One of the best characteristics with electronic drum kits is that you can play close to silent. This is thanks to the fact that you can monitor your playing with a pair of headphones.
Whether you need to keep quiet because of neighbors, or you want to be able to hear yourself better while you’re playing live, a good set of headphones is key.
While there are many different types of headphones on the market that are great, we’re going to be covering some of the best for electronic drumming, as well as discussing just what it is that makes a great set of electronic drum kit headphones.
Vic Firth SIH1
Top Pick!
The Vic Firth SIH1's are easily one of the most popular pairs of headphones for people who play electronic drum kits.
They are labeled “isolation headphones”, as they help to block out outside noise. This is what makes them so great for playing live.
You can listen to yourself drumming in the noisiest of environments without having to crank the volume up to 10 and deafening yourself. They block out up to 24 dB of noise, which is pretty noticeable once you put them on.
They come with quality, thick pads that fit nicely on even the biggest of ears, giving you comfort throughout your playing time. This can be a lifesaver during longer sessions or performances.
In terms of specs, these cans come with a 12.5 inch cord with both ⅛” and ¼” adapters. They also match the human hearing range with their 20 Hz to 20 kHz range.
Bottom Line: For a crisp, clear, and natural sound whether you’re performing or practicing, the Vic Firth SIH1's are an excellent choice.
Alesis not only makes a wide variety of quality drum kits, keyboards, and other accessories, they also make an excellent pair of headphones that are perfect for electronic drum kit monitoring.
They provide incredibly high-quality audio and solid isolation. They reproduce sound accurately no matter how loud your external environment is. Pair that with the fact that you can get just about every nuance of your sound in a wide dynamic range and you have headphones that are great for stage and practice.
The headphones don’t have a flat response per se, though they do provide a full-ranged 40mm sound that makes sure all the important frequencies cut through and into your ears. The low-end is incredibly tight too, great so that the kick isn’t overpowering.
When it comes to comfort, some complain that they can be a bit tight, though it seems to be on a case-by-case basis, as many praise them for being comfortable.
Bottom Line: Whether you need to practice your drums, set up a cue mix, or practice in private for hours on end, the Alesis DRP100s are a solid choice!
Tascam TH-02
Best Budget Option
Looking for many of the great features on your standard set of drum headphones for half the price? This is why many people buy the Tascam TH-02 headphones!
While you won’t get heavy sound accuracy and punch that you might expect from a $100 pair of cans, you will get many other great features. It’s no surprise that Tascam knows how to make something that’s both quality and affordable, as they do it all the time with their interfaces.
The TH-02s come in a foldable design with cushioned headband and earcups. We also dig that the earcups rotate at 90-degrees, allowing you to fold them up and store them away easily.
The frequency response on these is pretty flat, and the sound is reasonably clear, enough to have a good sense of what it is that you are playing.
We would say the midrange is the best thing in terms of the sound.
The cable length is nice and long at 9.8 feet too, giving you plenty of room to work with no matter where you decide to use them.
Bottom Line: If you need a good pair of headphones but are on a tight budget, the Tascam TH-02s should 100% be on your radar. They’re comfortable and well-balanced, perfect for at-home practice.
The RH-5s are made by Roland, arguably the biggest and most popular manufacturer of electronic drum kits, especially their V-Drums. This means that they know what they’re doing when it comes to drum headphones.
These headphones are an inexpensive alternative to their pricier line of headphones, though give you just what you just what you need in terms of their audio profile.
They provide a natural, flat frequency response that ensures you are accurately hearing what is being played.
One of the most significant advantages of these headphones is that they’re incredibly lightweight. You may even forget you have them on your head if you wear them long enough.
As for the design, some might call them stylish, yet minimalistic. All of this and they’re still some of the most affordable drum cans out there.
Oh yea, they come with a ¼” adapter, included in the box, so you don’t need to worry about getting em.
Bottom Line: For a pair of inexpensive, purpose-built headphones with a flat frequency response, the Roland RH-5s are awesome. We peg them more as a “practice” pair of headphones, as their sound isolation isn’t on par with more expensive sets.
Roland V-Drums RH-300V headphones are some of the most exceptional drum headphones on the market and are made specifically for Roland V-Drums.
This is because they have a widened frequency response that gives you the ability to hear anything that your Roland Drums output.
They’re incredibly comfortable and come with a long detachable cable. The fact that it’s detachable is awesome, as you can replace it in the case that it ever breaks. They’re also extremely compact and easy to fold and stick in the included carrying case.
While they may look like they’re a bit bulky, they’re very lightweight, meaning less fatigue over long sessions. Pair this with the high-quality, cushioned ear pads and the external aluminum, and you have cans that are both comfortable AND durable.
The gold ⅛” plug gives a nice frequency response with crystal clear sound quality.
Bottom Line: Overall, the Roland V-Drums Stereo Headphones give you supreme comfort and a full range, which is excellent for playing drums. They may be a bit pricey for many, though if you’re serious about getting serious sound quality, we recommend checking them out.
Listen Carefully
It’s important, whether you are performing or practicing, to make sure that the sound you hear from your headphones is the most accurate it can be.
Monitoring headphones are far different than consumer headphones in this instance, and that’s much of the reason why we recommend getting yourself a pair of headphones that are made specifically for this purpose.
While all the products on our list are considered good headphones for electronic drums, our favorites are still the Vic Firth SIH1’s They have a great build, are incredibly versatile, and provide excellent noise isolation.
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