In getting the best sound quality from your guitar, be it acoustic or electric, you do not hear the nuances without having a good pair of headphones. But using affordable headphones for a guitar amp can be worse than not using one at all.
If you are planning to buy a pair of quality headphones for your guitar amp, then you should go for the best one. Here are your top 10 options to consider.
1. Best Top-Rated: Sennheiser HD 650
Star Rating: 4.7 out of 5
- Open-Back Design – these headphones are in an open-back design. Therefore, they can give listeners the natural clarity and more detail they need. This is not something a closed-back pair can offer.
- Durable Construction – these headphones are made of the finest materials, so you can be sure of their durability.
- Great Comfort – you won’t experience pain even after using these headphones for hours. The ear cups are so friendly to ears.
Pros:
- Open-back design
- Durable
- Superior comfort
Cons:
- Expensive
2. Best Stylish: Sony MDR-7506
Star Rating: 4.6 out of 5
- Closed-Back Design – with the device’s excellent design, it is efficient enough to prevent the sound from leaking. Likewise, it lacks the open back, which means the output sound is not spacious but not that too big for the price.
- Good Performance – it is the studio-grade unit that guarantees decent performance if paired with the guitar amp. It is one of the best-selling headphones that you can buy for your guitar amp. Those ear cups are capable of producing a loud and crisp sound.
- Durable Cable – this cable is not detachable but easy to fold as you can quickly collapse its cups inward that saves you storage space.
Pros:
- Soft carry case
- Durable
- Closed-back design
Cons:
- Slightly hissy high frequencies
3. Most Famous Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Star Rating: 4.6 out of 5
- Highly Popular – this is among the most famous pair of sturdy headphones that you can find in the market. It is no longer surprising, considering how these closed-back headphones work.
- Good Sound Quality – this pair of headphones offer extended bass. The treble it produces is good as well without popping or hissing and minimal distortion. There are no soundstage effects that make the bass sounds slightly low.
- Great Design – this product comes with a closed-back design designed to prevent sound leakage.
- Compact – the device looks extremely compact with its foldable look, making it easy and quick to bring anywhere you go. It is lightweight, too.
- Complete Package – this product comes as a complete package. You will get 3 removable cables in different forms. You will also get a beautiful carry bag and a screw-on adapter.
Pros:
- Excellent treble, bass, and mid-range
- No popping and hissing with minimal distortion
- Great in preventing leakage
Cons:
- Looks flimsy with parts made with plastic
4. Best in Performance: Sennheiser HD 599 SE
Star Rating: 4.6 out of 5
- From a Trusted Brand – Sennheiser has been one of the most trusted brands when it comes to headphones. This pair is guaranteed to produce the best sound quality and good performance, allowing you to get the best value for your money.
- Crisp and Loud Sound – these headphones ensure that the sound of your guitar will be more powerful and crisper than what other models can offer. It even uses the original EAR technology that will direct the signals directly to your ears. Therefore, it creates a full sound that you will surely enjoy.
- With Removable Cables – you will get detachable wires in just one package. These include a 3.5mm and a 6.3mm jack, allowing you to use these headphones in any guitar.
Pros:
- Good response
- EAR technology
- Solid and strong soundstage effect
Cons:
- Slightly low bass
5. Best Portable: Samson SR850
Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Great Style Options – these headphones are available in 3 styles to choose from. Go for the option that will offer the best bang for the buck.
- Slightly Lightweight – this pair is slightly lightweight compared to other headphones in the market.
- Non-detachable Stock Cables – these stock cables must not affect the overall performance of these headphones. The gold-plated adapter is the standard 1/8” that goes with a 1/4-inch adapter.
Pros:
- Good headphones
- Open back design
- Great style choices
Cons:
- Not the greatest isolation
6. Top-Rated: beyerdynamic DT 880
Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Quality Studio Headphones – this pair of headphones is semi-open and diffuse-field. It has been known for producing analytical sound.
- Comfortable to Use – you will feel comfortable even when you wear it for hours. Thanks to its adjustable, rugged, and soft padded headband. Overall, the product looks robust and meticulous construction. The parts are also replaceable.
- Single-sided Wire – these headphones have velour and circum-aural ear pads. It even comes with a sturdy carrying case made of nylon.
Pros:
- Excellent quality
- Comfortable
- Good sound production
Cons:
- Expensive
7. Best Budget Headphones for Guitar Amp: AKG K240STUDIO
Star Rating: 4.4 out of 5
- Affordable Option – while the K240 model from AKG is quite inexpensive, its performance is at par with the most less cheap models available.
- Good Design – these classical-looking semi-open headphones. They have supersized transducers developed with the help of the Varimotion diaphragm. It helps ensure a stable frequency response while enabling a more three-dimensional soundstage effect.
- Complete Package – these headphones come together with 2 removable and replaceable cables. One of them is a straight cable that measures 3m while the other is a coiled wire measuring 5m.
Pros:
- Strong mid and high frequencies
- With 2 removable cables
- Affordable
Cons:
- The bass sounds slightly explosive for some
- Low impedance for studio use
8. Best in Comfort: Status Audio CB-1
Star Rating: 4.4 out of 5
- Great Quality – These headphones bear excellent overall quality. This product is no doubt, one of the best ones in the market.
- 50mm drivers – this makes this pair of headphones suitable for guitar. Get ready for a rewarding experience right from the first use.
- Around-Ear Circumaural Design – these headphones come with a padded headband paired with those overstuffed earpads for ultimate comfort.
Pros:
- Impressive design
- Great quality
- Two cables in one package
Cons:
- The slightly low bass sound produced
9. Best in Price: Sony MDRZX110/BLK
Star Rating: 4.3 out of 5
- Available in Great Color Options – these headphones are available in fantastic colors: black, white, and pink.
- Awesome Performance and Sound Production – these headphones are equipped with 30-millimeter drivers for full and rich frequency response.
- Great Ear Design – these headphones look lightweight and portable. It guarantees the utmost comfort with each use.
- Great Design – these headphones also boast its swivel design that adds more to the product’s portability.
Pros:
- Good ear design
- Lightweight and portable
- Great color options
Cons:
- Might be slightly heavy for some
10. Best Value: Edifier H850
Star Rating: 4.1 out of 5
- Sturdy Build – these headphones seem not to offer something special. However, they are surprisingly strong and durable as they have been made with the finest materials.
- Replaceable Earcups – these earcups are replaceable. This will help ensure you will feel comfortable when using these headphones.
- Good Sound Production – the sound is pretty good as the bass is punchy and tight. Even the lowest sound is somewhat audible until you go somewhere under 40 Hz.
Pros:
- Satisfying sound quality
- Replaceable ear cups
- Sturdy build
Cons:
- Heavy
Things to Consider When Buying Headphones for Guitar Amps
If you’re shopping for guitar headphones, you should consider the following factors to make a good buying decision:
#1. Dynamic Frequency Range
You cannot use ordinary headphones for the guitar amp. That is true because these headphones that you often use for listening to music on a portable player do not have an extremely limited dynamic range. They aren’t equipped to replicate the nuances in the play.
Thus, when buying headphones for guitar amps, look for the one that can provide a very accurate reproduction. In achieving this, your preferred headphones require a wider frequency response range.
#2. Provides Protection for Your Ears
Many of the headphones for guitar amps flat out and cause discomfort to your ears when used for an hour or two. If you are serious in tackling your recording or practicing sessions, then you may want a design that is comfortable to the ears.
In this matter, you have to consider a lot of things. The first is the proper padding. Second is the headband or head support. The headband of headphones you would like to buy must be adjustable and with soft padding.
The earpads must also be considered. They should be replaceable. Remember that not all pairs of stock headphones are extremely comfortable. However, a few allow users to replace the original padding or ear pads the easiest way.
While the online market offers a wide range of choices when it comes to ear pads, buying quality replacement ear pads is the smartest way to help cheap headphones offer mid-range or even high-end level of ease and comfort.
#3. Consider the Price, but Don’t Prioritize It
Usually, expensive headphones for guitar amps are more reliable and recommended than their cheaper counterparts. However, consumers seem to waste their money on those refined designs, accessories, and other things that do not contribute to the overall performance of these devices.
Expensiveness does not always mean improved sound quality. Therefore, you should pay attention more to the specifications and performance of the headphones you can use for guitar amps. Stop judging them based on their brands. This does mean that some advanced drivers are not better and more reliable than others. The bottom line is that you must be open-minded and know what matters most to you.
Ask yourself. Do you like a wider dynamic range? Are you okay with average sound production and quality from eye-catchy headphones? If getting a wider dynamic range is more important to you, then you should not shell out more money for expensive headphones for guitar amps.
#4. Accessories
Headphones might have a multitude of headphones and interchangeable parts. These include those replaceable ear pads and removable cables. Both can be important based on the headphones’ design.
Often, you need to pay a few more to grab those detachable cables. However, it could be better if you can change the original cables with longer ones or with improved shielding. The cushions must be replaceable as well as it may help prolong the headphone’s lifespan.
#5. Your Practicing Environment
Don’t forget to consider your practicing environment or listening conditions when buying headphones for guitar amps. Based on their designs, you might require a particular style that can offer you the best in terms of sound quality and comfort level.
Open-back headphones are ideal to use in silent spaces. Closed ear headphones give more isolation. They are also pretty efficient in keeping the sound confined for better sound listening.
#6. The Impedance of the Headphones
Impedance is also a very crucial factor to consider in buying headphones for guitar amps. This is the electrical unit that shows the connection between reactance and resistance. To simply put, those headphones with low impedance work with those devices with low amplification.
Since you are using them with guitar amps, you require headphones that have high impedance. It will help prevent blowouts. Likewise, there’s no overloading if you play the guitar at a higher frequency.
Furthermore, high-impedance headphones reproduce a more accurate sound. That is a big reason why they became a critical element of mixing and studio equipment.
Conclusion
Which of these headphones for guitar amps is the right choice for you? Well, if you’re after reliability and great value for money, then go for a pair of headphones coming from a trusted brand – something like Sennheiser HD 650. It is one of the best open-back headphones that you can get. It is a nice choice for being so durable and comfortable even with extended use.
If you think headphones with a closed-back design is better for you, then go for Sony MDR-7506. Like the latter, these headphones come from a popular brand and with good design for better sound production and improved comfort.
