I was so excited to edit my first YouTube video until I realized it sounded different from what I thought it did while editing it. It took me some time to find out where the issue was coming from, and as it turned out, the headphones I was using were covering up the actual sound. Consequently, I missed out on some aspects that needed more tweaking.
If you ended up on this article, you’re probably going through the same thing. However, now I have a better understanding of the specifications to look for when buying a pair of headphones for video editing. I know that most of these specifications will sound like jargon, but don’t worry; I’ll explain everything.
That aside, let us start by reviewing the best headphones for video editing so as not to waste your time if you’re already familiar with what the specs imply. If not, I recommend you check the help section first then go back to the reviews. This way, it’ll be easier for you to keep up with the reviews.
Contents
Comparison Table:
| Headphones | Price | Frequency Response | Sensitivity | Impedance |
| Sony WH-1000XM3 | CLICK FOR PRICE | 4 Hz to 40 Hz | 104 dB | 47 ohms |
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | CLICK FOR PRICE | 15 Hz to 28 kHz | 99 dB | 38 ohms |
| Sennheiser HD 569 | CLICK FOR PRICE | 10 Hz to 28 kHz | 115 dB | 23 ohms |
| Bose QuietComfort 35 II | CLICK FOR PRICE | 20 Hz to 20 kHz | 118 dB | 32 ohms |
| Sony MDR-7506 | CLICK FOR PRICE | 10 Hz to 20 kHz | 106 dB | 63 ohms |
| Beyerdynamic DT 240 PRO | CLICK FOR PRICE | 5 Hz to 35 kHz | 119 dB | 34 ohms |
The 6 Best Headphones for Video Editing in 2021
1. Sony WH-1000XM3 – Editors Choice
The Sony WH-1000XM3 is an excellent headset for video editing because it features noise cancellation, offers rich sound, and it’s user-friendly.
Starting with the specs, you get an extended frequency response range of 4 Hz to 40 kHz, which is way higher than the standard 20 Hz to 20 kHz that most headsets offer. This enables you to catch more details and take advantage of some felt frequencies that leave the viewers with a better impression and get them more engaged.
The sensitivity is 104 dB when the Bluetooth is turned on and drops to 101 dB when it’s turned off. In both cases, it’s high enough to deliver a loud and clear sound. Moreover, the highest impedance of the headphones, when the unit is turned on, is about 47 ohms, which isn’t high enough to restrict the compatibility. Meanwhile, if you turn the unit off, the impedance drops to 16 ohms.
Jumping to sound quality, it’s not much different from the previous WH-1000XM3, which would have been disappointing if the previous model didn’t feature the impressive sound quality that Sony is known for. However, voice cancellation has been enhanced to be almost four times as effective as last year’s model, let alone the Quick Attention mode that allows you to take part in any conversation without taking off the headset.
As mentioned earlier, this pair of headphones comes with a user-friendly interface owing to the integrated Google Assistant technology. Accordingly, you can access your audio tracks and navigate between different files as easily as possible. On top of that, the headphones feature touch controls, so adjusting the volume takes a couple of seconds.
One thing that’s left for me to mention is that the battery life is around 30 hours when the battery is fully charged. Also, Sony incorporated a “Quick Charge Mode” to improve the user experience. The feature allows you to get around 5 hours of playback by charging the headset for only 10 minutes.
Pros:
- Extended frequency response
- Supports both wired and wireless connectivity
- Amazing battery performance
- Improved noise cancellation
- Features Alexa Voice Control
- Incorporated Quick Attention mode
Cons:
- A little pricey
Our Verdict
Sony recently released a newer model, the Sony WH-1000XM4, but it doesn’t do much for video editing. In all honesty, it’s a significant improvement from the Sony WH-1000XM3 in some aspects; however, it still comes at a price. You should only consider the newer model if you need more intelligent audio processing. Otherwise, the Sony WH-1000XM3 would be more than enough.
2. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x – Best Value for Money
The sound quality of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT is what makes it one of the best headphones for video editing. We’ll get to the details in a minute, but first, let’s go through the specifications.
With a frequency response of 15 Hz to 28 kHz, you’ll end up with slightly better performance than what you get with standard headsets. The sensitivity is 99 dB, which is not the highest, yet is still a decent amplification, considering that the recommended sensitivity for video editing is above 75 dB. The ATH-M50xBT has an impedance of 38 dB, so you can use it with different platforms without encountering any issues.
Going back to the sound quality, I was pretty impressed with the improvement made over the previous ATH-M50 model. This headset can offer exceptional studio-quality sound with a deeper soundstage and a more accurate response. Unfortunately, it doesn’t feature active noise cancellation; however, the closed-back design is sufficient for blocking any ambient background noises when you edit your videos in a moderately loud area.
The mid-frequency audio is where the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT truly shines. The harmony is mind-blowing with rich details and excellent clarity. You won’t feel that the bass is that punchy, but this makes the headphones a great option for those who don’t like the exaggerated bass and prefer a more vivid reproduction. On the other hand, the treble feels more or less relaxed to avoid fatigue with prolonged listening sessions.
Just like the previous headphones reviewed, this pair features Google Assistant, but you can activate Apple’s Siri on the headphones whenever you’re looking for more efficient accessibility. All in all, you won’t struggle with the touch controls or the connectivity of the headphones.
You can find these headphones in both wired and wireless styles, namely Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT, and the best part is, both styles provide the same sound quality. There’s an included 3.9-inch cable in the package for users who prefer wired connections and a 30 cm USB charging cable for those who favor the wireless one.
Pros:
- Amazing sound quality
- Features touch controls
- Supports voice control
- Comes in both wired and wireless style
- Stable Bluetooth connectivity
- Affordable
Cons:
- Bulky and heavy
Our Verdict
For a headset that costs less than $150, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x surely has a lot to offer, particularly when it comes to usability and functionality. It’s a little heavier than expected, but this is in favor of durability. In addition, the weight doesn’t impact comfort, so it’s nothing to be wary of.
3.Sennheiser HD 569 – Best Sub-bass Response
I recommend the Sennheiser HD 569 for anyone who wants a combination of integrity, durability, and comfort. Being a premium headset that’s capable of delivering high-end dynamics with minimal distortion is what makes the Sennheiser HD 569 suitable for video editing.
It comes with a frequency response of 10 Hz to 28 kHz, yet it can provide such an accurate low-frequency response with an extremely deep sub-bass. The sensitivity is about 115 dB, which is, by far, one of the highest on the market. The impedance is as low as 23 ohms, so you can easily get clear and loud sound regardless of the device you use.
As I was just saying, the sub-bass of the Sennheiser HD-569 is pretty intense, particularly when compared to that provided by other competing models. However, you’ll notice that it doesn’t steal the spotlight from the mids and highs, with the latter being more prominent. That said, the sound is always clear, and unexpectedly, there isn’t much distortion, despite the high sensitivity.
Comfort is another thing to point out while speaking about these headphones. The headband is adjustable, and the earcups are soft with thick padding. Also, you can move them along both axes to get a better seal around your ears and be more focused while editing. Moreover, they don’t feature noise cancellation, but they do come in a closed-back design to isolate the user from the surrounding noise.
Other sophisticated features like touch controls and voice assistant are lacking as well. However, if you’re looking for a pair that will last for years before you need to replace it, then these headphones are right for you. Not to mention, you’ll get Sennheiser’s 2-year warranty, so if anything goes wrong, the company will take care of it.
In respect of connectivity, the Sennheiser HD 569 is wired and comes with two detachable cables, the first is 3.9 inches with a 3.5mm plug, and the other is 9.75 inches with a 6.3mm plug.
Pros:
- Premium quality
- Excellent sub-bass
- High sensitivity
- Comes with two cables
- A 2-years limited warranty
Cons:
- Doesn’t feature noise cancellation
Our Verdict
With the E.A.R. (Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement) technology, you can rest assured you’ll get the natural balance that contributes to an outstanding editing experience. Also, the luxurious ear cushions provide the utmost comfort, so you can enjoy even the longest editing sessions.
4. Bose QuietComfort 35 II – Best Noise Cancelling Headset
The main features that make Bose QuietComfort 35 II qualified for video editing are noise cancellation, easy accessibility, and balanced audio. As for the specifications, it comes with a frequency response range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, which is pretty standard, but still gets the job done. The sensitivity can be as high as 118 dB, whereas the impedance is 32 ohms.
Furthermore, the battery life is rated at 20 hours when noise cancellation is turned on. Although the battery life is more or less average, it’s enough for your daily needs if you don’t turn up the volume to the maximum level. Also, you can save some battery life by using the wired mode with the noise cancellation still turned on.
Moving on to noise cancellation, it’s one of the best on the market, and it can be adjusted to three different levels: high, low, or off, according to your personal preference. However, if you choose the highest level of noise cancellation, you’ll notice some pressure that’s building up inside the earcups.
The pressure isn’t troublesome, but it can be a bit annoying for anyone who has sensitive ears. In this case, I recommend you try out the lower level when you’re in a noisy place and turn off noise cancellation whenever possible, like when you’re editing in a quiet room.
Next, we’ll be looking at the audio quality; it stays neutral with high fidelity across different frequencies. I wouldn’t say that it’s an improvement from the previous Bose QC35 version because it’s not; still, it’s decent enough to provide coherent and realistic tones. However, other headsets on our list, like the Sony – WH-1000XM3 and Audio-Technica ATH-M50x offer much better quality.
On the bright side, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is Alexa-enabled for accessing different music and information. You can get the headset to read out your notifications and messages while working on your videos, and also use the feature to go through different audio files.
Last but not least, you can use the Bose App to control multiple settings and features from your phone like toggling noise cancellation, updating the firmware, and configuring the Google Assistant button.
Pros:
- Balanced sound
- High sensitivity
- Features three different levels of noise cancellation
- User-friendly application
- Features Google Assistant
Cons:
- Average battery life
- Average sound quality
Our Verdict
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II may not offer anything extraordinary when compared to other headphones on the list, but still, it has what it takes to make a good video-editing headset. Not to mention, the Audio Augmentation Reality (AAR) comes in handy when you’re editing videos from your phone rather than your PC.
5. Sony MDR-7506 – Most Affordable
The Sony MDR-7506 is designed for critical listening, and that’s what the design focuses on. In short, it makes an excellent alternative for the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x for those in need of budget headphones for video editing.
The frequency response is from 10 Hz to 20 kHz, which is closer to the standard range, with the bass being a bit enhanced, especially when compared to the previous Bose QuietComfort headphones. The sensitivity is about 106 dB, whereas the impedance is about 63 ohms.
Although the impedance is a bit higher than average, these headphones are still compatible with many devices. Also, they’re monitoring headphones, so you won’t really benefit from using an amp, not when it comes to video editing anyways.
Testing the sound of the Sony MDR-7506 was an amusing experience because, being a budget option, I expected less from the pair. However, the headphones offer a neutral sound without any artificial tunes, which is great for editors looking for transparency. The bass is clear, yet tamed with no extra punch or over coloring. The overall sound signature is pretty decent and consistent, with the mids being the most emphasized.
The Sony MDR-7506 doesn’t support Bluetooth connectivity, and thus, there was no need for a detachable cable. Instead, it comes with a 9.8-feet coiled cable that ends in a 3.5mm connector. Despite being such an affordable headset, the cable is quite durable. Sony couldn’t risk using a cheaply made cable with the model because it’s not removable, so the user will have to replace the headset if the cable got damaged.
There’s nothing else to say here, there are no controls whatsoever, accordingly, you’ll have to use the device that the headphones are connected to in order to control the volume or customize the audio profile. On the other hand, these headphones are simple to use, and they’re extremely comfortable. Moreover, they come with a soft carrying case, and you can fold them up and store them in the case to keep them protected.
Pros:
- Neutral sound
- Comfortable
- Affordable
Cons:
- The cable isn’t detachable
- Doesn’t feature any controls
Our Verdict
Even though the Sony MDR-75506 is such a basic headset, it still provides an amazing value for its price. Furthermore, the closed-back design helps with noise reduction, and the comfortable earcups allow you to use the headphones for prolonged periods.
6. Beyerdynamic DT 240 PRO – Best Sound Details
As you can tell from the title, the Beyerdynamic DT 240 PRO are the headphones to opt for when looking for accuracy and details while editing your videos.
This model isn’t the newest in the DT line. Still, it’s the best for video editing because, after the DT 240 PRO, Beyerdynamic focused on making their headphones more suitable for studio recording. Hence, the newer models require much power to operate, which can only be provided by sound mixers and other studio equipment.
On the other hand, this model is compatible with multiple devices, and you can use it for editing videos on your PC, Laptop, MacBook, or even your smartphone.
The frequency response ranges from 5 Hz to 35 kHz, and its sensitivity is rated at 119 dB with an impedance of 34 ohms. These specifications favor video editing more than the ones that come with more expensive models like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, although the latter has more features to offer, which explains the price gap. However, when it comes to sound quality, the Beyerdynamic DT 240 is the winner.
These headphones can provide a solid audio experience with clear and accurate bass. Yet, it’s not an exaggerated one because the headphones aren’t designed to boost the bass. Meanwhile, the sub-bass is a bit pumped out. The mids and highs are clear as well, but you might notice a tinge of sibilance with high frequency. Regardless, this doesn’t impact the sound accuracy in any ways.
Don’t expect to find any accessories with these headphones; instead, they feature a 9.8 feet coiled cable with a 2.5mm plug on one end and a 3.5mm plug on the other. You can insert the cable in either earcup according to your personal preference.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Affordable
- Excellent sound details
- Compatible with various devices
Cons:
- The cable isn’t detachable
Our Verdict
The Beyerdynamic DT 240 PRO is a headset that you can dedicate to video editing, but that’s about it. If you’re considering getting headphones to listen to your favorite music or for other complicated audio processes, you might be a bit disappointed, yet it’ll certainly get the job done.
How to Pick Headphones for Video Editing
Type of Headphones
When choosing headphones for video editing, it’s crucial to make sure they’re “monitoring headphones.” This is only because there are many headsets made for other purposes like listening to music, gaming, or drowning ambient noise. Such headphones alter the audio coming through so as to leave a better impression, hence, provide the optimum listening experience for a specific type of user.
However, with video editing, you need headphones that can convey the most realistic sound with a flat response, accurate tones, and more sound details.
Frequency Response
The ideal headphones that cover the basic editing requirements would feature a frequency response between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. Regardless, premium headphones can provide a wider range, and thus give you a better chance to catch more tones and add more details. Moreover, above this range, the frequencies are felt rather than heard, which adds more value to your video and how it affects the viewers.
Sensitivity
The sensitivity of a pair of headphones measures how loud they can be. The trick here is that you want to find a reasonable sensitivity that will help you get the loudest sound possible without causing any harm to your ears. The range of sensitivity recommended for video editing is anywhere between 75 dB and 110 dB. This range is both loud and safe, and it’ll help you perceive a clear sound as well.
Impedance
The impedance measures the resistance of the drivers to the sound, which, in turn, affects device compatibility. Suppose a given headset features low impedance (usually lower than 50); In that case, it’s easier for the sound signals to flow through the wires and produce a corresponding sound into your ears.
On the other hand, headphones that come with high impedance require additional amplification. Thus, they’re compatible with dedicated studio equipment like mixers, amps, and certain PCs or laptops. If you use these headphones with other devices that provide less power than the minimum power required by the headset, the sound will be faint, or it might not even work, to begin with.
Cables
The ideal headphones for video editing feature detachable cables that are around 8 to 12 inches. Shorter cables are a bit too restricting, whereas the long ones get tangled and cause some trouble. Additionally, longer cables reduce sound quality by creating unnecessary noise.
Durability
If you want your headphones to be as durable as possible, choose the ones that have a robust build. These headphones are generally heavier than low-quality ones. Meanwhile, if you choose a lightweight headset, it’ll be easier to break.
Furthermore, you can make sure to store your headphones in a dedicated protective case after each use. This way, you’ll minimize the chance that they might accidentally fall and get broken.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best headphones for video editing isn’t that tricky once you figure out the specifications you should be looking for.
In my humble opinion, the Sony WH-1000XM3 is the best option currently available, not only because of the wide frequency response and high sensitivity but also because it’s easy to travel with, so you can take it to multiple video shooting spots, not to mention, it comes with its own dedicated case to stay protected.
If you want to save some cash and still get a good value, then the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is your best shot with a performance that’s almost as good as that offered by Sony WH-1000XM3, but at a lower price.
Meanwhile, you can opt for either the Sony MDR-7506 or Beyerdynamic DT 240 PRO for a more affordable option that you can exclusively use for video editing.
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