Which headphones for playing the Neotone?

The Neotone has a dedicated headphone output — and headphones are the most immersive experience it offers. But which ones should you choose? Here’s my real setup, the one I use every day: open-back headphones at home and in the studio, in-ears on stage. Two uses, two tools, with prices and links.

At home and in the studio: the Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro

My everyday headphones are the Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro 250 Ohm (≈ €148 — see them at Thomann). A studio reference for decades, with everything I love for handpan:

• Open-back design: the soundstage is wide and airy — the handpan’s harmonics breathe, you’re inside your bubble without feeling shut in.
• Exceptional comfort (velour pads): you can play for hours without fatigue.
• Sturdy and repairable: every part can be replaced; they’ll last you years.

For the connection, two options depending on the session: wired straight into the Neotone’s headphone output, or into the output of my Boss RC-505 MKII looper when I’m building loops — the headphones then give me the full mix (handpan + loops).

One technical note: this is the 250-ohm version — simply push the headphone-output volume a little. Also worth knowing: open-back headphones leak a bit of sound — perfect at home or in the studio, less suited to shared silent places.

On stage: in-ears, for discretion and efficiency

Live, big headphones no longer belong: too visible, too isolating from the audience, and the cable gets in the way. So I switch to in-ear monitors — more discreet, more efficient, and isolating just enough to hear my monitor mix cleanly.

Mine are the KZ ZS12 Pro X (≈ €34 — see them on AliExpress). Don’t be fooled by the price: they’re 1DD + 5BA hybrid in-ears (six drivers per ear!) with surprisingly precise sound and real bass — unbeatable value for stage monitoring.

Wireless freedom on stage: X-vive U4

To cut the last cable between me and my monitor mix, I use the X-vive U4 system (≈ €199 — see it at Woodbrass): the transmitter plugs into the output, the receiver clips to my belt, and my in-ears plug into it. The result: I move freely on stage with my monitor mix in my ears, and no trailing wire.

In short: two setups for two moments

Use	Gear	Price ≈
Home & studio	Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro 250 Ohm (wired, Neotone or RC-505 MKII looper headphone out)	€148
Stage	KZ ZS12 Pro X in-ears	€34
Stage, wireless	X-vive U4 system (+ the in-ears)	€199

Just starting out? Begin simply with the headphones you already own (a 6.35 mm jack adapter if needed): the joy of headphone playing is immediate. The day you step on stage, in-ears + wireless are life-changing.

For the rest of the gear (speaker, cables, MIDI), see the complete nomad setup and what to plan for around the Neotone. And to learn to play through colours, head to Handpan Studio.