The most honest sound in "ears": the best monitors for recording, mixing, and just enjoying your music.
Content:
Recommendations:
5 best DJ headphones
, High Definition Hi-res Music: What It's Like and How to Use It
, Technical characteristics of good headphones
The best studio headphones
For some, studio headphones sound flat. Others love the ability to analyze their favorite tracks and hear them exactly as the sound engineer intended. If you belong to the second group or if you are going to work with sound on your own, feel free to choose one of the models presented in the review.
Sennheiser HD 820.
Closed-ear, wide-stage headphones
Sennheiser monitors came on the market together with the branded HDV 820 amplifier of the appropriate level, capable of maximizing all the capabilities of these unusual headphones. It makes sense to buy both devices at once.
Reasons to buy:
- Hand-built;
- Three-plane rotating earcups;
- Clear and detailed scene construction;
- Deep bass;
- Very comfortable.
Even structurally, these headphones are different from most monitors. We use a very stiff and lightweight diaphragm that comes as close as possible to planar models in terms of sound clarity. In addition, the outer side of the cups is covered with impact-resistant glass that reflects the sound "leaking" into the damping chambers.
The headphones cover the widest frequency range from 6 to 48,000 Hz. For each piece, the AFC is measured separately in production, and all data is recorded on the flash drive that comes with it. The model is ideal not only for listening to music, but also for watching movies. In fact, these are not "dry" monitors, but the equipment of the studio level for home use.
There is a very deep, velvety bass, vocal parts open well. The cups are closed, but large enough to create the effect of a wide and multidimensional acoustic scene. A very good solution, allowing you to get the same transparent sound as in open headphones, but at the same time isolated from external noise.
Sennheiser HD are built on a metal frame, and the thick soft pads and cushioning mechanism ensure that they fit comfortably on your head, despite the considerable weight (360 g). The kit comes with three 3-meter silver-plated copper cables with 6.3-mm, 4.4-mm and XLR 4 pin connectors each. The monitors have an impedance of 300 ohms, so they will need an appropriate amplifier.
Sony MDR-Z7M2.
Three-dimensional sound
Hi-Res audio headphones are the choice of those who want to get not just honest, but really live sound from their equipment.
Reasons to buy:
- Realistic three-dimensional sound;
- Extreme frequency coverage;
- High level of noise isolation;
- Detachable cables;
- High-quality build with silent mechanisms.
These headphones feature very large 70mm diameter speakers with complex multi-component diaphragms that are only 30 microns thick. Their frequency response is almost limitless, from 4 to 100,000 Hz. The magnets are also oversized, all of which combine to create a luxurious three-dimensional soundscape.
The audio scene fills a huge, multi-dimensional space without losing detail. All sounds occupy their places and are easily positioned as in real life. Of course, if the recording quality is high enough. But the MDR-Z7M2 was originally created specifically for high-resolution audio, although they can make less high-quality tracks at least comfortable to listen to.
The left and right earphones are individually connected via a pair of balanced, silver-plated copper cables. They contribute to a clean and smooth signal without distortion, lag or distortion. Even the proprietary alloy of which the contacts are made serves for the benefit of the sound.
Beyerdynamic DT 880 600 Ohm
Premium Hi-Fi headphones
The legendary 880 is continually updated and comes in two versions. The professional version comes with the prefix Pro, but in fact differs little from the "home". Both ranges include devices with 32, 250, and 600 ohms impedance.
Reasons to buy:
- Quality construction and reliable materials of manufacture;
- Very comfortable;
- Thick cable;
- Smooth and accurate sound without embellishment;
- Transparent and spacious scene due to the open cups.
The 600-ohm version of the Beyerdynamic DT is a pure studio version that requires connection to the appropriate equipment (or at least to an advanced home audio system with a powerful fixed amplifier).
Under such conditions, the sound will be transmitted with minimal distortion and at a sufficient volume level. Good hardware will help bring out the beautiful "dark" sound of the headphones.
The DT 880 has a solid appearance: the metal construction is complemented by a thick and padded headband, and the cups are covered in fluffy light velour. Purely a "room" version - not a take-away, although it comes with a zippered leatherette case for storage and portability.
The headphones are connected to the source via a thick 3-meter cable with a mini-jack on the end. The kit also includes a 6.3 mm adapter. The cord itself is not removable, so you can't replace it.
Shure SRH1440.
Open earphones for mastering
Low impedance open earphones are intended for use in a special studio or quiet room. But the low impedance allows you to use them with almost any equipment.
Reasons for purchase:
- Building a wide audio scene;
- Impeccable sound detail;
- Very comfortable;
- Sturdy construction;
- Rich package with interchangeable ear cushions and spare cable.
Outwardly massive monitors with a wide headband are actually very comfortable. There are soft pads on the ear-cup, the open cups do not feel warm, and velour ear cushions feel good even after a few hours of work. In addition, it gets rid of the parasitic vibrations of the cups and the sound distortion.
And play the "ears" as it should be for studio - clear and balanced at all frequencies (the range of this model covers 15 - 27 000 Hz). But the monitors are demanding to the recording quality, although the low impedance makes them tolerant to the sound source itself.
Each earphone is connected with a separate cable. The cords are removable and have standard MMCX jacks, but replacement can be problematic because the jacks themselves sit deep in the cup housings.
However, reinforcing the wires with Kevlar coating will extend their lifespan, and there is a spare cord in the set. The kit also includes a gold-plated adapter from 3.5 to 6.3 mm and a tight case with a foam insert.
Audio-Technica ATH-PRO5X
Sturdy и loud
These monitors are designed for musicians as well as DJs. That's why the developers at Audio-Technica made them so sturdy and comfortable.
Reasons to buy:
- Clear sound even at maximum volume;
- Lightweight foldable design;
- Removable cables;
- Adequate cost.
Sturdy headphones have a solid metal headband with soft cushioning. They fit tightly to the head, but without discomfort. The leatherette cushions and closed cups provide good passive sound insulation.
Inside the full-size cups hides not quite the usual drivers. Although the drivers are standard size (40 mm), they cover a wide frequency range from 5 to 35,000 Hz. The musical picture is wide, with a precise arrangement of instruments.
The headphones come with a removable cable with a mini-jack and adapter for 6.3 mm as well as a twisted 3-meter cord. The impedance of the model is relatively low - 34 ohms, which allows you to use it with almost any equipment.
AKG K371
Affordable option
If professional studios are too expensive, you can take the AKG monitor headphones to work with sound.
Reasons to buy:
- Balanced and detailed sound;
- Comfortable fit on the head and movable earcups;
- Comes with three audio cables;
- Robust Mini XLR connector with locking mechanism;
- Low weight;
- Low price.
Really inexpensive headphones with an impedance of 32 ohms will suit almost everyone who is looking for honest sound. The model connects to any device via 3.5 and 6.3-millimeter jacks, requiring no special amplifier. The folding design makes it easy to carry or carry with you.
The comfortable way to attach the cups to the headband allows you to rotate them 180° if you need to quickly free one ear. The construction is made of plastic and is very lightweight and almost does not feel on the head. Underneath the soft leatherette ear cushions is a layer of memory foam.
Inside the sealed cups are full-range drivers that cover the range of 5 to 40,000 Hz. The diaphragm is coated with titanium for extra rigidity. The playability of the "ears" is very clean and has a very correct frequency response. In this case, soft sounds remain intelligible and loud sounds are transmitted without distortion. The only thing that this model can't do is to over-detailed compositions.
The 5 best full-size monitor headphones
Features of studio headphones
Originally, studio headphones were designed specifically for professional work with sound: mixing, mixing - in general, everywhere, where the most accurate sound information was required. That is why classic monitors will play boring and dry for someone.
The main differences of such headphones:
- Full-size cups that completely cover the ear;
- High impedance to reduce distortion;
- Wired connection;
- Wide range;
- Linear AFC, providing "honest" sound, without coloration.
The main limitation for using these headphones at home was their high requirements to the sound source. Still, high-impedance monitors need a fairly powerful system with a good amplifier.
But as advanced devices are produced today for home use as well, manufacturers began to produce headphones with a little bit more colorful and interesting sound. Although they are still positioned as studio headphones, deviations from the linearity of the frequency response are possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all studio headphones this big?
Not all, but most, since it is the full-size headphones that are most comfortable to work with for hours at a time. Yamaha, for example, has overhead monitors, and a number of manufacturers make compact vacuum IEM headphones. The latter are often used by musicians during performances. But if you like a smooth studio sound - it is a great option "to go out".
What to choose - open or closed cups?
It depends on the task and the conditions of use. If you are working with the finished sound, it is better to take a model with an open acoustic design. Here you will have a wide stage and transparent sound. And it is more comfortable in such "ears".
But when recording speech, vocals with a minus (i.e. when working live), the sound from the open cups can be picked up by the microphone. Here already without options - only closed headphones.
A separate question - the models that you buy at home. Music from the open cups will hear your family. And you - everything that makes noise around. So if you want complete isolation, you need to choose closed headphones.
Professional headphones necessarily expensive?
The price is not a determining factor here. For example, the reference is still considered quite affordable Sony MDR-7506, which are produced for nearly 30 years without any major changes.
AKG, Audio-Technica and other brands also have inexpensive models that fully meet the conditions of studio work. And often "obsolete" models, which have lost a lot in price over the years, are more popular with professionals than new products that have not yet run out of steam.
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