Monitor and studio headphones offer two distinct ways of listening to music. A standard pair of headphones can provide high-quality listening experiences without breaking the bank.
When listening to music, premium brands such as Sennheiser and Audio-Technica use similar foundation technologies as entry-level items. The primary distinction is that premium brands have more options for controlling feedback and distortion.
Invest in a high-quality set of monitor or studio headphones today if you prefer something more authentic and real. You'll discover that they're an excellent choice for music listening.
ARE MONITOR AND STUDIO HEADPHONES GOOD FOR MUSIC?
Monitor and studio headphones are excellent options for music listening. They have a more comprehensive and flatter frequency response than standard models, resulting in a well-rounded, bright, and authentic experience.
Instead of artificially boosting the low Hz to simulate bass, you get a clear, balanced, and accurate sound. Studio headphones are still appropriate if you are not a professional audio engineer or musician. It's the best option for anyone who wants to listen to a composition without making any changes to it.
You could say that using monitors and studio headphones allows us to listen to music the way we've always done. Each performance is delivered to your ears in the manner that the composer and artist intended.
Although some people dislike the lack of EQ adjustability, listening to music as close to how it was originally played as possible is incredibly rewarding.
Every time you start a playlist on your iPhone, Android device, tablet, or PC, you get the live experience of being at a concert. If you don't like the neutral sound of monitor and studio headphones, you can still change the sound.
Portable EQ sliders let you adjust the bass, mid-range, and treble while managing the volume independently of the headphones. This option makes sense if you get lots of distortion on your current setup, even with your equalization maximized.
WHAT PRICE TO EXPECT WITH MONITOR AND STUDIO HEADPHONES?
If you buy a premium pair of headphones today from a well-known manufacturer, you could end up paying more than $300 for professional-grade equipment. Even a pair of earbuds from some brands can cost more than $150.
When you factor in the cost of a monitor and studio headphones, the price becomes even more absurd. The Focal Utopia by Tournaire costs a whopping $4000! Even at a lower price point, the Ultrasone ED5 Limited Edition can cost more than $3,700, while the oBravo EAMT-1s costs around $5,000.
Who wants to spend that much money on studio or monitor headphones when all they want to do is listen to their favorite music? As a result, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, Sennheiser HD 650, and Shure SRH1540 are all excellent options.
Each set of headphones provides highly rated options with comparable feedback and reviews to the four-, five-, or six-figure alternatives. For less than $500, you can get a great pair of monitor or studio headphones that deliver authentic sound and real-life experiences wherever you go.
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WHAT ARE MONITOR HEADPHONES?
Monitor headphones are ideal for music listening because they have the greatest range of frequency extension. Because engineers use them to register and mix recorded sounds, the technology must have as little coloration as possible.
Some people prefer flatter sounds when listening to music because it creates a more neutral listening experience.
Because of the popularity of DAW apps and portable software, there are several monitor headphone designs to choose from. To amp up the excitement, try harsh tuning, something brassier with bass, or something brighter than neutral.
1. Monitoring While Recording
In audio production, “monitoring” refers to listening to and analyzing the musical and technical aspects of the sound being created.
The headphones should be able to reproduce the sounds as accurately as possible in order to perform this effectively. It should be able to pick up and distinguish each instrument clearly so that appropriate sound level adjustments can be made if necessary.
2. Mixing Audio
A monitor headphones’ neutral frequency response (more on this later) is perfect for mixing audio since it exhibits minimal emphasis or de-emphasis on certain frequencies. This is crucial as it allows the user to clearly hear the bass, mids, and highs without any “coloration” (boosting or reduction).
WHAT ARE STUDIO HEADPHONES?
Studio headphones get their name from the fact that they are used for recording. Because almost any location can now be converted into a studio, manufacturers provide a diverse range of models and features from which to choose.
Each one invents new methods for allowing users to control sound in a variety of ways. You can listen for special effects in the composition, enjoy more sustain, or adjust the reverb to your liking. The microphone picks up the audio, which the engineer then modifies so that you hear it correctly.
To reduce external responses, studio headphones have a flat-frequency design. Consider it similar to a noise-cancelling feature, but without the additional sounds or blocks that eliminate the environment. It acts as a bridge between a neutral and a V-shaped EQ.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF USING MONITOR OR STUDIO HEADPHONES?
Even if you're wearing the best headphones ever made, listening to music all day can be difficult. Extra weight on your head, particularly on top of your ears, can cause headaches, neck pain, back discomfort, and fatigue.
You don't need to stick technology in your ear canal to have a lightweight experience if you choose one of the best monitor or studio headphones.
This equipment weighs less than a pound, and in some cases less than eight ounces, so you may forget you're wearing it! If you enjoy listening to or creating music, these additional benefits are worth considering.
1. It’s a Cost-Efficient Method of Listening to Music.
Although the best headphones can be expensive, using this equipment is still less expensive than using a full-sized studio monitor. You can listen whenever you want, record in different places, and always hear an authentic sound.
This benefit is available with all commercially available headphones, but the studio monitor design elevates the experience. There are no artificial boosts in the mix. A genuine listening experience is ensured by the flat frequency response.
2. You Won’t Disturb Your Neighbors.
Listening to music in the early morning hours can be problematic if your spouse, significant other, or neighbors hear your activity.
Instead of getting the cops called on you or sent to the couch for a week, put on a pair of your favorite monitor or studio headphones to relax.
3. It Offers Detailed Listening Experiences.
Headphones allow you to listen to songs in greater detail, increasing each ear's physical ability to focus on the musical nuances in each composition.
The equipment's close proximity to the ear induces different sensations than far-away speakers, resulting in a “closeness” that makes it feel as if you're experiencing each note and instrument.
4. You Have More Portability.
Having your phone or a laptop available to listen to music is nice. Having monitor or studio headphones available to enjoy your preferred playlists is better!
Even if you like the idea of composing songs wherever the mood strikes, investing in a high-quality pair will help you accomplish your goals.
5. Headphones Provide You with More Privacy.
Wearing monitor or studio headphones ensures that you receive the same level of privacy that you provide to others. This benefit is especially valuable for beginners who are composing for the first time or who are self-conscious about their favorite songs.
You can work or listen quietly without disturbing others. Although all headphones have the potential for audio wave leakage from around the earcup, the best monitor and studio models provide an excellent seal around the skin, significantly reducing this risk.
HOW TO FIND THE BEST MONITOR OR STUDIO HEADPHONES?
When it comes to the best studio and monitor headphones on the market today, these three stand head and shoulders above the competition.
- ATH-M50x by Audio-Technica
- HD 650 Sennheiser
- SRH1540 Shure
Each set of headphones has its own set of advantages that are worth considering. Although there isn't a single “best” answer that fits every need, a thorough examination of the benefits and specifications of the individual models I've detailed below can point you in the direction of the one that best meets your overall needs.
WHY CHOOSE THE AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-M50X HEADPHONES?
When it comes to affordable, high-quality studio monitor headphones, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X is the best option. To achieve dynamic clarity, this manufacturer employs a proprietary design that includes 45mm drivers, copper-clad aluminum voice coils, and rare-earth magnets.
You won't notice distortion or interference over a wide frequency range, even at low hertz levels where the bass tends to vibrate more than produce audio.
The headphones feature a comfortable over-the-ear design with swiveling cups for one-ear listening when desired. The earpads don’t work their way out of the frame like the cheaper models do, while the headband delivers comfort and durability with excellent stitching.
| Driver Size | 45mm |
| Sensitivity | 98 decibels |
| Maximum Input Power | 1600 mW |
| Impedance | 38 ohms |
| Weight (No Cable) | 10 ounces |
| Frequency Response | 15 to 28,000 Hz |
| Ear Cup Swivel | 90 degrees in both directions |
| Cable | Detachable 1.2m – 3m coiled; 1.2m detachable straight |
WHY CHOOSE THE SENNHEISER HD 650 HEADPHONES?
The Sennheiser HD 650 brings listeners closer to the experience of professional recording. This company incorporates acoustic silk into their headphones to provide damping benefits across the entire hertz spectrum. It works to reduce THD to less than 0.05 percent, making the headphones worthwhile just for that reason.
When you wear these monitor headphones, you won't believe the clarity of each song or recording that comes to your ears! You don't have to be an audiophile to appreciate the benefits of these headphone specifications.
| Frequency Response | 10 to 39,500 Hz |
| Impedance | 300 ohms |
| Sound Pressure Level | 103 decibels |
| Weight (No Cable) | 260g |
| Contact Pressure | Ca 2,5 N |
| Jack Plug | Gold-plated 1/4”; 1/8” (3.5 and 6.3 mm) stereo |
| Transducer Principle | Dynamic, open |
| Warranty | Two Years |
Sennheiser has been manufacturing microphones and headphones for over six decades. Since the beginning, their mission has been to “stay true” to the sounds of music and the soul's interpretation of them. They could be the best pair of studio monitor headphones you've ever owned.
WHY CHOOSE THE SHURE SRH1540 HEADPHONES?
The closed-back, over-the-ear design ensures a comfortable, all-day wearing experience. The yoke is made of aircraft-grade aluminum, and the cap is a carbon fiber work of art. When you buy these headphones, you'll get about six feet (1.8m) of cable to use for listening versatility.
Shure's acoustic performance is enhanced by the use of 40mm neodymium drivers. The soundstage is impressively large, with extended frequencies detectable in the upper and lower ranges. The Kevlar-reinforced jacket ensures that the audio waves are authentic and consistent while remaining lightweight.
To improve linearity, the design employs a steel driver frame with a vented center pole. If your current headphones have high levels of internal resonance that interfere with your listening experience, investing in this model solves the problem.
Although they cost slightly more than comparable models, the consistency and comfort are well worth the extra money.
| Sensitivity | 99 decibels |
| Impedance | 46 ohms |
| Cable | 6-foot (1.8m) dual-exit, detachable oxygen-free copper |
| Plug | 1/8-inch (3.5mm) gold-plated stereo mini jack |
| Drivers | 40mm neodymium |
| Response | 5 to 25,000 Hz |
| Weight (No Cord) | 10.1 ounces |
| Max Power Handling | 1000 mW |
Shure offers consumers over 80 years of experience producing high-quality sounds to enhance your listening enjoyment. That wisdom goes into the development of every set of headphones created for their customers.
WHAT MONITOR OR STUDIO HEADPHONES WILL WORK FOR YOUR NEEDS?
If you're tired of hearing music that has been artificially enhanced, monitors or studio headphones are for you. Monitor or studio headphones are ideal for removing distortion that occurs at the lowest frequency levels.
Monitor or studio headphones are ideal for recording music at home, in a professional studio, or anywhere in the world. The best monitor or studio headphones are for you if you like to listen to your playlists all day without getting tired of them.
Although there are dozens of makes and models in this category, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, Sennheiser HD 650, and Shure SRH1540 stand out for their consistency, performance, and overall authenticity. The outcome is obvious. If you enjoy music, cheap equipment is stifling your creativity. Is it time to upgrade now?
ARE MONITOR HEADPHONES SUITABLE FOR GENERAL MUSIC LISTENING?
For the average casual listener, the answer is No.
And here’s why:
The popular V-shaped graph response (elevated highs and lows) found in commercial-grade headphones is preferred by the majority of people. It's what makes it more “fun” to listen to because it increases the bass and raises the high frequencies for a “sparkly” treble.
Monitor headphones, on the other hand, have a balanced flat graph response, resulting in a neutral-sounding output. Even when listening to dance or R&B tracks (especially if you're used to a lot of bass), everything will sound “flat.”
That doesn't mean you won't enjoy listening to music through monitor headphones. If you value clarity and accurate music reproduction, you'll appreciate what monitor headphones have to offer.
If that's the case, the answer is yes. Consider the ever-popular Audio Technica m50x (the monitor headphones we used in the graph above).
Despite the fact that the original model was released more than a decade ago, it is still one of the top recommendations for anyone looking for a pair of great-sounding headphones due to its exceptional clarity and accurate bass response.
SHOULD YOU BUY YOUR OWN STUDIO HEADPHONES?
It depends. If you’re someone who’s all for hearing the intricacies or a recording, exactly how the musicians and the producer intended it to, then a pair of studio headphones will suit you well.
If, on the other hand, you prefer the livelier vibe brought about by increased levels of bass, you might want to skip this one. But why should one be preferred over the other? If you have the funds, purchasing a pair of monitor headphones may be worthwhile.
Remember that not all types of music sound great when listened to through a pair of bass-heavy headphones. Listen to jazz, classical, rock, or vocal-heavy tracks through boosted-bass headphones to understand what I mean.
CONCLUSION – Listen Music With Monitor Headphones?
Monitor headphones are designed for people who prefer to hear their music in a more accurate and detailed format. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for the right person, it makes listening to their favorite songs even more enjoyable.
Have you ever listened to music while wearing monitor headphones? What was your experience like? Do you prefer them over regular headphones? Please let us know in the comments section below.
FAQs About Monitor Headphones
Are in-ear monitors good for listening to music?
While in-ear monitors do not have active noise cancellation, they do block the majority of ambient noise. Even at low volumes, you're unlikely to hear anything in your surroundings. This means you can play audio at a reasonable volume while still benefiting from noise cancellation.
Can I listen to music on my studio headphones?
So, in response to the question, of course, you can listen to your music with whatever headphones you want, including studio reference headphones if you happen to have them on hand (or to head).
Do you need studio monitors for music?
Audio recording, mixing, and mastering all rely on studio monitors. They generate clear, precise, and dynamic sound mixes, allowing you to identify and correct any flaws in audio quality. They are consistent, as opposed to standard speakers, making them the best option for high-quality sound production.
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