If you’re serious about recording audio, you know that the right set of headphones can make all the difference. But with so many options on the market, how do you know which ones to choose? Look no further! In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 best headphones to use when recording on an external audio device.

But first, let’s take a look at the history of headphones

While headphones are ubiquitous today, they were not developed until 1910.  The first headphones were developed by Nathaniel Baldwin who was a self-taught inventor.  He started out selling them to the U.S. Navy for use on their ships.  John Koss, however, is credited with developing the first stereo headphones in 1958.  Koss, who was a jazz musician and audiophile, was looking for a way to listen to his music in high-fidelity. He came up with the idea of headphones as a way to experience high-quality sound without disturbing others.  Koss created the first prototype headphones in his Milwaukee Wisconsin workshop.  He went on to found Koss Corporation, which became one of the leading headphone manufacturers in the world.

When recording audio it is critical to use headphones in order to monitor the sounds being captured.  This will help you make adjustments as needed. They will alert you, while you are still recording if your sound is too soft, or too loud (being clipped).  This is extremely important as you may not have the opportunity to record the audio a second time.

Now, onto the top five

With so many options available today, it can be difficult to pick which headphones are best for you.  Here are five headphones that are highly rated for recording on an external audio device:

1 –  Sennheiser HD 660 S

These headphones are designed for high-fidelity listening and have a neutral sound signature, making them well-suited for recording and mixing. They have a durable design and a comfortable fit.

2 – Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro

These headphones have an open design, which provides a spacious, natural sound and makes them ideal for recording and mixing. They have a durable design and a comfortable fit.

3 – AKG Pro Audio K371

These headphones have a balanced sound signature and are designed for professional recording and mixing. They have a lightweight design and a comfortable fit.

4 – Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

These headphones are popular among recording and mixing professionals for their accurate sound reproduction and comfortable fit. They have a durable design and come with a detachable cable for added flexibility.

5 – Shure SRH840

These headphones have a neutral sound signature and are designed for recording and mixing. They have a durable design and a comfortable fit.

Important factors to consider

It’s worth noting that the best headphones for recording on an external audio device will depend on your specific needs and budget. Consider factors such as sound signature, comfort, and durability when choosing headphones for recording.

One important factor not previously mentioned is the transportability of the headphones.  Many headphones fold up, making them easier to transport.  If the headphones will be doing a lot of travel, this may be a critical issue.

You may notice that we have not included any noise-canceling headphones.  While modern noise-canceling headphones are quite spectacular, they still have an effect on what you hear.  For this reason noise canceling headphones are not usually used for monitoring during recording.

While we have first-hand experience with several of these products, and we have had positive experiences with each of them, we have relied on online research to expand the scope of our analysis as we created this list.  We hope you find it useful.

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