To record vocals, you need a good mic and pair of cans that can act as clear, neutral monitors of your singing. They should be closed-back headphones that won’t bleed sound in either direction.
Given the crowded market for studio monitor headphones, it’s not an easy choice. We hope with this review, we can help clear these murky waters for you.
See our Tips for Vocal Recording, if you have any questions about your set-up.
See here for all of our recording gear reviews.
Comparison Chart: the Best Headphones for Recording Vocals
Beyerdynamic DT 770 M
Our Rating for recording Vocals: (out of 5)
4.8
Pros
- Honest frequency response
- Clear in all registers
- generous soundstage
- Best sound isolation on this list
Cons
- Not as comfortable as some on this list
- cable non-detachable
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Bottom Line: Beyerdynamic DT-770 M
Despite their unadorned, old-school design, these cans do everything you want for vocal tracking and more. At a great price, they deliver some of the best sound on this list. (full review…)
Neumann NDH 20
Our Rating for recording Vocals: (out of 5)
4.7
Pros
- Best sound quality on this list – a joy to listen to
- Comfortable, with good sound isolation
Cons
- Pricey
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Bottom Line: Neumann NDH 20
If you can splurge, these headphones won’t disappoint. The honest reproduction, extensive soundstage, crystal clarity, and perfect balance in all registers makes them ideal for tracking vocals or mixing. (full review…)
AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless+
Our Rating for recording Vocals: (out of 5)
4.6
Pros
- Best wireless studio headphone out there
- Near-zero latency allows for real-time monitoring without delay
- Lossless transmission
- Modular design allows for customizable, replaceable parts, and promotes sustainability
Cons
- W+ Link has a slight noise floor
- No support for high-quality codecs
- Poor sound isolation
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Bottom Line: AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless+
Best wireless studio headphones out there. Great for tracking, monitoring, and broad-strokes editing. (full review…)
Audio-Technica ATH-M50 X
Our Rating for recording Vocals: (out of 5)
4.3
Pros
- Accurate monitoring
- Quality build
- comfortable
Cons
- Small soundstage
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Bottom Line: Audio-Technica ATH-M50 X
Better than most in their price range. For recording vocals, they give you accurate monitoring, fairly good sound isolation, excellent comfort, with a quality build. (full review…)
Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X
Our Rating for recording Vocals: (out of 5)
4.4
Pros
- Generous speaker image
- Clear monitoring
- comfortable
Cons
- highs (5-7 kHz) can be fatiguing
- pricier than DT-770 Pros
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Bottom Line: Beyerdynamic DT-700 Pro X
A 21st-century, more comfortable redesign of the DT 770 Pros. Vast soundstage is unmatched in its class. Fine companions for recording vocals. (full review…)
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
Our Rating for recording Vocals: (out of 5)
4.5
Pros
- ample soundstage
- low distortion
- exceptional clarity, especially in the lower middle
Cons
- highs (5-7 kHz) can be fatiguing
- cable non-detachable
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Bottom Line: Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro
A popular choice among audiophiles for studio tracking for a reason. Rugged design is made up for with excellent sound. (full review…)
Sennheiser HD 300 Pro
Our Rating for recording Vocals: (out of 5)
4.2
Pros
- comfortable with good sound isolation
- quality build
- balanced, smooth listen
Cons
- not a neutral frequency response, boosted bass
- small soundstage
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Bottom Line: Sennheiser HD-300 Pro
Although they offer a clear, balanced listen, the dishonest bass lift and limited soundstage make them a weaker choice on this list for tracking vocals. (full review…)
Yamaha HPH-MT8
Our Rating for recording Vocals: (out of 5)
4.0
Pros
- honest frequency response
- nice build and design
- decent sound isolation
Cons
- squeezed speaker image
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Bottom Line: Yamaha HPH-MT8
A solid pair of cans. The claustrophobic soundstage, however, makes them a weaker choice on this list. (full review…)
AKG K371
Our Rating for recording Vocals: (out of 5)
3.8
Pros
- lightweight comfortable build
- smooth/crisp balance is nice
Cons
- dishonest frequency response
- murky sounding in mids (350 -600Hz)
- poor sound isolation
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Bottom Line: AKG K371
The dishonest frequency response, and lack of sound isolation make these less then ideal for vocal recording. (full review…)
Beyerdynamic DT 770 M
The Winner!
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The folks at Beyerdynamic began making gear way before recording was much of a thing – 1924 to be exact. Based on the three headphones we tested, they know what they are doing.
For tracking vocals, at this price range, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 M headphones take the trophy.
Build / Comfort
The build of the Beyerdynamic DT 770 M is very German: plastic and metal, everything does very well what it is supposed to do. They look like a set of headphones that were hip in 1969.
The cable is non-detachable with volume control on the wire. As with the other Beyerdynamic headphones on this list, all essential parts are replaceable. The headphones do not fold up or swivel DJ style at the ear cups.
Surprisingly, that plastic headband is not as uncomfortable as it looks, nor are the plastic ear cups. They are far from cushy and would fatigue the head and ears on long sessions but they make up for it with other qualities. You also have the option to replace the hard plastic cups for cushy, gray ones like the other two Beyerdynamics on this list.
Sound
First on the list of qualities that make up for their utilitarian appearance, sound isolation. These cans offer the best isolation on this list, measuring at 35 dB according to the manual. It is a noticeable difference.
The sound is the whole thing with these cans. They are simply fantastic for the price, outclassing anything in its range. Everything is honest, clear, and balanced. There is no noticeable distortion, even at high volumes.
I expected them to sound identical to 770 Pros, but that is not the case. Where the 770 Pros and the DT 700 Pro X disappoint with too much high brilliance, the 770 Ms get it right. You could listen to these for hours without fatigue.
The soundstage is ample like its cousins below, not as generous as the DT 700 Pro X, but similar nonetheless.
Neumann NDH 20
A Class Up
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If you’re looking for a set of high-end headphones to record vocals and give you an exact idea of how you fit into the mix, look no further than the Neumann NDH 20 headphones.
The famous microphone company decided to make a set of headphones. These are unlike anything that their parent company (Sennheiser) makes – high-end, neutral cans with absolute absence of distortion.
Build / Comfort
In terms of comfort, they fit my head fine. The ear cups are perfectly round, which meant I had to wiggle them more than usual to get the right fit, but once settled, I felt I could wear them for hours.
They offer great passive sound isolation without totally sucking to your head. The impedance is higher than most on this list (150 Ohms). They would be ideally paired with an audio interface or a dedicated amplifier.
The build quality is, as you would expect, great. Consisting of mostly aluminum, they are unlikely to fall apart anytime soon. Most all the parts are replaceable and the cables are removable and armored.
Sound
Now, let’s discuss the sound. I had heard from other audio nerds that were considered by some ‘too neutral’ or ‘almost boringly neutral’. We didn’t find that to be the case at all!
The soundstage is so extensive, allowing all frequencies to be both clear and smooth at the same time. The transients are satisfyingly quick.
Sometimes monitor headphones are great for analysing takes, but not pleasant for leisurely listening. The Neumann ND 20s offer the best of both worlds.
Recording vocals with these would be ideal.
AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless+
Best Wireless Studio Headphones
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We recently got our hands on the AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ headphones and felt they needed to be added to this buyer’s guide. (see our complete review of the AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless+)
If you’re looking for headphones to use wirelessly in a recording studio, these are the best out there.
These deliver ultra-low latency (16ms) wireless audio transmission via the proprietary W+ Link technology for uncompressed 16-bit, 44.1kHz audio. This innovation liberates musicians from the constraints of wired connections.
Build/Comfort
The TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ features a lightweight, durable build with a modular design, allowing users to swap out various components such as ear pads and headbands for ultimate comfort and customization.
The memory foam ear pads covered in Alcantara provide an excellent seal, ensuring both comfort and sound isolation during extended use. The overall build feels solid yet ultra-lightweight. You barely notice them on your head.
These audio via their proprietary W+ Link transmitter, Bluetooth, and wired connections. Connecting with the W+ Link allows for real-time vocal tracking and ensures that the sound stays perfectly in sync with the performance.
Sound
After testing, it is clear to me that the TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ headphones are ideal as monitors for singing and playing or for broad-strokes editing of tracks. The overall sound leans towards warmth, with a subtle emphasis on the midrange.
The detail level and tuning are not that of neutral, analytical headphones like the Sennheiser HD600 or Neumann NDH30, but ideal as monitoring headphones or decent over-ears for enjoyment.
While not perfectly neutral, the tuning feels intentional. For example, there is an odd dip at 3 kHz which creates a little distance between the listener and the sound. While I don’t like this for critical listening, it makes them more attractive as a monitoring headphone with laid-back mids that don’t fatigue singers.
Overall, the experience of the TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ is musical and smooth. If you’re looking for wireless studio cans, look no further.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50 X
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The ATH M-50 X are affordable tracking headphones, that outperform most in its class. For recording vocals, they give you accurate monitoring, fairly good sound isolation, excellent comfort, with a quality build.
Build / Comfort
To the touch, the headphones feel like quality. We loved the detachable cables, and swivel earpieces. The padding is very comfortable, although the inner cup does tend to press on the ear.
Sound
The soundstage is a bit too squashed. Everything is very clear and accurate, which makes them great for tracking and monitoring, but the speaker image they produce feels too small and squashed.
It would be difficult to mix with these. They aren’t as neutral as one would hope. They are boosted in the ‘air’ frequencies (above 10Khz), which distorts at higher volume and can feel harsh with extended listening.
That being said, for recording vocals they worked very well and provide a great sense of where one’s voice sits in the mix.
Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X
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Build / Comfort
The build is sturdy and comfortable, with a more 21st-century design than the DT 770Ms or the DT 770 Pros. They come with two detachable cables (1.8m and 3m) both straight with mini XLR connectors on the headphone side. All of the essential parts, including the drivers, are replaceable.
Comfort is the real step-up for these compared to their cousins on this list. The cushy grey velour earcups offer very good passive sound isolation, though not as good as the DT 770 Ms. They achieve this isolation with a nice balance of being both tight on the head yet very comfortable.
Sound
The sound of these puppies is really impressive. The speaker image (soundstage) produced is the most generous of any on this list (including the Neumann NDH 20s).
Everything is clearly defined including the lower-mids (100-400 Hz), which often are under-balanced with studio headphones. The left hand of piano parts comes out like a bell, while others on this list had trouble in that range.
My only complaint on these is the brilliance range (5-7 kHz) is so crisp, for longer sessions, this might be too much on the ears. I would prefer a tiny bit more warmth in that range.
But on the whole, these are fine companions for recording vocals.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
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The DT 770 Pro is a classic, popular choice for audiophiles for a reason: a great price, fantastic sound.
Build / Comfort
The build is old school, utilitarian, quality. These are almost identical to the DT 770 Ms except for cushy, grey velour earpads rather than black pleather. The grey velour trades off some sound spillage for comfort. The cable is non-detachable. See here for the full manufacturer specs on the DT 770 Pro.
Sound
These headphones offer a vast soundstage like the DT 770 Ms and the DT 700 Pro Xs. Offering honest reproduction, clarity, and low distortion, they are a go-to for tracking in studios.
The lower middle is extraordinarily clear for this class of cans. On a track with the bass on the first and third beat and rhythm guitar on 2 and 4, I could pick these tracks apart with ease.
For recording vocals, my single complaint is small. The brilliance is overbalanced like the DT 700 Pro Xs. This would only be fatiguing if you were doing hours of takes.
A Note on Impedance
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO comes in the following varieties: 32Ω, 80Ω, and 250Ω depending on your studio needs.
If you’re only using one set of headphones plugged into your source, we would recommend going for high efficiency, low-impedance pair (32 Ω) if you are using them with a battery powered source like a phone or computer.
The higher impedance 250Ω have better overall performance and should be paired with a suitable audio interface or dedicated amplifier. See here for more information on impedance with headphones.
Sennheiser HD-300 Pro
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Build / Comfort
The headphones press very tight but remain decently comfortable considering the 32 dB of passive sound isolation this pressure offers. The inner speaker of the cups doesn’t touch the ear, which is ideal. The pads are made of extra soft pleather (viscoelastic), including excellent padding on the top of the head as well as the ears.
The build is quality all around. According to the manual, most components on these are replaceable. Sadly, the cable is not detachable although it does come with a handy velcro strap attached. See here for the full manufacturer specs on the Sennheiser HD-300 Pro.
Sound
When I first tried these my immediate thought was that they were unnaturally boosted in the bass and I was unimpressed in general. After more listening, I got used to their sonic character and started to enjoy them.
They offer a balanced, smooth listen while still being quite clear in all registers. Still, they are more suited to hours of listening through LPs than monitoring or recording vocals.
The bass is dishonestly booty bumping, the middle is not always easy to discern, and the soundstage, in general, is quite small compared to the Beyerdynamic 770s, for example. Tracking vocals feels a bit squashed compared to others on this list.
Yamaha HPH-MT8
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Build / Comfort
The build is all-around solid. They come with two detachable cables, one short (1.2m), one long (3m). The ear cushions are plushy genuine leather.
The ear cushions are not very deep so the driver presses against the ear. Other than this, they are very comfortable. It is also notable that the design is such that they can rest on the head with only one ear covered quite well, which sometimes comes in handy if you want to hear yourself while singing. See here for the full manufacturer specifications on the Yamaha HPH-MT8.
Sound
The Yamaha HPH-MT8 offer decent passive isolation but are very average in that category of headphones on this list.
The sound offers excellent detail and generally honest frequency response. The soundstage, however, is close in, claustrophobic compared to Beyerdynamic and Neumann reviewed here.
AKG K-371
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The AKG K371 headphones have the look, gloss, comfort, and features of a great set of cans for vocal recording. Sadly, the cover doesn’t match the book; the sound doesn’t compete well with the others on this list.
Build / Comfort
Packaged beautifully with detachable, armored cables that use the mini XLR connection on the headphone side: one long (3m) curly, one short (1.2m) and straight, one long (3m) and straight.
The build is lightweight but of good quality. The ear cups offer 180 degrees of rotation, so you can sing with one ear cup on, DJ style.
These are the most portable of all the headphones on this list, folding into a nice compact shape.
The inner cup presses on the ear but they are still very comfortable. They sit so softly on the head, trading sound spillage for comfort. The passive noise isolation is not great.
Sound
The sound is generally disappointing. Although they find a nice balance in terms of clarity vs smoothness, they lack honesty overall. They have a boost in the sibilant range and the bass is unnatural.
The most problematic, however, is the middle. The murkiness of about 350 – 600 Hz on these headphones would make vocal monitoring messy.
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