Getting a good set of headphones for podcasting is important for creating a high quality podcast. There are several factors to look for in a pair of high quality headphones though, which can make it a challenging process to find the right ones for you. So, if you're looking for some new headphones, check out our list of what you should look for in your headphones as well as our top 10 choices for podcasting headphones below.
What to Look For:
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Comfort: You want your headphones to be comfortable, especially if you are wearing them all day. Look for padded headbands and big headphone ear pads when selecting headphones.
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Noise Canceling: A good pair of headphones blocks out noise, such as traffic, fans, and other distracting low level sounds. You also don't want your headphones leaking audio while recording because it can cause echoes or feedback through your microphone. Noise canceling headphones electronically cancel the soundwaves of outside noise. Some headphones only offer noise isolation though by physically blocking outside noise with their seal against your ear.
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Frequency Response: The quality of your headphones makes a big difference in your audio quality when listening back to your podcasts. 20 - 20,000 Hz is the standard for most headphones with the first number representing the bass end of the spectrum and the second number representing the treble end. Ensuring that your headphones have a good frequency response is important because the frequency response dictates whether all of the low, middle, and high tones are played correctly and in the proper proportion to each other.
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Wired or Wireless: Consider if you move around a lot and need the freedom of wireless headphones, or if you sit for the majority of your podcasting process and simply need wired headphones. Also, think about if you want to regularly charge wireless headphones. If you decide on wired headphones, think about the cord length that you need as well so that you have ample range of motion.
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Price: A decent pair of headphones costs around $50-$150. Higher quality headphones will likely cost more, but you can certainly find a quality pair within your budget.
Pro Tip: A great set of headphones is vital for recording and editing your podcast, but you can also benefit from using earbuds that your audience likely uses to listen to a sample of your podcast before publishing it. By doing this, you can ensure that your podcast audio sounds great no matter what your audience is using to listen with.
Our Recommendations:
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
- Comfort: Professional-grade earpad and headband material
- Noise Canceling: Circumaural design contours around the ears for sound isolation
- Frequency Response: 15 - 28,000 Hz
- Wired or Wireless: Wired- Three detachable cables (1.2 m - 3.0 m coiled cable, 3.0 m straight cable and 1.2 m straight cable)
- Price: $148.99
- Extra Features: Collapsible, 90° Swiveling Earcups
The ATH-M50x headphones have a balanced sound and provide excellent clarity in a wide range of sounds, making it a top choice for professional audio critics.
Audio-Technica ATH-M70x Professional Monitor Headphones
- Comfort: Professional-grade earpads and headband material
- Noise Canceling: Circumaural design contours around the ears for sound isolation
- Frequency Response: 5 - 40,000 Hz
- Wired or Wireless: Wired- Three detachable cables (1.2 m - 3.0 m (3.9' - 9.8') coiled cable, 3.0 m (9.8') straight cable and 1.2 m (3.9') straight cable)
- Price: $298.00
- Extra Features: Collapsible, 90° Swiveling Earcups
This set of headphones is similar to the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, but with some extra power. They are built to last and their ability to accurately reproduce the extreme ends of audio frequencies in perfect balance makes them worth the extra money.
Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone
- Comfort: Closed-ear Design and Extra Headband Padding
- Noise Canceling: Closed-ear design reduces external noises
- Frequency Response: 10 - 20,000 Hz
- Wired or Wireless: Wired- 9.8 ft. cord
- Price: $79.99
- Extra Features: Foldable
These headphones provide a high quality sound at a smaller price point. They are well-built and will last those long hours in the podcast studio.
Shure SRH1540 Premium Closed-Back Headphones
- Comfort: Circumaural design rests comfortably over the ears
- Noise Canceling: Closed-back reduces background noise
- Frequency Response: 5 – 25,000 Hz
- Wired or Wireless: Wired- Detachable 6 ft. Straight Cable
- Price: $499.00
- Extra Features: Replaceable Ear Pads
The SRH1540 headphones provide excellent sound clarity and consistent performance at all listening levels. They are also built to last and the additional cable and ear pads will ensure that they are always top notch.
Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) Wireless Headphones
- Comfort: Sleek, over-ear design
- Noise Canceling: Three levels of noise cancellation
- Frequency Response: 2400 - 2480 MHz
- Wired or Wireless: Both -20 hours of wireless play time & up to 40 hours of listening in wired mode (audio cable included)
- Price: $349.00
- Extra Features: Microphone, Alexa-enabled, Collapsible
This set of headphones gives you balanced audio performance at any volume and the wireless design gives you the freedom to move. If you are looking for a high quality set of wireless headphones, these are the ones to choose.
LyxPro HAS-10 Closed Back Over-Ear Headphones
- Comfort: Leather Headband, Foam and Leather Ear Pads
- Noise Canceling: Closed back design serves to seal in the sound with little to no bleed
- Frequency Response: 10 - 26,000 Hz
- Wired or Wireless: Wired -3m cable
- Price: $29.99
- Extra Features: 180° Rotatable Earcups
These headphones are extremely affordable, but provide clean and honest audio representation and crisp-sounding vocals.
Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Headphones
- Comfort: Over-ear pads made of high quality materials
- Noise Canceling: Circumaural design contours around the ears to block out loud environments
- Frequency Response: 15 - 20,000 Hz
- Wired or Wireless: Wired -3.0m (9.8’) straight cable
- Price: $69.00
- Extra Features: Collapsible, 15° Swiveling Ear Cups
The ATH-M30x headphones are tuned for highly detailed audio, with strong mid-range definition, making them a versatile set of headphones.
- Comfort: Around-the-ear design with padded ear cups
- Noise Canceling: Aggressive Noise Isolation
- Frequency Response: 8 - 25,000 Hz
- Wired or Wireless: Wired -9.8 ft. Coiled Cable
- Price: $99.85
- Extra Features: Foldable
These headphones provide warm, natural sound reproduction as well sound isolation at a reasonable price. Also, the ear pads, headband padding, and audio cord are easily replaceable making these headphones long-lasting.
beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 80 Ohm Studio Headphone
- Comfort: Soft, circumaural, and replaceable velour ear pads
- Noise Canceling: Powerful isolation of ambient noises
- Frequency Response: 5 - 35,000 Hz
- Wired or Wireless: Wired -3m Straight Cable
- Price: $164.26
- Extra Features: Bass Reflex Technology
This set of headphones provides a very spacious, transparent, and detailed sound quality. They also boast impressive sound volume as well as bass capabilities.
Grado Prestige Series SR325e Headphones
- Comfort: Foam Ear Pads and Over-ear Design
- Noise Canceling: Open-back design causes audio bleed
- Frequency Response: 18 - 24,000 Hz
- Wired or Wireless: Wired
- Price: $295.00
- Extra Features: Full 360° Rotatable Earcups
These headphones provide rich, full-bodied vocals as well as clear and balanced sound. The open-back design enhances the air and openness of the audio quality, but this design also means that anyone around you will hear what you are listening to.
As with all of your podcasting equipment, decide what you need in a set of headphones and buy based on that. All of these headphones are highly rated and regarded as great headphones, but they all have their certain strengths. So, think about what you need in your headphones and get a pair that fits those needs. Happy podcasting!
For a full breakdown of podcast equipment for beginners, see our guide here and for more advanced podcasters, check out our Podcast Equipment Guide for Professionals.
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