Every drummer who has an electronic drum set should have a good pair of headphones.
This is because electronic drum headphones capture the actual sound quality of the recording, adding depth to what you are hearing.
Another great advantage of electronic drums is that they can be played without making a lot of noise, and with headphones, you can feel like you are at a rock concert without the people around you hearing the loud drums and music.
Since most people use electronic drums for sound-related purposes, they need headphones that will help them express the true quality of digital drums.
Best Headphones for Electronic Drums in 2024
Finding the best headphones for electronic drums can turn your practice sessions amidst noisy distractions into an immersive musical experience.
Here are the best headphones for electronic drums that will accurately capture every beat.
1. Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO delivers transparent and spacious sound, turning electronic drumming into an expansive aural experience.
This open-back model features powerful lows and detailed highs, adding depth to drum sounds.
The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro headphones are great headphones for anyone who wants very high quality Electronic Drums. These headphones are packed with features to ensure you get the best sound possible.
It comes with two sets of earpads that exhibit different sound characteristics. It also comes with two separate cables, one coiled and one straight.
These headphones have great bass, mids, and treble to help you get the most out of your drums.
The quality of the materials chosen by Beyerdynamic for the DT 1990 Pro is different.
From the moment I first selected them, I could tell the difference from other headphones, from the aluminum construction to the soft feel of the ear pads when worn.
The only problem is that the headphones’ treble is blindingly high. This is to prevent older people from losing their hearing at higher frequencies.
It might be a bit much for young people. However, this can be easily modified in the EQ settings of your electronic drum kit.
Overall, the DT 1990 Pro is an excellent choice for anyone looking to spend some serious money on a set of wired headphones.
2. ROLAND VMH-D1 V-DRUMS headphones
The Roland VMH-D1 V-Drums headphones are designed specifically for drummers with a sound signature that brings out the nuances of electronic drums.
They’re fairly comfortable if they’re big enough to fit your head, and the electronic drums actually sound a bit more realistic compared to other studio headphones. It also includes a long cable and additional features that may be useful for drummers.
3. Shure SRH840A Headphones
The Shure SRH840A is ideal for audio professionals and serious musicians, especially drummers, who require accurate sound reproduction.
Captures both the subtle detail and power of electronic drums, making it ideal for studio monitoring and mixing.
The padded headband and large ear cups provide excellent separation and fit, essential for long studio sessions. The over-ear design effectively blocks out external noise, helping drummers focus on the music.
High-quality materials and thoughtful design, including a detachable cable to reduce wear and tear, ensure durability. This is especially useful in studios where cables need to be replaced frequently due to heavy use.
4. Sennheiser HD 650
The main advantage of the Sennheiser HD 650s is comfort. They are so comfortable that you can sit and play e-drums for hours without hurting your ears.
These headphones have a lightweight design with excellent transient response, allowing you to get great sound from your electronic kit. The drum sound module has a flat sound that allows you to create very personal mixes.
There are many people who use these headphones for audio mixing and mastering. This is a great starting point as it gives you a real response from the instrument.
This works the same for e-kit. So if you want great starting sound, the HD 650 is for you.
It feels a little stiff at first. However, the more you wear them, the looser they become and achieve that well-known comfort.
5. BEYERDYNAMIC DT 770 PRO headphones
The DT 770 PRO is a closed dynamic headphone ideal for professional use as monitoring headphones in the studio or on the go.
Beyerdynamic’s DT 770 Pro offers similar quality to the DT 1990 but at a lower price. These headphones are accurate, and comfortable and translate sound very well.
It is specially designed for sound mixing. This means it delivers clear sound suitable for electronic sets.
It features a closed design, which is one of the features that sets it apart from other headphones on this list.
The closed design blocks out more sounds from the surrounding environment, allowing you to be more immersed in the sound coming from your headphones. It is suitable for electronic drums because there is no sound of the pads being struck at all.
One downside is that the cable is too short. This problem can be easily solved using an extension. However, it’s a bit inconvenient.
Overall, Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones are designed for serious studio use. The ultimate comfort and sound quality make it an excellent option for electronic drumming.
These headphones are available in 32-ohm, 80-ohm, or 250-ohm versions, allowing you to better match what your drum module or headphone amplifier can output to get the best sound possible.
6. Roland RH-A30
Roland is one of the top sellers of electronic drum kits. So it’s no surprise that they’ve released a line of headphones specifically tailored for electronic drum kits.
The RH-A30 is designed to bring out the best in Roland V-Drums. However, this is not limited to Roland products. It sounds great with any electronic drum kit you pair it with.
Provides a fantastic kick sound. The bass is so punchy that you can feel it in your chest when you hit it. The sound of the cymbals can also be heard clearly and clearly.
The best feature of these headphones is that the cable is very long. This way, your headphones won’t feel like they’re tightly attached to whatever they’re connected to, allowing you to move around freely.
It’s comfortable, affordable, and designed to make your electronic drums sound amazing. Overall, it’s a great investment.
One downside is that they don’t block out ambient noise very well. This means that when you play with the stick, you will hear the stick hitting the pad.
7. Audio Technica ATH-M50X
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X is known for its outstanding acoustic performance.
Audio professionals and drummers will appreciate these headphones for their precise clarity across a wide frequency range, which is important for detecting every detail in electronic drum tracks.
These headphones are known for their durability and comfort, essential for long studio sessions or rehearsals. This is a practical feature that improves portability and ease of use by applying a detachable cable.
The ATH-M50x is a strong choice for drummers who want high-quality sound reproduction and comfort. Its balance between performance and price makes it a valuable addition to a drummer’s gear.
Professional-grade ear pads and headband materials ensure comfort. This material is durable and suitable for long sessions.
The over-the-ear design fits snugly around the ear and provides excellent noise isolation in noisy environments, which is important for drummers during live performances or recording sessions.
The ATH-M50X features a sturdy construction that ensures a long lifespan even in everyday use.
Three detachable cables are included, adding versatility and allowing drummers to choose the length and style that best suits their studio or stage setup.
However, while the cables are replaceable, they may be more durable to better withstand frequent connections and disconnections.
8. AKG K240 Studio
AKG K240 is one of the best headphones for those on a tight budget. It offers comfort and clear sound at a very affordable price.
This product has a wide dynamic range that delivers excellent bass, midrange, and treble sounds. This means that the kick drum and cymbals sound equally good as each other.
This dynamic range is thanks to the headphones’ unique design. It’s a mix of open and closed, so you get the best of both worlds.
It is quite heavy so you may not be able to wear it for long periods of time at a time. But nothing can beat the price.
What type of headphones are suitable for E-Drum?
For electronic drums, we recommend E-Drum headphones with a closed design! Sound insulation from the outside is improved so that the impact noise of drumsticks and beaters does not mix with the actual sound.
Another positive effect is that you don’t have to turn up the volume on your headphones so far to hear well. Easy for sensitive ears!
Therefore, closed-back over-ear headphones are generally recommended for electronic drum kits.
The sealed capsule provides excellent noise isolation and completely surrounds the ear, blocking out external noise and helping to better reproduce the sound of electronic drums.
There are also special in-ear systems for musicians. In-ear monitors are compact and provide a high level of noise isolation directly into the ears, which can be advantageous during live performances or studio recordings.
However, they do not offer the sound quality of premium headphones for electronic drums.
Conclusion
A good pair of electronic drum headphones will make a huge difference in the sound reproduction of your electronic drums.
It’s important to invest in a great pair that is comfortable and sounds good. There are great headphones for every budget. So pick a few and give them a play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which headphones are suitable for electronic drums?
Drums have a variety of sounds ranging from low to high frequencies. This is thanks to the deep tone of the kick drum and the high tone of the cymbals.
So, good electronic drum headphones can reflect all these frequencies to get a good drum sound. Some headphones have better bass drum frequency response, while others have better mid or high-frequency response.
Good electronic drum headphones will sit somewhere in the middle.
How much do headphones for an electronic drum set cost?
This will depend on your individual requirements and available budget. In general, I would say that a budget between $150 and $400 is a good bet for a good pair of E-Drum headphones.
Within this price range, you can find high-quality options that reproduce the sound of electronic drums well and provide sufficient noise isolation.
Are Bluetooth headphones compatible with electronic drums?
It’s possible to use Bluetooth headphones with electronic drums, but if you can use wired headphones, it’s not necessarily something you should aim for.
Bluetooth headphones are growing in popularity every year, so it’s natural for drummers to use them to play their music. That way it works well with acoustic drums, but it’s not ideal for electronic drums.
Can I use headphones with my electronic drum kit?
Electronic drums are designed to work with headphones or an amplifier. This means that when playing electronic drums, the headphones do about 50% of the work. All electronic drum kits have a headphone port where you can connect headphones.
That’s why having good headphones is very important. You’ll be hearing the drums a lot, and high-quality headphones will give you a great experience every time.
For more information on E-drum amplification, check out this guide.
Why do drummers wear headphones?
There are several reasons why drummers wear headphones. One of them is listening to music while playing. Playing along with drum music is one of the best ways to express yourself and develop yourself.
This is why every drummer should have headphones, no matter what type of drum kit they play.
Another reason is monitoring. Monitoring is when you play along with the band and the sound of the instruments is transmitted to your headphones. This allows the drummer to hear the band clearly.
Some drummers wear headphones just to protect their ears. The drum sound can become seriously loud and cause some damage. Therefore, drummers wear headphones while jamming to prevent hearing loss.
Why you shouldn’t use Bluetooth headphones?
The biggest reason to stay away from Bluetooth headphones is latency. All wireless headphones have higher latency than wired headphones, allowing you to feel much more clearly when playing your instrument.
You will notice a delay in the sound between hitting a drum and hitting the corresponding drum.
You can buy high-quality wireless headphones with low latency, but they’re still not as good or reliable as wired headphones. If you try to play drums that have latency issues, the whole experience will be very frustrating.
How can I listen to music while playing electronic drums?
Many electronic drum kits have performance features depending on the module. This means it comes with music tracks that you can play along with.
Just plug in your headphones and you can hear the tracks as well as the drums. This is a great practice tool. However, these tracks do get a little worn out over time.
When it comes to listening to your own music, many electronic drum modules allow you to play tracks via USB.
This is the best way to play along to music with electronic drums. When purchasing a set, check to see if it has this feature.
Why do you need specific headphones for electronic drums?
Electronic drums produce a wide range of frequencies and dynamics. Certain headphones provide clear and accurate sound reproduction, allowing you to hear your performance accurately and enhance your performance.
Can I use studio monitor headphones for electronic drums?
Yes, studio monitor headphones are an excellent choice as they provide accurate sound reproduction. Helps you hear electronic drums clearly and precisely.
What features should you look for in electronic drum headphones?
Look for headphones with good noise isolation, a wide frequency range, comfortable ear pads, and a long cable. These features ensure clear sound, comfort during long-term use, and freedom of movement.
Can I use Bluetooth headphones with my electronic drum kit?
You can use Bluetooth headphones, but they may introduce latency, causing a delay between you hitting the drums and hearing the sound.
This can be distracting and affect your timing. We recommend using wired headphones to avoid latency issues.
What type of ear pads are best for headphones used with electronic drums?
Soft, cushioned ear pads made from materials such as memory foam or leatherette are best. Provides comfort and excellent noise isolation to reduce ear fatigue during long practice sessions.
Can I use regular headphones with my electronic drum kit?
You can use regular headphones, but they may not provide the best sound quality or comfort. Headphones designed for electronic drums provide better sound reproduction and are more comfortable for long-term use.
How do you listen to music while playing electronic drums?
Most mid-level and professional electronic kits have Bluetooth functionality that allows you to play music through the module.
If your drum module doesn’t have that feature, you’ll need to use a mixer with multiple channels. The module is connected to one channel and the device playing music is connected to the other channel.
How do I connect headphones to electronic drums?
All electronic drums have a 3.5mm headphone output port on the drum module. Simply plug your headphone jack into here. If your headphones have a ¼-inch jack, you will need to use an adapter.
How can I listen to electronic drums without headphones?
You can use an electronic drum kit amplifier. A keyboard amp also works well, as you’ll get decent audio that covers all the frequencies your drum kit produces.
If you don’t have an amplifier, you can use an auxiliary cable to connect the kit to small speakers. They just won’t handle high volumes too well.
Should I wear headphones when playing the drums?
Yes, wearing headphones while playing the drums can often make for a more immersive experience.
It also has the benefit of keeping the sound level low so that people around you can only hear the sound of the pads being struck rather than the standard sound of drums and cymbals.
Also read: Best Closed Back Headphones 2024