When starting a radio project, you don’t necessarily have a big budget, however that doesn’t mean that you can’t get good quality headphones! We tend to assume that high-quality and high-pricing go hand in hand, as is often the case. Nevertheless, there are still some great options when it comes to choosing headphones for recording or broadcasting live on your radio station, even on a budget!
1/ AKG K-52: $28
AKG is well known for their selection of affordable headphones, so we’re starting this article off with the AKG K-52.
Build
The headphones have a light-weight metal frame, and a flexible self-adjusting headband that provides a great fit. They come with a (non-detachable) 2.5 m cable with 3.5 mm jack and 6.3 mm adapter. The earpads have a flexible base that allows them to move in all directions which, in turn, ensures a proper fit. Plus, they are replaceable so you can easily change them if they wear out over time!
Sound
The K-52 are what we call “closed-back headphones“, which means that they only allow sound out where it can reach your ear. This is particularly handy for studio purposes, as they isolate you from surrounding noises and provide minimal sound leakage. The frequency ranges from 18-20000 Hz, and the overall sound has an open, airy quality to it compared to other headphones in this price range. Overall, they’re a great pair of studio headphones for your radio broadcasting or podcasting needs.
2/ Audio-Technica ATH-M20x: $48
Now on to the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x closed-back headphones.
Build
The build is made from plastic, which is to be expected for headphones in this price range. Nevertheless, they feel solid and are well-padded around the ears and headband which provides a nice level of comfort. The earpads also have great vertical movement which provides a great fit too, plus they are equipped with headband adjustment rails. They also come with a (non-detachable) 3 m cable with 3.5 mm jack plug, and a 6.3 mm adapter.
Sound
When it comes to sound quality, the ATH-M20x does not disappoint! Whether you’re using them at home or in the studio, the clarity of the sound is impressive. As a pair of closed-back headphones, they do a great job at cancelling out any background noise and there is very little leakage. The detail that you get from the audio is incredibly detailed and transparent for the price point of these headphones. Overall, they are a great choice for any type of use, and any genre of music.
Purchase the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x here!
3/ AKG K240: $55
We’re now onto our second pair of AKG headphones in this best-budget list. Let’s take a look at the K240.
Build
They come with a 3m detachable cable as well as a professional mini XLR connector, and a 6.3 mm jack adaptor. Much like the AKG K-52, they have a self-adjusting headband which allows for a great fit.
Sound
Unlike the previous headphones in this list, the AKG K240 are semi-open. This ultimately means that they will provide some sound isolation, but also a little leakage. The frequency ranges from 15 – 25,000 Hz, if you’re looking for studio headphones that provide a clean, natural sound then you’ll enjoy the K240.
Purchase the AKG K240 here!4/ Shure SRH440: $70
We’ve not doubt that you’ve heard of Shure before, they’ve been a major player in the audio industry for almost 100 years! But have you heard of the SRH440?
Build
Overall, the build of the SRH440 feels pretty solid (although some might use the term “bulky” to describe them). The earpads rotate in order to ensure a nice fit, and are replaceable should they wear out over time. They also come with a detachable 3m spiral cord as well as a 6.3 mm screw-on jack adapter. They also fold nicely into the provided travel bag, which is a plus.
Sound
As a pair of closed-back headphones, they do a good job of isolating surrounding sounds however if you’re in a crowded area, they won’t completely block out background noises. If you’re planning on using them in a studio setting, they’ll do the job. They have a frequency range of 10 – 22000 Hz, and also include 40mm drivers that make the bass tones strong and high pitches bright.
Purchase the Shure SRH440 here!
5/ AKG K361: $78
This is the third, and most expensive pair of AKG headphones in this list.
Build
The comfort of the K361 is incredible for this price point. The earpads are made from memory foam, and adapt nicely to the comfort of the user. The earpads also fold in, making the K361 great for carrying around in the supplied travel bag. The headphones come with 2 detachable cables (3 m and 1.2 m long) as well as a 6.3 mm adapter.
Sound
The overall sound of the K361 is pretty balanced. Again, these are closed-back headphones and for the low-budget price, they do a rather good job of isolating background noises, great for studio purposes. The frequency ranges from 15 – 28000 Hz, and although you may find the sound slightly lighter than it’s more expensive competitors, it still has a clean, sharp sound to it.
Purchase the AKG K361 here!6/ Beyerdynamic DT-770 M: $140
Last but definitely not least we have the Beyerdynamic DT-770 M, the most expensive headphones in our best budget list.
Build
Let’s dive straight in by saying that Beyerdynamic know what they’re doing when it comes to comfort. These headphones are extremely well-fitting and have plenty of plush around the earpads and headband which means that you can wear them for hours on end. They come with a 3m cord that has an integrated volume control.
Sound
These headphones are extremely popular amongst drummers and general in-studio use. The main event when it comes to these headphones is the incredible noise isolation that they provide (35 dBA), the outside world simply disappears when you put them on. When it comes to the sound itself, it’s incredibly balanced and honest. You may have to spend a little extra cash compared to other choices in this list, but it’s hard to go wrong with the Beyerdynamic DT-770 M.
Purchase the Beyerdynamic DT-770 M here!We hope that this article has helped show you that you don’t need to break the bank to find a good-quality set of headphones for your radio studio. If you try any of the headphones, let us know what you think in the comments below!
Are you looking for a low-budget audio mixer for your radio station? Discover our selection in this article!
