Best Drumming Headphones

October 22, 2010
It's nearly impossible to play the drums with improper headphones, which is why it's very important to find a comfortable sound isolation model that's appropriate for your playing situations as well as your budget. As the volume level continues to rise at today's live performance venues, drummers are increasingly wearing headphones instead of relying on floor monitors. And obviously the studio is where cans reign supreme, so a general rule of thumb regarding headphone selection for drummers recognizes this divide. In the studio it's wise to pay more for superior sound quality. If you mainly play live and don't do all that much recording, save some money... Read More and get durable but less expensive headphones that adequately isolate you from outside distractions. Minimize
Metrophones MP Headphones with Metronome System

Why it's best: American-made Metrophones are really impressive, an ingenious combination of headphones and a convenient built-in metronome system. There's also a removable 9-foot cord with a 3.5mm plug equipped with a 1/4-inch adapter, comfortable cushions, a line out for the click plus the nice touch of the included 9-volt battery. This pair of drummer-targeted headphones offers lots of options and most importantly, great sound isolation and an outstanding speaker system. Read Full Review

Beyer Dynamic DT770M Monitor Headphones

Why it's best: Audiophiles will love these Beyer Dynamic headphones that are equally terrific for drummers, other musicians and engineers. The DT770Ms are the best sounding model on this list, though accordingly they are the most expensive. But you do get what you pay for. These headphones aren't heavy at all and they have sturdy support features. They also isolate sound up to 35 decibels, making them an excellent investment for drummers who do a lot of studio work. Read Full Review

Direct Sound EX-29 Extreme Isolation Headphones

Why it's best: Be sure to take a good look at these before choosing drummer-friendly headphones. Direct Sound's EX-29s transmit clear, crisp, beautiful sound while soundly blocking out the distracting tones and noises of the outside world. This product's simple, comfortable design makes them very ergonomic, and they're affordable, too. The EX-29s also fold up for compact storage, and the positioning of cords toward the back of the head prevents interference with hands or drum kit components. Read Full Review

Direct Sound EX-25 Extreme Isolation Headphones

Why it's best: These are the step-down model from Direct Sound's noteworthy EX-29s. They are on par with the Vic Firth competition as far as sound quality goes, but their support structure design is more comfortable. They only weigh about 9 ounces and have a "red is right" color coded inside panel -- no clumsy searching for the little "R" or "L." Direct Sound's cans are in fact some of the most comfortable isolation headphones available. The EX-25s are by far the most comfy for under $100. Read Full Review

Vic Firth Stereo Isolation Headphones

Why it's best: If almost $300 seems too much for high-end headphones like the Beyer Dynamics, Vic Firth will do the isolation job just fine. SIH1s are great at blocking out external sounds so that all you hear when recording or performing are your drums coming through their mics and whatever the accompanying sound mix may be. These won't exactly dazzle the ears when compared to much more expensive products, but at less than 60 bucks these are definitely adequate and refreshingly affordable. The Vic Firth SIH1 headphones are durable, roadworthy, and they isolate very efficiently. Read Full Review

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