Whether you play electronic or acoustic drums, sooner or later you’ll want to invest in some drumming headphones.
If you’re drumming with an electronic drum kit, you want to hear the authentic sound of the kit without the sound of your sticks slapping the pads. You can also practice quietly without disturbing your housemates.
Acoustic drummers can use headphones to protect their ears while practicing…and play along with a backing track without needing the volume of an AC/DC concert.
But choosing a new pair of cans is a daunting task. Below are the top five drumming headphones available to help you choose the best pair to suit your playing.
OUR TOP PICK
Vic Firth designed a versatile set of headphones here for your drumming needs. The Vic Firth Stereo Isolation headphones come with both a quarter inch and an eighth of an inch plug that can be swapped out with ease.
Their over the ear design isolates the sounds you want to hear and reduces everything else by 25 decibels. The version two in specific comes with a larger driver to give you the most powerful, most clean, and the clearest sounds at all ranges.
Features a 20Hz to 20KHz frequency response range, so everything from the deepest bass drum thud to the highest splash cymbal will be crystal clear.
They are designed for use at all levels, whether it be live play, or playing along in the studio. Their padded headband allows the headphones to be worn for hours on end.
Although they are built with drummers in mind, they are also useful if you play guitar or have a home studio
These headphones offer a superior sound experience at a reasonable price point.
Pros:
- Reduces ambient noise by 25dB
- Noise Isolating
- Great fidelity at all frequency levels
- Great for glasses wearers
- Amazing quality for the price
Cons:
- Design is a snug fit if you have big ears
BEST VALUE
Designed with electronic drum kits specifically in mind, the Alesis DRP100 headphones incorporate accurate sound reproduction and audio isolation into their design. They can be used in the studio, in the practice room, or on the stage. They are specifically made to work with Alesis drum kits, but can work with other electronic drum kits.
They have 40mm full-range drivers for the highest fidelity possible. They can isolate the audio you want to hear and filter out the rest.
Their over the ear design isolates the correct sounds and is comfortable on your head. The headphones are held together with a silicone headband for even more comfort.
These headphones come with a quarter inch adapter and a protective bag if that helps you make your decision.
The Alesis DRP100 headphones offer a great sound experience at a budget price point.
Pros:
- Sweat proof design
- 40mm full range drivers
- Noise isolation
- Created for electronic drum monitoring
- Silicone headband provides flexibility and stability
Cons:
- Cord is quite short (only 4 feet long)
GOOD CHOICE
KAT Percussion designed the KTUI26 headphones to be both lightweight and durable. They come equipped with an eighth of an inch stereo headphone jack and also a quarter inch adapter.
They were designed specifically for drummers, offering a dynamic range and superior noise cancelling capabilities. They will work for both private practicing or critical listening.
Their over the ear and lightweight design with the adjustable padded headband are perfect for long studio sessions because they create almost no ear fatigue.
The sound quality is crisp and the isolation is helped by the snug fit of the headphones. They can also reduce external noise by 26 decibels.
Unlike some other headphones, the KTUI26 are versatile and can be used for general listening like regular headphones.
Although Kat Percussion are not as well-known as brands like Roland, they have a history of producing electronic drums stretching back to 1985. So they know a thing or two about producing good quality percussion sounds.
These headphones are a good choice if you’re looking for a mid-range option.
Pros:
- No batteries required
- Passive noise isolation due to snug fit
- Lightweight design with adjustable headband
- Crisp and clear sound
- Reliable ear protection
Cons:
- Headphone padding can come loose
RUNNER UP
The Roland RH-300V headphones are optimized for use with electronic percussion instruments. They have 50mm drivers, neodymium magnets, and CCAW voice coils for peak sound performance. Not only will your practice session be quiet when using electronic percussion instruments and these headphones, you will only hear what you want to hear.
Roland wants you to have practice sessions that are long and fun with the comfort of these headphones that deliver the best sound they know how to manufacture.
While any over the ear design ends up being a little bit on the bulkier side, these headphones fold up for easy storage and travel.
They do tend to be a little pricier, and are certainly the most costly headphones on this list. However, for the high-end sound experience that Roland provide, the price is well worth it.
Pros:
- Foldable design
- Incredible clarity
- Optimized for electronic percussion instruments
- Good for general audio playback
- Durable and sturdy design
Cons:
- Cable is not detachable and can break easily
RUNNER UP
CAD Audio is known for delivering innovative solutions for performers and other audio professionals. The CAD Audio DH1000 headphones have high-output stereo isolation and extended low-frequency response. They are an over the ear headphone that creates a seal over the ear.
Musicians can still monitor music or click tracks but ambient noise is reduced by 19dB. The neodymium drivers deliver clear and precise reproduction of the noises you want to hear.
The design includes foam cushions that help make the headphones comfortable while isolating sound. They are also designed to keep sweat from collecting within the headphones, unlike other designs that trap sweat around the ears.
These headphones are also great for non-drummers who work in an office wish to reduce the ambient noises of keyboard tapping, printers, and coffee machines.
The CAD Audio DH100 is perfect if you’re on a budget.
Pros:
- Designed for drummers
- Maximum Comfort
- Noise Cancelling
- Extended low-frequency response
- Very affordable price
Cons:
Best Drumming Headphones Buying Guide
With so many different options for buying drumming headphones, it can quickly become quite complicated. Although headphones can look similar, they can perform very differently and are suited for different purposes such as playing acoustic drums, electronic drums or playing live.
Below we have put together the main options that you should look out for when purchasing a new pair of cans. This will help you get the right product for your situation and prevent you overpaying for features that you do not need.
Noise Isolation
Noise isolating headphones block out external sounds so you can concentrate on what is coming through your headphones. This is generally done by having additional padding or thicker material around the ear covers to physically block out sounds.
If you are going to be playing in a loud environment, such as playing acoustic drums with the rest of the band, this is an important feature. You can easily listen to click track or a music feed that is mixed to your liking.
Noise isolation headphones can reduce sound levels by 20 to 25 dB. This can make all the difference between damaging your hearing, and playing in a safe environment.
Frequency response
This refers to how effective your headphones are at responding to high and low frequency notes. The drum kit is has a challenging range of frequencies. At one end, there are low frequency tones such as the bass drum and floor toms, but at the other end there is a range of high-frequency tones that can come from splash and crash cymbals.
Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz). Good quality headphones will state that their frequency range is between 20Hz-20KHz. Buying a pair of headphones with a frequency range greater than this is pointless. Why? The range of human hearing is 20Hz-20KHz so there is no in purchasing a product that goes beyond this.
Cable length
Although this is not one of the first features you’re likely to consider when purchasing a new pair of headphones, it can be something that can make your life easier. Some headphones only come with a short cable of 3-4 feet in length. This may be fine if you are playing electronic drums in a home studio.
If you’re playing live or in a recording studio you are probably going to want something that is longer. There is nothing worse than all of the rest of the band being ready to soundcheck, and you are messing around trying to plug in your headphones.
Comfort
The ideal headphones are the pair that you don’t realize you are wearing. You want to be concentrating on your drumming chops rather than worrying about an uncomfortable contraption on your head.
To ensure a comfortable fit, look for headphones that have an adjustable headband and plenty of padding both around the ears and on the headband itself. If you wear glasses, doublecheck with the supplier if the headphones are suitable.
Closing thoughts
When it comes to choosing a set of headphones for drumming, there is a lot to consider. Hopefully this article has helped you pick out the qualities you need in a pair of drumming headphones and can guide you to your purchasing decision faster. Everyone’s needs are different, so there is no one pair of that will suit every person.