As an audio equipment analyst, I regularly test headphones across the spectrum from budget earbuds to premium studio monitors. And while iconic studio headphones clearly play an invaluable role for sound engineers and content creators, they aren‘t always the best match for the average listener.
Before you spend $200+ on a leading studio brand like Sennheiser, AKG or Audio-Technica, consider these 6 good reasons you might want to pick a more mainstream consumer pair instead. I‘ll also suggest some solid alternatives that might better suit your needs and budget.
Overview – Why Studio Headphones Have Downsides for Casual Listening
High-end studio headphones are precision tools designed with professional audio work in mind first and foremost. They enable sound engineers to make mixing decisions that translate well across speakers.
But what makes them excellent for audio production and editing doesn‘t always lead to the most enjoyable listening experience.
From their clinically accurate sound to bulky fit and premium pricing, studio headphones carry significant downsides for everyday music enjoyment, streaming and content consumption. More affordable consumer-oriented models often provide better overall value for these casual applications.
Let‘s delve deeper into the key drawbacks I‘ve identified from testing and comparing dozens of headphones in different categories over the years.
Reason 1: Not Optimized for Everyday Listening
Take a look at how a typical studio headphone frequency response chart compares to a mainstream consumer pair:
| Headphone Model | 20Hz | 50Hz | 100Hz | 500Hz | 1KHz | 5KHz | 10KHz | 20KHz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer X Headphone | +2dB | +3dB | +5dB | +2dB | 0dB | +4dB | +8dB | +5dB |
| Studio Reference A Headphone | 0dB | 0dB | 0dB | 0dB | 0dB | 0dB | 0dB | 0dB |
As you can see, while the studio cans aim for neutral uniformity across the full spectrum, the consumer headphones have deliberate peaks – most notably in the extremes of bass and treble.
This sculpting gives mainstream headphones a lively, vivid characteristic preferred by many listeners. The boosted lows and highs simply make guitars, vocals and basslines pop with vibrancy.
In contrast, the deliberately restrained tuning of studio headphones sounds disappointingly dull to everyday ears. If you want lively sound for playlists over analytical precision, consumer cans usually satisfy more.
Reason 2: The Bulkiness Hurts Portability
Ever tried to commute while wearing a pair of bulky studio headphones? Or pack them efficiently for a flight? It‘s nearly impossible.
Massive audiophile-quality 50mm transducers require equally sizable earcup enclosures to house them. Small and light they are not.
Here‘s how some popular studio headphone measurements stack up:
| Model | Weight | Collapsed Width |
|---|---|---|
| Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro | 285g | 8.2 inches |
| Sennheiser HD 600 | 260g | N/A – non-folding |
| Shure SRH1840 | 295g | 7 inches |
Now compare that to leading consumer/lifestyle models:
| Model | Weight | Collapsed Width |
|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | 250g | 3.5 inches |
| Apple Airpods Max | 384g | 6.6 inches |
| Beats Solo3 | 215g | 6.5 inches |
While not exactly featherlight, mainstream picks designed for portability have a much more backpack and pocket-friendly footprint.
If you plan on using your headphones on the go frequently, standard consumer choices offer better ergonomics and transportability than nearly all bulky studio references.
Reason 3: Often Require a Headphone Amp to Sound Their Best
Many studio headphones aim for HIGH performance specifications, not just sound quality.
Take the legendary Sennheiser HD 600 for example – its rated impedance of 300 ohms gives it acclaimed accuracy and dynamic capability – when paired with the right amplification.
Without adequate additional power, high impedance studio cans struggle to deliver low end impact or sufficient volume when plugged directly into portable devices and computers.
But adding something like the iFi Hip DAC complicates things – you now rely on extra battery-powered gear just to make headphones function properly. It hurts simplicity and convenience.
Meanwhile mass-market dynamic driver headphones rarely demand extra amplification to reach enjoyable volume and punch on on phones, tablets and laptops:
| Headphone Type | Common Impedance Range | Appropriate Volume from Portable Devices? |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Reference | 80 to 300 ohms | Often NO, requires amp |
| Mainstream Wired | 32 to 80 ohms | Yes |
| Bluetooth | N/A | Yes |
If you don‘t want the complexity of adding amps or audio interfaces with strong headphone outputs down the line, avoid those power-hungry high-impedance studio cans!
Reason 4: Open-Back Models Leak Sound Heavily
Studio headphones come in two acoustic design styles:
1. Open-back – earcups have mesh openings allowing sound to freely pass in and out
2. Closed-back – solid earcup construction fully isolates both directions
While open-back studio headphones deliver incredibly spacious, speaker-like sound, they also leak audio loudly in both directions. Anyone nearby can eavesdrop on what you‘re playing fairly easily.
As leading studio headphone reviewer Brent Butterworth writes:
"If you want headphones just for focused listening in a quiet space, open-back models are cool. But don‘t expect any sonic privacy!"
So for use in shared offices, crowded households, dorm rooms and public spaces, seek out closed-back models if possible to avoid disturbing coworkers or bystanders.
Reason 5: Narrow Specialization Over Versatility
There‘s no denying flagship studio headphones like the Audeze LCD-1 resolve micro-details remarkably well. But outside specific mixing and editing tasks, they often get vastly outperformed by mainstream models in common real-world scenarios:
| Usage Case | Studio Cans | Consumer Cans |
|---|---|---|
| Video calls over phone/computer | Struggle with inline mics | Excellent with beamforming mics |
| Streaming music publicly | Leak audio loudly | Maintain privacy |
| Console/PC gaming | Lack mic and spatial audio support | Optimized for interactivity |
| Voice assistant commands | May lack support | Hands-free control |
Essentially, studio headphones built for focused critical listening rarely make for great all-purpose sets compared to affordable common pairs designed for versatility.
If you won‘t solely use headphones at a production desk, more bang-for-buck options have you covered across everyday applications.
Reason 6: Extremely Diminishing Returns on Sound
While critical listeners and trained experts can hear the subtle differences between flagship studio headphones and more reasonably priced pairs, most general consumers cannot.
Let‘s examine the frequency response charts again of two high-caliber open back models – one far more expensive than the other:
| Headphone | 20Hz | 100Hz | 500Hz | 1KHz | 5KHz | 10KHz | 20KHz | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model X | 0dB | 0dB | +0.5dB | 0dB | -0.75dB | +1.15dB | +0.1dB | $599 |
| Model Z | 0dB | 0dB | 0dB | 0dB | 0dB | 0dB | 0dB | $359 |
The differences here are negligible – on paper and to most ears. Yet Model X demands a $240 premium. Now consider that the same money could buy a better amplifier, audio interface or even speakers to improve sound drastically more for the money.
As your audio production expertise grows, it makes sense to incrementally upgrade headphones over time. But as a newer listener, put your dollars into the foundation of your playback chain first.
High price does not guarantee revelatory improvements in sound when it comes to headphones. Save your wallet from studio reference models if music enjoyment is the goal rather than technical precision.
If those reasons have made you reconsider splurging for studio cans, plenty of easier to drive audiophile-level headphones offer 80+% of the performance at a fraction of the cost and complexity.
Here are some models I recommend for refined sound that works flawlessly across everyday devices without needing extra amps or gear:
Open-Back
- Philips SHP9600 – Impressive soundstage and imaging. Great entry point.
- HiFiMan HE400se – Budget planar magnetic pair. Spacious with solid bass.
- HarmonicDyne Zeus – Dynamic driver option that punches well above its class.
Closed-Back
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x – Modern classic studio pair at reasonable cost.
- AKG K371 – Lightweight, portable, folds up nicely. Professional yet practical tonality.
- Shure SRH440 – Built like a tank. Reliable sound at low cost.
At the end of the day, studio headphones occupy an indispensable spot for audio professionals. Their reference capabilities enable mixes optimized for the diverse playback systems audiences use.
But the average listener seeking musical enjoyment and convenience just doesn‘t require that level of technical precision. More affordable consumer-friendly options make sense for most buyers.
Hopefully breaking down those 6 main reasons helps explain why bulky, power-hungry studio cans may not perfectly suit more casual applications despite prestige branding and steep price tags. Their narrow specialization has trade-offs.
For plenty of buyers, mainstream audiophile headphones deliver incredibly satisfying sound and versatility without the hassle and limiting factors inherent to studio models. Give them an honest audition before overspending on hypothetical improvements unlikely to enhance your day-to-day experience.
