AudioFu

Best Studio Headphones Under $500 2025

Affordable studio headphones under $500 - great value without compromising quality

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
Austrian Audio Hi-X65 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Austrian Audio Hi-X65

by Austrian Audio
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Steven Slate Audio VSX Essentials Edition - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Steven Slate Audio VSX Essentials Edition

by Steven Slate Audio
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Austrian Audio Hi-X60 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Austrian Audio Hi-X60

by Austrian Audio
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Roland VMH-S100 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Fostex T50RPmk4 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Fostex T50RPmk4

by Fostex
Recording Monitoring Music Production Professional Audio
Key Feature:
• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent build quality and durability
  • • Industry standard reference tools
✗ CONS
  • • May sound less exciting than consumer models
  • • Not optimized for casual entertainment

Fostex T50RPmk4Studio HeadphonesCabledCircumauralSemi-openMagnetostaticFrequency range: 10 Hz - 40000 HzImpdeance: 28...

⭐ 4.6/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 595511
$340
Buy at Thomann View Details
Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Fostex T60RP Headphone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Fostex T60RP Headphone

by Fostex
Recording Monitoring Audio Mixing Music Production
Key Feature:
• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✓ PROS
  • • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
  • • Industry standard reference tools
✗ CONS
  • • Professional models can be expensive
  • • May require headphone amplifier

Fostex T60RP HeadphoneHeadphonesSemi-open designOrtho dynamicCircumaural with mahogany ear shellsImpedance: 50...

⭐ 4.4/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 435021
$384
Buy at Thomann View Details
AKG K-712 Pro - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

AKG K-712 Pro

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

AKG K-712 ProReference Studio HeadphonesDynamicOpenOver-earImpedance: 62 OhmPeak SPL: 105 dBFrequency Range: 10 - 39800...

⭐ 4.9/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 313098
$303
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sennheiser HD-26 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
#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
Sony MDR-MV1 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sony MDR-MV1

by Sony
Audio Mixing Professional Audio Music Production
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable for extended studio sessions
  • • Industry standard reference tools
✗ CONS
  • • Utilitarian appearance
  • • Professional models can be expensive

Sony MDR-MV1Studio HeadphonesFor mixing and masteringNewly developed HD driver supports 3D...

⭐ 4.6/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 563964
$435
Buy at Thomann View Details
AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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

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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