Guide to the Best Headphones for Guitar Amps

If you are in a hurry and just want to find out the best headphones for guitar amps, then I’d recommend the BOSS Waza-Air Wireless Headphone Guitar Amp as the best one.

All music enthusiasts out there, be honest with us; playing your guitar on its own isn’t as immersive as playing it with an amp. Playing and jamming to the song you just learned with the volume pumped up is just so satisfying. Unfortunately, that may not always be the case for the people with you at home. But don’t fret; there’s a solution to your dilemma; use headphones on your guitar amp!

The best headphones for a guitar amp will give you more than just an immersive jamming experience. We’ll learn more about headphones for guitar amps and things to look for when purchasing one throughout this article.

Here are the Best Headphones for Guitar Amps we will be reviewing:

• BOSS Waza-Air Wireless Headphone Guitar Amp
• Sennheiser HD 650 Open-Air Pro Headphones
• Audio-Technica ATHM50XBT Wireless Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones
• VOX VH-Q1 WH White/Pink Gold Wireless Headphones
• Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm Over-Ear Studio Headphones

What are the Best Headphones for Guitar Amps? 

What are headphones for guitar amps?

Any studio headphone can be used on guitar amplifiers, whether wired or wireless. As long as they are not headphones for phone or tablet listening, you’re good to go. Now the real question here is: why do guitarists wear headphones? There are several reasons, but the main reason is that wearing headphones helps guitarists focus and efficiently monitor their music. 

Studio vs. Normal vs. Bluetooth Guitar Amp Headphones

As much as people debate which type of headphones is better, their differences lean more toward cost-effectiveness. Having a wired studio guitar amp headphones is cheaper than the Bluetooth variant. But of course, a wireless guitar amp headphone won’t restrict movement, unlike wired studio headphones do.

Benefits of Using the Best Headphones for Guitar Amps

Focus on music

With guitar amp headphones, you can listen to your music clearly, more evident than without them. Although the sound quality depends on the quality of the headphones, it’s still a more efficient way to monitor your music.

Fewer Noise Disturbances

Anyone who plays the guitar or knows someone who plays it knows that when it’s plugged into an amp, it’s going to be loud. There’s nothing wrong with that at all, but not everyone would appreciate the free jamming session at any time of the day. This is where guitar amp headphones come in handy! Effortlessly monitor your music without disturbing your family and neighbors. 

Practice at low-volume

When you have guitar amp headphones, you won’t have to turn up the volume to catch the nuances of your music. Play your guitars for hours without worrying about disturbing a family member or your neighbors because you’re the only one who’ll hear everything.

Production-based

Another advantage of using guitar amp headphones is that lesser factors affect your musical output. Factors like the type of room you’re playing in or the type and quality of amp you’re using can tamper with your production. But with headphones, you eliminate delays from the amp and echoes or background noise inside the room from tampering with your music.

How to Use Headphones for Guitar Amps

Most studio headphone jacks are compatible with guitar amps unless using tube amps. You can plug your headphones into the jack provided on your amp; then you’re good to go! Be sure to check which connector is compatible with your guitar amp before proceeding with your jamming session. There are guitar amps with 3.5mm headphone jacks, while others have 6.3mm. 6.3mm headphone jacks usually require an adaptor first before you can use them.

Things to Consider When Picking the Best Headphones for Guitar Amps

Dynamic Frequency Range

In terms of the frequency range, guitar amp headphones are very different from standard headphones. Standard headphones used on phones and tablets have a minimum frequency range; thus, they wouldn’t pick up on the nuances of your music. To efficiently monitor your music, you’d want a pair of guitar amp headphones that can pick up a more comprehensive range of frequency responses.

Headphone Impedance

Impedance is all about compatibility between your headphones and your chosen guitar amp. Since you’ll be using a guitar amp, you’d need headphones that have a high impedance. Using guitar amp headphones prevents overloading, which results in inaccurate reproduced sound and blowout.

Noise Isolation

It’s safe to assume that one of the reasons you want to purchase guitar amp headphones is to focus on your music correctly. Headphones that do not have noise isolation properties defeat their purpose as amp headphones. Closed-back headphones offer the best noise isolation; however, they do not reproduce authentic sound. Also, it isn’t recommended for long-term use as it may damage your ears. 

On the other hand, open-back headphones will give you a more realistic sound reproduction. The only downside is that if you use them in a room with other people, the noise isolation properties are few.

Overall Comfort and Proper Build Quality

Besides the quality of reproduced sound, comfort should also be a vital feature to consider. Soft and proper padding and head support can make or break your practice and recording sessions. They need to be adjustable and have sufficient padding to have little to no distractions from your recording sessions. 

Accessories

Guitar amp headphones have a variety of accessories you can choose from. If your budget allows it, do buy replaceable ear pads. There are a lot of soft and good-quality replaceable ear pads on the market. So if the earpads of the headphones you bought aren’t to your liking, you could change them out.

Budget

Not all expensive headphones for guitar amps have the best quality. Sometimes, we must focus more on the specs and features than the price tag. Because the market for headphones is so diverse, it’s possible to find a mid-range amp headphone that will surely deliver high-quality sound reproduction.

BOSS Waza-Air Wireless Headphone Guitar Amp

If you’re looking for a completely wireless headphone setup with little to no latency, the BOSS Waza-Air Wireless Headphone Guitar Amp has got you covered! There’s no doubt that the headphones sound great, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg of how amazing the BOSS Waza-Air is. 

This headphone is packed with five different Boss-designed amps, together with its gain and volume controls, just like a standard amp. You also have fifty other onboard effects to help you customize your digital pedalboard. All these settings are accessible through the Waza-Air app. The app itself is straightforward to use, especially as the headphones themselves are plug-and-play.

As for the headphones’ build themselves, both the ear cups and headbands are made from plastic. The headband is flexible, and the ear cups can be adjusted to your liking. The controls can also be accessed on the ear cups. Bluetooth audio volume and guitar volume are on the right ear cup while the power and charging port are on the left.

Pros:

• Five unique amp types derived from the Katana stage amplifier series
• Easy-to-use controls for guitar volume and Bluetooth audio playback
• A wide headband provides comfort for long playing sessions
• Durable construction with deluxe chrome-plated metal parts
• Built-in rechargeable batteries with auto standby/wake function to conserve battery life

Cons:

• It does not come with a travel case
• Some may experience issues using the app

Sennheiser HD 650 Open-Air Pro Headphones

The Sennheiser HD 650 is an open-back headphone guitar amp that’s great for critical listening. These headphones are best used for home and studio listening as they are on the bulkier side. The HD 650 prides itself on hand-picked headphone drivers and aluminum voice coils that guarantee minimized distortion and accurate transient response. These headphones sound great with every music genre. Each detail and treble frequencies sound clean even at a high volume.

We’ve mentioned before that the HD 650 is bulky. Surprisingly, these headphones are very comfortable, with a weight of nine ounces. They certainly look the part of a premium headphone guitar amp. The HD 650 comes with a thickly padded headband and ear cups. It also has a titanium silver finish for a simple yet edgy look.

Pros:

• Titanium finish
• Quality metal mesh covers for superb open and transparent sound
• Reinforced, insensitive to handling noise
• Plated 1/4″ jack plug with adapter lead to 3.5 mm jack plug
• 1-year warranty

Cons:

• Poor noise isolation

Audio-Technica ATHM50XBT Wireless Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones

Appearance-wise, the Audio-Technica ATHM50XBT looks like it was built to last. Rest assured that these headphones can withstand rough handling with their thick and hard-wearing plastic. The only thing that cuts through the all-matte black ensemble of the headphones is the silver accents on the headband and ear cups. 

Besides its bulky build, the ATHM50BXT’s sound reproduction will have you coming back for more. The bass on these headphones does not disappoint; in fact, delightful slams and wobbles are delivered. Crisp and precise reproduction of your music is expected while wearing the ATHM50BXT. A clear upgrade compared to its wired counterparts from the brand.

Pros:

• Wireless on the go design
• Convenient access to voice assist
• Excellent sound isolation
• Comfortable fit for hours of use
• Includes 30 cm (1.0 feet) USB charging cable and carrying pouch Magnet neodymium

Cons:

• Poor noise isolation
• It has very little bass

VOX VH-Q1 WH White/Pink Gold Wireless Headphones

The VOX VH-Q1 is a high-quality wireless headphone designed for multiple purposes. Whether you’re practicing your instrument or simply relaxing while listening to your favorite tunes, the VH-Q1 will surely give you a great audio experience. Although these sets of headphones are advertised as such, the VH-Q1 has features that are targeted to guitarists specifically. 

Besides its excellent sound quality and noise isolation, it also has a “Smart Monitoring feature”. The Smart Monitoring feature lets you focus on a specific frequency from your acoustic or electric guitar so that you can efficiently monitor your music. Cycle through five different presets to achieve the results you want.

With all these premium features, the VOX VH-Q1 certainly did not disappoint in the comfort and build quality as well. These premium wireless headphones come in two color variants: black/gold and white/pink gold. Comfort-wise, the VH-Q1 has thick foam pads on the ear cups and adjustable headbands that are guaranteed to be comfortable. 

Pros:

• Outstanding passive noise-canceling
• Hands-free calls
• One-touch Smart monitoring
• Feedforward mic
• 36 hours of continuous use

Cons:

• It is a bit heavy

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm Over-Ear Studio Headphones

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO is a closed-back headphone with decent bass response. Fully immerse into your music with these headphones, especially during a live jamming session. At first glance, the DT 770 PRO looks cheap but rest assured, its overall build is sturdy. Its ear cups and adjustable headband have thick foam paddings for maximum comfort. 

The ear cups can be easily replaced if you’re not a fan of them. The ear cups are large enough to go around your ear instead of pressing against them. So even though the headphones stay tightly on your head, they’re not at all uncomfortable.

The only downside to these headphones is that the cable is non-detachable. It will be a hassle to have the line changed when they give out. But other than that, the DT 770 PRO has way too many features to look forward to. It’d be a shame to miss out on this excellent guitar amp headphone.

Pros:

• Closed over-ear headphones are ideal for professional mixing in the studio
• Pure and high-resolution sound
• The soft and replaceable ear pads ensure high wearing comfort
• Hard-wearing, durable and robust workmanship 
• Practical single-sided cable (3.0m coiled cable)

Cons:

• The cable on the headphone cannot be replaced
• The plastic exterior of the headphones feels cheap

Conclusion

Using the best headphones for a guitar amp will not only benefit you but those around you as well! Fully immerse into your music, with little to no disturbance towards your family or neighbors. These headphones also come with a noise-canceling feature, so you won’t have to worry about background noise. This is why the BOSS Waza-Air Wireless Headphone Guitar Amp is the best headphones for a guitar amp.

The BOSS Waza-Air has a wide variety of settings for a compact wireless headphone package. This utterly wireless setup has its controls conveniently placed on both ear cups. The Bluetooth audio and guitar volume are accessed on the right ear cup while the left has the power button. But don’t let its compact design fool you; the Waza-Air will give you excellent sound reproduction. They’re perfect for guitarists that travel frequently and like to take music inspiration on the go.