Playing piano at any level is a lot of fun, and it’s usually fun for the people you share your musical gift and enthusiasm with, too. But, sometimes, you need a quiet space for your music, and sometimes, your audience (willing or not) needs some quiet time. The solution is some great headphones that keep everyone happy.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are my top pick for digital piano headphones. They deliver balanced, studio-quality sound with rich lows and crisp highs, all wrapped in a sturdy, comfortable design.
If you prefer an open-back design, the Roland RH-A7 are your best bet. They’re lightweight, breathable, and deliver an impressively natural sound with a wide stereo image – ideal for long, expressive practice sessions.
Finally, for the best value, go for the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro. These headphones have been a studio staple for over two decades, offering excellent isolation and remarkably detailed sound at a very affordable price.
Contents
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Why you should trust me
As a pianist, I know there are different reasons for using headphones. Sometimes, it’s about focus; sometimes, it’s because you aren’t ready to share a particular performance yet; other times, it’s simply about keeping the noise down.
I’ve used headphones for all those reasons, especially when I was a beginner, and I’ve experienced the huge difference between good and bad headphones. Hopefully, I can help you stay clear of the bad ones.
How I chose and tested
Only two things matter when choosing the right headphones: they have to sound great and be comfortable. If they look good, too, that’s even better, but it shouldn’t be a priority.
I define sounding great, in this context, with a few vital qualities:
- Natural frequency response. Headphones mustn’t unnecessarily color the sound and maintain as close to a natural tone as possible.
- Wide stereo image. If the sound is too narrow or feels compressed, it will never sound like a real piano.
- Isolation. Complete isolation doesn’t mean the most natural sound, and there are generally many factors to consider. In the context of piano practice, it’s important to block any outside distractions to maintain focus.
People often focus on the sound and forget to think about comfort, which is an easy mistake to make. But trust me, when you’re halfway through a long practice session, you’ll think about comfort (or the lack of it).
So, in simple terms, we need great-sounding headphones that we can wear comfortably for extended periods.
Unfortunately, wearing headphones will never sound or feel better than not wearing headphones. Headphones don’t deliver sound as we hear it naturally in real life, but sometimes we need to cut off the outside world, and sometimes (when practicing) the outside world needs to cut us off.
At these times, we need to ensure we have the best possible compromise, which means choosing the best headphones for digital pianos.
Closed-back vs open-back headphones
The choice between closed-back and open-back headphones plays a part in both the sound and comfort. Both types of headphones have advantages and disadvantages. I made my picks based on headphones that offer the best balance of sound quality and comfort, with value for money in mind.
Closed-back headphones have an obvious advantage in isolation because there’s less opportunity for sound to bleed in or out. That advantage often comes with a slight disadvantage in sound quality, particularly artificially enhanced bass tones caused by a build-up of low frequencies. Another slight drawback is being less comfortable because there is no airflow.
The lack of isolation from open-back headphones typically leads to a more natural sound. We hear things closer to how we would without headphones, and they usually provide a wider stereo image. The open back allows air to flow through the headphones, which makes them more comfortable. Of course, the lack of isolation means you’ll hear more potential distractions when trying to focus.
I’ve described the typical characteristics of closed-back and open-back headphones, but nothing is set in stone, and every pair should be judged on individual merit.
Here are the best headphones for digital piano and keyboard:
- Best all-rounders: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Best value for money: Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
- Best blend of style and comfort: Austrian Audio Hi-X15
- Best open-back headphones: Roland RH-A7
- Best semi-open-back headphones: Kawai SH-9
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Award: Best all-rounders
- Type: Closed-back
- Frequency response: 15 Hz – 28 kHz
- Connectivity: 1/8″ plug, 1/4″ adapter
- Detachable cable: Yes
- Weight: 285 g (10 oz)
- Tested price: $149
Audio-Technica is a brand that caters to most budgets and typically offers excellent value for money. The ATH-M50x studio headphones aren’t the cheapest option, but they are relatively inexpensive for professional-quality headphones with a stellar reputation.
With a frequency response of 15 Hz – 28 kHz, these closed-back headphones deliver a warm but not obnoxiously-colored sound and a wide soundstage. Audio-Technica delivers the rich resonance that comes from the low end of a quality digital piano accurately with minimal artificial enhancement. You’ll also get incredible clarity in the highs.
Another great feature of the ATH-M50x studio headphones is that they are very robust and very unlikely to break easily. The downside is that they fall behind some open-back options in the comfort department, but they are undoubtedly amongst the most comfortable closed-back options.
If you want a similar but slightly cheaper option, you could go for the ATH-M40x model.
What I like
- Excellent sound.
- Built to last.
- Value for money.
- Wide soundstage.
- Great isolation.
What I don’t like
- Noticeably heavier than open-back alternatives.
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
Award: Best value for money
- Type: Closed-back
- Frequency response: 8 Hz – 25 kHz
- Connectivity: 1/8″ plug, 1/4″ adapter
- Detachable cable: No
- Weight: 285 g (10 oz)
- Tested price: $90
The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones provide a frequency response of 8 Hz – 25 kHz, which goes far beyond average at the price point. Value for money is the main reason I placed these headphones in the number two spot on my list; they highlight how much manufacturers can (and should) offer at a reasonable price.
These headphones have been around since 2003, and while they aren’t as instantly recognizable as some other models, they have stood the test of time as well as any.
The sound quality is exceptional, especially the crystal-clear highs. However, everything sounds good across the board; the lows are impactful (albeit very slightly lighter than some might like) but never muddy, and the midrange is distinct and accurate.
The HD 280 Pro headphones are remarkably comfortable for closed-back headphones and provide almost absolute isolation. The well-designed headband and super-soft earpads make these headphones comfortable, even over extended periods.
They didn’t miss out on the top spot by too much.
What I like
- Excellent sound quality.
- Well-defined midrange.
- Great isolation.
- Value for money.
What I don’t like
- Slightly light lows.
Austrian Audio Hi-X15
Award: Best blend of style and comfort
- Type: Closed-back
- Frequency response: 12 Hz – 24 kHz
- Connectivity: 1/8″ plug, 1/4″ adapter
- Detachable cable: Yes
- Weight: 225 g (8 oz)
- Tested price: $109
The Hi-X15 headphones display a surprisingly high number of premium features, considering the relatively low price. Those premium features include memory foam earpads, all-metal hinges, and Austrian Audio’s high excursion driver technology. The proprietary technology delivers incredible sound, especially in the lower frequencies.
These headphones produce a neutral sound without becoming bland. Although they are particularly impressive in the lower range, they boast outstanding clarity from top to bottom. Most importantly, they will accurately capture the subtle nuances that define the personality of the piano you are playing.
The Hi-X15 headphones offer a frequency range of 12 Hz – 24 kHz and a reasonably wide stereo image. Another aspect of these headphones that might not be a dealbreaker but will certainly appeal to many is that they look fantastic.
What I like
- Exceptional lows.
- Good isolation.
- Memory foam earpads.
- Surprisingly good build quality.
What I don’t like
- Stereo image not as wide as some alternatives.
Roland RH-A7
Award: Best open-back headphones
- Type: Open-back
- Frequency response: 10 Hz – 25 kHz
- Connectivity: 1/8″ plug, 1/4″ adapter
- Detachable cable: No
- Weight: 200 g (7 oz)
- Tested price: $120
The RH-A7 headphones are the first open-back headphones on the list and are very deserving of their position. I have a lot of personal experience with Roland headphones, albeit some time ago. As a student, I almost exclusively played Roland RD stage pianos, and I would typically match them with Roland headphones for practice.
Despite not being my first choice these days, I have nothing but good memories of using Roland headphones. Few manufacturers will understand how to deliver the accurate sound of a digital piano better than Roland.
RH-A7 headphones have a frequency response of 10 Hz – 25 kHz and deliver a very natural sound. Much of that natural sound is thanks to the open-back design, and with that, you also get a very authentic stereo image. The open-back design makes the headphones a more lightweight and comfortable option than most closed-back headphones.
The isolation isn’t great; it’s not terrible at sensible volumes, but some sound will spill out. If you practice in an environment where leaking sound doesn’t matter much (for example, if you have to keep your neighbors happy but have no one in the same room), these headphones are awesome.
What I like
- Natural sound.
- Wide stereo image.
- Very light and comfortable.
- Roland understand pianos.
What I don’t like
- Isolation isn’t great.
Kawai SH-9
Award: Best semi-open-back headphones
- Type: Semi-open
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Connectivity: 1/8″ plug, 1/4″ adapter
- Detachable cable: No
- Weight: 370 g (13 oz)
- Tested price: $139
From open-back to semi-open-back, the SH-9 headphones complete this list with something a little different. The semi-open-back design provides a perfect middle ground for anyone who wants a more natural sound without losing all isolation.
The frequency response of 20 Hz – 20 kHz is narrower than most alternatives, but considering it matches the average human hearing range, it’s not a real problem.
One of the things I love most about these headphones is that they were developed in conjunction with Audio-Technica. This collaboration brings together industry-leading expertise in studio equipment and digital piano manufacturing. Kawai makes some of the most beautiful and realistic digital pianos in the world, and if anyone knows how they should sound, it’s them.
As the SH-9 headphones were explicitly developed for digital pianos, they recreate the stereo image of the instrument perfectly. It’s worth noting that they should perform best with Kawai digital pianos, but they will serve you well regardless of the instrument.
While slightly heavier than expected, these headphones are still very comfortable, even if you practice for a few hours.
What I like
- Wide soundstage.
- Natural sound.
- Optimized for digital pianos.
- Very comfortable.
What I don’t like
- Slightly heavier than expected.
Conclusion
Although headphones will never be perfect, good headphones can be the difference between productive practice and wasting time. It doesn’t matter how long you sit at the piano; what matters is making the most of the time you have. If you want to stay focused with an authentic sound, the headphones above are some of the very best for digital pianos and keyboards.
