For drumming, headphones do one of two jobs: let you hear an electronic kit without bothering anyone, or let you hear music over a loud acoustic kit. The second job needs isolation, and only some makers publish a figure for it: Direct Sound states 36.7 dB of passive attenuation for the EX-29 Plus, Sennheiser up to 32 dB for the HD 280 PRO, Vic Firth 25 dB, beyerdynamic about 18 to 20 dBA, and Shure and KZ up to 37 dB and about 26 dB for their in-ears. The table compares 14 models on what their makers say they block, how they connect, and what they cost in the US today.
Quick answer
E-kit practicebeyerdynamic DT 770 PRO$159.99 · 4.8 (5,405)
Over an acoustic kitVic Firth SIH3$87.95 · 4.7 (48)
RecordingAudio-Technica ATH-M50xfrom $159 · 4.7 (1,933)
In-ears on stageShure SE215$119 · 4.5 (131)The best-rated option for each need, by the same ratings as the table: a high score from a few reviews counts for less than one from thousands. Nothing here is paid for.
What the data says
Seven of the fourteen give a number for how much outside sound they block.
The other seven, including the headphones made for electronic kits, describe isolation in words only, such as "excellent isolation". If you play an acoustic kit along to music, start with the models that publish a figure.
Direct Sound quotes passive attenuation, beyerdynamic quotes dBA, Shure says "up to", and ISOtunes gives a US NRR.
Two numbers from different makers are not a like-for-like comparison, so read the words next to each figure in the table.
Every model here connects by cable except ISOtunes PRO 2.0, which is Bluetooth and is sold for work sites rather than music.
For an electronic kit, the kit's headphone output and a cable remain the norm on this page.
Side by side
Ratings and review counts are the stores' and retailers' own, pulled on 2026-10-08. A cross means the feature is not there; a question mark means neither the listing nor the maker says. Prices are US dollars as listed on the named store on the date in each card; they change, so check the store before you buy.
One by one
Over an acoustic kit
Vic Firth
$87.954.7 from 48 reviews, Thomann US
Pick it if you want closed over-ear cups to hear a click or a song over an acoustic kit.
Skip it if you want a detachable, replaceable cable; Thomann lists this one as lacking it.
Vic Firth's drummer headphones put closed over-ear cups between you and the kit, with Vic Firth quoting 25 dB of noise reduction so a click or a song can be heard over an acoustic kit. The SIH2 in older guides is no longer listed by Musician's Friend or Thomann US, and Vic Firth now sells the SIH3 under the same Stereo Isolation Headphones name, so this row describes the SIH3.
Sources (12)
SKU: SIH3source
Reduce outside noise levels by 25 decibelssource
3.5mm stereo plug with included 1/4" adaptersource
50mm Dynamic Speaker Mylarconsource
The ideal wireless headphones with sound isolation and clear, crisp sound. SKU: VXHP0012source
The SIH3 is the latest versionsource
We couldn't find any products that match your request.source
did not result in any hitssource
4 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Over an acoustic kitRecording
Direct Sound
from $164.994.0 from 101 reviews, Musician's Friend
Pick it if you want a click or cue mix over an acoustic kit, or to track drums, with a detachable cord.
Skip it if you mainly use an e-kit at home and want a light headphone.
Built as extreme isolation headphones, with Direct Sound quoting 36.7 dB of passive attenuation for the current v4.0, so a click or cue mix can be heard over an acoustic kit and drums can be tracked next to the mixer. Musician's Friend sells it as the EX-29 with older description copy and a different attenuation figure, though its UPC matches the maker's EX29 Plus v4.0, so check which version a seller is shipping.
Sources (12)
Passive Attenuation: 36.7 dBsource
Type: Dynamic closed type headphones with closed back speakerssource
Drivers: 40 mm, closed backsource
Impedance: 32 ohmsource
Weight: 11.5 ozsource
Cord: Premium detachablesource
Premium 96" cable extension with 3.5 mm plug & 6.3 mm screw-on adaptersource
no batteries requiredsource
4 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
E-kit practiceLong sessions
Alesis
$593.5 from 5 reviews, Sweetwater
Pick it if you want e-kit headphones voiced for drum monitoring, with a sweat-proof headband meant to stay put.
Skip it if you want a flat response for mixing, or a detachable cable; its cable is hard wired.
Alesis's own headphones for electronic drums, voiced for drum monitoring rather than a flat response, with 40 mm drivers and a sweat-proof silicone headband meant to stay put while playing. Alesis still lists it, but Musician's Friend and Thomann US have no listing for it, so check that a seller near you has it before planning around it.
Sources (9)
Voiced for drum monitoring - not flat responsesource
Over-ear design provides extreme audio isolation and comfortsource
6-foot (1.8m) attached cable with 1/8-inch (3.5mm) stereo mini-plugsource
Hard wired 2 meter 1/8" cablesource
Impedance: 32 ohms Transducer Size: 40mmsource
Sweat-proof silicone headband for fit flexibility and stability while performingsource
We couldn't find any products that match your request.source
did not result in any hitssource
1 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
E-kit practice
Roland
$54.994.2 from 167 reviews, Thomann US
Pick it if you want closed-back headphones with a 3 m cord long enough to reach a drum module from the throne.
Skip it if you play along over an acoustic kit or want a replaceable cord; Roland gives no isolation figure.
Roland's entry headphones for digital pianos, guitars and e-drums: closed-back, 190 g and a 3 m cord long enough to reach a drum module from the throne. Thomann lists them as on-ear with a cable that is not replaceable, so a damaged cord cannot simply be swapped.
Sources (13)
Closed type; dynamicsource
40 mm in diametersource
Impedance 32 ohmsource
190 g (7 oz) (without cord)source
Cord 3 m (10')source
Stereo mini (gold-plated)/ Plug adaptor (mini plug to 1/4 inch phone plug)source
you’ll never be interrupted by external noise or sound-bleed from other instrumentssource
digital pianos, guitars, synths, digital drums and moresource
5 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
E-kit practiceLong sessions
Roland
$193.594.6 from 39 reviews, Thomann US
Pick it if you play an e-kit and want detachable cables in two lengths, a cable restraint and a stand hanger.
Skip it if you mainly play along on an acoustic kit; Roland gives no isolation figure.
Made by Roland and V-MODA for electronic drums, with 50 mm dual-diaphragm drivers tuned for e-kit transients, a 3 m detachable cable that reaches the module, a cable restraint behind the neck and a hanger for a drum stand. Roland gives no attenuation figure, so for loud acoustic play-along a dedicated isolation headphone with a quoted dB figure fits better.
Sources (10)
Over-Ear Circumauralsource
50mm dual-diaphragmsource
Impedance 32Ωsource
285g +/-5gsource
Two detachable cables: 3 m/10 ft. cable for tangle-free drum playing and 1.5 m/5 ft. cable for everyday music listeningsource
Form-fitting earpads provide excellent isolation from acoustic pad noise and other outside soundssource
Large memory foam earpads and cushioned headband deliver extended comfort for long playing sessionssource
Wired Circumaural Closed backsource
2 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Recording
Yamaha
$199.994.7 from 92 reviews, Thomann US
Pick it if you record and mix and want closed-back cups that move for one-ear monitoring, plus two cables.
Skip it if you play along over a loud acoustic kit; Yamaha gives no isolation figure.
Yamaha's MT Series studio monitor, with closed-back 45 mm drivers, earcups that move for one-ear monitoring and both a coiled and a straight cable, aimed at recording and mixing rather than at drums specifically. At 350 g without cable it is heavier than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, and Yamaha gives no isolation figure.
Sources (11)
Closed-back, Circumaural (Over Ear)source
37 Ω (at 1kHz)source
45 mm, Dynamic, CCAW Voice Coilsource
1.2 m (3.9ft), coiled cable; 3.0 m (9.8ft), straight cablesource
3.5 mm (1/8”) stereo with 6.3 mm (1/4”) stereo adaptorsource
350g (0.8lbs) (Without cable&plug)source
Closed-back, circumaural design for excellent isolationsource
Moveable earcups allow single-ear monitoringsource
3 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Recording
Audio-Technica
from $1594.7 from 1,933 reviews, Thomann US
Pick it if you record or plug into an e-kit module and want three detachable cables and replaceable earpads.
Skip it if you play along over a loud acoustic kit; Audio-Technica gives no isolation figure.
A closed-back studio monitor on sale since 2014, with 45 mm drivers, cups that swivel 90 degrees for one-ear monitoring, three detachable cables and replacement earpads that Audio-Technica's Japanese site lists as sold separately, which suits recording and plugging into an e-kit module. Audio-Technica gives no attenuation figure, so it is not the pick for blocking out a loud acoustic kit.
Sources (12)
密閉ダイナミック型source
インピーダンス 38Ωsource
質量(コード除く) 285gsource
交換イヤパッド HP-M50x(BK/WH)source
2014年02月14日source
Detachable cable 1.2 m coiled cable 1.2 m and 3 m straight cablessource
45 mm driver with neodymium magnet system and CCAW voice coilssource
Includes 6.3 mm adaptor and bagsource
4 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
E-kit practiceRecording
Sony
$114.994.7 from 1,297 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want a closed-back headphone whose plug fits 1/8 in and 1/4 in jacks with no adapter.
Skip it if you want a published isolation figure or a detachable cable.
A closed-back studio headphone with 40 mm drivers, a 63 ohm load and a long coiled cord whose Unimatch plug fits both 1/8 in and 1/4 in jacks, so it plugs into an e-kit module or an audio interface without a separate adapter. Sony publishes no isolation figure and Thomann lists the cord as not replaceable, so for loud acoustic play-along, compare it with a model whose maker publishes an attenuation figure.
Sources (11)
Headphone Type Dynamic, closedsource
Driver Size 40.0 mmsource
Impedance 63 Ohmssource
Plug Type Gold, Stereo Unimatch plug 1/4" and 1/8" Cord Length 9.8 ftsource
Weight 8.1 ozsource
come complete with protective carry pouch and gold-plated UnimatchTM 3.5mm/6.3mm adaptorsource
Cable type: Coiledsource
Bluetooth connectivity: Nosource
3 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
E-kit practiceRecordingLong sessions
beyerdynamic
$159.994.8 from 5,405 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want replaceable pads and a choice of impedance for years of e-kit practice and recording.
Skip it if you mainly need strong isolation over a loud acoustic kit, or a detachable cable.
A closed-back studio headphone sold in 32, 80 and 250 ohm versions with replaceable pads, and beyerdynamic says every component can be replaced, which suits years of e-kit practice and recording. Pick the impedance for your source (beyerdynamic labels 32 ohm for mobile devices, 80 ohm universal studio, 250 ohm professional devices) and know its isolation claim is modest at approx. 18 dBA for the 80 and 250 ohm versions.
Sources (15)
The DT 770 PRO headphones is the range’s closed-back modelsource
32, 80 & 250 ohms (closed)source
approx. 20 dBAsource
Noise attenuation: Approx. 18dBA (80 ohm/250 ohm)source
1.6 m / straight cable (32 Ω) 3 m / straight cable (80 Ω) 3 m / coiled cable (250 Ω)source
345 gsource
Weight (250 ohm): 13.4 oz (380 g)source
EDT 770 V Ear pads, velours, circumauralsource
7 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Over an acoustic kitE-kit practiceRecording
Sennheiser
$99.954.5 from 305 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want a closed headphone with a maker-stated isolation figure for acoustic play-along and e-kit practice.
Skip it if you are sensitive to clamping force or want a detachable cable.
Sennheiser claims up to 32 dB of ambient noise attenuation for this closed, circumaural design, so it suits playing along to music on an acoustic kit as well as e-kit practice and tracking. Sennheiser lists its contact pressure at 6 N and Thomann lists the coiled cable as not replaceable, so try the fit if you are sensitive to headband pressure, and expect a fixed cable.
Sources (12)
High ambient noise attenuation (up to 32 dB)source
Soft, replaceable earpads for extended comfortsource
Single-sided, coiled cable for flexibility and durabilitysource
Industry-standard 3.5 mm plug with 6.3 mm adaptersource
Lightweight design at 285g (without cable)source
Coiled Cable (min. 1.3m / max. 3m)source
Pad Set (2016+)source
Accoustic principle dynamic, closed Ear coupling circumauralsource
4 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
E-kit practiceRecordingLong sessions
AKG
$1994.4 from 335 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want a light closed-back headphone with three detachable cables for an e-kit or home studio.
Skip it if you want a stated isolation figure or confirmed replacement ear pads.
A light closed-back studio headphone at 255 g with 50 mm drivers, a 32 ohm load and three detachable cables, so a damaged cable on an e-kit or home studio setup is a swap rather than a repair. AKG gives no isolation figure and replacement ear pads could not be confirmed, so check pad availability before counting on it for years of daily practice.
Sources (14)
Operating principle: Closed dynamicsource
Driver size: 50 mmsource
Superior sensitivity (114dB SPL/V @ 1kHz) and impedance (32 ohms)source
cables include 3 m (9.8’) coiled cable, 3 m (9.8') and 1.2 m (2.5’) straight cables and a 1/4" adapter.source
The K371’s over-ear, closed-back design provides superior isolation in noisy environments.source
their feather-light weight keeps ear fatigue at bay, even on the longest listening sessionssource
Includes 2 straight cables (3 m and 1.2 m long) and a 3 m spiral cable, 6.3 mm adapter and storage bagsource
Weight: 255 gsource
6 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
In-ears on stageOver an acoustic kit
Shure
$1194.5 from 131 reviews, Musician's Friend
Pick it if you want a low-profile in-ear with a detachable MMCX cable for on-stage monitoring or acoustic play-along.
Skip it if you dislike sleeves in the ear canal or want over-ear headphones you can slip on and off.
A single dynamic driver in-ear that Shure says blocks up to 37 dB of noise, with a detachable MMCX cable and the low-profile fit Shure says musicians use for on-stage monitoring, so it works on a personal monitor pack or for playing along on an acoustic kit. There is no 6.3 mm adapter in the box, so an e-kit module with only a 1/4 in headphone jack needs one bought separately.
Sources (9)
Sound Isolating™ technology blocks up to 37 dB of noise to eliminate distractions.source
Built with the same low-profile design musicians use for monitoring on-stage.source
Detachable 3.5 mm cable allows the SE215 Earphones to attach to different cable accessories with an MMCX connectionsource
including the True Wireless Secure Fit Adapter for Bluetooth connection.source
3.5 mm clear cable (64")source
fit kit with a variety of sleeves for the perfect fitsource
Speaker type: Single Dynamic MicroDriversource
"label":"Impedance","value":"17 Ω"source
1 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
In-ears on stageOver an acoustic kit
KZ (Knowledge Zenith)
from $49.994.2 from 94 reviews, Linsoul
Pick it if you want to try in-ear monitoring from a personal mixer or a click, with a detachable 2-pin cable.
Skip it if you want a US music retailer and a long warranty; Linsoul gives a year on earphones, three months on cable.
A budget hybrid in-ear with one dynamic and four balanced armature drivers per side, a detachable 2-pin cable and a 3.5 mm plug, which makes it a low-cost way to try in-ear monitoring from a personal mixer or a click. KZ sells it through its Amazon and AliExpress stores and Linsoul ships it from China rather than through US music retailers, and KZ already lists newer versions (ZS10 Pro X, ZS10 Pro 2) next to it.
Sources (10)
One Side 4 balanced armature 1 dynamicsource
KZ earphones can directly isolate about 26dB of noise when properly played without music.source
The self-developed 0.75mm gold-plated pin plug-in structure expands the richer sound by replacing the upgraded cable.source
* Need to purchase a Upgrade cable separatelysource
Weight: 32±3g Wear: Earhook Sensitivity: 111dB Impedance: 30Ωsource
Line Length: 125±5cm PlugType: 3.5mm Pin Type: 0.75mmsource
KZ LS01 is compatible with all KZ wired earphonessource
Official store on Amazon USsource
2 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Over an acoustic kit
ISOtunes
$109.993.9 from 10 reviews, ISOtunes
Pick it if you want to stream play-along music from a phone over an acoustic kit, with a volume cap the maker states.
Skip it if you play an e-kit or need stage monitoring; the Bluetooth delay and work-site design get in the way.
A Bluetooth earbud set with a 27 dB noise reduction rating (NRR) that ISOtunes calls ANSI-certified and a volume cap ISOtunes puts at 85 dB, which lets a drummer stream play-along music from a phone while playing an acoustic kit. ISOtunes markets it for work sites, not for musicians: the page title calls it OSHA-compliant and the shop menu lists hunting and shooting, industry, construction, lawncare and woodworking. It adds a Bluetooth link whose delay ISOtunes does not publish, so it is a poor monitor for an electronic kit.
Sources (10)
ANSI-Certified 27 dB noise reduction rating (NRR)source
SafeMax Technology™ limits volume output to 85 dBsource
Bluetooth 5.1, supports dual pairingsource
PRO 2.0 comes with a variety pack of foam and silicone eartips, a charging cable, cable management clipssource
TRILOGY™ Tall Foam Replacement Eartips (5 pair pack)source
Our best-selling product redesigned to meet the needs of our toughest professional customers.source
There are multiple sizes of eartips.source
1 result found for "musician"source
2 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Method
Where the facts come from. Every spec, feature tick and claim comes from the maker's own page, a store listing, a manual or a retailer's spec sheet, read on 2026-10-07, and the exact words relied on are kept with each row (open "Sources" on any card). Store ratings and review counts are the stores' own on that date, pulled through Sonar, an app-store analytics service. A feature is marked yes only when one of those sources says it; when none does, it is shown as unknown rather than as no.
How it was checked. Every row was researched once and then handed to a second, independent pass whose only job was to break it: open the same pages, check every spec, every tick, every rating and every quote. Rows it could not confirm were corrected, marked unknown, or dropped before publishing.
What this page does not measure yet. We have not put a drum recording through every app at half speed and compared how the hits survive. Time-stretching smears sharp attacks, and drums are all sharp attacks, so it matters; when we test it, the method will be here.
Prices. Every price is in US dollars, read on 2026-10-07 on the store or page named next to it, with a link: Sweetwater, Musician's Friend or the maker's own store for gear and books, the US App Store's in-app purchase list or the maker's pricing page for apps. When a maker sells for less on its own website than in the app, both are shown. Prices change, so the date is part of the fact: check the store before you buy. Nothing on this page is an affiliate link.
Hearing. This page reports each maker's own isolation or attenuation figure, in the maker's words, and makes no health claim. For context, NIOSH set "a recommended exposure limit (REL) of 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA) averaged over an eight-hour workday" (NIOSH), and the WHO says "you can safely listen to a sound level of 80dB for up to 40 hours a week" (WHO). For anything about your own hearing, ask an audiologist.
Photos. Product photos and icons belong to their makers and publishers, taken from their own pages to show which product a card is about. Each card names its source; a maker who wants a photo removed can write to support@upbeat.studio.
Questions drummers ask about headphones for electronic drums and drummers, compared.
Isolating headphones whose makers state how much outside sound they block, such as the Direct Sound EX-29 Plus (36.7 dB of passive attenuation, by Direct Sound's figure) and Vic Firth's isolation headphones (25 dB), or sealed in-ears such as the Shure SE215 (up to 37 dB, by Shure's figure).
Yes. Every wired model here plugs into a kit's headphone output; the Plug column shows the connector and whether an adapter is included. Closed-back models keep more of the kit's sound in your ears and less of the room.
Shure and KZ sell in-ears that seal in the ear canal; their makers state up to 37 dB and about 26 dB of isolation. A good seal depends on the fit of the tips.
For context, NIOSH set a recommended exposure limit of 85 dBA averaged over an eight-hour workday, and the WHO says 80 dB is safe for up to 40 hours a week. For anything about your own hearing, ask an audiologist.
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