Finding a good pair of studio headphones without spending a fortune can feel like a never-ending quest. You want accurate sound, solid build quality, and enough comfort for long mixing sessions, but professional-grade models often come with a price tag that makes your wallet wince. This is the exact gap that OneOdio aims to fill with its Monitor Series, and the Monitor 60 model sits right in the sweet spot for budget-conscious musicians, producers, and audiophiles.
You might be wondering if it’s truly possible to get a studio-quality experience on a tight budget. After all, the term “studio” gets thrown around a lot in marketing. In this review, we’ll take a close look at the OneOdio Monitor 60 headphones to see if they live up to their promise. We’ll break down everything from their sound signature and comfort to their build and features, helping you decide if they’re the right fit for your audio needs.
First Impressions and Build Quality
Unboxing the OneOdio Monitor 60, the first thing you notice is their professional aesthetic. They have a sleek, all-black design with subtle branding that wouldn’t look out of place in a serious studio environment. The build is primarily plastic, but it feels robust and well-put-together, not cheap or flimsy. The adjustable stainless steel slider arms have a satisfying, precise click as you extend them, allowing you to find a perfect fit.
Comfort is a big deal for studio headphones, as you might wear them for hours on end. The Monitor 60 features large, circumaural earcups that do an excellent job of enveloping your ears rather than pressing on them. The padding on both the earcups and the headband is plush and soft, distributing the clamping pressure evenly. While they’re not the lightest headphones on the market, their weight feels balanced and they remain comfortable during extended listening sessions without causing significant fatigue.
The Sound Signature: Accuracy Over Hype
This is where the Monitor 60 truly aims to justify its “studio” moniker. Unlike many consumer headphones that boost the bass to make music sound more exciting, the Monitor 60 pursues a relatively flat and neutral sound profile. This is exactly what you want for critical listening tasks like mixing and mastering.
The bass response is tight, controlled, and present, but it doesn’t overpower the other frequencies. It allows you to hear the low-end foundation of your track clearly without any artificial boominess. The mid-range is where these headphones really shine. Vocals and instruments sound clear, natural, and forward, making it easy to pick out details in a dense mix. The high-end is detailed and smooth, offering clarity without becoming harsh or sibilant, even at higher volumes. This balanced approach means you’re hearing your audio as it is, which is the foundation of making good mixing decisions.
Features That Make a Difference in the Studio
OneOdio has included several thoughtful features that enhance the Monitor 60’s practicality for studio work. The most notable is the flippable earcup design. The left earcup can rotate a full 90 degrees, allowing for single-ear monitoring. This is incredibly useful for vocalists who need to hear the backing track while also monitoring their own voice in real-time.
Another standout feature is the inclusion of two detachable cables. You get a standard coiled cable, which is fantastic for the studio as it stretches to accommodate movement without getting in the way, and a straight cable for everyday listening. Both cables have a screw-on 3.5mm to 6.35mm (1/4 inch) adapter, ensuring compatibility with virtually all audio interfaces, mixing consoles, and headphone amps. The cables are also detachable, which is a lifesaver—if a cable gets damaged, you can simply replace it without needing to buy a whole new set of headphones.
How Do They Compare to the Competition?
When you look at the budget studio headphone market, models like the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x or the Sony MDR-7506 are often considered the go-to options. The OneOdio Monitor 60 holds its own remarkably well in this company. While brands like Audio-Technica have a long-standing reputation, the Monitor 60 offers a similarly balanced sound profile and crucial features like flippable earcups at a very competitive price point.
Where the Monitor 60 might have a slight edge for some users is in its comfort and accessory package. The plush earcups and the inclusion of two different, high-quality cables provide excellent value right out of the box. For someone just setting up a home studio or looking for a reliable secondary pair of reference headphones, the value proposition is very strong.
Ideal Uses for the OneOdio Monitor 60
These headphones are versatile, but they are particularly well-suited for specific tasks. Their accurate sound makes them a great tool for mixing and audio editing. You can trust that the balance you achieve on these will translate well to other speakers and systems. Podcasters and voice-over artists will also appreciate the clear mid-range, which is essential for fine-tuning spoken word content.
While they are designed for monitoring, they are also a pleasure for critical music listening. If you’re an audiophile who prefers to hear music the way the artist intended, without heavy bass coloring, you’ll likely enjoy the honest presentation of the Monitor 60. They are less ideal for someone seeking a “bass-heavy” sound for genres like EDM or hip-hop purely for entertainment, as their goal is accuracy, not enhancement.
Final Thoughts: Are They Worth Your Money?
The OneOdio Monitor 60 headphones deliver on their core promise: they provide a studio-quality listening experience without demanding a professional budget. Their balanced and detailed sound, combined with exceptional comfort and practical features like flippable earcups and dual detachable cables, makes them an outstanding value.
Of course, they aren’t perfect. The plastic construction, while sturdy, might not feel as premium as some higher-end models, and the soundstage (the sense of spatial placement) is good but not exceptionally wide. However, these are minor compromises when you consider the price. For home studio owners, budding producers, podcasters, and discerning listeners, the OneOdio Monitor 60 is a compelling choice that proves you don’t have to spend a lot to get serious about sound.