Do you really need headphones for audio editing? The answer is yes. A good pair of editing headphones can make all the difference in the world, even if you are using high-quality monitors. But what makes a pair of headphones good for editing? Let’s take a look at the three main things you should look for, in order of importance.

A Flat and Wide Frequency Response

When most people think of dynamic range, they think of cameras, but headphones have dynamic range as well. The wider it is, the better they are for audio editing. If you have headphones that are too accentuated in the lows, mids or highs, you could miss vital details in your mix. It’s important to be able to hear everything.

Comfort

Ear fatigue is a real thing, and a real problem for editors of both audio and video. While the best remedy for this is taking frequent breaks, having a set of the most comfortable headphones can help as well. That, or the ability to replace the pads.

Price

When it comes to almost any audio gear, for the most part, you get what you pay for. However, there are plenty of headphones out there that will both fit your budget and provide a good sound for editing.

One last thing before we jump into the list of headphones for you to consider is that most headphones that were designed with editing in mind have a higher impedance than basic listening headphones. This higher impedance generally causes the built-in audio jacks in computers to not provide enough power to get a good sound from the headphones. If you don’t have one already, it might be a good idea to pick up a USB audio interface, which will give you the power you need. The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a popular option, and usually comes in a bundle with a condenser microphone and a decent pair of headphones.

With all that being said, here are 5 pairs of editing headphones to consider.

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