Note:This page may contain affiliate links.

5 Best Guitar Headphones: Which One’s Made For You? [2023]

The best way to practice is to practice without disturbing anyone.

And in this updated guide, I will walk you through my five best guitar headphones so that you can keep jamming your instrument without disturbing your neighbor next door.

Let’s begin:

🚀Best Guitar Headphones: A Quick Precap!

  • Best Value

    Audio-Technica Ath-M50x

    Best Guitar Headphones
    • Customizable ear cups
    • Flawless ear seals
    • Comes with extra cables and carry bags
    • The frequency range of 15 Hz-28 kHz
  • Best Value

    Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro

    Best Guitar Headphones
    • It comes in three ohms: 32, 80, and 250 ohms.
    • Unparalleled sound quality
    • The frequency range of 5 Hz-32 kHz.
    • Sound pressure till 92 decibels.
  • Best Value

     Sony MDRV6

    Best Guitar Headphones
    • Easily affordable
    • Insanely comfortable
    • The frequency range of 5 Hz-30 kHz
    • An impedance of 63 ohms

  • Budget Pick

    AKG K-240

    Best Guitar Headphones
    • Adjustable headphones
    • Easily affordable
    • The frequency range of 15 Hz-25 kHz
    • An impedance of 55 ohms
  • Budget Pick

    Samson SR-850

    Best Guitar Headphones
    • Realistic frequency response
    • Affordable
    • The frequency range of 10 Hz-30 kHz
    • An impedance of 32 ohms

🎶Now, We Will Dive Deep Into 5 Best Guitar Headphones!

You read that right! We will find out what top online reviewers have commented on my hand-picked choices and determine if it’s right for you.

Here we go!

🎻Ath-M50x: Your Go-To Instrument Kit!

Best Guitar Headphones

Referred to as “internet famous headphones” by Sound guys, Ath-M50X is an excellent choice for skillful guitar practice and an immersive listening experience even while you are on the move.

😏Audio-Technica Ath-M50x: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Customizable ear cups.
  • The ear seals isolate the unwanted noise, enhancing the level of focus
  • They come with exciting goodies, i.e., extra cables and carry bags

Cons

  • A bit heavy.

🤔Audio-Technica Ath-M50x: Why It’s Our #1 Choice!

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X (2)
Dev Thakkar/ Swing Vertigo

Ath-M50x is to Audio-Technica what the iPhone is to Apple. It does not just top our pick list but is also among the top picks of almost all audio professionals, reviewers, and musicians, making it a popular choice.

Audio Technica Ath-M50x has not failed to impress any musicians and has made notable improvements over the years, which is why Audio-Technica Ath-M50x is so hyped.

Also Read: Want To Record Vocal? We have the five best headphones for your mission!

To begin with, Audio-Technica Ath-M50x does not excite the bass or frequencies of the guitar, keeping it brutally neutral so that the musicians know exactly what their music sounds like.

Besides having a neutral tone, the pair of headphones come with a frequency base response that spans a range of 15 Hz-28 kHz, allowing you to widen the horizon of your tunes and add creativity to your outcome.

👂DT 770 Pro: Listen Neutrally Like Never Before!

Best Guitar Headphones

Rated by Rtings for brilliant neutral listening headphones with a score of 8.3/10, you won’t regret using them for quiet practicing sessions, provided that you have no problem with its bulky design.

🤐 Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • The sound quality is unparalleled
  • Astoundingly comfortable
  • Come in 3 ohms: 32, 80, and 250 ohms.

Cons

  • A bit expensive
  • A detachable cable is not available
  • Highs are not up to the mark.

🧐 Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro: Worth Its Prestige Price!

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 (1) (2)
Dev Thakkar/ Swing Vertigo

Our second pick would be Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro.

Apart from the fact that these pairs of headphones are a bit expensive, they are an exceptional choice as they have almost everything Audio-Technica Ath-M50x offers.

These headphones’ wide frequency response spans a dynamic range of tones from 5 Hz-32 kHz. Another win is producing a nominal sound pressure of up to 92 decibels.

The earpads are insanely soft and circumaural, i.e., they will completely cover your ears, and the outside noise is canceled, allowing you to enjoy your favorite music for extended periods.

Once you get used to these, there is no going back, only if you don’t mind the absence of a detachable cable.

🎅Sony MDRV6: The Premium Classics!

Best Guitar Headphones

Hailed by CNET as the “best-sounding headphones,” its audio profile is slightly warm depending on your preference, but overall, its bass profile can impress you for under $50!

😲 Sony MDRV6: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Quite comfortable
  • Go-to pair of headphones if you are not willing to spend much

Cons

  • Lacks durability and quality

😄 Sony MDRV6: Sound That Excites Guitarists!

Sony MDRV6
Dev Thakkar/ Swing Vertigo

The super cool Sony MDRV6 comes with its own copper-covered aluminum voice coil wire that can stretch up to 10 meters, allowing astonishingly better power handling.

These headphones use a samarium–cobalt magnet, while other headphones of the Sony MDR series have neodymium magnets.

These headphones’ frequency response spans across a wide range of 5 Hz-30 kHz.

Also Read: Want To Clean Headphone? Here Is An Updated Guide [For 2022]

The ear cup’s design guarantees external noise cancellation; besides, these headphones also offer an impedance of 63 ohms. Fascinating, isn’t it?

The Sony MDRV6, however, lacks durability and quality as the cost is quite economical.

🤝AKG K-240: Your Trusted Studio Buddy!

Best Guitar Headphones

Sound Guys calls it a “legacy headset,” and indeed, its precise audio reproduction of voices can help you achieve the level of perfection you need with the guitar at an insanely affordable price range!

⚖️ AKG K-240 : Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Quite affordable
  • Extremely comfortable
  • It can connect to a single-sided cable
  • Guaranteed steady frequency response

Cons

  • Uncomfortable with highs.
  • No foldable design.

🗝️ AKG K-240: Keeping Its Legacy Alive!

AKG K-240
Dev Thakkar/ Swing Vertigo

Our next pick, AKG K-240, is designed in a semi-open style with audio equipment and accessories.

The frequency base response of these headphone models spans across a range of 15 Hz-25 kHz.

The ear cups are designed to guarantee external noise cancellation, and your practice sessions are not interrupted. Besides noise cancellation, these wired headphones offer an impedance of 55 ohms.

However, as the sound frequency rises, the sound becomes astonishingly strong. This might be a setback for the headphones.

🎇Samson SR-850: Incredible Sound For Sure!

Best Guitar Headphones

You can follow Samson’s recommendation to use SR-850 for studio recording (and guitar practice), although I didn’t find the premium look I was looking for in this review!

😮‍💨 Samson SR-850: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Natural sound frequency response.
  • Quite affordable.
  • Comfortable design.
  • It comes with 50 mm drivers.

Cons

  • A detachable cable is not available.
  • Sound isolation is average.

🤨 Samson SR-850: Performance Is Greater Than Looks?

Samson SR850
Dev Thakkar/ Swing Vertigo

Our next pick, Samson SR-850, is designed in a semi-open style that also comes with a lot of honesty with the sound frequencies and a reasonable price.

These headphones’ wide frequency response spans a dynamic range of 10 Hz-30 kHz.

The ear cups are designed to reduce the entry of ambient sound so that external noise cancellation is guaranteed with the least sound leakage. Other than noise cancellation, the headsets offer an impedance of 32 ohms.

If you need to hear a neutral sound, the Samson SR-850 should be your go-to pick. It has more than everything you need.

🧑🏻‍🏫Your Personal Guide for Buying Guitar Headphones

We have provided you with all the information about various types of headphones. Still, we understand that it is not enough to select which headset suits you the best, and going for other cheap headphones isn’t going to leave you satisfied.

So don’t worry! We are never going to leave you dry and hanging. Here is a helpful guide about everything you need to know before choosing the best headphones for guitar practice.

Choosing the best guitar headphones for yourself can be tricky, but not if you know exactly what you are looking for.

Also Read: Love Trucking? Here Are Our Top 5 Recommended Headsets [For 2022]!

Being specific and clear about your requirements makes it a piece of cake for you to choose your best companion in the headphone market.

Keep reading for a helpful step-by-step guide to choosing guitar earphones for yourself.

I am sure you will know precisely which headphones to choose from while reading the article.

🤗Know Your Needs

know your needs

Step one is the identification of your need. To understand the features that you non-negotiably want in your headphones, you need to know the application of your headphones.

Your requirements and priorities will be different if you have other instruments, such as drums playing in the background.

If you are just going to sing with the guitar, your requirements will differ.

You are not sure about the application, are you? Don’t worry; continue reading to clearly understand your requirements.

To begin with, let’s know a bit about the headphones’ terminology so that the different features do not scare you.

Simplified headphones’ terminology for you:

  • Design of earcups: Headphones are designed with varied earcups, namely, circumaural and supra-aura. The terms may sound technical, but they are insanely easy to understand.

Circumaural means that earcups are designed to be around the ear, whereas supra-aural means that the earcups are designed to be above the ear.

It is a bit difficult to find professional headphones that have supra-aural earcups.

  • Back of the headphones: You need to know whether you want your headphones to be open-back or closed-back design.

To simplify it, the back of the headphones refers to the part that connects the ear cups across the head.

Closed headphones work as a resistance to sound leakage and customize the original sound, creating low frequencies. It might be desirable for many professionals but is unsuitable for critical listening.

Whereas, when we talk about open-backed ear headphones, they provide more accuracy and are brutally honest about the sound you create.

Open-backed headphone models prove to be more reliable when we talk about accuracy.

Although the noise cancellation is the same as the closed-back pair, the accuracy makes them a luxury.

As they say, you must pay for luxuries; hence, open-backed headphones are expensive.

You can settle for semi-open headphones if you are unwilling to pay that much.

🎸Headphones Based on Instruments

Best Guitar Headphones

As mentioned earlier, the application of the headphones is THE key to selecting the most appropriate studio headphones.

We understand that spending enormous amounts of money is impossible to buy numerous expensive headphones, so we suggest you purchase separate headphones. Of course, not every instrument requires costly headsets.

When working in a studio, noise cancellation is as vital as the instruments themselves. Hence, it is advisable to go for headphones.

  • Drums: When talking about drums, sound isolation is essential, and so is the use of good-quality headphones.

Headphones do not just block the sound but also refrain from mixing various sounds and different instruments.

According to us, headphones that can block the ambient noise from around 25 decibels to 29 decibels would be suitable for drums.

  • Electric Guitar and Bass: To avoid the sound from mixing, we recommend you use either closed-back professional headphones or semi-opened to allow the guitarists to experience a bit of sound mixing with their electric guitar, making it easier for them to play their sound and not compromise the bass response.

  • Vocals: To ensure maximum efficiency for a vocalist, it is advisable to invest in the best quality professional studio headphone that provides accuracy in frequency and maximize noise cancellation.

🎧Prerequisites for Headphones

prerequisites for headphones

Level of comfort: No matter what product you use, be it headphones or even a pair of slippers, comfort is the first thing you should look for.

Anything can seem comfortable if used for a while, but comfort is what matters in the long run.

When it comes to circumaural or open-backed headphones, we suggest you go for headphones with larger ear cups.

Whereas, in the case of supra-aural, closed-back designs, self-adjusting headbands and smaller ear cups are recommended.

We even recommend you wear the headphones for at least 20 minutes to ensure your comfort level.

  • Mobility: The mobility requirement of headphones highly depends on the application.

Lightweight headphones are easily mobile, but when it comes to heavily weighted headphones, we would suggest you carry them in a case to avoid any sort of damage.

Usually, guitar headphones are heavily weighted, so you already know how to carry them.

  • Extension cables: Guitar headphones are mainly used for recording purposes. The recording could be either done in a studio or in a proper location. Either way, the cord should be extendable so that it doesn’t get pulled out of the headphones jack.

Extension cables are a must if you are a guitar player who needs to carry the headphones around the location. A lot of headphones come with an extension cable or other cable types. We would advise you to go for them.

😎How Does Guitar Headphones Enhance Mixing?

guitar headphones enhance mixing

When mixing and monitoring, it is blocking external noise to a great extent is insanely important. To achieve this, you should always invest in headphones that guarantee complete noise isolation.

The noise isolation increases the focus level and helps you point out the minute blemishes that you do not want in your music at any cost.

It helps you avoid confusion, as your focus is entirely on the music and not the audience’s sound.

For such purposes, an open-back or at least semi-open design is highly recommended.

🧠Still Having Questions About the Best Guitar Headphones?

faqs

Who needs guitar headphones?

who needs guitar headphones

Playing the guitar is considered an incredibly skilled and focused job.

For this purpose, playing bass guitar or electro-acoustic guitar with suitable guitar headphones is extremely important.

The requirements and priorities for over-ears change with instruments, for instance, drums playing in the background. If you want to sing along while playing the guitar, priorities may change.

When mixing and monitoring, it blocks external noise to a great extent, which sets the deal. To achieve this, you should always invest in headsets that guarantee complete noise isolation.

The noise isolation increases the focus level and helps you point out the minute blemishes that you do not want in your music at any cost.

It helps you avoid confusion, as your focus is entirely on the music and not the audience’s sound.

What are the basic requirements to look for before buying guitar headphones?

basic requirements

1) Level of comfort: Comfort is the first thing everyone looks for while buying a product, be it as tiny as a safety pin or as huge as a house.

A word of caution: Always look for long-term comfort.

We suggest a larger ear cup if we talk about circumaural or open-backed headphones. However, in the case of supra-aural, closed-back headphones, we would suggest you go for smaller ear cups.

We recommend you wear them for at least 20 minutes to ensure your comfort level.

2) Mobility: The mobility requirement varies as the application changes.

Lightweight ones are easy to carry around, whereas heavily weighted ones must be carried around in a protective case to avoid any damage.

Usually, guitar headsets are heavily weighted, so we suggest you buy a case along with the pieces.

3) Extension guitar cables: Guitar headsets are known to be used for recording purposes.

The recording location could be either a studio or a proper place. In both cases, the audio cable needs to be extendable.

If you need to carry the earphones around the location, do not forget to bring an extension cable.

How to play guitar with headphones?

how to play guitar with headphones

Playing guitar with headphones does not require a lot of skill, but it can be tricky.

To make it easier for you, we are here to suggest untold ways of how to use your expensive guitar amp headphones properly:

Connection to make guitar amp headphones: This is the easiest way to connect your headphones to the guitar. You can just simply connect your headphones to the guitar amplifiers.

Mostly, all modern guitar amp types come with an option to get the headphones connected, making them guitar amp headphones; the location of the switch might be different, but it is present.

If the switch is not there, you will have to use an adapter to connect the headphones.

Connecting via your phone: This is another way you can connect the headphones to your guitar.

For this, you simply need to connect your guitar to the smartphone/iPad/ Tablet first and then connect the headphones to the smartphone.

This process is straightforward, and another benefit of using this method is that you can use it anywhere without extra effort.

Connecting guitar to a micro guitar amp: Another very feasible way of connecting the headphones to your guitar is by pairing them to micro guitar amplifiers. This method is damn easy!

However, it would refrain you from controlling the tones and effects of the sound that you’re trying to play on the guitar. It may affect the transparent sound quality and distort the clean signals.

What are the technical requirements that impact the guitar headphones?

technical requirements

Design of earcups: Headphones come in varied types of earcups, circumaural and supra-aural.

Circumaural ear cups are designed to be around the ear, whereas; supra-aural earcups are above the ear.

Where circumaural professional earcups are easy to find, it is challenging to find professional headphones with supra-aural earcups.

Back of the headphones: The need to choose between the open-back headphones and closed-back headphones is essential.

To make it understandable for you, the back of the headphones is the part that connects both the ear cups from across the head.

Closed-back design headphones resist the sound from escaping and tend to lower the frequency of the original sound.

Many professionals might want this, but generally, it is not suitable for critical listening experience.

Whereas, as far as open-backed headphones are concerned, they are more accurate and brutally honest about the sound that you create.

Open-backed headphones are considered to be more reliable and precise.

Can I plug headphones into an amp?

Yes, you can connect the headphones to a guitar amp. It’s the easiest way to connect your headphones to the guitar. You can just connect your headphones to the guitar amp.

Mostly, all guitar headphone amplifiers of modern design come with an option to connect the headphones with the help of a switch.

If a switch is absent, you must use an adapter to connect the headphones.

Do instruments other than the guitar impact the choice of guitar headphones?

do instruments other than guitar have impact on guitar headphones

To be accurate when buying headphones, it is vital to understand their application.

Feasibly, it is not possible to buy expensive headsets for all instruments or even to purchase different headsets for all devices.

So, we suggest you purchase versatile headphones. Also, expensive headphones can be bought for some instruments.

When working in a studio, noise cancellation is essential for accuracy; hence we suggest you avoid the use and significance of earphones.

1) Drums: Sound isolation is essential while playing drums; hence, it requires good quality headphones.

They do not just encourage blocking off the sound but also resistance in mixing various sounds and varied instruments.

If you ask us, any set of earphones that can block the noise from around 25 decibels to 29 decibels would be suitable for drums.

2) Electric Guitar and Bass: To restrict the sound from mixing, it is recommended for you to either go for a closed-back design or semi-opened headphones as they are an excellent option for guitarists to experience a bit of mixing of the sound.

This helps them understand their sound play better.

3) Vocals: To avoid any inefficiency for a vocalist, it is recommended to invest in the best quality headphones that ensure frequency accuracy and maximize noise cancellation.

conclusion

Conclusion:

We understand that this was a lot to digest in one go, so here’s a summary for you all:

Always choose the headphones based on the application.

Look for basic requirements like comfort, mobility, and extensions.

Know your instruments before considering any set of headphones.

Know the crucial part that headphones play in mixing and monitoring.

We have tried to summarize and bring the possible information you need to buy the Best Guitar Headphone. We are glad to have helped you.

Kindly comment on your views on the article.

Do not miss the FAQs; they will clear everything for you.

About the Author

Best Guitar Headphones

Rach Wellard

Rach Wellard is the driving force behind Sound & Solitude. Her mission is to help you discover the profound impact of sound in your daily life and to explore the beauty of solitude. With a deep passion for the connection between soundscapes and emotions, she brings a unique blend of expertise and personal dedication to our platform.

Rach understands that every individual's auditory journey is unique, and she’s here to guide you every step of the way. As a devoted audiophile, Rach’s discerning ear carefully selects the most exceptional products that align with your desires for Sound or Solitude. In a world filled with noise and chaos, Sound & Solitude serves as your sanctuary.

Rach’s journey as an autistic individual with a heightened sensitivity to sound fuels our commitment to creating an inclusive space where everyone can find solace while enjoying the meaningful sounds in their lives. Her understanding of diverse sensory needs enables us to offer personalized recommendations and insights, ensuring that your chosen audio equipment not only meets technical criteria but also resonates with your unique sensory preferences. And if you simply seek the best sound possible, Rach has you covered.

At Sound & Solitude, authenticity is our foundation. We provide unbiased reviews and comparisons because you deserve nothing but the truth. Our reviews are meticulously crafted, drawing upon Rach’s deep understanding of audio technology and the human experience in the Sound and Solitude realms. Whether you're searching for noise-cancelling headphones to immerse yourself in music or seeking a gaming headset that transports you to virtual worlds, you can rely on our reviews and personally tested comparisons to find the best equipment for your specific needs. Explore our carefully curated content, from the latest wireless audio advancements to tips for creating your ideal auditory retreat.

Let Sound & Solitude be your companion in your quest for perfect sound, rich experiences, and beautiful serenity. Join Rach as she redefines the way you listen, connecting you to the power of Sound and the Solitude it brings. Together, we'll evolve into your trusted platform for all things related to Sound & Solitude.

Check out our latest posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top