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What are the best headphones for studio monitoring under $200?

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The Best 1 of 3 OptionsWhy?

3 Options ConsideredPriceWeightType
Excellent
Sony MDR 7506
230 gClosed Back Dynamic
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
285gClosed Back Dynamic
Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro
290 gClosed Back Dynamic
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Excellent

Sony MDR 7506

Paolo
Top Pro

Bang for the buck

•••
Despite being sub $100, the MDR 7506 can compete against headphones up to twice the price. These are great if you are just starting to get serious about your audio and you want a relatively inexpensive yet quality purchase.
Paolo
Top Pro

Minimal sound leakage due to the closed back design

•••
These leak very little sound compared to other over-ear headphones. The rear side of the ear cups is fully closed, which effectively minimizes sound leakage. With these, you can fully enjoy your music without disturbing people beside you.
Paolo
Top Pro

Reliable headphones due to solid build quality

•••
The MDR 7506 is built outstandingly well, with high quality materials and with little to no creaks and unnecessary flex. These headphones have been around since 1991, which has given Sony a lot of time to refine the manufacturing process of these cans.
Paolo
Top Pro

Clean and balanced sound with smooth bass and detailed highs

•••
The bass is just right. It may not have the deep sub-bass extension that bass heads crave for, but what is there is fast, tight and punchy. The mids are clear with a hint of warmth, which make vocals and guitars sound very clear and you can easily hear their sonic nuances . The reproduction of hig...
Paolo
Top Con

Can be very picky with audio sources

•••
Due to how accurate sounding these are, you will be able to hear minute details from the sound, including hiss, distortion, and the like. To get the most out of these headphones for music enjoyment, you will want to have a great audio source.
Paolo
Top Con

Cable is quite long and non-removable

•••
The headphone cable is coiled and is about 10 feet long. This is great for studios, however walking around in public with these headphones on can be awkward. The cable cannot be removed and has no remote or mic.
See 1 more ProSee 4 more Pros & Cons
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2 Other Options Considered

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Paolo
Top Pro

Good value for your money as these headphones are feature packed for the price

•••
You get a lot from what you pay for with these headphones. Aside from the great sound, they are also well built and come with a lot of accessories.
Paolo
Top Pro

Generally neutral sounding but with an added kick to the low end

•••
The ATH-M50x are great sounding headphones with a sound that may fall in the neutral category, but with very slight boosts to the bass and highs; a slightly V-shaped sound. The bass is full and has a lot of power. The sub bass has a hint of elevation though, which can make the bass sound a bit loo...
Paolo
Top Pro

Stellar build quality

•••
The ATH M50x is made from high quality matte plastics which are quite resistant to damage without being too heavy. The hinges move smoothly and do not have unnecessary creaks.
Paolo
Top Pro

Lively sounding bass

•••
The bass of these headphones sound full with a slight boost. This makes the bass quite punchy without drowning the mids or highs.
Paolo
Top Pro

Great passive noise isolation

•••
The ear cups and pads are able to keep the sound in and block outside noise. These are suitable for a noisy office as even low volume music is enough to drown out those noisy office mates.
Paolo
Top Pro

Detachable cables

•••
Audio-Technica finally updated the M50's built in cable to a detachable cable. The M50x even comes with three cables, a 1.2 m - 3.0 m coiled cable, a 3.0 m straight cable, and a 1.2 m straight cable. None of the cables have in-line controls though.
Paolo
Top Con

Ear cups may be too small

•••
The ear cups on the M50x are smaller than those on something like the 380HD or the DT 770 Pro. Your ears could end up touching the the inside of the headphones which can be uncomfortable for some.
See 5 more ProsSee 5 more Pros

Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro

Paolo
Top Pro

Good soundstage for closed back headphones

•••
The DT770 Pro, when amped properly, creates an open feeling sound stage that is very impressive for a headphone with a closed design.
Paolo
Top Pro

Impressive isolation and minimal sound leakage

•••
The headphones offer impressive sound isolation, keeping exterior noise out and your music in.
Paolo
Top Pro

Great sound quality with deep and powerful bass

•••
The bass is not overpowering. Instead, it is clean and controlled. The overall sound signature is focused on the bass but the mids and highs are in no way lacking either.
Paolo
Top Pro

Sits well over your ears

•••
The DT770s are very comfortable to wear with its deep and spacious ear pads. The velour material used on these are smooth and breathable, and the thick foam provides ample cushioning. These headphones can be worn for long periods of time with no issues.
Paolo
Top Con

May require extra power/amplification for optimal sound

•••
Depending on which model is purchased (16/80/250-ohm), your system may have trouble powering them to get a full sound and comfortable volume. 16/80-ohm should work fine in most systems. If not, you may need an external amplifier.
Paolo
Top Con

Headband may not fit those with larger head sizes

•••
While the Sennheiser's have headbands which can be adjusted to easily fit a 'hatsize 62/63' head, the DT770 Pro and DT990 Pro headbands may need tweaking to make them work for larger heads.
See 4 more Pros & ConsSee 4 more Pros & Cons

33 Community Recommendations

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Izem Lavrenti
Hloja
+9
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