If you really want to enjoy the finer details of your guitar rig, you need the best headphones for guitar amp. And no, the standard headphones won’t cut it in this regard. As a matter of fact, you won’t be able to get a proper practice session with them.
For a pair of headphones to be a good pick for guitar amps, it needs to check some criteria. To start with, it needs to have the perfect sound quality and frequency response. You want headphones that work exceptionally well with distortion as a guitarist.
So, the headphones must have a balanced frequency response. The midrange needs to be clear, and the driver configuration must ensure that the guitar sound stands out of the entire mix. Here, a flat sound signature is better as it helps you to hear more accurate tones.
On that note, the driver size has an effect on the overall loudness. However, the size of the drivers doesn’t directly correlate with the sound quality. Instead, you need to look into the materials.
Moving on, the headphones’ design and acoustics should be on your priority list. Make sure that the overall aesthetics is geared towards accurate guitar recording. Also, it’s good to pick closed-back over-ear headphones as they tend to bleed less audio and offer better noise isolation from your environment.
Lastly, factor in the comfort and fit of the headphones. A headphone that’s not ergonomic will be hard to wear, even for a couple of minutes. Therefore, when picking headphones for guitar amplification, check the earcups, padding, and headband.
Want to get the best guitar amp headphones that check all of the boxes mentioned above? You don’t need to scout the entire market! There’s detailed information about the three top picks below.
3 Best Headphones for Guitar Amp
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT
TL:DR;
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT is one of the most popular studio cans in the market. And it’s well suited for guitar players. One of the reasons why is its frequency response. The drivers of the headphones can output frequencies from 15 Hz to 28 KHz.
In addition, the drivers of the wireless headset are capable of delivering amp tones, which are uncolored and natural. There’s little to no change in the response and EQ, making the headphone deliver consistent audio throughout the entire playback. And that’s quite important if you want the best possible guitar mix.
Moreover, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT is wireless, eliminating the worries of managing the cable in your setup. Of course, you can plug it into your rig if you want to. The headphone bundles with a cord just for that. Also, as it has Bluetooth 5.0, expect a robust, drop-free wireless connection.
The battery life of the headset is excellent too. With a charged battery, you can get up to 40 hours of playback, which is more than enough for a hardcore guitar mixing session. Additionally, the headphone is exceptionally comfortable to wear. It comes with plush and thick ear cups and passive noise isolation.
The Specs
- Type: Closed-back
- Connection Type: Wireless and wired
- Frequency Range: 15 Hz to 28 KHz
- Noise Cancellation: Passive
What’s in the Box?
- Micro USB charging cable
- Soft touch pouch
- 3.5mm headphone cable
Stuff I like
- Guitar-friendly frequency response
- Comfortable and easy to use
- Works in wired and wireless modes
- Excellent audio performance
- Reliable battery life
Stuff I like less
- The bundled cord isn’t high in quality
Where to get it
AKG K240 Studio Headphone
TL:DR;
Want the best headphones for guitar amp but don’t want to spend too much on it? In that case, the AKG K240 Studio Headphones should be on the top of your priority list. It comes with everything professional guitarists look for but doesn’t have a premium price tag.
So, what’re you getting for the money? To start with, the headphones feature the all-new XXL transducers from AKG. These transducers utilize the patented Varimotion diaphragm from AKG, which ensures a highly accurate frequency response. That means you can assess your guitar mixes with full precision.
Regarding the sound profile, the AKG K240 Studio Headphones deliver accurate mids, clear and detailed high, and powerful bass. The large size of the transducers makes the overall listening experience better, and you get a three-dimensional sound that’ll fully capture your guitar mixes.
The comfort level of the AKG K240 is praiseworthy too. It has a self-adjusting headband system, which sits and sets on the head. And for the self-adjusting nature of the headphones, the head size doesn’t matter much. Also, the earcups and the headband have thick padding.
The Specs
- Type: Closed-back
- Connection Type: Wired
- Frequency Range: 15 Hz to 25 KHz
- Noise Cancellation: Passive
What’s in the Box?
- 3 m cable with stereo 3.5 mm (1/8″) connector
- 6.3 mm (1/4″) screw-on adapter
Stuff I like
- Affordable yet high in quality
- Tuned for accurate sound
- Good frequency response range
- Self-adjusting headband system
- Has a detachable cable
Stuff I like less
- Not that great for advanced mixing
Where to get it
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
TL:DR;
Want to hear more details and depth from your guitar sessions? You need to check out the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro! Although it’s mainly geared for mixing, a good number of features make it a proper pick for a guitar amp.
For starters, the frequency response of the headphones is flat. The sub-range has a slight mid-end boost and de-emphasis, which’ll make the guitar sounds come through. But the part where the DT 990 Pro really shines is in terms of depth of sound.
No matter what, you’ll listen to all the details from your guitar mixes. Thanks to that, it’ll be easier for you to fine-tune the tone of your guitar. The drivers also properly deliver audio with higher articulation and clarity, allowing you to make your mixes sound perfect.
Lastly, the overall design of the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro is geared toward comfort. It has velour-style ear cushions, making the headphone super comfortable for prolonged guitar sessions. But do note that it’s an open-back headphone. So, there’s no passive noise cancellation.
The Specs
- Type: Open-back
- Connection Type: Wired
- Frequency Range: 5 Hz to 35 KHz
- Noise Cancellation: None
What’s in the Box?
- 6.35 mm jack adapter
- Drawstring bag
Stuff I like
- Superb frequency response
- Comfortable design
- Open-back soundstage
- Reasonably accurate and provides a lot of depth
- It can double as a professional mixing headphone
Stuff I like less
- Leaks sound and can’t block ambient noises
Where to get it
Quick Summary of the Best Headphones for Guitar Amp
You should narrow your options to Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT, AKG K240 Studio Headphones, and the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. These headphones tick all the boxes required to deliver a great audio experience with a guitar amp. So, you can’t go wrong with either of them.
Slava is a man of mystery and no-one seems to know exactly where he is at any point in time. When he isn't enjoying writing about all things audio and technical he can be found researching his next project of interest. The man never rests.
This post was last updated on 2024-12-10 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.