9 Best Cheap Studio Headphones Under 100 Dollars
Juan Stansbury
If you are looking for the best cheap studio headphones for your home studio or recording sessions, you can still find amazing offers with the potential to provide studio-quality results.
As a producer or sound engineer, having high-quality studio headphones and monitors is essential if you want a seamless studio session and timeless records.
Invest in premium studio headphones is recommendable to owners of record labels and home studios.
It can significantly improve the recording, mixing and mastering processes, establishing a unique tone underlining projects from your studio. However, ultra-quality studio headphones come with a cost.
And if you already have high-quality studio monitors, you do not necessarily need to invest in expensive headphones as the two sever a similar purpose.
The best headphones are obviously going to be expensive, but you can still find affordable models with advanced acoustic capabilities.
According to the status quo, cheap studio headphones produce poor outcomes. Unfortunately, cheap studio headphones exist in abundance and it is easy to land some of the worst-quality headphones.
However, several cheap headphones provide studio-quality results.
Table of Contents
9 Best Cheap Studio Headphones Under 100 Dollars
To save you the time of sorting through all the offers for cheap studio headphones, we have created a simple guide for you.
Here are the best cheap studio headphones under $100
Audio Technica ATH-M40x – Great Sound Quality
[amazon box=”B00HVLUR54″]If you have insufficient funds to purchase top-quality headphone brands for your recording sessions, this should be your to-go-to cheap headphone.
This professional monitor studio headphone provides accurate bass outputs and comes with two detachable audio cables. They are comfortable, durable and come together with a carrying pouch as well as other accessories.
With this headphone, which goes for nearly a hundred dollars, you will get to enjoy a nice punch, deep bass, and clear sound quality.
It boasts a response frequency of 15 Hz to 20 kHz and a closed-back, filtering out noise and frequencies bouncing from the back.
- Great bass quality.
- Improved sound isolation.
- Fitted with premium professional features.
- Comes with detachable audio cable.
- Cables to the left ear breaks easily.
- It may require a bit of nudging to find a perfect position.
- The bass can be overbearing without proper equalization.
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
Video: “A True Gem! : Audio Technica ATH-M40X”
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro – Best for Live Monitoring
[amazon box=”B00IT0IHOY”]At a cost below the $100 mark, it no secret that many music and bass enthusiasts adore this live monitoring studio headphone.
It provides quality pro performance together with ambient sound attenuation needed for an authentic recording session.
Coupled with its excellent sound isolation, this live monitor headphone maintains high quality even when used in less than ideal home studios.
Besides, it provides better comfort during extended recording sessions.
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro offers centered highs, articulate lows, and clear mid-ranges, ensuring optimal frequency balance in the recording.
You can also make significant EQ twists and sound processing to polish the quality of your incoming signals further.
- Provides excellent sound control.
- Offers advance live monitoring and anti-lag.
- Comfortable for extended studio sessions.
- Are only usable inside the studio.
- It is bulky for off-site use.
- Noise attenuation could be better.
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
Video: “Sennheiser HD280pro _(Z Reviews)_ The Return of a Legend”
Samson SR850 – Best For Comfortable Studio Referencing
[amazon box=”B002LBSEQS”]The Samson SR850 is an over-ear monitoring headphone that provides professional studio reference, even at home.
Together with the plush cushioning, it can provide comfort at a different level. At a surprisingly low retail price of $45, it is incredible what you can achieve with this cheap studio headphone.
Samson SR850 is designed to enable smooth tracking, mixing, mastering, and playback. It also provides an extended frequency response thanks to the huge 50mm drivers that come with unique earth magnets.
This also ensures that you get a great dynamic range. You could use the self-adjusting headband to make sure it fits right.
- Linear frequency response creates accuracy for excellent playback and mixing.
- The bass response is warm and light.
- Circumaural design mitigates ear fatigue during recording.
- Self-adjusting bands allow proper fit.
- Provides sonic power.
- Not recommendable for long listening sessions.
- Although ear cups are replaceable, they get uncomfortable with ageing.
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
Video: “Samson SR850 Review- Best Cheap Reference Headphones”
AKG K240STUDIO – Best For Home Studio Recording
[amazon box=”B01AIO8XVA”]This over-ear semi-open studio headphone monitor is very popular among professionals. At under $67 only, the AKG K240 Studio headphones can also be employed for recording at home.
It provides classic design and when used with studio project gears such as drums and keyboards, it offers high levels of volume.
What’s more, it offers far much lower impedance with a Circumaural trim, which ensures comfort even during extended recording sessions.
The studio headphone comes with a self-adjusting headband to optimally fit the wearer as well as a Varimotion XXL capsule which enables both studio and home usage.
It also offers an excellent portable audio option, which you can use with computers, portable CD, minidisc or even a DAT player.
- Flexible and EQ sensitive.
- Lightweight, comfortable recording headphones.
- Great sound quality.
- Comes with HIFI connectivity.
- Audible rumbles in the low bass make it less appealing for recording bass instruments.
- Sound leakage and isolation could be better
. - Comes with fragile cords
.
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
Video: “AKG K240 Studio Headphones Review | Budget Studio Headphones”
Shure SRH440 – Best for DJ Mixing
[amazon box=”B002DP1FTU”]The Shure SRH440 studio headphone is a well-calibrated headphone that works perfectly in the studio as well as at home. From power handling to low impedance, this low-price headphone is excellent for mixing consoles, headphone amplifiers, and DJ mixers.
The headphone reduces the ambient noise significantly, providing a real listening experience.
This also ensures clear audio across an extensive range. In the Shure SRH440 studio headphone monitor package, you will get the RH440, threaded 1/4″ adapter, user-guide and a carrying pouch.
- Captures clear audio over an extended range.
- Great for home studio recording.
- Durable headphone with replaceable ear cups.
- Superior noise isolation.
- Secure bayonet clips and cable locks.
- Lacks active noise cancellation for low noises.
- Some users find the non-swivel cups less comfortable.
- Outdated plastic design.
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
Video: “Shure SRH440 Headphone Review”
Audio Technica ATH-M20x – Best for Noisy Home Studio
[amazon box=”B00HVLUR18″]This inexpensive studio headphone boasts superior build quality coupled with advanced sound engineering.
The single side exit in the Audio Technica ATH-M20x headphone creates a much-needed clarity and convenience for mixing and tracking.
You can use these headphones even when in extremely noisy surroundings as the Circumaural design contours allow for excellent sound isolation.
Premium quality material, together with an ultra-modern design, will allow you to experience comfortable listening sessions.
It also works to deliver pure and accurate audio, which is excellent for extended studio sessions. Its price is relatively inexpensive with retailers mostly selling it at around $49 to $55 per headphone.
In addition, Audio Technica ATH-M20x studio headphones possess a 40-millimeter driver that come together with rare earth magnets and a copper-clad aluminum wire along with voice coils.
You are assured of impeccable sound clarity with crispy mid ranges, powerful bass, and extensive lows.
- Superior engineering and sound quality.
- Easily adjustable fit around the ears.
- Features versatile plug adapter.
- Improved low-frequency performance.
- Lacks electronic noise cancellation.
- Unfavourable for people who wear glasses.
- No carrying case included in the package.
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
Video: “Audio Technica ATH M20x Review! – Best Budget Studio Monitor Headphones”
Status Audio CB-1 – Best Price For Studio Standard
[amazon box=”B01BDX1IVW”]Both top-rated musicians and audio engineers praise the Status Audio CB-1 as a studio standard headphone monitor.
It features a 50MM driver that ensures you get quality sound whether you are at the studio or home. The design also allows you to listen to audios in an ample soundstage.
The overstuffed earpads, together with a padded headband, provides the much-required comfort, especially during extended recording sessions.
The headphone completely covers the ears, allowing for easy noise cancellation and is comfortable your head.
- Best for mobile use, audiophile playback and office use.
- Adjustable headbands enable the monitor to fit all head sizes.
- Cables have custom locks which sturdily connects them to the headphones.
- It is compatible with all 3.5 mm locking cable.
- Supports single side monitoring during recordings.
- The lock mechanism is unavailable for the 3.5 mm cables only.
- They have a bulky look.
- Lacks volume and bass control.
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
Video: “Z Review – Status Audio CB-1”
One Odio Pro-10 – Best For Bass Quality
[amazon box=”B01N6ZJH96″]This studio headphone provides supreme comfort as well as superior sound quality.
The One Odio Pro-10 monitor headphones utilize big 50-millimeter speaker unit drivers along with neodymium magnets, which ensure that you get clear audios.
You also get a powerful bass that, together with the crisp high notes, provides great HIFI experiences, even at home.
The headphone monitor does not compromise on comfort and boasts high quality padded ears that also allow for maximum sound isolation.
With an adjustable headband, you can stretch the headphone to your desired angle so that they can fit perfectly.
Using this headphone, you could listen to music or record at home for nearly 5-8 hours with a comfortable experience.
If you are looking for the best cheap studio headphones for your home studio, One Audio Pro-10 offers one of the most inexpensive choices priced between $39 and $45.
- The long coil cords allow connection from the TV to your favourite seat.
- Compatible with many audio devices such as iPod, iPhone and iPad.
- Allows single side monitoring.
- Fatigue free listening experience for hours.
- Perfect for mixing and mastering audios.
- It is hulking.
- Sound levels are not loud enough.
- Only works with specific audio jacks.
- Weak bass especially for live recording.
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
Video: “Budget Audiophile – OneOdio Studio Pro Headphones Review”
Sony MDR7506- Best for Audio Mixing
[amazon box=”B000AJIF4E”]There is a reason this studio monitor headphones go for $99. It offers a unique proximity ear design, providing comfort while blocking out external noises.
The construction is rugged due to the headphone’s large diaphragm, which provides a secure, effective design for your ears. Moreover, the headphones are foldable and lightweight, so you can use them for outdoor playback.
Sony MDR7506 offers a frequency response around 10Hz-20KHz for clear audios. Upon purchase, you are provided with a 9.8-foot long non-detachable cable that enables extended connections. What’s more, it is accompanied by a Gold, Stereo Unimatch plug 1/4″ and 1/8″ during purchase.
You could use Sony MDR7596 for sound monitoring in several surroundings such as videos, film production, electronic news, radio and even recording studios or at home.
- Non-obtrusive design for high-quality audios.
- Comfortable during long listening hours.
- Ideal for studio, broadcast and even home use.
- Comes with a unimatch plug and carrying bag.
- Reliable and stable signal transmission and connections.
- Unfavourable for bass heads.
- Out of date plastic build.
- Heavy 9.8-foot long coil restricts portability.
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
Video: “Z-Review – Sony MDR-7506”
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Conclusion
Getting top-quality studio headphones can be a challenge if you are on the market. There are several offers at very low prices, which makes it daunting to sort through all existing options.
At some point, it will be critical to invest in premium quality studio headphones if you wish to produce professional-grade projects usable in mainstream media and stations.
However, you don’t need an expensive headset to start making studio-quality recordings and mixes.
Unlike microphones, the headset does not affect the quality of vocals or inputs you record.
Mixing and mastering are also complex sound design processes that use various headphones and studio monitors, so investing thousands of dollars on one studio headphone won’t give you the best result.
Studios need several headphones for the producer and recording artists as well as other sound engineers in the room.
If you are looking to add to your collection of studio headphones, you can still find amazing offers at significantly reduced prices. It is advisable to review the reputation of the brand before purchasing as there are several vendors of sub-standard products.
The key areas to examine when comparing the best cheap studio headphones include user reviews, expert ratings, live demos, and warranty length.
Remember the goal is to get the best value for your money. Our list presents the top picks for the best cheap studio headphones you can try out for less than $100.
