In this article, we are having a look at some of the best studio headphones under $50 for music production and mixing or for your home recording studio setup.
Studio headphones have become an integral part of any home recording studio.
The reasons are simple: they are private, affordable and can be used to accomplish multiple tasks. You can use them to record vocals, monitor recording, and mix your songs very effectively.
Not to forget, they sound extremely different from regular headphones as they are flat and lack any coloration. This difference is what makes audio professionals use studio headphones rather than regular headphones.
Without any further due, let’s dive straight in to see best affordable headphones under $50 for home studio environment.
Related: 32 vs 80 vs 250 Ohm Headphones
Best Studio Headphones under $50
Here are five best studio headphones under $50.
| Best Studio Headphones under $50 | Type | Impedance |
| Audio-Technica ATH-M20X | closed-back | 47 ohms |
| AKG Pro Audio K92 | closed-back | 32 ohms |
| AKG Pro Audio K72 | closed-back | 32 ohms |
| One-Odio studio headphones | closed-back | 32 ohms |
| Tascam TH-02 | closed-back | 32 ohms |
1) Audio-Technica ATH-M20X studio headphones
Product Features
- cable length – 3m,
- Impedance – 47 ohms,
- Non-Detachable cable,
- 3.5 mm TRS Jack connector,
- Type – closed back headphones,
- Frequency response – 10Hz – 20kHz.
click to view price of Audio-Technica ATH-M20X on amazon
A deeper analysis
The Audio Technica ATH-M20x Studio headphones come first in our list of best studio headphones under $50 for your home recording studio. They sacrifice and drop a few features compared to ATH-M50x, but when you look at its price, it’s a steal deal.
These headphones are made up of plastic and feel a bit cheap. The wire is not removable. However, the good thing is that they feel highly durable and come with a pretty long cable. The headphones are highly flexible and come with moderate clamping power.
Related: Best studio headphones for mixing and mastering!
The earcups and headband house a good and firm cushioning. It is not as good as ATH-M50X, but you can still wear these headphones for a few hours without getting itched.
Most importantly, let us look at how the ATH M20X sound.
Firstly, they do quite an excellent job in terms of sound isolation. By wearing them, you can feel the outside noise getting dampened. Hence, making them one of the best headphones for recording purposes.
Secondly, sound quality and frequency response are what you need from a studio headphone for your home recording setup, as they are neutral and flat. They set a good sound stage and are fit for mixing songs.
All in all, I would recommend Audio Technica ATH M20X studio headphones to anyone with a limited budget. They sound best in this price range and have good comfort. However, a downside is that the cable is non-detachable.
Pros
- comfortable cushioning,
- cost effective studio headphones,
- Flat and neutral frequency response.
Cons
- cheap build quality,
- sound isolation is not as great as other ATH models.
2) AKG Pro Audio K92 studio headphones
Product Features
- cable length – 3m,
- Impedance – 32 ohms,
- Non-Detachable cable,
- 3.5 mm TRS Jack connector,
- Type – closed back headphones,
- Frequency response – 16Hz – 22kHz.
click to view price of AKG Pro Audio K92 on amazon
A deeper analysis
The gold-black finish and the price of the AKG K92 studio headphones have made them a very stylish budget option for home recording artists. These headphones offer a closed-back design, and due to this, they isolate the sound very well.
These headphones have large ear-cups, making it easier to get your whole ear to fit inside them effortlessly. Also, the ear cushioning feels very soft on the ears. In the comfort section, I would rate them 7/10.
Related: Best studio headphones for recording vocals!
Furthermore, the frequency response is flat across all the frequencies, making them suitable for audio monitoring, recording, mixing, and editing purposes. The high-end response impressed me about these studio headphones as it is crystal clear and does not make your ear fatigued.
The sound stage is quite impressive for a budget studio headphone. You can easily distinguish between various sounds due to an expansive stereo-width.
Lastly, to conclude this short review, I recommend the AKG K92 studio headphones to anyone looking to monitor and mix audio. These are fabulous headphones for music production, basic mixing, and casual listening. However, they do not provide the best sound isolation for recording purposes.
Pros
- A solid budget option,
- Do not feel bulky to wear,
- Good looking headphones,
- Effortless or smooth sound quality.
Cons
- full plastic body,
- non-removable cable.
3) AKG Pro Audio K72 studio headphones
Product Features
- cable length – 3m,
- Impedance – 32 ohms,
- Non-Detachable cable,
- 3.5 mm TRS Jack connector,
- Type – closed back headphones,
- Frequency response – 16Hz – 20kHz.
click to view price of AKG Pro Audio K72 on amazon
A deeper analysis
Another budget headphones that we cannot forget are the AKG K72 studio headphones. They may not be as stylish as AKG K92’s gold-black finish, but they indeed offer a beautiful, rich and clear sound. It is one of the best cheap studio headphones for home recording studios.
The AKG K72 offers super clean highs, smooth mids, and deep and extended bass response. As these are referencing headphones, they remain highly flat and neutral. In simple words, they will sound boring if your ears are not trained to hear balanced audio.
Since the cushioning on the earpads is firm and not very soft, they do not isolate the sound well enough. There is some amount of audio leak that can mess up your recordings at high volumes.
Furthermore, they are great for audio monitoring, production, recording, and video editing tasks. But the only downside I see with them is that there are no extra accessories.
Honestly, for a $50 cans, I don’t expect anything extra from them. But, these headphones have blown me away with their sound signature, build, comfort, and cost to performance ratio.
Now, it’s your turn to grab them and see how well can they suit you!
Pros
- Wide sound stage,
- Lightweight and comfortable,
- Flat accurate sound signature.
Cons
- No cushioning on the headband,
- Mid frequencies are a bit coloured.
4) One-Odio Studio Pro 10 studio headphones
Product Features
- Detachable cable,
- cable length – 3m,
- Impedance – 32 ohms,
- 3.5 mm TRS Jack connector,
- Type – closed back headphones,
- Frequency response – 20Hz – 40kHz.
click to view price of One-Odio Studio Pro 10 on amazon
A deeper analysis
The One-Odio Studio Pro-10 headphones are built very solid for their price. Their sound isolation went quite far from what I expected. You can try them for multiple tasks like recording, mixing, and mastering.
Although the build material is all plastic, these headphones are built robust and reliable. The earpads feel nice and soft, with good padding done on the headband.
However, after wearing them, I feel that the earcups are a bit smaller in size. So, if you have pretty big earcups, you may not like how they fit.
As far as sound quality is concerned, these are flat-sounding headphones which makes them suitable for a home recording studio environment. Also, If you want headphones for casual listening, these headphones are an excellent option to consider.
In terms of sound stage, they offer a very good stereo image. You can quickly identify different instruments, vocals, and movements in music. However, check out the below list of open-back studio headphones for an even wider and much more immersive sound stage.
Related: Best open-back studio headphones for mixing and mastering!
However, one thing that I didn’t like was the clamping force, as it is on the higher side. After using the headphones for a few hours only, I had to take them off due to their pressure.
Pros
- Premium looks,
- Foldable design,
- Highly comfortable,
- Great studio sounding headphones.
Cons
- Cannot wear for long hours.
5) Tascam TH-02 Closed Back Studio Headphones
Product Features
- cable length – 3m,
- Impedance – 32 ohms,
- Non-Detachable cable,
- 3.5 mm TRS Jack connector,
- Type – closed back headphones,
- Frequency response – 18Hz – 22kHz.
click to view price of Tascam TH-02 on amazon
A deeper analysis
I found Tascam TH-02 studio headphones while randomly scrolling on one of the most popular e-commerce stores. Frankly speaking, I was taken aback to see studio headphones that cost so little.
Using them was fun. The sound quality remains flat and neutral with a dim bass response. However, the highs and mids are clean and emphasized, making them a viable option for recording vocals or non-bass instruments.
Sound isolation is also okayish. Depending on how well your ear fits into the earcups, it will vary from person to person. For an average-sized ear, these headphones block the noise decently.
Next, the cushioning around the headband and on earcups is firm. Nonetheless, these are not the right headphones to wear for hours on end.
Not to forget, the build material is pretty decent for the price. It’s not great but gets the job done. The design, too, is bare and basic.
Pros
- Sounds good for their price,
- Highly affordable studio headphones in this list.
Cons
- Comfort is a bit compromised,
- Feels hot when used for long hours.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would say that good studio headphones are not always expensive. And our list of best studio headphones under $50 for mixing and mastering is proof of that.
Also read: Can you mix on studio headphones?
These studio headphones provide flat frequency response, are neutral sound, and deliver good comfort. You cannot have any major complaints with them.
These headphones are highly budget-friendly and take care of all the requirements of a newbie music producer and budding mix engineer.
However, I strongly suggest you invest in a good pair of headphones to take your skills and hobby to the next level. Until then, one of these headphones will do an excellent job for you.
Lastly, I hope you liked this article, and do let me know what you think in the comments. Feel free to add any budget-friendly headphones that you may have in mind.
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