Posted on: November 18, 2019 Posted by: Akesh21 Comments: 0

Whether you’re a DJ or music producer, or maybe you just really love to listen to music, having the right kind of headphones is a must when checking out equipment for your home studio. 

Studio headphones are essential monitoring tools and it’s worth investing in a pair if you’re into producing music, recording, and mixing. We’ve listed down the different design types of headphones and the best models to ensure your creative output is the best it can be.

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The Different Kinds of Headphones

There are three kinds of headphones: closed-back, open-back, and semi-open. While these headphones have minimal differences, some are more suited for specific activities than others. Knowing the functions of each design can help you narrow down your choices in picking the right headphones for you.

Closed-back headphones are commonly used for music recording and production. Because it isolates noise, these headphones can filter out the sounds around you from bleeding through the recording. 

However, this design is at a disadvantage when it comes to critical listening. It also accumulates pressure inside the cup of the headphone because of its isolation feature, giving you a false impression of the low-end.

Open-back headphones, as the name suggests, have an opening to allow air to pass through the ear cups through the speaker. It relieves pressure build-up and has no effect on your sounds, like the closed-back design. Open-back headphones work well for quiet environments, but that’s the only setting where open-back headphones beat closed-backs. 

Typically open-back headphones work well for mixing music. They’re also perfect for critical listening, especially with high-quality audio files. 

Lastly, the semi-open design gets the best of both worlds. While it’s not completely sealed, allowing air passage, it’s also not as fragile as the open-back design. Semi-open headphones work best for casual listening and can be used for both recording and mixing tracks. 

Now that we know the different designs of headphones, here are the best models for each kind. 

Closed-Back Headphones

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Monitor Headphones

Praised by the top audio engineers and audio reviewers, the ATH-MX50x from Audio-Technica is dominating the game. It delivers accurate audio and outstanding comfort, making it perfect for either long sessions in the studio or on the road.

It’s made with contoured earcups, which are sealed tight for sound isolation and minimal bleed. The M-series professional monitor headphones give accurate audio without sacrificing comfort and get the job done.

Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro

Establishing themselves as a crowd favorite, the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro has won over the trust of the people. Designed for critical music and sound monitoring, it gives listeners a neutral environment and top-notch impulse response. 

It’s compatible with most devices, so you can take this baby with you on your daily commute. 

Avantone Pro MP1

Also known as multi-mode headphones, engineers and musicians alike rely on Avantone to give them quality products. Now with Vari-Voice, the Pro MP1 lets you switch from normal neutral-voiced stereo to mono mode to mix mode without having to change headsets.

Equipped with pivoting earcups and a padded head strap, your comfort is the priority of the Avante Pro MP1, allowing you to use it continuously in professional settings.

Sony MDR-7506

As far as the music industry is concerned, the Sony MDR-7506 is the standard for audio production and mixing.

It’s inexpensive so scoring a pair won’t lead you into debt. These headphones can also reproduce each frequency in the range at the same sound-pressure level, which is a must when working in audio. 

Open-Back Headphones

Sennheiser HD 650

Audiophiles get sound quality like no other with the Sennheiser HG 650. It’s top-of-the-range, open, and dynamic stereo headphones that make you feel the concert experience in the comfort of your own home.

With specially developed acoustic silk for precise, uniform attenuation, it sets the standards in convenience and comfort for professionals everywhere. 

Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro

Beyerdynamic is owning the game by mastering the different kinds of headphones. Its open-back design, the DT 1990 Pro, is for high-end studio use thanks to its 250-ohm, 45 mm dynamic Tesla neodymium drivers.

Made in Germany, Beyerdynamic only gives the best to its users with the single-sided detachable cable with a mini-XLR connector. You can also use the replaceable ear pads and headband for extended studio sessions without straining your ears.

Sennheiser HD 800 Reference Dynamic

Sennheiser has been a longtime player in the audio industry. With more than 60 years of ingenious headphone engineering, they’ve crafted a product that bundles all those years of innovation into one: the Sennheiser HD800 Reference Dynamic.

The intricate workings of these headphones were hand-made in Germany, so you’re getting only the best of the best that Sennheiser has to offer. It incorporated the brand’s most advanced driver technology so these stereo headphones redefine the very meaning of reference-grade audio.

Shure SRH1840

For unparalleled acoustic performance, the Shure SRH1840 open-back professional headphones are for you. It’s lightweight and features a circumaural design to highlight natural sound, wide stereo image, and increased depth of field.

Each product is individually tested and serialized, so you’re getting a product that has passed the extreme standards of the brand. Built for everyday use, Shure headphones won’t conk out on you in the middle of your commute.

Semi-open

AKG K240 MKII

With a detachable cable, the semi-open professional over-ear K240 MKII headphones are used for renowned performances in orchestras and concerts. The advanced technology of this product offers a dynamic range and increased sensitivity sound levels. 

Their semi-open design gives the best of both worlds because it allows the airflow like the open-back headphones but gives a powerful bass response of closed-back designs. Coming with a 3-meter straight cable, 5-meter coiled cable, and a convertible jack plus, the K240 MKII is a powerful tool for all kinds of production settings.

Fostex T50RP

Refined, powerful, and versatile. We’re describing the Fostex T50RP. It complies with most standards for various professional uses and has a semi-open design for flat and clear sounds. 

It comes with a detachable plug to give users the best service and contains a low-repulsion ear pad and a head pad for maximum comfort. It has a quick defined bass response and a durable modular build.

You can get a pair of these semi-open headphones and increase the sound quality of your audio.

Superlux HD668B

Get the bang for your buck by investing in the Superlux HD668B. The brand has been known for creating wonderful products with superior sound quality at an affordable price. 

Superlux is a hybrid of many brands, combining their best features into one product that blows everything out of the water. With excellently balanced sound presenting the clarity and high-resolution audio required by professionals, it’s no question that everyone is flocking towards the Superlux HD668B model to satisfy their needs.

Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro

Sound quality? Check. Comfort? Check. Easy to use? Check. Inexpensive? Check. It seems that Beyerdynamic has ticked all the boxes when it comes to creating the perfect semi-open headphones that audiophiles are asking for. 

An excellent choice for endless hours of listening sessions, this monitoring tool makes it look easy with its exceptional frequency response and stereo separation. It only gets better because this product also assures the comfort of your ears regardless of how long you plan to wear them.

The bottom line is that these are a must-have if you’re looking for semi-open designed headphones for less than $200. Built to withstand the hustle and bustle of everyday life and emphasizing on the comfort it brings to your listening experience, the DT 880 Pro is the way to go.

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