Electronic Dance Music has been taking over the world for the past decades and is easily one of the most popular genres around. EDM artists perform anywhere from clubs to big festivals. But if you want to hear EDM up close and personal, then you better be using some high-quality headphones.
In this article, we will be talking about the best headphones for EDM. We’ll go through some industry-standard picks, some audiophile picks, and even some wireless picks. Our top choices are the Sennheiser HD 25, and the Beyerdynamic DT 177X GO.
But, of course, we have plenty of options in store for you. Keep on scrolling to find out more.
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Best Headphones for EDM
Sennheiser HD 25 – Recommended Pick
Sennheiser is a manufacturer that is known for making industry-standard headphones. One of their most famous models is the Sennheiser HD25. It is the gold standard when it comes to DJ headphones and has been the number one choice of professionals ever since its release in 1988.
Its deep roots in the DJ and electronic scene alone makes it one of the best pairs for listening to EDM. With its thundering bass, it is able to deliver clean, punchy, and precise bass. It does this without sacrificing other key frequencies, such as the midrange.
More complex electronic tracks with lots of elements going on in the mix are still accurately reproduced by the HD 25. Its only weakness is arguably its soundstage. And to be fair, most of its closed-back competitors suffer from the same issue.
It isn’t the best at reproducing wide sounding and airy tracks. But it still surely holds its own and is able to deliver an enjoyable experience.
Additionally, the HD25 only has an impedance of 70 ohms. It is low enough to be powered by most modern devices such as smartphones. But it is high enough to ensure that you do not overload the drivers when using more powerful sources.
The sound quality isn’t the only reason why the HD25 is such a well-regarded headphone. It is built like a tank making it an amazing everyday carry pair as well as for stage use.
It is mostly made of plastic. However, the plastic material used is very high quality and is guaranteed to last. The usage of plastic also ensures that the HD 25 are kept lightweight and flexible for different use case scenarios. Replacement parts are also user-replaceable and sold by Sennheiser in case anything goes wrong.
Lastly, the HD25 is one of the best headphones for sound isolation. The HD25 significantly cuts out most ambient noise, giving you better enjoyment of your music.
However, take note that the HD25 has an on-ear design. Despite the HD25 being known as a comfortable headphone, on-ears are quite notorious for being uncomfortable for a lot of people. So keep this in mind if you are interested in the HD25.
Overall, the HD25 easily sets the bar for EDM headphones. If you want a pair that is trusted by professionals and is even often used to make the tracks that you listen to, the HD25 is one of our top recommendations.
Beyerdynamic DT 177X GO – Premium Choice
If you are looking to step into the higher-end audiophile realm, then the DT 177X Go is easily one of the best bang for the buck high-end headphones. This pair is the result of Drop and Beyerdynamic’s collaboration to bring the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro at a more affordable price point.
If you are familiar with Drop’s offerings, you’ll know that the DT 177X GO is not a cheaper and heavily compromised version of the original model. You are getting the real deal but with some slight modifications that do not negatively impact the whole experience.
Let us first talk about the sound quality. The DT 177X GO is arguably one of the best closed-back headphones for electronic music. And one of the primary reasons for this is its bass response.
Beyerdynamic is known for delivering a huge sounding bass response with their headphones (particularly, the DT 770 Pro). And this headphone just so happens to have one of the best bass in their headphone lineup.
The DT 177X GO is able to deliver deep and punchy bass that is incredibly revealing, making you hear all the small details and nuances in the lows. It has the capability to accurately reproduce instruments that will take your listening experience to the next level.
And the DT 177X GO does that without bleeding into the mids. The mids, while slightly recessed, are smooth and crystal clear. Vocal tracks easily pop off and are independent of the rest of the mix. This kind of technical capability makes the DT 177X GO a versatile pair of headphones and not just a trick pair for EDM.
Now, let us talk about the one difference that the DT 177X GO has from the DT 1770 Pro. The only difference between the two (aside from the slight aesthetic differences) is the impedance. If you don’t know what that is, we have a dedicated article for you.
But essentially, this is one of the factors that determine whether you need a headphone amplifier or not. The original DT 1770 Pro had an impedance of 250-ohm, meaning that it required a headphone amplifier to achieve the best results.
With Drop’s version, the DT 177X GO only has a 30-ohm impedance making it way easier to drive. You can use anything from your smartphone to your computer’s onboard sound card to power these and get the best results possible.
The only downside is that you are decreasing its synergy with tube amplifiers, in case you wanted to make the sound signature warmer. But for its price point, it is a valid tradeoff.
Overall, if you want a premium pair of headphones that has the technical capability to accurately reproduce EDM tracks but has that fun factor that allows enjoyable listening, then the DT 177X GO is easily one of the best headphones on this list.
Sony WH1000XM4 – Recommended Wireless
Our next pick is targeted towards casual users who want a capable wireless ANC pair. This is none other than the best ANC headphones in the business, the Sony WH1000XM4.
Its predecessor, the Sony WH1000XM3, was already the undisputed champion in the wireless headphone arena. But Sony doesn’t want to stop there and is continuously improving their product lineup. This can be seen with the XM4’s slight improvements to take the WH1000XM4 to the next level.
But before we talk about the improvements in the WH1000XM4, let us first talk about the sound quality. Both the previous generation XM3 and XM4 have a bassy and fun sound signature that is perfect for EDM.
But unlike most of its wireless competitors, the WH1000XM4 isn’t just all about the bass. Its sound is perfectly rounded with enough detailed mids and highs to let other instruments pass through. This allows the WH1000XM4 to perform well in both aggressive and relaxed forms of EDM.
As for sound revisions, the most notable one is the multiple device support. The XM4 now allows you to seamlessly connect and switch from one device to another. You can connect to your smartphone to answer calls, then switch back to your laptop/tablet to continue where you left off.
The ANC is also improved in the XM4. The differences aren’t big, but the improved ANC cancels out more noise and is noticeably better than the last iteration. Sony just increases the gap between its headphones and its competitors.
There is also a proximity sensor located inside the ear cups that automatically pauses the music/video when the headphones are taken off. This was a neat feature that was found on Sony’s WF1000XM3 and is a welcome addition to the XM4.
The mics on the XM4 have also been improved. The five microphones help cancel out noise during calls making your voice easier to stand out and to be understood by the person on the other end of the call.
Sony has also improved features that were already present in the XM3. Placing your hand on the right ear cup will allow you to listen to your surroundings. The headphones will automatically turn ANC off, turn the volume of the music down, and it will amplify the sound of your surroundings.
You can also configure the headphones to stop music playback when you start talking. This works quite well in avoiding accidental pauses when you are simply trying to sing along. Both of these features can be fine-tuned in the included Sony app.
Overall, the Sony WH1000XM4 is once again the undisputed champion in the wireless headphone arena. If you need ANC and reliable wireless performance, then the Sony WH1000XM3 is the best pair to get.
Hifiman Sundara – Open-Back Headphones
Open-back headphones are generally thought of as less tight sounding compared to closed-back headphones. While that is true for a lot of Sennheiser’s dynamic driver headphones, planar magnetic headphones are a different beast. And one of the best ones for EDM is the Hifiman Sundara.
The Sundara is Hifiman’s sub 500 USD planar magnetic headphone and is often considered to be the best one in its price range. It manages to capture the magic of the higher-end Hifiman headphones and serves as a perfect introduction to planar magnetic headphones.
The Hifiman Sundara shares the same design elements with the entry-level Drop HE4XX but with a more modern look and the new Hifiman headband design. The headband is self-adjusting, similar to other higher-end Hifiman headphones.
In terms of the sound quality, the Hifiman Sundara has a tight and punchy bass response, thanks to its planar magnetic drivers. It also has a clear midrange and sparkly treble to even out the sound signature.
But unlike the other closed-back headphones in this price range, the Sundara has a more open sound, which makes a lot of EDM tracks sound more natural and realistic.
Additionally, the Sundara has excellent imaging. It will allow you to easily point out various elements in the mix, which adds to the immersion.
Overall, if you are looking for an open-back pair that is very proficient with the electronic music genre, the Hifiman Sundara easily fits the bill.
Audio Technica M50X/M50X BT
The Audio Technica ATH M50X is arguably the most popular headphone on this list. You can easily spot them on professional music studios as well as with a lot of content creators on YouTube.
Its popularity, however, isn’t because of its sound quality. There are a lot of headphones in its price range that easily outperform them. However, its well thought of design and versatile sound signature has made it a mainstay in the headphone market.
In terms of its build quality, it has an all-plastic build with metal hinges to protect the vulnerable parts. These are made well and are guaranteed to survive even if you just throw them around.
Additionally, these headphones fold into a smaller form factor allowing them to be easily transported. The removable cable is also a plus since it is one of the first things that break with headphones.
The only real issue that a lot of users have is with the M50X’s pleather material. My personal pair has displayed flaking after about two years of heavy use. We have also seen reports from other users.
Audio Technica and other third-party brands offer replacement earpads with alternate materials such as velour, so the earpads shouldn’t be a big deal. However, the headband is not easily replaceable. Headband protectors can be purchased to fix this issue, but it would have been nice to see official support from Audio Technica.
Now, in terms of the sound signature, the M50X is not flat like other studio monitoring headphones. This would typically be a big turnoff for a lot of users. However, this is a big plus for EDM.
The M50X has a signature that is close to the V-shaped sound signature. Its lows are boosted, and the mids are slightly recessed. This gives the M50X the ability to produce pumping bass and increase the excitement of the tracks.
But it also means that there are enough mids to let the vocals pass through. The M50X can naturally dial down the bass to let other instruments pass through. This makes the M50X very enjoyable for any type of EDM.
Also, if you enjoy the M50X, it is also available in a wireless version. The M50XBT is pretty basic and does not have advanced features such as ANC and LDAC codec. But it does not downgrade the performance of the M50X, and it can still be used in wired mode in case you want to pair it with audiophile or professional equipment.
Overall, if you are looking for a well-rounded pair with an industry-standard sound and build quality, then the M50X is strongly recommended.
V Moda Crossfade M100
The V Moda Crossfade M100 is another popular headphone that checks all the boxes when it comes to EDM. In fact, it is widely used by famous EDM artists such as Martin Garrix and The Chainsmokers. The M100 is similar to the ATH M50X in a lot of ways, specifically in their feature set and sound quality.
And in terms of the build, both models are also similar. The M100 has a foldable design, has a removable cable, and a lightweight form factor. But unlike the M50X, the M100 is on the smaller side. This gives them a low profile look that looks better in public compared to the M50X.
The M100 is mostly built of metal, with a few parts being built out of plastic. The unique aspect of the M100 is the customizability of the faceplates. This allows you to customize the style of the headphones to fit your taste or to integrate your branding.
You don’t see this feature in a lot of headphones anymore. One of the last ones that employed a similar feature was the Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro.
Despite the customization that it provides, you can’t replace any part of the headphone, such as the drivers or the hinges, if they break in the future. Build quality is excellent, but having the ability to swap out different parts gives you peace of mind.
In terms of its sound, it’s a lot more bass-heavy than the M50X, but it is more balanced compared to traditional DJ headphones such as the Sennheiser HD25. It has enough detail retrieval but maintains a smooth and inoffensive high-end. This makes it perfect for bass-heavy genres as well as more mellow sounding genres.
Overall, if you are looking for a small and lightweight pair with good customization and sound quality that is on par with the established favorites, then the M100 is a great choice.
Beats Studio 3 Wireless
Beats is arguably one of the most recognizable headphone brands. It has appeared in lots of music videos and is extremely popular in the casual market. And despite receiving lots of criticisms from the audiophile community, the 2nd and 3rd Generation Beats were actually decent headphones.
And a large part of this is because of Apple’s acquisition of Beats back in 2014. Now, the latest generation of Beats products still isn’t direct competitors to the audiophile offerings in this list. But if there’s something that they excel at, it is with EDM.
As its name implies, the Beats Studio 3 are naturally good at bringing beats to life. These headphones have a bass-heavy sound signature that creates a boomy low end. But unlike its predecessors, the bass here is much more controlled and does not bleed too much into the mids.
Vocals are audible in this unit, but they won’t be as detailed or as natural sounding as the rest of the models on this list. The same goes for its highs. Its presence can be felt in the mix, but it is pretty subdued.
The Studio 3 does start falling apart when it comes to more technical genres such as classical music. But if we are strictly talking about EDM, these headphones are fairly competent.
The Studio 3 also features ANC. It’s decent enough for most situations but will never come close to the Sony WH1000XM3 and XM4’s performance.
But, if you are into aesthetics, the Studio 3 easily beats most offerings on this list. It has the most number of finishes and limited editions available.
Overall, the Beats Studio 3 is a great looking headphone that works well with EDM. It doesn’t have the best ANC performance, nor does it have the best sound quality. But if you are strictly going to listen to EDM, then this one’s a decent choice.