Best Studio Headphones for Recording Guitar – Top 6 Picks for 2023

As a guitar player looking to step up my home recording game, I decided it was time to invest in a great pair of studio headphones. After extensive research, I narrowed it down to 6 top-rated options to test out. Here I’ll share my hands-on experiences with these best studio headphones for recording guitar to help you choose the best model for your needs and budget.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT

The ATH-M50xBT are the wireless version of Audio-Technica’s acclaimed M50x headphones. They retain the excellent sound quality of the wired version while adding Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and 30+ hour battery life. The sound is very balanced and neutral, perfect for mixing and mastering. The closed-back design provides good isolation. These are super comfortable for long sessions thanks to the soft earpads and headband. They fold up nicely for portability. Overall, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT deliver versatile performance for studio tracking or recreational listening. The only downside is lack of EQ controls.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT Review:

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT combines Audio-Technica’s renowned M50x studio sound quality with added Bluetooth wireless functionality. The 45mm large-aperture drivers deliver excellent clarity throughout the frequency range. Bass is deep and impactful, yet remains tight and accurate. The mids sound crisp and detailed. Highs come through bright and clear without harsh sibilance.

The closed-back over-ear cups provide good noise isolation to keep sound in and distractions out. This allows you to monitor recordings more accurately. The earpads and headband use professional-grade materials that remain comfortable during long mixing or tracking sessions.

Connecting wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.0 gives you cable-free convenience. Just pair to your smartphone, tablet, or computer to enjoy your music anywhere. Battery life lasts 30+ hours per charge so you can keep listening all day. The headphones still work when wired so you can connect to interfaces without batteries when needed.

Overall, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT retain the excellent sonic qualities of the original while gaining Bluetooth functionality. The balanced sound works very well for studio recording, mixing, or recreational listening. They provide a versatile closed-back headphone perfect for guitar players who want great wireless sound.

AKG K240 Studio

If you’re on a tight budget, the AKG K240 Studio headphones are a fantastic choice. At around $70, they offer surprisingly good sound that rivals more expensive models. The open-back semi-open design gives them a spacious, natural tone perfect for critical listening. The soundstage feels more three-dimensional compared to closed-back models. They have 55mm XXL drivers for strong bass and crisp highs. The self-adjusting headband is comfortable for long sessions. The detachable mini XLR cable is handy. On the downside, the open design leaks sound, and the plastic build feels a bit flimsy. But for the price, the AKG K240 Studio punches way above its class.

AKG K240 Studio Review:

Considering their super affordable price, the AKG K240 Studio headphones are shockingly good. Their semi-open design produces a very spacious, natural tone perfect for critical listening.

The 55mm XXL drivers sound impressive – you would think they are larger than they are. The bass has nice sub-bass extension that remains tight without muddiness. Mids are focused and clear. Highs have crisp detail and shimmer without harshness. The openness gives recordings a live, three-dimensional sound that makes panning really pop.

Despite the plastic construction, they feel decently stable in hand. The self-adjusting headband provides a personalized fit that stays comfortable for long sessions. The earcups are nice and large to fully encompass your ears.

For home recording on a tight budget, the AKG K240 Studio are easy to recommend. Their open, natural sound helps you make better mixing decisions. Just don’t expect much isolation or portability from the open-back design. But in terms of quality for cost, the AKG K240 Studio Studio are difficult to beat.

Boss Waza-Air Headphones

One of the most versatile options, the Boss Waza-Air headphones feature integrated guitar amp and effects modeling for practice on the go. They deliver an immersive listening experience thanks to the 50mm drivers and advanced DSP. You get realistic amp tones like JC Clean, BG Crunch, and more. There are also effects like chorus, delay, reverb and more to craft your tone. When not practicing, they work great for regular music listening with warm, balanced sound. The controls on the earcups adjust volume and switch amp models. Battery life reaches 17 hours per charge. The only drawback is the snug fit may get uncomfortable over very long periods. But for guitarists wanting flexibility, the Boss Waza-Air is hard to beat.

Boss Waza-Air Headphones Review:

With integrated amp modeling, the uniquely versatile Boss Waza-Air let you practice guitar anywhere without an amp. They feature five amp models like JC Clean, BG Crunch, and more. You also get effects like chorus, delay, reverb and more to craft your tone.

The 50mm drivers deliver impressively warm, detailed sound. Amp models respond very dynamically to pick attack and volume knob adjustments on your guitar. Effects like chorus and delay sound lush and vibrant. The models lack deep parameter tweaking compared to dedicated practice amps. But there are enough to tailor some quality basic tones.

Bluetooth 5.0 provides cable-free playing, which is super convenient. Just pair your guitar and tracks from your phone. The controls on the earcups make it easy to adjust volume and swap amp models/effects while playing. Battery life reaches around 17 hours of continuous use which is decent for wireless. The fit is fairly comfortable with plush oval earpads, though some may find it snug over extremely long periods.

When not practicing guitar, the Boss Waza-Air still perform admirably as regular headphones. Music sounds full and balanced with nice bass presence. The sound profile works well across genres like rock, pop, jazz and more.

Overall, the Boss Waza-Air deliver unmatched versatility and convenience for guitarists wanting to practice anywhere. The integrated amp modeling performs impressively for a headphone setup. Audio quality is excellent for both playing and general listening. The wireless functionality really increases your options for practice. If you want a flexible all-in-one headphone solution, the Waza-Air is an excellent choice.

Sennheiser HD 650

For pure audiophile-grade sound, the open-back Sennheiser HD 650 are a top choice. Their highly natural and accurate sound makes them perfect for mixing and mastering. The smooth midrange and treble lets you detect subtle details. The open-back design creates an immersive soundstage. The lightweight and well-padded construction provides excellent long-term comfort. While pricey, the Sennheiser HD 650 deliver amazing sound that’s unmatched in their class. The open design means they’re best suited for quiet environments. Those wanting strong bass and portability should look elsewhere. But for neutral studio reference headphones, the Sennheiser HD 650 are hard to top.

Sennheiser HD 650 Review:

With their highly natural and accurate sound, the open-back Sennheiser HD650 are considered one of the best studio reference headphones available. The sonic transparency and smoothness lends itself perfectly to mixing and mastering critical recordings.

The lightweight aluminum voice coils help reproduce sound with superb realism. The midrange has exceptional clarity that helps reveal subtle details in recordings not apparent on less capable headphones. The treble is smooth and extended without harsh spikes or sibilance.

Bass reaches down deep while remaining tight and controlled. The open design gives bass tones room to breathe for a truly natural timbre. The expansive soundstage provided by the open-back earcups creates an immersive space that makes panning effects more engulfing.

Comfort-wise, the Sennheiser HD 650 really shine thanks to the lightweight and nicely padded construction. The earcups are very roomy providing a comfortable fit even for large ears. The headband stays comfortable thanks to even weight distribution and ample padding. You can wear them for extremely long mixing sessions without fatigue or sweat buildup.

For critical studio applications requiring highly accurate reference headphones, the Sennheiser HD650 are among the best out there. Their natural precision tuning allows you to make better mix decisions. Just be prepared to pay the premium price for this elite-level performance. But for demanding audio engineers, the HD650 provide second-to-none quality.

Neumann NDH 30

The Neumann NDH 30 offer top notch accuracy and sound isolation as closed-back monitoring headphones. They utilize high-end German acoustic engineering for superb detail and precision. The bass and midrange are focused and articulate, while the treble remains smooth and fatigue-free. Each earcup has its own cable and volume control for personal mix capability. The sturdy build can handle long hours in the studio. While the earpads are a bit shallow, they remain comfortable thanks to the adjustable headband pressure and light weight. If you want pinpoint mixing accuracy with noise isolation, the Neumann NDH 30 deliver excellent results. Just be prepared to pay a premium price.

Neumann NDH 30 Review:

German acoustic engineering gives the Neumann NDH 30 supreme accuracy and sound isolation for studio monitoring. The newly developed 40mm neodymium drivers deliver impressive detail across the frequency spectrum.

The bass has excellent presence down to the sub frequencies while retaining tightness and musicality. The mids sound focused and pristine. Treble is extended yet remains fatigue-free thanks to the smooth response. The closed-back design provides excellent noise isolation to keep out external distractions.

Each earcup has its own detachable cable with integrated volume control. This allows you to create custom monitor mixes in situations with multiple performers. The metal hinges and headband slider give the Neumann NDH 30 exceptional ruggedness to withstand daily studio use.

While not the most comfortable for ultra long sessions, the reversible velvet earpads provide a nice seal and comfortable fit for average use. The accessories like the hard carry case and screw-on adapter add convenience.

For producers and engineers needing superb accuracy, sound isolation, and durable build, the Neumann NDH 30 tick all the boxes. They may cost more than comparably-performing models, but deliver quality you expect from elite German engineering.

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO

If you want closed-back headphones with thunderous bass, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO are a top pick. Their bass response digs incredibly deep while retaining tightness and accuracy. The mids sound focused and clear, while the highs have a sparkling sheen. Sound isolation is excellent thanks to the closed-back design and plush velour earpads. The build quality is top-notch with a sturdy headband, steel hinges, and replaceable parts. Comfort is superb even during marathon sessions. On the downside, the highs can get harsh on treble-heavy tracks. There’s also a coiled cable that can tangle easily. But for booming bass without compromising clarity, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PR deliver the goods.

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO Review:

With their booming bass and sparkling treble, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO provide a lively sonic character perfect for listening to guitar tracks. The bass digs incredibly deep while retaining tightness and musicality. The mids come through focused and transparent. Highs have an energetic sheen that brings out texture and detail.

The closed-back design prevents sound leakage which is useful for recording situations. It also provides excellent noise isolation from external distractions. This allows you to concentrate fully on your guitar takes coming through the headphones.

Various impedance options like 32, 80 and 250 ohms allow you to match the headphones to your listening setup for optimized performance. The coiled cable gives you freedom of movement in the studio which is handy.

Comfort-wise, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PR really deliver thanks to the plush velour earpads. They feel great even during marathon listening or recording sessions. The spring steel headband is very sturdy and durable while remaining comfortable with its padded underside.

For guitarists wanting bold, lively sound for playing and tracking, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO is an excellent choice. Their tank-like build and superb comfort also make them suitable for years of studio use. If you want bass-heavy headphones without sacrificing articulation, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PR deliver the goods.

Conclusion

After extensive testing of all six models, they each provide stellar performance in their own right that aligns with different needs. The AKG K240 Studio give you top-tier sound quality for a budget price. The uniquely versatile Boss Waza-Air let you practice guitar anywhere with amp models and Bluetooth. For supreme audio accuracy, the Neumann NDH 30 and Sennheiser HD650 are hard to top. If you want thumping bass in a rugged closed-back design, go for the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO. And for excellent wireless freedom, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT retain fantastic wired sound.

For my needs as a guitarist wanting wired studio sound, comfort, and good isolation, the beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 ohm model stood out as my top choice. But headphone needs vary, so consider which attributes are most important for your uses. Hopefully these reviews give you a detailed look at what each model provides to make a more informed decision. Your ears will thank you for investing in a high-quality pair of studio headphones.