While headphones are not the most glamorous purchase you can make for your home studio it is hard to understate their importance when it comes to accurate sound reproduction. Some people are perfectly happy with an ordinary set of headphones and that's fine, but studio headphones have a different role to fulfill, especially if you plan on releasing your music. A good pair of studio headphones can provide you with a much more accurate idea of what is happening at the extreme high or low frequencies of your mix. Although studio headphones are not meant to completely replace your monitors when it comes to recording and mixing they still play an important role. There's plenty to choose from, so here are a few of the most affordable studio headphones that are worth the investment.

1. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Link: Official Website

Price: $149 (Amazon)

The M-Series line by Audio-Technica has long been a favorite amongst audio engineers and The ATH-M50x is the most critically acclaimed model. Audio-Technica has also been making improvements to these headphones over the years, so this model features refined earpads along with detachable cables. The ATH-M50x features robust construction and can offer exceptional clarity throughout an extended frequency range. Also, it offers deep, accurate bass response and because it features a circumaural design that contours around the ears the sound isolation is excellent even in loud environments. Audio-Technica has a lot of experience when it comes to hi-end audio and created a custom-made driver for the M50x to reproduce a studio monitor environment within these headphones. These are some of the best studio headphones available in the budget range and about the only criticism we have is that they are somewhat on the bulky side.

2. Sony MDR-7506

Link: Official Website

Price: $130 (Amazon)

The Sony MDR-7506 headphones are another frequent recommendation from veterans when it comes to audio production. Surprisingly for headphones that have almost become an industry standard, these are very affordable headphones, especially compared to the prices that some high-end products can reach. Despite the plastic construction of the MDR-7506 they are surprisingly durable and also very lightweight, which can make a difference if you spend hours wearing them. They feature a non-removable cable, but it is very thick and durable as well as lengthy enough to give you some room to move around. Another big plus is that the drivers can flip around 180 degrees, which is great for live mixing. Of course, the fact that their frequency response is a flat 10Hz to 20kHz is also an advantage when it comes to accuracy.

3. Beyerdynamic DT770 M

Link: Official Website

Price: $145 (Amazon)

Beyerdynamic is another big brand in the studio headphone market and their 770 series has been going strong since as far back as the eighties. They have made improvements over the years, but there can be no doubt that these headphones have proven themselves over and over in studio settings. These are closed headphones, so they offer extremely high isolation from ambient noise and can provide excellent playback precision with very high sound pressure levels. It also helps that these headphones are extremely comfortable, so you can wear them for extended periods and the ear pads are replaceable should they ever wear out. If you don't need the higher than average isolation qualities of the DT770 M, then the standard 770 model is also a great choice.

4. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro

Link: Official Website

Price: $99 (Sennheiser)

The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is not only a very affordable set of headphones but also has a lot of great features to offer for its price. It's not the most exciting looking headphones, but it does boast a very robust construction, which means it can easily withstand regular use in your home studio. It features high ambient noise attenuation along with accurate, linear sound reproduction. The soft ear-pads of the HD 280 Pro is very comfortable, so you can take as long as you need with your mixes while wearing it. These headphones can obviously not compare to the HD 820 by Sennheiser, which retails for more than $2,000, but considering the price, the HD 280 Pro is great for anyone on a tight budget.

5. Shure SRH840

Link: Official Website

Price: $199

The Shure SRH840 Professional Monitoring Headphones is designed for professional audio engineers and musicians so you can be sure that they are optimized for studio recording. Thanks to its precisely tailored frequency response you get rich bass, clear mid-range and extended highs while the closed-back, circumaural collapsible design of the headphones make them very comfortable. The cable for these headphones is replaceable and it also comes with a set of replacement ear pads, which means that the SRH840 has the potential to keep going for a long time.

Conclusion

All of the headphones on this list are worth the investment, but they are by no means the only options out there. Depending on how much disposable income you have or how serious you are about your home studio there are plenty of other great choices out there. Let us know in the comments or on the forum what your studio headphones of choice are and which ones you would love to own.