5 Best Headphones for Acoustic or Electronic Drums - Drum Gear Guru (2024)

By Contributing Author Dango

Whether you need headphones for acoustic or electronic drums (or both!), we’ve got you covered with our top picks!

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Most of us use headphones pretty regularly, whether it’s to talk on the phone or listen to music.

Drums are a very loud instrument and finding good isolating headphones that work while you’re playing can be a real challenge.

Most of the expensive headphones that people own (Like Beats by Dre) aren’t really noise canceling and don’t offer much protection from loud sounds. In that case you’re better off just using gun muffles over your iPhone buds.

But today we are going to look at some of the best options for headphones that will protect your ears, as well as providing good audio quality–because both are important.

Related: Be sure to also check out our list of the best drumsticks for electronic drums.

5 Best Headphones for Drummers

As a drummer for almost 30 years, I have always tried to take care of my ears. I have played with ear plugs for as long as I can remember and I got my first pair of In Ear Monitors, or IEMs, in 2000.

Since then I have always preferred IEMs to headphones because they isolate and are far more comfortable. Plus, IEMs have much higher quality sound if you are using the expensive, well-made ones.

In fact, I have a whole list of the best in-ear monitors for drummers.

With that said, some people hate IEMs, and some can’t afford them. Let’s check out some headphones that work for electronic & acoustic drums.

Vic Firth Isolation Headphones V2

The Vic Firth cans are some of the earliest in the market designed just for drummers. I had a pair of these 20 years ago and they haven’t changed much since then.

These are the original standard that most drum related headphones are based off of. They have some of the best isolation in my opinion for drummers because they’re fairly snug fitting.

The sound quality has improved since my first pair, and their V2 model is quite decent.

All headphones cause my ears fatigue and become uncomfortable after any length of time. These work well but the tight fit can become bothersome. But for shredding in the practice room, these headphones are a great product for the cost.

Features:

• Reduces outside noise by 25-30 decibels
• 50m/m Dynamic Speaker Mylarcon
• Frequency Response: 20HZ – 20kHZ
• 1/4” and 1/8” plugs

Pros:

• Reasonable Price
• Best Noise Cancellation

Cons:

• Audio is not amazing
• Not very comfortable

Beyerdynamic 770 Pro 80 Studio Headphones

These Beyerdynamic headphones sound great and are quite comfortable. They are available in 2 colors and come with heavily padded cloth ear muffs.

They don’t do a significant amount of noise cancellation, despite how they are advertised. If you are just listening to music you will really appreciate them, but there will be bleed while drumming.

This is always my hangup with any headphones, no matter how nice.

For the price, I’d say these headphones are still a good deal and the audio quality is very good. If you play electronic drums, then these are a win. For acoustic drums, they’re okay. I would vote these the most comfortable in the bunch.

Features:

• Closed over-ear headphones, ideal for professional recording and monitoring
• Perfect for studio and stage recordings thanks to their pure, high-resolution sound
• The soft, circumaural and replaceable velour ear pads ensure high wearing comfort
• Hard-wearing, durable and robust workmanship, made in Germany.
• Innovative bass reflex system
• Practical single-sided cable (3.0m cable) . Comfortable fit due to rugged, adjustable, soft padded headband construction

Pros:

• Great Sound
• Very Comfortable

Cons:

• No Noise Isolation for acoustic drums

Roland RH-300V V-Drums Stereo Headphones

These Roland headphones are one of the best options available for electronic drums. The sonic range is clear and crisp with hyped up highs and lows.

Though these aren’t ideal for mixing because they aren’t flat sounding, they will really make V-Drums or any electronic kits sound huge in your ears.

Again my only real downside besides the price is that they don’t offer noise cancellation for live drums.

However, these headphones are quite comfortable and really hold up well.

Features:

• Optimized for use with V-Drums and electronic percussion instruments
• 50mm drivers with neodymium magnets and CCAW voice coils
• 10 Hz to 22 kHz Frequency Response
• Punchy, dynamic sound with solid bass response and clear highs
• Robust build quality
• Fold-up ear pieces
• Great for general audio playback

Pros:

• Great sound
• Comfortable

Cons:

• No noise isolation for acoustic drums
• Pricier than some options

Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphones

I’ve walked into more studios that have these headphones than any other I’ve ever seen.

They are generally used for all live instruments, and as such, they’re a little better at isolation. They still don’t hold up to IEM’s on any level, but some players really prefer these.

I generally have issues with any headphones that can’t truly isolate and protect your ears, but the sound quality of these is quite a bit better than the Vic Firth or Alesis models.

This Sony set also has the longest and most durable cable of the bunch.For the price, these are a pretty good option for all around good headphones.

Features:

• Neodymium magnets and 40 millimeter drivers for powerful, detailed sound
• Closed ear design provides comfort and outstanding reduction of external noises
• 9.8 foot cord ends in gold plated plug and it is not detachable; 1/4 inch adapter included
• Folds up for storage or travel in provided soft case
• Frequency Response: 10 Hertz to 20 kilohertz
• These large diaphragm, foldable headphones feature a rugged construction, a secure, highly effective closed ear design
• Connectivity technology : Wired

Pros:

• Good price
• Very good audio quality

Cons:

• Not much noise isolation for acoustic drums

Audio-Technica ATH M50x

These Audio-Technica headphones are another set of studio headphones very similar to the Sony model but with a little better sound quality. Their comfort is also closer to the Beyerdynamic, though not quite as cushy.

Great set at a solid price and just a little bit different color sonically than the Sony or the Beyerdynamic.

They boast strong highs and lows and a lot of punch. They are available in 5 colors and a wired and wireless version.

And by now you can imagine my main hangup with them is the same issue for all of these if you’re playing drums not wanting cymbal bleed.

Features:

• Critically acclaimed sonic performance praised by top audio engineers and pro audio reviewers
• Proprietary 45 millimeter large aperture drivers with rare earth magnets and copper clad aluminum wire voice coils
• Exceptional clarity throughout an extended frequency range with deep accurate bass response
• Circumaural design contours around the ears for excellent sound isolation in loud environments
• 90 degree swiveling earcups for easy one ear monitoring and professional grade earpad and headband material delivers more durability and comfort

Pros:

• Great sound
• Great Look, maybe my favorite in the bunch

Cons:

• Lack of noise isolation for acoustic drums

Alesis DRP100

These Alesis DRP100 headphones are the only real competition to the Vic Firth headphones as far as isolation really goes. For the low price, this is a pretty great option for a beginner.

To be honest, these are probably the last on the list when it comes to sound, but they’re still going to play your stereo or iPhone just fine.

And I would argue when you can isolate out most of the snare and cymbal bleed, it will sound quite a bit better regardless.

These headphones are marketed for electronic drums, but I actually think they are the second best on this list for acoustic kits due to their 30 decibels in noise reduction.

They’re not quite as comfortable as Vic’s but for half the price, they just may be the right choice for you.

Features:

• Created and voiced for electronic drum monitoring
• Over-ear design provides extreme isolation and comfort
• Sweat-proof silicone headband for fit flexibility and stability while performing
• Powerful 40mm full range drivers

Pros:

• Excellent Isolation
• Excellent Price

Cons:

• Cheapest audio quality
• Least comfortable

Things to Consider When Buying Headphones for Electronic or Acoustic Drums

Any of these options will be a good fit for someone out there. First of all, you have to decide if you need headphones that will work for electronic or acoustic drums. Or do you need them to cover both?

Budget also comes into play, and only you can decide how much you are willing and able to spend on a pair of headphones.

What Are the Best Headphones for DrumMERs? Our Top PickS:

If you are only playing acoustic drums then the Vic Firth and the Alesis are your best options. If you are playing electronic drums mainly, then I would choose any of the other picks on our list for better sound quality and comfort.

If you need a pair that does both really well, my vote will still go to the Vic Firth V2’s for being the most versatile all around.

Overall, my top picks are as follows:

Best Sound Quality: Audio Technica ATH-M50X

Comfort: Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 80

Most Versatile for Both Electronic and Acoustic Drums: Vic Firth V2

Best Budget Option: Alesis DRP100

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