Whether you’re playing games or listening to music, a pair of headphones with a good soundstage is a must. It will give you an immersive experience with an exponential level of sound quality.
In short, a good soundstage refers to the headphones’ capacity to give you a decent perceived space and size for your sound. We can say that a pair with an above-than-average soundstage will make your music sound “larger” in the perceived sense.
In this article, we will review the top 10 headphones with the best soundstage ever, guide you through their specifications and discuss everything you must keep in mind when shopping for this kind of product. Come with us to learn more!
How to Choose the Headphones with Best Soundstage [Buying Guide]
What exactly is soundstage? When we talk about headphones, the sound emanating from the equipment will reach your ears and create a sense of space.
That perceived space is called soundstage. As we said earlier, a pair of headphones with a good soundstage will make you perceive your music as being “larger.” If you’re mainly playing games, then this characteristic will help you be much more immersed in your activity.
Here are a few characteristics that you should look for when deciding whether a pair of headphones has a good soundstage or not.
In-Ear vs Over-Ear Headphones
The most popular types of headphones are in-ear and over-ear. Like the name says, in-ear headphones are smaller and will fit inside your ear canal, while over-ear headphones are larger and will fit just above your ear.
The choice between the two regarding soundstage is more of a particular one. In our research, we’ve found both in-ear and over-ear models featuring a good soundstage. But, if that characteristic is your main concern, most of the time, over-ear models will have a better soundstage than in-ear ones.
Sound Quality
Of course, having a pair of headphones with a good soundstage isn’t enough. You have to ensure that the pair has high-quality sound and a clear and loud response.
Regarding sound quality, some headphones will be better for certain activities than others. For example, one pair might be good for listening to music while the other is better for gaming. All of the headphones on the list have great sound quality but different applications.
Consider your Application
As we mentioned, consider what you will be mainly using your headphones for. Is it for listening to music? Is it for gaming? By taking your main application into account, you will be able to decide which extra features are important to you such as Surround Sound capability.
Closed-Back vs. Open-Back Headphones
When we talk about over-ear headphones, it is important to decide whether you want a closed-back or an open-back pair.
Closed-back headphones, as the name implies, have a completely closed case which means they are better at keeping external noise out. This type of headphone will have a more constricted soundstage if compared to open-back pairs.
Open-back headphones have an open case, which means the sound waves can move freely between your ear and the ambient around you. This type of headphones will have a more natural bass response, and your sound will be perceived as being larger, but they are better used in a quiet environment.
Budget
Last but not least, consider your budget. You don’t have to spend a thousand dollars on a pair of headphones. If your budget is limited, you can find excellent options for less than a hundred dollars, but if you want the best possible listening experience, then you might have to spend a little more.
Also Read: 7 Best Open-Back Headphones For Gaming
Top 10 Headphones with Best Soundstage Ever – In-Depth Review
1. Mackie MC-150
Specifications
- Over-Ear Closed-Back Headphones
- Foldable Design
- High-Performance 50MM Drivers
- Includes Carrying Bag and ¼ Adapter
- Impedance: 33 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 93dB
Review
The Mackie MC-150 is quite affordable for the quality it presents and features a foldable design. This kind of design is excellent if you want to take your headphones with you for traveling, for example. You can just throw these in your backpack and relax.
Its high-performance 50MM drivers are larger than the ones found on most other headphones of the same price, something which greatly contributes to the soundstage: larger drivers, most of the time, will give your sound a larger perceived size.
Although the drivers are larger than average, these headphones feature an impedance of 33 Ohms, meaning that despite the model being intended for the studio, you most likely won’t need an amplifier or an audio interface to work with them and it will work just fine with most headphones and laptops.
Last but not least, these headphones are also available in a wireless option, which can be excellent if you don’t want to deal with cables and such.
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- These headphones have a great price considering their quality.
- Foldable design.
- High-performance 50MM drivers contribute to the soundstage.
- Includes carrying bag and ¼ adapter.
- A wireless version is also available.
Cons
- None.
2. Audio-Technica ATH-WS990BT
Specifications
- Over-Ear Closed-Back Headphones
- Lightweight Design
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Includes an AUX Cable and a USB Cable
- Battery Life: 30 Hours
Review
These Bluetooth headphones aren’t the most affordable option on the list but are quite impressive for the quality they bring. Just by looking at the design and the outer-part materials, you can attest that this is, in fact, a high-quality product.
The ear cups on these are significantly larger than most other options on the list, which gives the listener a more constricted soundstage. It will deliver a more intimate listening experience, which is excellent for some genres but may not be great for others.
The battery life of these headphones is quite impressive, with 30 hours of continuous play. We also like the fact that it comes with an AUX cable, meaning you can use it wired as well.
Overall, this pair of headphones is excellent for those who prefer a more constricted soundstage with an in-your-face feel. There are more affordable options, though.
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Constricted soundstage, great for intimate music genres.
- Lightweight design.
- Excellent build-quality.
- 30 hours of battery life.
- Can be used with the provided AUX cable.
Cons
- A bit more expensive than other models.
Also Read: 10 Best Bluetooth Headphones Under $100
3. Behringer BH 770
Specifications
- Over-Ear Closed-Back Headphones
- Padded Velour Earcups
- Natural Speaker-Like Response
- 53MM Dynamic Drivers
Review
These headphones from Behringer are a steal. The BH 770 is similar to many expensive studio monitoring models but at a lower price.
Despite the low price, the BH 770 doesn’t stay behind its more expensive competitors. It is extremely comfortable to wear for prolonged sessions thanks to the padded velour earcups and the lightweight design that these bring. The response is very natural for a closed-back pair of headphones as well.
The 53MM dynamic drivers deliver an excellent soundstage, and the sound doesn’t feel too constricted like some other closed-back models. This is an excellent feature if you like a more natural sound that is less in-your-face, or you’re planning to use the headphones for applications such as music production and mixing.
All these features make the Behringer BH 770 an excellent choice for those looking for a budget pair of studio headphones with a great soundstage.
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Low price.
- Very comfortable to wear thanks to the padded velour earcups.
- 53MM dynamic drivers.
- Excellent for applications such as music production and mixing.
Cons
- May feel too hot very quickly.
4. Audio-Technica ATH-M50X
Specifications
- Over-Ear Closed-Back Headphones
- 45MM Large Aperture Drivers
- 90 Degree Swiveling Earcups
- Impedance: 38 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 98dB
Review
These headphones are a classic. The model has been a favorite in the music industry for quite some time, so you can’t go wrong with it. It is suitable for a whole range of different applications, from casual music listening to music production and djing.
Design-wise, the 90-degree swiveling earcups make the ATH-M50X excellent for those looking for a compact pair that you can just throw into your bag or backpack without much thought.
Now, the soundstage of the ATH-M50X is a bit more constricted than most other models on the list but still packs a punch. The 45MM large aperture drivers, although smaller than average, deliver the necessary response for any kind of music genre and style.
The ATH-M50X is a very democratic pair meaning it will work for many situations as we said, but if you’re looking for a pair to use mainly for gaming, watching movies, and applications where you need that “larger-than-life” sound, then we recommend a pair like the Behringer BH 770 instead.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very comfortable to wear.
- Suitable for a wide range of applications, from casual music listening to music production.
- 90-degree swiveling earcups.
- Compact design.
Cons
- Small soundstage.
5. M-Audio HDH40
Specifications
- Over-Ear Closed-Back Headphones
- 40MM Neodymium Dynamic Magnet Driver
- 180-Degree Rotatable Frame
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 95dB
Review
M-Audio is known for its affordable, high-quality products, and the HDH40 is no different. The price, $37.05 by the time this article was written, is very attractive since it is much lower than most other models on the list, but do these headphones hold the same quality standards as the others?
They do, to a certain extent. For $37.05, the M-Audio HDH40 is a steal. It might not be the most precise pair of headphones for studio usage, but they work excellently for casual music listening and even for playing games.
If we compared the soundstage of the HDH40 to other models on the list, they sound smaller and more constricted, particularly due to the smaller drivers and the closed-back design. The earpads also don’t cover the ears fully.
Despite all that, these are headphones suitable for any type of casual application, and you can’t really beat their low price.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Low price.
- Comfortable and lightweight design.
- Great build quality for the price.
- High sensitivity.
Cons
- Small soundstage.
6. Shure SRH840A
Specifications
- Over-Ear Closed-Back Headphones
- 40MM Dynamic Neodymium Magnet Driver
- Includes Carrying Bag
- Detachable Cable
- Impedance: 40 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 97dB
Review
Shure is a well-renowned brand, so there’s that. The SRH840A are high-quality studio headphones with a very comfortable design. We like the materials used for these headphones, especially the mesh headband, which makes them much more breathable.
Soundstage-wise, these headphones have a 40MM dynamic neodymium magnet driver, which is smaller than other models on the list but does the job quite well. Due to that characteristic, we feel like these headphones are excellent for guitarists, bassists, singers, and monitoring in general since they give you a realistic sound.
The price is reasonable as well, at $149 by the time this article was written, but if your budget is around that, we suggest looking into other models as well.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent design with comfortable features.
- Excellent for monitoring live performances.
- Detachable cable.
- Reasonable price.
Cons
- None.
7. AKG Pro Audio K371
Specifications
- Over-Ear Closed-Back Headphones
- Superior Isolation
- Ergonomic Fit
- 50MM Drivers
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 114dB
Review
The AKG Pro Audio K371 has an amazing design. You can tell just by looking at these pair of headphones that they have superior quality.
Perhaps our favorite feature on the K371 is that they are highly adjustable. The pair will easily fit everyone despite your head’s size. This contributes to a great soundstage because the fit between the headphones and your ears will be much better.
The largest-in-class titanium-coated 50MM transducers provide an excellent soundstage. It doesn’t feel too constricted nor too airy, so this is one of the most democratic models: it will sound fine whether for casual music listening, playing games, watching movies or even critical listening.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fair price for the quality.
- Highly adjustable.
- Great design, made with great materials.
- Largest-in-class titanium-coated 50MM transducers.
Cons
- May feel too bulky for some people.
8. AKG Pro Audio K712 PRO
Specifications
- Over-Ear Open-Back Headphones
- Sophisticated Open Technology
- Impedance: 62 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 105dB
Review
The AKG Pro Audio K712 PRO looks amazing from the outside and performs quite well too. These headphones are made with excellent materials and components, and while they are more expensive than most other options on the list, they are worth the price.
The K712 is an open-back pair of headphones. This design gives you the most natural sound response and a larger soundstage by letting the soundwaves move freely between the environment around you and your ears. As you can see in the model’s image, the earcup’s back is open.
These headphones are highly adjustable as well, meaning they will fit most heads. We also like how lightweight these feel, which is perfect for longer sessions.
We recommend these headphones for anything, from casual music listening to mixing and mastering.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent design and quality materials.
- Very lightweight.
- Excellent soundstage with a very natural sound.
- Highly adjustable.
Cons
- None.
9. Audeze LCDi3
Specifications
- In-Ear Headphones
- AptX Feature
- Includes Bluetooth and 3.5MM Cable
- Lightweight
Review
Moving on from over-ear headphones, the Audeze LCDi3 is a pair of in-ear ones. Don’t be fooled by the size: these compact headphones offer an excellent soundstage, particularly thanks to the tight fit that is formed between the ear tips and your ear canal.
While these headphones are in fact very expensive, they are perfect for most critical listening situations and very compact.
Another favorite feature of the Audeze LCDi3 is the comfort they bring. Weighing only 12 grams, it sometimes feels like you’re not even wearing headphones.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent soundstage.
- Tight fit between the ear tips and the ear canal.
- Compact design.
- Lightweight.
Cons
- Very expensive.
10. Bose SoundLink
Specifications
- Over-Ear Closed-Back Headphones
- Lightweight Design
- Includes Carrying Case and Backup Cable
- Bluetooth Connectivity
Review
The Bose SoundLink is one of the best headphones for casual music listening. The lightweight design makes them very comfortable to wear for longer sessions.
When it comes to soundstage, the Bose SoundLink delivers great performance and is very democratic, working for most applications and music genres. We just wouldn’t recommend these if you’re doing critical listening or for mixing and mastering purposes since they can color the sound a lot.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fair price.
- Very compact and lightweight.
- Great soundstage.
- Excellent for casual music listening.
Cons
- Not so good for critical music listening.
Also Read: 7 Best Over-Ear Headphones For Working Out
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Soundstage in Headphones?
Soundstage is the perceived width, depth, and height of the audio image. It’s the sonic equivalent of a three-dimensional image in a movie theater. Some headphones will have a large, spacious soundstage that accurately reflects the size and shape of the original recording space. Headphones with a small soundstage will have a more confined, intimate sound.
The choice between the two will highly depend on your personal preferences and what music genres you are listening to.
How Can I Improve my Headphones Soundstage?
There are a few things you can do to improve the soundstage of your headphones. First, make sure you have a good seal around your ears. This will help to isolate the sound and prevent outside noise from bleeding in. Second, try equalizing the frequencies to create a more balanced sound. This can be done with a software equalizer or by using a physical EQ.
Finally, make sure your headphones are positioned correctly on your head. This will ensure that the sound is directed into your ears and not leaking out. By following these tips, you should be able to improve the soundstage of your headphones and enjoy a better listening experience on most models.
How Can I Test my Headphones Soundstage?
One way to test your headphones’ soundstage is to listen to music with a lot of instruments or sound effects. Pay attention to how well you can hear each individual element and how it fits into the overall mix. Another way to test soundstage is to close your eyes and see how well you can mentally place each sound in the three-dimensional space around you.
Conclusion
As you can attest, the soundstage is an important factor for any headphone model. A pair of headphones with a good soundstage will give you a much more realistic spatial perception, be it for casual music listening, playing games, watching movies, or even mixing and mastering purposes.
Different headphone models will suit different applications. For example, the AKG Pro Audio K712 may be best suited for critical purposes, but when it comes to casual music listening, a pair such as the Bose SoundLink will perform much better and give you the listening experience you’re after.
With that being said, let’s take a look at our top picks for the top 10 headphones with the best soundstage ever and why we’ve chosen them:
AKG Pro Audio K712 PRO – Headphones with Best Soundstage
The open-back design of the K712 PRO gives it an advantage over its competitors. Your music will sound much more natural with these headphones. This pair is suitable for a wide range of applications, but we recommend it the most for critical music listening.
Behringer BH 770 – Budget Headphones with Best Soundstage
We decided to choose the Behringer BH 770 as our budget pick because while it is much more affordable than its competitors, it still delivers great quality and is extremely comfortable. These feel amazing to wear for prolonged sessions and will suit any casual or critical music-listening purposes.
How to Buy
If you’re interested in any of the products reviewed in the article, their link is at their respective titles on the list. We hope our top 10 headphones with the best soundstage ever review was helpful.