When you are listening to playback in the studio or trying not to bother your roommates while you learn the newest bass solo, you will need a good set of headphones. Finding the right bass guitar headphones is not as simple as rushing out to your local Best Buy and just grabbing a pair from the shelf though.
There are lots of things that you need to think about when choosing a set of headphones to be used with your bass. Once you have done that, you will be left with a whole slew of awesome options, so which one do you buy?
In this guide, we will help you not only figure out what makes a great pair of headphones for your bass guitar, but also look closely at some of the best bass guitar headphones available on the market today. But first, what makes bass guitar headphones special?
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Bass Guitar Headphones
- OUR TOP PICK: Sony MDR-7506 Professional Large Foldable Headphones
- RUNNER-UP: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Behringer HPS3000 Studio Headphones
Table of Contents
How Are Bass Guitar Headphones Different?
Though most bass guitar headphones are very similar to regular, run-of-the-mill headphones, there are some things to look for when looking for headphones that will work well with basses specifically.
You will find many models marketed as bass-heavy, but in truth, most of those are simply trying to capitalize on the popularity of music that is bass-centric like EDM. So, how can you trust the packaging or the word of people paid to make products sell? You will want to look for headphones with high-quality drivers.
This is where bass guitar headphones differ from generic alternatives. When dealing with headphones specifically designed for bass, like several of our options below, you will find more significant drivers. These drivers will be able to handle the lower frequencies you get when playing bass. In truth, this is the only significant difference when you look at a bass guitar headphone.
Why Did These Headphones Make Our List?
When looking at the models below, we analyzed several key factors and after doing so, compiled our list. These factors are just some of the features you can use to guide your decision-making process to its perfect conclusion.
Driver
These little speakers live inside your headphones and are probably the single most significant factor of bass quality. It takes the electrical signal sent through them via the jack and cable and changes it into sound. This feature is measured millimeters. For headphones that are designed for bass, you will want the larger drivers usually somewhere in the 40-45mm range.
Comfort
You may be wearing these headphones for extended times, and the last thing you want is a set that is simply unbearable to wear. You will want to look for nicely cushioned ear cups and a headband that is cushioned and not too tight. You will want to also look at the isolation to make sure no matter how loud you get, you will not be disturbing those around you.
Ear Build
This is really a reference, but you have two models to choose from: on-ear or over-ear. With on-ear, you usually get a more compact headphone from better ear ventilation, whereas with the over-ear option, you get larger headphones that almost always have better isolation.
Materials
Paying attention to the use of the materials in the construction of your bass headphones will help you determine the durability. After all, you don’t want to keep buying headphones because the previous model broke. So, look for high-quality materials, and you will certainly not be led astray.
Price
Lastly, understanding your budget and watching the price of the headphones will help you limit your options down to the ones that have some or all the qualities you are looking for. Doing this will ensure you get the headphones you want and are still able to grab that Starbucks after the jam session.
Comparison of the Best Bass Guitar Headphones
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Review of the Best Bass Guitar Headphones
So now that you know how we chose the options below, let’s take an in-depth tour of each.
Best Overall:
Sony MDR-7506 Professional Large Foldable Headphones
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers were not only impressed with the sound quality of these headphones, but also emphasized the fact that their sound quality comes with an affordable price tag. The functionality of these headphones leaves little to be desired, giving you a great flat frequency response with excellent dynamics.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We were immediately drawn to this product by the obviously superior quality of its drivers. These finely crafted drivers and magnets more than justify our ranking this as the best overall headphones for bass. Also, they can be folded to fit in your backpack or guitar case so you can easily take them with you without damaging them -- a huge plus.
Who Will Use This Most
This is great for the practicing bassist that has limited space. The cabled headphones don’t allow for much mobility, but the improved sound quality will help practicing bassists get the most out of their time.
Bottom Line
These compact headphones from Sony may tether you to your guitar, but they offer superior sound quality. Their dynamic range leaves nothing to be desired, giving you big bass and even, clear highs.
Runner-up:
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers love the flexibility of the three cables that come with these headphones and their competitive affordability. Though they may not like the entire plastic construction, which brings a lack of durability, for the most part, they can overlook that for the quality of the sound.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The high-grade drivers are extra-large, and that is why this model found its way to the runner-up position. These drivers help with clarity and tone, which optimizes overall tonal quality.
Who Will Use This Most
These headphones are great for the bassist that deals with extremely low tones or works with more than the standard 4-string bass. Additionally, if you are someone who enjoys listening to dance tracks with heavy bass, you may find that these have an excellent bass response.
Bottom Line
Audio-Technica brings us an excellently crafted headphone that maximizes all the ranges of the sound your bass creates. While they are not completely noise-blocking, the price makes up for this, and they are super comfortable too.
Best for the Money:
Behringer HPS3000 Studio Headphones
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers love the comfortability and versatility of these headphones. Even with the issue with cable tangling, users still feel like this is a great choice for extended use thanks to their awesome comfort and fit. It is also easy to plug these in thanks to the headphone jack.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The range of all the major attributes of these headphones is what stands out to us most. These headphones are crafted with frequency response and dynamic range that is outstanding. You can use these for practicing as well as when you want to enjoy music to the fullest.
Who Will Use This Most
This is great for the bassist that maybe uses non-standard tuning on occasion and needs access to transparent highs. If you live in an apartment or share a house with other people, these will also come in handy to ensure you do not disturb those around you when you want to practice.
Bottom Line
Behringer always delivers high-quality products and with the HPS3000, this is no different. The range of sound dynamics makes this an excellent option for any bassist, and the price is unbelievable based on the quality. And if you want a pair of headphones that are multi-functional that you can use for listening to music as well, this is the pair for you.
4. Phil Jones Bass Guitar Headphones H-850
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People that have used these headphones rave about the comfort and the balanced tuning they get with them. Plus, they are well balanced, which is not always the case with headphones. While these may not be the best looking headphones on the market, they are lightweight and fit well to most people’s ears.
Why it Stands Out to Us
When dealing with bass, you want to retain the fidelity of the low tones, and the drivers fitted into this helps maintain that for optimal bass sound. These headphones come with a detachable cable which is an amazing feature if you are planning on packing these into your bag to take along with you -- by detaching, you can prevent bends and breaks.
Who Will Use This Most
These headphones are perfect for bassists who are dealing with a noisy environment to practice in. The detachable cable is a nice touch as well and makes it easy to get away from the crowd for a little solo practice time.
Bottom Line
Though this brand may not be widely known to the masses, it is a high-quality option; after you have invested in these headphones, you will be touting its superiority to all your other bass playing buddies.
5. Edifier H850 Over-The-Ear Pro Headphones
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Despite the issues with timbre, the majority of customers love this model for its durability and comfort. Looking at the reviews or talking with a bassist that has made this their go-to headset, you will hear the clear bass tones praised regularly.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The ultimate noise reduction of these headphones is what stands out most to us. That, coupled with high-grade drivers, makes this a phenomenal choice for any bassist looking for just the right impedance and frequency range.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a great set of headphones for any bassist, but especially those that are taking classes and need isolation that is superior to your typical headphones. Additionally, if you share a house with people who don’t want to be disturbed when you practice, or if you are someone who likes to practice at all hours of the day and night, you will find great value in these.
Bottom Line
Our last entry is a stellar piece of equipment that any bassist would be well advised to add to their gear. With its 40mm driver and overall ergonomic design, you would think that is all you need, but the team at Edifier went ahead and made them super portable as well.
Perks of Getting New Headphones
There are a lot of great perks you will be able to take advantage of while rocking those brand-new bass guitar headphones. Here are just a few:
Sound Quality
With a new set of headphones, you will be able to have better sound quality, especially if they are designed with large drivers to support your bass's low end.
Portability
Newer headphones are all intended to be taken with you, so many of them have a more compact frame or can be folded down. This will help you be able to take your headphones to every lesson or session you need to without much additional weight.
Comfort
You will have better comfort while you play. No matter what style you go with, you will be set for long hours of jamming.
Versatility
Provided that you choose wisely, you could get a set of headphones that you can use not only for your bass but also to rock out to tunes on the treadmill or the plane.
What Do I Need to Know Before Buying Bass Guitar Headphones?
Though we have laid out numerous features and benefits, you should consider and understand there are still a few things you should know before buying those bass guitar headphones.
Compatibility
If you plan on buying these headphones and using them for anything else, you may want to pay close attention to the jack. Make sure it offers the ability to be used with your other devices. Not all headphones are capable of doing this efficiently.
Terminology
Knowing what audio-specific terminology means can help you decipher the specs of each and find the headphones that are the right ones for you.
Impedance
This is the measurement of how much volume your drivers can output without any degradation of sound quality.
Frequency Range
This is the range of individual frequencies like low, mid, and high that your headphones' driver is capable of reproducing.
Latency
This is the amount of time it takes the signal to get from the transmitter to the receiver. In other words, the time it takes for the audio to get from your bass to the headphones.
Dynamic Range
This is the ratio between the loudest signal and the quietest. This relates to the isolation; so, the larger the range, the better.
How to Play Your Bass Through Headphones
Knowing the environment you want to pay in will help you choose the style of headphones that will work best for you. If you are practicing in a noisy area, you will want superior isolation, and that means a closed-ear model.
If, however, you have a quiet space, you will be able to go with an open ear model easily. There are semi-closed options as well if you use don’t know what practice location the day will bring.
Conclusion
In this guide, we have gone over a lot of information that we hope will help you arrive at your final decision with ease. We wish you all the best in your search for that perfect set of bass guitar headphones.
