Best Studio Headphones Under $200 2025

Affordable studio headphones under $200 - great value without compromising quality

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

beyerdynamic DT-880 Pro Black Edition - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

beyerdynamic DT-880 Pro Black Edition

Critical Listening Music Production Professional Audio
Key Feature:
• Excellent build quality and durability
✓ PROS
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
  • • Excellent build quality and durability
✗ CONS
  • • Utilitarian appearance
  • • May sound less exciting than consumer models

beyerdynamic DT-880 Pro Black EditionHigh-End Studio Headphones Limited EditionDynamicHalf openCircumauralFrequency...

4.9/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
ADAM Audio H200 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

ADAM Audio H200

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
Austrian Audio Hi-X20 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Austrian Audio Hi-X20

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
beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro 80 Ohms - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro 80 Ohms

Audio Mixing Recording Monitoring Professional Audio
Key Feature:
• Industry standard reference tools
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent build quality and durability
  • • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
  • • Utilitarian appearance
  • • Not optimized for casual entertainment

beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro 80 OhmsStudio HeadphonesCircumauralOpenDynamicFrequency range: 5 - 35000 HzImpedance: 80...

5.0/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 32 Ohm - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 32 Ohm

Audio Mixing Music Production Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Excellent build quality and durability
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable for extended studio sessions
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
  • • Utilitarian appearance
  • • May require headphone amplifier

beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 32 OhmStudio HeadphonesClosed-backCircumauralDynamicDiffuse field equalizationImpedance: 32...

5.0/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro Softskin Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro Softskin Set

Recording Monitoring Audio Mixing Professional Audio
Key Feature:
• Excellent build quality and durability
✓ PROS
  • • Wide frequency response
  • • Excellent build quality and durability
✗ CONS
  • • Utilitarian appearance
  • • Professional models can be expensive

beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro Softskin Set*Bundle offer comprising*, beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 250 Ohm*Studio...

4.6/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Audio-Technica ATH-R50x - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Audio-Technica ATH-R50x

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
beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 80 Ohm - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 80 Ohm

Recording Monitoring Music Production Audio Mixing
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✓ PROS
  • • Industry standard reference tools
  • • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
  • • Not optimized for casual entertainment
  • • May sound less exciting than consumer models

beyerdynamic DT-770 PRO/80 OhmStudio HeadphonesClosed-backCircumaural designDynamicDiffuse-field equalisedImpedance: 80...

4.7/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Sennheiser HD-300 Pro - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sennheiser HD-300 Pro

Recording Monitoring Critical Listening Professional Audio
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

Sennheiser HD-300 ProMonitor HeadphonesClosedCircumauralImpedance: 64 OhmsNominal sound pressure level: 108 ± 3 dB SPL...

4.5/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Rode NTH-100M - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Rode NTH-100M

Professional Audio Recording Monitoring Music Production
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✓ PROS
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
  • • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
  • • Professional models can be expensive
  • • Not optimized for casual entertainment

Rode NTH-100MOver-Ear HeadsetStudio headphones Rode NTH-100 with boom microphone Rode NTH-MICRobust headphones ideal...

4.9/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Fostex T50RP-Mk3 Headphone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Fostex T50RP-Mk3 Headphone

Professional Audio Music Production Recording Monitoring
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

Fostex T50RP-Mk3 HeadphoneStereo HeadphonesFor mixing and monitoringSemi-open typeOrthodynamicCircumauralImpedance: 50...

4.8/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Warm Audio WA-HRT HeadRoom Tan - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Warm Audio WA-HRT HeadRoom Tan

Audio Mixing Music Production Recording Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Wide frequency response
✓ PROS
  • • Wide frequency response
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
  • • Utilitarian appearance
  • • Not optimized for casual entertainment

Warm Audio WA-HRT HeadRoom TanStudio HeadphonesClosed-back designCircumauralFrequency range: 10 - 30.000 HzDriver...

4.6/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Audio-Technica ATH-R30x - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Audio-Technica ATH-R30x

Professional Audio Audio Mixing Recording Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Wide frequency response
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent build quality and durability
  • • Industry standard reference tools
✗ CONS
  • • Not optimized for casual entertainment
  • • Utilitarian appearance

Audio-Technica ATH-R30xStudio HeadphonesCircumauralOpenFrequency range: 15 Hz - 25000 HzImpedance: 36 ohmMax. sound...

4.6/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT

Critical Listening Audio Mixing Professional Audio
Key Feature:
• Industry standard reference tools
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable for extended studio sessions
  • • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
  • • Utilitarian appearance
  • • May sound less exciting than consumer models

Austrian Audio Hi-X25BTWireless Bluetooth HeadphonesClosed backCircumauralMetal hinges and headband for maximum...

4.8/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Fostex T40RP-MK3 Headphone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Fostex T40RP-MK3 Headphone

Professional Audio Critical Listening Recording Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✓ PROS
  • • Wide frequency response
  • • Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✗ CONS
  • • May sound less exciting than consumer models
  • • Not optimized for casual entertainment

Fostex T40RP-MK3 HeadphoneHeadphonesIdeal for DJ and studio applicationsClosed-backOrthodynamicCircumauralImpedance: 50...

5.0/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10

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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