Best Monitor Headphones
Updated How we research
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
Audio-Technica's ATH-M50x are professional closed-back studio monitor headphones, a popular all-round pick for recording and editing.
Sony MDR-M1 Studio Closed Back Headphones
Sony's MDR-M1 are closed back studio headphones, a modern studio monitor for recording and editing with strong isolation.
Monitor headphones are made for hearing your audio clearly while you work, whether that means tracking vocals, running a live stream, or checking a mix on the move. They aim for accuracy over flash, so what you hear is close to what your recording actually captured. That reliability helps you catch problems in the moment instead of after the fact. Good isolation is often part of the package, keeping outside noise out and your monitoring focused. Comfort counts too, since these ride on your head through long sessions. In this guide we highlight the monitor headphones that pair honest sound with dependable fit and isolation, giving podcasters, streamers, and studio creators a clear window into their audio.
The short version
We compared 8 picks. Our scores range from 7.0 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.3/10.
- Solid build:Sony MDR-M1 Studio Closed Back Headphones. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Feature-rich:Audio-Technica ATH-M70x Closed-Back Professional Studio Monitor Headphones. Features score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.Sony MDR-M1 Studio Closed Back Headphones8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.Audio-Technica ATH-M70x Closed-Back Professional Studio Monitor Headphones8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone8.3/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Audio-Technica ATH-M60X On-Ear Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones Black7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.Audio-Technica ATH-A550Z Art Monitor Closed-Back Dynamic Headphones7.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.TASCAM TH-02 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones, Wired, Over Ear - for Recording, Podcast, DJ, Music and Guitar, with 1/4 Inch Jack Adapter7.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 8.Audio-Technica ATH-M30 Professional Studio Monitor Closed-Back Headphones7.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1Audio-Technica's ATH-M50x are professional closed-back studio monitor headphones, a popular all-round pick for recording and editing.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Closed-back design keeps sound from leaking into nearby microphones
- + Detachable cable is easy to replace if damaged in daily use
- + Folding design makes them practical for travel and remote interviews
- - Slightly boosted bass can color judgment during detailed voice edits
- - Earpads can feel warm during very long editing sessions
#2Sony's MDR-M1 are closed back studio headphones, a modern studio monitor for recording and editing with strong isolation.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Closed back isolation prevents bleed into nearby microphones
- + Modern Sony studio tuning suits editing and mixing work
- + Comfortable lightweight design for long recording days
- - Newer model with fewer long-term reviews than older staples
- - Costs more than basic broadcast headphones
#3The Audio-Technica ATH-M70x are closed-back professional studio monitor headphones, the flagship of the M-series for detail.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Flagship tuning is more neutral and detailed than cheaper M models
- + Closed-back design works for both recording and critical editing
- + Detachable cables and case support professional travel
- - Clamping force can feel tight for people with larger heads
- - Pricier than M-series siblings that are good enough for many podcasters
#4The Sony MDR7506 is a professional large-diaphragm headphone, a long-standing broadcast and studio standard for monitoring voice.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Bright, detailed sound makes clicks, pops and noise easy to hear
- + Closed design limits bleed into mics when hosts wear them on air
- + Lightweight folding build is comfortable and easy to pack
- - Coiled cable is fixed, so damage means repairing the whole headphone
- - Earpads tend to flake over time and need replacement
#5Audio-Technica ATH-M60X is a closed-back, on-ear monitor headphone with the same large aperture drivers as the M50x and three detachable cables.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Uses the same large aperture drivers as the ATH-M50x, which the listing links to clear detail and accurate bass.
- + Closed-back on-ear design with memory foam pads isolates sound for tracking.
- + Ships with three interchangeable cables, including a coiled one, and metal parts in key places.
- - On-ear pads rest on the ears and may feel less roomy than the over-ear M50x family for long sessions.
- - Priced above the ATH-M50xDS it replaces.
#6Audio-Technica's ATH-A550Z Art Monitor are closed-back dynamic headphones, a home-listening model with a comfortable fit.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Closed-back design gives good isolation for monitoring voice
- + Art Monitor series focuses on comfort for long listening
- + Large drivers deliver full, detailed sound
- - Tuned for home listening rather than strict studio neutrality
- - Bulky, non-folding shape is awkward for mobile recording kits
#7TASCAM TH-02 wired closed-back studio monitor headphones with a foldable design and snap-on 1/4 inch adapter. A low-cost pair for recording, podcast and everyday monitoring.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Closed-back dynamic design is described as having clean sound, rich bass response and crisp highs.
- + Foldable design makes them easy to carry, and padded, tightly stitched headband and ear pads add comfort.
- + A snap-on 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch adapter lets them plug into interfaces, mixers and consumer devices.
- - Entry-level pair at a low price, so build and detail are not in the class of higher-priced monitoring headphones.
- - Wired only, and the listing gives little detail on driver size or frequency response.
#8Audio-Technica's ATH-M30 are closed-back professional studio monitor headphones, a basic, affordable pick for recording.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Closed-back design isolates well for monitoring during recording
- + Affordable price makes it easy to buy sets for several hosts
- + Lightweight build is comfortable for moderate session lengths
- - Older model with a fixed cable that cannot be replaced
- - Less detail than newer M-series headphones for editing
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Slightly boosted bass can color judgment during detailed voice edits (Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio...)
- Newer model with fewer long-term reviews than older staples (Sony MDR-M1 Studio Closed Back Headphones)
- Clamping force can feel tight for people with larger heads (Audio-Technica ATH-M70x Closed-Back...)
- Coiled cable is fixed, so damage means repairing the whole headphone (Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm...)
- On-ear pads rest on the ears and may feel less roomy than the over-ear M50x family for long sessions. (Audio-Technica ATH-M60X On-Ear Closed-Back...)
- Tuned for home listening rather than strict studio neutrality (Audio-Technica ATH-A550Z Art Monitor...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among monitor headphones?
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones is our top overall pick. Audio-Technica's ATH-M50x are professional closed-back studio monitor headphones, a popular all-round pick for recording and editing. It earns our score of 8.6/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Sony MDR-M1 Studio Closed Back Headphones is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Sony's MDR-M1 are closed back studio headphones, a modern studio monitor for recording and editing with strong isolation.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Podcast Gear Hub independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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