Studio Headphones
Hear every detail, refine your mix, and practice in absolute silence. Our curated collection of studio headphones represents the ultimate destination for recording engineers, home studio owners, and guitarists—where flat frequency response meets exceptional comfort. Whether you are looking for the best studio headphones to track vocals, highly accurate music monitoring headphones to mix your next track, or specialized shure headphones and audio technica headphones to plug into your modeling amp, we offer an exceptional range. Find your perfect reference with hand-selected closed-back and open-back models from industry-leading brands like Audio-Technica, Shure, and AKG.
Because your recording and practice rely on flawless gear, every single pair of headphones we sell is physically inspected in our Huntingdon showroom before shipping, ensuring perfect driver balance, secure cable connections, and pristine ear pad condition straight out of the box.
✓ Flat Reference Frequency Response ✓ Free UK Delivery over £99 ✓ Professional Tech Support Included
Explore Studio Headphones at MusicStreet
Audio Technica Athm20X
Audio Technica Athm30X
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Boss Rh-200
Boss Rh-200S
Boss Rh-300
Boss Rh-5
Boss Rh-A30
Boss Rha-7-Bk
Presonus - ERIS HD10BT Headphones with Active Noise Canceling & Bluetooth
Presonus - HD7 Professional Monitoring Headphones
Presonus - HD9 Professional Monitoring Headphones
Shure SRH 550-DJ
Yamaha HPH MT5 Studio reference headphones
The Science of Monitoring: Closed-Back vs. Open-Back Headphones
Selecting the right studio headphones is a critical step in building an accurate monitoring environment. The physical design of the headphone earcups directly dictates how the sound waves behave, making specific models suited for different stages of the production process.
The two primary configurations used in professional audio are:
- Closed-Back Headphones: The standard for tracking and recording. Closed-back headphones feature completely sealed earcups that physically block external noise while preventing sound from leaking out. This isolation is crucial when recording vocals or acoustic instruments, as it prevents the backing track from bleeding into the live microphone.
- Open-Back Headphones: The standard for critical mixing and mastering. Open-back headphones feature perforated or mesh earcups that allow air and sound to pass freely. This design eliminates internal acoustic reflections and pressure build-up, delivering an exceptionally natural, wide, and three-dimensional soundstage.
🔧 Rigorous Inspection
Every pair of headphones is thoroughly inspected, audio-tested, and verified by our in-house technicians before being listed for sale.
🛡️ 12-Month Warranty
We stand behind every product we sell. All of our headphones come with a full 12-month warranty, giving you complete peace of mind with your purchase.
🚚 Free UK Delivery & 14-Day Returns
Get free, fully insured UK shipping on all orders over £99. If the headphones aren't the perfect fit, return them to us within 14 days for a hassle-free refund or exchange.
Tracking vs. Mixing Applications
When you are tracking (recording live takes), isolation is your top priority. Closed-back models ensure the artist hears the cue mix clearly without any microphone bleed. When you are mixing or editing, accuracy and spatial depth are paramount. Open-back models allow you to make precise decisions regarding panning, EQ, and reverb decay, reducing ear fatigue during long studio sessions.
Industry-Standard Headphones in Our Collection
We are proud to stock the world's most respected and trusted headphone manufacturers:
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
The global studio standard. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is celebrated by top audio engineers and reviewers alike. Featuring proprietary 45mm large-aperture drivers, robust closed-back isolation, and 90-degree swiveling earcups, they deliver exceptional clarity, deep bass response, and road-ready durability.
Shure SRH840
Optimized for professional recording. The Shure SRH840 closed-back headphones feature a precisely tailored frequency response that delivers rich bass, clear mid-range, and extended highs. With a wide, padded headband and collapsible design, they offer maximum comfort for long tracking sessions.
AKG K240 Studio
The classic semi-open reference. The AKG K240 features a semi-open design that combines the isolation of closed-back models with the natural, airy soundstage of open-back headphones. Utilizing advanced Varimotion transducers, they are highly favored by project studios for mixing and editing. Explore our used range in our Pre-Owned Collection or view our parent Electric Guitars collection.
Guitar Trade-In & Part-Exchange Program
Ready to upgrade your current setup? We make it incredibly easy to trade in your pre-owned gear. Through our straightforward guitar part-exchange program, you can bring your old guitar, amplifier, or effects pedals into our showroom (or send us details online) and put its value directly toward any new or used gear in our store.
Visit Our Huntingdon Guitar Showroom
If you are searching for premium guitar shops in Cambridgeshire, come visit our showroom in Huntingdon. Located at 10 Chequers Court, our showroom features a dedicated electric guitar and amplifier room where you can sit back, play, and compare different neck profiles, scale lengths, and pickup configurations side-by-side. We are easily accessible from Cambridge, Peterborough, and Bedford, with convenient parking nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions About Studio Headphones
What is the difference between closed-back and open-back headphones? +
Closed-back headphones feature sealed earcups that block external noise and prevent sound leakage, making them ideal for tracking (recording) in front of a live microphone. Open-back headphones have perforated earcups that allow air and sound to pass through, creating a highly natural, wide, and accurate soundstage that is perfect for mixing and mastering, though they offer no isolation.
Why do I need studio headphones instead of standard consumer headphones? +
Consumer headphones are designed for casual listening and typically boost bass and treble frequencies to make music sound more exciting. Studio headphones are engineered for a flat, transparent, and uncolored frequency response. This "honest" reproduction ensures that you hear your recordings exactly as they are, allowing you to make accurate mixing decisions that will translate well to all other playback systems.
Are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones good for mixing? +
Yes, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is highly capable and widely used for mixing, especially in home or project studios. Because they are closed-back, they offer a tight, punchy low-end and excellent isolation. However, for critical mastering or final spatial adjustments, many engineers prefer to pair them with an open-back model (like the AKG K240) to reference the wider, more natural soundstage.
What does headphone impedance mean and do I need a headphone amplifier? +
Impedance (measured in ohms) represents the electrical resistance of the headphones. Low-impedance headphones (under 50 ohms, like the ATH-M50x) require very little power and can be driven easily by laptops, phones, and audio interfaces. High-impedance headphones (over 150 ohms) require significantly more voltage to achieve optimal volume and dynamic range, meaning they perform best when connected to a dedicated studio headphone amplifier.
The Studio Headphone Guide: Choosing the Right Reference Monitor
What separates a standard pair of consumer headphones from a professional-grade, flat-response, and highly accurate studio monitor? While consumer headphones are engineered to boost bass and treble for an exciting listening experience, professional studio engineers, podcasters, and home recording musicians know that the secret to a mix that translates perfectly to any sound system lies in choosing the right studio headphones.
Using consumer headphones for mixing acts like a filter, masking critical details and causing you to make incorrect adjustments to your EQ and levels.
Investing in premium music monitoring headphones serves several critical functions:
- Flat Frequency Response: Professional headphones deliver an uncolored, reference-grade sound, allowing you to hear your tracks exactly as they were recorded.
- Exceptional Isolation: Closed-back designs physically block external noise and prevent sound from leaking into your live microphones during tracking.
- Ergonomic Comfort: High-quality headbands and plush ear pads distribute weight evenly, preventing ear fatigue during long mixing or practice sessions.
Understanding Headphone Designs: Closed-Back vs. Open-Back
To choose the correct headphones for your studio or practice rig, you must understand the primary designs:
1. Closed-Back Headphones (The Tracking Standards)
The undisputed standard for recording and live tracking. Closed-back headphones (such as the legendary Audio-Technica ATH-M50x or Shure SRH840) feature completely sealed ear cups. This design physically blocks external ambient noise while preventing your headphone mix from leaking out and being picked up by sensitive vocal or acoustic microphones—making them the ultimate choice for tracking, podcasting, and silent guitar practice.
2. Open-Back Headphones (The Mixing Standards)
The ultimate tool for mixing, mastering, and critical listening. Open-back headphones (such as classic models from AKG) feature perforated or mesh ear cups that allow air and sound to pass freely. This design eliminates pressure build-up inside the cup, delivering an incredibly wide, natural, and three-dimensional soundstage that mimics the experience of listening to studio monitors in a treated room.
4. The MusicStreet Difference: Quality & Reliability Guaranteed
At MusicStreet, we don't believe in "box shifting." A pair of studio headphones is a critical piece of monitoring gear, and its reliability is critical to your recording and practice.
Every single pair of headphones listed on our site is physically stocked in our Huntingdon showroom. Before shipping, our expert techs inspect the unit to ensure the drivers are perfectly balanced, the cables and adapters are secure, and the ear pads are in pristine condition.
- No Drop-Shipping: Every pair of headphones listed on our site is physically in stock at our Huntingdon store.
- 1-Year Warranty: We back every instrument, amplifier, and accessory we sell with a comprehensive 1-year warranty.
- Free UK Shipping: Enjoy free, fully insured UK shipping on all orders over £99, with competitive rates worldwide.
- Flexible Financing: Buy with confidence using Klarna or PayPal split payments.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between closed-back and open-back headphones?
Closed-back headphones feature sealed ear cups that block external noise and prevent sound leakage, making them perfect for tracking and recording. Open-back headphones feature mesh ear cups that allow air to pass, delivering a highly natural, wide soundstage that is ideal for mixing and mastering.
Do I need a headphone amplifier to run these?
Most professional studio headphones (such as the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x or Shure SRH840) feature low impedance (typically under 50 ohms), meaning they can be easily driven by standard audio interfaces, laptops, and modeling guitar amps without requiring an external headphone amplifier.
Do you stock these items in your showroom?
Yes. Every pair of headphones listed on our site is physically in stock at our independent showroom at 10 Chequers Court, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. You can drop in, check out the build quality, and get honest, expert advice from our team of working musicians.
Why is a flat frequency response important for mixing?
A flat frequency response ensures that your headphones do not boost or cut any specific frequencies (like bass or treble). This allows you to hear your mix exactly as it is, ensuring that your adjustments translate accurately when played on other sound systems, car stereys, or consumer headphones.
