Mixing and mastering tracks and recordings can make or break a musician’s final output or a sound engineer’s production. Mixing recorded work can help bring out particular elements from a studio or live recording that couldn’t be heard initially. It also plays a vital role in music production, which makes having the best headphones for music production a must for producers and sound engineers to improve the audio quality of various recordings and projects.
The Best Mixing Headphones
While mixing and sound production is a skill-intensive industry, it is also dependent on the quality of equipment one uses, from amplifiers and mics to studio monitors and speakers. Headphones contribute to the process of mixing, as they help sound engineers and musicians hear their recordings more clearly.
However, not all headphones are built the same. Some may have a stronger bass or treble than others, while some isolate noise or reproduce particular sounds better. For example, open-back headphones have a more natural sound and let other people hear what you are listening to. The best closed-back headphones, on the other hand, can isolate noise to reproduce more detailed sound while having a better frequency response. These are just some of the factors one has to consider when buying a pair of studio headphones for mixing.
If you’re looking for a great pair of headphones that match your budget and specifications, check out our list of the best studio headphones for mixing.
Samson SR850 Professional Studio Reference Headphones ()
The Samson SR850 Professional Studio Reference Headphones is a budget-friendly but high-quality option for both musicians and sound engineers. The SR850 has a semi-open design for enhanced ambient listening and 50mm drivers for reproducing exceptional sound quality for doing final mixes or general listening.
It has a wide dynamic range, a remarkable bass response, and crisp and clean highs, giving the user superior and accurate sound reproduction during mixing. The Samson SR850 has a self-adjusting headband to ensure comfort during prolonged listening and mixing sessions, and comes with a 1/8″ to 1/4″ plug adapter to enable connection to various audio devices. The Samson SR850 is one of the best budget studio headphones for mixing for all types of music enthusiasts, providing top quality features without the hefty price tag.
Key Features:
- Semi-open design for enhanced ambient listening
- 50 mm drivers for high-quality reproduction and wide dynamic range
- 10 Hz-30kHz frequency response
- 32-ohm impedance
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Professional Monitor Headphones ()
Another budget option for music enthusiasts and general mixing needs is the M-Series ATH-M40x Professional Monitor Headphones. These lightweight but durable headphones from Audio-Technica feature 90-degree swiveling and contoured earcups for convenient on-ear monitoring during mixing and easy storage when traveling. It has a robust build and is made of pro-grade materials similar to other high-end studio headphones available in the market.
The ATH-M40x has clear sound across all frequencies, from the lows, mids, and up to the highs, making it ideal for any type of use. Its circumaural design contributes to better sound isolation as well. The earpads and headband are padded, making it comfortable to wear during extended listening periods. It also features a detachable cable for easy storage and replacement.
From professional sound mixing and mastering, DJ monitoring, to studio tracking and general listening, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Professional Monitor Headphones is undeniably versatile, affordably priced, and worth every penny.
Key Features:
- 40 mm drivers with rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils
- Tuned flat for incredibly accurate sound monitoring across the entire frequency range
- 90° swiveling earcups for easy, one-ear monitoring
- Professional-grade earpad and headband material delivers more durability and comfort
- Collapsible for space-saving portability
- Detachable cable (includes 1.2 m – 3.0 m coiled cable and 3.0 m straight cable)
Sony MDR-7506 Professional Folding Headphones ()
Sony offers a flexible and affordable option without compromising on quality with the MDR-7506 Professional Folding Headphones. The Sony MDR-7506 is designed for numerous uses, from broadcast applications and live performances to amateur and professional recordings. This pair of headphones comes with a 40mm driver unit for reproducing high-quality sound. It has a generally flat frequency range for producing distortion-free bass, smooth lows, and crisp highs without overpowering into its midrange.
The MDR-7506 has soft, padded earcups and headbands, which makes it comfortable to wear during long periods of mixing and extended recording sessions. It also features a foldable design for convenient storage and transport. The MDR-7506 offers excellent quality and value, given its affordable price point. Its high-quality sound, coupled with a simple but sturdy build makes it one of the best mixing headphones available.
Key Features:
- Foldable and compact construction for convenient storage
- Rugged design for added durability
- 40mm neodymium magnets for precise, high-quality sound reproduction
- Closed-ear design for added comfort and noise isolation
- Stereo Unimatch Plug: 1/4″ and 1/8″ applications
- Has a 10-20kHz frequency response
- Comes with gold connectors and an OFC cord for stable and reliable signal connection and transmission
Beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium Semi-Open Stereo Studio Headphones ()
The Beyerdynamic DT 880 feature a semi-open design that creates a wide, spacious sound and remains comfortable over long listening sessions. The velour-covered ear pads are breathable and soft against your skin.
The DT 880’s are considered a “partial” open back design since they block some of the ambient sound around you, offering a hybrid between a more isolating closed-back design and a more open-sounding (fully open-back) design, so it’s better in noisier environments.
The claimed frequency response is 5Hz to 35,000Hz, offering an extended range for mixing and home studio uses. And so you don’t feel too tethered to your source, the included cable is 8.25-feet long.
Key Features:
- Semi-Open Diffuse-field Studio Headphones
- Adjustable, Padded Headband
- Frequency Response of 5Hz to 35,000Hz
- Claimed Sensitivity of 96dB
- Long Included Cable
- Velour Earpads
- Includes 1/4″ adapter (6.35 mm) to connect to professional audio equipment
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones ()
The Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones II offers superior noise cancellation capabilities for an immersive listening and mixing experience. The QuietComfort 35 II is a wireless headphone unit that has a clean but robust build quality. Its signature noise cancellation technology features a dual-microphone setup to detect and cancel noise and has three levels of noise canceling, depending on how much noise you’d like to block out. The QuietComfort 35 II can reproduce detailed sound and has a decent midrange, controlled high treble, and clean bass.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II is made from corrosion-resistant steel to ensure maximum durability. Its headband is covered in soft Alcantara material while the earcups are wrapped in protein leather for a comfortable listening experience. Its sleek black design will add style to your mixing equipment. Its revolutionary noise cancellation technology and clean but durable build make the Bose QuietComfort 35 II a boon for mixing tracks and mastering recordings.
Key Features:
- Active noise-cancellation technology
- Glass-filled nylon body, Alcantara covering, steel headband
- Up to 20 hours of battery life for extended wireless listening
- Optimized for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Can be controlled using the Bose Connect app
AKG Acoustics K-701 Premium Reference Class Open-back Dynamic Headphones ()
The AKG Acoustics K-701 Premium Reference Class Dynamic Headphones balance comfort, quality, and affordability, making it ideal for almost any task. The AKG K-701 features earcups that were 3D-formed and made from soft velour material for comfortable listening. It features an open-back design which is ideal for studio listening and produces accurate sound which stays consistent on all frequencies.
Its flat-wire voice coil technology allows the AKG K-701 to be driven by amplifiers using less power while delivering dramatic and vibrant sound such as a punchy bass and detailed and brilliant highs. Its solid and beautiful build, coupled with dynamic sound reproduction that’s just right, makes the AKG Acoustics K-701 Headphones one of the most comfortable open-back headphones sound engineers and mixers could have.
Key Features:
- Revolutionary flat-wire voice coil technology
- Patented AKG Varimotion ultra-precision two-layer diaphragm
- Self-adjusting cushioned genuine-leather headband
- Bi-wiring, high-performance cable with 1/4″ jack plug
- Comfortable, specially shaped “3D-Form” earpads
- Comes with a stylish storage cradle
Shure SRH1540 Premium Closed-Back Headphones ()
The Shure SRH1540 Premium Headphones are a premium pair of headphones made for professional sound engineers, musicians, and audiophiles looking for high-quality sound reproduction. The SRH1540 features a closed-back design for reducing background noise, while its steel driver frame has a vented center pole piece which eliminates internal resonance while improving linearity, ensuring that it has a consistent performance at all listening levels. It has an accurate frequency response, a clear and detailed high-end, and a well-tuned midrange. Its 40mm neodymium drivers give it a warm bass and extended highs effortlessly.
The Shure SRH1540 has an airplane-grade aluminum alloy and carbon fiber construction, making it lightweight and durable, while its Alcantara earpads give additional comfort to the wearer while maintaining exceptional sound isolation. The Shure SRH1540 is a premium choice for musicians and sound engineers who want to have complete control over their mixing while having high-quality output.
Key Features:
- Dual-exit cables with gold-plated MMCX connectors for secure connections
- Lightweight, ergonomic, and adjustable dual-frame padded headband
- Closed-back, circumaural design for a comfortable fit while reducing background noise
- Oxygen-free copper cable (OFC) with Kevlar reinforced jacket offers superior performance and durability
- Replaceable earpads feature Alcantara and low-density, slow-recovery foam for exceptional comfort
What to Know Before Choosing Headphones
Not all headphones are the same, and finding the right model for you is crucial. Even high-quality headphones may not fit what you need. A popular, fashionable pair may be top quality, but it may not be the best studio headphones. It’s possible a brand you’ve never heard of will fit into your workflow better. In other words: you may not have to spend a lot to get what you’re looking for.
Another important aspect is comfort. If you plan to spend long hours in your home studio, you’ll want a pair of pro headphones that stay comfortable from testing through to final check.
The best headphones for mixing are usually ones with the flattest response. The big bass that can make regular headphones sound great can work against you if you’re trying to create a track and mix that sounds right on a wide variety of audio systems.
The same is true for the best headphones for music production. Choosing the wrong pair can steer you in a less-than-ideal direction, making all your mixes come out sounding flat, tinny, or too bassy.
Circumaural vs. Supra-aural
The two main types of full-sized headphones are circumaural and supra-aural. If you took Latin in high school you can probably infer the difference. If not, they’re fancy ways of saying “over ear” and “on ear.”
Circumaural, aka over-ear headphones, are usually the largest models. They feature a big, cushioned pad that fits over your entire ear. Many are designed to block out external sounds, often making them ideal mixing headphones for home studio use. Most, though not all, of the best studio headphones are circumaural designs, and the best headphones for mixing are often over-ear as well.
Super-aural, aka on-ear headphones, are smaller and more portable than over-ear models. They rest on top of your ears instead of surrounding them. Some people find this design more comfortable over long listening sessions as they can allow better ventilation, depending on the model. They typically don’t isolate sound as well as circumaural models.
Open Back vs Closed Back Headphones
Among pro headphone enthusiasts, one of the most vibrant debates is open-back vs closed-back headphones. There are quality headphones on both sides, as well as arguments for and against.
Closed-back headphones are designed to keep as much of the sound from the headphone drivers headed into your ear as possible, not out into the world. This also means they try to keep as much of the sound from the outside world as possible out of your ears. For this reason, they can be a smart choice for a home studio that may not be fully isolated from the rest of the house.
Open-back headphones let some of their sound out into the world, and, as you’d guess, let some of that outside sound in. What this does is create a much larger-seeming “soundstage,” or how “big” the sound seems in your ears. Instruments may therefore seem like they’re coming from well outside the headphones, not from small drivers less than an inch from your ear.
Feature photo by Tanner Boriack on Unsplash
