When picking out a pair of studio headphones, it's worth asking yourself what you'll be using them for. The idea that studio headphones sound better than 'normal' headphones is a bit of a misconception. 'Good sound' is actually not the main goal of studio headphones, instead, the goal to deliver the most honest and unforgiving sound possible is central.
When Do You Need Professional Studio Headphones?
There are maybe three good reasons for using a set of studio-grade headphones instead of a set of regular headphones. Studio headphones can be helpful when you're making recordings, when you're monitoring live or when you're mixing or mastering audio. In every case, it's essential that you're able to hear every detail, so you can actually notice any faults in the playing, or pick out anything that doesn't sound quite right and make any necessary edits or corrections. If you are looking for a normal set of headphones, then see our headphones department.
Recording or Monitoring with Closed Studio Headphones
When you're recording music or monitoring live music, it's a good idea to use a set of closed studio headphones. Closed headphones literally cup your ears and close off sound from outside and stop sound from 'bleeding' out. When recording, you don't want the sound of the guide tracks or the click to bleed out into the microphone while you record the vocals, and when monitoring, closed microphones allow you to fully focus on the music.
Mixing and Mastering with Open Studio Headphones
The ear cups of open studio headphones aren't 100% closed, so air, or the audio you're listening is able to escape and any sound from your environment is able to reach your ears. The point of the mixing and mastering process is to make the tracks sound as good as they can - no matter what kind of speakers you're using. Here, a set of closed studio headphones don't offer as honest an audio image as open headphones. What open headphones do is mimic the more 'airy' experience of listening through a set of speakers, which is essential when you want the most honest sound reproduction possible. It's worth noting though, that headphones will never be the perfect replacement for a set of speakers.
Comfort
Another important element of your studio headphones is the comfort level. When mixing or mastering, you're often sitting and listening for a fair few hours at a time, so it would be nice if you're ears aren't red-raw by the end of the session. How comfortable a set of headphones are depends on a couple of things: the tension of the headband and the padding of both the headband cushion and the ear cup cushions. Tip: a brand new set of headphones can start to pinch at first, but you can gently stretch them by cupping them over a few books to lightly 'break them in'.
Ohms: What Does it Say About the Quality of Headphones?
It can be confusing when you're asked to choose between a set of 32 Ohm, 80 Ohm, 250 Ohm, or 600 Ohm headphones when they all look exactly the same and, otherwise, have exactly the same set of specs. The Ohm value refers to the impedance. What's impedance? Well, the higher the impedance, the better the coil, which indicates a higher quality driver system which results in better sound and also enhanced bass. The downside of high impedance headphones is that they need more power to work. This is why headphones with a higher impedance can't be plugged into equipment like a laptop or phone. To run a set of high impedance headphones, you need to plug them into studio equipment with a powerful headphone amplifier.
Studio Monitors or Studio Headphones?
Using a set of studio headphones is only one of a few options available when producing and mixing music. Instead, you could use a set of studio monitors for the mixing and mastering phase. Studio monitors are actually designed for just this job, but there are a few reasons why you might want to use headphones for the earlier stages of the recording process. For example, it can be easier to pick out the finer details with a set of headphones, or the bass can sound more prominent, helping the drummer to keep time while they record the beats along to the bass. Also, studio monitors won't work in every situation. Maybe you're working at home and don't want to bother your neighbours or house mates with loud music - on repeat - as you listen to those four bars over and over again. Or maybe you're working on a space with terrible acoustics that makes the audio image sound warped.
When Do You Need a Headphone Amplifier?
Headphone amplifiers can be used to feed high impedance headphones with the right amount of power, but they also come with some other benefits. A lot of studio equipment, like external interfaces, often come with just one headphone output, while headphone amplifiers usually come fitted with a whole row of headphone outputs so you can hook up multiple sets and the whole band can listen to the mix. Some more professional headphone amplifiers even feature separate controls for each headphone channel, so while they're recording or performing, every member of the band or ensemble can dial in their own personalised monitor mix.
Frequency Asked Questions About Studio Headphones
What's Better? Headphones or Earbuds?
When you're playing live on stage or recording, then a set of in-ear monitors can really work. But if you're mixing and mastering, then a set of studio headphones are a better idea - especially open studio headphones.
What are the best studio headphones?
A good set of studio headphones deliver an honest and neutral audio image and you can wear them for hours on end without them feeling uncomfortable.
What's the difference between a headset and headphones?
A headset is a set of headphones but with an integrated microphone.
