Closed-Back Studio Headphones

In production since 1988 and still the headphone in every DJ booth and outside-broadcast truck, for one reason: every single part is a spare. Cable, pads, headband, capsules, the split headband itself, all orderable and all replaceable by hand without tools.

• In production since 1988
• Every component sold as a spare
• Capsules replaceable by hand
• Rotating capsule for one-ear monitoring
• Closed back, 70 ohm

In continuous production since 1991 and still the default in broadcast booths and edit suites, which is the practical test: studios buy what they can keep running for twenty years. Pads, cable and driver assemblies are all sold separately, so the usual end of life for these is a $15 pad swap.

• In production since 1991, unchanged
• Pads, cable and drivers sold as spares
• Closed back, folds flat
• 63 ohm, drives from a laptop
• Coiled cable, replaceable

Every part that wears is one you can buy: the cable detaches and ships in three lengths, the earpads lift off, and the headband pad is sold separately. That is the difference between a headphone that lasts and one that dies of a frayed cable at the jack, which is how most of them end. In production since 2014 and still the default closed-back in edit rooms.

• Detachable cable, three supplied
• Earpads and headband pad sold separately
• Closed back, folds flat for a bag
• 38 ohm, so it drives from anything
• Unchanged since 2014

The closed-back counterpart to the Sennheisers on this page, and the same argument applies: every part that wears is a part you can buy. Pads, headband and cable are all sold separately, so the usual end of a studio headphone is a pad swap rather than a replacement. It is assembled in Germany and has been in production in this form since 2004.

• Velour pads, headband and cable all replaceable
• Closed back, so it does not leak into a room
• 80 ohm drives from most interfaces without an amp
• Assembled in Germany
• In production since 2004

Closed-back monitor headphones with a detachable cable and replaceable ear pads. With no battery or firmware, the parts that wear can be swapped and the rest keeps working.

• Closed back
• Detachable cable, replaceable pads
• No battery or electronics

Closed-back studio headphones with a replaceable cable, ear pads and headband padding. The parts that wear first are sold separately, which is why these turn up in studios after many years of use.

• Closed back, high isolation
• Replaceable cable, pads and headband
• No battery or electronics