Monitoring headphones are usually the second category a brand adds to its catalogue, after a loudspeaker line. The tooling is proven, demand is steady, and a buyer can verify most of the specification on paper before a sample arrives. The difficulty is not in finding monitoring headphones — it is in choosing between platforms that look similar in a photograph but are specified for different jobs: a closed studio cup, an open-back frame for long sessions, a folding DJ body with a coiled cable, or a headset with a microphone on the same acoustic platform.
This model map groups the Audfine monitoring headphone range by the application each platform is tuned for, using the published specification lines from our 2026 headphone catalogue. It is written for brand owners, distributors and installers who need to shortlist two or three platforms and send a focused RFQ, rather than twelve.
How the monitoring range is organised
The range is not one product with cosmetic variants. It is five platforms, separated by acoustic design, load impedance, cable system and whether a microphone is present:
- Closed-back studio monitoring — the DH-1770 platform, including multi-impedance versions on one acoustic design
- Open-back monitoring — for long sessions and reduced pressure build-up inside the cup
- DJ and live monitoring — folding body, coiled cable, cups that swivel for single-ear cueing
- Monitoring headsets — a microphone mounted on the same headphone platform
- On-ear and compact monitoring — smaller drivers, lighter frames, lower shipping weight
Closed-back studio monitoring: the DH-1770 platform
The DH-1770 platform is the core of the range. The DH-1772 uses a 50 mm neodymium driver, is specified from 10Hz to 35kHz at 99 ±3dB sensitivity, and is offered in three load impedances — 32 Ω, 80 Ω and 250 Ω — on the same acoustic design. Impedance is the selection variable here. A 32 Ω load suits a low-output interface or a portable recorder; the 80 Ω and 250 Ω versions are intended for professional audio devices with more voltage swing, where a higher load gives the amplifier an easier time. The cable is a detachable braided OFC cable at 3 m, supplied with a 6.35 mm to 3.5 mm gold-plated adapter. The DH-1772B shares the same published acoustic specification and is listed with flannel earpads.
The DH-1775 keeps the 50 mm driver but changes the target: 18Hz to 35kHz at 97 ±3dB, 32 Ω only, detachable cable, on a lighter and adjustable frame. The DH-7100, DH-7400 and DH-9400 complete the closed studio group at 32 Ω with detachable cables — useful when a single load impedance has to serve a whole product line.
Open-back monitoring
An open-back cup does not seal against the head, so pressure inside the cup does not build up the way it does in a closed design. That is the reason an open design is often specified for tracking sessions that run for hours, and for musicians who need to hear the room as well as the cue mix. The DH-1771K is the multi-impedance open model: 50 mm driver, 10Hz to 35kHz, 32 Ω, 80 Ω and 250 Ω available, 98 ±3dB, detachable braided cable. Two further open-back platforms use a larger 53 mm driver: the DH-274 at 60 Ω and the DH-X10, specified from 5Hz to 35kHz at 60 Ω. A 60 Ω load sits between the common 32 Ω and 250 Ω figures, and is worth flagging on a quotation because it changes which sources the headphone will drive well.
DJ and live monitoring
Stage and DJ work puts different demands on a headphone: a cable that stays out of the way, a cup that rotates for cueing on one ear, and a frame that folds down for transport. Three models are specified for that work.
The DH-7300 runs 10Hz to 40kHz at 32 Ω and 97 ±3dB, on a 50 mm driver with a coiled OFC cable at 4 m. The DH-7500 is specified 12Hz to 40kHz at 32 Ω and 100 ±3dB with the same coiled 4 m cable, and the DH-7600 is published at 12Hz to 40kHz, 32 Ω, 98 ±3dB. All three fold for transport; the DH-7300 and DH-7500 listings also include 90° swivelling earcups.
Monitoring headsets with a microphone
When the same headphone has to carry talkback, commentary or in-game communication, the microphone is specified as part of the platform rather than added afterwards. The DH-3400M pairs a 50 mm driver, specified 10Hz to 30kHz at 32 Ω and 98 ±3dB, with a detachable 3 m OFC microphone cable. The published microphone figures are a sensitivity of −32 dB ±2 dB (0 dB = 1V/Pa at 1kHz) and a response of 30Hz to 20kHz. Because the microphone lives on the cable, a buyer who wants the same headphone without it can order a plain cable and keep one stock-keeping unit for both configurations.
On-ear and compact monitoring
The MR series steps down in driver size and frame weight. The MR-830X is specified 12Hz to 28kHz, 32 Ω and 99 ±3dB on a 45 mm driver, with a detachable cable and 90° swivelling earcups. The MR-730X uses the same 45 mm driver at 18Hz to 26kHz and 97 ±3dB. The MR-701X and MR-710 drop to a 40 mm driver at 32 Ω. This is the group to specify where per-unit handling and shipping weight matter alongside the acoustic result — a lighter frame and smaller driver reduce both carton volume and freight, without changing the load impedance the buyer has standardised on.
Published specifications at a glance
Every figure below is taken from the published specification line for that model. Drivers are neodymium throughout.
| Model | Driver | Frequency response | Impedance | Sensitivity | Cable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DH-1772 | 50 mm | 10Hz–35kHz | 32 / 80 / 250 Ω | 99 ±3 dB | Detachable braided OFC, 3 m |
| DH-1772B | 50 mm | 10Hz–35kHz | 32 / 80 / 250 Ω | 99 ±3 dB | Detachable braided OFC, 3 m |
| DH-1771K | 50 mm | 10Hz–35kHz | 32 / 80 / 250 Ω | 98 ±3 dB | Detachable braided OFC, 3 m |
| DH-1771 | 50 mm | 10Hz–35kHz | 32 Ω | 98 ±3 dB | Detachable braided OFC, 3 m |
| DH-1775 | 50 mm | 18Hz–35kHz | 32 Ω | 97 ±3 dB | Detachable OFC, 3 m |
| DH-7100 | 50 mm | 8Hz–38kHz | 32 Ω | 98 ±3 dB | Detachable OFC, 3 m |
| DH-7400 | 50 mm | 10Hz–40kHz | 32 Ω | 97 ±3 dB | Detachable OFC, 3 m |
| DH-9400 | 50 mm | 12Hz–38kHz | 32 Ω | 97 ±3 dB | Detachable OFC, 3 m |
| DH-7300 | 50 mm | 10Hz–40kHz | 32 Ω | 97 ±3 dB | Coiled OFC, 4 m |
| DH-7500 | 50 mm | 12Hz–40kHz | 32 Ω | 100 ±3 dB | Coiled OFC, 4 m |
| DH-7600 | 50 mm | 12Hz–40kHz | 32 Ω | 98 ±3 dB | Coiled OFC, 4 m |
| DH-274 | 53 mm | 10Hz–32kHz | 60 Ω | 95 ±3 dB | Fixed OFC, 3 m |
| DH-X10 | 53 mm | 5Hz–35kHz | 60 Ω | 98 ±3 dB | Fixed OFC, 3 m |
| DH-3400M | 50 mm | 10Hz–30kHz | 32 Ω | 98 ±3 dB | Detachable OFC mic cable, 3 m |
| DH-2300 | 50 mm | 10Hz–32kHz | 32 Ω | 98 ±3 dB | Fixed OFC, 3 m |
| DH-3000 | 40 mm | 18Hz–25kHz | 32 Ω | 97 ±3 dB | Fixed OFC, 3 m |
| MR-830X | 45 mm | 12Hz–28kHz | 32 Ω | 99 ±3 dB | Detachable OFC, 3 m |
| MR-730X | 45 mm | 18Hz–26kHz | 32 Ω | 97 ±3 dB | Detachable OFC, 3 m |
| MR-701X | 40 mm | 10Hz–24kHz | 32 Ω | 98 ±3 dB | Detachable OFC, 3 m |
| MR-710 | 40 mm | 10Hz–26kHz | 32 Ω | 99 ±3 dB | Fixed OFC, 3 m |
What to confirm before you sample
Four decisions separate a successful monitoring headphone programme from a return shipment, and all four can be settled from the table above.
- Load impedance against the source. 32 Ω for low-output devices; 80 Ω and 250 Ω where the amplifier, console or headphone amp has the voltage swing to use them. If your line has to serve both, standardising on 32 Ω keeps one impedance across the range.
- Cable system. Detachable or fixed, straight braided or coiled, 3 m or 4 m, and whether the microphone rides on the cable. Cable choice drives replacement-part demand more than any other single decision.
- Cup design. Closed back where the wearer has to be isolated from a loud room; open back where comfort across a long session matters more than isolation.
- Driver size. The catalogue covers 40 mm, 45 mm, 50 mm and 53 mm platforms, so the same brand can hold a value tier and a reference tier without changing supplier.
Private label and custom packaging are handled through our OEM and ODM programme, including earpad materials, cable options and carrying cases. The OEM headphone manufacturer selection guide covers the qualification questions in detail, and our note on why a 32 ohm or 300 ohm load is chosen for studio monitoring goes deeper on impedance matching.
Frequently asked questions
Can one headphone be ordered in more than one impedance?
Yes. The DH-1772, DH-1772B and DH-1771K are all offered in 32 Ω, 80 Ω and 250 Ω on the same acoustic design, so a brand can cover three tiers from one platform and one set of tooling.
Which models are open-back and which are closed?
The DH-1771K, DH-274 and DH-X10 are the open-back platforms. The DH-1770, DH-7500 series, DH-7100 series and MR series are closed designs.
Which models fold for transport?
The DH-7300, DH-7500 and DH-7600 fold, as do the DH-G60, DH-960 and DH-X10. Folding reduces the carton footprint, which is usually the difference between an economical and an uneconomical air shipment.
Are ear pads and cables available separately?
Yes. The catalogue lists replacement ear pads in leather and flannel finishes, braided and coiled cable options in 3 m and 4 m lengths, and 3.5 mm to 6.35 mm adapters, so a headphone line stays serviceable after the first order.
Do you supply headphone platforms under our own brand?
Yes. Monitoring headphones are available as Audfine stock models or as private label programmes with custom branding, packaging and accessory sets. Send the configuration you need and we will confirm which platform matches it.
Request the monitoring headphone line card or samples
Audfine is the audio brand of Ningbo Lesound Electronics Co., LTD., a professional audio manufacturer and exporter based in Ningbo, China, with products shipped to more than 60 countries. Alongside headphones we manufacture loudspeakers, line array systems and speaker drivers, which is why headphone platforms and speaker platforms share the same specification discipline. Volume programmes are supported and capacity can be scaled for them.
Send us the impedance, cable system and cup design you need, together with your target quantities and destination market, and we will confirm the matching models. Use the contact form or the inquiry form to request a quote and samples. If you are still building the specification, start from our product range overview.
