Still, being able to use headphones like these without the need for a cable should make flying much more comfortable, and far less irritating – here's hoping other airlines take note so we can ditch those airline headsets for good. Also with a premium braided cable and a daisy chain feature to allow two sets to listen together from one Player. Even just connecting your headphones to your phone can be difficult – you're in close proximity to lots of other Bluetooth devices, and just finding your headphones in your phone's settings can be impossible. As you can see in this round-up, AKG headphones are a popular choice for studio users the world over and with good reason. But while the other two sets of phones here concentrate on sonic detail, the K72s are attempting to bring you the AKG quality at a bargain price. Recently tweaked for a cleaner aesthetic and more comfortable fit, the HD 280 Pro’s foldable architecture and rotating ear cups make them both portable and versatile, able to turn their hand to any studio-based task with aplomb. Although they’re still not the most stylish of cans, even post redesign, the new headband padding in particular makes them extremely comfortable.

We also test how good the isolation is. For mixing you might prefer less intrusion from the outside world so you can focus on the main elements in your music, so isolation is a key factor. The weight and comfort of the phones is also an important consideration, as you'll likely be wearing them for long sessions in the studio (although we obviously recommend taking regular breaks). Most of the time, the lighter the better but how the headphones embrace your head is important. Too loose is obviously not good, but too tight can mean too hot. Now, it's hard to go more than a few days without encountering a fellow commuter, colleague or friend who is seemingly obsessed with their mobile. In many ways, our increasingly mobile-centric society mirrors the rapid evolution of the smartphone itself and it's rare to step into a room where someone isn't using one of these brilliantly versatile devices. If you're equally attached to technology and phones, we have an exciting array of innovative smart gadgets from which to choose. Our collection of Yoto smart toys showcases all the qualities that have made Yoto such a popular brand. The company specialises in ingenious lifestyle accessories that help you to make the most of your smartphone and deliver enhanced performance through clever technological integration. In-ear monitors (aka IEM’s) are usually reserved for on-stage monitoring environments, unless they’re extremely high quality, in which case they can also be suitable for use in a studio setting. Understanding frequency response Just like monitoring through 'proper' studio monitor speakers, you want to hear an accurate representation of your music while using studio headphones. Many hi-fi headphones, used for listening to music, are coloured to emphasise the bass and treble regions, just to make for a nicer listening experience. This means they aren't suitable for mixing music as they are already emphasising specific frequency ranges – not telling you the whole truth, if you like!Studio headphones therefore utilise this flat response, reproducing frequencies at an equal volume, giving you an accurate picture of what’s going on in your mix so that you can focus on detail, balance out the levels of all frequencies and more easily correct any problem areas. They also tend to focus on comfort, as you could be mixing for long sessions. Extra padding is great, as is a lightweight design to keep them almost invisible as you mix. You also want isolation so no sound gets in as you mix and you're not leaking too much out the other way either. What are the three main headphone types?

With 20 hours of listening time per charge, these are the perfect listening companion for little ears.

Discover our range of YOTO Smart toys & gadgets

The last decade has seen a complete transformation of the mobile phone market. Not long ago, the mobile was a rather marginal presence in most people's lives. The Yoto Wireless Headphones offers hours of wireless audio, specially designed for little ones. Designed for young ears (3+), Yoto Headphones have kid-safe volume limiting and can be connected wirelessly with ease. The headband can be adjusted for comfort and are perfect for quiet listening at home or in the car. While the technology is certainly improving, right now we’d suggest relying on wired listening in the studio. That said, an increasing number of headphones now let you have the best of both, with options for both wired and wireless operation, which could be a great option if you’re looking for a pair to use both in the studio and on the go. How we test budget studio headphones An iconic studio and location-recording favourite, Sennheiser HD 25’s have long been acclaimed by pros for their ability to handle high sound pressure levels and deliver excellent sound reproduction evenly across the frequency spectrum. Studio headphones are designed to give you an honest version of your music with no colouration in any regions. If they artificially emphasised the bass, for example, you might then reduce the bass in your mix to compensate, and the resulting mix would sound bass light on any other system.

When it comes to headphones aimed at home listening, gaming or other day-to-day uses, wireless Bluetooth connectivity is becoming a pretty much standard feature. So is it time to invest in a set of Bluetooth headphones for the studio too? Specs include a wide frequency range of 15Hz to 28kHz – and the phones adhere to the AKG Reference Response Curve, a measure of performance over frequency gained from AKG’s tests on hundreds of listeners over many years of testing; basically this means you get both accuracy and detail. The bass response, for example, is controlled and tight and you will be able to distinguish which parts of your mix, if any, are clashing down under. It’s the same story across the rest of the range which is flat and accurate with the kind of joined-up thinking you get from much more expensive phones.

For everyday use, a 3m long cord might be a bit of a nuisance, getting tangled up in everything and in the way, whereas in studio applications, a longer cord can be useful. Playing an electronic drum set, for example, or playing electric guitar while standing, you may welcome the extra length, as a 1.5m cable often won’t cut it.

Designed for young ears (3+), Yoto Headphones have kid-safe volume limiting and can be connected wirelessly with ease. The headband can be adjusted for comfort and are perfect for quiet listening at home or in the car.Yoto Headphones also have a rubberized finish, making them comfortable for long periods of listening, and their lightweight, durable construction is perfect for all ages. Classified as an on-ear (supra-aural) design, because the circular pads rest on the outside of the ear rather than enclosing it fully, the HD 25 is currently available in three flavours – Light, Standard and Plus – at three price points. For general studio/DJ duties you really can’t go wrong with a pair of HD 25’s.