Best Headphones for Recording Vocals (Top 8 Picks)!
Whether you are a professional musician, voice-over artist, or a passionate home studio enthusiast, having the right headphones is super important for capturing vocal performances. However, most people don’t know which are the best ones.
This is where I come in.
I have shortlisted the 8 best headphones for recording vocals just for you.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X: Best Overall
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 45mm |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB |
| Frequency Response | 15-28,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 38 ohms |
| Color | Available in six colors |
ATH- M50X is the best headphone for recording vocals in my opinion. It is also receiving praise from top audio engineers and critics because of its top-quality microphone, drivers, and design.
Let’s start with drivers.
Audio-Technica has included 45 mm drivers, which means the audio quality is supreme. Plus, every frequency range is clear and you can even hear deep bass too.
Moreover, M50X has a dual mic and beamforming technology, which captures your voice in the perfect way.
There are also rare Earth magnets and copper-clad, which makes the headphones durable. Furthermore, ATH-M50X has a contoured design. That’s why these headphones stay stable when recording vocals.
The structure also provides “noise isolation,” so you will not be disturbed by outside noises.
That is why ATH-M50X is the first choice of DJs because they can do monitoring and personal listening easily.
Note that ATH-M50X is available in both wired and wireless forms. Plus, you can get it in Black, Deep Sea, Metallic orange, Gun Metal, White, and Deep Sea Blue colors.
| Pros | Cons |
| Crystal clear sound | No noise canceling feature. |
| Offers excellent noise isolation | |
| Fits comfortably. | |
| It is collapsible. | |
| Durable |
Pioneer DJ CUE1- Best Budget Headphones For Recording Vocals
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Closed and Dynamic |
| Drivers | 40 mm |
| Form | On-Ear |
| Connectivity | Wired |
| Cable | 1.8m |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB |
| Color | Black |
Pioneer CUE1 is famously known as closed-back DJ headphones because of its stylish design and strong metal sliders.
But the reason I chose it is that it can capture voices flawlessly.
Moreover, its top-quality drivers will allow you to listen to your recordings and other music in the highest quality. You can listen to mid-hears, bass, and other frequencies with pinpoint precision.
Furthermore, CUE1 is lightweight. So, you can wear them for hours without feeling burdened. That’s not it. These headphones are portable, and you can take them wherever you want.
Another thing I like about CUE 1 is that it is durable. The metal construction does not break down easily. In fact, Pioneer has stated that this headphone passed rigorous durability tests.
The best part? You will enjoy all of these benefits at an affordable price!
| Pros | Cons |
| Crisp sound quality | May not fit bigger heads properly. |
| Build to last | |
| Pro-style design | |
| Compact and portable. |
Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling- Best Headphones With Mic For Recording Vocals
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.5 ounces |
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Battery | 35 hours |
| Over-ear | Yes |
| Color | Black |
CH720N is the lightest Sony noise-canceling headband that you can wear. It only weighs 3.5 ounces, which means you won’t even feel them much on your ears.
It also has a V1 processor that can efficiently filter out outside noise. So you will be able to record vocals without any disturbances. Furthermore, the precise Voice-picking technology captures your voice the way you like.
There’s more.
CH720N headphones will also feel like a blessing when you hear your recorded songs. Its sound mode will allow you to hear every range of music, which you can critically analyze later and make adjustments.
In addition, the Sony WH-CH720N has a battery life of 35 hours. The charging speed is quick too- three minutes of charging can power up headphones for about one hour.
That’s not it. This Sony headphone supports a multi-point connection. This allows you to switch between two devices without hassle.
| Pros | Cons |
| Alexa-enabled | You may face connectivity issues sometimes. |
| Long battery life | |
| Supports Dual Noise Sensor technology | |
| Supports Multipoint connection |
Sennheiser Professional HD 280 PRO- Best Over-Ear Monitoring Headphones
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ear Coupling | Circumaural |
| Connector Type | 3.5mm jack |
| Frequency Response | 8-25,000 Hz |
| Maximum SPL | 113 dB |
| Impedance | 64 ohms |
Hd280 Pro is one of the cheapest Sennheiser headphones. But the low price does not mean it is deprived of features.
The sound quality and voice picking are exceptional. The earpads are super soft, and you won’t feel any problem when you put them on. Plus, the headphones are foldable, so you can take them anywhere you want.
Sennheiser HD 280 has been in the market since 2003. Over time, the company updated it, and now we can enjoy top-notch features.
| Pros | Cons |
| Accurate sound production | The cord is not detachable. |
| Soft earpads | |
| Portable | |
| Ideal for drummers |
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro- Best Headphones for Recording Podcasts
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wired |
| Cable Length | 3m |
| Form | Over-ear |
| Color | Gray |
| Manufacturing | Made in Germany |
Beyerdynamic is a great choice for studio recordings because of its supreme and crystal-clear sound quality. Thousands of broadcasters are already using it and delivering the best podcasts to the audience.
In addition, musicians who want to enjoy the masterpieces they create must also wear these headphones due to the sleek design and exceptional sound reproduction.
On Amazon alone, DT770 Pro has received more than 24,000 reviews and the majority of them are full of praise.
What’s more? Well, the earpads are comfortable and can stay good for a year. After this, you can replace them because they can get detached easily.
Also, note that Beyerdynamic is a German company- so there is also a European touch on the design of DT770M headphones.
| Pros | Cons |
| The cable doesn’t get tangled | Noise isolation is inferior to some other headphones. |
| Comfortable to wear | |
| Cable doesn’t get tangled | |
| Can also use it to play games. |
Poly Voyager 4320 UC- Best Wireless Headphones for Singing in Mobile
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth Range | 50 m |
| Battery | 24 hours |
| Wearing Style | Dual ear |
| Color | Black |
Poly Voyager 4320 is one of my favorite headphones because of its noise-canceling dual mics and Acoustic Fence technology that can filter out any nuisance or irritating background noise. This will help you record your musical/song without any interruptions.
Another great thing about Poly Voyager 4320 headphones is that they are the Best headphones for singing on Starmaker. This audio gadget has 5.2 Bluetooth technology, which can withstand fluctuations in the signals easily. Plus, the Bluetooth range is 50 meters (around 164 feet). So, you can wirelessly connect it to a device and roam freely in your home or studio.
The battery timing of these headphones is also remarkable. They can provide the best listening experience for up to 24 hours.
Is that all? No!
The Poly Voyager 4320 headband is also adjustable, so you won’t have complaints about fitting either. There is also a button that can stop the recording simply when you pinch it. So, this headphone will make your life easy.
| Pros | Cons |
| Includes Acoustic Fence Technology | Ears can get hot if you wear these headphones for hours. |
| Passive noise isolation | |
| Portable design | |
| Long battery life. |
Technics A800 Wireless- Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Recording Vocals on iPhone
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 40mm |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 |
| Battery Life | 50 hours |
| Form | Over-ear |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Color | Black |
I thought about choosing Technics A800 as my first pick because of its impressive features. I mean, just check out the battery timing. It’s 50 hours. Plus, a 15-minute charging can power up these headphones for 10 hours.
A800 can also capture your words in the highest quality because it has eight built-in mics and noise wind reduction technology.
In addition, these headphones offer audiophile-grade listening, which means you will have a smooth and high-fidelity listening experience. They offer noise canceling that lets you listen to music clearly. There are also “Ambient” and “Attention” modes that take the sound quality to the next level.
On top of this, Technics A800 has multi-point connectivity. You can connect these audio gadgets with more than two devices and have fun.
| Pros | Cons |
| Comfortable fit due to 3D earpads | You will need to use the app to access some features. |
| 50-hour battery life | |
| Super fast charging | |
| Foldable | |
| Supports multipoint connectivity. |
CORSAIR HS80 RGB- Best Headphones for Recording Music
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 20-40,000 Hz |
| Drivers | 50mm |
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Bluetooth Range | 60 feet |
| Battery Life | 20 hours |
Corsair has industry-leading wireless technology. Most people use it for gaming, but I have used it for recording music and it blew my mind. It has an omnidirectional microphone to capture music and your voice in the highest quality. Plus, there is also a flip-mute function and LED mute indicator that lets you record without hassle.
In addition, the hyper-fast Slipstream technology ensures the connection stays smooth, and you enjoy an exceptional listening experience.
The audio quality is high precision and three-dimensional. The headphones have 50 mm neodymium audio drivers that let you accurately listen to music. You can also connect the headphones with a cable. In this case, you can listen to 24-bit/96kHz sound fidelity.
But if you prefer wireless audio gadgets, then you will also benefit from longer battery life. Corsair HS80 can run for 20 hours in one go.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free-floating headband design | Not compatible with macOS. |
| Top-notch audio drivers | |
| 20-hour battery timing | |
| Has comfortable memory foam earpads. |
How I Selected The Best Headphones for Recording Vocals?
Want to know why I recommended these 8 headphones out of all for vocal recording. Well, let me tell you that I carefully shortlisted the above-discussed headphones after spending weeks on the research.
In the end, what I did can be summed up in three steps.
Step One: Feature Reviewing
I began by checking the features of all the headphones that are considered good for vocal recording. I reviewed their features and picked only those that offered the best ones.
Note that I started with more than 50 headphones, and by the time I finished this step, the number reduced to 25.
Step Two: What People Are Saying?
After shortlisting headphones on the basis of features in step one, I checked the reviews in step two. I browsed both 5-star and 1-star reviews to see what people were talking about.
I didn’t just restrict myself to Amazon. I visited Reddit, Quora, headphone companies’ websites, and some other review platforms as well. I also analyzed the authenticity of the comments.
After this, I discarded those audio gadgets that had lots of negative reviews. When step two was over, I had a list of 8 headphones only.
Step Three: Lastly, I Tried Them
When I finalized the list of best headphones for recording vocals, I couldn’t help but get my hands on Audio-Technica ATH-M50X. It is, without a doubt, one of the best headphones I have purchased. The voice capturing, sound quality, comfort, etc., everything was top-notch.
That’s why the ATH-M50X topped my list of best headphones for recording vocals.
What Factors To Consider Before You Buy Headphones For Recording Vocals?
One headphone may not be good for all. That is why you should consider the following factors first before making a purchase:
Audio Quality
The headphones for recording vocals should have a neutral sound signature. You should be able to hear every bass frequency with good details. This will allow you to listen to your voice and music accurately. Hence, you will be able to make necessary adjustments (if needed).
The headphones I have chosen have remarkable sound quality.
Design
Contoured design headphones are mostly preferred because they sit on the head and ears perfectly.
A flexible audio gadget offers the best fitting too.
In my opinion, closed-back headphones work best for vocal recording because they provide better isolation. They also prevent sound leakage, which will allow the microphone to capture your voice flawlessly.
Comfort
Vocal recording can sometimes take the whole day. However, wearing low-quality headphones will start to cause pain after a few hours.
Therefore, check the comfort features before getting any headphones, which are:
- The earpads should be soft and made of foam.
- The headband should be adjustable.
- The design must be lightweight.
Noise Isolation
If you record in a noisy environment, then getting noise-canceling or isolating headphones is the best thing to do. Such devices filter out external noises and let you record what you want.
Cable Length and Detachability
If you want wired headphones, then check the cable length first and see whether it suits your recording setup.
Choosing headphones with detachable cables is also a good idea. It is because you can easily replace the cable if it gets damaged. Plus, it will also let you get a cable of your liking.
Compatibility
I strongly suggest you check the compatibility of the headphones before you buy them. If you have to connect it to 3.5mm jack devices, then there won’t be any compatibility issues in most cases. But if you have MacOS, then confirm whether the headphones you are going to purchase suit the system or not.
Note that except for Corsair, all the headphones I have discussed above can be used on macOS.
Your Budget
It is better you first decide how much money you can afford to spend on headphones. Wired headphones are cheaper than wireless ones. So, if you have a tight budget, you can go for such audio devices.
But if you prefer quality over anything, then go for wireless headphones.
Reviews and Ratings
Lastly, check the reviews and ratings to see what people think of the headphones. If the majority of comments are 5-star, it means the product is good and worth buying. But if more than 50 percent of reviews are negative, then don’t purchase such a product.
I have saved you from this hassle as the headphones I have discussed above have received praise from the people.
Also Read: Best Earbuds for Kids
Why Headphones for Vocal Recordings Should be Special?
Headphones for vocal recordings need to be special for several reasons, but the main ones are comfort and sound quality.
- Sound Isolation: To prevent the microphone from picking up the backing track or metronome, headphones used in vocal recordings have excellent sound isolation. This isolation helps the singer focus on their own voice and the track they’re singing.
- Minimal Sound Leakage: It’s crucial that headphones used for vocal recordings do not leak sound. If they do, the microphone might pick up the backing track. I’ve noted that this causes unwanted echo in the recording.
- Comfort: We all know that recording sessions can be lengthy, so comfort is a key factor. Headphones used for vocal recordings should be comfortable to wear for extended periods. They should have cushioned ear pads and an adjustable headband to reduce ear and head fatigue.
- Accurate Sound Reproduction: The headphones should accurately reproduce sound without adding coloration. This accuracy helps the singer hear their voice. In my opinion, it’s crucial for maintaining pitch, rhythm, and emotional delivery.
- Flat Frequency Response: For monitoring purposes, headphones must have a flat frequency response. It allows singers and producers to hear the mix accurately and make necessary adjustments.
That’s all!
FAQs
Which Headphones Are Commonly Used by Vocal Artists in Recording Studios?
Vocal artists in recording studios prefer headphones that offer excellent sound isolation and a flat frequency response. Popular choices include the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro and Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. They provide clear, detailed sound reproduction, allowing artists to hear their performance accurately without external noise interference.
What Headphones Are Recommended for Recording Singing?
For recording singing, headphones that combine comfort, durability, and superb sound quality are recommended. Models like the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro are highly regarded. They deliver a neutral sound profile, which is essential for monitoring vocals accurately.
What’s the Best Choice for Recording Vocals in a Studio?
The best choice for recording vocals in a studio would be headphones that offer a flat frequency response and excellent noise isolation. The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro and Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are top picks. These headphones provide a true representation of sound, which is crucial for vocalists to monitor their performance accurately. Additionally, their closed-back design helps prevent sound leakage, which is vital in a studio setting.
Are Earphones Suitable for Use in Vocal Recording Sessions?
Earphones are generally not recommended for vocal recording sessions in professional settings. They don’t offer top-notch sound quality and isolation required for professional recording environments.
Studio-grade headphones are preferred because they provide better sound isolation and a more accurate sound profile, which is essential for monitoring vocal performances.
Concluding Words
All-inclusive, getting the right headphones for vocal recording is super important. To help you decide, I analyzed more than 50 headphones (both wired and wireless) and shortlisted the top ones.
Out of them, the best one is Audio-Technica ATH-M50X. Why?
Well, the top-quality dual mic and beamforming technology lets you record in the highest quality. Plus, the contour design filters out background noises and prevents the recording from getting spoiled.
It is also available in six colors, and you can get the one you like the most.
So, go for it and have fun recording vocals.
