The 3 Best Vintage Headphones
Learn the features to look for in a set of vintage headphones, how to choose the best for your situation, and our top recommendations.
Headphones were originally used for military communication in the early nineteenth century. By the late 1800s, they were also being used by telephone operators to keep one hand free to answer calls.
The first commercial headphones were created in 1910 by Nathaniel Baldwin, and began being marketed for personal use with the introduction of radio. Baldwin was an American inventor who developed the very first pair, which he called "telephones for the ears." These early devices were made out of metal and resembled a telephone receiver.
The pair consisted of a large coil that was placed around the head and wrapped around the ears, with two discs that sat on top of the ears, allowing the user to hear the content directly through their ears. They were connected to a phone line and people would use them to listen to music or talk on the phone without disturbing others.
Needless to say, we've come a long way since then. However, an enjoyable aural experience is about more than just the objective quality of the soundwaves. For those who are a little nostalgic for the old-school style of retro headphones, here are three models of vintage headphones that have stood the test of time.
Koss Pro-4AA Studio Headphones
Why it Rocks
Looking for a pair of retro headphones that truly deliver on all fronts? Designed with performance in mind, these dynamic headphones are the first of their kind to deliver true full frequency, hi-fidelity performance. Boasting a sleek and innovative vintage design with cutting-edge technology, they provide superior isolation and sound reproduction, bringing you all the excitement of a live performance every time you hit play. And with a durable steel frame and padded rubber headband for optimal wearability, these headphones will keep you comfortable and focused even through extended, demanding sessions.
What Else
With their closed cushions for the ears, these headphones offer maximum bass and isolation with a frequency response of 10-25,000 Hz and 116 ohms, allowing you to hear every nuance in your music or recordings with crystal-clear accuracy. And with their rugged vintage design and sturdy construction, this pair are built for maximum durability, making them ideal for broadcast use as well. In addition, this pair comes complete with microphone mount hardware, so you can easily integrate it into your shop or studio setup. And with its single entry 8 foot coiled cord and 6.3mm plug, it is easy to use with just about any audio source you can imagine.
Sony MDR7506
Why it Rocks
With their lightweight build, these headphones are perfect for studio use. They have been designed to be comfortable and provide outstanding isolation from the outside world so you can focus on what's being recorded or mastered without any distractions! The 40mm PET diaphragm driver provides clear highs that won't break beyond perception into low end frequencies which will ensure accurate monitoring of your project’s content -- whether it is vocals, instruments playing back through guitar pedals—all coming through crystal-clear thanks in large part due to the vintage closed design. The MDR750 also includes a gold-plated stereo mini plug and a comfortable, padded headband which will make tuning in for extended periods of time a breeze.
What Else
Designed to deliver powerful, detailed sound with rich lows and clear highs, neodymium magnets and large 40 mm drivers are at the core of this pair of high-performance headphones. With a closed structure that provides superior comfort and excellent noise reduction, they are ideal for listening on the go or in noisy environments. Featuring a 9.8 foot cord with a gold plated plug and a 1/4 inch adapter for added convenience, these durable headphones fold up easily for storage or travel in the included soft case. And with a frequency response range of 10 Hz to 20 kHz, they offer premium results across the entire sonic spectrum. Whether you're listening to your favorite tunes, watching videos, or taking calls on your phone, these powerful, feature-packed headphones are an essential tool for all vintage lovers and audio enthusiasts.
AKG Pro Audio K240
Why it Rocks
AKG is known for creating some of the best pro gear on the world market today, and their most popular professional headphone is certainly no exception. With its vintage look and accurate sonic performance, the K240 has become a staple in studio monitoring environments around the world. And thanks to its Varimotion XXL capsule, it can deliver studio-quality results at home or on the go. The semi-open design of this pair provides naturally open sound, while its circumaural earpads ensure hours of wearability. In addition, the durable steel cord and self-adjusting headband with rock-sturdy plastic underframe promise years of reliable use, making the them an excellent choice for any discerning producer.
What Else
This vintage pair features a classic look that has become a standard in monitoring, as well as high-end components to deliver an accurate, natural tone. What's more, the lower impedance ohms and upgraded frequency response make them perfect for use with portable studios, keyboards, drum machines, and other project studio gear, and are designed to give you an exceptional experience, regardless of your listening environment. Featuring a frequency range of 15 Hz to 25,000 Hz and semi-open, circumaural build, they deliver premium audio that is ideal for studio recording and mixing. Additionally, with low impedance of 55 Ohms and detachable cables with 1/8-inch minijack and 1/4-inch connections, the K240 Studio are exceptionally easy to use. Whether you're an experienced audio professional or just getting started in production, the K240 Studio offer the vintage features you need at every stage of your work.
FAQs About the Best Vintage Headphones
What are the three types of headphones?
There are several ways to answer this...
Open-back, Closed-back, and Semi-open
Some would describe them as: open-back, closed-back, and semi-open.
Open-back allow some sound to leak in and out, which gives a more natural experience. Closed-back completely seal you off from outside noise and produce a more focused output. Lastly, semi-open fall somewhere in between the two with slightly less noise isolation than closed-back and a more natural feel than open-back.
Earbuds, On-ear, and Over-the-ear
Others would say the 3 types are: earbuds, on-ear headphones, and over-the-ear headphones.
Earbuds are small and fit inside your ear. On-ear rest on top of your ears, and over-the-ear go over your ears and surround them.
Do headphones need to warm up?
Headphones are essentially tiny speakers, and like all speakers, they need time to heat up in order to deliver the best possible results.
Headphones that have been lying around for a while or that haven't been used in a while might not produce optimal output until they've had a chance to warm up. The easiest way to warm them up is by playing something through them at a moderate volume for about 10 minutes. This will help get the drivers (the parts that generate sound) up to temperature and produce the best possible audio.
What are audiophiles headphones?
Audiophile headphones are a type of headphone that is meant to provide the listener with a premium experience. Among other things, they are often more expensive than other types, and they typically offer better wave reproduction and noise isolation.
Many audiophile headphones come with features like increased sensitivity, larger drivers, lower ohms, and improved response. Some also have adjustable bass and treble controls so that the listener can customize the sound to their own liking.
Audiophiles headphones are designed to reproduce accurately, without distortion. They typically have a wider frequency response than regular headphones, and may be designed to work with a specific type of input or audio equipment.
Most audiophile headphones are expensive, and many of them could be made from premium materials such as leather, metal, and wood, instead of the standard plastic and other plastic derivatives. This helps to improve the acoustics and create a more natural result.
Should you mix with open back or closed-back headphones?
There is no one definitive answer to this question. It depends on what you're trying to achieve with your mixing.
Open Back
If you want a more accurate representation of how your mix will sound when it's played back on different systems, then you should use open-back headphones. This is because the output will escape through the back of the headphones and give you a more realistic idea of how your mix will translate in the real world.
Many believe that open back headphones are better because they offer a more natural and spacious soundstage.
When you listen on open back headphones, what you're hearing seems to come from all around you instead of just directly into your ears. This is because the drivers are facing outwards, allowing the sound to reflect off of your surroundings and create a more realistic aural experience.
Open back headphones also tend to be more comfortable than closed back headphones, since they don't create as much pressure on your ears. This makes them a great choice for long sessions.
Open back headphones are designed to leak sound out of the back of the cups, which creates a more natural and spacious listening experience. Because it is not directed straight into your ears, it's less likely to cause fatigue or discomfort over extended periods of time.
Additionally, open back headphones allow you to remain aware of your surroundings, which can be important when walking around or crossing streets.
Closed Back
However, if you want to focus on creating a mix that sounds good in-the-box (on speakers or headphones), then closed-back headphones are the way to go. This is because they produce a tighter and more controlled output that can be helpful when honing in on small details.
Closed back headphones isolate you from outside noise and can make it difficult to hear people speaking directly to you.
Ultimately, it's up to you to decide which type of headphone is ideal for your mixing needs - experiment with both and see what works for you.
Summary of the Best Vintage Headphones
So there you have it - 3 of the best retro headphones available. If you're looking for a pair of vintage headphones capable of sounding great while still providing that old-school aesthetic, you can't go wrong with any of these picks:
Best Overall: Koss Pro-4AA Studio Headphones
Best Value for the Money: Sony MDR 7506
Best for Comfort: AKG Pro Audio K240
Thanks for checking us out, and keep rockin’.
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