A Review of 7 of the best Budget Studio Headphones (in no particular order).

If you are looking for a pair of headphones that can deliver high-quality sound and comfort for your music production or listening experience, you might want to consider studio headphones. Studio headphones are designed to reproduce sound accurately and faithfully, without any coloration or distortion. They are also built to be durable and comfortable, so you can use them for long hours without fatigue.

In this blog post, I will review 7 studio headphones that are popular among music lovers and professionals. I will compare their features, pros, cons, and prices, to help you decide which one suits your needs and budget.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

1. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Closed-Back Studio Headphones

The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is a classic model that has been around for more than 20 years. It is a closed-back, over-ear headphone that offers excellent noise isolation and sound quality. It has a balanced and neutral sound signature, with clear highs, mids, and lows. It is also very comfortable, with a padded headband and ear cups that can swivel and fold for easy storage.

The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is ideal for studio monitoring, mixing, and recording, as well as casual listening. It is compatible with most audio devices, thanks to its 3.5mm jack and 6.3mm adapter. It also comes with a 2-year warranty.

The main drawbacks of the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro are its bulky and dated design, which might not appeal to some users. It also has a coiled cable that can be annoying and tangle easily. Some users also reported that the ear pads tend to wear out over time and need to be replaced.

The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro costs around $100, which is a reasonable price for its performance and durability.

2. Shure SRH1540 Closed-back Mastering Studio Headphones

The Shure SRH1540 is a premium model that offers exceptional sound quality and comfort. It is a closed-back, over-ear headphone that features 40mm neodymium drivers that deliver rich and detailed sound across the frequency range. It has a slightly warm and smooth sound signature, with crisp highs, lush mids, and deep bass. It is also very comfortable, with a lightweight aluminum alloy frame and plush Alcantara ear pads that conform to your ears.

The Shure SRH1540 is ideal for mastering, mixing, and critical listening, as well as enjoying high-resolution audio. It is compatible with most audio devices, thanks to its detachable 3.5mm cable and 6.3mm adapter. It also comes with a hard carrying case, an extra pair of ear pads, and a 2-year warranty.

The main drawbacks of the Shure SRH1540 are its high price tag and lack of noise isolation. It costs around $500 which is quite expensive for most users. It also does not block out much ambient noise, which might be an issue in noisy environments.

 3. Sony MDR-7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone

The Sony MDR-7506 is another classic model that has been widely used by professionals and enthusiasts for decades. It is a closed-back, over-ear headphone that offers excellent sound quality and durability. It has a balanced and accurate sound signature, with crisp highs, clear mids, and tight bass. It is also very durable, with a sturdy metal frame and coiled cable that can withstand daily use.

The Sony MDR-7506 is ideal for studio monitoring, mixing, broadcasting, podcasting, and DJing, as well as casual listening. It is compatible with most audio devices, thanks to its 3.5mm jack and 6.3mm adapter. It also comes with a soft carrying pouch and a 1-year warranty.

The main drawbacks of the Sony MDR-7506 are its lack of comfort and noise isolation. Some users might find the ear pads too stiff and thin, which can cause discomfort and fatigue after prolonged use. The ear pads also tend to flake off over time and need to be replaced. The headphone also does not block out much ambient noise, which might be an issue in noisy environments.

The Sony MDR-7506 costs around $100, which is a great value for its performance and reliability.

4. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is a popular model that has received many positive reviews from users and critics alike. It is a closed-back, over-ear headphone that offers excellent sound quality and comfort. It has a slightly bass-heavy sound signature, with punchy lows, detailed mids, and smooth highs. It is also very comfortable, with a padded headband and ear cups that can swivel and fold for easy storage.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is ideal for studio monitoring, mixing, DJing, and gaming, as well as casual listening. It is compatible with most audio devices, thanks to its detachable 3.5mm cable and 6.3mm adapter. It also comes with a hard carrying case and a 2-year warranty.

The main drawbacks of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are its bulky and heavy design, which might not be suitable for some users. It also has a coiled cable that can be annoying and tangle easily. Some users also reported that the ear pads tend to get hot and sweaty after prolonged use.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x costs around $150, which is a fair price for its performance and quality.

5. Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 80 Ohm Over-Ear Studio Headphones

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO is a well-known model that has been trusted by professionals and enthusiasts for years. It is a closed-back, over-ear headphone that offers superb sound quality and comfort. It has a neutral and detailed sound signature, with sparkling highs, natural mids, and powerful bass. It is also very comfortable, with a padded headband and velour ear pads that are soft and breathable.

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO is ideal for studio monitoring, mixing, mastering, and critical listening, as well as enjoying music and movies. It is compatible with most audio devices, thanks to its 3.5mm jack and 6.3mm adapter. It also comes with a drawstring bag and a 2-year warranty.

The main drawbacks of the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO are its high impedance and long cable. The 80 ohm version requires a decent amplifier or audio interface to drive it properly, otherwise it might sound weak or distorted. The cable is also very long (3 meters), which can be inconvenient for some users.

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO costs around $160, which is a reasonable price for its performance and comfort.

6. AKG K240 Studio Over-Ear, Semi-Open Professional Headphones

The AKG K240 Studio is a classic model that has been used by many musicians and producers for decades. It is a semi-open, over-ear headphone that offers excellent sound quality and comfort. It has a balanced and transparent sound signature, with smooth highs, warm mids, and tight bass. It is also very comfortable, with a self-adjusting headband and leatherette ear pads that are soft and lightweight.

The AKG K240 Studio is ideal for studio monitoring, mixing, recording, and editing, as well as casual listening. It is compatible with most audio devices, thanks to its 3.5mm jack and 6.3mm adapter. It also comes with a detachable cable and a 2-year warranty.

The main drawbacks of the AKG K240 Studio are its lack of noise isolation and low sensitivity. The semi-open design allows some sound to leak in and out, which might be an issue in noisy environments or when recording vocals or instruments. The low sensitivity also means that the headphone requires more power to reach loud volumes, which might limit its compatibility with some devices.

The AKG K240 Studio costs around $70, which is a bargain price for its performance and quality.


7. Samson SR850 Semi-Open-Back Studio Reference Headphones

The Samson SR850 is a budget-friendly model that offers decent sound quality and comfort. It is a semi-open, over-ear headphone that features 50mm drivers that deliver clear and dynamic sound across the frequency range. It has a bright and airy sound signature, with crisp highs, balanced mids, and deep bass. It is also fairly comfortable, with a self-adjusting headband and velour ear pads that are soft and breathable.

The Samson SR850 is ideal for studio monitoring, mixing, recording, gaming, and casual listening. It is compatible with most audio devices, thanks to its 3.5mm jack and 6.3mm adapter.

The main drawbacks of the Samson SR850 are its lack of noise isolation and durability. The semi-open design allows some sound to leak in and out, which might be an issue in noisy environments or when recording vocals or instruments. The headphone also feels cheaply made, with plastic parts that might break easily.

The Samson SR850 costs around $40, which is a very low price for its performance and comfort.