AudioFu

Best Studio Headphones for Recording Monitoring 2025

Perfect studio headphones for recording-monitoring - 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
beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Sennheiser HD-26 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Fostex T60RPmk2 Headphone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Steven Slate Audio VSX Platinum Edition - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
#5

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
#6

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
beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro MKII - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Focal Lensys Professional - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless

by AIAIAI
Professional Audio Music Production Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✓ PROS
  • • Industry standard reference tools
  • • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
  • • May sound less exciting than consumer models
  • • Professional models can be expensive

AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio WirelessWireless Studio HeadphonesWireless uncompressed audio transmission with extremely low...

⭐ 4.6/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 620638
$329
Buy at Thomann View Details
Austrian Audio Hi-X20 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Austrian Audio Hi-X20

by Austrian Audio
Audio Mixing Music Production Recording Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Industry standard reference tools
✓ PROS
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
  • • Excellent build quality and durability
✗ CONS
  • • Professional models can be expensive
  • • May sound less exciting than consumer models

Austrian Audio Hi-X20Studio HeadphonesClosed-back designCircumauralNeutral sound signatureMetal hinges and headband for...

⭐ 4.5/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 601867
$142
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sennheiser HD-490 PRO Plus - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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
Roland VMH-S100 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Neumann NDH 30 Black Edition - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X

by beyerdynamic
Professional Audio Critical Listening Music Production
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

beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO XHeadphonesCircumauralOpen-backDynamicFrequency response: 5 - 40.000 HzImpedance: 48 OhmMaximum...

⭐ 4.5/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 617502
$219
Buy at Thomann View Details
ADAM Audio H200 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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.

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