If you can't afford studio monitors or your space isn't treated for them, I highly recommend monitoring headphones.
Cheapest: AKG K240s ($50, but they're "open backed," so be careful that your mic doesn't pick up any sound bleeding from them)
mid-range: Sennheiser 280 pros ($70), Audio Technica ATH-m40s ($99)
upper range: Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 ohm ($179) or Audio Technica ATH-m50s ($150)
I see the audio Technicas being worn by everyone across the music industry. Last night watching that new Taylor Swift docu-series with my wife, she had them on along with Max Martin while recording her newest album.
They are not just a great value. They're workhorse headphones. But after a while the vinyl on the headband and earcups will start to flake. I bought new earcups for mine a few years ago for like 20 bucks. Brought em back to life.
And I actually had the first version of them before the cable was removable and gave them to my brother after there was a fire at his place. I bought them in college (around 2008 or 2009) and they are still going strong.
Im also a musician with migraines. I personally replaced the cups on my ATH M50s with a velour surface that is super soft and also really chunky (which helps keeps my ears off of the speakers too, that caused headaches for me). The headband isnt great, but you can always get a cushion for that.
So really my recommendation is to get a great sounding pair that lets you replace the ear cups/head band to make something comfy for you!
Top Headphones (Over / On Ear) on Reddit
1
Sennheiser
HD 560S
79% positive of 626 users
Budget gaming king with clear sound, but tight fit.
DailyVO
