In today’s hi-tech world it can be difficult to determine what the best headphones for guitar amp really are. What should you look for and what should you avoid? It always seems that there are far more questions than there are answers. Our review will help you better understand what is available in today’s market. We’ll take a closer look at various headphone designs as well as some of the more important features that go into a good pair of “cans.”
Making a choice isn’t as difficult as it may sound. We will advise not only what’s better to use while practicing, but we’ll also take a closer look at wireless headphone technology. Open and closed designs examined along with frequency, noise-cancelation, jack size, and more!
| Product | Features | Rating | Checkout | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Audio-Technica ATH-M50xCheck price |
Cord/Wireless: Comes both with cords or in a wireless version Jack Size: 3.5mm (comes with 6.3mm stereo adaptors) Noise-Cancelling: Circumaural design closes off your ears from outside noise Frequency Range: 15-28,000 Hz Open/Closed-Backed: Closed-Backed |
5 of 5 | Check price |
| 2 |  Sony MDR7506 ProfessionalCheck price |
Cord/Wireless: Corded. Comes with a 9.8-foot cord Jack Size: 3.5 mm, though a 6.33 mm (1/4-inch) adaptor is also included Noise-Cancelling: Cancels out noise with a closed-ear design Frequency Range: 10-20,000 Hz Open/Closed-Backed: Closed-Backed |
4.9 of 5 | Check price |
| 3 |  Sennheiser HD 598Check price |
Cord/Wireless: Corded (one 9.8 foot cord and one 3.9 foot cord) Jack Size: 9.8 foot cord comes with a 6.33 mm jack and 3.9 foot cord comes with a 3.5 mm jack Noise-Cancelling: Uses Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement technology to channel sound into your ears Frequency Range: 10-28,000 Hz for the closed-backed version,12-38,500 Hz for the open-backed version Open/Closed-Backed: Open or Closed-Backed |
4.8 of 5 | Check price |
| 4 |  AKG K240STUDIOCheck price |
Cord/Wireless: Corded Jack Size: 3.5 mm jack, has a 6.33 mm screw-on stereo jack adaptor Noise-Cancelling: Semi-open backed construction aims for a balance between noise-cancelling ability and an organic sound Frequency Range: 15-25,000 Hz Open/Closed-Backed: Semi-open |
4.8 of 5 | Check price |
| 5 |  AKG K 44Check price |
Cord/Wireless: Corded. Cord is detachable. Jack Size: 3.5 mm jack, has a 6.33 mm screw-on stereo jack adaptor Noise-Cancelling: Semi-closed design and ear padding cancels out noise Frequency Range: 18-20,000 Hz Open/Closed-Backed: Semi-closed |
4.8 of 5 | Check price |
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x - Best Wireless Headphones for Guitar Amps
Among the many features boasted by this exceptional pair are:
Cord/Wireless:These headphones come in both corded and wireless versions. The corded version comes with multiple detachable cables, which range in length from 1.2 m (3.9 feet) to 3 m (9.8 feet).
Jack Size:5 mm, but includes 6.3 mm stereo plug adaptors.
Noise-Cancelling:The circumaural design of these headphones closes off your ears from outside noise and cancels out noise, even from loud environments.
Frequency Range:15-28,000 Hz.
Open or Closed-Backed:These are close-backed headphones, meaning that they are sealed completely around the back, only allowing sound to come out from where it can directly reach your ear. This provides a great deal of insulation from outside noise.
Sony MDR7506 Professional - Best Headphones for Electric Guitar
Sennheiser HD 598 - Best Headphones for Bass Guitar Amp
AKG K240STUDIO - Best Headphones for Recording Guitar
Some its salient features include:
Noise-Cancelling:Large transducers give the sound a more lifelike feel, while the semi-open backed construction aims for a balance between noise-cancelling ability and an organic sound.
Open or Closed-Backed:These headphones are semi-open, meaning that they combine the features of open-backed and closed-backed headphones. They balance the sealing and insulating ability of closed-back headphones with the ability to produce a more “natural” sound common to open-backed headphones.
AKG K 44 - Best Guitar Practice Headphones
It’s main features include:
Noise-Cancelling:Because the headphones are semi-closed (see below), they cancel out a substantial amount of noise, and the copious padding on the ear pads only adds to this effect.
Open or Closed-Backed:These headphones are semi-closed, meaning that they combine the features of open-backed and closed-backed headphones, though with slightly more of a slant towards the outside noise cancelling ability of closed-backed headphones.
Things to Consider in the Best Headphones for Guitar Practice
There are quite a few design elements and features available to you. You’ll want to determine which of these will match your budget and needs when calculating what the best headphones for playing guitar are in your particular case.
Topics covered in this Buyer’s Guide include:
- Wireless Transducers
- Best Builds for Practicing with Electric Guitars
- Finding Good Prices
- Jack Size
- Noise-Cancellation
- Frequency Range
- Closed and Open Backed Configurations
7 Key Features of the Headphones for Guitar Amp
Device Jack Size
While jack size won’t affect the sound quality of ‘phones, it will determine what type of devices they can be used on.
- 1/8 inch– (3 mm) jacks can plug into MP3 players, PCs, and phones.
- 1/4 inch– (6.35 mm) jacks can plug into devices such as amplifiers and stereos.
1/8 inch products will require an adaptor plug to convert into the proper size needed to plug into your amp. Conversely, 1/4 inch devices will need an adaptor plug to fit smaller audible items. The best 1/4 headphones will provide stereo (TRS) instead of mono (TS).
Most smaller practice amplifiers will come with an auxiliary jack for transducers. An adaptor is available for amps that lack this feature.
Noise-Cancelling
Noise cancellation on headphones for amp can be a nice feature, depending upon the level of monitoring that you need as well as the environment that you are practicing in. In normal circumstances for amateur players, this may not be required, but it could become critical during recording.
Limiting distracting noises is a straight-forward idea.
This feature helps to prevent ambient room noises from blending into sounds produced by your bass or guitar. A set of good headphones for guitar amp featuring noise-cancellation will also prevent sudden loud noises from distracting your listening as well. It will also help to prevent noise from leaking out of the cans.
Keep in mind that this feature comes at a higher price point. You will find yourself paying 250 – 300 dollars on the low end for noise-canceling products. Their actual necessity will determine if this increase in cost is justified.
Closed backed designs provide the best isolation and cancellation needed for critical listening.
Open backed provide less isolation but will usually offer musicians a bit more natural sound.
This feature may come in handy if you find yourself practicing in noisy places or during monitoring/recording.
Frequency Range
Sounds coming out of your guitar amplifier headphones have not been mastered. This is why a wide range of frequency is important so that you are hearing all of the sounds being produced during your practice session.
Average human hearing ranges from 20Hz to 20Khz. so the best headphones for guitar playing should cover this spectrum as well. Increased sensitivity on the low end might be felt but not heard, while increases on the high end won’t be detectable at all.
Products with less range might produce crackling noises or distortion. Also, many cans are advertised as “flat” curved or “U” curved. While u-curved frequency ranges place emphasis on bass and treble, flat-curved ranges do not. This allows flat-curved units to shine in practice sessions.
Open or Close Backed Transducers?
This can be a matter of preference except for situations where exact monitoring is required. For most practice environments, the best guitar headphones are usually open cans. Closed ‘phones can be highly beneficial in some settings, especially recording sessions.
Close backed designs provide superior sound isolation when compared to open backed products. They will fit tightly on a musician’s head, preventing sound leaks as well. They may feel heavier due to this tightness though.
Open designs may not provide you with complete isolation, but you’ll hear a more natural sound. Others near you will hear the bass or guitar playing due to some sound leaking. They are more comfortable, making these good headphones for guitar practice sessions that are longer in nature.
Wireless Headphones for Guitar Practice
Wireless headphones for guitar amp have grown in accessibility and popularity in recent years. This type of technology allows users to wear these items without extra cables getting in the way. Lacking a need for chords also provides players with greater range than that found with hardwired units.
While most of the wireless technology has traditionally provided spotty range limits and sound quality, Bluetooth headphones for guitar amp have improved in the signals received from the amplifier. Outside interference is usually not a problem except with cheaper products.
Another nice feature with Bluetooth products is their ability to be used with other devices, such as phones if needed.
A lack of cables prevents them from dangling in your way while you’re playing and limits visual distractions, allowing your full concentration to remain on performing. Wireless devices are often more comfortable to wear as well. There won’t be a cable tugging on one or both ears while you practice.
These wireless units might be a good choice for casual practice sessions and are easily transportable. With that being said, studio and recording sessions will still benefit from wired sound quality.
Best Headphones for Electric Guitar Practice
All cans are not the same. If you’re looking for good headphones for electric guitar practice sessions, you’ll need to consider their impedance rating.
Impedance is described as the level of power needed by your ear speakers to work properly. It is measured in ohms and be broken down as follows:
- Below 30 ohms– can be used on low amplification devices such as MP3 players and phones.
- Above 30 ohms– can be used on higher amplification devices such as bass or guitar amplifiers.
Products with lower impedance are in danger of blowout when used with your amp. Higher rated transducers limit produce a richer sound with less white noise. High impedance devices will also generate more accurate sounds.
You will want to match the rating of your amp and ‘phones as closely as possible.
The best headphones for bass amp needs to be able to handle the low-end audible range without becoming muddy. Such features are often listed in the product description.
Build quality is another important consideration. If you will be wearing these things for hours on end, they need to be easy on your ears. Proper padding is important, along with an adjustable head strap for proper fitting.
Price on the Best Guitar Headphones
Price ranges on a pair of ‘phones can range from under $50.00 USD to well over $1,000.00. Keeping that broad range in mind, it should be noted that often the higher prices can often reflect a brand name more than actual increases in performance.
If you are trying to get by on a limited budget, the best cheap headphones for guitar amp will cost between 50 and 100 bucks. Anything below this may not last long, requiring you to spend that saved money anyway. Good quality devices will cost musicians more than this, however.
While many potential customers may be drawn towards products from a particular manufacturer, we would recommend that you focus instead on what you are trying to get out of them.
- Do you want an average sound quality or a wider dynamic range?
- Will a built-in amp in the cans be a necessity?
- Are you looking for additional features included with the design?
- How important is the comfort and fit to you?
Once these features are determined, most players can find a good pair of cans in the 100-200 dollar range. Remember that you’ll see less pop per buck above 300.
Top 5 Headphones for Guitar Amps
Discover five examples of the best headphones for guitar amps. Any guitar player no matter what skill level he has needs to spend plenty of time practicing, whether to improve his skills or to maintain them. But if you’re practicing alone, the explosive noise from an amplifier might cause a disturbance. Having a good pair of headphones to plug into your amp will therefore allow you to be able to listen to your own playing without disturbing anyone else. Let’s get down to business and discuss five of the best headphones that can be plugged into your amp. Along the way, we’ll be going through five crucial features of each pair of headphones: whether they have a cord or are wireless; jack size; noise-cancelling ability; frequency range; and whether they are open or close-backed.
What is the best acoustic guitar amplifier?
Now that you’ve had a good review of the best headphones to plug into your guitar amp, you may also want to know what sort of amp is best, particularly for acoustic guitars. As with any other product, what counts as the “best” acoustic guitar amplifier really depends on what you need, meaning that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. For example, there are two types of amps: tube amps and solid-state amps. Tube amps are more expensive, but also deliver a thicker, richer and more organic and dynamic tone.
Amp power is also a significant variable. For home practice, 20 watts should be sufficient, with 50 watts being suitable for smaller venues and 100 watts being best for larger ones.
Some amps also feature multiple channels letting you plug in multiple instruments or microphone. For solitary practice, this is not necessary, but it might be if you plan on performing live.
You also may or may not want an amp that offers all sorts of sound effects, like reverb and delay. These options are also available on acoustic amps.
What the “best” acoustic amp is for you will depend on how you think about all of the above factors.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve discussed what we think are some of the best headphones for use with a guitar amp, the time has come to draw things to a final conclusion. Which of the headphones that we’ve discussed is the absolute best of the best? In answer to that question, we must unequivocally declare that, for its extraordinary combination of versatility, noise-cancelling ability and power to deliver unmatched and professional-grade audio quality, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x stands in a class by itself.
However, the other products we’ve discussed are all excellent in their own right, including:
- the Sony MDR7506
- the Sennheiser HD 598
- the AKG K240STUDIO
- the AKG K44
We strongly recomend you to check them all out, as they all differ in their specs. The only way to find out exactly which headphones are best for you as you plug in and begin practicing your guitar playing is to try them all out. Have a look, and may you get the most out of what you find as you play.