Best Headphones For Digital Piano in 2022
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When you spend hours playing on a digital piano, you’ll wish for a professional-grade headphone. Besides keeping the noise low in your apartment, a headphone comes in handy to catch every single note that you’ve struck.
Does a chord sound right? Is the melody overwhelmed by the accompaniment? Or are you projecting the needed emotion on the music?
There’s no better answer than listening to your own rendition and that means getting a decent headphone.
Before you start grabbing the twenty bucks budget headphone from a retailer, you’ll need to understand that not all headphones are made equal. A budget headphone, often engineered with lesser drivers, will not reproduce the sound that’s befitting a pianist.
Therefore, you’ll need to be picky when choosing a headphone for a digital piano.
Headphones For Digital Piano Compared
Choosing A Headphone For Digital Piano
There are a few variables that you need to consider before buying a headphone for the digital piano.
1. Closed-back vs Open-back headphones
Should you get a closed-back or an open-back headphone? There isn’t a strict rule in regard to this but you need to understand the difference between both types of headphones.
A closed-back headphone means there is no opening at the outer area that covers the driver. Therefore, it provides you better sound isolation that greatly cuts of noise from the environment. Musicians who are involved with studio recording will opt for closed-back headphones.
Meanwhile, open-back headphones will provide a more natural sound experience, as you’ll also be hearing some amount of the ambient chatter. Of course, this will be disruptive if you’re playing the piano in a noisy surrounding, which is often true if you’re living with your family.
On most occasions, a closed-back headphone is the best option to go with the digital piano.
2. Comfort
How long will you be practicing? If you’re going to be on the piano for a couple of hours or more, you’ll need a highly comfortable headphone.
Comfort is often defined by the ergonomics of the headphone. Flexibility in terms of swiveling ear cups, adjustable head straps and the choice of materials makes a huge difference on the comfort level.
3. Soundstage
For musicians, the soundstage is a unique experience that must be provided by the headphone. The ability to perceive the direction of the source of music, particularly when you’re focusing on auditory experience alone, is irreplaceable.
Not all headphones could provide a good soundstage experience. You’ll need to get one that provides a considerably wide soundstage.
4. Cost vs Quality
Let’s be realistic about what you need to spend to get a headphone that goes along with the digital piano. Obviously, subpar headphones don’t make the cut.
High-quality professional studio-grade headphones are good candidates for listening to your rendition on the piano. While these headphones aren’t cheap, they are worth every dollar for quality and comfort.
Best Headphones For Digital Piano 2020
1. Audio Technica ATH-M40X
Key Features
- Closed back design
- 40 mm drivers
- 15- 20,000 Hz frequency response.
Audio Technica is no stranger to producing high-quality headphone and this ATH-M40X will fit right into the hands of a pianist. Featuring a 40mm driver, the headphone can reliably produce the richness of the tone across the digital piano.
Designed with a close back construction, you’ll enjoy good sound isolation from the headphone. There will be no sound leaking from the earcups nor would you be interrupted by external noise when playing your favorite piece.
The ATH-M40X is also highly comfortable to put on, thanks to its professionally crafted earpad and headband. The swiveling earcups also help you to get the right fit. You’ll feel highly comfortable wearing the headphone even if you’re spending long hours practicing.
Rather than a fixed cable, the ATH-M40X’s audio cord is detachable. You’ll have two separate cables shipped along with the headphone. The cables are terminated with a 3.5 mm plug and you’ll find a screwed-on adapter to fit in 6.3 mm jacks.
Pros
- Great sound clarity across the audio range.
- Comfortable for long hours.
- Good sound isolation.
Cons
- Not very breathable.
2. Sony MDR7506
Key Features
- Closed-back design.
- 40 mm drivers.
- 10-20,000 Hz frequency response.
The Sony MDR7506 is one of the best professional studio headphones around. It’s known to project flat studio-quality sound, which is ideal to pick up the notes you’ve played in their true colors.
You’ll find comfort and quietude wit the Sony MDR7506. Its extra-large cushion-padded ear cups will ensure complete noise isolation while offering comfort for long hours. This is further enhanced by the headband, which is padded with premium cushion material.
Whether you’re recording or monitoring music on the digital piano, you’ll find that the sound quality of the headphone is unmatched. With 40 mm neodymium-magnet drivers and wide-reaching frequency response, it’s hard for the accuracy in the audio to go unnoticed.
With zero leakage, it’s undeniable that the Sony MDR7506 is almost matchless in audio performance. What’s more commendable is the rugged construction for the headphone, which means it’s unlikely to break apart easily even if you dropped it accidentally.
Pros
- Natural sound reproduction
- Flexible in adjustment.
- No sound leakage.
Cons
- Can get warm on the ears.
3. OneOdio Pro-10G
Key Features
- Closed-back design
- 40 mm drivers
- 20 – 20,000 Hz
Try the OneOdio Pro-10G if you’re having trouble fitting most of the headphones on your head. This headphone boasts various ergonomic features that maximize flexibility for the pianist. For a start, the telescopic design allows the headband to be retractable which is a great feature for people with larger heads.
The comfort level is also optimized with the plush cushioned earcups. You won’t be itching to take it off after playing a few bars. Of course, what’s matters is the sound performance and OneOdio Pro doesn’t disappoint. The headphone has a wide soundstage and offers a balanced sound spectrum that will fit a variety of music pieces.
When you first lay your hand on an OneOdio Pro, you’ll be impressed by the built-quality. It’s obvious that the materials are of premium quality and the craftsmanship second to none. The headphone is also cleverly designed so you’re able to fit in 3.5mm or 6.3mm audio jack with a single cord.
Pros
- Good sound quality, particularly the lows and the highs
- Very effective sound isolation.
- Highly comfortable.
Cons
- Slightly heavy and stuffy.
4. AKG Pro Audio K240
Key Features
- Semi-open back design
- 30 mm drivers
- 15 – 25,000 Hz
You could almost identify an AKG headphone with its unique flexible steel supported design. This AKG Pro Audio K240 features the professionalism of a brand that stretches decade and is well-fitting for a digital piano.
A notable feature on the headphone is its semi-open design, which blends the piano rendition with the ambiance, injecting naturality into the sound spectrum.
An enhanced version of its predecessor, the K240 features a wider sound dynamics which create strong but balanced harmonics across the bass, mids, and treble. Its engineered with the proprietary Varimotion diagram to accurately reproduce the tones struct on the piano.
Comfort and ruggedness go hand-in-hand with the AKG Pro Audio K240. Its steel structure creates a self-fitting mechanism that gently secures the headphone over the wearer’s head. The earpads are made with comfortable padding, which prevents ear fatigue after long hours.
Pros
- Flat and accurate sound reproduction.
- Lightweight and comfortable.
- Breathable
Cons
- Weak noise isolation.
5. Sennheiser HD280 Pro
Key Features
- Closed-back design
- 8- 25,000 Hz Frequency response
Rugged, and bearing a futuristic design are what you can expect from the Sennheiser HD280 Pro. It’s a truly professional-grade studio headphone that will accurately reproduce the frequencies from your digital piano.
Start getting comfortable with the circumaural, fully padded earcups. The sound isolation is good enough for a closed-back headphone that you’re able to focus on the piano. With swiveling earcups and the extended padding on the headband, you’ll be feeling little to no pressure around your head.
Besides being a comfy purchase, the Sennheiser is carrying its weight in the sound department. As a studio headphone, it has a remarkably flat response across the frequencies. This allows you to listen to the raw colors of the tones in practice, recording or monitoring.
The headphone itself is surprisingly lightweight, but some people may feel the thick audio cord to heavy for comfort.
Pros
- Great for playing classical pieces.
- Good sound isolation.
- Highly comfortable
Cons
- Heavy cable.
6. Shure SRH440
Key Features
- Closed back design.
- 40 mm drivers.
- 10 – 22,000 Hz frequency response.
Shure SRH440 isn’t the sleekest headphone around, but it’s one with superior sound quality and fit for monitoring with a digital piano. Bassheads wouldn’t be impressed by its lack of heavy bass, but this only mean that the headphone is geared for a neutral sound spectrum demanded by studio recording.
The extra-large earcups and closed-back design ensure you’ll pick up no external noise when listening to your own performance. The basics of a comfortable headphone are engineered to the Shure SRH440, although further improvement can be made in this area.
Surprisingly, you won’t get sweaty ears with the headphone even if you’ve put them on for quite a while. Other cool features include a bayonet clip which helps to secure the detachable cable in place. Overall, the Shure SRH440 gives you more value than it cost.
Pros
- Warm tone with good bass response.
- Comfortable to wear.
- Decent noise isolation.
Cons
- Hinges are quite fragile.
7. beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 Ohm
Key Features
- Closed-back design.
- 5-35,000 Hz frequency response.
- 45 mm drivers.
You’ll probably fall in love with your performance with the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro. There are a couple of choices in terms of impedance but this 80 Ohm version will go well with a digital piano. As with other Beyerdynamic headphones, you’re bound to get clear musical quality on the notes produced.
Usually used as a monitoring headphone by professionals, the DT770 Pro offers a rather flat sound spectrum. This means what you’re playing on the piano is reproduced in its original frequency. You can also expect a good spatial response from the closed-back design.
Thanks to the thick-padded earpads, you’re likely to stay undisturbed from the surrounding and stay focused in practice. The headphone is also considerably light and this means long hours of playing without any signs of discomfort.
Pros
- Good flat sound response.
- Good flexibility for fitting.
- Not sweaty.
Cons
- The non-detachable cord can be a nuisance.
8. KRK KNS 8400
Key Features
- Closed-back design.
- 40 mm drivers.
- 5- 23,000 Hz frequency response.
After spending more than 20 years building great studio headphones, it’s hard to go wrong sticking with the KRK KNS 8400. Sonic accuracy has always been its forte and that can be handy when monitoring your performance on the piano.
Even if you’re hitting the lower end of the scales, the KRK KNS 8400 will have no issue in reproducing the low bass tones, without over-enhancing it in the spectrum. Of course, the headphone does an equally good job in the mids and high trebles.
The ergonomics that ensure long session usage is well taken care of. You’ve got a lightweight construction and comfortable cushions on the ear cups and the headband. Also, the self-aligning headband ensures that just the right amount of pressure is applied to keep the headphone secured.
Pros
- Perfect flat tonal response.
- Gentle and comfortable.
- Highly durable.
Cons
- Padding on the headband may pinch your head.
9. Philips SHP9500
Key Features
- Open-back design.
- 50 mm drivers.
- 12 – 35,000 Hz frequency response.
If you’re playing the piano alone and like a hint of a natural surrounding, the Philips SHP9500 is a good choice. It’s an open-back high precision over-ear headphone that gives you the thrill when you’re playing classical pieces that go all the way to the top.
Comfort is also one of the best traits of SHP9500. The breathable ear cushions and the headband padding goes a long way in keeping you comfortable for hours of practice. Comfort is complemented by the durable steel headband, which ensures its durability and robustness.
The beauty of using the Philips SHP9500 for a digital piano is that you don’t need an audio amplifier. The 32-ohm drivers on the headphone do a great job of delivering the volume without distorting the audio signals.
Pros
- Great for classical musics.
- Light and comfortable for long hours.
- Sensitive for digital pianos.
Cons
- Poor noise isolation.
10. beyerdynamic DT990 Pro
Key Features
- Open-back design.
- 45 mm drivers.
- 5 – 35,000 Hz frequency response.
Rounding up the list of headphones that go along with digital pianos is the beyerdynamic DT990 Pro. It shares the same technical spec as the DT770 Pro, except that the DT990 Pro is an open-back model. If you’re hoping for a more natural-sounding piano headphone, this is it.
You’ll enjoy the extra tonal depth, thanks to the free-flowing air surrounding the driver. Your rendition will be reflected by a flat response across the frequencies. Whether you’re practicing for fun or in serious recording work, the DT990 Pro will not disappoint.
The DT990 Pro will fit comfortably over your head, thanks to its steel-reinforced headband. There’s no excessive pressure and the soft cushion padding will ensure prolonged comfort.
Pros
- Good sound clarity across the audio range.
- Sturdy construction.
- Firm and comfortable fit.
Cons
- Poor noise isolation.
Summary
Every pianist possesses individually-unique styles of play. Regardless of that, getting a good headphone helps in honing the skills in practice. With the right headphone, you’ll get a clearer reproduction of the notes, particularly if the settings of your digital piano isn’t free from surrounding noises.
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About Author
Kenny Lee
An electronics engineer of 10 years turned copywriter. Headphones have been my best companion whether it's coding or writing. It's as much about blocking off distractions and tuning in to great music. Also a passionate pianist.