Best Headphones for Voice-Over: How to Choose the Right Ones for Your Needs
In this article, I will share with you some tips and criteria to help you find the perfect headphones for your voice-over work. I will also review some of the best headphones for voice-over that are available on the market today, and tell you why they are worth considering.
But before we get into that, let me ask you a question: Do you know what makes a good headphone for a voice-over? If not, don’t worry. I will explain it to you in the next section.
What Makes a Good Headphone for Voice-Over?
When it comes to choosing headphones for voice-over, there are some factors that you need to pay attention to. These are:- Sound quality: This is the most obvious and essential factor. You want headphones that can deliver clear, accurate, and balanced sound, without any distortion, hiss, or noise. You also want headphones that can reproduce the full frequency range of your voice, from the lows to the highs, without any loss or exaggeration. This will help you monitor your voice and make sure it sounds natural and consistent.
- Sound isolation: This is another important factor, especially if you work in noisy environments or with loudspeakers. You want headphones that can block out external sounds and prevent them from interfering with your voice-over recording. You also want headphones that don’t leak sound, meaning they don’t let your voice or the audio track escape and be picked up by the microphone. This will help you avoid feedback and echo issues, and ensure a clean and professional recording.
- Comfort: This is a factor that many people overlook, but it can make a huge difference in your voice-over experience. You want headphones that are comfortable to wear for long hours, without causing any fatigue, pain, or discomfort. You also want headphones that fit well on your head and ears, without being too tight or too loose. This will help you focus on your voice-over performance, and not on your headphones.
- Durability: This is a factor that can save you money and hassle in the long run. You want headphones that are durable and reliable, meaning they can withstand frequent use and abuse, without breaking or malfunctioning. You also want headphones that come with a warranty and good customer service, in case you encounter any problems or issues with them. This will help you protect your investment and ensure a smooth and hassle-free voice-over experience.
How to Choose the Right Headphone for Voice Over
Choosing the right headphone for voice-over can be tricky because there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Different headphones have different strengths and weaknesses, and what works for one person may not work for another. That’s why you need to consider your own preferences, needs, and budget when making your decision.
Here are some questions that can help you narrow down your options:
What type of headphones do you prefer?
There are three main types of headphones: over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear. Over-ear headphones cover your entire ears and offer the best sound quality and isolation, but they can also be bulky and heavy. On-ear headphones rest on your ears and offer a good balance between sound quality and comfort, but they can also be less isolating and more prone to leakage. In-ear headphones fit inside your ear canal and offer the most portability and convenience, but they can also be less comfortable and more difficult to adjust.
What type of connector do you need?
There are two main types of connectors: wired and wireless. Wired headphones use a cable to connect to your audio sources, such as your computer or smartphone. They offer the best sound quality and reliability, but they can also be limiting and tangling. Wireless headphones use Bluetooth or other technologies to connect to your audio source wirelessly. They offer more freedom and flexibility, but they can also have lower sound quality and battery life.
What is your budget?
There is a wide range of prices when it comes to headphones for voice-over, from less than $50 to more than $500. Of course, more expensive doesn’t always mean better, but generally speaking, you get what you pay for. You want to find a pair of headphones that offers good value for money, meaning they have good sound quality, isolation, comfort, durability, and features for their price range.
To help you find the best headphones for voice-over within your budget, I have selected some of the best options that are available on the market today and reviewed them in detail below. I have also included some pros and cons, tech specs, and recommendations for each of them.
Let’s take a look.
Best Headphones for Voice-Over: Reviews and Recommendations
Now that you know how to choose the right headphones for voice-over, let me introduce you to some of the best models that I have personally tested and reviewed. I have selected them based on their sound quality, sound isolation, comfort, durability, and features. I have also included some pros and cons, tech specs, and recommendations for each of them. Here they are:
Sony MDR-7506
The Sony MDR-7506 are one of the most popular and trusted headphones among voice-over artists, audio engineers, and musicians. They have been around for decades, and they still deliver excellent sound quality and performance. They are over-ear, wired, closed-back headphones that offer great sound isolation and accuracy. They are also very comfortable and durable, with a foldable design and a long coiled cable.
Pros:
Clear, balanced, and detailed sound
Great sound isolation and minimal leakage
Comfortable and lightweight
Durable and foldable
Long coiled cable
Cons:
No detachable cable
No ANC or wireless features
May be too bright or harsh for some
Tech Specs:
Driver size: 40 mm
Frequency response: 10 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 63 ohms
Sensitivity: 106 dB
Cable length: 9.8 feet (coiled)
Weight: 8.1 ounces
Recommendation:
The Sony MDR-7506 are a classic choice for voice-over artists who want reliable and professional headphones that can handle any genre or project. They are affordable, versatile, and easy to use. They are ideal for voice-over work in studios or home setups.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 is one of the best wireless headphones with a mic for voice and video calls. They have an innovative design that features eight microphones, four of which are dedicated to voice pickup. They also have adjustable ANC levels that can block out any background noise and enhance your voice clarity. They are over-ear, wireless, closed-back headphones that offer superb sound quality and comfort. They also have touch controls, voice assistants, and a sleek look.
Pros:
Excellent noise cancelling on calls and music
Clear, natural, and powerful sound
Comfortable and stylish
Touch controls and voice assistants
Long battery life
Cons:
Expensive
No foldable design
No aptX or LDAC support
Tech Specs:
Driver size: N/A
Frequency response: N/A
Impedance: N/A
Sensitivity: N/A
Battery life: 20 hours (ANC on)
Weight: 8.8 ounces
Recommendation:
The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are a premium choice for voice-over artists who want wireless headphones with a mic that can deliver crystal-clear voice calls and video chats. They are also great for listening to music and enjoying ANC features. They are ideal for voice-over work in noisy environments or with loudspeakers.
Conclusion
Choosing the best headphones for voice-over can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding. By following the tips and criteria that I have shared with you in this article, you can find the perfect headphones for your voice-over work. You can also check out some of the best headphones for voice-over that I have reviewed and recommended, and see if they suit your needs and preferences.
Remember, the best headphones for voice-over are the ones that can deliver clear, accurate, and balanced sound, without any distortion, hiss, or noise. They also need to block out external sounds and prevent leakage, to ensure a clean and professional recording. They also need to be comfortable, durable, and reliable, to ensure a smooth and hassle-free voice-over experience.
Thank you for reading, and happy voice-over!