adjusting headband.
Cons
- Build quality feels plasticky, especially around the headband adjustment.
- Semi-open design leaks sound, not ideal for quiet environments.
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These Superlux HD-669s are a surprisingly capable option for musicians needing a reliable stage monitor or budget-friendly studio headphone. They offer a decent frequency response and comfortable fit, making them ideal for drummers, keyboardists, or anyone needing to hear a clear mix onstage without external distractions. Just don’t expect audiophile-grade sound.
Pros
- Excellent value, delivering surprising clarity for the price.
- Neodymium drivers provide a tight, controlled bass response.
- Detachable cables offer convenience and potential for upgrades.
Cons
- Plastic build feels budget-oriented; longevity is a question.
- Soundstage is somewhat narrow, lacking spaciousness for critical mixing.
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Look, these are an unbelievable value for what you get. They’re perfect for beginners, podcasters, or anyone needing basic closed-back monitoring on a tight budget. Don't expect audiophile quality, but they’ll get the job done and won't break the bank.
Pros
- Surprisingly robust headband construction for the price point
- Decent bass response for basic monitoring tasks
- Comfortable enough for short tracking or mixing sessions
Cons
- Soundstage is noticeably narrow, lacking spatial detail
- Driver lacks refinement; muddy in complex mixes
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PreSonus HD7 Professional On-Ear Monitoring Headphones
HD7 · Presonus
26 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
The HD7s are a surprisingly capable pair of headphones for budget-conscious producers and casual listeners. They offer a relatively flat frequency response with a pleasing emphasis on bass that doesn't overwhelm. If you need a solid, reliable pair for tracking, mixing, or just enjoying music without spending a fortune, these are a solid choice.
Pros
- Surprisingly balanced sound for the price point
- Neodymium drivers deliver tight, controlled low-end response
- Comfortable circumaural design for extended listening sessions
Cons
- Plastic build feels a bit flimsy compared to higher-end options
- Half-open design leaks sound, not ideal for quiet environments
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These Superlux HD-330 Pros are a fantastic entry point into studio monitoring. They deliver a surprisingly clear and spacious sound for the price, making them perfect for bedroom producers, podcasters, or anyone needing a reliable, affordable reference pair. Just be aware of the build's limitations – they’re not built for heavy abuse.
Pros
- Surprisingly detailed sound for the price, revealing subtle nuances in mixes.
- 150 Ohm impedance provides a more controlled, less 'thin' sound than lower impedance models.
- Semi-open design offers a wider soundstage than fully closed headphones, enhancing imaging.
Cons
- Build quality, while decent, feels plasticky and lacks premium material refinement.
- The cable, though long, is prone to tangling and feels somewhat fragile.
All 110 studio headphones
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
the t.bone HD 515the t.bone31Stable$32€29$32€29Check ↗
- 12
the t.bone HD 815the t.bone31Stable$36€32$36€32Check ↗
- 13
Superlux HD-667Superlux37Stable$44€39$44€39Check ↗
- 14
OneOdio Pro 20 BlackOneOdio34Stable$44€39$44€39Check ↗
- 15
Superlux HD-990 150 OhmsSuperlux · 2 finishes42Stable$55€49$55€49Check ↗
- 16
Maono MH601 Studio Monitor HeadphoneMaono29Stable$39€35$39€35Check ↗
- 17
PreSonus HD9 Professional Closed-Back Over-Ear Monitoring HeadphonesHD9 · Presonus48Stable$64€57$64€57Check ↗
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OneOdio Pro 40 SilverOneOdio34Stable$50€45$50€45Check ↗
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OneOdio Pro 60OneOdio34Stable$55€49$55€49Check ↗
- 20
OneOdio Monitor 40OneOdio34Stable$55€49$55€49Check ↗
- 21
Superlux HD-665Superlux37Stable$61€55$61€55Check ↗
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Tascam TH-11Tascam29Stable$55€49$55€49Check ↗
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ESI eXtra 10ESI29Stable$58€52$58€52Check ↗
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Neumann NDH 20 Dynamic Studio Monitoring HeadphonesNDH 20 Black Edition · Neumann · 2 finishes65↓ 7.6%$546€489$546€489Check ↗
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AKG K240 Studio HeadphonesK-240 Studio · AKG · 2 finishes64Stable$76€68$76€68Check ↗
- 26
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 Ohm Open-Back Over-Ear Monitoring…DT-990 Pro 80 Ohms · beyerdynamic · 3 finishes64Stable$165€148$165€148Check ↗
- 27
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Studio Monitor HeadphonesATH-M40X · Audio-Technica62Stable$120€107$120€107Check ↗
- 28
Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Closed Back HeadphonesATH-M30X · Audio-Technica59Stable$88€79$88€79Check ↗
- 29
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x-WH Professional Studio Monitor HeadphonesATH-M50X · Audio-Technica · 2 finishes58Stable$166€149$166€149Check ↗
- 30
RODE NTH-100 Professional Over Ear HeadphonesNTH-100 W · Rode · 3 finishes57Stable$134€120$134€120Check ↗
- 31
AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ Modular HeadphonesTMA-2 Studio XE · AIAIAI · 5 finishes54Stable$166€149$166€149Check ↗
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Neumann NDH-30 Open Back Headphones - 120 OhmsNDH 30 Black Edition · Neumann · 2 finishes53Stable$669€599$669€599Check ↗
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Sony MDR-7506 Studio HeadphonesMDR-7506 · Sony50Stable$109€98$109€98Check ↗
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Avantone Pro MP-1 MixPhones Over-Ear HeadphonesMixphones MP-1 Black · Avantone · 2 finishes50↓ 6.7%$155€139$155€139Check ↗
- 35
Audio-Technica ATH-R70XA Open Back HeadphonesATH-R70xa · Audio-Technica50Stable$390€349$390€349Check ↗
- 36
beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 32 Ohmbeyerdynamic · 5 finishes49Stable$166€149$166€149Check ↗
- 37
Audeze MM-500 Open Back Planar Magnetic Headphones - 18 OhmsMM-500 · Audeze49↓ 5.3%$2,010€1,799$2,010€1,799Check ↗
- 38
AKG K 271 MKIIK-271 MKII · AKG48Stable$133€119$133€119Check ↗
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Focal Listen Professional Closed Back Headphones - 32 OhmsListen Professional · Focal47↓ 2.1%$213€191$213€191Check ↗
- 40
AKG K361 Closed Back Headphones - 32 OhmsK-361 · AKG46↑ 2.2%$105€94$105€94Check ↗
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Warm Audio WA-HRT HeadRoom TanWarm Audio44Stable$144€129$144€129Check ↗
- 42
Kali Audio HP-1Kali Audio44Stable$184€165$184€165Check ↗
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Beyerdynamic DT 250 Closed Back Headphones - 80 OhmsDT-250/250 · beyerdynamic · 2 finishes44Stable$267€239$267€239Check ↗
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RODE NTH-50 On Ear Headphones - 32 OhmsNTH-50 · Rode43Stable$103€92$103€92Check ↗
- 45
Audeze MM-100 Open Back Planar Magnetic Headphones - 18 OhmsMM-100 · Audeze43Stable$502€449$502€449Check ↗
- 46
Fostex T60RPmk2CLFostex43↓ 14.2%$609€545$609€545Check ↗
- 47
Austrian Audio Hi-X15 Professional HeadphonesHi-X15 · Austrian Audio42Stable$111€99$111€99Check ↗
- 48
AKG K371 BT Wireless Closed Back HeadphonesK-371 · AKG42Stable$166€149$166€149Check ↗
- 49
Fostex T60RPmk2 HeadphoneFostex42↓ 13.4%$609€545$609€545Check ↗
- 50
AKG K872 Master Reference Closed-Back Studio HeadphonesK-872 · AKG41Stable$1,450€1,298$1,450€1,298Check ↗
Studio Headphones by the numbers
Measured across all 142 models we track, not a sample.
Median $184 — half of all studio headphones here cost less.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 142 studio headphones from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
What should I look for when buying studio headphones?
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.
How much should I spend on studio headphones?
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.
Are expensive studio headphones worth the investment?
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.
What are the best brands for studio headphones?
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.
Should I buy studio headphones online or in-store?
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.
