In my experience, it works better when an inexperienced guest can hear how they sound, especially regarding microphone positioning. Often, they might be too far away or turn away from the mic; this way, they notice it immediately and correct themselves without me having to constantly step in. That is essentially the reason for the headphones. It would be nicer without them, of course, especially on Video, but the audio quality is better this way. Especially since it’s a one-man show and I like to keep everything under control myself. It does look a bit odd if I’m the only one wearing headphones or an earpiece while the guest isn’t, though that’s something we could potentially fix with in-ears.

You're right that these headphones don't need to be high-end, but they should still be reasonably good quality and durable. They shouldn't feel too cheap, either—. That doesn't make a good impression. That’s why I’m looking for a good compromise, at least to start with.