Searching for your next studio headphones? Here’s what you should listen to when testing them out

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How to listen intently

Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pros photographed in a blue background
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Testing studio headphones is a little different from testing regular consumer headphones. With consumer headphones, you get enhanced sounds with EQ profiles that usually enhance bass and treble for a better listening experience.

But with studio headphones, you get a flat and neutral frequency that leaves the track you’re listening to nowhere to hide. You get every single detail and can totally analyze the music. They’re also a great addition to any musician's setup, as they allow them to listen to their own music in more detail.

Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro
Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro: $159 at Beyerdynamic

The Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro headphones are studio headphones designed to let you hear the more intricate details in your music. They are comfortable yet compact headphones that are super lightweight and easy to take anywhere. The balanced sound profile is best suited for detailed listening with no bells or whistles, but even my favorite pop songs sound amazing on these headphones.

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Streaming service of choice

Qobuz Logo

(Image credit: Qobuz)

When we test audio equipment here at Tom's Guide, we like to make sure we are giving them the best chance to show off all they can do, so we use one of the best streaming services to get the least compressed files. Qobuz offers Hi-Res streaming in 24-bit, and that means I can hear every detail in my favorite songs when testing studio headphones.

The Hi-Res tracks pair perfectly with studio headphones, as it makes everything sound clear and uncluttered. The tracks are open and spacious, and when paired with a DAC and wired headphones, there’s nothing you can’t hear. Just be wary of streaming the tracks over mobile data, as they’ll use a lot of it.

Though not related to the headphone testing, I love that Qobuz recommends me music I wouldn't normally listen to. It may be a different genre than my usual go-to tracks, or a total tempo lift, but it reminds me to keep listening widely. This way I can always keep an open mind when testing new gear.

First up: the playlist

Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pros photographed in a blue background

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Like any good audio reviewer, I have my very own testing playlist. This is filled with some of my all-time favorite songs as well as some songs that showcase a wide range of genres to really put the headphones I’m using to the test.

This playlist includes tracks like Dreams by Fleetwood Mac, Delete Ya by Djo, and I CARE by Turnstile. These are all tracks that showcase different genres to give me a good idea of how the headphones perform with bass, mids, and treble. Having this playlist also means I can compare all the different headphones I use.

The album section

Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pros photographed in a blue background

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

We all have albums that we can recite in our heads on command if needed, but what about all of the gritty details in them? Well, that’s my goal with studio headphones: to get the most detail possible in my favorite albums.

I have three go-tos that I know will enable me to completely dissect the abilities of a pair of headphones. The first of those is the 2001 remaster of Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. It’s an album that continues to stand the test of time, and with a mixture of raspy vocals and tangy strings, I’m always enamoured by how I never get bored with the eclectic mix of tracks.

Secondly, after its release in 2025, I have come to rely on The Clearing by Wolf Alice for almost every audio gadget that falls into my lap. They are primarily a guitar band, but this album welcomes a warm piano into their sound. Their songs are also incredibly complex and leave me pondering their production long after I put the headphones down.

Finally, I almost always bring out the trusty That’s The Spirit by Bring Me The Horizon. This one differs from the previous two and brings in the heavier sound that I love so much. Here I get to hear how audio gear copes with distortion, screams, and heavy drums. This may just be my biggest test, but it’s one that the Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pros passed with flying colors.

So, what albums would you use to listen to the details? Let me know in the comments below so I can try them out the next time I test out a pair of headphones.

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Ashley Thieme
Ashley Thieme
Staff writer, Reviews

Ashley is a staff writer on the the Reviews team at Tom’s Guide. She has a master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and a BA in Journalism, Media and Sociology. She has written for titles including Women’s Health UK, writing health and wellness stories, and Virgin Radio UK, specializing in entertainment news and celebrity interviews. She has reported on a variety of topics including music, literature, motorsport, entertainment and health. She has previously reviewed live music events, books, and wellness products but discovering the top audio equipment on the market is what she does best. When she is not testing out the latest tech, you can find her either curled up with a cup of tea and a good fantasy novel or out hiking.

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