Which piano headphones to choose? Comparison of the 5 best models
For many pianists, a good pair of piano headphones is a true must-have. This device allows you to play silently without disturbing those around you, which is a significant advantage. If you live in an apartment or enjoy playing late at night, this product can quickly become a necessity.
However, choosing the right headphones isn’t always easy. With so many options available, how do you make the right choice? Don’t worry, I’m here to guide you through the process!
To do so, I’ll first explain how piano headphones work and what the real benefits are of having a pair. Then, I’ll present the best models on the market so you can choose the one that’s right for you. With all this information, you’ll finally be able to choose the best possible piano headphones!
What are audio headphones?
The question might seem silly, but a quick refresher never hurts! With that in mind, a brief definition is in order.
Definition
A piano headset is a device you plug into an instrument to redirect its sound. For a digital piano, it works like this: When you play without headphones, the sound from the keys comes out of the piano’s built-in speakers. By plugging in a pair of piano headphones, the audio signal is redirected from the piano’s speakers to the headphones instead. This simple function offers several advantages!
By equipping yourself with piano headphones, you’ll enjoy several key benefits:
Play without disturbing others: if you live in an apartment or a large family, they might get tired of hearing you play. I’m sure you play beautifully, but for me, when I was practicing a tricky section of a piece, I would play it 50 times in a row. It was unpleasant even for me, so you can imagine how others felt!
Play at any time: This benefit goes hand-in-hand with the first. When no one can hear you play, nothing stops you from practicing whenever you want, even at four in the morning! Just be careful if you’re playing fast, technical pieces, as some digital piano keys can be noisy and heard if your room isn’t well-insulated.
Play without self-consciousness: Piano headphones aren’t just for not bothering others. Some people don’t want to be heard playing, as it can hinder their progress. By putting on a pair of headphones, you’ll be the only one who can hear yourself! Going back to my previous example, practicing my technical passages with headphones was a real liberation for me. There was no more stress about bothering anyone, and no more stress about being heard in general.
Better immersion and sound quality: If you own a high-quality pair of piano headphones, the sound will be so well-reproduced that it can sound even better than the piano’s speakers. This is the miracle solution many people with entry-level digital pianos use to improve their sound.
As you can see, acquiring a set of piano headphones could make your life easier in many ways! Let’s now see the models.
Choose your audio headphones?
When choosing your future piano headphones, you’ll need to pay attention to a few key points. Your choice will depend on your expectations and your budget.
To simplify things for you, I’ve sorted the following models by price, from lowest to highest. If a model interests you, simply click the associated button to learn more!
The Numark HF125 – the buget-friendly audio headphones
The first pair of piano headphones I’m presenting is the Numark HF125. And the least you can say is that it offers a price that’s hard to beat! For those on a tight budget, this model will be absolutely perfect. But don’t think its low price means it’s a poor product—far from it! It scores high marks with users for its good sound quality and decent ambient noise reduction. While it’s noted as a DJ headset, remember that headphones can be used for any compatible device, including digital pianos!
However, as you might expect at this price, you won’t get the best sound of all time. Consequently, these piano headphones lack power and depth, but once again, for its price, it’s truly an excellent choice for most uses!
In short, the Numark HF125 headphones are very clearly the best choice for a tight budget.
See the Numark HF125 on AmazonThe Roland RH-5 – excellent value for the money
The Roland RH-5 piano headphones are a choice that will appeal to many. They score a lot of points with their high-end performance at a very reasonable price! Since Roland is a brand known for music, these headphones were specifically designed to meet the needs of pianists. They’re also very lightweight and comfortable, so you can wear them for long periods without any discomfort. Finally, this product offers superb, powerful, and immersive sound quality. With such features, your digital piano will sound better than ever before!
The Roland RH-5 are truly a device with excellent value for the money!
See the Roland RH-5 on AmazonThe Yamaha HPH-100 – the quality made by Yamaha
The Yamaha HPH-100 is, therefore, an exceptional choice for practicing the digital piano.
How could we create a list of the best piano headphones without including the Yamaha HPH-100? This model is a true classic from the brand and is perfectly suited for digital piano use. As a specialist in this field, Yamaha designed these headphones with that exact purpose in mind—and they certainly succeeded! This product offers great comfort in any situation. What’s more, its swiveling ear cups allow for a perfect fit for the most optimal sound reproduction. Of course, these Yamaha piano headphones also have an excellent dynamic sound quality that beautifully reproduces both bass and treble.
The Yamaha HPH-100 is, therefore, an exceptional choice for practicing the digital piano.
See the Yamaha HPH-100 on AmazonThe Sony MDR-7506 – the performance for you
We’re now entering the top of the rankings with the Sony MDR-7506 headphones. In addition to their superb sound, which speaks for itself, they are incredibly durable. They’re therefore perfect for intensive use without failing! They also offer excellent sound isolation thanks to their very comfortable, padded, and swiveling ear pads. This product can be used as piano headphones or for any other purpose. With a great rating, it also enjoys a reputation for exceptional customer satisfaction.
In short, with the Sony MDR-7506, you’re getting a fabulous audio experience.
See the Sony MDR-7506 on AmazonThe Beyerdynamic DT 770M – excellence in every way
We’re now officially in the big leagues with the Beyerdynamic DT 770M headphones. With this product, you get the best possible sound attenuation. This surpasses all other models on our list, thanks to its cushions that also offer remarkable comfort to users. They are so comfortable you’ll barely notice you’re wearing them!
And the sound quality… it’s simply fabulous. These headphones have a perfect sound balance, making the reproduction precise and extraordinary. And you don’t have to take my word for it—just read the many reviews!
Whether you use them for piano or not, you’ll understand that the Beyerdynamic DT 770M offers an exceptional audio experience for any music enthusiast.
See the Beyerdynamic DT 770M on AmazonCan we do without this accessory?
That’s an interesting question! Is it possible to play without using a pair of piano headphones? The answer is simple: it depends on your lifestyle.
If you live alone with no close neighbors, you can certainly do without this accessory! However, if you live in an apartment or in a large family, and you also like to play late at night, you have to admit that a pair of piano headphones will be almost essential.
However, many people do get by without one. Just look at all those who own an acoustic piano. There is no electronics on a real piano, and therefore no way to plug in a headset (except on hybrid pianos, but that’s another topic!). In my opinion, if you have a digital piano, and especially given the very accessible prices of some piano headphones, it would be a shame to go without this accessory.
Let’s sum up
Take your time to decide on the best option that fits your lifestyle and needs. And if you’d like to learn about other accessories, feel free to check out my guides on piano stands, piano benches, sustain pedals and of course the piano covers.