Many of you may wonder why you need specific headphones for recording vocals. But for an audiophile or someone who is a professional, a great pair of headphones is essential. To get the best results while in a studio, you will need many tools, and headphones are one of them.
This article is meant to be about the best headphones for recording vocals. If you are in search of these headphones and you are confused about what to purchase and which ones are the preeminent ones, then I am sure this article will help you a lot. Keep reading to see what I have in store this time.
A Quick Look at My Favorite Headphones for Recording Vocals
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
The Most Portable  | 10 | Check Latest Price | |
The Most Versatile  | 9 | Check Latest Price | |
The Most Affordable  | 8.5 | Check Latest Price | |
The Most Comfortable  | 8.8 | Check Latest Price | |
Best Overall  | 8.6 | Check Latest Price |
Key Takeaways
- If you are searching for the best headphones for recording vocals, then you are at the right place.
- If you want the best headphones that are the most suitable for recording vocals, then I would highly recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X.
- If you are on a tight budget but need a great pair of headphones to perform your skills, then the Sony MDR7506 is the one you should go for.
- Please, make sure that the headphones you are about to purchase have flat frequency responses and are well-built.
Top 5 Best Headphones For Recording Vocals
5. AKG Pro Audio K371 – Best Value
The AKG Pro Audio K371 is the first pick I have chosen to represent today. Many of you have heard about AKG and its success in providing top-notch headphones. So, they also didn’t surprise me with the AKG Pro Audio K371. First and foremost, let me write some crucial aspects of these supreme headphones’ design and built quality.
The headphones are all matte-black and have a stylish and intriguing appearance since the earcups do not have that standard circular shape. The earcups are padded with synthetic leather, and the headband is cushioned with faux leather. They are fully foldable, showing a high level of portability, so you can take them wherever you want. The materials used in the construction of these headphones are mainly plastic, but you will also be able to see some pieces made of metal.
Due to the soft padding of earcups and headbands, these headphones are very comfortable, so you can use them for long periods without facing any issues. Let me also mention that the earcups can rotate 180 degrees, so you adjust the earcups according to your demands.
The headphones have perfectly balanced mids and are well-expressed, but sometimes you may hear some distortions, which is pretty normal. The highs are simply perfect, so due to this, you can hear instruments clearly. There are no issues with the bass or low-end, but it could be more powerful. So, in general, these headphones will provide excellent sound quality. It’s also important to note that these headphones are wired and equipped with a 3.5mm cable that you can use to connect to any device.
Why Should You Buy It?
There are several reasons why to purchase these headphones. They are well-built, very stylish in design, and have great sound quality.
4. Sennheiser HD 280 PRO – The Most Versatile
I want to name the Sennheiser HD 280 PRO a lifesaver in the audio world. They are the most versatile ones, so you can use them for any purpose, not just for recording vocals. Let’s move on to these headphones’ design and built quality and see what they offer. I don’t find these headphones stylish since they are a bit bulky, but I guess many will love their appearance.
They come all in black, and the earcups cups have an excellent structure while also being well-padded, so I have nothing to complain about since they most probably will fit any ears well. The headband disappoints me at this point since it is a bit tight, but the padding is excellent. Due to all of these I have mentioned, I can state that these headphones are comfortable. Sennheiser HD 280 PRO is generally made of high-quality plastic and has a sturdy build, making the headphones durable.
What about the sound quality and performance? These headphones provide great sound. The mids are well-expressed and offer a flat and neutral sound. Also, the highs are balanced so that you can hear the vocals well, but it could be better. The low-end accuracy is what makes these headphones unique. The bass is powerful and dynamic. Here is something I want to point out about these headphones; the noise cancelation features, so by using these headphones, you will be able to avoid external noises. The connection with other devices could be through a coiled cable.
Why Should You Buy It?
If you want a pair of headphones that will last for a long time due to their sturdy build and will also provide the comfort you desire, then the Sennheiser HD 280 PRO will be a great pick.
| Dimensions | 9.64 x 7.36 x 3.3 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.28 pounds |
| Frequency Response | 8 – 25,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 113 dB |
3. Sony MDR7506 – Best Budget
A headphone that comes from Sony is always a great idea. The Sony MDR7506 is the best option if you are on a tight budget, but you also need a pair of headphones that will work well for recording vocals. The Sony MDR7506 doesn’t take its place in the market as the most stylish headphones since they have a simple appearance, all in black, and the brand logo on the earcups.
The design is not what matters because there are some more crucial aspects that we should pay attention such as the build quality and comfort. These headphones are comfortable because their earcups have great padding and are large enough to fit the ears well. The headband is also padded and is covered with faux leather as well. What I like the most about their design is how lightweight they are; sometimes, you may forget that you have put on these headphones, and you will not have any fatigue at all. The built headphone combines metal and plastic to have a durable pair of headphones. Let me finish this part by saying that these are ultra-portable headphones.
We care about sound quality the most, so there is nothing to worry about because these headphones perform well and provide excellent sound. The low-end is what any audiophile will like since the bass is dominant. If you are mainly into hip-hop, you will like it a lot. I don’t have anything to complain about the mids and highs since the sound we get is precise and accurate. Due to its 9.8-foot-long cable, you can connect to any device effortlessly.
Why Should You Buy It?
The Sony MDR7506 will be a great option if you don’t want to damage your bank account and get a pair of headphones that will perform well.
| Dimensions | 1 x 1 x 1 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8 ounces |
| Frequency Response | 10-20kHz |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB/W/m |
2. Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO – Best Runner Up
I am sure many of you are familiar with this brand, and you already know that they provide cutting-edge headphones with many unique features. Once you see these headphones, the first thing you think of is their comfortable look. Looking at these headphones, you can predict that they will fit your ears well.
They have an ergonomic and remarkable design at the same time. The earcups are big enough and well cushioned; the headband is another factor that makes these headphones ultra-comfortable. There is something that I have to mention about the earcups, and I love them so much. the earcups are covered with soft fabric that will give you the softness of a pillow. They have a study built to withstand any harsh conditions. Here comes a drawback, the headphones are not portable, unfortunately.
I think this was enough about the design; let’s see what these headphones bring to the table regarding sound quality. They bring everything to the table, though. Great sound quality with excellent mids and highs makes you hear a neutral and natural sound with every bit of detail. Powerful bass is available as well. Using these headphones will be a pleasure, I guess. Oh, something important is coming; if you are bothered by external noises and can’t focus on your recording, there is nothing to worry about since the headphones feature noise cancellation.
Why Should You Buy It?
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO has a lot to offer, such as superb sound quality, ergonomic design, and many other significant features.
| Dimensions | 7 x 4 x 8.5 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight | 10.2 ounces |
| Frequency Response | 35.000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 106.58 dB/V SPL |
1. Audio-Technica ATH-M50X – Best Overall
Here comes the MVP, guys. Are you ready to read about the fantastic features and sound quality that these headphones will offer? I think that all of you are curious to find out what these headphones will provide, so follow me throughout this article.
I love how these headphones look; they attract everybody’s attention effortlessly. Great padded earcups, and I will also state the same for the headband. They both play a significant role in making these headphones extra comfortable. The material used in the headphones is dense plastic, and there is no doubt that these headphones are very durable. Besides the durability, you can easily fold the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X and carry them wherever you want.
The headphones have fantastic performance and sound quality. By using these headphones, you will be able to hear every little detail of the sound. The mid-range is excellent and will provide the natural sound you desire, the highs always do a great job, and the sound you get is crystal clear—nothing to mention about the bass accuracy since it is evenly distributed and very dynamic. Please let me say: simply the best, better than all the rest!
Why Should You Buy It?
If you want the best headphones for recording vocals, then there is no better option than Audio-Technica ATH-M50X.
| Dimensions | 11.4 x 10 x 4.1 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight | 10.1 ounces |
| Frequency Response | 15-28,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB |
Buying Guide
What about things that we should consider before purchasing headphones? Several factors impact the quality of headphones, and in this section, I will write down all the things you have to pay attention to in order to make the right decision.
Built Quality
The built quality is a crucial aspect to consider since if you want to have headphones that will last longer, they should have excellent built quality, and the materials used to construct the headphones should be high-end.
Comfort
Assuming that most of you will use the headphones for long periods, you want them to be comfortable so you don’t face any fatigue. So, before purchasing headphones, always ensure they are comfortable.
Portability
The headphones I mentioned above are all bulky, so portability plays a significant role in this case. So, the best you can do is to ensure that the headphones you will get are foldable so that they won’t need so much space, and you can also take them wherever you go and perform your skills in any studio with your best and beloved headphones.
Flat Frequency Response
Since we are talking about headphones for recording vocals, the flat frequency response is another significant factor we must pay attention to. Since we want to get the most natural and neutral sound, you should always ensure that all mids, lows, and highs are well-expressed and have the accuracy we need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of headphones is the best for recording vocals?
Closed-back headphones are the best type of headphones you can use for recording vocals. They are ideal for this case because they will isolate you from external noises.
How loud should headphones be when recording vocals?
When you are recording vocals, the volume should be balanced, which means that it is not good to be too loud or too quiet; you must find a balance to hear everything more clearly and better.
Can we use open-back headphones for recording vocals?
You can use open-back headphones for recording vocals, but they won’t work well as the closed-back ones. If you use open-back headphones, you will probably face bleeding issues.
Final Words
It was a pleasure for me to be able to write such a great article and to keep you informed about the best headphones for recording vocals. I can easily state that all the headphones I have mentioned will provide outstanding results that will make your recording even better.
I hope you will like this article and it will help you make the right decision.
Have a nice day!
Further Reading
Since one of the headphones on my list is from a well-known brand, check the never-fading quality Beyerdynamic headphones.
As a great alternative headphone on the list is AKG, music lovers don’t pass without checking superior quality AKG headphones.
You also might want to check Sony MDR V6 and MDR 7506 for great technical specifications.
Sound Technician
I’m a sound technician, ensuring that your events and shows are heard loud and clear. Crafting audio broadcasts, studio recordings, and live mixes with finesse to provide the best quality sound experience.
