Best Cheap Studio Headphones: Studio Monitoring on a Budget

Getting to grips with music production, home recording, and audio monitoring as a beginner can be difficult. Figuring out what’s right for your space, whether to opt for studio monitors or headphones, and deciding what sort of music or content you want to produce is all part of the process of getting started.

We’ve put together this guide to highlight what the Experts at PMT think are the best ways to start off with monitoring in your studio.

The following picks are all high-quality studio headphones - cheap, but with enough quality and value packed into them to serve even the most demanding of beginner producers.

Our favourite cheap studio headphones are:

• Trumix SDH-50 Headphones
• AKG K52 Studio Headphones
• Audio Technica ATH-M20X Headphones
• Sennheiser HD 25 Light On Ear Monitoring Headphone

Keep reading to find out why each of these studio headphones are the best picks on a budget..

No matter if you’re a guitar player looking to record your first set of riffs, a beginner podcaster, fledgling producer, or first-time DJ - the Trumix SDH-50 Headphones are our top pick for getting started on a budget.

Constructed of soft vegan leather that’s built to last, these headphones offer supreme comfort for longer sessions when you need to work on monitoring, editing, and mixing.

With premium 40mm drivers these headphones are also suitable for music lovers who just want to hear their favourite songs as they’re supposed to be heard - and with a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter included in the box, they’re usable with all sorts of standard AUX devices.

Pound for pound it’s hard to find anything better than these budget studio headphones - DJs, producers, and audio connoisseurs will love them!

Style, comfort, and quality from a trusted name at a budget price - what’s not to love?

The AKG K52 Studio Headphones are formed with an over-ear, closed back design that ensures you can hear each and every nuance that matters in your music and audio.

Also featuring 40mm drivers, AKG precisely balances these headphones for reference-monitor accuracy and detailed sound.

They’re lightweight, portable, and precise, with the ability to connect to a wide range of audio devices you might come across whilst you’re getting creative.

A truly professional choice on a budget from AKG.

The M-Series line from industry heavyweights Audio Technica has long been a favourite of ours at PMT - and now with the ATH-M20X Headphones we’re given another excellent choice for monitoring, tracking, and mixing.

Featuring contoured earcups for superior isolation, these headphones are supremely comfortable and designed for extended use.

The 40mm drivers here are made with rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminium wire voice coils, and the sound is tuned for expert low-frequency performance.

It’s no wonder this series from Audio Technica has a cult-like following and critical acclaim - they’re consistently producing some of the best cheap monitor headphones that can be relied on by audio producers of every kind!

Many audiophiles, producers, and musicians will be familiar with the industry-standard HD-25 DJ headphone. A quick search online will tell you everything you need to know about the original Sennheiser model which has found fans around the world.

Now, the Sennheiser HD 25 Light On Ear Monitoring Headphone is here to offer the same pro-grade performance on a budget.

The minimalistic design of these headphones makes them an attractive, budget option for studio monitoring, and with the same awesome audio quality you’ve come to expect from Sennheiser it’s hard to go wrong here.

The HD 25 Light gives you emphasised bass and lifted treble from a beautifully rugged product that’s built for daily use. Whether you plan on getting down at a nightly DJ spot or you just want to enhance your hi-fi listening experience, this is a budget option that really shows you what is possible from budget monitoring headphones.

Finding the right studio headphones on a budget can be a difficult task for beginners, but with this guide you’ll have a better idea of what to look for in a cheap set.

Cheap studio headphones don’t have to be poor quality, and opting for a trusted brand like Trumix, AKG, Audio Technica, or Sennheiser means you’re guaranteed a product that will make audio production easier when you’re starting out.

The best cheap studio headphones should offer solid audio quality and enough comfort for you to use for as long as you need - whether that be in your home recording space, as part of your DJ set-up, or in a podcasting rig.

To check out our full range of studio headphones, click here:

Want to find out about the latest studio gear at PMT? Looking for pre-owned hi-tech and recording equipment? Call us on 0151 448 2089 or check out your local store to speak to one of our Experts about your needs.