Studio monitor headphones are important equipment in recording studios. However, their cost is usually not low.
The good news is that there are still quality headphones available at a pretty affordable price.
Let’s learn about them through this list of the best studio monitor headphones under 100.
| # | Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Audio-Technica ATH-M20X Professional Studio Monitor Headphones, Black | 7,441 Reviews | $49.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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OneOdio Wired Over Ear Headphones Studio Monitor & Mixing DJ Stereo Headsets... | 22,898 Reviews | $31.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone | 15,688 Reviews | $97.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Professional Studio Monitor Headphones, Black,... | 27,451 Reviews | $130.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones, Black | 4,218 Reviews | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
1. Status Audio CB-1 Closed-Back Headphones
The CB-1 begins to shine against its similarly priced competition. The headbands themselves are flexible. They can twist and bend it quite radically. They always find a way back to their original shape.
The Status Audio CB-1 is also very generously padded. It means the CB-1 is comfortable to wear on the head during long listening sessions.
These studio monitor headphones have a single input detachable cable. They included both in the box.
Both lines are of excellent quality. You get one 5ft straight cable and another rolled up for portable use.
The Status Audio CB-1 is a neutral-sounding headset. They manage to deliver an impressive amount of detail. And the lows can stretch quite far when the music selection demands.
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What makes it special
- Durable build.
- Compatible and usable with most devices.
- Passive noise reduction.
- Portable design.
- Flexible pads.
What cons did we find
- Plastic material feels cheap.
Bottom line
Despite its shortcomings, we still consider this to be among the best cheap studio monitor headphones under 100. The sound it delivers is very stable. In addition, this headset brings absolute comfort when using. It also comes with high-end touches like cables or pads.
Similar items that you might want to have a look at:
2. Audio-Technica ATH-M20X Professional Headphones
The M20x’s are very light and weigh only 190 grams without the cable. They used lightweight plastic throughout the structure.
The only visible metal parts being the headband adjustment bars. While the cable is non-removable, the headband is perfect. This is common in this price range. We can see in the earpads, which feel no different from more expensive lines.
The Audio-Technica has done an excellent job of tuning the M20x! This is one of the top 7 back-end headphones when it comes to neutral frequency response. And by far it is the most affordable of the bunch!
This makes them an excellent choice for computer-less setups without Sonarworks Reference calibration. The high mids cut and high-frequency boost is a common feature of most headphones. But the M20x’s aggressively cautious about this.
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What makes it special
- Best neutral sound headphones.
- Good value for the money.
- It improved the sub-bass extension.
- Perfect mid-range dips and highs.
- Comfy design.
What cons did we find
- No detachable cable.
Bottom line
The ATH-M20x’s are very natural-sounding sealed cases. They are perfect for mixing and tracking work. The M20x is a good choice when it comes to studio work. They are suitable for genres that don’t require surgical precision in the bass region.
If you want to enhance the experience when using this headset, consider some options below:
3. Audio-Technica ATH-M30X Professional Headphones
The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is a famous wired headset in recent times with an impressive “oversized” design.
At a reasonable price, it provides good sound quality. This headset is for professional users and those who love a high-end audio experience.
Reviewing the design, the ATH-M30x has a very sturdy plastic earcup shell. And it is fully capable of two-way movement.
They made the frame of high-quality leather. So it feels supple right from the first use. The cushion of the headset is also made of leather to create a smooth feeling. The aim is for good sound insulation but not too deep.
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What makes it special
- Powerful bass.
- Low leakage.
- Balanced audio response.
- Soft carrying bag.
- Beautiful interface and construction.
What cons did we find
- Harmonic distortion at higher frequencies.
Bottom line
Judging by the sound quality, this headset gives a pretty good soundstage. It is not too wide but enough for you to feel the sound quality like a studio or small theater.
The bass range is the strong point of the ATH-M30x. It delivers with enough hitting force, deep enough, so we don’t feel down.
The mid-range is soft and sweet. They also built a treble with high brightness. And it is up enough for you to hear the total score with full timbre.
Feel free to express yourself with Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB Microphone. A similar product that you might love with Amazon Basics Headphones.
4. KRK KNS 6400 Headphones
These KRK KNS headphones have one of the big selling points besides the competitive retail price. It is the compatibility of the KNS-6400 with the aforementioned Rokits.
They designed it to have the same peripheral frequency response and singular voice. It is usually around 10 Hz to 22 kHz.
These headphones serve as an analog alternative portable for a Rokit setup. It is perfect for any traveling producer when they leave their beloved studio.
Closed-back rear ear cups and snug-fit cushions ensure excellent sound isolation. It can be up to 26 dBA ambient.
They offer more than enough isolation and volume for live sound purposes. And they are great for mixing and live DJing.
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What makes it special
- Great detail.
- Very well rendered mids.
- Surprisingly good sub-bass.
- Good response to EQ.
- High isolation.
What cons did we find
- Excessive bass response.
Bottom line
This is among the best studio monitor headphones under 100. It would not be a surprise to see these quickly becoming a dominant feature in the DJ and audio production landscape. Which only adds to the precious legacy of KRK Systems products.
Equip yourself with extra tools to make yourself look more professional with Amazon Basics Microphone Stand.
5. Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Professional Headphones
The ATH-M40x headphones have an all-black color scheme. The earcups have a silver logo inside a circular pattern.
This is a set of headphones that will not draw attention to themselves. The interface is a bit minimalistic but subtly stylish.
One thing we expect any pair of Audio Technica headphones to excel at is their sound. Thankfully, the ATH-M40x headphones won’t let you down in this respect. These headphones sound great.
The ATH-M40x headphones, like many of the ATH series, have been a huge hit with critics and music lovers alike.
We consider them to be a great option. But it’s important to emphasize that they don’t give you a completely neutral configuration. If you want a flat response, then maybe it won’t suit you.
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What makes it special
- They feel comfortable.
- Great sound with great sound signature.
- Detachable cable.
- The earcups rotate 180 degrees.
- You can upgrade it with a Bluetooth adapter.
What cons did we find
- The hinge is not strong.
Bottom line
If you don’t mind a small amount of added bass, they’re fine. Also, for buying an inexpensive pair of headphones for general use, they’re close to ideal.
With the ability to add the BAL-M40x Bluetooth adapter, they become an even more powerful package.
Check out the Bluetooth adapter via East Brooklyn Labs Bluetooth Adapter
6. Shure SRH440 Professional Headphones
The SRH-440 features Shure’s proprietary 40mm drivers in a sealed design housing. And it claims to deliver superb build quality and performance.
The Shure products are generally well packaged. And the SRH-440 monitor headphones are no exception. The box is big and well protected during shipping.
They designed the 440s for their purpose and it’s a studio or home monitor. There is nothing too flashy about them. Moreover, they are quite practical in appearance, but you notice that they look very classy right away.
Build quality, again common with Shure, is excellent. They made the headset mostly of plastic but it is very high quality.
The sound on the SRH-440 is very balanced and neutral if a bit boring. It feels almost cold yet they designed the SRH-440 primarily as a monitor headset.
These are the preferred characteristics in music production. It is without a single dominant-sounding spectrum.
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What makes it special
- Excellent sound isolation.
- Overall preferred for flat, even response.
- The treble is bright but not harsh.
- Folds nicely for portability.
- Replaceable ear cups.
What cons did we find
- The earpads will get hot and sweaty after a while.
Bottom line
The Shure SRH440 is a well-built pair of headphones for a low price. The thick detachable cable is impressive. The solid feel of the construction is good too.
Plus, add these products for a better experience:
7. TASCAM TH-MX2 Recording Mixing Headphones
The TH-MX2 is a wired device. The included cable length is about 9.8 ft. It allows you to listen to music from a distance.
The length of the cable is a boon for sound engineers and musicians. The one who uses the entire area of the room when mixing and recording music.
It features a new 40 mm neodynamic magnet driver housed in a closed oval ear cup. The aim is to deliver balanced audio output. The absence of neodynamic drivers will degrade sound quality.
Furthermore, the driver results in low sound distortion. It delivers impeccable sound quality.
When it comes to bass, the results are not overwhelming. It is an added advantage for music producers.
Although it provides a flat neutral sound, the headphones provide extra warmth due to the lower mids.
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What makes it special
- Great soundstage.
- Exceptional comfort and fit.
- Unique measurement on the headband slider.
- Oversized ear cups.
- Good bass and balanced sound.
What cons did we find
- The cable is not replaceable.
Bottom line
It is among the cheap studio monitor headphones under 100 thanks to the sleek design and lightweight nature.
When recording music, the rear earphones allow you to hear your voice while recording. You also don’t have to worry about your microphone emitting unwanted noises.
To increase the quality of the TASCAM headphone, you can consider adding:
8. Sony MDRV6 Headphones
Sony guaranteed their headphones to be comfortable with soft leather padding on each earbud. It cushions each side of the head.
Additionally, they feature a sealed earcup design. It allows for complete sound isolation. And at the same time, it reduces any unwanted background noise.
These headphones feature powerful neodymium magnets. They deliver detailed and powerful sound. The 40mm drivers also boost the sound, providing a superb quality audio experience.
If you’re on the go, you can easily carry these headphones anywhere thanks to their folding design. This also allows for compact storage. You can place them anywhere you want without taking up too much space.
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What makes it special
- Closed earcup design.
- Exceptional comfort.
- Crisp, clear, detailed sound.
- 10 feet long oxygen-free copper wire.
- Wide frequency response.
What cons did we find
- These headphones tend to produce a slightly unbalanced sound.
Bottom line
Sony is a specialist in electronics. In addition, they offer a wide variety of audio products. Their studio monitoring headphones guarantee professional quality. And they are great for both professional personal use.
You can replace the cushion of the earpads after a period of use with: Sony Genuine Replacement Ear Pads
Conclusion
Together with studio monitor headphones, we believe you will get the best music experience. Although the prices of these products are quite affordable, their quality is stable.
Have you made your own choice yet? Tell us about your favorite headphones. Let’s know your best studio monitor headphones under 100 via this article!
