Best Budget Studio Headphones – Reviews & Guide

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To give your music experience a better sound effect and great clarity, your priority should be to choose the best pair of studio headphones. Now some people, do have a notion that picking studio headphones requires a huge investment.

But that’s not true at all! It would be rather best if you never believed in this misconception until you don’t put your complete research on it.

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Editor’s Choice
SENNHEISER-HD-800-S-Headphone-Studio-System
SENNHEISER HD 800 S Headphone Studio System

Studio headphones are available in different models and designs in which you can find open-back and closed-back ones to be the most prominent types. But sometimes, the clear bass and deep frequency of the headphones can bring some magical effects to your musical work.

Therefore, while picking any studio headphones, you should consider bass, frequency, and response rate to be a few of those factors that can help you pick excellent headphones for yourself.

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List of Top Budget Studio Headphones 2024

Product ImageDetailsRatingPrice
Best for Gaming


AKG-Pro-Audio-K371-Foldable-Studio-Headphones
AKG Pro Audio K371 Foldable Studio Headphones

  • Design: Closed-back and oval over-ear

  • Transducers: Titanium-coated 50mm

  • Frequency Response: 5 Hz to 40 kHz

4.5
/5
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Editor’s Choice


SENNHEISER-HD-800-S-Headphone-Studio-System
SENNHEISER HD 800 S Headphone Studio System

  • Design: Open back

  • Transducers: 56mm ring radiator

  • Frequency Response: 51 kHz

4.8
/5
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Best Open-back


Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Budget-Studio-Headphones
Superlux HD668B Dynamic Budget Studio Headphones

  • Design: Wired

  • Noise: Active Noise Cancellation

  • Audio Sensitivity: 98 dB

4.3
/5
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Best Closed-back


KRK-KNS-8400-On-Ear-Studio-Monitor-Headphones
KRK KNS 8400 On-Ear Studio Monitor Headphones

  • Design: Closed-back and the circum-aural

  • Technology: Acoustic memory foam

  • Audio Sensitivity: 98 dB

4.6
/5
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Best for home


Audio-Technica-ATH-M50X-Professional-Studio-Monitor-Headphones
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Professional Studio Monitor Headphones

  • Design: Over-ear

  • Drivers: 45 millimeter large aperture

  • Frequency Response: Exceptional Clarity

4.7
/5
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Comparisons of 5 Best Budget Studio Headphones Reviews

1. Best for Gaming: AKG Pro Audio K371 Foldable Studio Headphones

“Excellent headphones with natural and balanced sound effects for mastering/mixing music.”

AKG-Pro-Audio-K371-Foldable-Studio-Headphones

Our Rating:

What we liked:

  • Superior isolation
  • Highly improved low-frequency response
  • Ergonomic fit
  • Great comfort

What we didn’t like:

  • The sound quality needs improvement

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K371s are completely precision-engineered to simply match AKG’s Reference Response acoustic for targeting a balanced and natural sound effect.

The headphone delivers deeper bass with higher highs through the stunning frequency response of 5 Hz to 40 kHz. It has ergonomic earcups where it cradles your ears in superior comfort. No doubt, these are the best budget studio headphones for gaming as well.

If we talk about the accessories, the headphone set is available with the protective carrying pouch. It has detachable cables, which you can use to connect both professional and consumer equipment.

In addition, the cables also include 3m (9.8′) coiled cables with 3m (9.8′) and 1.2m (2.5′) straight cables and have a ¼-inch adapter.

Highlighted Features

  • Closed-back and oval over-ear designs grant superior isolation and have an improved low-frequency response.
  • The involvement of titanium-coated 50mm transducers is included with pure OFC voice coils.
  • Has a best-in-class frequency response of 5 Hz to 40 kHz
  • Superior and best-in-class sensitivity of 114 dB and optimal 32-ohm impedance for supporting a range of sound sources
  • Calibrated headbands with slow-retention oval foam pads have superior comfort and great fitting

2. Editor’s Choice: SENNHEISER HD 800 S Headphone Studio System

“A perfect example of redefining your music with some signature sound effects in an immersive manner.”

SENNHEISER-HD-800-S-Headphone-Studio-System

Our Rating:

What we liked:

  • Dynamic sound quality
  • Luxuriously soft earpads
  • High-precision connectivity options

What we didn’t like:

  • Pricey

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SENNHEISER HD 800 S Reference Headphone is a perfect example of redefining your listening experience. No doubt the entire headphone is perfect for offering signature sound in an immersive manner. With balanced audio and extraordinary detailing, you will be confident about mixing or mastering music.

These best budget studio headphones for mixing have luxuriously soft earpads that rest all around the ear for long-term comfort. You will also experience the incredible sound of the vented earcup that simply lets soundwaves somehow expand naturally.

SENNHEISER HD 800 S Reference Headphone comes with two cables for easily connecting to single-ended 1/4-inch (6.3mm) and has balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn outputs. Hence, this includes headphone amplifiers, A/V receivers or audio interfaces, and much more.

All the transducers in this headphone set have been tested, manufactured, and yet measured for dependable sound performance.

Hence the 40mm voice coil is all wound in-house to ensure consistency and shape at the highest standards fully.

Highlighted Features

  • Open back as around the ear offered in a class dynamic headphone
  • Has 56mm ring radiator transducers which are the largest drivers used in dynamic headphones
  • Innovative absorber technology helps to reduce unwanted frequency response for great sound quality
  • Included two connecting cables such as single-ended with 1/4 inches and has a balanced 4. 4 mm Pentacon cable.

3. Best Open-back: Superlux HD668B Dynamic Budget Headphones

“The best headphones for professional recording use with long-lasting resistance and great sound work.”

Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Budget-Studio-Headphones

Our Rating:

What we liked:

  • Balanced and deep bass
  • Accurate sound
  • Affordable

What we didn’t like:

  • Not comfortable to wear for long hours
  • Not suitable for gaming

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The HD668B by the Superlux is a famous semi-open dynamic headphone with a sound quality that matches best with professional recording studios. It has been durable in terms of construction for providing long-lasting resistance in challenging conditions.

Moreover, the headband has a lightweight and fully optimized mechanical pressure where it is offered long-term wearing comfort.

These best budget open-back studio headphones are all equipped with 2 detachable straight cables with the short one, which is 1 meter long for the personal sound source. On the other side, the long one is around 3 meters long for professional monitoring applications.

You can connect both cables for more distance if desired.

Highlighted Features

  • Accurate sound with natural spatial quality for mixing and mastering
  • Silvery and clear cymbals with pleasant natural trebles
  • Unobtrusive with genuine strings and wind instruments for different music types
  • Deep bass with a balanced sound quality for studio use

4. Best Closed-back: KRK KNS 8400 On-Ear Studio Monitor Headphones

“Give your music experiences a replicate touch with great comfort even at long hours of wearing.”

KRK-KNS-8400-On-Ear-Studio-Monitor-Headphones

Our Rating:

What we liked:

  • Have a precise listening experience
  • Comfortable to wear for long hours
  • Lightweight construction
  • Modern, sleek design

What we didn’t like:

  • Cables are long for casual use

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If you are in search of a pair of headphones that can best replicate your music experience, then choosing the KRK KNS 8400 is the best option for you. For critical listening, this headphone set is highly recommended.

These best cheap closed-back studio headphones offer the isolating memory foam inside the ear cushions to deliver an improved low-end response. They come up with a unique head shape that is comfortable for you to wear even for long hours.

When it comes to performance, the headphone provides a natural, accurate, and wide frequency response. It has low distortion with out-class KRK sound clarity with precise Imaging and extended LF response.

You will find the set delivering high isolation for both noise rejection and leakage. For travel and storage purposes, the headphones are available with rotating ear cups. It’s impact resistance and durable materials will enable the headphones to survive for long years with you.

Highlighted Features

  • Detachable in-line volume control for excellent sound quality
  • Latest reference quality frequency response for the closed-back and the circum-aural dynamic headphones
  • Included acoustic memory foam technology to have a class-leading performance in both reproduction and isolation.

5. Best for home: Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Professional Studio Monitor Headphones

“A headphone with accurate and clear sound results at a professional studio level.”

Audio-Technica-ATH-M50X-Professional-Studio-Monitor-Headphones

Our Rating:

What we liked:

  • Exceptional clarity in sound
  • Excellent sound isolation in loud environments
  • Durable
  • Comfortable for long hours

What we didn’t like:

  • Not for casual listening

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Audio-Technica ATH-M50X is one such headphone that has been highly praised by top audio engineers and pro audio reviewers. No matter whether you are using it for live, studio, or personal use, these best budget home studio headphones will deliver clear and accurate sound results.

Exceptional clarity in the sound is possible due to the extended frequency range, with deep, accurate bass response. It offers incredible sound isolation due to Circumaural design contours around the ears, even in loud environments.

In addition, it is based on 90° swiveling earcups for easy and one-ear monitoring. Earcups are also collapsible for space-saving portability. Even if you have been wearing it for long hours, you will find it a comfortable fit for the ears.

Professional headband material somehow delivers more durability and extra comfort.

Highlighted Features

  • Available with proprietary 45-millimeter large-aperture drivers with rare earth magnets and has copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils
  • Great clarity with an extended frequency range having a deep, accurate bass response
  • Offers Circumaural design contours for incredible sound isolation in a loud environment
  • Has 90-degree swiveling earcups for the most accessible ear monitoring
  • Professional-grade earpad with headband material somehow delivers more durability and extra comfort

Best Budget Studio Headphones – Buying Guide Tips 2024

When it comes to buying the best quality budget studio headphones, it might be a bit hassle task for you if you are a beginner. But hold on for a second, and don’t be upset! We are left with some easy-to-follow and best-buying guide tips for you to make your shopping and selection process easy. Let’s see what you should consider:

  • Tracking and Monitoring:

    Earcups of the closed-back headphones have the best isolation with which the sound will no longer be felt as bleeding at the time of recording. This will also prevent the external noise from affecting the signal of the perceived monitor. These open-back headphones may leak out with too much of the sound back into the microphone.

  • Mixing and Mastering:

    As the isolation of the headphones increases, the sound quality will gradually increase. Therefore, it is best to use open-back headphones to optimize the sound quality and hence space over isolation at the time of mixing.

Closed-back headphones are not suitable for mixing and yet mastering because they already have the build-up sound effects for the lower frequencies. You should have the least amount of sound accumulation and the balanced distribution of the frequencies for an accurate and clear mix of the mastering and mix.

  • Frequency Response:

    The next most important element is the frequency response! The majority of the studio headphones are excellent for use for critical listening, including tracking sessions. If you want to achieve an accurate sound, you should have a flat frequency response and compare different sound levels.

Most of the headphones have a 20 to 20,000 Hz frequency range that a human ear can easily hear.

There are some headphones which are having an extended range of frequency, providing some more profound responses. Wider frequencies will create a better tone and handle mids, lows, and highs. For producing music with more bass, try to look for a pair of headphones with a notable low-frequency response.

  • Comfort and High Durability:

    Last but not least, we highlight the factors of durability and comfort. As you are mastering and mixing the music all the time for long hours, it might be possible that wearing headphones will give you so much pain. Therefore, finding headphones with comfortable fitting is something you should pick first. Consider headphones with great earpad comfort, huge headband comfort, and weight.

Earpads with soft materials are well-ventilated and are best for prolonged usage.

Make sure that the headband is tight to let the ear cups stay at the correct positioning over the ears. They should not be too much rigid so that they won’t clamp down properly over the ears. Headbands with lighter headphones are more comfortable than heavier ones.

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Frequently Asked Questions {FAQs}

Q. Can you use the studio headphones for listening to any music?

A. Yes, studio headphones are best to be used for listening to any music. You can also use it as monitor headphones as well. The reason to chose them is that they have a booming bass sound.

Q. What is the approximate frequency range for studio headphones?

A. 20 to 20,000 Hz is the suitable frequency range for studio headphones. They are the standard form of the audible frequency range. But make sure that the better frequency response does not always appear with the better sound quality.

Q. Can you easily use wireless headphones for the studio recording?

A. Most people prefer to choose wired headphones in a studio, but some of them look for the wireless headphone model. This makes it much easier for the artist to move more freely when you are mixing and mastering tracks. However, most wireless headphones use Bluetooth, which can have higher audio lag.

Our Verdict

Our top pick is the SENNHEISER HD 800 S Reference Headphone System, which stands to be the perfect example of completely redefining your music with some signature sound effects. Headphones have soft earpads which are rested all around the ear for long-term comfort. Incredible sound from the vented earcup will enable the soundwaves to expand naturally.

 

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