Deciding on the best studio headphones under $200 to add to your recording gear isn’t easy. There are tons of quality studio headphones in the $200 price range that have great sound.
Before you make up your mind, you should think about the sound quality, build quality, and comfort of the headphones. Sound quality is obviously the biggest factor to consider. We’ve reviewed the frequency response and impedance along with the range of the most popular headphones to make sure they have quality sound. We’ve also reviewed the materials and build quality of each to ensure their durability and comfort.
With that said, let’s compare the top-rated $200 studio headphones and review their sound, so you can find the right one for your studio.
Compare the Top Studio Headphones Below $200 in 2020
Contents
- 1 Compare the Top Studio Headphones Below $200 in 2020
- 1.1 Harmon AKG K271 MKII Studio Headphones
- 1.2 Beyerdynamic DT-990-Pro-250 Studio Headphones
- 1.3 Harmon AKG K553 MKII Pro Studio Headphones
- 1.4 Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Headphones
- 1.5 Pioneer HRM-6 Pro DJ Headphones
- 1.6 Fostex T50RP MK3 Recording Studio Headphones
- 1.7 Shure SRH840 Professional Monitoring Headphones
- 1.8 Sennheiser HD 25 Plus Pro Mixing Headphones
- 2 What We Recommend and Why
Here’s a list of the best studio headphones below $200 that sound great and fit in your recording studio budget.
- Harmon AKG K271 MKII
- Beyerdynamic DT-990-Pro-250
- Harmon AKG K553 MKII
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Pioneer HRM-6
- Fostex T50RP MK3
- Shure SRH840
- Sennheiser HD 25 Plus
Harmon AKG K271 MKII Studio Headphones
Specs, features, and benefits
We will begin this review with one of the most popular audio solutions brand today. When it comes to microphones and headphones, AKG is a major force.
Within this price range it offers the K271 MKII, a closed back, over the ear professional headphone designed for comfort, durability and performance. The headband is made of leather and is self-adjusting for a snug fit. The earpads, which are made of vinyl, are well-padded to ensure maximum comfort.
The overall build is solid and the choice of dark blue for the back of the earcups, highlighted by silver edges gives it an understated lovely look.
Now let’s look into the heart of the matter. It comes with two drivers that are pretty fast, delivering 104 dB over a frequency response range of 16Hz to 28kHz. It also has a rated impedance of 55 Ohms which means that it is not going to be too difficult to power.
A unique feature that this headphone offers is a switch on the headband that automatically mutes the sound when it is taken off. It is supplied with a 10 foot straight cable and a 16 foot coiled cable.
With this headphone, you will enjoy a balanced and transparent sound reproduction.
Pros and Highlights
- Build – Solid and lovely.
- Frequency Response – 16Hz to 28kHz.
- Rated Impedance – 55Ohms.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Earpads – The vinyl material may induce sweating.
Bottom line
This is a great headphone for tracking or mixing. It will be a great addition to any home studio.
Beyerdynamic DT-990-Pro-250 Studio Headphones
Specs, features, and benefits
Beyerdynamic is a brand known for producing high quality microphones, headphones and other audio systems. You can always expect good quality from this brand.
A good example of the quality this brand offers is the DT 990 PRO. This is a solidly built over the ear professional headphone. The chassis is made of ABS, which is quite strong while the headband is well-padded to offer real comfort. Complementing this are the earpads, which are really comfortable thanks to the velour pads, which the brand decided to use here.
Getting behind all of these we find two large drivers with their large coils. These drivers deliver a nominal sound pressure level of 96dB over a frequency response range of 5Hz to 35kHz. Like we noted, this is a professional headphone so you cannot power this with a mobile device or smartphone because it has a rated impedance of 250Ohms, which shows that it requires some professional amplification.
This is an open back headphone so it is not for tracking vocals. It offers an impressive sound stage and sound transparency that professionals look for in the studio monitoring. They will therefore be great for mixing and critical listening.
Pros and Highlights
- Build – It’s solidly built and comfortable.
- Frequency Response – 5Hz to 35kHz.
- Performance – Impressive sound stage and transparent sound reproduction.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Cables – They are non-detachable.
Bottom line
This is not a jack of all trade headphone. It is designed for specific studio related tasks like mixing of critical listening.
Harmon AKG K553 MKII Pro Studio Headphones
Specs, features, and benefits
We are looking at another product from AKG, further evidence of the brand’s position in the audio solutions industry. The headphone we are considering from this brand now is the K553 PRO.
This is a professional studio headphone with a sleek design. A quick look at it will reveal that it has not gone the route of most headphones. Rather than cover much of the headband with padding, it has simply focused on where it is needed, thereby reducing much of its bulk.
The entire headphone can be folded down for easy storage and portability while the earcups can rotate on its axis making it convenient for one ear monitoring. When you take a look at this headphone, it has an expensive look that may have you thinking it will cost way more than it does.
For its sound, it comes with two 50mm drivers that can deliver a sound pressure level of up to 114dB over a frequency range of 12Hz to 28kHz. You will enjoy a lot of headroom, clarity and definition from these. This is in addition to the flat response that it offers.
With its low rated impedance of 32Ohms, powering this headphone does not require much. Your mobile device can even get the job done.
Pros and Highlights
- Build – Sleek and portable.
- Frequency Response – 12Hz to 28kHz.
- Rated Impedance – 32Ohms.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Padding – Does not offer sufficient comfort.
Bottom line
This is a lovely looking headphone that offers versatile usage in the studio.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Headphones
Specs, features, and benefits
Audio-Technica Corporation has since 1962 been committed to the design and manufacture of top quality professional audio products. Some of its products include microphones and headphones.
One of these is the ATH-M50x. This is one professional headphone that offers versatility, comfort and performance.
It is built around a sturdy frame, which offers a solid foundation upon which every other thing is built. This headphone can be folded down for easy storage or carriage. The earcups also swivel to allow for convenient one-ear monitoring.
The headband is well-padded as are the earcups, which makes it more comfortable for extended listening. The fact that it has a closed back design means that it is versatile.
Inside it we find two 45mm drivers that deliver a sound pressure level of 99dB over a frequency response range of 15Hz to 28kHz. Its rated impedance is 38 Ohms which makes it pretty easy to power.
Packaged with this headphone are three cables; 10 and 4 foot straight cables and a 4 foot coiled cable extendable to 10 feet.
This headphone offers immense clarity and transparency as well as a flat response. All of these make it just right for studio applications.
Pros and Highlights
- Build – Solid and durable.
- Frequency Response – 15Hz to 28kHz.
- Rated Impedance – 38 Ohms.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Comfort – The earpads can be improved on.
Bottom line
This headphone promises a lot both in and out of the studio. You should however consider getting better earpads as this will make it more comfortable.
Pioneer HRM-6 Pro DJ Headphones
Specs, features, and benefits
Pioneer may not be a known name in the professional audio industry but it has been offering audio solutions for homes and cars for over 80 years. This shows that it has some knowledge of the audio industry.
The Pro DJ HRM-6 Headphone is one of the brand’s contributions to the music industry. These are over the ear, closed back headphones with a stainless steel headband that is adjustable. This headband is covered in sufficient padding for your comfort. The earcups are also well-padded with memory foam and covered in soft leather. This is to ensure that your ears won’t hurt from extended listening.
The earpads, which provide good comfort, also help with sound isolation so that the amount of sound getting in or out is pretty low. You can also swivel the earcups for one ear monitoring.
The DJ HRM-6 comes with 40mm HD drivers. These drivers are capable of delivering a clean and balanced sound across a frequency response range of 5Hz to 40kHz. This makes it suitable for professional audio work.
It comes with 2 straight cables (1.2 meters and 3-meters) and a 1.2 meter coiled cable that can extend to 3 meters.
Pros and Highlights
- Build – Lovely and comfortable.
- Frequency Response – 5Hz to 40kHz.
- Rated Impedance – 45 Ohms.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Earcups – The hinge holding these could be better made.
Bottom line
One thing most folks will agree to is that this is a great headphone for DJing. You could also try it for mixing and monitoring.
Fostex T50RP MK3 Recording Studio Headphones
Specs, features, and benefits
For over 70 years, Fostex International has been in the business of pro audio solutions. It provides professional gear for studio and live recording among other things. Today, it offers us the T50RP MK3.
This is a semi-open back, over the ear professional headphone. These are solidly designed and will likely appear a bit different from the regular headphones available.
Adjustability is achieved via the sturdy external metal rail to which the headband and earcups are attached. The headband can slide back and forth to achieve the right fit.
The earcups are large and well-padded as are the headband. This helps ensure comfort especially for extended listening.
Now on to the drivers. Here, we find two 50mm Refined Fostex proprietary Regular Phase (RP) diaphragm drivers that use neodymium magnet and copper foil etched polyimide film. These have a sensitivity of 92dB at 1kHz, 1mW and deliver clean audio across a frequency response range of 15Hz – 35kHz.
This headphone is built like a tank and comes with a 3 meter cable with a 1/4″ phone jack as well as a 1.2 meter cable with a 1/8″ jack.
Pros and Highlights
- Build – Sturdy and really comfortable.
- Frequency Response – 15Hz to 35kHz.
- Rated Impedance – 50 Ohms.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Earpads – Your ears are likely to get really warm after some use.
Bottom line
This headphone offers great sound. It’s a semi-open back so using this for tracking is a no! You can also improve its comfort level by changing the earpads.
Shure SRH840 Professional Monitoring Headphones
Specs, features, and benefits
It would have been practically shocking if we did not include any product from Shure to this list. This brand has built itself into a pillar in the music industry with its consistency and quality of product delivery. Shure here offers us the SRH840.
This is a closed back, over the ear professional headphone that is designed to be folded down for easy storage and portability. It is solidly built and the headband and earcups feature extensive padding that ensure increased comfort especially for extended listening.
A look into the earcups reveal 40mm drivers that have a sensitivity of 102 dB/mW SPL and covers a frequency response range of 5Hz to 25kHz. It also has a rated impedance of 44 Ohms which means that the best can only be gotten from it when adequately powered.
When you properly power these headphones, you will get a clear and precise audio reproduction that is refined and transparent. These will do well for tracking, monitoring or mixing.
It comes with a detachable coiled cable that is locked in when plugged in, a 1/4″ adapter, replacement earpads and a carrying bag.
Pros and Highlights
- Build – It is solidly built.
- Frequency Response – 5Hz to 25kHz.
- Rated Impedance – 44 Ohms.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Headband – Some find it heavy and uncomfortable.
Bottom line
This is a headphone that can be put to various uses in the studio. It can be used for tracking, monitoring and mixing. You may however have some comfort issues with the headband.
Sennheiser HD 25 Plus Pro Mixing Headphones
Specs, features, and benefits
Sennheiser is one of those brands that have firmly established itself in the music and audio solutions industry as a brand that can be trusted. This it has achieved with the quality of its products. One such product is the HD 25 Plus.
This is the brand’s new addition to the HD 25 series that was first manufactured in the 80s. This headphone has become known as an industry standard when it comes to DJing.
The PLUS is the current summation of little modifications that the brand has made on this series over the years. These modifications were meant to achieve greater comfort, flexibility and sturdiness.
This is a closed back, on ear headphone with a padded headband and padded ear pads. Adjustment is achieved by moving the earcups up or down. The earcups can also be moved sideways to achieve one ear monitoring.
The drivers that come with these have lightweight aluminum voice coils that are capable of handling up to 120dB SPL and cover a frequency response range of 16Hz to 22kHz. The sound you get from these is clear and natural.
It comes with a hardbody case and a detachable cable with a 1/8” (3.5mm) jack and a 1/4” adapter.
Pros and Highlights
- Build – Lightweight and comfortable.
- Frequency Response – 16Hz to 22kHz.
- Rated Impedance – 70 Ohms.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Cable – Quite heavy.
Bottom line
This is great for DJing but may not be so great for mixing because of the emphasized low end.
What We Recommend and Why
Reviewing these eight professional headphones has been interesting and exhilarating. We’ve seen some of the best within this price range and the various features they offer. We can therefore agree that they all are great in one sense or another.
That said, it is now time for us to pick one out from the lot that represents our choice for the Top Studio Headphone Under $200. After carefully reviewing the headphones on our list, we chose the BeyerDynamic DT 990 PRO Studio Headphones because we feel it offers the best combination of values.