Top 10 Best Headphones for Guitar Amps in 2023 Reviews & Buying Guide

Most guitarists like to listen to music as it should be heard, loud and clear, without any interruption. The same can be said about practicing guitar, which seems to always be an issue, especially if you share your house or apartment with other people. Someone is always complaining that it is too loud, which leaves us with less time to shred away to Van Halen than we’d like.

Enter headphones. Sure, headphones suck all the fun of playing guitar out, but there are a plethora of headphones out there that sound great and will give you that extra time needed to hone your guitar skills without disturbing the family or neighbors.

So, we set out on a mission to find the best headphones for guitar amps and after a considerable amount of testing, we’ve put together our picks right here.

Let’s go through them, starting with a summary of what we’ll be reviewing…

Top 10 Best Headphones for Guitar Amps on the Market in 2023 Review

Products	Summary	Rating
Best Choice BOSS Wireless Guitar Headphones System View Price	Summary Waza-Air app with built-in guitar tones.	(4.3 / 5)
Also Great Sennheiser HD 650 Open Back Professional Headphones View Price	Summary Open-back design offers best sound stage.	(4.7 / 5)
Also Great Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Headphones View Price	Summary Cheap studio monitors that sound excellent with large 45mm drivers.	(4.7 / 5)
Also Great AKG K240 Studio Headphones with Knox Gear Headphone Amplifier View Price	Summary The headphones come with an amplifier to give the headphones the power to sound better.	(4.6 / 5)
Cheap Price Amazon Basics Over-Ear Studio Monitor Headphones View Price	Summary Cheapest headphones on the list.	(4.3 / 5)
Also Great Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO Headphones View Price	Summary Affordable, premium studio monitoring headphones.	(4.5 / 5)
Best Choice Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone View Price	Summary Old-school design, with precision designed drivers for excellent sound.	(4.8 / 5)
Also Great Shure SRH840 Professional Monitoring Headphones View Price	Summary Alternative to the Audio-Technica headphones.	(4.9 / 5)
Also Great Sennheiser HD 400S View Price	Summary Budget friendly option for the HD650.	(4.3 / 5)
Also Great KZ ATE KZ-ATE Dynamic Balanced Armature IEMS In Ear HIFI Monitors View Price	Summary Cheapest and best sounding in-ear monitors.	(4 / 5)

1 BOSS Wireless Guitar Headphones System – Most Versatile Headphones for Guitar AmpsProduct Review

Most guitarists will quickly recognize BOSS. They are one of the largest guitar effects and musical equipment manufacturers in the world. Their BOSS Katana series amps are some of the best guitar amps on the market, with integrated smartphone apps and excellent amp models, all at an affordable price.

BOSS also knows that sometimes we want to play but need to do it quietly due to circumstances. Unfortunately, a lot of headphones have not been made for just listening to a guitar. This can lead to a less than stellar sound when practicing or playing alone. This is where the BOSS wireless guitar headphones system comes in.

Freedom to shred…

The best part about this system is the wireless part since no guitarist wants to deal with an extra wire. If you’re like us, you already have a bunch of guitar cables, microphone cables, and audio interface cables wreaking havoc in your recording space. There are other wireless models, but these are likely the best wireless headphones for guitar amps.

Add to that the excellent Waza-Air app that allows you to create or choose from excellent guitar tones that not only simulate amps and effects but the playing environment as well. With over 50 customizable effects, you will never get bored playing. And to add a cherry to the top, there is virtually zero latency at all, which is obviously important to play correctly.

Quality comes at a cost…

The only downside to these is the price. They create a considerable dent in your pocket. But if you have some spare change lying around, and want to further enhance your guitar practice sessions, then look no further.

2 Sennheiser HD 650 Open Back Professional Headphones – Best Premium Headphones for Guitar Amps

Much has been said about the excellent Sennheiser HD650 headphones. Yes, these cost a pretty penny, but when it comes to audio quality, these are the industry standard. Ask any audiophile what pair of headphones one should get, and their first response will be, “Are you serious? HD650, of course!”

High-quality build…

These headphones have been designed with the utmost care. The large, oval earcups fit all ears, and the open-back design offers one of the best sound stage experiences of any headset on the market currently.

The earpads are thick and soft, which means you can play for hours on end without any discomfort. The aluminum design also means that you won’t have to worry about throwing these around or replacing them anytime soon. As a result, these are the most durable headphones for guitar amps on the market.

The high-power neodymium magnet drivers do need some extra juice. So do not expect these to sound great on a smartphone. But when given the extra power, these blow the socks off any other headset around the same price.

What makes these excellent headphones for guitar playing?

They offer an unaltered frequency response range, which means your guitar tones won’t be subverted by dodgy EQ curves and will sound exactly the way you intend them to. The amplifier will also most likely provide enough juice for the headphones to shine.

The only downside is also one of the upsides. The open-back design does leak a lot of sound, which means if you like to listen to your guitar playing at high volumes, everyone around you will also be listening to you playing, albeit at a much lower volume than the actual amp.

Versatile and practical…

These are easily one of the most used headsets for audio production and mixing, which means if you start dabbling in production, you won’t have to buy another pair of headphones.

3 Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Headphones – Best Value for the Money Headphones for Guitar Amp

Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50 series headphones are like the HD650’s, but for Audio-Technica supporters. Costing about a third of the HD650’s, these are also audio production headphones, meaning that they offer an unaltered audio frequency range.

The biggest difference between the two is that this headset has a closed-back design instead of the open-back design of the HD650. This means that there is much better noise isolation. So, you can practice without worrying that anyone will be bothered by your playing.

Sturdy for plastic…

Audio-Technica’s headsets are all well designed, although with a few cheaper materials. These aren’t made of aluminum and are instead coated in matte-black plastic. They still feel sturdy and don’t creak much.

The headband is nice and strong but does not add too much pressure to your crown. The earpads are well padded, although the leatherette can become hot after a few hours of playing.

Practice or mix?

As with the HD650, these require some extra power to really sound great, and the amplifier will offer more than enough to give these the energy they need. The large 45mm drivers offer a clear, warm sound that will suit any style of guitar playing and tones. Plus, if you get into audio production, you can use these to produce and mix your music as well.

4 AKG K240 Studio Headphones with Knox Gear Headphone Amplifier – Most Powerful Headphones for Guitar Amps

These headphones come with a separate headphone amplifier to give the headset the extra power needed. The Knox Gear amplifier is optional but provides a much better listening experience. Hooking up your phone or PC is easy, and the amplifier has up to four channels.

All of this for well below $100 makes it the perfect buy if you are on a tight budget. AKG has a great reputation for producing budget headphones and earphones, which is why Samsung has packaged their phones with AKG earphones. Therefore, these are some of the best smartphone headphones for guitar amps.

Fit for everyone…

The headset is super comfy and large enough to fit all ears. The padding is thick and soft, although the design and build quality does lack the finesse found on more expensive headsets.

The headset has an easily adjustable headband, which means finding the right fit won’t take too much time. It does feel pretty cheap, though. The build is all plastic and is creaky when moved around.

Versatility is the key…

That said, these headphones boast a fairly untouched sound profile. In turn, they are a great set of beginner producer headphones, if that’s your thing.

Want to know more about these excellent affordable headphones? Then check out our in-depth AKG K240 Review.

5 Amazon Basics Over-Ear Studio Monitor Headphones – Best Budget Headphones for Guitar Amps

The Amazon Basics series is nothing to look down upon with some great additions to the product line. These headphones are no exception.

Affordable doesn’t mean bad quality…

These are the best cheap headphones on the list, but that’s not a bad thing. What Amazon delivers here is a solid headset that performs well above the price it retails for.

The slick, modern black coat and minimal design make these look much more expensive than they are. Comfort levels are decent. Although, if you have a big head, you might find the headband clamping force a little too tight for comfort. The earpads are soft and comfy; however, the leatherette does produce quite a bit of ear sweat over extended periods.

Not a neutal soundstage…

While these are marketed as studio monitor headphones, we found that the frequencies were definitely not natural. Quite the opposite.

There is a lot of low-end boost, which immediately invalidates these as studio monitor headphones. What you are hearing through the headphones will not be true to what is being played.

That is where using them for practicing guitar comes in. And to be honest, these are some of the best practice headphones for guitar amps.

Inexpensive convenience…

These headphones are affordable and comfy. The long three meter cable makes it easy to plug and play without too much fussing about with the cables.

Yes, the sound might not be perfect for mixing. But let’s face it, when you are jamming away your favorite tunes, you won’t be too focused on the sound profile of the guitar anyway. And for the price, it earns its place among the Best Headphones for Guitar Amps.

6 Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO Headphones – Best Multi Purpose Headphones for Guitar Amps

Moving up the scale a bit, we find ourselves with Beyerdynamic’s midrange DT770 Pro headphones. The headphones have a range of different impedance options to choose from. These are specifically 16ohm, which makes them some of the best plug and play headphones for guitar amps.

Although not labeled as studio monitoring headphones, these bad boys have a fairly neutral sound profile. Making them well suited in a studio environment as well as your gig setup.

Quiet and comfortable…

The design is very much Beyerdynamic. This means large, oval earcups with soft, plush padding. The earpads are not covered in leatherette and are instead covered in a breathable fabric, which keeps your ears cool no matter how long you play.

Isolation is excellent, and the sound stage is decent. You won’t have to worry about disturbing any family members with these plugged in. As a result, these are some of the best noise isolating headphones for guitar amps you will find.

Not cheap, but fantastic value for the money…

If you are looking for a great all-rounder pair of headphones for around $150, then you should seriously consider purchasing these. Not only are they one of the best headphones for guitar amps for the price, but they are some of the best gaming headphones, as well as superb for streaming, and producing, or mixing music.

7 Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone – Best Sounding Headphones for Guitar Amps

Sony’s MDR7506 certainly looks the part. These headphones look like they came straight out of an 80s mixing booth. With large and powerful 40mm neodymium drivers, they deliver exceptional and clear sound.

Hearing is believing…

These headphones have an amazing frequency response of 10Hz to 20kHz. That is much lower and higher than what we can audibly recognize. The sound is exceptional, with a wide soundstage and unaltered frequency response. Perfect for getting guitar tones just right, as well as playing to your favorite music or mixing in the bedroom.

This means that not only can you get the perfect guitar tone and expect it to sound the same with the headphones unplugged. Likewise, you can also use these to mix and produce your music if you want to dabble in production.

Compact and portable…

The closed-back design means that you won’t be disturbing those around you. This is normally the main reason you are looking for headphones to use with your amp.

Added to the whole package is a long 9.8-foot, gold-plated cable with a ¼ inch adapter, which you will need to plug into the amplifier. The headphones also fold up compactly, making them easy to store and carry around. Furthermore, these headphones are not expensive, retailing around the $100 mark.

To find out more about these headphones that you will find in every professional recording studio, take a look at our in-depth Sony MDR 7506 Review.

8 Shure SRH840 Professional Monitoring Headphones – Best Monitoring Headphones for Guitar Amps

If you aren’t a fan of Beyerdynamic or Audio-Technica, but can only afford a mid-range pair of monitoring headphones, then Shure has got you covered. Their SRH840 headphones are an exceptional pair of headphones for studio monitoring and mixing.

Studio quality…

These headphones have been developed specifically for in-studio use, making them a great option for playing guitar. They can be used for practice sessions or even crafting new tones. This is because they won’t alter the sound of the real amp when unplugged, due to the neutral frequency response.

They also offer excellent noise isolation. However, the soundstage is very wide and still feels like you are playing the guitar in the room instead of through headphones.

Take them anywhere…

The headset is durable but is made from mostly plastic. The padding is soft, and the headset fits easily on any size head and ears. The headphones are also collapsible, making storage and travel easy.

The cable is detachable, which means if the cable ever breaks, you won’t have to buy a new headset. Instead, just replace the cable. It also means if you need a longer cable, you can easily just purchase that separately.

9 Sennheiser HD 400S – Most Reliable Headphones for Guitar Amps

If you can’t afford Sennheiser’s HD650 headphones but still want exceptional quality and sound on offer, then the HD400S might be up your alley.

Small yet comfortable…

Smaller plastic and leatherette earpads are some of the main differences. These decisions have not been made lightly, and the build quality is still very good. The headphones do not creak at all, and the headband is still as comfy as ever.

What you do get is expertly crafted 32mm German drivers that offer the best sound stage and frequency response for headphones at the price.

Quality never goes out of style…

Speaking about the price, these can be found at around $70, which makes them an exceptional pair of headphones at the price. Yes, these are a little older, having been released at the start of 2019, but they have not aged a bit.

The matte-black, minimal design is very much still in style and the more circular earcups are a welcome design change from the usual oval-shaped ear cups found on a lot of Sennheiser headphones.

Swop the cables…

The audio cable is detachable if you’d like a better quality one, a longer cable, or in case it breaks. The closed-back design also means you won’t have to worry about disturbing those around you when playing guitar or listening to music.

10 KZ ATE KZ-ATE Dynamic Balanced Armature IEMS In Ear HIFI Monitors – Best In Ear Headphones for Guitar Amps

These might seem like an odd pick, especially on this list, and that is the reason we have added them last. No doubt that you get better sound from over-ear headphones than in-ears.

At this low price, these KZ ATE earphones are easily the best-sounding in-ear monitors on the market. If you don’t want to spend more than $15 to start practicing guitar, or you prefer in-ear headphones, then these are far ahead of the competition.

Superb sound in a small package…

The dynamic drivers sound excellent considering how small they are, and the sound profile is almost untouched. This not only makes them a great choice for listening to music and practicing guitar but also makes them a cheap music production alternative to headphones.

Finding a great fit also isn’t difficult; just try the different ear tip sizes until you find the right fit for you. There are a bunch of different sizes for all shapes and sizes of ears. Once you find the right fit, the isolation is excellent, and the sound stage is surprisingly good for a pair of earphones.

Affordable and portable…

There is no doubt in our mind, if you want something that fits in your pocket, has excellent sound, and costs the same as two Big Mac meals at McDonald’s, then these earphones are for you.

Best Headphones for Guitar Amps Buying Guide

Purchasing the right pair of headphones is a very personal experience and will change from person to person. But, there are some things to keep in mind before spending that hard-earned cash on a new pair of headphones.

Will you only use it to play guitar?

If you are only using the headphones to practice guitar, purchasing an expensive pair of headphones isn’t worth it. Considering most people might only squeeze an hour or so of practice in a few days a week, paying $400 for a pair of quality headphones is over-kill.

If you want an all-around decent pair of headphones not only for practice but also for listening to music, streaming, watching movies, and playing games, paying a bit more is recommended.

In-ear or over-ear?

If you prefer in-ear earphones, which most don’t, the KZ in-ear monitor earphones are an absolute steal at the price, and we highly recommend them.

That said, most people prefer over-ear headphones for recording and listening to music critically. This is usually because larger drivers can produce truer to life sounds and a wider sound stage, making mixing and creating tones for your guitar much easier.

Do you really need wireless?

Going wireless is almost impossible if you are plugging it into your amplifier. That is because most amplifiers don’t normally have wireless connectivity options.

The only wireless option on this list is the BOSS headphones because they come with a Bluetooth adapter that plugs into your amplifier. These headphones have been specifically made for use with guitar amps but cost a pretty penny.

If you don’t want to pay that much, we recommend sticking with wired headphones. Even better, if the cable is detachable, you can also purchase a longer cable if you sit or stand far away from your amplifier.

Looking for Something Else?

The site features reviews of an amazing selection of audio and music equipment. So, if you’re looking for more options, check out our in-depth Skullcandy Indy True Wireless Review, our Sennheiser PXC 550-II Review, our AKG Perception 220 Review, and our Monolith M1060 Headphone Review for superb items you can buy in 2023.

Also, don’t miss our comprehensive reviews of the Best Wireless Workout Headphones, the Best Wireless TV Speakers, the Best Waterproof Headphones for Swimming, the Best Karaoke Microphones, or the Best Keyboard Amps currently on the market.

What are the Best Headphones for Guitar Amps?

Our top pick is the…

BOSS Wireless Guitar Headphones

Not only are these wireless, but they have been made specifically to be used with guitar amps. Plus, the Waza-Air app provides over 50 different tones and sounds for you to play around with, making practicing guitar as fun as it can be.

If you don’t want to spend that much on a pair of headphones, though, we can say without a doubt the second-best option is the…

Sony MDR7506 Headphones

These are high-quality headphones with all the adapters included and come with a gold-plated cable. They might look old-school, but there is no denying the excellent sound quality coming from these.

So, until next time, happy listening.