Any musician knows that it is critical to choose the perfect headphones for electronic drums to appreciate this modern instrument’s possibilities. Some models are costly. But do you really have to overpay to get a high-quality product? Not at all! And the Sony MDR7506 proves it.
In my opinion, these are the best headphones for electronic drums ever. They have a closed-ear and folding design. They fit snugly around your head and ears, completely block out external noise, and provide a full range of frequencies. It is not the cheapest model, but it is well worth the money as it delivers perfect sound quality. The manufacturer could have fixed the ear cups more securely so that they will not come off due to frequent use. But if you handle headphones for the drum kit carefully and store them in a bag, they will last you a long time.
Of course, this item isn’t the only one that deserves your attention among the myriad of music products. In order not to limit you to one device, I have added the reviews on 4 more models of top-quality headphones to my article. It also contains a concise buyer’s guide to help you make your choice faster.
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Reviews of the 5 Best Electronic Drum Headphones
Contents
I have included only over-ear headphones on my list. In my opinion, you can get better sound quality with them for less money than with in-ear models.
1. Sony MDR7506 – TOP Pick
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I have found the Sony MDR7506 to be the best headphones, even though the model itself is about 20 years old.
I like them for their excellent and detailed sound, which is achieved thanks to the 1.5-inch drivers and solid body construction. Frequency response ranges from 10 to 20000Hz. This model is equipped with a 9.8-foot coiled wire terminated with a gold mini-jack (1/8-inch). It’s a really great length that allows you to move freely. The product also includes a 1/4 jack adapter. Compared to other products, these headphones sound somewhat louder. They have a fairly high sensitivity of 106dB.
The product has a closed-ear design and folds to save storage space. For greater convenience during transportation, a carrying bag is included in the kit.
Specifications:
- Headphone Type: Dynamic, closed
- Magnet Type: Neodymium
- Driver Size: 40.0 mm
- Frequency Response: 10-20kHz
- Impedance: 63 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 106 dB/W/m
- Power Handling: 1,000mW
- Plug Type: Gold, Stereo Unimatch plug 1/4″ and 1/8″
- Cord Length: Cord Length 9.8 ft
- Weight: 8.1 oz
What’s included:
- Sony MDR-7506 Headphones
- 1/4-Inch Adapter
- Soft Case
9.8Expert Score
This model has an average weight of 8.1 ounces. It's been comfortable for me to play an electronic drum kit with headphones for a long time as the item has soft ear cups and a thick padded headband. Perhaps the only drawback is the unreliable fastening of ear cups.
Performance
9.8
Design/Ease-of-Use
9.8
Technology
9.8
Value for Money
9.6
PROS:
- Excellent sound quality;
- Perfect volume;
- Don’t put pressure on your head.
CONS:
- Ear cups might come off.
2. Best Isolation Headphones for Drummers – Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO
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It’s one of the most popular headphone models from the German company Beyerdynamic, which can often be seen on famous musicians during studio performances.
This particular model has an impedance of 250 Ohms; therefore, they are great for specialized audio software. As they are closed-type headphones, they transmit even very low frequencies. It’s handy if you use 808 Kick a lot. Its full frequency range is 5-35000Hz. Simultaneously, the headphones give highly detailed sound, transmitting even a very dense mix with high quality. The item’s sensitivity is 96dB, which is lower than the previous model. But good sound insulation compensates for it. The maximum input power is 100mW.
Specifications:
- Headphone Type: Closed over-ear headphones
- Magnet Type: Neodymium
- Frequency Response: 5-35000Hz
- Impedance: 32/80/250 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 96 dB/mW
- Power Handling: 96.28 dB/mW
- Plug Type: 3.5 mm
- Cord Length: 1.6 m/straight cable (32 Ω version), 3 m/straight cables (80 Ω version), 3 m/coiled cables (250 Ω version)
- Weight: 9.5 oz
What’s included:
- Headphones
- Operating instructions
9.7Expert Score
As I have written earlier, the DT 770 PRO is a closed type of headphone. They totally soundproof any noise, both for a musician and for those around them. That is why they are often used for radio broadcasts. The 250-Ohm model weighs 10.2 ounces and has a 9.8-foot coiled cable. There is a stereo 1/4 inch jack adapter.
Performance
9.8
Design/Ease-of-Use
9.7
Technology
9.7
Value for Money
9.6
PROS:
- Highly detailed sound;
- Good sound insulation;
- Made of quality materials.
CONS:
- Not very comfortable;
- Its cable can get in your way.
3. Best Headphones for Drummers Playing Live – Roland V-Drums
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This model is specialized drum headphones from the premier electronic kit brand, Roland.
According to the manufacturer, the headphones are explicitly optimized for drummers who use V-Drums and electronic percussion. The frequency range is 10-25000Hz. Nevertheless, this model works great with both low (kicks and toms) and high (cymbals and shakers) frequencies. And 2-inch drivers convey accurately not only the tone but also the dynamics of your instrument. Also, the headphones are really powerful; their sensitivity is 103dB. In general, it seemed to me that they are suitable not only for playing drums but also for full-mix playback.
One of this model’s advantages is a straight 8.2 feet cord that does not interfere with drumming. Its stereo miniature phone-type plug is gold-plated. Additionally, a 1/4-inch adapter is supplied.
Specifications:
- Headphone Type: Dynamic, closed
- Magnet Type: Neodymium
- Driver Size: 50 mm
- Frequency Response: 10–22000 Hz
- Impedance: 65 Ω
- Sensitivity: 92 dB/mW
- Plug Type: Stereo mini(gold-plated)/Plug adaptor(mini plug to 1/4 inch phone plug)
- Cord Length: 3 m/10′
- Weight: 7 oz
What’s included:
- Headphones
9.7Expert Score
The item belongs to closed-type headphones; therefore, it does not allow extraneous sounds to penetrate the mix and preserve low frequencies as much as possible. As a downside, I would like to point out that the headphones are quite heavy, weighing 11 ounces.
Performance
9.7
Design/Ease-of-Use
9.7
Value for Money
9.7
PROS:
- Convenient cord;
- Large speakers;
- Optimized for electronic drums.
CONS:
- Pretty heavy.
4. Best Drumming Headphones Noise Cancelling – Vic Firth V2
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One of the newest models in my top, it appeared in 2018. Its main advantage is excellent sound insulation.
This model has quite large speakers; their diameter is 2 inches. It allows them to deliver powerful bass and clear mids and highs. The headphones’ frequency range is 20-20000Hz. The straight cord is 5.5 feet long, shorter than other top models, but sufficient for drumming.
These headphones are specially designed for drummers. As you know, acoustic drums are very loud instruments, so improved noise absorption was an important criterion in their design. They offer reduced noise levels by as much as 25dB compared to the previous model.
Therefore, they can also be used simply as earplugs without an audio signal to drown out loud sounds.
Specifications:
- Headphone Type: Dynamic, closed
- Magnet Type: NFB
- Driver Size: 50mm Dynamic Speaker Mylarcon
- Frequency Response: 20HZ-20kHZ
- Impedance: 250ohm +/- 15%
- Sensitivity: 102 dB
- Plug Type: 1/8″ stereo plug and 1/4″ adapter
- Cord Length: 5.5 feet
- Weight: 0.86 lbs
What’s included:
- Headphones
9.6Expert Score
These headphones do not press your ears too much and do not cause discomfort even with prolonged wear. In this case, even if you shake your head very hard, the headphones will not fall. However, this model's cord is not as reliable as that of its more expensive counterparts.
Performance
9.6
Design/Ease-of-Use
9.6
Technology
9.6
Value for Money
9.5
PROS:
- Excellent noise reduction;
- Good price;
- Comfortable design.
CONS:
- There may be problems with the cord.
5. Budget-Friendly Electronic Drum Set Headphones – Alesis DRP100
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It is a budget option for playing e-drums with good sound insulation. Despite the low price, they sound pretty good and meet all the requirements.
This model has 1.5-inch drivers, which provides a fairly high-quality sound. The frequency range is 10-30000Hz; the sensitivity is 98dB. One of the advantages is its uneven frequency response, which is optimized specifically for drum monitoring. It’s handy when you need to extract the sound of electronic drums from an entire mix. True, the impedance is only 32Ohm, so the sound distortion is stronger than on models with higher values. To improve its quality, I advise you to purchase an amplifier additionally.
The headphones sit tightly on your head. However, in my opinion, they press the head a lot.
Specifications:
- Headphone Type: Dynamic, closed
- Magnet Type: Neodymium
- Driver Size: 1.5-inch
- Frequency Response: 10-30000Hz
- Impedance: 32Ohm
- Sensitivity: 98dB
- Plug Type: 1/8 jack
- Cord Length: 5.9 feet
- Weight: 12.8 oun
What’s included:
- Headphones
9.6Expert Score
Also, personally, my ears were sweating, possibly due to the material that covers the membranes. Plus, they're pretty heavy at 12.8 ounces. The 5.9 feet cable has a gold-plated 1/8 jack. The kit includes an adapter for connecting to professional audio equipment.
Performance
9.6
Design/Ease-of-Use
9.5
Technology
9.6
Value for Money
9.7
PROS:
- Low price;
- Good sound insulation;
- Wide frequency range.
CONS:
- Heavy;
- Not very comfortable.
Good Headphones for Drummers Buyer’s Guide
Finding and buying good headphones can be time-consuming, given the huge selection of brands and models available today. To save you time, I have compiled a small guide with all the important info.
How to choose the best headphones for electronic drums?
Most of the products from the world’s leading manufacturers provide good sound quality. However, those designed specifically for use with e-drums offer a fuller dynamic range. There are several criteria you should pay attention to first.
Isolation
Quality studio headphones for drummers should completely block out external noise so that you can focus only on your music. In some models, it is realized due to a snug fit of ear cups, and in more advanced models, active noise cancellation technology is used.
Sound quality
Indicators such as impedance, frequency response, and range are responsible for sound quality. All of these technical aspects should be balanced so that you can hear the entire frequency range, from the highest sounds to the lowest bass. Also, pay attention to the size of the drivers. Too large will not reproduce high frequencies well, while too small will not give clean bass.
Comfort
Objective technical indicators can give an understanding of the quality of an instrument, but comfort plays, in my opinion, one of the main roles when choosing a product. Headphones shouldn’t be too heavy, or your neck will get tired. Besides, they should not put pressure on your ears, and a headband should be adjusted according to your head’s volume.
Design
Drum recording headphones should be made of high-quality materials and have solid construction. It will provide an excellent sound as no parts rattle and also guarantee a long product life. If you regularly carry your devices with you, pay attention to whether they are foldable or not.
In-ear monitors vs Overhead headphones
I think all musicians can be divided into two equal groups: those who prefer in-ear monitors and those who cannot live without over-ear headphones. Each of them will say that the type they have chosen is better, and they will be right in their own way. Both of these types have their undeniable advantages, but, of course, there are also disadvantages. The choice of a specific model depends directly on the conditions in which you play.
In-ear monitors are very compact and easy to take with you when traveling. They fit snugly in your ear canal, isolating sound from both the inside and the outside. However, not everyone can tolerate having a foreign object in their ear for a long time. Moreover, models with reasonable prices have small drivers, so they cannot reproduce the entire frequency range.
While overhead headphones can be bulky and less portable, they offer better sound quality. Most of these devices have large drivers that allow a musician to hear a complete frequency range. At the same time, they provide good sound insulation and are comfortable to wear, even if you play for a long time. It is for these qualities that professional drummers appreciate them.
Drummers Headphones FAQ
Here I have collected answers to some questions from my readers. If you have a question about headphones for drumming practice, please ask me in the comments below.
Can you use headphones with electronic drums?
Sure, you can. E-drums involve the use of headphones while playing or mixing music. Specially designed electronic instrument gears have improved accuracy and are perfectly balanced to transmit the entire frequency range. In general, I can say ordinary headphones are enough to play on e-drums, but for mixing, it is better to choose professional models.
What are the best headphones for drummers?
The answer to this question depends on several factors and is very individual in many ways. Each musician has a different set of requirements and wishes. Personally, I think the Sony MDR7506 is the best in the business, but I’m sure there will be those who disagree with me. While this model was not designed specifically for electronic drums, it does provide full-spectrum sound.
Is it better to learn drums on an electronic kit?
Yes, e-drums are an excellent option for aspiring musicians. Choosing electronic drum sets with headphones allows you to practice, try new combinations, and make mistakes without annoying others. From a learning point of view, these devices have many functions that will be very useful for beginners.
They are also easy to customize to suit the individual musician’s requirements. The main thing is to get the correct kit. It is not to say that acoustic drums are not suitable for beginners, but an e-kit makes the whole process much easier.
How can I listen to music while playing electronic drums?
All modern devices are equipped with a special module that allows you to play drums to other instruments’ accompaniment. Some have a built-in set of tracks, while others let you connect your player and pick any recording. In headphones, you will hear the song and your drums; the main thing is to balance the sound.
Conclusion
As you can see, the choice of a specific model of headphones directly depends on your preferences and the tasks you plan to perform with them. At the top of my list, there is the Sony MDR7506. It is the best product for electronic drums as it offers excellent value for money. Also, for me, it was the most convenient compared with other items. These headphones aren’t too heavy and don’t put pressure on your head.
If you disagree with my opinion, please write about it in the comments. Which model do you think is best for you and why?
