3 Best Flat Response Headphones [2023 Review]

Having a flat response headphone is actually one of the demands of sound jobs. The reason for that is, flat response headphones are the best when you want the sound to go in and out without changing too much. In this Best Flat Response Headphones review, we will look at these three options from the market.

We will be discussing the features of the three best flat response headphones. In our list, there is the SENNHEISER HD 800 S Reference Headphone System, AKG K 701 Ultra Reference Class Stereo Headphone, and Sennheiser Pro Audio HD 280 PRO Headphone.

If you are interested in these models, keep reading our Best Flat Response Headphones review for more information below. We will explore their features in detail to help you find out which one would be the right choice for your own needs.

Our Top Pick: SENNHEISER HD 800 S Reference Headphone System

Features: The Sennheiser HD 800 S headphones provide great sound quality. If you are planning to use them for critical listening, they provide sufficient. We can say that it is really comfortable to wear these headphones.

They have a solid, long-lasting design, but they are not like most of the other open-back design headphones. You cannot really use this outside, but when connected to an amplifier, it provides an incredible listening experience.

The Sennheiser HD 800s are critical listening headphones that are not designed for anything else but home theater. They provide superb sound quality, a wide and spacious soundstage, and a comfortable design that you can wear for long periods of time. But all of these are possible if you wear them at home only.

Because they do not prevent any noise, they are an excellent choice for critical listening. But you will be very disappointed if you try to use them in a noisy environment. These headphones are also huge and heavy.

These kinds of headphones are not designed for outdoor use or physical exercise, so make sure to not use these headphones for these purposes. It will be best to use the Sennheiser HD 800 S at home so you can enjoy the sound quality without worrying about sound leaks and noise.

Another aspect Sennheiser HD 800 S is great for is listening in a neutral environment. The HD 800s provide some of the best audio reproduction. With instruments and voices, they have a well-balanced mid-range.

They also have enough bass to cover most musical genres. It can offer bright tunes and sound sharp, and the precise sound quality makes it one of the best equipment for those who prefer neutral listening.

Runner Up: AKG K 701 Ultra Reference Class Stereo Headphone

Features: The AKG K701 is critical listening headphones that are both comfortable and breathable, with excellent sound quality. Unfortunately, these do not have a detachable or spare cable.

These are also not designed for outside use, which means they have poor isolation and no mobile device control options. However, we are sure that you will like the fact that these are really lightweight, making them easier to carry around with you. Not to mention the sound quality, of course.

For neutral listening, the sound quality of these headphones is excellent. The K 701 is quite comfortable to wear and has excellent audio reproduction. The bass, mids, and treble are all bright and warm. The open-ear cups also have a good soundstage.

AKG K 701 Ultra Reference Class Stereo Headphones have a decent sound that will please most neutral listeners. Their treble can be a little uneven and a little sharp. Except for those, they have a good sound that will please most neutral listeners overall.

If you are planning to use these headphones for anything except critical listening, you will be very disappointed. For critical listening, the AKG K701 is the ideal choice in our list and you should definitely go for it.

These might be a little big for wearing out, and their open shape prevents them from being worn outside. This makes them unsuitable for office or sports, but they do provide an amazing sound quality appropriate for critical listening.

However, this headphone is not ideal for traveling. Because the open-back design does not filter any background noise, you will be able to hear the sights and sounds of a noisy journey even at high volumes.

Best for Budget: Sennheiser Pro Audio HD280PRO Headphone

Features: For various purposes, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is one of the best flat-response headphones out there on the market. They have a simple studio design and decent audio performance, making them a suitable choice for critical listening.

Unfortunately, they are not breathable headphones and they might feel a little tight on the head. As a result, we do not recommend using these for listening to something for long periods of time. In addition to that, they cannot be used outdoors or for sports, and they only have one connection.

After the drivers that produce the audio, the single most significant design element for a recording studio headphone pair is comfort. We know that you are looking for headphones that you can wear for the longest time. Headbands make people sweat and these headphones perform an admirable job of preventing that.

However, do not forget that you can expect sweaty ear cups or moderate pain along with the headband if you do not take them off occasionally. However, we can assure you that they are secure and comfortable to wear.

The HD 280 Pro, unlike the other models from the same brand, does not have a detachable cord. At these times when detachable cables are becoming increasingly common, we are really sad to see that HD 280 PRO does not have one. It would be a nice improvement from Sennheiser.

As you might know, a detachable wire can considerably increase the life of your headphones. When you start to feel bad about your headphones, it is often because of the cables. Replacing the cable is, for that reason, a better choice for many headphone users.

Overall, these are a great pair of budget choices for the ones who are looking for the best flat-response headphones. You should definitely give these ones a chance.

What are flat response headphones?

The magnitude and phase output of a device in response to an input stimulus is measured via frequency response. It generally ranges between 20 Hz to 20 kHz of human hearing. A device or system with a flat response reproduces an input more accurately across the output without any improvements in one region.

A flat response means that everything that comes in gets out in the same way. The audio will be purer if produced this way. If you are searching for an accurate sound, flat frequency response should be present in d-equipment such as mics and headphones.

The flat response simply indicates that the headphones’ output is consistent across all frequency levels. Open-backed headphones require an open back so that they can be considered to have a flat response. For that reason, they are not appropriate for monitoring with live microphones.

Choosing headphones is a very personal decision, some people like one brand and stick with it while others might completely hate that. If you are not sure which one to get, you should give a try to these three best flat response headphones that we have picked out for you.

What to look for when buying the best flat response headphones?

The overall quality of sound is probably the first thing you should be looking for when trying to find an appropriate set of headphones, especially for music fans. The sound quality of a set of headphones is influenced by a number of things, so make sure you know what you are looking for.

You probably want to wear your headphones for long periods of time without itching or pain. Because many people wear headphones for work, study, or working out, comfort is another aspect that you should be looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions: 3 Best Flat Response Headphones [2023 Review]

Conclusion: 3 Best Flat Response Headphones [2023 Review]

Here are three of the best flat response headphones that you should consider when buying the best flat response headphones. We tried to include one for different kinds of needs so we are sure you will find the best one for your own requirements.

Make sure you test these out before buying to make sure they have what you are looking for in the best flat response headphones. We hope you liked our Best Flat Response Headphones review and it was helpful.