Testing studio headphones is a little different from testing regular consumer headphones. With consumer headphones, you get enhanced sounds with EQ profiles that usually enhance bass and treble for a better listening experience.
But with studio headphones, you get a flat and neutral frequency that leaves the track you’re listening to nowhere to hide. You get every single detail and can totally analyze the music. They’re also a great addition to any musician's setup, as they allow them to listen to their own music in more detail.
I use the Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro studio headphones for complete focus during guitar practice, and they have given me a totally new appreciation for my favorite pastime. Not to mention they are super affordable since they are designed to be a compact solution to studio audio.
Streaming service of choice
When we test audio equipment here at Tom's Guide, we like to make sure we are giving them the best chance to show off all they can do, so we use one of the best streaming services to get the least compressed files. Qobuz offers Hi-Res streaming in 24-bit, and that means I can hear every detail in my favorite songs when testing studio headphones.
The Hi-Res tracks pair perfectly with studio headphones, as it makes everything sound clear and uncluttered. The tracks are open and spacious, and when paired with a DAC and wired headphones, there’s nothing you can’t hear. Just be wary of streaming the tracks over mobile data, as they’ll use a lot of it.
Though not related to the headphone testing, I love that Qobuz recommends me music I wouldn't normally listen to. It may be a different genre than my usual go-to tracks, or a total tempo lift, but it reminds me to keep listening widely. This way I can always keep an open mind when testing new gear.
First up: the playlist
Like any good audio reviewer, I have my very own testing playlist. This is filled with some of my all-time favorite songs as well as some songs that showcase a wide range of genres to really put the headphones I’m using to the test.
This playlist includes tracks like Dreams by Fleetwood Mac, Delete Ya by Djo, and I CARE by Turnstile. These are all tracks that showcase different genres to give me a good idea of how the headphones perform with bass, mids, and treble. Having this playlist also means I can compare all the different headphones I use.
The album section
We all have albums that we can recite in our heads on command if needed, but what about all of the gritty details in them? Well, that’s my goal with studio headphones: to get the most detail possible in my favorite albums.
I have three go-tos that I know will enable me to completely dissect the abilities of a pair of headphones. The first of those is the 2001 remaster of Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. It’s an album that continues to stand the test of time, and with a mixture of raspy vocals and tangy strings, I’m always enamoured by how I never get bored with the eclectic mix of tracks.
Secondly, after its release in 2025, I have come to rely on The Clearing by Wolf Alice for almost every audio gadget that falls into my lap. They are primarily a guitar band, but this album welcomes a warm piano into their sound. Their songs are also incredibly complex and leave me pondering their production long after I put the headphones down.
Finally, I almost always bring out the trusty That’s The Spirit by Bring Me The Horizon. This one differs from the previous two and brings in the heavier sound that I love so much. Here I get to hear how audio gear copes with distortion, screams, and heavy drums. This may just be my biggest test, but it’s one that the Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pros passed with flying colors.
So, what albums would you use to listen to the details? Let me know in the comments below so I can try them out the next time I test out a pair of headphones.
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More from Tom's Guide
- Qobuz review: Top quality audio streaming that comes at a price
- I’ve been using the Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro headphones, and they might just be the best option for semi-professional musicians
- I’m a music geek, and the Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro are a dream come true — here's why I'm sold on studio headphones now
