The Unfiltered Window to Sound

Published in March-April 2021 Issue

Designed to reveal any imperfections in the recorded tracks or sound, studio headphones provide and unfiltered window making them a must-have tool for music creation. There are many great studio headphones in the market today. Here’s our pick of some really cool ones used in professional studios across the globe.

AKG – K371-BT

AKG K371-BT Professional Studio Headphones strike the balance between professional-grade quality and consumer-friendly fit, comfort and portability. Combining cutting-edge performance, Bluetooth connectivity, AKG’s Reference Response Curve tuning, extended frequency response and comfort in a closed-back, over-the-ear, folding design.

Main Features include:

• Oval earpads and closed-back design offer superior isolation and improved bass response
• 50 mm titanium-coated drivers, tuned to the AKG Reference Response Curve, provide superior performance with an extended frequency response of 5 Hz to 40 kHz
• Listen via Bluetooth with 40-hour battery life, or connect using one of the included cables
• 8-position articulated hinge, collapsible for maximum portability
• Superior comfort and fit for longer listening sessions with less bass leakage

Technical Specification:

• Headphone Type: Closed-back
• Driver Size: 50 mm
• Voice Coil: Pure OFC voice coil
• Connectivity: Wired and Bluetooth 5.0
• Battery Life: Up to 40 hours
• Connector: Mini XLR
• Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 40 kHz
• Sensitivity: 114 dB SPL/1 V @ 1 kHz
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• Weight: 300 grams (10.6 ounces)

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Audio-Technica – ATH-WP900

The ATH-WP900 portable over-ear headphones feature flame maple housings for high-fidelity on-the-go listening and high aesthetics. A specially designed angled baffle improves airflow between the front and rear of the diaphragm for better low- to mid-range audio reproduction, and also optimally positions the earcups over the ears for improved comfort and sound containment.

Main Features include:

• Maple housings fuse thin slice of flame-grain maple on top of solid, machined maple for stiff, dense housings
• 53 mm drivers with magnetic circuitry deliver exceptional full-range audio
• DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating applied to diaphragms to improve high-frequency response
• Top-mounted PCB construction helps regulate airflow to enable precise diaphragm movement
• Angled baffle improves airflow between the front and rear of the diaphragm for better low- to mid-range audio reproduction, and helps seal the earcup
• Two detachable 1.2 m (3.9’) cables with A2DC (Audio Designed Detachable Coaxial) connectors at the headphones: one with a 3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated stereo mini-plug, the other with a 4.4 mm (1/6”), 5-pole gold-plated balanced plug
• Swivel-flat design enables headphones to easily be transported in included carrying pouch

Technical Specification:

• Type: Closed-back dynamic
• Driver Diameter: 53 mm
• Frequency Response: 5 – 50,000 Hz
• Maximum Input Power: 1000 mw
• Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW
• Impedance: 38 ohms
• Weight: 243 g (8.6 oz), without cable
• Cable: Detachable 1.2 m (3.9’) cable (A2DC to 3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated stereo mini-plug; detachable 1.2 m (3.9’) cable (A2DC to 4.4 mm (1/6”), 5-pole gold-plated balanced plug)
• Housing: Maple

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Audix – A152

With an extremely wide sound field and the most extended bass response, the A152 headphones represent a new level of sound reproduction for audiophile listeners. Studio or hi-fidelity listening alike, the A152 captures every detail and nuance in the sound field.

Main Features include:

• Dynamic closed-back design
• Excellent for audio playback and monitoring
• Over-the-ear design built for comfort and isolation
• Soft cushion ear cups with 90-degree swivel for easy single-ear monitoring
• High-performance, phase-coherent drivers
• Ultra-wide sound field
• Deep, accurate bass
• Accurate reproduction of subharmonics

Technical Specification:

• Transducer Type: Dynamic
• Frequency Response: 8 Hz – 28 kHz
• Driver Size: 50 mm
• Magnet: Rare Earth Alloy
• Connector: 3.5 mm (1/8 in) stereo plug
• Output Impedance: 30 Ohm
• Sensitivity: 103 dB

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Sennheiser HD 650

With expertly balanced acoustics, luxurious construction and timeless design, the HD 650 has all of the perks. This open-back headphone is beloved by studio professionals and audiophiles alike for its musical, non-fatiguing sound while still offering intimate levels of detail.

Main Features include:

• Balanced acoustics, luxurious construction
• For audio editing, mixing, mastering or critical listening
• Smooth response and dimensional soundstage
• Open earcups provide ample room to expand
• 42mm transducer deploys a 38mm diaphragm
• Resonators feature stainless steel mesh
• Comes with a detachable, impedance-matched cable with ultra-low capacitance
• At 9.8 feet / 3m long, it offers unencumbered listening on gear deep within shelves, studio, or desktop
• ¼-inch / 6.3mm stereo connector offers audiophile-standard plug for connection to devices such as headphone amplifiers and A/V receivers, digital audio players, computer-based workstations, analog gear.

Technical Specification:

• Wearing style: Headband
• Color: Titan
• Frequency response (Headphones): 10 - 41000 Hz
• Sound pressure level (SPL): 103 dB
• THD, total harmonic distortion: < 0,05 %
• Contact pressure: 6.0 N ± 1 N
• Connector: 1/4 (6.35 mm) stereo jack plug
• Adapter: 1/4 (6.35 mm) stereo jack plug to 3.5 mm stereo jack plug

Cable length: 3 m

Transducer principle: Dynamic, open

Nominal impedance: 300 Ω

Weight w/o cable: 260 g

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Mackie – MC-450

The open-back MC-450 delivers everything great about the MC Series with better imaging and low-end, perfect for mixing and audiophile listening..

Main features include:

High-Performance Monitoring Headphones

• High-headroom, reference-quality transducers provide an accurate reproduction of your mix and your music
• Precision-tuned enclosures deliver deep, punchy bass and enhanced high frequency detail for an ultra-wide soundstage
• Perfect for mixing, studio recording, critical listening and personal listening

Professional Design

• The soft padded adjustable headband and conforming ear pads provide an ergonomic fit for hours of comfort while ensuring optimal low-end
• Rugged design is built to last and meet the demands of professionals in the studio or on location
• Collapsible fold-up design allows for easy storage and compact portability when travelling.

Technical Specification:

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Sensitivity: 101 dB/mW
• Maximum Input Power: 54 Ω
• Drive Type: Dynamic
• Input Type: Male 1/8” or 1/4” Stereo
• Output Type: L/R Headphones
• Weight: 0.8 lb/0.4kg

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Neumann NDH 20

The Neumann NDH 20 is a closed-back headphone combining excellent isolation with the carefully balanced sound image and outstanding resolution you’d expect from a Neumann product. The NDH 20 is thus ideally suited to monitoring and mixing tasks, even in loud and noisy environments.

Main features include:

• Studio quality sound with outstanding resolution
• High sound isolation in loud environments
• Excellent comfort for extended listening sessions
• High quality metal construction
• Foldable design for easy transportation
• Two detachable cables (straight/coiled).

Technical Specification:

• Ear Coupling: Circumaural
• Acoustic Principle: Dynamic Closed
• Transducer Diameter: 38 mm (1 1/2”)
• Transducer Magnet: Neodymium
• Transducer Protection: Cloth covered grille
• Nominal Impedance: 150 Ohms
• Frequency Response: 5 ... 30,000 Hz
• Sensitivity at 1 kHz/1 Vrms: 114 dB SPL (1 kHz, 1 Vrms)
• Max Input Power Handling: 1000 mW

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