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The right pair of headphones can make all the difference when recording vocals. You want something that can act as transparent, neutral monitors of your singing without any sound bleeding in either direction. But with so many options, knowing which headphones fit you is a challenge. That’s where we come in.
We’ve reviewed and rated the best headphones for recording vocals based on sound isolation, quality, build, comfort, versatility, and value. We’ve given special consideration to sound quality, sound isolation, and value, so you will find something that fits your needs and budget.
The 8 Best Headphones For Recording Vocals
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Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO Headphones
Product Dimensions: N/A.
Connectivity Technology: Wired.
Positive: Offer Versatile Applications, Excellent Comfort, Easy To Use.
Negative: Weak Build Quality.
The Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO Headphones deliver an unparalleled listening experience. The newly developed STELLAR.45 driver ensures that every note is accurately reproduced without any distortion.
Plus, the headphones boast an impedance of 48 ohms, making them compatible with various devices. They’re also incredibly comfortable, thanks to their outstanding passive cushioning. The robust construction ensures these headphones remain a solid investment in audio quality for years to come.
Customer Review For Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO Headphones
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Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Headphones
Product Dimensions: N/A.
Connectivity Technology: Wired.
Positive: Circumaural Design, Include 90 Degree Swiveling Earcups, Aluminum Wire Voice Coils.
Negative: Not For Long Use.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Headphones have proprietary 45-millimeter large-aperture drivers that feature rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils. They provide exceptional clarity throughout an extended frequency range, further enriched with a deep, accurate bass response.
The circumaural design surrounding the ears is perfect for loud environments as it isolates sound excellently. Moreover, the 90-degree swiveling earcups make it easy for one-ear monitoring. The headphones use professional-grade earpads and headband material, ensuring that they deliver durability and comfort to their users.
Customer Review For Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Headphones
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Sennheiser Professional HD 280 PRO Headphones
Product Dimensions: 9.64 x 7.36 x 3.3 inches.
Connectivity Technology: Wired.
Positive: Folding Design, Excellent Noise Attenuation, Feature Soft Earpads.
Negative: A Bit Uncomfortable.
The Sennheiser Professional HD 280 PRO Headphones are a feat of engineering in both construction and sound quality. They also boast an impressive level of flexibility. Their collapsible design and swiveling ear cups make them suitable for any application.
Moreover, the swiveling ear cups ensure optimal comfort even when used for hours. Whether you’re a professional audio technician or a music enthusiast seeking to enjoy high-fidelity sound, they deliver an experience beyond compare.
Customer Review For Sennheiser Professional HD 280 PRO Headphones
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MAONO AU-MH601 Studio Headphones
Product Dimensions: N/A.
Connectivity Technology: 3.5mm Cable, 6.5mm Adapter.
Positive: Multi-functional Design, Features single-side Monitoring, Ultra-soft Earmuffs.
Negative: Weak Noise Cancellation.
The MAONO AU-MH601 Studio Headphones feature a built-in 50mm large-aperture driver that delivers robust, immersive audio quality. These headphones’ comfortable closed-back ear pad design effectively cancels out background noise.
The 90-degree swiveling earcups make monitoring sound with a single ear easy. At the same time, the self-adjusting and flexible headband ensures that the headphones are a perfect fit for different head shapes and sizes.
The retractable and detachable headphone cable adds ease of use and movement to your experience. The ultra-soft protein earmuffs and circumaural design provide long-lasting comfort, making it possible to listen to your favorite music or record for long hours. They are compatible with most smartphones and PCs and come backed by a one-year warranty.
Customer Review For MAONO AU-MH601 Studio Headphones
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AKG Pro Audio K271 MKII Headphones
Product Dimensions: N/A.
Connectivity Technology: Powerline.
Positive: Provide Versatility, Comfortable Design, Include Auto-mute Switch.
Negative: Issues With Material Quality.
The AKG Pro Audio K271 MKII has advanced closed-back technology that provides exceptional isolation, ensuring that outside noise won’t interfere with your listening experience.
But beyond their sound quality, the K271 MKIIs also prioritize comfort, with thick pads and a self-adjusting headband that makes them ideal for extended use.
One standout feature is the intuitive auto-mute switch, which ensures your headphones are muted when you remove them. Their 3m straight and 5m coiled cables make them versatile in various settings.
Customer Review For AKG Pro Audio K271 MKII Headphones
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KRK KNS 8400 On-Ear Headphones
Product Dimensions: 10.75 x 4 x 9.75 inches.
Connectivity Technology: Wired.
Positive: Feature Memory Foam Technology, Provide In-line Volume Control, Lightweight Design.
Negative: Not Durable.
KRK KNS 8400 On-Ear Headphones provide an exceptional audio experience with their latest reference quality frequency response for closed-back headphones. Their detachable in-line volume control lets you adjust the volume.
They also utilize the latest acoustic memory foam technology, ensuring class-leading sound reproduction and isolation performance. These headphones are comfortable with their self-aligning yoke and adjustable low-pressure headband systems.
Customer Review For KRK KNS 8400 On-Ear Headphones
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LyxPro HAS-10 Headphones
Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.2 x 3.8 inches.
Connectivity Technology: Wired.
Positive: Single Side Cable, Feature Aluminum Ear Shells, Provide Leather Ear Pads.
Negative: Issues With Audio Jack.
The LyxPro HAS-10 Headphones boast a powerful NdFeB magnet system that offers an instant dynamic response and excellent music-listening experience. The telescoping stainless steel arms with a sizing scale and 180° rotatable ear cups ensure a comfortable and customized fit for long listening sessions.
The leather headband, aluminum ear shells, and comfortable leather ear pads provide a luxurious and stylish touch to these great headphones. With a single-sided straight cable duct & screw-on jack, durability has never been more reliable.
Customer Review For LyxPro HAS-10 Headphones
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OneOdio Monitor 60 Headphones
Product Dimensions: N/A.
Connectivity Technology: Wired.
Positive: Include Steel Headband, Excellent Noise Isolation, Breathable Ear Cushions.
Negative: Large Size.
The OneOdio Monitor 60 Headphones, with their 50mm drivers, deliver beautiful, well-balanced, and incredibly accurate sound. They are perfect for those who prefer to listen to their music with every detail revealed without harshness.
Moreover, these headphones come with a coiled adapter cable for studio use and an extra-long audio cable to connect to your TV easily. The breathable ear cushions are also crafted to fit your ears, isolating noise and allowing for longer usage. They are built to last with a steel headband with just the right amount of tension.
Customer Review For OneOdio Monitor 60 Headphones
Factors To Consider Before Buying
Recording vocals can be done with any headphones, including basic earbuds. Serious vocalists should use headphones designed explicitly for vocal recording. These headphones provide the highest quality of recording possible. When selecting headphones for vocal recording, consider a few key factors.
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Closed-Back Headphone
Studio headphones come in three types: closed-back, semi-open, and open. Open and semi-open headphones have slight openings that allow sound to bleed out but are suitable for long listening sessions. Closed-back headphones are better for recording vocals, preventing sound from escaping.
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Frequency Response
Most headphones are not designed for music production. Many headphones boost specific frequencies, such as Beats headphones with boosted bass. On the other hand, some headphones may boost the higher frequencies for a crisper sound. When working on vocals, it’s essential to hear them without modification to determine recording quality and necessary processing.
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Comfortability
Long recording and editing sessions can take a toll on your ears and head, so you’ll want something that won’t leave you feeling sore or tired. While most modern headphones come with some form of padding or cushioning, not all are created equal in comfortability. Investing in headphones that feel great even after hours of use can make all the difference in the overall enjoyment of the process.
Conclusion
Closed-back studio headphones could be an excellent investment for home studios. Sound isolation and monitoring clarity are essential factors for recording vocals. Open-back headphones are better suited for detailed mixing tasks.
They sound more natural but must be more suitable for tracking vocals with a guide or click track due to lack of isolation. It’s worth investing in both closed and open-back headphones for versatility. If your budget permits only one set of headphones, choose the most natural and flat closed-back headphones.
Frequently Asked Questions/FAQs
Recording vocals with headphones prevents mic bleed from other tracks or instruments. Headphones enable clear listening to backing tracks for reference during recording. Separating and editing vocal tracks during mixing will be easier with headphone-recorded vocals.
Closed-back headphones are recommended for recording vocals. They have sound isolation and prevent backing tracks from bleeding into the microphone. Semi-open-back and open-back headphones are only suitable for specific environments. They create a natural listening environment for the singer but can be tricky to prevent mic bleed.
Neutral or accurate response headphones are recommended for voice recording. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, Sennheiser HD 280 PRO, and Sony MDR7506 are top choices for voice recording headphones. The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO is recommended for studio monitoring and tracking if the budget allows it.