Best Budget Headphones For Music Production Over Ear Options & Specs

Do you want to get started with your music production studio? Are you looking for best budget headphones for music production? If you have these type of questions in your mind, then we have got you covered in our list of best budget headphones for music production.

These headphones are known as Studio headphones. But what makes a studio headphone different from rest of the headphones. Studio headphones are designed for creating, recording, mixing and mastering music. If you are a music producer than critical listening is more important than entertainment uses like casual listening to podcasts, games or watching movies.

So you want headphones that have the flat frequency response so that they don’t artificially boost the bass or treble. Entertainment headphones are notorious for altering the frequency response. Especially when the bass and treble are boosted everything sounds so much better. But as an artist, you need headphones that are more honest. You need more professional headphones, the studio headphones.

Now the question arises what to look when choosing your studio headphones. If a headphone says a word “Studio,” it doesn’t necessarily make it a good headphone for music production. The first thing that a user should keep in mind is the closed back or open back headphones.

Closed back headphones are suitable for isolation if you are producing in a noisy environment. The sound is tighter and more focused. As a result, the low frequencies might be a little exaggerated. Other cons of this type of headphones are that soundstage would not sound as full and open. Open back headphones are opposite to the former one. Sound can easily leak through them. These type of headphones performs better in a quiet environment. Also if your goal is mixing, open back headphones tend to be more accurate.

Another essential thing to look for is on-ear and over-ear headphones. On-ear headphones sit on top of your ear and relatively uncomfortable to ear. But these headphones look and sound cool and can be easily used outside. On the other hands, over-ear headphones cover your whole ear as they have a significantly large driver. These are not only comfortable but also resists the outside noise from going inside. Usually, over-ear headphones are recommended for the music production work.

Next thing is your purpose, means you will be recording, mixing or doing both. Open back headphones are suitable for mixing in quiet environments like the one in the studio. And if your someone who records music on the moving from one place to another, open-back would be more beneficial and honest to your work. So you need to prioritize your requirements.

Best Budget Headphones

There are few other factors like frequency response, comfort, durability, budget, etc. which we have kept in mind while shortlisting the best ones for you. So here is our list of best budget headphones for music production.

1. Audio-Technica ATH-M40X

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Starting the list with the most affordable yet high-quality over-ear studio headphone, Audio Technica ATH-M40x. It is tuned flat for incredibly accurate audio monitoring across the extended frequency range. The earcups are swiveling which also allows one ear monitoring. It is engineered with a pro-grade material, and robust construction makes it ideal for professional music recording and mixing, as well as DJ monitoring.

ATH-M40x has 40 mm drivers with rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils for accurate sound. Circumaural design contours around the ears so that you can work comfortably even in noisy environments. It has a detachable cable, and you get two cable options included 1.2 m to 3 m coiled cable and a 3m straight cable. It works in an extended frequency range of 15 Hz to 24000 Hz with a sensitivity of 98 dB. That’s not it, for the peace of users mind, Audio Technica gives two years warranty on this studio headphone.

2. Sony MDR-7506 Professional Headphones

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Sony MDR-7506 offers a good combination of strength, comfort, and practicality. It can be used for daily broadcasting, recording and mixing in studios. It works in the extended frequency range of 10 Hz to 20 KHz for deep lows and crisp highs without any artificial boost. This headphone has a high sensitivity of 106 dB which makes it quite loud. A 3m detachable coiled cord gives users the flexibility to move around.

This Sony studio headphone is packed with advanced technology and superior hardware for perfect frequency response with vibrant details in the audio quality. The excellent design of the headphone is not only comfortable but also cust out ample amount of external noise. Its 3.5 stereo audio jack is gold plated for even better performance.

3. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

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Audio Technica ATH-M50x is one of the most praised headphones of its class. Engineered with pro audio drivers and a studio headphone design makes it a great option for music production on a budget. Its large aperture drivers and sound isolating earcups do a good job for an unmatched experience.

Comfort is equally important like the audio quality. Its over-ear design with soft padded cushions delivers outstanding convenience to the users for prolonged sessions in the studio. Moreover, the three detachable cables included in the package gives you the flexibility to use it as a studio headphone with a 3m long cable and as an entertainment headphone with a 1.2 m straight cable. The earcups are swiveling 90 degrees for one ear monitoring and easy portability.

4. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Headphones

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Sennheiser has earned a good reputation in the market. It does not matter you are buying an affordable headphone, gaming headphones, studio headphone or premium headphone, Sennheiser has proved itself everywhere. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is a budget-friendly studio over the ear headphone. This rugged yet comfortable headphone is designed for professional audio monitoring and mixing as well.

Sennheiser HD 280 Pro works in an extended frequency range that goes as low as 8 Hz to as high as 25 kHz. These headphones are very loud and have a sensitivity of 113 dB that is rarely seen in the headphone of this range. The sound is accurate and linear that’s what music produces look in a headphone. Earcups can be folded to save space while transporting them. But sadly, the coiled cable is not detachable which might be annoying to some users.

5. Fostex T50RP Semi-Open Studio Headphones

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Fostex T50RP is a semi-open over the ear headphone. Open back headphones tend to work better when it comes to mixing. This headphone does not exaggerate the treble and bass just like the entertainment-oriented headphones. Its semi-open back design allows sound leak which helps in accurate and flat sound output to the user. It has a planar magnetic driver which incorporates Fostex’s Regular Phase technology diaphragm for sharper audio reproduction.

The housing, earpads and head pad is so well designed to keep you working for long hours without any leaving pain to your head or ears. Though it is a bit heavy with 315 grams weight once you wear it, you won’t feel that. The option of a detachable cable is also a good thing.

6. AKG K240 MKII Studio Headphones

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Again we have got a good studio headphone with a semi-open back design for flat sound output. It has advanced Varimotion 30 mm transducers for accurate mids, clear highs and tight lows. Its semi-open design keeps a balance of both closed-back and open-back so that air keeps on flowing in and out of the headphones without affecting the powerful bass response.

These types of headphones serve a dual purpose. They can be used for audio recording and audio mixing as well. The headband, earcups are comfortable enough for work. The headband is auto adjustable to your head, the 3-meter long cable is detachable and gives the flexibility. But the earcups are not foldable which you can consider as a con of AKG 240 MkII studio headphone.

7. KRK KNS8400 Studio Headphones

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KRK has always been focused on quality studio headphones. KRK KNS8400 is a great mention when we talk about accurate monitoring at an affordable budget. Being able to discern the difference in pitch, timbre, and tone is the most important thing. Also, the cable is detachable, headband and earcups are padded for optimum fit and comfort. The design is so well you won’t hear much of outside once you put them on.

The newly developed headphone acoustical system brings a new level of performance at this price. The earcups have a 90° swivel mechanism for easy single-ear monitoring and easy portability. The 3.5 stereo mini plug is gold plated for even better performance, and it also includes a 1/4 inches adapter to provide compatibility with a variety of audio devices. It is compact, stylish, lightweight and does its job pretty well.

8. Sennheiser HD 558 Headphones

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Whether you need looks, comfort, or studio level high-quality flat sound, these headphones will do the justice. Sennheiser HD 558 is a robust headphone with their internal surround reflector, and open circumaural design can generate an extended spatial sound field to distinguish between various sounds. The E.A.R technology accurately channels the audio signals into your ears while keeping the resonance at an absolute minimum.

These open-back headphones have a high sensitivity of 112 dB which is rarely seen in the headphones of this range. The single-sided cable is detachable and has a gold plated jack 3.5 mm stereo jack for longer lifespan and fewer distortions in sound.

9. AKG K702 Headphones

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AKG K702 is one more great choice in open-back headphones. This over-ear headphone delivers precise sound for mixing and mastering the music production. The flat wire voice coils and a patented Varimotion two-layer diaphragm does exceptional work in delivering the flat studio quality sound in the budget. The 3D-foam earpads and leather headband ensures the perfect fit and optimum comfort for long sessions.

It has got a high-performance detachable cable along with mini XLR connector for quick replacement of the cable. This open-back headphone can work in the more extended frequency range than any other headphone in this list. The audio frequency bandwidth starts from 10 Hz and goes up to 39800 Hz with a high sensitivity of 105 dB. With all those things AKG has still managed to keep the weight around 235 grams which is another plus point to this one.

10. Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO

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When I hear the word studio quality sound output, one name comes to my mind, Beyerdynamic. There are a lot of great headphones from Beyerdynamic that can be used for music production and EDM mixing. But as this post is kind of budget focused, so we got only one Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro in the budget. It is a closed-back over the ear headphone with nothing extras to add weight and make it cool. Everything is elegant and stylish. One can use this headphone while traveling that’s what I like the most.

The “Bass Reflex” technology for an improved bass response. The earpads and headband are well cushioned for a comfortable fit. Everything is rugged and precisely designed so that you can carry this headphone without worrying about it getting torn. The entire frequency range is accurately reproduced to deliver the minute details in the audio. This series is available in three impedance options 32 ohms, 80 ohms and 250 ohms. While the 32 ohms headphones are ideal for smartphones and tablets, the 80 ohms and 250 ohms headphone are suitable for universal audio usage. The only we are talking about here is an 80-ohm headphone.

Conclusion

Most of the headphones are sub $150 regarding cost except for one. These are the ones that we like a lot, and we hope that you will too! Questions and suggestions are welcome in the comment section below. Thanks for visiting our article on the best budget Headphones! We hope to see you again.