If you are serious about music, that is, you consider yourself somewhat a professional when it comes to mixing or recording music, it’s probably a good time to invest in a set of studio headphones if you haven’t done so already.
We would even say if you just want to enjoy music at a casual level, studio headphones are a great choice because of their amazing sound production!
Here are 4 reasons why you should get on the studio headphone bandwagon.
1. Realistic Sound Production for Recording and Mixing
Say you’re listening to source audio from some recording. You want that sound to be played out as faithfully as possible to how it was recorded. You want to hear all the flaws and not just the good stuff.
See, a lot of commercial headphones focus on exaggerating the bass, mids or highs to make music sound more appealing to the casual listener. It is not the most truthful representation of the source sound.
Getting a quality pair of studio headphones will make you hear all the faults of the original recording so you can make a proper analysis and perform the right mixing.
Specifically, there are two types of studio headphones for both recording and mixing. Get a closed-back design for recording and an open-back design for mixing. Here is a great article on recommendations for either one.
2. They are Actually Pretty Affordable
Studio headphones are very affordable. Unlike commercial headphones – such as the Beats by Dre line up – studio headphone models typically last a long time in the market. After all, why would you change something that already works?
Unlike commercial headphones which sport inflated pricing due to branding, studio headphones focus more on quality than anything else. Why? Because if they don’t perform to a professional standard, then word will get around and they will not sell.
Technology does not work the same way in headphones that it does with other product niches and that’s why old models are still top picks for many studio artists today. Take the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro for instance. It was released back in 2003 and is still an extremely popular choice. True it has been recently revised to have a cleaner aesthetic but still has the same technical specifications.
3. They Last A LONG Time
This is inline with the previous point of studio headphone models being around for a long time. To be around for years, they need to be able to last many years as well. That means a durable design using premium parts.
Typically, you will see metal components being used in the headband or around the ear cups. Plastic is kept to a minimum and if it is used, it is usually a durable high-grade type.
Unlike other types of headphones that are built to make music ‘pop’ for casual users, studio headphones are for professionals and are meant to last a long time. You don’t want your headphones to break on you when you’re in the middle of a 6 hour recording session!
4. They are Great for Casual Listeners as Well
You don’t need to be an audio professional to enjoy a pair of studio headphones. If you like listening to music the way it was recorded, then studio headphones are a great option. They faithfully reproduce the recording without emphasising any quality of the sound.
Audiophiles will especially enjoy the neutral sound these headphones can bring.
One of the biggest issues of commercial headphones is that they are too bassy. Manufacturers know that many people love listening to bassy music, and so they’ve made headphones that exaggerate this quality. It turns out, a lot of people don’t enjoy headphones that are too bassy as they take away other qualities of the sound.
You won’t get this issue with any self-respecting studio headphone. You will be able to hear the music as it was recorded with no touched-up alterations.
5. Bonus Point – Studio Headphones Support the Music Industry
This may seem a little wishy, but by buying studio headphones that are made for musicians or music professionals, you are indirectly supporting the industry that provides the livelihoods for many people.
There are several great brands to choose from:
• Sennheiser
• Audio-Technica
• Beyerdynamic
• Shure
These are just a couple that are trusted by music professionals around the world. There are of course many other brands that make great headphones.
Being in the music industry is hard, but buy investing in a decent pair of studio headphones, you’ll make your journey just a little bit easier.
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