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Are you looking for the best budget studio headphones for your music production needs? With headphones costing anywhere from $50-$100, you’re sure to find great value.
Did you know that 78% of professional music producers and engineers use studio headphones for their work? Whether you’re a budding artist or a professional producer, finding the right pair of headphones can be overwhelming.
Luckily, we’ve put together a list of the top seven budget studio headphones under $100 and $50 in 2023.
Read on to find out which pair of headphones is best for you!
Key Takeaways
- The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, Shure SRH440A, and Sennheiser HD 280 Pro are the best budget studio headphones under $100, offering wired connectivity, over-ear design, and closed-back construction.
- The AKG K240 Studio, Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, Yamaha HPH-MT5, and Sony MDR-7506 are the top choices for budget studio headphones under $50, providing wired connectivity and over-ear design.
- Factors to consider when choosing budget studio headphones include frequency response range, impedance level, driver size, comfort and ergonomics, and durability and build quality.
- Using studio headphones for music production offers benefits such as accurate sound representation, noise isolation, comfortable fit, portability and convenience, and cost-effectiveness compared to studio monitors.
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
Nowadays, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is one of the top choices for budget studio headphones under $100. It offers a wired, over-ear, closed-back design and a frequency response of 15 Hz-24 kHz. Compared to other Audio Technica models, it delivers a more accurate sound reproduction and higher impedance level.
Additionally, it has an adjustable, padded headband for a comfortable fit. The cons of the Audio Technica ATH M40x include a slightly bulky design and limited soundstage. However, overall, it’s an excellent budget headset with great sound quality and comfort.
Shure SRH440A
The next budget studio headphones on the list is the Shure SRH440A. It is a wired, over-ear, closed-back design with a frequency response of 10 Hz-22 kHz. Compared to other budget studio headphones, such as the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x with a response range of 15 Hz-24 kHz, the Shure SRH440A has a slightly lower frequency response range.
However, the Shure SRH440A offers a great value for the price. Its robust build quality and comfortable fit make it an ideal choice for long listening sessions. Additionally, it has good sound isolation, suitable for use in noisy environments.
The downside is that it may not be as accurate at reproducing certain frequencies as some of the other models. However, overall the Shure SRH440A is a great budget studio headphone and a good choice for those looking for a reliable and affordable option.
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
Next up is the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, a wired, over-ear, closed-back design with a frequency response of 8 Hz-25 kHz. Compared to other closed-back headphones, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro offers an impressive frequency range.
Its low impedance level makes these headphones ideal for use with portable devices. The large 45mm drivers provide a clear, accurate sound reproduction, and the comfortable ear cups provide a good level of noise isolation.
The design of the headphones is robust and durable, making them a great choice for long-term use. However, some users may find the ear cups to be too tight and uncomfortable after extended use.
AKG K240 Studio
Following the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is the AKG K240 Studio, a wired, over-ear, semi-open design with a frequency response of 15 Hz-25 kHz. It’s a popular model for studio use due to its relatively low price and good performance.
When compared to the Audio Technica ATH M40x, the AKG K240 Studio stands out with its slightly higher frequency response range, making it better suited for certain music genres. However, the semi-open design of the AKG K240 Studio means it may not provide as much noise isolation as the ATH M40x.
This can be beneficial when you want to hear some of the outside noise while recording, but can be a drawback when you want to focus solely on the music. Additionally, the semi-open design may not provide as accurate sound reproduction for certain frequencies as a closed-back design.
On the other hand, the AKG K240 Studio is comfortable, lightweight, and portable, making it a great option for budget studio headphones.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
Can the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x provide better sound quality than the AKG K240 Studio for budget studio headphones?
The ATH-M20x is a wired, over-ear, closed-back design with a frequency response of 15 Hz-20 kHz. It offers a comfortable fit with its adjustable headband and soft earpads.
The sound quality comparison between the two is quite close, with the ATH-M20x having a slight edge due to its slightly wider frequency response.
While the K240 Studio offers a semi-open design for a more open soundstage, the ATH-M20x has the edge in terms of comfort level and noise isolation.
Ultimately, both offer great value for budget studio headphones, so it’s important to consider your personal needs and preferences when making a decision.
Yamaha HPH-MT5
The Yamaha HPH-MT5 is one of the best budget studio headphones under $50 in 2023. It features an over-ear design with a single-sided cable for convenience.
Compared to other budget headphones, the Yamaha HPH-MT5 offers a good sound quality, with a dynamic range and frequency response suitable for studio monitoring. It’s lightweight and comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Additionally, the HPH-MT5 is well-built and durable, offering great value for money.
The pros of the Yamaha HPH-MT5 include its good sound quality, comfort, and durability. However, it does have some drawbacks such as a limited frequency response range and no active noise cancellation.
While these features aren’t essential for studio monitoring, they could be beneficial for certain applications.
Ultimately, the Yamaha HPH-MT5 is a great choice for budget-conscious music producers who need a reliable pair of studio headphones.
Sony MDR-7506
You’ll find the Sony MDR-7506 among the best budget studio headphones under $50 in 2023.
This wired, over-ear design offers a comfortable fit and good sound quality.
Compared to other Sony headphones, the MDR-7506 has a more basic design and fewer features. However, its lightweight design and adjustable headband make it suitable for long listening sessions.
The pros of the MDR-7506 include its excellent sound quality, good noise isolation, and durable build quality.
On the other hand, its frequency response range is limited and it lacks bass.
Conclusion
No matter what your budget is, there’s a pair of studio headphones that can help you get the most out of your music production.
Whether you’re looking for the best budget studio headphones under $100 or $50, there are plenty of great options to choose from.
From Audio-Technica to Shure and Sennheiser, you can find the perfect fit for your needs.
With the right pair of headphones, you can easily take your music production to the next level.
I’m thrilled to be able to share my passion for music with others through this audio blog, and I can’t wait to connect with fellow music lovers from all around the world. Let’s rock on!