When editing audio, you need to find the right headphones for your needs. You’ll want headphones that provide honest feedback on the sound during audio editing. Here are the best headphones for audio editing:
1. Audio-Technica ATH M50x
Audio-Technica is a popular brand in the audio industry, offering top-quality, versatile headphones.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are professional-grade studio headphones with all the features and quality you need for audio editing.
These headphones feature a closed, over-ear design, making them one of the best editing headphones for extended use.
The design offers excellent noise isolation, allowing you to focus on your listening experience. Featuring large 45mm drivers and a frequency range of 18Hz to 28,000Hz, these headphones deliver crystal-clear sound.
Despite their powerful and expansive sound, the output is nearly neutral, with little impact on any particular frequency band. This makes sound monitoring easier and allows for precise audio editing.
The rotating earcups allow you to quickly monitor just one ear without having to replace the entire headphone.
The combination of rare-earth magnets, copper-aluminum-clad wire coils, and large drivers allows the headphones to isolate each element of the audio for a clear, accurate listening experience, allowing you to pinpoint where adjustments are needed.
The only downside to these headphones is that their design may feel a bit heavy for some users, and they may sound bass-heavy, rather than the 100Hz-neutral sound that true audiophiles appreciate.
At a low price of $169, these headphones, with their full features and robust sound, are considered by many studio professionals and audiophiles as one of the best video editing headphones.
Also read: Best Wireless Audiophile Headphones
2. Beyerdynamic DT-1990 Pro
The Beyerdynamic DT-1990 Pro are professional-grade over-ear headphones with an open-back design. They come with two 3-meter detachable cables with mini XLR connectors.
One cable is straight, the other is coiled. The cable connection port is located on one side of the headphones to avoid interference.
The DT-1990 Pro headphones feature an impedance of 250 ohms, eliminating interference and delivering clear sound quality.
However, higher impedances require additional amplification. Like many high-end headphones, the output is too low to amplify without an external power source.
The frequency response is 5 Hz to 40,000 Hz. The extended frequency response is intended to deliver higher-frequency sounds, such as vocals and treble, with greater clarity.
The DT-1990 Pro comes with two sets of earpads, each with a distinct sound signature. One pair delivers an analytical sound profile with rich midrange and precise bass.
The other pair offers a rich, balanced sound profile with reduced midrange and treble detail.
While the DT-1990 Pro headphones carry a premium price tag, this is backed up by exceptional craftsmanship.
Each pair is handcrafted in Germany using high-resolution Tesla drivers and premium materials, including titanium-coated acoustic fabric.
The combination of design features and high-quality components delivers optimal sound reproduction for audio editing.
Whether you’re editing music or film audio, you need to be able to vividly hear every nuance of your audio tracks.
3. Sony MDR7506 Professional
Experience crystal-clear sound with the Sony MDR7506 Professional large-diaphragm headphones. Ideal for studio use, these headphones deliver precise sound.
Soft earpads ensure comfort even during extended use. Durable and foldable for easy portability and storage. Enjoy high-quality sound every time.
The Sony MDR7506 headphones deliver incredible sound quality. Outstanding clarity. Every note is crisp and clear.
Ultimate comfort ensures long-term comfort. They boast a robust design and rugged durability. They offer excellent noise isolation, preventing distractions from outside noise.
Ideal for studio recording, they are a true delight for musicians and producers. The coiled cable is easy to use and tangle-free.
They offer exceptional value for the price. Highly recommended for all audiophiles.
4. Sony WH1000XM3
If you’re looking for the best editing headphones with active noise-canceling technology, these headphones are one of Sony’s best.
While their overall design may look similar to the products listed above, these audio devices offer a wealth of features.
The world-class built-in smart noise-canceling technology detects and effectively cancels out ambient noise, providing a high-quality, clear listening experience.
Since these headphones are Bluetooth-enabled audio devices, you might want to reconsider their efficiency and effectiveness when it comes to video editing.
Wireless technology can introduce latency and cause some audio signal loss.
However, with the Sony WH1000XM3, you don’t have to worry about these issues. The headphones’ Bluetooth support offers low latency, allowing you to enjoy 100% pristine audio without missing a beat.
These headphones boast a stylish, foldable design with rotating earcups and come with a carrying case for easy storage and portability. The only downside is their rather high price tag of $348.
If you’re looking for the best headphones for editing, these might not be what you’re looking for. Also, check out our article on Bluetooth color headphones.
5. Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO
If you’re looking for versatile headphones that can be used with almost any amplifier or equipment, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO might be the right choice.
With an impedance of 32 ohms, they’re ideal for audio editing on a computer or laptop. However, their high impedance still helps filter out line noise, preventing audio degradation.
These headphones have long been a staple in the industry—they’re like the Shure SM58s of audio editing headphones.
They offer exceptional value for money, delivering an exceptional sound signature suitable for studio performances, editing, and mixing.
The DT 770 Pro headphones are ideal for professional use and high-fidelity workflows, including audio editing.
They feature a closed-back headphone design focused on clarity and spatial reproduction. Highs are crisp and clear, while lows are crisp and clear.
You’ll experience a spacious and transparent sound experience without overpowering the bass.
The clarity of the high frequencies comes from the headphones’ extended frequency response, which extends from 5Hz to 35,000Hz.
The DT 770 Pro headphones are connected via a single-sided cable. The fixed, straight cable is 1.6m long and includes a mini-jack plug and a 1/4-inch adapter.
While the cable is slightly shorter than most professional headphones, this may not be an issue for everyone.
The headphones are built solidly and designed for comfort even over long periods of wear. The adjustable headband with velour earpads and steel springs allows for a customized fit.
6. OneOdio A70
Experience crystal-clear sound with the OneOdio A70 Bluetooth over-ear headphones. Enjoy uninterrupted music listening with 72 hours of wireless playback.
Engineered for high-fidelity audio, these headphones deliver exceptional sound quality.
The 3.5mm/6.35mm wired audio jack makes them ideal for studio monitoring, mixing, and DJing.
They’re compatible with computers, laptops, tablets, and guitar amplifiers. The sleek black design adds a modern touch.
The OneOdio A70 Bluetooth over-ear headphones are fantastic. They deliver crystal-clear sound.
The 72-hour battery life is impressive. They’re comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and they easily connect to all your devices via Bluetooth.
The wired audio jack makes them ideal for studio work, whether you’re mixing DJ sets or playing guitar. The rugged construction provides durability and stability.
The black design creates a sleek, professional look. They’re easy to carry and store. Highly recommended for music lovers and professionals alike.
7. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
With a 40-year history in the audio industry, Sennheiser has a reputation for creating a lineup of excellent headphones to suit every listening preference.
One of the best budget editing headphones under $100, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is an excellent choice for studio and editing work.
These headphones feature a flat frequency response for unbiased sound, making them ideal for audio work in video editing.
Designed to deliver a sound pressure level of 113dB, they deliver surprisingly full-bodied sound. The ergonomically designed body provides excellent noise isolation.
The supra-auricular earcups, cushioned headband, and replaceable cord ensure a comfortable fit and durability. The only downside is that the headband can feel a bit bulky and heavy. Available online for $99.00.
8. Sony MDRV6 Studio Monitor Headphones
The Sony MDRV6 Studio Monitor Headphones were the first model in Sony’s studio monitor headphone line.
Thanks to their accurate sound reproduction, the MDR-V6 quickly became the most popular model in the lineup.
The sound quality is achieved through a pair of neodymium magnets, 40mm drivers, and a wide frequency response of 5 Hz to 30,000 Hz.
The MDR-V6 headphones deliver clearer sound across the entire frequency range, from low to high.
The headphones also feature large diaphragms that block external noise and comfortable padded earpads. When not in use, they fold for easy storage.
The adjustable headband is wide and padded, distributing the weight of the headphones over a wider area. This reduces pressure on the top and sides of the head, ensuring comfort even during extended wear.
The sound quality is well-balanced, with a tendency to emphasize the bass. The midrange and treble are relatively less prominent, which can be a problem when editing audio, making it difficult to detect distortion.
Conclusion
Choosing the right headphones for music production is crucial for achieving professional-quality results.
Sound quality and accuracy play a crucial role in accurately representing audio material, while comfort and durability contribute to a smooth and enjoyable production process.
Understanding the importance of choosing headphones that meet these criteria can take your music production to the next level.
FAQ
What is the best driver size for audio editing?
Headphones typically use drivers ranging from 20mm to 50mm. Larger drivers produce greater output and a wider frequency response.
However, larger drivers don’t always translate to better sound. Sound quality varies greatly depending on the design of the headphones and their components.
The best headphones for mixing are typically tuned to deliver a neutral and accurate sound. If the drivers are too large, the bass can be emphasized, reducing the overall clarity of the midrange.
Ideally, headphones with drivers between 40mm and 45mm are recommended.
What impedance level should I look for in studio monitors?
Studio monitors typically have a high impedance, which limits the current flow through the drivers.
Headphones filter out unwanted noise and interference that degrade sound quality by blocking more of the electrical audio signal.
Impedance varies from 8 ohms to 600 ohms, depending on the headphone.
Inexpensive editing headphones typically have an impedance between 32 and 64 ohms, while some audio editing headphones have an impedance between 300 and 600 ohms.
While headphones can be used for low frequencies without an amplifier, volume may be limited. For high frequencies, you’ll need to connect the headphones to an amplifier or DAC to amplify the audio signal.
If you plan to edit on a laptop or computer without additional audio equipment, consider headphones with an impedance of 32 ohms or less.
If you use professional audio equipment, consider headphones with an impedance of at least 64 ohms.