Behringer HPM1100 Studio Monitor Headphones

The Behringer HPM1100 is a pair of multi-purpose, closed-back headphones designed to be an extremely affordable entry-point for studio monitoring, casual music listening, gaming, and online communication. It is a no-frills, lightweight headphone that prioritizes value for money.

Key Features and Highlights:

• Closed-Back, Over-Ear Design: The headphones feature a closed-back, circumaural design. This means the earcup fully surrounds your ear, which provides two key benefits:
  • Sound Isolation: It helps to passively block out some ambient noise from your surroundings, allowing you to focus on your audio.
  • Reduced Sound Leakage: It prevents the sound from leaking out, which is crucial for monitoring while recording with a microphone, as it keeps your headphone audio from being picked up by the mic.
• 40 mm Dynamic Drivers: The HPM1100 is equipped with 40 mm dynamic drivers. These are standard-sized drivers for budget headphones and are designed to provide a wide frequency response.
• Wide Frequency Response: The headphones offer a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. While this is a standard range for human hearing, it indicates that the headphones are capable of reproducing a good range of lows, mids, and highs. For their price point, they provide a decent, balanced sound.
• Comfortable & Lightweight Design:
  • Padded Headband: Features an adjustable, padded headband for comfort during extended listening sessions.
  • Padded Ear Cushions: The ear cushions are soft and designed for comfort and stability.
  • Lightweight Build: The headphones are very lightweight, which helps reduce listening fatigue and makes them comfortable for long periods of use.
• Convenient Connectivity:
  • Single-Sided Cable: The cable is attached to only one earcup, which helps reduce tangling. It is a generous 2-meter (6.5 ft) length, providing plenty of room to move around.
  • 3.5mm (1/8″) Plug with 6.3 mm (1/4″) Adapter: The headphones come with a standard 3.5mm stereo plug, making them compatible with virtually any smartphone, tablet, or computer. A screw-on 6.3mm (1/4″) adapter is included, allowing for easy connection to audio interfaces, mixers, and other professional audio gear.
• Low Impedance (32 Ohms): With a low impedance of 32 ohms, the HPM1100 is easy to drive. This means it can get a good, loud signal from low-power devices like smartphones and laptops without needing a dedicated headphone amplifier.
• Versatile Use: Behringer markets these as “multi-purpose headphones,” ideal for:
  • Reference monitoring in a home studio.
  • Casual music listening.
  • Gaming.
  • Streaming.

Who is the Behringer HPM1100 for?

• Beginners on a Tight Budget: This is the primary target audience. It’s for people who are just starting out with home recording and need a basic, functional pair of headphones for monitoring without spending much.
• Casual Listeners: For those who need a set of headphones for general use at home, from watching videos to listening to music.
• Students: A great, affordable option for online classes or other school-related audio needs.
• Second/Backup Pair: A good choice to have as a spare or for guests in a studio environment.

Considerations:

• “Studio Reference” Expectations: While Behringer labels them as “studio reference,” it’s crucial to manage expectations. At this price, they won’t have the truly flat, analytical, and detailed sound of professional studio headphones from brands like Audio-Technica, Beyerdynamic, or Sennheiser. The sound signature is more consumer-friendly. They can be a bit plasticky in build, and durability may not be a strong point.
• Build Quality: The build is almost entirely plastic, which keeps the weight down but may not stand up to rough handling.
• Comfort for Larger Heads: Some user reviews suggest that the headband’s maximum adjustment might be a bit tight for people with larger heads.