{"id":50966,"date":"2018-08-24T12:00:12","date_gmt":"2018-08-24T16:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=50966"},"modified":"2022-12-20T13:45:27","modified_gmt":"2022-12-20T18:45:27","slug":"8-best-headphones-for-podcasting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/8-best-headphones-for-podcasting\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Headphones for Podcasting"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019ve got your podcast concept and record signal chain figured out \u2014 from microphone, to preamp, to ADC. But what will you listen on? Monitor speakers will spill sound back into the microphone. You need the best headphones for podcasting\u00a0<\/strong>that are\u00a0comfortable and practical, and will sound professional and allow conversation to flow naturally. But what sounds good, and what criteria is practical for podcasting? We\u2019ll explore the most popular offerings, as well as a few newcomers to consider when purchasing headphones for podcasting.<\/p>\n

What to Look for in Headphones<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Frequency response<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Frequency response<\/strong> for headphones describes the highest and lowest sounds the headphone drivers are capable of reproducing. This is similar to how frequency response for a microphone describes the highest and lowest sounds it\u2019s capable of capturing.<\/p>\n

Accuracy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Accuracy<\/strong> describes the level of sonic detail in the reproduction of a sound. This is very much related to the flatness or neutrality within a headphone\u2019s frequency response.<\/p>\n

Isolation \/ Leakage<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Isolation<\/strong> describes the degree to which a headphone attenuates exterior sounds, while leakage describes the degree to which sound reproduced by the headphone is audible to listeners (or microphones) within proximity to the headphone. Most headphones in this category will be \u201cclosed-backed.” This is a category of headphone with superior isolation and leakage characteristics at the cost of a tighter pan image. Such pan images are unnecessary with monaural signals like voice. We benefit from minimizing leakage since headphone bleed can be captured by a microphone, thereby reducing sound quality.<\/p>\n

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Photo from Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Comfort<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Comfort<\/strong> describes the amount of time a user can wear a headphone before experiencing discomfort. For long sessions \u2014 or for guests who aren\u2019t used to wearing headphones \u2014 this can be a hugely important characteristic. If you anticipate editing your podcasts on your headphones as well, you should seriously consider how they\u2019ll feel after 3+ hours of editing and mixing.<\/p>\n

Durability<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Headphones get folded and unfolded, dropped, stretched, sweated and sat on. They undergo a lot of handling, so it\u2019s worth considering how your purchase will continue to perform in the future, especially if you use them on the go or they\u2019re passed around in group sessions.<\/p>\n

Phone cable vs. Straight<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Coiled cables are the old-school, phone-cord style. Meanwhile, straight cables require the user to manage the cable. In my opinion, coiled cables are never a benefit. In any scenario where I need more reach, a coiled cable is reluctant to give it. You end up with a cup being pulled off your head by the spring tension in the cable. I\u2019m all-in for straight headphone cables.<\/p>\n

Folding<\/strong><\/h3>\n

An added benefit for portability, most closed-back headphones feature cups that fold into the headband. This makes the product more portable and less prone to damage in transit.<\/p>\n

Best Headphones for Podcasting<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Monitor Headphones<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/div>\n

Sleek, comfortable, and well-built, these closed-back headphones are clear and accurate with a noticeable wide boost at 165Hz that adds extra punch. These have been my headphone of choice for casual listening for about 15 years, and I\u2019m currently on my third pair. I find the headband is comfortable for about 2 to 3 hours. There\u2019s plenty of reasons you see them everywhere, making them my strongest overall recommendation for a podcasting headphone.<\/p>\n

Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n