Best Headphones for Guitar Amp: A Complete Buyer’s Guide 2022

By Monica | Product Reviews

Jun 11
best headphones for guitar amp

Having a guitar is both a blessing and a curse, especially if you have neighbors or families that are keeping you in check. Do not resist when they complain about your smashing those chords, though, as they might call the police to shut you down.

So how can you play your beloved instrument wild and free without disturbing others? Well, the answer is pretty simple. You just have to invest in a headphone for your amp. With this accessory, you can confidently practice without making other folks around you agitated.

Having the best headphones for guitar amp is somehow necessary. They may become vital if you don't have a private studio in which you can play. Of course, they are mandatory if you are living in an urban setting or residential area, in which one strum can be heard from several yards away.

If you are looking for the best options for guitar headphones, you might want to check out the recommendations that I have listed in this article. All of the items that I featured here have good rapport both in the market and in the guitar community. Therefore, assessing them out wouldn't hurt your time and money at all.

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Best Headphones for Guitar Amp: Top 7 Options

 Sennheiser HD 598 Special Edition Over-Ear Headphones

Via Amazon.com

It is not a surprise anymore that the Sennheiser HD 598 Special Edition Over-Ear Headphone is the one that tops this list. After all, the brand is quite popular, especially for audiophiles. It has great sound production and delivery, which is essential for guitar players who don’t want to miss a thing about their instrument.

The construction of the Sennheiser HD 598 provides comfort to its users. Its headband is covered with multiple layers of leatherette. It also features velour-covered pads, too. With this kind of design, it is undeniable that this pair of headphones is designed for long hours of listening and playing. Moreover, it is notable that that aside from your guitar amp, the headphone is also compatible with other gadgets such as your phone and tablet.

This device comes with two cable length options. One has a length of 3 meters, and the other is 1.2 meters. This kind of feature enables the headphone to be versatile and mobile.

But of course, the biggest catch of the Sennheiser HD 598 is its sound quality. From the get-go, you will realize that this headphone can produce exceptionally clear and balanced tones. It also features Sennheiser-designed transducers that use aluminum coils to ensure great dynamics while lessening distortions.


Pros:

  • Capable of producing "in-room" listening feature
  • Open-back design for better audio clarity and articulation
  • Lightweight but durable design
  • Compatible with multiple audio devices
  • Comfortable to wear even for extended periods

Cons:

  • No noticeable drawbacks

Let's take a look at this product...

Sennheiser HD 598 Special Edition Over-Ear Headphones - Black (Discontinued by Manufacturer)
  • Premium, audiophile-grade over-ear, open back headphones
  • Padded leatherette headband and luxurious velour covered ear pads perfect for long listening sessions
  • Compatible with virtually every audio device including phones, tablets, computers and stereo components
  • Two cable options (3 meters and 1.2 meters) included along with 3.5mm adapter plug.Jack plug-6.3 mm
  • Impedance: 50 Ω

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is a good choice for a guitar amp headphone. You haven’t experienced the best sounds until you tried one of their headphones. That's how good their products are. And if you are going to choose the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, you are not going to regret anything. This one almost rivals the quality of the Sennheiser HD 598.

The device comes with a patented 45-mm aperture drivers that have integrated copper-coated aluminum wire coils and magnets. These components alone ensure that the headphone can deliver mesmerizing audio quality and clarity Through this,. every subtle nuance of your instrument can be captured by the headphone. It also features an amplified frequency range, which further improves its articulation. The bass that it has is exceptionally responsive and deep, too.

One of the perks that the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x can provide you is its circumaural design. Specifically, the latter enables the headphone to contour perfectly around your head, allowing a comfortable wear. The same feature also provides sound isolation capabilities to the headphone. This is a great perk if your neighbors are as noisy as you are. Meanwhile, the headband and earpads of this headphone are durable. They won't wear out even exposed to the elements.


Pros:

  • Swiveling earcups for ergonomic usage
  • Cable is detachable (improves overall mobility)
  • Vast frequency range
  • Sound production is clear and dynamic
  • Extremely comfortable to wear even in long hours

Cons:

  • Noise isolation is not foolproof
  • Bass could use a little upgrade

Let's take a look at this product...

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Professional Studio Monitor Headphones, Black, Professional Grade, Critically Acclaimed, with Detachable Cable
  • Critically acclaimed sonic performance praised by top audio engineers and pro audio reviewers
  • Proprietary 45 millimeter large aperture drivers with rare earth magnets and copper clad aluminum wire voice coils
  • Exceptional clarity throughout an extended frequency range with deep accurate bass response
  • Circumaural design contours around the ears for excellent sound isolation in loud environments
  • 90 degree swiveling earcups for easy one ear monitoring and professional grade earpad and headband material delivers more durability and comfort

Sometimes, we are not just friends with money. You. Me. Everyone else has been in this predicament. Of course, this is a sad thing, especially if you want to improve the setup of your rig. Fortunately, there is a way out of this. You can have a decent pair of guitar headphones in the form of AKG K 44. It is a great unit that features impressive sound production without stripping all the cash you have in your bank account.

The same with the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, the AKG K 44 Headphones also features a circumaural design. As I mentioned earlier, this design guarantees comfort to its users. The headband also has a proprietary auto-adjusting headband for better fit and comfort. It is not too loose or tight when worn, which makes it great for studio applications. The leatherette ear pads, on the other hand, further ensures that your ears won't get hurt while wearing this.

Apparently, the AKG K 44 Headphones are an upgrade to the previous headphones produced by the brand. This one features XXL transducers and the patented Varimotion technology. These two innovations enable the headset to generate crystal clear sounds with minimal distortion. The frequencies are pretty decent as well. The bass is pretty responsive and solid. Meanwhile, the highs and mids are audible, even by untrained ears.


Pros:

  • Cost-efficient option
  • Ergonomic design for better user comfort
  • Bass response is quite there
  • Crystal-clear sound production
  • Creates little distortion

Cons:

  • No noise isolation feature
  • Comfort is not as great as high-end units

Let's take a look at this product...

AKG K 44 Headphones
  • Semi-closed back, circumaural design Self-adjusting headband for optimum fit Patented Varimotion speakers Leatherette ear pads and velvet ear pads
  • They are a newly updated version with Varimotion technology and XXL transducers
  • The are self adjusting and have comfortable leatherette ear pads
  • Includes a 3
  • 5/6

If you got the bucks to make the bang, then the New Beyerdynamic DT-880-PRO-250 Semi-Open Studio Reference Monitor Headphone is the best choice for you. It is a professional-grade headphone that works perfectly for recording applications. The sound that it produces is very analytical and clear. Moreover, all the frequencies are covered decently. You can always hear all the elements that are sent to your amp, even those that are subtle already.

Of course, the construction New Beyerdynamic DT-880-PRO-250 Headphones is not something that you can see every day. It has been engineered to be rugged at all times. It has all the adjustability features that would allow any guitar players to use it. The headband that it has have been padded to secure both comfort and rigidity. Moreover, all of the parts of this headphone is serviceable. Therefore, you can have them repaired and replaced if you have secured an authentic model and warranty.

Unlike other units, the New Beyerdynamic DT-880-PRO-250 Headphones features a single-sided cable. This lessens the clutter and mess that the wire can cause. It is also utilizing a circumaural and velour design on its ear pads to ensure user comfort. Because it is a studio-grade headphone, you can expect that there will be no tonal colorations that are going to take place while you are using it. The stereo image is great and the sound you can hear feels like it is three-dimensional. No wonder a lot of pros are so inclined to use this headphone.


Pros:

  • Exceptional comfort provision
  • No distortion or tonal coloration
  • It can generate spacious and highly distinct sounds
  • High-grade construction
  • Ideal for studio and live applications

Cons:

  • No noticeable drawbacks

Let's take a look at this product...

beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro Over-Ear Studio Headphone
  • Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro Professional Studio Headphones. Semi-open, diffuse-field studio headphone. Analytical sound.
  • Comfortable fit due to rugged, adjustable, soft padded headband construction. Robust, easy serviceable construction as all parts are replaceable.
  • Single-sided cable. Velour, circum-aural (around the ear) ear pads. Supplied in a nylon carrying case. Transmission type Wired. Headphone design (operating principle) Semi-open.
  • Headphone design (operating principle) Semi-open. Headphone impedance 250 ohms. Headphone frequency response 5 - 35.000 Hz. Nominal sound pressure level 96 dB.
  • Cable & plug Coiled connecting cable with mini-jack plug (3.5 mm) & ¼“ adapter (6.35 mm). Net weight without packaging 295 g.

The New Beyerdynamic DT-880-PRO-250 is more than enough to make your senses tingle. But if you want to have a professional grade headphone but within the moderate price range, you should check out the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO. This one still has the capabilities of its cousin. Moreover, it has some perks that you might want to experience by yourself!

Specifically, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO is a closed over-ear headphone that is designed for monitoring and recording. All of the components used on this device have been selected by audio engineers to ensure its overall quality. For example, the hardware of the headphone flaunts gold-plated adapter and stereo plug. With them around, you can ensure that this headphone can deliver high-resolution sounds from your amp.

Furthermore, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO also uses circumaural design to ensure maximum comfort when wearing it. The velour earpads that it has are replaceable. As long as you have a valid warranty, Beyerdynamic can give free servicing. Additionally, the headphone doesn't wear off easily. After all, the entire production of this unit took place in Germany. Therefore, you can guarantee that this unit has a reliable longevity, making it an item worthy investment.


Pros:

  • 80-ohm capability makes it flexible for live and studio applications
  • Does not lack power or volume (bass is a total killer)
  • Exceptional acoustic definition
  • Articulation and sound clarity are both great
  • Comfortable and robust construction

Cons:

  • It might require enhancement of its gain

Let's take a look at this product...

beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 80 Ohm Over-Ear Studio Headphones in Gray. Enclosed design, wired for professional recording and monitoring
  • Closed over-ear headphones, ideal for professional recording and monitoring
  • Perfect for studio and stage recordings thanks to their pure, high-resolution sound
  • The soft, circumaural and replaceable velour ear pads ensure high wearing comfort
  • Hard-wearing, durable and robust workmanship Made in Germany. Innovative bass reflex system
  • Practical single-sided cable (3.0m cable) . Comfortable fit due to rugged, adjustable, soft padded headband construction

Another Sennheiser headphone that you should give your attention is the Sennheiser HD 700. It features an extremely balanced audio production, with proper emphasis on every dynamic frequency ranges. Its open and circumaural design creates a spacious soundstage right through your ears. It can deliver all the distinct tonal elements that your rig have, even without coloring or distorting the entire signal.

This headphone features an innovative magnetic system that can reduce turbulence and harmonic distortions. You can always expect that the sound that it delivers is clear, crispy, and articulate. Of course, the hardware of the Sennheiser HD 700 Headphone is also great, too. It has a peerless aesthetics and construction, making it a prime choice for many professionals. The copper cables and other materials used in crafting this headphone have been carefully selected to ensure their longevity and rigidity.

Take note that the open-back design of this headphone is not new anymore to the industry. However, it remains practical. The said design ensures that you can hear the actual sound that your amp is producing. When it comes to comfort, I can confidently say that this one does not lack anything. The padded earcups are ideal for extended usages. The entire headband has been treated with silicone so that the resonance would be minimized.


Pros:

  • Soundstage is truly riveting
  • Exceptional drivers that preserve balance in the audio
  • Intermodulation and harmonic distortion are minimized
  • Industrial design (extremely rugged)
  • Comfortable wear (doesn't get hot even worn for hours)

Cons:

  • It sits in the higher price range

Let's take a look at this product...

Sennheiser HD 700 Headphone
  • Specially tuned, highly efficient drivers capable of delivering high sound pressure levels and a flat frequency response. Nominal impedance: 150 ohms
  • Highly optimized ventilated magnet system minimizes air turbulence and harmonic, intermodulation distortion. Sound pressure level : 105 dB. THD, total harmonic distortion is less than 0,03 percentage
  • Open back ear cups facilitate transparent sound while showcasing cutting edge industrial design

If comfort is the cut, then the Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone is one good option. You can never go wrong with this one, especially if we are talking about the ergonomics. Aside from its comfortable pads on its earcups, the device is also using a single wire setup. This means that the headphone will never get in the way whenever you are jamming. You can also ensure that this device blocks most of the external noises. Therefore, it is only you and your amp that are playing.

The length of the wire of this headphone extends around 9.8 feet. It is pretty lengthy in my opinion. Some of you might think that this is too much. But for those who have a lot of room to toy around, the cord length is quite essential for their mobility. Meanwhile, the sounding of this device does not lack clarity or distinction. The entire frequency has been covered. Even the bass response is decent, too.

All the components of the Sony MDR7506 have been carefully engineered to ensure its rigidity and performance. The hardware has been hand-selected to ensure the optimal performance of the headphone. You can guarantee that it can remain rugged in any environment, whether it is in the studio or stage. You can also rely on the sound isolation of this unit. For the price of this headphone, it is like you are getting more than what you have paid.


Pros:

  • Compact design (comes with storage, too)
  • External interferences and noises are significantly reduced
  • Signal transmission is very reliable
  • Design ensures the comfort of its users
  • Sound production is clear and crisp

Cons:

  • It should have a removable cord for those who want to keep the wire short

Let's take a look at this product...

Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone
  • Neodymium magnets and 40 millimeter drivers for powerful, detailed sound.Specific uses for product : Professional audio system,Home audio system
  • Closed ear design provides comfort and outstanding reduction of external noises
  • 9.8 foot cord ends in gold plated plug and it is not detachable; 1/4 inch adapter included
  • Folds up for storage or travel in provided soft case
  • Frequency Response: 10 Hertz to 20 kilohertz

Considerations in Choosing the Best Headphones for Guitar Amp

As I mentioned earlier, having a headphone that you can plug into your guitar amp is extremely beneficial. It gives you the freedom to play without disturbing other people. Moreover, it allows you to listen to the overall tonal characteristics of your rig. It is hard to do this when the sound just directly pumps out from the amp.

But of course, not all headphones are suitable for your amp. There are some specific considerations and factors that you should take into account before you start investing.

Price

When talking about headphones, the price is always the first matter to ponder. The price starts to crank on the design. If you go with earbuds, the amount that you are going to pay is not that high. But since we are talking about headphones here, you should already prepare your wallet for a bit.

I am not saying that headphones are extremely expensive. But if you are going to compare them with earbuds, their prices are worlds apart. The price of the headphone also vary. The basic models have a price tag of around $50 to $100 while high-end units cost around $200 or more. Of course, you can really expect that those high-end models can provide better features and performance than most of their counterparts. But it doesn't mean that they should always be your first choice.

You can always haggle the price based on your necessities. If you just want a headphone that can fit your guitar amp, a plethora of entry-level options are waiting for you. But if you want to use a unit that can meet up the requirements of studio and recording applications, then you should get those units with exceptional response and frequency coverage. They cost more, but they always bring the right tune out from your instrument.

Noise Isolation

Noise Isolation is an important aspect of every headphone. Even if the headphone is for leisure purposes only, the latter should still have a reliable noise isolation feature. The reason for this is simple. You can only enjoy the sound of your guitar if it is the only sound that you hear. It is really annoying to be caught up be suspended by the sudden sirens of trucks or crying screams of babies.

Of course, you can always solve this problem by pumping out the overall volume of the guitar and headphone. But at the end of the day, it is a stressful process. It can also damage your ears, too, if you do that consistently.

Drowning the background noise is quite difficult to do for headphones than for earbuds. Obviously, this is due to the nature of placement to your ears. Fortunately, you can still get the same convenience if you are going to choose headphones with close-backed or open-backed designs. You can just opt for open headphones if your natural playing setting is only inside your home.

Frequencies

Another thing that you should not ignore is the frequency range of the headphone. The larger the frequency range, the "more" music that you can listen. Technically speaking, the frequency range enables you to hear the overall tonal character of your sound. For instance, wide frequency ranges will allow you to hear the subtle highs or lows. In short, you are not missing a thing here.

Most of the entry-level headphones today have a "U" frequency curve. This means that their mid frequencies are taken out of the equation, and only the highs and lows are being emphasized. Some people find it okay. But for audio engineers, this may pose a big difficulty. They can't analyze the entire sound layers if the mid frequencies are not there.

You may want to choose a unit that can produce a well-balanced sound. If you find it boring, let it be. You will just get used to it.

Comfort and Construction

If you are planning to wear the headphone for a long time, make sure that it is comfortable. It should not “burn” or hurt your ears after hours of usage. Of course, the construction of the device matters here. The earcups should have been properly padded to ensure proper cushion and head support. Also, the headphone should have an adjustable earband as well. This would ensure that the headphone can fit your head comfortably.

Final Verdict

Having a good pair of headphones that is compatible with your guitar amp is necessary, especially if you mind your surroundings. Just take the fact that you cannot play freely all the time without disturbing the people around you. It would be great if you can be courteous and adjust to the situation properly. In this way, you can enhance your playing skills without making a lot of enemies!

The best headphones for guitar amps can put an exceptional display of performance and comfort. This is proven by the Sennheiser HD 598, which exhibits exceptional audio clarity without suffering from distortion and tone loss. Other units like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and New Beyerdynamic DT-880-PRO-250 also possess the same capabilities, too. Therefore, you will never regret in choosing any of these devices.

But if you have other headphones that you want to suggest, just tell me in the comment section below. I will be glad to try their qualities by myself!

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About the Author

Hi everyone! Im Monica and I am an avid lover of guitars and everything in-between. My current profession is not really music-related. It is quite discouraging but I just don't want to drop my zeal--especially not to guitars! I created GuitarTrance.Com so that I can keep up with my hobby. Of course, I want to engage with the community as well! Hope we can all get along!