Many consumer-grade choices are terrible while choices are the best isolation headphones for drummers.
First of all, drums are quite loud, so regular types of earbuds and headphones often don’t reduce the volume output from the kit.
Many manufacturers make specific isolation headphones that are designed to reduce the volume level between your ears and an external source.
Best Isolation Headphones for Drummers in 2024
1. Vic Firth Stereo Isolated Headphones V2
Vic Firth SIH2 headphones are designed to meet the specific needs of drummers, providing the perfect blend of noise isolation and stereo audio quality.
These headphones are ideal for a variety of drumming scenarios, including live performances, recording sessions, and practicing recorded music while maintaining safe sound levels.
The Vic Firth SIV2 are the best headphones for drummers who want both quality and affordability. They are not very expensive and provide a high level of separation and good sound.
Vic Firth has been making these headphones for as long as I can remember. The latest version, V2, reduces external noise by 20 decibels. It has a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz.
The Vic Firth headphones do a fantastic job of isolating the drums while still providing a clear sound that allows you to hear both the music and the drums mixed together when recording.
The Vic Firth headphones did a much better job of isolation than most of the other headphones on our list, despite being rated for only 20 decibels reduction.
These headphones put some kind of pressure on your ears and head. This can be a real annoyance when trying to practice drums. But that’s just me. And so does my big head.
These isolation headphones are a winner in my book, I believe they are the best of all on the list and of worthy quality.
It’s not too expensive for what you get. Use this method if you only want to use headphones for practice purposes.
And sometimes it can be too much isolation. When practicing, sometimes I slightly push one ear cup out of one ear to let out a quiet sound.
You’ll hear a much more luxurious sound from the cymbals, which is a nice trick for a more satisfying practice experience. Vic Firth also sells a similar model that is Bluetooth compatible.
2. Sony MDR7506
The Sony MDR7506 is the kind of headphones every drummer wants to see in their tool kit. They are affordable, block noise, and are extremely durable.
But more than that, the sound quality is unrivaled when compared to its price point. We wouldn’t expect anything less from one of the best headphone manufacturers in the world.
The MDR7506 delivers a perceptually neutral sound with accurate bass, making it ideal for drummers. It comes with robust noise cancellation that prevents unwanted sounds from reaching your ears while recording.
Compared to the more expensive DT770 Pro, these isolation features are much more advantageous.
Aside from isolation, the Sony MDR7506 is also comfortable to wear for long periods of time, making it a great choice for drummers. Wide headband distributes weight evenly.
Additionally, the earcups can be replaced if they don’t fit you.
Lastly, the headphones are small and collapsible, making them ideal for people who travel frequently. If you’re recording in another city or state, it won’t be difficult to fit the MDR7506 into your carry-on bag.
In summary, these Sony headphones have the best price range you can find for similar sound quality. It seems like it should be more expensive, which is a good idea to have with any audio device.
3. Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
The Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro has taken the musician community by storm. This studio classic is relatively inexpensive, offers the cleanest sound presentation, and its closed design provides adequate isolation.
Needless to say, it’s easy to see why drummers love them. These headphones are ideal for drummers thanks to their comfortable design that fits snugly into the ears and their excellent sound definition.
It offers a flat frequency response with less inaccuracy and better bass sound. Plus, the closed design provides essential isolation for drummers.
Moving on to the design, the DT770 Pro is sleek and minimalist. Includes a pair of soft velor ear pads that are comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Additionally, the single-sided cable allows you to put on and remove the headphones without the cable touching your face.
Beyerdynamic has two options: 770s and 770M. The 770M is perfect for acoustic drummers as the headphones have noise cancellation.
The other models they sell aren’t much different, to be honest, but they don’t separate as well (used on electronic drums).
The DT 770 is almost similar to the earplugs we used earlier. These are over-ear monitor headphones with an all-black design. This pair is marketed towards both drummers and sound engineers.
From an overall design perspective, the headphone set is really nice, sleek, and well-made.
Of course, the biggest drawback is cost. The inner part of the headphones has a gray fabric that is very soft to the touch. This is a nice feature.
This set of headphones is a closed-back set, so you will really notice an improvement in the quality of the music you are listening to.
One of the main problems with many isolation headphones is that they become uncomfortable after an hour. As I already said, the sound is truly amazing. The bass is a bit exaggerated but sounds great.
4. Roland RH-300V V-Drums Stereo Headphones
Roland a Japanese company is synonymous with high-class audio devices, and the RH-300V headphones are no exception.
Made specifically for Roland’s electronic V-Drum kit, but can also be used with drums from other brands.
You can also use it with traditional drums, but we don’t recommend it. The sound can be a bit too intense for your liking, with low-mid frequencies attacking and decaying quickly.
In any case, the RH-300V comes with standard features typically found on higher-end models, including high sensitivity and solid isolation.
Its full-range sound makes it ideal for electronic drums, and its ohmic rating eliminates the need for an amplifier.
The headphones don’t use isolation technology, but the design makes up for it.
They feature thick padding to prevent unwanted noise from escaping inside, and the over-ear design fits snugly into your ears. Typically, isolation will be enough unless you play in a very noisy environment.
In addition to its technical features, the RH-300V is durable.
The sides are made of aluminum, making it scratch-resistant and sturdy enough to withstand some drops. Plus, it has soft cushioning on the inside, making it very comfortable. Better suited to longer sessions than the Vic Firth.
Overall, the Rh-300V is one of the best headphones on the market in terms of isolation and sound quality. If it weren’t for its high price, it would be a staple in every drummer’s tool kit.
5. KAT Percussion KTUI26 Ultra Isolation Headphones
There are no better drumming headphones than the KAT KTUI26s. It’s comfortable, secluded, and, above all, comes with a competitive price tag.
When it comes to external noise reduction, it’s pretty hard to compete with KTUI26. It provides a 26dB reduction, making it ideal for long recording sessions. Eliminates most acoustic drums and delivers a clean, bold sound.
However, KTUI26’s sound quality is its biggest drawback. Bass reproduction may need some improvement and the sound quality is not perfect.
Aside from that, the headphones are quite comfortable. The headband is tight, so it’s not the best choice for long sessions, but it’s good enough for regular sessions.
The ear cushions are padded so they feel soft on the ears and do not cause ear fatigue.
Considering that they’re considerably cheaper than all the other options on this list, there’s little to complain about with these headphones.
If you are a beginner and don’t mind the sound shortcomings, I would say the KTUI26 is quite affordable.
6. Roland VMH-D1
The Roland VMH-D1 is lightweight, sounds great, and is non-fatiguing so you can play for hours. The new Roland VMH-D1 is perfect for electronic drummers.
These are the best-sounding cans I’ve ever used with my TD-50K-S drum set. It offers a tight, punchy bass response, warm midrange, and smooth treble, making it ideal for smoothing out cymbal sounds.
This headphone also features some isolation, which reduces the sound of the sticks hitting the pads. It is not recommended for use with an acoustic drum set as it is not as isolated as the GK Ultra Phone.
7. EX29 Plus Extreme Isolation Headphones
Direct Sound’s EX29 Plus is a great set of cans at an affordable price point. They are large and fit my head very well (I am 6’4″).
The cord is long and probably the most beautiful braided cord in the headphone set.
Very well designed. There are also a few other models worth looking at. I would like to use this more, but my wife keeps stealing it. It also comes with an inline microphone so you can use it as a headset.
Conclusion
Choosing the best isolation headphones for drummers is about balancing sound quality, comfort, durability, and hearing protection.
Whether practicing at home, recording in the studio, or performing live, using the right headphones can greatly improve your drumming experience.
Consider your specific needs and the type of drum kit you use, and prioritize your hearing health when making your selection.
Remember, the perfect headphones aren’t just for listening to music. Immerse yourself in your drumming while protecting one of your most valuable assets: your hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do drummers listen to through their headphones while playing?
Drummers often use headphones to listen to pre-recorded tracks that guide them through the pieces they will play together. Or, you can listen to a click track that sets the tempo of the song you’re playing.
What ear protection is recommended for drummers?
The best ear protection for drummers is usually custom-made earplugs with a string attached for convenience.
These earmuffs are breathable, easy to use, and allow drummers to hear their drumming clearly. An example of high-quality molded earplugs is Doc’s Pro Plugs Vented.
Which Shure headphones are best for drummers?
For professional drummers seeking the best sound quality and performance, we highly recommend the Shure SE535 Sound Isolating Earphones.
These earphones offer excellent noise isolation, making them a solid choice for drummers during gigs or practice sessions.
Do you use regular headphones for drumming?
Even if they could, regular headphones may not provide the sound isolation and durability needed for drumming.
How important is noise cancellation in drumming headphones?
This is especially important for acoustic drummers. This is because it protects your hearing and allows you to focus more on the drum sound.
Also read: Best Headphones for Electronic Drums in 2024