When using headphones with your guitar amp its so important you don’t loose the feel
Best Headphones for Guitar Amp
Top-level guitar amps are best played loud, every guitar player will tell you that. But the number of guitarists who can actually crank it to 11 at their homes is pretty low – I know I wish I was one of them, but I’m not.
And if for whatever reason you can’t play the guitar even at medium levels when it suits you – be it for the neighbors or kids and family members – you’ll need a good set of headphones.
We didn’t include headphones in our ultimate list of guitarist accessories but if you are playing through a guitar amp, or any other digital playing tool then good headphones are essential.
These also work great with Guitar Headphone Amps – you can see our list here.
A bestseller for years. The price and sound quality are excellent and the closed back design makes it a great partner for guitarists. Combine these headphones with a guitar amp and you’ll have a good pairing without doubt.
What’s important when searching for the best headphones for guitar amp is that you should avoid the cheapest options. Your guitar will sound absolutely terrible and your practice routine will suffer. You will need a clear set that does the best job in delivering a sonic output as close to the playing through the amp itself.
And let’s get one thing clear: headphones are not just the subpar alternative to the real deal. With a solid set of cans, you will experience new sonic textures from your six-string. And even if you’re free to crank your amp all the way up, I say it’s still a good choice to get a solid set of headphones.
Why? Because you will get the sound of your guitar without the room you are in affecting it. This will allow you to deal with some of the sonic nooks and crannies you wouldn’t otherwise hear.
So, here are my recommendations on headphones for use with your guitar amp, or digital guitar software.
1: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x – Best all-rounder
I used quite a few headphones with my trusty Fender Champ over the years and I can tell you with almost utmost certainty that these are your best option for the best guitar amp headphones.
Audio-Technica caused quite a bang when they entered the scene with their ATH M50x model. And this pair still stands out as an exceptional option for musicians of all styles and walks of life.
The main reason I singled out the ATH M50x as the top pick is the exceptional sound quality combined with top value for money. These cans deliver clarity. You’re looking at a closed-back model, meaning the outside noise is canceled and you are fully enamored in your axe’s sonic attack.
When you look at the frequency range of these cans, you will notice a pronounced treble section, with booming basses and decently punchy mids. You get a clear, yet detailed sound.
I also like these headphones very much because of how they absorb any effect or stomp-box you might include in the mix. I love my six-string reverb- and delay-soaked, and the ATH M50x delivers my effects like no other headphones.
In terms of build quality, the hard plastic is pretty sturdy and the metal headband leaves me assured you really have to try to physically break these headphones. The faux leather cans are decent and do tend to get a bit hot when used extensively.
Do note that these headphones aren’t the best option for 8-plus-hour mega practice sessions. The treble boost, the firm closed-back grip can be taxing on your ears, so I recommend up to four hours per session. In my opinion, you don’t want to spend too much time on headphones alone, and you do need quality time with your amp alone. And when you add the price to the mix, I’m just thoroughly impressed. Good stuff!
View at Audio Technica
What’s in the Box?
- ATH M50x headphones
- Coiled 6.35 mm cable
- Long and short 3.5 mm cables
- Casing
- User manual with locking guide
What we like (Pros)
- Impressively clear sound output
- React great to effects and stomp-boxes
- Solid construction
- Elegant, modern vibe
What we like less (Cons)
- Ear fatigue after extended use
2: OneOdio Over-Ear Headphones – Best Budget
Wow, the bass on these things! If you’re in pursuit of something on the cheaper side, but without sacrificing too much audio quality, I say look no further than this OneOdio model.
So these cans might be a bit more well-suited for listening to the music than for guitar amps, but hear me out – I’m amazed by what they offer at such a low price. It took actual musicians I respect and admire, praising these headphones, for me to take my audiophile snob hat off and give OneOdio a go. And I’m glad I did.
The sonic output is more bass-driven but the punchy mids and clear trebles aren’t lagging behind by any means.
The build quality is decent. The plastic is solid and the artificial leather is comfortable enough for several hours of intensive use. I like these the most when combined with the natural sound of a guitar amp. You can add the basic effects like distortion and overdrive without affecting the audio output, but I say don’t push it too much with the pedals.
The manufacturer points out that this model was also crafted with guitar players in mind, and I can see where they’re coming from. The sound is first and foremost balanced. The basses do boom, but the sonic image is still well-rounded. That’s perfect for guitar use.
What’s in the Box?
- The headphones
- 3.5 mm cable
- 6.35mm to 3.5mm cable
- Portable bag
- User manual
What we like (Pros)
- Booming basses
- Well-balanced sound
- Good build quality
- Amazing value for money
What we like less (Cons)
- Not too comfy after hours of use
3: BOSS WAZA-AIR Wireless Guitar Headphones – Premium Choice
I wasn’t too sure about the Waza Air headphones when Boss first introduced them. The price tag was by no means cheap, and I had my doubts. But then I tried them. And I loved them.
It’s not often that a company makes a pair of headphones specifically with guitar players in mind. Headphones are more of an audiophile tool for listening to music, right? Well, no.
Anyway, what I realized with these headphones is that we as guitar players should spend more time on headphones. It’s amazing how detailed these cans are. When you enter the headphone domain with a set like this one, you become aware of so many details you didn’t catch during regular amp use. I love how realistic the sound is, it just drives you to improve as a guitarist.
The build quality is exceptional and you can carry this model for many hours. When the sound quality drives you to play more, it’s imperative you don’t get demotivated by poor comfort, and the manufacturer clearly understood that.
The onboard wireless compatibility is a nice touch too. I have a longer cable and I tend to walk around the room when playing the guitar, and most headphones don’t allow that. When you go wireless, you’re free to roam around. It might seem like a minor detail, but it’s not. Giving up for having to sit down close to the amp because of the shorter cable could mean giving up on hours of additional practice if you just could have got up and continued jamming.
On the down side, some users are reporting issues with the Waza app. I might have been lucky, but it worked like a charm for me.
What’s in the Box?
- The headphones
- The guitar transmitter
- Casing
- User manual
What we like (Pros)
- Amazing sound crafted for guitar players
- High-end build
- Wireless connectivity for added convenience
- Extra comfort, easy to use for many hours
What we like less (Cons)
- App issues reported by some users
4: Sennheiser Pro Audio HD 650 – Best Open Back
If you don’t like to get too cut out from the outside world when putting on a pair of headphones, I’m pretty sure you need a pair of open-back headphones. All the models tested so far were closed-back, and Sennheiser is here to spice things up.
What makes these cans stand right out of the box is the exceptional build quality. They’re sturdy, strong, yet quite comfortable. The open-back models are less taxing on the user’s ears; when combined with a high-quality headband and pads like the ones on HD 650, you get a pair of headphones you can basically wear 24/7.
In the sonic department, the Sennheiser Pro Audio HD 650 stands out with its dynamics. The nature of the open-back models is that they cancel out less noise, but offer a more natural, dynamic sonic output.
I have to say the manufacturer accepted no compromise here when it comes to the audio output. All the components are top-notch, the drivers are premium-level, and the frequency response is exceptionally wide. This model falls in the premium category, and guitarists will appreciate the exceptional mid-range punch these puppies will send your way.
The wide dynamic range allows you to add any effects you want into the mix – and as many as you want. I’m really impressed how well these cans handle stomp-boxes and still deliver pristine sound.
What’s in the Box?
- The headphones
- A long 6.35mm cable
- A 6.35-3.5mm cable adapter
- User manual
What we like (Pros)
- Exceptionally clear and dynamic sound output
- High comfort, easily wearable for over 8 hours
- High-end build
- Premium looks
What we like less (Cons)
- Premium performance comes at a premium price
5: AKG Pro Audio K240 – Best Value
If you happen to be in pursuit of the top bang for the buck, I have to draw your attention to the AKG Pro Audio K240. The top pick on this list offers good value for money, sure, but these cans are about half the price.
What the K240 model does is take a little something from each of the products listed so far and mix it up in a highly affordable new package.
These are semi-open-back headphones, meaning cancel out a fair share of noise while still leaving some breathing room for added dynamics. In the sonic department, I like the extra-clear trebles they offer. It increases the accuracy of the audio output, making it easier for you to hear all the details of your guitar playing and improve them.
That’s really what the goal is here – that you practice and improve as much as possible while staying comfortable.
Speaking of comfort, the semi-open-back design is not too taxing on the ears, and the build quality is solid. You can easily wear these cans for 4-6 hours without any issues.
The headphones operate in wired and wireless modes. The package includes a 3.5mm cable and a 6.35mm adapter. For the listed price, you really can’t beat this one!
What’s in the Box?
- The AKG Pro Audio K240 headphones
- A 3.5mm cable
- A 3.5-6.35 cable adapter
- User manual
What we like (Pros)
- Amazing value for money
- Increased comfort thanks to the semi-open-back design
- Clear sonic output with exceptional trebles
- High durability
What we like less (Cons)
- Bass frequencies could use a bit more punch in some cases
Summing it up
So when it comes to guitars, you will need a set of headphones that will deliver a natural, dynamic output. You don’t want cans that will distort or “beef up” your guitar’s sound in any way. Just focus on keeping it natural and detailed so that your practice sessions actually benefit from the headphones while also staying quiet for the neighbors.
I hope that this rundown was useful to you and that you found your best headphones for your guitar amp.
Any comments or questions? Fire them in the comments below.
Stay safe!
A musician with over 2 decades of experience in studio recording. Audiophile, always in pursuit of the perfect set of headphones. King Crimson fan.
This post was last updated on 2024-12-09 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.