The Best Headphones for Recording Vocals | Top Professional Picks for Your Studio

1 year ago

Where talent meets technology, and every note is captured with precision: welcome to the world of the best headphones for recording vocals. Whether you’re a budding lo-fi bedroom vocalist, a well-seasoned performer, or a mixmaster audio enthusiast looking to create the perfect DJ set, one thing is certain – that finding the best headphones for recording vocals is essential. These magical headphone-shaped devices will transport you to a realm where your voice becomes a work of art, where every nuance and emotion is faithfully reproduced… we have embarked on a mission to uncover the crème de la crème of the best headphones for recording vocals.

Prepare to dive into a symphony of sound as we unveil the top contenders that will elevate your vocal recordings to new heights. From closed-back to open-back, wired to wireless, we have scoured the market to bring you a curated selection of headphones that deliver impeccable sound quality, unrivaled comfort, and the power to transform your voice into a masterpiece. So, plug in, tune out the world, and let the music flow.

Product Comparison Table: Best Headphones for Recording Vocals

TitlePriceRating (Amazon)Best in classBuy
Audio-Technica ATH-M70X Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones$$$4.2 starsBest Closed-Back Amazon
beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X Open-Back Studio Headphones$$4.7 starsBest Open-Back Amazon
Sennheiser HD 600$$$4.2 starsBest Comfort Amazon
Shure SE535-CL Professional Sound Isolating Earphones$$$4.4 starsBest IEMs (In-Ear Monitors) Amazon
beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Copper Hi-Res Bluetooth Headphones with Touchpad$$$$4.1 starsBest Wireless Amazon

Audio-Technica ATH-M70X Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones

If you want excellent sound isolation, no sound leakage or unwanted bleed, and privacy during recording sessions, closed-back is the way to go for the best headphones for recording vocals. By blocking external noise, closed-back headphones create a controlled environment for precise monitoring, allowing you to focus on your performance without distractions. This means you can achieve optimal vocal control, accurate pitch, and immersive monitoring – the ingredients for a great recording!

The closed-back Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones were renowned as the best headphones for recording vocals. But AudioTechnica have since moved on to the next-gen: the Audio-Technica ATH-M70x. In addition to being comfortable for 8+ hours of low-pressure wear, the adjustable ATH-M70x are our best headphones for recording vocals in the closed-back category because they offer an improved set of the legendary ATH-M professional-grade proprietary 45 mm large-aperture drivers, with wide frequency response, great noise isolation, and both high and low reproduction accurate enough for audio forensics!

Pros 

  • Legendary headphone lineage
  • Accurate sound reproduction (5 to 40,000Hz)
  • Lightweight and comfortable

Cons

  • Not wireless

Verdict

An improvement on an existing industry favorite, the Audio-Technica ATH-M70x On-Ear Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones are our best headphones for recording vocals in the closed-back category because they make the ATH-M family proud. Not content to produce just one pair of incredible headphones famous for performance, Audio-Technica just had to get even better – in both technical stats and ear-feel. 

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beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X Open-Back Studio Headphones

We’ve sung the praises of closed-back headphones, but vocalists prefer open-backs instead! Open-back headphones are the best headphones for recording vocals because they give distinct advantages: their spacious soundstage, greater situational awareness and more natural sound reproduction. While they may not give you as much privacy, their open design delivers a more immersive and transparent listening experience, so you get a more realistic representation of what you’re recording.

Our best headphones for recording vocals with open backs are the beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X Open-Back Studio Headphones. Here, beyerdynamic (yes, with a small b) showcase their newly developed STELLAR.45 sound transducer: magnet, voice coil and speaker diaphragm work together to ensure a consistently reliable sound without distortion, even at high sound pressure levels.

Pros

  • Durable
  • Exceptional sound quality
  • Natural and accurate monitoring

Cons

  • Limited noise isolation
  • Not wireless

Verdict

When it comes to the best headphones for recording vocals with open backs, the beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X Open-Back Studio Headphones take the crown. Once again, beyerdynamic (always a small b) releases the vocal genie in a bottle, delivering crystal-clear STELLAR sound and a magical spaciousness that will make you feel like you’re singing in a concert hall… even when you’re stuck in a cramped sweaty studio.

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Sennheiser HD 600

Ah, the SENNHEISER HD 600s. Sometimes recording vocals can take a very, very long time – but our best headphones for recording vocals in comfort will keep your ears comfy as hell. These premium open back headphones are made with beautiful materials, and we found them extremely comfortable for long playing times thanks to the great airflow, breathable velour plush ear cups, and adjustable ergonomic band.

In terms of sound, SENNHEISER are a name known for quality for a reason. The HD 600 model utilises SENNHEISER engineered neodymium ferrous magnets for sensitivity,and lightweight aluminium voice coils facilitating brilliant dynamics, smooth performance, and extremely low levels of distortion. How soothing.

Pros

  • A name you can trust
  • Attractive and comfortable design
  • Engineered SENNHEISER technology

Cons

  • Limited noise isolation
  • Not wireless

Verdict

The SENNHEISER HD 600 Open Back Headphones came out on top as the best headphones for recording vocals with comfort in mind. Ergonomic design and smooth sound aside, the Kevlar-reinforced oxygen-free copper cable that almost totally eliminates handling noise is another easy-on-the-ear comfort touch.

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Shure SE535-CL Professional Sound Isolating Earphones

Then again, some prefer IEMs. In-ear monitors (IEMs) and earbuds are both small, portable audio devices that are inserted into the ear, but where earbuds in fact rest on the ear, IEMs are inserted directly into the ear canal. IEMs are the best headphones for recording vocals if you want exceptional noise isolation and pinpoint-accurate sound reproduction. They give you the most controlled monitoring environment of all, resulting in more precise and accurate vocal performances – even if you can’t hear any outside noise at all.

Road-tested by professional musicians, the Shure SE535-CL Professional Sound Isolating Earphones provide detailed sound for professional (and amateur) monitoring; this is thanks to a triple high-definition driver system that delivers great full-range sound. The Shure SE535-CLs sound isolating technology blocks up to 37 dB of noise with a traditional over-the-ear design that ensures earphones stay in place and the (potentially annoying) cables remain out of the way – even though they’re double-reinforced and tangle-free.

Pros

  • Great full-range sound
  • An Elvis-approved brand
  • Comes with case

Cons

  • Not wireless

Verdict

Legend tells that Elvis Presley was a famous fan of the Shure brand. However, an endorsement from the King of Rock’n’Roll is not the only reason the Shure SE535-CL Professional Sound Isolating Earphones are the IEM entry for our list of the best headphones for recording vocals. That second reason is these IEMs’ incredible performance, guaranteed to leave you with a burning love – or at least all shook up.

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TitlePriceRating (Amazon)Best in classBuy
Audio-Technica ATH-M70X Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones$$$4.2 starsBest Closed-Back Amazon
beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X Open-Back Studio Headphones$$4.7 starsBest Open-Back Amazon
Sennheiser HD 600$$$4.2 starsBest Comfort Amazon
Shure SE535-CL Professional Sound Isolating Earphones$$$4.4 starsBest IEMs (In-Ear Monitors) Amazon
beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Copper Hi-Res Bluetooth Headphones with Touchpad$$$$4.1 starsBest Wireless Amazon

Why go wireless? Wireless headphones are the best headphones for recording vocals because they give you total freedom of movement with no cable constraints! This means you can move around comfortably – even dance a little if you want to – delivering more natural live-style performances. Additionally, advancements in wireless technology means the connection won’t drop; you’ll have high-quality audio transmission and accurate monitoring without compromising on sound fidelity.

With their advanced features and exceptional wireless performance, the beyerdynamic (small b) Amiron Wireless Bluetooth Headphones are our wireless best headphones for recording vocals. These headphones provide high-quality Bluetooth connectivity, while the futuristic touchpad control for volume et cetera feels convenient and intuitive, making it easier to adjust settings on the go. Who knew headphones needed touch-operation? 

Pros

  • Wireless convenience
  • High-quality sound
  • Intuitive touchpad control

Cons

  • Limited battery life

Verdict

The beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Copper Hi-Res Bluetooth Headphones with Touchpad

Are our wireless best headphones for vocal recording because they radiate vocal recording awesomeness from the near-future. No more tangled cables, just smooth wireless vibes. With touchpad control at your fingertips, you’ll feel like a high-tech musical cyborg as these headphones take your vocal recordings to the next level. Wiggle. Dance. Run around the block. It’s time to rock and wireless roll.

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