So did you just buy a piano? I know it costs serious bucks. Or maybe you have had it for a couple of years? Either way now you are probably looking to make the next big decision and that is buying a pair of headphones for that coveted piano. And just like buying the best piano that suits your needs, buying the best headphones can be a complicated endeavor as well.
This is because of the huge variety of headphones that are available on the market for your piano. These come with a slew of different features that appeal to different kinds of user needs.
Now you are probably wondering what the best headphones for your piano are. To be honest it is a difficult question and in a sense the question is funny too, isn’t it? How could there be a single “best headphones” for any piano?
Just think about it. Keep in mind that pianos generally have 61, 76, or 88 keys, and could be as inexpensive as $150 or could have a ridiculously steep price tag, which can reach thousands of dollars.
So how can you make a precise determination of what the best headphones for your piano are?
Well, this is exactly what we will be exploring in this article, so hang on and put on your reading glasses as we take a dive into the nitty-gritty of piano headphone features and buying criteria so you can figure out the best piano headphones for your bucks and more importantly the headphones that are truly right for the piano you bought.
Before we move on to the selection criteria there are a few important questions that you need to ask yourself that will go a long way in making the decision less of a dilemma for you. These questions are as follows:
- Exactly where in your home is your piano located?
- Do you live with your family or are sharing an apartment with someone?
- Does your apartment have thin walls?
- Do you have noisy neighbors and require profound focus on practicing?
- Are you an experienced or well accomplished pianist and have to more strictly monitor what you are playing
Best Piano Headphones Buying Guide
Before we reveal our top 5 picks for best piano headphones, there are a couple of key things that are important for you to keep in mind. Consider these crucial tips on purchasing headphones for your piano use; they will help you comprehend exactly what makes a pair of headphones for piano great:
Are Over-ear Headphones are better?
Although there may be a few exceptions, over-ear headphones are usually a much better option for plugging into your piano compared to in-ear headphones (popularly called ear buds).
There are a number of different reasons for this, but the bottom line is that over-ear headphones usually have the tendency of providing better sound quality, accuracy and noise cancellation compared to in-ear headphones.
In a majority of cases, it is better to stick with a pair of over-ear headphones if you crave the best sounding audio.
Why is Soundstage Important?
Soundstage is a rather vague element of audio quality that many of us tend to overlook. It can be loosely described as how close it sounds like you are to the source that is generating the audio.
The name of this term is rooted in the idea that in stage performances there is an obvious and notable difference between the audio at the very front of an auditorium and the back of the auditorium.
Although it can be difficult to gauge the soundstage of a pair of headphones, you will usually be able to detect the variation and subtleties in the audio quality based on whether the soundstage is appropriately adjusted. You may have come across a situation where listening through a pair of headphones just seemed off, it may have been the result of soundstage.
Even though they may not advertise it, a quality pair of piano headphones will have the soundstage adjusted perfectly, and you will spot the difference immediately in terms of how immersive the audio is.
Why Should You Pay Attention to your Precise Needs?
This is where those questions we asked earlier really matter. There are a myriad of reasons you may want to buy a pair of headphones for piano use, and these reasons usually make a huge difference in what kind of headphones you will need to purchase.
For example, if you have young ones at home who are learning the art of piano playing and you just need some quiet and peace from their incessant playing sessions, an inexpensive pair of headphones will do just fine.
On the other hand, if you are a semi-accomplished pianist who requires a pair of headphones so that you can play whenever you want without disturbing your neighbors or family members, then go for a pair that offers a little bit more in terms of sound quality.
However, if you happen to be an advanced pianist looking to get your hands on a pair of piano headphones that will enable you to appreciate subtle nuances in your various performances, then opt for a high quality set of headphones that deliver clear and crisp audio. Determining precisely what you need will help you narrow your search accordingly.
Can you Compromise on Comfort?
The importance of sound quality can never be overstressed, but your headphones need to be comfortable too.
If you are planning long piano sessions with the headphones on then it is paramount that they be totally comfortable;
in fact so comfortable that you should almost forget that they are even there.
The unfortunate thing is, numerous headphones, even ones that have great sound quality, feel uncomfortable and bulky – which is are both factors that deter people from buying them.
In contrast, there are a number of excellent piano headphones that offer great audio quality with plenty of comfort to wear for hours at a time. Remember that a good brand of piano headphones will concentrate on both sound quality and comfort.
This factor must never be overlooked, especially for headphones. You may end up getting a pair having nearly all the qualities of an ideal headphone, but if it is not comfortable it is as good as useless.
Best Headphones for Piano Reviews
1. Bose QuiteComfort 25 Review
Bose QuiteComfort 25 is an excellent pair of noise canceling headphones with sound production that is just phenomenal, but they come with a steep price tag. The headphones are especially designed to entirely eliminate any background noise or distraction even when you don’t have the volume cranked up very high, and they are almost flawless at doing their job.
Weighing a mere 6.9 ounces, Bose QuiteComfort 25 headphones are nearly half the weight compared to SOL Master Tracks, which makes them almost unnoticeable when you put them on. These headphones are extremely durable and well-constructed and have their own protective carrying case.
Put these headphones on and you will feel a sudden change. Your piano sound will sound powerful, balanced and deep, and the quietness will render more clarity to every note. So if you feel like splurging a fair sum on an amazing pair of piano headphones, rest assured you will not go wrong with Bose QuiteComfort 25.
Bose QuiteComfort 25 Features
- Offers significant reduction in noise and distraction
- Produces powerful, deep and immersive sound
- Equipped with inline remote and mic
- Designed in a manner that makes it a good fit for piano
- This pair of headphones is also compatible with most of Windows, Apple, Android and Blackberry smartphones
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2. Sennheiser Momentum Review
Sennheiser Momentum headphones come with a very stylish and sleek design that differentiates them from their competitors. However, more importantly, these headphones are astoundingly comfortable and generate immersive and crystal clear audio quality.
Their premium quality leather-build ear pads are not just light and soft; they are porous enough to breathe well, this prevents your ears from burning after marathon practicing sessions. In addition, the 18-ohm operating impedance offers an extremely dynamic audio quality level that is not only clear and sharp; it is very immersive and strikes just the right level of soundstage. These headphones also accompany an attractive hard carry case which offers protection and have a 2 years warranty.
Sennheiser Momentum Features
- Equipped with Noise Gard hybrid noise cancellation which eliminates ambient noise with the use of 4 microphones for ultra isolation, which considerably enhances sound quality in noisy environments
- Amazing battery life of 22 hours along with Noise Gard and Bluetooth which ensure great performance during long sessions
- Has a 2 microphone built-in technology that works in a seamless manner to improve sound quality and eliminate external noise
- If bought from an authorized Sennheiser dealer, you get a warranty of 2 years
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3. V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Review
Your initial glance at V-Moda Crossfade M-100 will reveal that these headphones are designed in a unique way. Their design and shape is visually appealing and sharp unlike most other headphone brands. They have a modest weight of 9.9 ounces with memory phone ear pads especially designed for unparalleled comfort.
V-Moda Crossfade M-100 also have V-Moda’s award winning M-Class sound signature that generates impeccable audio at all ranges of volumes and notes with a heavily immersive 3-dimensional soundstage, which does a great job at imitating the experience of a live and up-close performance. This product is packed with innovations with respect to comfort, style and sound quality than any other headphone brand on the market, which makes them a serious contender if you are a musician.
V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Features
- These headphones produce award-winning M-class sound perfected and tuned by more than 200 audiophile aficionados
- They have 50mm Dual Diaphragm Driver which separates bass from highs and mids
- Ultra-Extended Highs, clean deep bass and vivid mids tuned by audiophiles and industry editors
- Unique CLIQFOLD design which provides compact storage
- Extremely compact exoskeleton carrying case with a V-STRAP system
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4. Yamaha Pro 400 Review
Yamahanot only prides itself as a great piano manufacturer, it also produces some exceptional headphones to go with them. So if you have a Yamaha piano, then why not pair it up with Yamaha headphones? Apart from this correlation, there are numerous reasons for buying Yamaha Pro 400.
These are topnotch headphones for your piano, and Yamaha’s experience and expertise in tuning pianos means they are tuned to audio perfection. They are also very comfortable and lightweight with an attractive and sleek geometry. In addition, they are very affordable compared to other brands in the market.
Yamaha Pro 400 Features
- Uses a combination of finest materials with renowned Yamaha tuning experience to offer a superb listening experience
- They have extremely smooth and soft ear cushions with an immensely natural feel
- They come with PRO Series cables that are tangle-resistant, flat and made from materials that are durable and reduce touch noise transfer effects
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5. Noontec Zoro HD Review
Yamaha’s headphones may be affordable, but Noontec Zoro HD is downright cheap. These headphones may not have a few high-end features that are available on many of the top piano headphones, yet they manage to generate an excellent audio quality and provide great comfort.
But their low price really makes them popular. They are priced to sell, given their great quality. The sound they render is immersive and clear and they are more than capable of giving their more expensive counterparts a run for their money. So if you are looking to save some bucks they might be just right for you.
Noontec Zoro Features
- They are very comfortable, lightweight and adjustable
- They have an inline microphone
- Have a durable metal rack inside them
- Come with 1, 3.5mm male-to-male audio cable
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