Best DAC under $100 – Review & Buyer’s Guide

Do you plan on learning music production or audio engineering? Then getting a pair of studio headphones should be your first step. Having a good pair of studio headphones allows you to hear all the details in the music that helps in editing music.

As an audiophile, I can tell you it’s not something you can expect within a budget. That’s why I did a lot of research to find the best studio headphones under 100.

This can be very helpful for beginners who are willing to learn music production and editing. But they can’t spend too much money on equipment.

Best in performance

 best overall

best in budget

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

PreSonus HD9 Monitoring Headphones

Samson Technologies SR850

So, let’s get started and get you some quality studio headphones within a budget.

Contents

Top 11 studio headphones under 100

What you will get here are some top-quality headphones that are affordable and come with a variety of features. These are great for starting as an audio engineer.

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x – best in performance

I don’t think I have to convince you too much about the quality of an Audio Technica headphone. It’s a brand well known for making quality studio headphones, and this one is no different. And it’s something that comes to you as an affordable choice.

The first thing to love about this headphone is the balanced sound quality. With a balance in the sound, you get to hear all the audio’s spectrums to edit the music better.

I loved the comfortability aspect of these headphones more than anything else. You can wear the headphones all day long without hurting your ears, thanks to the padded earcups.

 Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

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Specifications

  • Headphone type: Closed back
  • Driver: 40mm
  • Frequency response: 15 to 24000hz
  • Dimension: 11.4 x 10 x 4.1 inches
  • Weight: 0.52lbs
  • Connectivity: Wired 

Pros

  • The sound quality is pretty neutral and balanced for a better editing experience.
  • It’s super comfortable with all the padding around the headband and earcups
  • It comes with a foldable design which makes it great for portability
  • This is surely a value for a money studio headphone
  • You will love the volume even without any audio interface 

Cons

  • The headband clamps can cause some discomfort in long hours of use
  • When you use it continuously for hours, it can get hot 

2. Sennheiser Pro Audio HD280PRO

I am pretty sure you have heard of the name Sennheiser if you have searched for quality headphones. Well, this one is an affordable studio headphone from Sennheiser that comes with their signature sound quality.

First of all, the sound quality you get on this is balanced, warm, and natural. You can see everything clearly when you put this on, as it can fade out your surrounding noises pretty well. This way, you can listen to the audio details perfectly for your work.

Other than that, you get a durable and sturdy built that can collapse. So, it’s a heavy-duty headphone that you can carry with you almost anywhere you go. It’s a great feature to have if you are an audio engineer and move around for shows.

Sennheiser Pro Audio HD280PRO

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Specifications

  • Headphone type: Closed back
  • Driver: 40mm
  • Frequency response: 8 to 25000hz
  • Dimension: 9.64 x 7.36 x 3.3 inches
  • Weight: 1.28lbs
  • Connectivity: Wired

Pros

  • The headphone has a sturdy build quality that is pretty reliable
  • You can carry it whenever due to the foldable design
  • It has got the perfect sound quality for audio editing and engineering
  • This offers a good level of comfort through the headband and cushioned earpads
  • The closed-ear design keeps away the outside noise at bay 

Cons

  • It can get hot after long hours of use
  • The headband may be a bit too large to carry 

3. Yamaha HPH-MT5 Monitor Headphones

Anyone into music knows about Yamaha because of its presence in every sphere of music. Their headphones are also quite popular in that regard, and this one is proof of that. You get quality and expert engineering for the best possible studio headphone experience.

It must hurt your ears and head when you keep wearing heavy headphones for hours. But with this one, you don’t need to worry one bit. It comes with extremely lightweight construction and comfortable padding to give you the most comfort.

In a studio headphone, what you want is a balanced sound rather than a boosted bass. This is purely what you get from these headphones as well. It has a nice balanced and natural sound quality that makes your editing and mixing work flawlessly.

 AKG Pro Audio K240

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Specifications

  • Headphone type: Closed-back
  • Driver: 40mm
  • Frequency response: 20 to 20000hz
  • Dimension: 10.4 x 4.1 x 11 inches
  • Weight: 0.55lbs
  • Connectivity: Wired

Pros

  • It’s a lightweight headphone for extreme comfort
  • You get a clear, balanced sound profile for the best studio results
  • It comes with great noise isolation from the closed-back design
  • This one has a foldable design which makes it easy to carry
  • It has easy usage even without an audio interface 

Cons

  • The high notes may not be as detailed as you would expect
  • It doesn’t have the best of build quality 

4. PreSonus HD9 Professional Monitoring Headphones – best overall

Now, you may not have heard about this brand, but it’s a headphone that brings up a strong case for you. It has some great features, and the quality is quite impressive as well.

I was pretty surprised to see the level of noise isolation on this one. It is so precise in isolating the noise around that you can hear every single detail of the audio. And combined with a balanced sound profile, you can get the most potential of editing a piece of music.

Along with that, it has got some adjustability features so you can gain portability. It’s also very comfortable to wear the headphone all day long without any fatigue at well.

PreSonus HD9 Professional Monitoring Headphones

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Specifications

  • Headphone type: Closed back
  • Driver: 45mm
  • Frequency response: 10 to 26000hz
  • Dimension: 3.4 x 5.8 x 8.5 inches
  • Weight: 0.50lbs
  • Connectivity: Wired

Pros

  • You can get an excellent and precise sound design from this headphone
  • It gives you top-notch noise cancellation for the price
  • It’s collapsible, so you can carry it around
  • The comfort you get on this is impressive
  • It has got a pretty decent build quality 

Cons

  • The cable isn’t detachable, so you may go through some tangling cables
  • It can overheat due to the closed-back design 

5. AKG Pro Audio K240 STUDIO Over-Ear

Don’t like the closed-back design? Need a wider soundstage? I have got you covered with this semi-closed back studio headphone from AKG.

Coming to the sound quality of these headphones, you can’t complain about them at all. It gives you the perfect balance of high, mid, and low frequencies. It doesn’t stomp up the sound with any muddy bass, which you would want in a studio headphone.

It’s very comfortable and light to work with, so you can use it for hours. Along with that, the semi-open back design allows you to be connected with your surroundings. This can be very helpful when you are in a live performance stage.

 AKG Pro Audio K240

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Specifications

  • Headphone type: Semi open back
  • Driver: 30mm
  • Frequency response: 15 to 25000hz
  • Dimension: 4.3 x 7.48 x 7.87 inches
  • Weight: 0.53lbs
  • Connectivity: Wired

Pros

  • You get a wider soundstage on this one due to the semi-open back design
  • It gives you the perfect balance of all frequencies for a better editing advantage
  • The headphone is very comfortable and fits in your ear perfectly
  • It comes with a detachable wire for better convenience
  • The built quality is very impressive, and it will last you for a long time 

Cons

  • It doesn’t have noise isolation if you need it
  • The headband lacks padding 

6. Koss Pro-4AA Studio Quality Headphones

Want to go classic with your studio headphones? Then I suggest you go for this one. It’s a headphone that has been there for ages, and you can surely get some professional performance from it.

The headphone is made of steel so you can say goodbye to your worry about durability. On top of that steel core, you do get a headband with rubber padding, and it’s pretty generous. Also, the fitting is perfect due to the adjustable slide bars.

As for the sound quality, it’s just perfect for studio use. You get a kind of retro-sounding performance from it, which adds a unique flavor.

Koss Pro-4AA Studio Quality Headphones

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Specifications

  • Headphone type: Closed back
  • Frequency response: 10 to 20000hz
  • Dimension: 9.45 x 9.45 x 4.09 inches
  • Weight: 1.50lbs
  • Connectivity: Wired

Pros

  • The sound quality is unique a suitable for a studio headphone
  • It’s great for durability because of the steel core built
  • You get extreme comfort from the generous padding on the headband
  • The adjustable slide bars give you perfect fitting
  • Closed ear design gives you a more isolated feel 

Cons

  • It’s heavy and bulky, so you may not like it
  • The unique sound quality isn’t suitable for everyone 

7. Beyerdynamic DT 240 PRO monitoring headphone

If getting the best performance capability is your need, then I would recommend you get this. It opens up all the possibilities for you in the field of audio editing and engineering.

You will be getting the most detailed version of sound you have ever heard for the sound quality. It gives you great trebles, excellent midrange, and a clean bass for the perfect tuning you need to do in your studio.

Well, every headphone I shared was great in comfortability, and this one is no different. But what you get on this is the perfect volume boost without even using any interface or amplifier.

Specifications

  • Headphone type: Closed back
  • Frequency response: 5 to 35000hz
  • Dimension: 8.5 x 7.9 x 2 inches
  • Weight: 0.7lbs
  • Connectivity: Wired

Pros

  • The sound quality of this one will exceed all your expectations
  • You get great noise isolation from the closed-back design
  • It’s very much comfortable
  • You can make excellent sound tuning with its greater frequency ranges
  • The headphone comes with some top-notch durability built 

Cons

  • It may leak some sound here and there
  • The fit may not suit people with larger heads 

8. Shure SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones

Getting this headphone will have a benefit for anyone who needs a headphone for live audio uses. This is great for recording and mixing in live conditions because of the features and performance.

The reason for this being a great headphone for live conditions is that it has great power handling. Also, the sensitivity of frequencies on this one is perfectly calibrated. So, you can use it right away with various mixing consoles and amplifiers.

Another thing to love about this is the sound isolation. Even in the busiest and noisiest of places, you get to hear the details of the sounds properly to work on the music. As for the sound, you will get perfect crisp sounds with all the details in them.

Specifications

  • Headphone type: Closed back
  • Frequency response: 10 to 22000hz
  • Dimension: 4.5 x 8.5 x 9.5 inches
  • Weight: 0.7lbs
  • Connectivity: Wired

Pros

  • This has a top-notch sound isolation feature that is very effective
  • You get great comfortability in this headphone
  • It gives you crisp, detailed sound throughout all the frequencies for the best editing experience.
  • The foldability is excellent for carrying it around
  • The headband is also adjustable for a perfect fit 

Cons

  • The folding mechanism isn’t that great
  • It has a questionable built quality 

9. CAD Audio Sessions MH510 Closed-Back Headphones

If you search for the most professional and precise headphone experience, this is the thing you need. It comes with excellent accuracy in the sound and gives you great scope for editing.

For the best studio editing results, you get the perfect accuracy in every frequency range. This allows you to hear and calibrate the frequencies properly and get the best possible outcome. Whether it’s the bass or the treble, perfection is all you get.

Now, what’s unique about this one is the added accessories. You get replaceable earpads on this one who makes sure this headphone lasts for a long time. And you also get extra cables, so you don’t have to go looking for a new one when the older one gets bad.

Specifications

  • Headphone type: Closed back
  • Driver: 50mm
  • Frequency response: 10 to 24000hz
  • Dimension: 9 x 5 x 11 inches
  • Weight: 1.45lbs
  • Connectivity: Wired

Pros

  • It gives you some excellent results in studio editing
  • The noise isolation feature makes it great for live concert use
  • With the added earpads, you get the option to switch them and get the best comfort
  • You get precise frequency and notes with this studio headphone
  • This one will last you long enough 

Cons

  • They need a bit of a break-in period
  • The headphone is a bit large, so they can be hard to carry 

10. Tascam TH-03 Closed Back Headphone

Something that will astonish you a lot on this is the price. Because the quality is pretty close to the ones that I have talked about till now. Let’s check out the other features aside from the cheap price tag.

While it’s a cheap headphone that doesn’t make it any less comfortable, you still get comfortable headphones that you can wear and work for hours without fatigue. The earpads and headband are all well-padded.

As for the sound quality, I have to say it’s not the balance you expect in studio headphones. It has an imbalance in the sound, but the noise isolation makes up for it a lot. And considering the price, the sound quality is pretty good for listening to music, so it all works out.

Specifications

  • Headphone type: Closed back
  • Driver: 50mm
  • Frequency response: 18 to 22000hz
  • Dimension: 7.3 x 9.95 x 3.8 inches
  • Weight: 1lbs
  • Connectivity: Wired

Pros

  • This is the cheapest studio headphone you can find for a decent quality
  • The comfortability factor is a great plus on this one
  • It has pretty good noise isolation features going on
  • The bass response on this one is excellent
  • This works well even at high volumes 

Cons

  • It doesn’t have a balanced sound
  • You don’t get the best of build quality 

11. Samson Technologies SR850 Semi-Open – best in budget

Well, here you are, looking at the absolute best thing within a budget. It has a semi-open back so that you can expect a greater soundstage. And getting the sound quality like this one at an affordable price is a deal you can’t let go of.

Coming to the sound quality, I don’t have any complaints whatsoever. It has got that perfect balance of bass and highs. You get some deep rumble in the bass while the highs are as crisp as you would expect.

As for the comfortability, you get a whole lot of it. You can wear them for hours of mixing and mastering, and you will still not feel any fatigue at all.

Related: Detailed Review of Samson SR850

 Samson Technologies SR850

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Specifications

  • Headphone type: Semi-open-back
  • Driver: 50mm
  • Frequency response: 10 to 30000hz
  • Dimension: 8 x 8 x 4.8 inches
  • Weight: 1lbs
  • Connectivity: Wired

Pros

  • You will get a wider soundstage because of the semi open-back design
  • It gives you a great balance of bass and treble
  • The comfortability of this headphone is very impressive
  • It’s an absolute value for money headphone for studio work
  • You can get detailed sound throughout all the frequency ranges on this 

Cons

  • It doesn’t have any detachable cables
  • It’s not foldable, so portability is not there for you 

Tips for Buying Studio Headphones under 100 – Buying Guide

When you are trying to buy the best studio headphone, you have to look into some factors. Considering these factors help you in finding the perfect choice for your personal needs. Here are the things you should be considered for a studio headphone.

  • Sound quality: This is the most important thing to consider for studio headphones. In typical headphones, you are probably buying them for listening to music. So, in that scenario, most people prefer to have a powerful bass on it.

But for studio headphones, that’s something you want to avoid. You will want a headphone that can produce a balanced sound. This allows you to edit and work through all the frequencies and get the perfect music out there.

So, look for a headphone that gives you a neutral and balanced sound with the most details.

  • Open back/ closed-back: Usually, a closed-back design is much more preferable for studio headphones. Because that allows you to listen to every piece of music without any distraction. Closed-back headphones offer more noise isolation and give you a clean environment to listen to every detail.

However, even though open-back headphones leak some sound, they give a better response due to that. You can hear the sounds coming out so you can make the necessary adjustment. It gives you a better soundstage which can be better in some live scenarios.

All in all, it’s better to go for closed headphones for studio requirements as they serve the purpose better. But there is not much harm in going for an open back either.

  • Comfortability: This is something you should consider in your headphone for sure. Especially when you are going to buy studio headphones. Because it’s not something that you will wear just to listen to music for a while.

Working on a piece of music can take hours, so you will have to wear the headphones for hours. And if the headphone isn’t comfortable, you will soon get fatigued on your head and ears. That’s why looking for comfortability is a must in these headphones.

  • Accuracy: Well, accuracy is something you should look for in every headphone. But studio headphones are meaningless without them. If your headphone doesn’t give you accurate sound, you will probably meddle with the wrong frequencies, and the results won’t be as you expect.

For the best editing results, it’s a must that your headphone puts out great accuracy on the frequencies. This way, you can work on the significant frequencies and edit them according to your needs.

Final thoughts 

To sum up, the best studio headphones under 100 will surely satisfy your needs and be great for beginning your audio engineering career. There are some top-quality choices, as you saw above. However, if you are still having a tough time, here’s the little bump you need.

If you want the best performance, go for the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x or CAD Audio Sessions MH510. Looking for a balance of performance and cost? Then go for PreSonus HD9. Need quality within a budget? Then Samson Technologies SR850 is the way to go.

Aside from these, all of them come with quality. So, you can choose any of them and have satisfactory results.

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