A headphone can be referred to as flat response studio headphones if it has not been designed in such a way to deliver one frequency higher or lower than another.
In simple words, flat frequency response headphones are those that reproduce all audio ranged frequencies with an equal sensitivity without distinction. These headphones are gaining ground in the US market, from music professionals to common people.
With such trends in the US market, companies are trying to win people’s hearts by constantly launching flat headphones with the best frequency response. This creates notable confusion amongst the buyer and it is also a time-consuming process.
Here is the buying guide for flat frequency response headphones 2024.
Flat Frequency Response Headphones Guide 2024
When purchasing flat-frequency response headphones or studio headphones, there are some key points you should check before making your decision.
Types of Studio (Flat) Headphones
Mainly there are three major studio headphones designs. They are closed-back, open-back, and in-ear monitoring studio headphones.
Closed-back headphones are recommended for recording purposes, as they enclose the whole ear and thus eliminate any spillage issue. While the Open back has a lightweight design and is suited for audio mixing and monitoring.
The in-ear monitoring headphones are generally used for on-stage live monitoring.
Difference Between Flat Frequency Response Headphones And Regular Headphones
Most regular headphones are designed for everyday usage such as listening to music, gaming, etc. They usually tend to increase the frequency range and boost the bass to sound better.
While the flat frequency response headphones or studio headphones are turned to be flat. They generally have a flatter frequency response and are used for accurate monitoring of audio and are commonly used by music professionals.
List Of 7 Best Flat Frequency Response Studio Headphones 2024
If you are ready to own flat-frequency response headphones, then you might face some issues in selecting the right ones. The US market is flooded with hundreds of studio headphones and this creates confusion among the buyer.
For solving all of your queries, we have curated a list of the 7 best flat-frequency response headphones. You can select any of them to get started in the world of music.
1.Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm
- Powerful Isolation– Its closed design ensures great noise isolation of unwanted surrounding noise.
- 250-ohm impedance– DT 770 Pro features 250-ohm impedance for perfect studio mixing.
- Comfortable Fit– DT 770 pro is decently comfortable to wear thanks to the soft padded earcups.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO stands on the top for the best flat-frequency response headphones. It is an over-the-ear studio headphone with a closed design that suits professional mixing in the studio.
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Also, it delivers pure and crystal clear high-resolution music that makes it a perfect choice for studio recordings. Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250 ohm comes with a single-sided 3 meters cable for latency-free music without distortion.
Its ear pad is soft and comes with replaceable velour pads and a circumaural design to ensure a greater level of comfort. A spring headband made of steel ensures secure fit and durability.
Talking about its music quality it is quite ideal for monitoring purposes and its ultra-low bass sounds with crisp and detailed neutral music. With an impedance of 250 ohms, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro can be considered the best flat-response headphones for mixing.
Pros
- 250 ohms impedance suits mixings in the studio.
- Durable, Sturdy, and comfortable to wear.
- A closed design ensures good noise isolation.
Cons
- If you use them for the first time, they will be a little tight on your head but they will be perfect after a few usages.
- Ear pads should be made up of leather but valor is also comfortable.
2. Audio Technica ATH-M50X
- Classy Flat Frequency– Tuned to have a more neutral frequency.
- Flexible Design– It has 90° swiveling earcups with one for ear monitoring and with a collapsible design for portability.
- Crystal Clear Sound– Clear audio for the studio, mixing, and also for personal usage.
Another in the list of 7 Best Flat Frequency Response Studio Headphones, Audio Technica ATH-M50X gives tough competition to their rivals. It comes in both wired and wireless variants but we have chosen wired ones because it eliminates latency issues.
Audio Technica ATH-M50X is specially designed to have a more neutral frequency response i.e it is flat response studio headphones. During our testing, we found it to be exceptionally good in sound isolation. It is due to its circumaural design that is effective in noise isolation even in crowded areas with a loud noise.
With 45 mm large-aperture drivers, it is recommended for the studio, DJ, live videos, and also for personal usage. The bass bumps might suit musicians who need extra emotions while recording instrumental music.
Pros
- Audio Technica ATH-M50X has a more neutral frequency response than others.
- 45 mm large-aperture drivers with earth magnets ensure accurate bass and clear audio.
- 90 degrees swiveling earcups with a collapsible design.
Cons
- It is largely made up of plastic but is quite durable.
- You might face wear and tear issues after long usage over years.
3. Sony MDR 7506
- Crisp Sound – The Neodymium magnets with 40 mm drivers deliver powerful and clear music.
- Accurate frequency– Sony MDR 7506 manages to produce accurate frequency response thus maintaining every detail of the audio.
- Lightweight– Long Studio works such as recordings or mixing won’t hurt you, thanks to its comfortable lightweight design.
Praised for delivering accurate frequency response, the Sony MDR 7506 is dominating the audio industry. It is an over-the-ear headphone having a brilliant combination of comfort with value.
Sony MDR 7506 stands strong in the list of headphones with the best frequency response due to punchy and clear audio with a little boost in upper mids. This manages the issue of being over-flat frequency response. There are 40 mm drives and Neodymium magnets for a powerful and clear audio experience. The frequency response of the Sony MDR 7506 is between 10 Hz to 20 kHz.
This model doesn’t support any Bluetooth connectivity i.e it is a wired headphone. So, portability might be an issue for use but as you are using it for professional usages like mixing, DJ, and Studio usage then it is perfect for you.
Pros
- A great choice for audio reproduction.
- 40 mm drivers with Neodymium magnets are capable of delivering clear audio.
Cons
- The long coiled cable adds to its weight but Song MDR’s design manages it.
- Somewhat audio leaks at full volume but it is not enough to be noticed.
4. OneOdio Studio Pro 10
- Swivelling Earcups– It comes with 90° swiveling earcups that ensure single-ear audio monitoring.
- Durable & Sturdy– OneOdio Pro 10 is durable enough to last long for ears and has a matte glossy finish.
- Multipurpose– Ideal for DJ mixing, audio monitoring, and also for monitoring high-resolution music.
OneOdio is a Chinese brand that specializes in making studio headphones that have neutral/flat Frequency responses. OneOdio Pro 10 is one of its kind that mastered the art of delivering unmatched crystal clear audio.
OneOdio Pro 10 comes with a glossy finish with ear pads made of plastic material and has the OneOdio logo at its mid. The headbands have soft paddings and a leather-like finish to give a premium look.
This headphone comes with large 50 mm drivers that are paired with Neodymium magnets for producing powerful bass and clear, crispy tones. It is ideal for Stereo monitoring, Mixing, and also for Studio monitoring.
When looking at the ear cups, it swivels 90° for single-ear audio monitoring and is self-adjustable for a comfortable fit even for long hours.
Pros
- Premium soft cushioned ear cups make them comfortable to wear even for long hours.
- 50 mm drives with Neodymium magnets reproduce dynamic bass with clear audio.
- Earcups can swivel 90 degrees for single-ear audio monitoring.
Cons
- If you have big ears then you might face little issues but it fits great for a number of people.
5. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
- Good Noise Isolation– Well enough to block ambient noise and lets you focus on your work.
- Accurate Sound– Delivers accurate and linear sound reproduction for perfect monitoring.
- Unique Design– Collapsible design with swiveling earcups ensure greater flexibility.
From headphones for zoom meetings or calls to headphones for studio monitoring; Sennheiser has mastered them all. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is another fine product launched in the year 2003, still dominating the market for best Flat Frequency Response Studio Headphones.
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is for those who can’t spend hundreds of dollars for their everyday studio usage. We found its bass to be rich and crispy, thus delivering accurate audio with flat frequency response.
Lows with distinct mid and clear-cut highs are the definition of the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones. This headphone is quite larger as compared to others but has swiveling earcups that solve the problem.
Pros
- No sound leaks even on full volume
- Comfortable to wear
- Cheaper than others having the same features
Cons
- Looks are average but you can neglect this as you are using it for the studio.
- No detachable cable but long enough to meet your daily studio needs.
6. AKG K240
- Bluetooth Supported– One of the few Bluetooth-supported studio headphones with flat frequency response.
- Advanced Transducers– 30 mm XXL transducers deliver maximum ranged audio.
- Comfortable Headband– AKG K240 features a self-adjustable headband for ideal fitting.
AKG K240 is another choice for the list of best studio headphones. It is specially designed to meet all the needs of professional mixings, audio monitoring, and also for music playbacks.
It is an over-the-ear headphone with a semi-open structure and supports both wired and wireless mediums. And delivers clear, flat audio with deep bass. Thus maintaining its position in the list of best Bluetooth headphones with flat frequency response.
The advanced 30 mm XXL transducers of AKG K240 with patented diaphragms are designed to provide maximum wide-ranged audio. It also increases sensitivity and high-level audio for extra clear highs.
In addition to great audio quality, it is suited for long recordings or monitoring due to its comfortable and durable design.
Pros
- Clear, flat audio with 30 mm transducers for increased sensitivity and clear highs.
- It also supports Bluetooth connectivity, thus making it extra portable.
Cons
- Its weight is a little heavy but an adjustable headband with ear cushions eliminates this.
- It will take time to properly fits your head.
7. Audio Technica ATH-M40X
The predecessor of ATH-M50X, Audio Technica ATH-M40X is one of the finest choices for professional studio monitoring headphones. Features are quite similar to the M50x, if we talk about the durability of this headphone, then it is robust and durable in long run.
Audio Technica ATH-M40X is ideal for live and DJ use as it is tuned flat for excellent accurate audio monitoring across its entire frequency range. It offers good sound Isolation provided by its circumaural design that counters around our ears.
Unlike Technica ATH-M50X which offers 90 degrees swiveling on both sides, it offers 90 degrees swiveling earcups for one-ear monitoring. Thus you can carefully examine every detail of the music.
Pros
- 40 mm drivers deliver accurate flat audio.
- Robust construction provides durability to this headphone.
- Circumaural design that counters around the ears for excellent noise isolation.
Cons
- Don’t support wireless connectivity but delivers accurate audio on a wired medium.
- It only swivels 90° while M50X can swivel 180 degrees.
Conclusion
Flat frequency response headphones are admired by music professionals who are into mixing and monitoring fields. All the above headphones are from reputed companies and have mastered the art of audio tuning. We have listed both wired and flat-response Bluetooth headphones. Go for the headphones that match your needs or professional usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are flat-frequency response studio headphones?
Ans. Flat-frequency response studio headphones are headphones that have a balanced and neutral response across the entire frequency spectrum. This means that they do not emphasize any particular frequency range, providing an accurate representation of the audio being played.
Q. Why are flat-frequency response studio headphones important for music production?
Ans. Flat frequency response headphones are important for music production because they allow the user to hear the audio as it is, without any coloration or bias. This allows for more accurate mixing and mastering of audio recordings.
Q. Are flat frequency response studio headphones suitable for listening to music for pleasure?
Ans. Flat-frequency response studio headphones are designed for professional use and may not be the best choice for listening to music for pleasure. They are designed to provide an accurate representation of audio and may not have the bass boost or other enhancements that some people prefer when listening to music for enjoyment.
