Best Headphones For Mixing Of 2023 – Review and Comparison

That being said, the performance of headphones can significantly impact the audio reproduction of your tracks so keep reading to find the best studio headphones for your mixing needs.

Best Headphones For Mixing – Top 10 Picks

1. Best Overall – Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro

The 80Ω over ear headphones offer a great compromise between their smartphone-friendly 32Ω and studio-ready 250Ω high impedance headphones, which need a capable audio interface to drive them.

As for comfort, these studio headphones are made of plastic with an adjustable metal headband and breathable velour-covered earcups. As a result, despite the snug fit, they are incredibly comfortable to wear even for long mixing and mastering sessions.

Despite being closed-back headphones, they are prone to sound leakage. You would have to replace the unit when the non-detachable cord breaks, but overall, these reliable studio headphones will last you a while with careful storage and usage.

2. Best For Home Studio – AKG K701

With a 300-hour break-in time, it might take a while before you get used to the sound profile. But in return, your patience is rewarded with excellent spatial presentation and a wide soundstage these fantastic headphones deliver.

Despite having a metallic look, the AKG K701 is made with hard plastic for lightness. It also sports plush 3D-form ear pads and a padded genuine leather headband for an improved ergonomic fit.

Not only that, but they have low clamping force that minimizes ear pressure. Add all those factors together, and you get a pair of headphones that are comfortable for long sessions, preventing ear fatigue.

The downside of having a plastic build is that it is not the most durable, especially when the non-detachable straight cables are considered. Being open-back headphones, you should expect some sound leakage, making them more suitable for home studio setups.

3. Best Value – Shure SRH840

You can also replace the detachable cord with a shorter one if you intend to use these headphones on the go.

These wired headphones are not the most durable. To prolong their longevity, parts that are most susceptible to damage, such as the pads and cords, can be easily replaced.

Each ear cup can turn 180 degrees so you can mix with just one ear. The closed-back, circumaural design also keeps most of the external noise out and your tracks in.

SRH840 from Shure comes equipped with large ear cups and a padded headband that sits comfortably on your head to promote better comfort. However, it does take a while to get used to the bulky frame.

4. Best Premium – Shure SRH1540

You can still hear deep and rich bass – it is just not as exaggerated as consumer headphones.

Shure SRH1540 is one of the most durable studio headphones on the market. Every part of the headphones is built with premium material, like airplane-grade aluminum alloy, carbon fiber enclosures, and soft Alcantara-covered ear pads.

For comfort, the very flexible and padded headband is equipped with lockable adjusters on the sides to prevent slippage. The earpads are made with Alcantara and slow-recovery foam, which provides good sound isolation and is suitable for long mixing and mastering sessions.

These studio headphones also ship with many accessories, including spare pads, two detachable cables, and an extra-sturdy transport case with dedicated pockets for your components.

5. Most Portable – Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Except for a metal headband and a few aluminum highlights, these studio headphones are made with lightweight plastic. Despite the lightweight build, they feel solid and well-built to withstand drops and bumps.

ATH-M50x are the most portable studio headphones on this list. Like many older headphones, they use a 3.5mm jack that allows you to plug it into your phone without using an adapter. With a foldable design and shallow ear cups, they can be stored easily and used on the go.

They also come with three detachable cords – straight, coiled, and portable to better adapt for various uses, from studio recording to casual listening.

The new and improved padded ear cups are comfortable for long listening sessions and provide passive noise cancellation. However, these versatile headphones are made of non-breathable material, so you might have to take them off from time to time to prevent sweaty ears.

6. Cheapest Headphones For Mixing – Samson SR850

The trade-off is that they are prone to lousy audio bleeds. At the same time, sound-wise, Samson SR850 excel at producing some airy highs and full bass. Treble is bright and natural, making them some of the most suited headphones for mixing podcasts or acoustics.

Comfort, on the other hand, is where this pair of headphones falls short. The ear cups are a bit stiff even though they are made of velour cushions that fit snugly over your ear and provide extra comfort.

Despite having a self-adjusting headband, they have a high clamping force that can be hard on your head over more extended periods of time.

The build quality is as expected for a pair of headphones in entry level price bracket. Built entirely of plastic, they feel pretty decent and relatively lightweight. The cable is not removable, though, which means you need to store these cans around carefully.

7. Best Mid Range – Sennheiser HD 280 Pro

Besides that, Sennheiser HD 280 Pro are reasonably comfortable even though they are made from plastic. The foamy ear cups help them sit nicely on your head without feeling their slightly-hefty 16 oz weight. Not only that, but they passively decrease all ambient noises up to 32dB.

To extend the lifespan, every part of these headphones is replaceable. Although it doesn’t have detachable cables, you can easily find parts on the internet to replace the broken parts yourself.

8. Most Versatile – Sennheiser HD660S

The sound quality is a marked improvement from their predecessor as you get reliable sound without any micro-echo or harmonic distortion from these studio headphones.

With a wide frequency range of 10Hz to 41kHz, they recreate every note on your mix and reveal any flaws you might have missed. That being said, the Sennheiser HD660S are open-back headphones and are not the flattest pair on this list.

The basic audio signature of these open back cans leans towards a warmer profile, which means they are perfect for music with bright mids and treble. The bass is low-thumping but prominent. The sub-bass is decent but falters in high volume.

Thanks to the open-back design, they deliver an expanded and airy soundstage that never feels crowded or hectic. However, there is quite a bit of audio leak, making them more suitable for desktop and home use.

HD660S from Sennheiser delivers more than just exceptional performance for mixing and mastering. For example, the expansive soundstage makes them perfect for gaming and immersion-based activities. The less clinical sound profile would also satisfy any audiophiles. Overall – it’s the most versatile pair of headphones for mixing we’ve had.

9. Most Comfortable – Neumann NDH20

The ear cups can rotate 90 degrees, giving you more portability and the option to use them comfortably with one ear.

As for audio performance, Neumann NDH20 is not the most precise. The midrange comes across beautifully, with vocals and reverbs exceptionally well presented. The bass and sub-bass are understated but present. Overall, they are delightful to listen to, but they tend to have a brighter and airier sound profile.

Using the closed-back design, these cans isolate noise very well so that you can focus on your work. But on the other hand, this dynamic cramps and clutters the soundstage a little, which is typical of closed-backs.

10. Classic Mixing Headphones – Sony MDR-7506

They are sufficiently comfortable, but you might need to stretch them out a little before using them if you have a bigger head. Since they are made of plastic, they are lightweight but not that durable. The upside is that you can easily replace broken parts, such as headphone pads, with affordable ones available on the internet.

Sony MDR-7506 can produce notes within the 10Hz to 20kHz frequency range, allowing you to listen to every distinct sound for critical listening. They are perfect for budding YouTubers or DJs who want quality equipment without spending too much on their affordable price tag.

Headphones For Mixing – Buying Guide

No matter what you need for your mix, we are confident that you will find the best studio headphones for your needs on this list, whether it is for fun or actual music production.

If you are looking for an inexpensive and durable workhorse, you won’t go wrong with the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro. Available in three impedances, you can use these headphones with your phone or home studio. Not only that, but they are comfortable to wear for long periods in recording studios or at home.

However, when talking about comfort, nothing beats the Neumann NDH20. These headphones are built with breathable memory foam that molds to your ears. If you have more cash to splash, the Shure SRH1540 offers a lot of quality, durability, and comfort for a premium price.

Audio Technica ATH-M50x is excellent for a budding DJ since it is built to withstand the pressure of commuting while not compromising audio quality. Thanks to its sound profile, the Sennheiser HD660S is the best studio headphone for you if you are looking for something more versatile.

If you’re on a budget, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro or the Sony MDR-7506 are the best studio headphones for mixing, delivering excellent performance at an incredibly low price tag.

What To Look For In Headphones For Mixing?

Type of headphones

There are three main types of headphones in the audio world: open-back, closed-back, and semi-open. Although closed headphones are generally used for music production, mixing and mastering, each of these designs has its strengths and weaknesses. We will get into it with a bit more detail below.

Comfort

Since most audio producers and audio professionals expect to mix in the studio setting implying long sessions, you shouldn’t compromise comfort and ear fatigue. When looking for a pair of comfortable reference headphones, you should look for a padded headband with minimal clamping force to avoid exerting too much pressure on your head. Not only that but using breathable padded covers on-ear pads can prevent your ears from getting too hot and sweaty, even when mostly doing casual listening.

Durability

Studio headphones are often an expensive investment, but they don’t usually last for a very long time. Especially if you use your headphones on the go, you should make sure that they can withstand a few accidental drops and a change of hands, which happen at recording studios or home settings.

A detachable cable is an incredibly precious commodity since cables are the first components to go. Some studio headphones are also made of heavy-duty components that are easily replaceable. That will save you many headaches since you don’t have to buy a new set every time a part breaks.

Impedance

Impedance matters if you want to use your headphones across several devices. The lower the headphone’s impedance, the better the audio quality it will produce when powered by less powerful devices like your iPhone.

In general, using normal headphones you should opt for something that is at least 30 to 50 Ohms for good sound quality, however, in studio setting higher impedance of most headphones would protect them from damage resulting from overloading and also allows them to be used with a wider range of studio equipment.

Frequency response

Most studio headphones offer a frequency response where low frequencies start at 10Hz to high frequencies  of around 3kHz, giving them the capability to accurately reproduce any sound a pair of human ears can hear. For reference, the standard frequency range a human can hear is between 20Hz and 2kHz.

Should I Buy Open-Back or Closed-Back Headphones?

The effectiveness of open-back and closed-back cans is a hot debate among music lovers, many sound engineers and audio industry in general. But before you make your final and solid choice, here are some of the things you should consider.

Closed-back headphones are generally considered better for audio mixing and mastering simply because they provide better sound isolation. You can actively listen to your mix and detect any acoustic flaws by blocking out ambient noise. Not only that, but this headphone dynamic also prevents other people from hearing your mixes, which allows you to monitor while commuting. Open backs tend to let external sound in, allowing noise, but sounding more natural, especially in noisy environments.

The downside is that closed-backs often provide a cramped or cluttered sound stage. Your eardrums are also subjected to more pressure, making these cans uncomfortable for long mixing sessions.

Closed-back headphones typically are more center-focused since your mix bounces off the backside of the closed back. Another issue is that your eardrums are subjected to more pressure, which can be uncomfortable if the cans are not appropriately padded.

Should I use studio monitors or headphones for mixing?

Most music producers and audio professionals use studio monitors because of the sound quality and spaciousness it provides. That being said, they are much more demanding since they have to be set up in an acoustically treated area like a studio environment.

Studio-grade mixing headphones offer a wide range of frequency responses, allowing you to listen to every note critically. You can also bring them with you as you commute to work on your mixes.

There is no answer as to which is better. Mixing with studio monitors in combination with headphones to cross-reference your work is the approach that many music producers take. However, if you are in an environment where noise would be a problem, a pair of high-quality mixing headphones can get the job done too.

Are Beats By Dre good for mixing and mastering?

Beats By Dre gained its reputation by offering consumer-grade headphones with impressive audio quality and style.

Precisely because of this reason, they are not the best studio headphones for mixing and are not recommended for music production and are not used by audio professionals. Since they are made to impress, the EQ is often skewed towards what is sonically pleasing. This defeats the purpose of using mixing headphones since you need something that can accurately and clinically reproduce sound.

Besides that, they are also not built to last since the components cannot be individually replaced. Without the heavyweight components and build quality that many mixing headphones have, you would buy a replacement unit when they eventually break. There are many headphones that would prove to be a better investment for a better bang for your buck.

Frequently Asked Questions