Best Studio Headphones for Critical Listening 2025

Perfect studio headphones for critical-listening - easy to play and learn on

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

Steven Slate Audio VSX Platinum Edition - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Steven Slate Audio VSX Platinum Edition

by Steven Slate Audio

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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

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

beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

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

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Roland VMH-S100 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Roland VMH-S100

by Roland

Professional Audio Recording Monitoring Critical Listening

Key Feature:

• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction

✓ PROS

• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
• Industry standard reference tools

✗ CONS

• Professional models can be expensive
• Not optimized for casual entertainment

Roland VMH-S100HeadphonesSuitable for music productionCircumauralClosed-back designFrequency range: 5 - 40000...

⭐ 4.7/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 608564

$362

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sennheiser HD-26 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sennheiser HD-490 PRO Plus - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Audio-Technica ATH-M60xa - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Audio-Technica ATH-M60xa

by Audio-Technica

Recording Monitoring Critical Listening Professional Audio

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
• Professional models can be expensive

Audio-Technica ATH-M60xaStudio HeadphonesWiredOn-earClosed backDynamicFrequency range: 15 Hz - 28000 HzImpedance: 38...

⭐ 4.8/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 621679

$215

Buy at Thomann View Details

beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X

by beyerdynamic

Critical Listening Audio Mixing Professional Audio

Key Feature:

• Excellent build quality and durability

✓ PROS

• Wide frequency response
• Comfortable for extended studio sessions

✗ CONS

• Professional models can be expensive
• May sound less exciting than consumer models

beyerdynamic sDT 770 PRO XStudio HeadphonesCircumauralClosed-back designDynamicImpedance: 48 OhmFrequency response: 5 -...

⭐ 4.7/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 615472

$219

Buy at Thomann View Details

Fostex T60RPmk2 Headphone - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Focal Lensys Professional - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Audeze MM-100 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.4/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

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

Neumann NDH 30 Black Edition - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.9/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Neumann NDH 30 Black Edition

by Neumann

Music Production Professional Audio Critical Listening

Key Feature:

• Excellent build quality and durability

✓ PROS

• Wide frequency response
• Excellent build quality and durability

✗ CONS

• May sound less exciting than consumer models
• Professional models can be expensive

Neumann NDH 30 Black EditionStudio HeadphonesCircumauralOpen-back designDynamicWired headphonesFrequency range: 12 -...

⭐ 4.9/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 574017

$637

Buy at Thomann View Details

Audio-Technica ATH-R50x - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.7/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Audio-Technica ATH-R50x

by Audio-Technica

Critical Listening Recording Monitoring Music Production

Key Feature:

• Excellent build quality and durability

✓ PROS

• Industry standard reference tools
• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction

✗ CONS

• May sound less exciting than consumer models
• Not optimized for casual entertainment

Audio-Technica ATH-R50xStudio HeadphonesCircumauralOpen-back designFrequency range: 5 Hz - 40000 HzImpedance: 50...

⭐ 4.7/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 606004

$186

Buy at Thomann View Details

ADAM Audio H200 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.7/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

ADAM Audio H200

by ADAM Audio

Critical Listening Audio Mixing Recording Monitoring

Key Feature:

• Industry standard reference tools

✓ PROS

• Excellent build quality and durability
• Wide frequency response

✗ CONS

• May require headphone amplifier
• Professional models can be expensive

ADAM Audio H200Studio HeadphonesCircumauralClosed-back designDynamicDriver magnet: NeodymiumDriver diameter: 40 mm...

⭐ 4.7/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 596450

$175

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.

Related Best Lists

TOP

Best Studio Headphones for Critical Listening 2025

Steven Slate Audio VSX Platinum Edition

Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa

beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII

beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro MKII

Roland VMH-S100

Sennheiser HD-26

Sennheiser HD-490 PRO Plus

Audio-Technica ATH-M60xa

beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X

Fostex T60RPmk2 Headphone

Focal Lensys Professional

Audeze MM-100

Neumann NDH 30 Black Edition

Audio-Technica ATH-R50x

ADAM Audio H200

How to Choose the Best Studio Headphones

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying studio headphones?

How much should I spend on studio headphones?

Are expensive studio headphones worth the investment?

What are the best brands for studio headphones?

Should I buy studio headphones online or in-store?

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