Best Budget Studio Headphones: Reviews and Buying Guide

Whether you are a mastering engineer, a music producer, or an artist, finding the best studio headphones is one of the most crucial decisions that you must make. Even if you do not have lots of money to spare, you can still enjoy the high-quality performance from some of the best budget studio headphones.

Headphones are probably the most used items in a music studio. In this article, we will review some of the best models on the market, and we will also help you choose the best headphones within your budget range.

Reviews of the Best Budget Studio Headphones

These studio headphones will show you all the high and low-end details without breaking the bank. Check out our top picks.

OneOdio A70 Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones

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• High-Resolution Sound Quality by Professional Audio Team - With...
• Dual Mode and Never Power Off - Enjoy up to 72 hours of playtime...
• Maximum Comfort and Space-Saving Design - The over-ear, ergonomic...
• Music or Audio Sharing - This headphone's unique feature enables...
• Wired Aux Jack Lock Design - To ensure a stable connection, we've...

$39.09

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Forget about the limitations of cables, as these Bluetooth headphones will quickly pair with your device. You can also use the audio cable to share music with someone else in the music studio.

The memory foam cups are comfortable to wear and will not cause any headaches or discomfort, even when you wear your headphones for long periods. They also guarantee better noise cancellation, so you can enjoy your music to the maximum without any disturbance. They have a high sensitivity range of 110±3dB.

These headphones allow you to connect two devices simultaneously, so you can receive music simultaneously using the 35 mm and 6.35 mm cable. Once they are charged, the headphones will deliver 25 hours of playback. The 40mm drivers deliver clear highs, vivid mids, and vibrant bass without overlap. The JackLock system secures the cables in place, so you will not have any connection issues.

All the controls are located on the headphones, allowing you to control the volume, pause, and play music conveniently. Once you are done using the headphones, they can easily fold for better storage and portability. There’s a mic on these headphones, but the gain isn’t that good.

What We Like

• ✓ Good noise cancellation.
• ✓ Folding design for better storage.
• ✓ Wired and wireless operation.
• ✓ Long playback time.
• ✓ High sensitivity range.
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• ✗ The mic does not have a good gain.

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones

• Advanced build quality and engineering
• 40 mm drivers with rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum...
• Tuned for enhanced low-frequency performance
• Circumaural design contours around the ears for excellent sound...
• Convenient single-side cable exit
• Designed for studio tracking and mixing

$49.00

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The closed-back design of these comfortable headphones provides better noise cancellation in loud environments, so you can focus on the details of your music. These headphones are built explicitly for studio tracking and mixing with 40 mm drivers highlighting all the aspects of your audio. The drivers are made of rare earth magnets to enhance the quality of the music you are listening to. They are tuned to improve low-frequency performance, a feature that most musicians and artists care about.

Compared to other headphones, wearing these ones will not cause any discomfort because they are padded. The contours and the padded design allow you to wear these headphones for a long period. Their robust construction makes them good value for money as they can handle heavy-duty use. Both ear cups can be swiveled in both directions up to 15 degrees without jeopardizing the durability of the headphones.

Even a beginner will not struggle to set them up as they come with a single-cable exit. They arrive with a 6.3 mm adaptor for more advanced applications. The cable is long to allow for more versatility. The sensitivity range of these headphones’ measures 96 db.

These headphones might feel a little bit bulky compared to other models on the market. They are more suitable for people with smaller heads because they tend to be tight.

What We Like

• ✓ Good noise cancellation in loud settings.
• ✓ Enhanced low-frequency performance.
• ✓ Comfortable padded design.
• ✓ Ear cups can swivel up to 15 degrees.
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• ✗ Bulkier than other models.
• ✗ Not suitable for people with larger heads.

LyxPro HAS-10 Closed Back Over-Ear Professional Studio Monitor And Mixing Headphones

• PRO-GRADE CLOSED BACK OVER-EAR HEADPHONES: Experience exceptional...
• TRULY POWERFUL NdFeB MAGNET SYSTEM: Enjoy instant dynamic...
• TELESCOPING STAINLESS STEEL ARMS WITH SIZING SCALE: Achieve a...
• PREMIUM BUILD QUALITY: Designed for durability, the LyxPro HAS-10...
• SINGLE-SIDED STRAIGHT CABLE DUCT WITH SCREW-ON JACK: Enjoy...

$39.99

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If you are an aspiring DJ or own a home studio, these closed-back studio headphones will not let you down. Featuring stainless-steel arms, these headphones are quite durable. The sizing can be adjusted, so they will provide the perfect fit. They provide decent insulation, so you can enjoy your music without any distractions.

A pair of 45mm neodymium magnet drivers shows all the details that every music lover would be interested in. The lowest lows will be clear, a feature that most modern musicians would require in a pair of studio headphones. They feature a sensitivity rating of 98±3dB, so they are quite sensitive compared to other headphones in the same price range.

You might encounter some problems with the trebles. Special attention should be given to the cable to make sure that it does not expose the bare wire.

What We Like

• ✓ Durable stainless-steel arms.
• ✓ Decent frequency range.
• ✓ Clear highs, mids, and lows.
• ✓ Good noise insulation.
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• ✗ The cable is not of the best quality.
• ✗ The trebles are not exceptional.

Edifier H840 Audiophile Over-The-Ear Headphones

• Professional sound - 40mm driver units fine tuned for quality...
• Comfort matters - Ergonomic fit with over-ear design of...
• Solid Build - Leather headrests with steel reinforced headband...
• Quality Connection - 3.5mm gold-plated audio plug with 6ft high...

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Enjoy a comfortable fit with these headphones that you can wear for long periods. They are extremely lightweight with durable leather ear cups that will not cause any discomfort. The reinforced steel headband guarantees that your headphones will last for a long time.

The built-in 40mm drivers are designed to highlight all the details of your music, making these excellent headphones for aspiring musicians. There is a perfect balance between trebles and bass, and your music will sound better than ever. These headphones come with an exceptionally long 6-feet cable, so you will not feel limited while recording and mixing your music.

Whether you have a big or small head, you will be able to get the perfect fit because the size can be easily adjusted. The sensitivity range on these headphones’ measures 90dB. They fold flat, but not completely, so they are quite easy to carry around.

Although they feature a closed-back design, they will let some of the outside noise pass through. The cable might be too long for some users, so it might get into the way.

What We Like

• ✓ Comfortable and adjustable fit.
• ✓ Lightweight headphones.
• ✓ Reinforced steel headband for more durability.
• ✓ Offer a great balance between trebles and bass.
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• ✗ The cable might be too long for some people.
• ✗ They let in some of the outside noise.

PreSonus HD7 Professional Monitoring Headphones

• High resolution neodymium drivers
• Patented, precision tuned acoustic chamber
• Extended bass response
• Comfortable, long-lasting ear pads and auto-fit head band
• Lightweight, yet built tough to withstand abuse
• Single-sided cable
• Optimized pressure
• PreSonus (Author)
• English (Publication Language)

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For an affordable price, these headphones come with several useful features that allow for a better recording and mixing experience. These semi-open back headphones feature high-resolution neodymium drivers to highlight all the details of the audio.

The semi-open back design lets some of the air and noise in, so they are more suitable for parties and musicians who work with others in a studio. The drivers guarantee an extended bass response, an essential feature for musicians and audiophiles. The headphones have a sensitivity range of 98 db.

Wearing these headphones will not cause any discomfort because the headband allows for a comfortable fit. They feature a single cable that you can connect to any device.

They are lightweight and comfortable to wear, but they will withstand years of repeated use. The adjustment of the headband feels a little bit flimsy, so they might slide back to the previous size. The earpads are not properly padded.

What We Like

• ✓ Lightweight and comfortable to wear headphones.
• ✓ High-quality drivers for better bass response.
• ✓ Long-lasting earpads.
• ✓ Suitable for DJs as they let you hear the surroundings.
• ‍
• ✗ The adjustable headband feels a little bit flimsy.

What to Consider Before Buying the Best Budget Studio Headphones

With multiple headphones on the market, finding the best ones within your budget range can be a little challenging. Here are a few things to think about before making a purchase.

Type

Headphones are either open-back, semi-open back, or closed-back headphones. In this article, we only covered semi-open back and closed-back headphones. Nevertheless, when you’re shopping for headphones, it’s crucial to understand the difference between the three types.

Open-back headphones allow the air, as well as noises from the surrounding environment, to pass through the ear cups. This means that there will not be much sound pressure or echoes while listening for extended periods. If you are using open-back headphones in a quiet environment, they will allow you to enjoy natural audios.

However, in a loud environment, they will affect the quality of the sound. They also allow the music you are enjoying leaking out. People around you will be able to listen to what you are listening to.

Closed-back headphones block most of the outside noise. They’re not as good as noise cancelling headphones that are usually more expensive, but they still offer an immersive audio experience that you can enjoy even if you’re on a tight budget.

These headphones work very well in the studio, as they allow you to enjoy your music without much disturbance. However, they can make your ears sweat badly, especially when they are worn for long periods.

Semi-open back headphones offer a balance between the previous two types. They let some air pass into the ear cups, and some noise leaks out of them. They might be more comfortable to wear than close closed-back headphones because they will not make your ears get too hot.

Wired or Wireless

The main difference between wired and wireless headphones is that the wireless ones allow you to move freely away from the device you are connecting your headphones to. Most headphones will automatically pair up with your recording devices, but you need to check for compatibility.

Recharging your headphones is essential to make sure that they will playback for as long as you need them to. The quality of the audio depends on the quality of the headphones themselves and the distance from the device. There might also be the risk of interference from other nearby devices.

Wired headphones are straightforward to use. Budget-friendly models do not need any access to a power supply. However, some expensive models can feature batteries that allow you to cancel all the outside noise.

They usually come with a single cable, and you can also attach an adapter to connect your headphones to multiple devices. Both wired and wireless headphones are portable. However, wireless models are more convenient to use while you are moving around.

Audio Quality

This is probably the first thing you are thinking about when you are shopping for a pair of headphones. When you are on a tight budget, you want to make sure that your headphones are designed to create a detailed audio profile, so you can hear all the notes.

Deep bass is one of the most important features that can affect the quality of your audio while recording and mixing. You also need to make sure that all the mids and highs are perfectly balanced to create a high-quality recording.

Comfortable Fit

Wearing your headphones for extended periods can make you a bit uncomfortable. You need to make sure that the headband does not press on your temples and can be worn comfortably for long hours, especially when you are recording and mixing music. An adjustable headband is a big plus as it allows you to get the perfect fit.

Lightweight headbands are more comfortable to wear than the heavier ones. However, there will always be a question of durability. It is best to pick a sturdy headband that does not press on the sides of your head too much, so you can wear your headphones without any issues.

Foam padded ear cups are also desirable because they do not make you feel uncomfortable. You can look for ear cups that swivel to allow for more versatility. You need to make sure that the ear pads are made of durable yet breathable material because sweaty ears will deprive you of all the fun.

Wrap Up

Even if you are on a tight budget, you can still find high-quality headphones for your music studio. We chose the OneOdio A70 Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones as our top choice because you can use them with or without the cables. They fold for convenient storage and provide excellent audio quality.

If you’re interested in a wired model, we recommend that you check out Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones. These headphones are extremely comfortable to wear, and the ear cups can be swiveled in both directions up to 15 degrees. There are several cool options on our list, so you can easily find a good model that fits your budget.