
Sound bounces inside the ear cup, creating echoes and distortions that can affect professional audio engineering. For closed-back headphones, the ear is completely contained. The pressure inside the ear cup is even and prevents echoes or sound build-up from occurring. Open-back headphones allow air to pass in and out of the ear cup. These come in either open-back or closed-back configurations. The best type of headphones for professional or enthusiast use are over-ear headphones. However, studio monitors are larger, more expensive, and less portable than a pair of quality headphones.

Studio monitors vie with headphones for the spot of “which is better”.

What sounds good in a studio setup may not translate well to a movie theatre. Checking audio playback on multiple devices is a good practice for any audio engineer. Without quality playback, the engineer may risk overcompensating the track or unbalancing the mix. Without the capability to hear precise tones, frequencies, and sounds in the studio, the engineer runs many risks.

Quality playback devices are essential for audio engineers.
