A music producer’s journey is paved with countless creative decisions, and picking the right tools for the job is paramount. One crucial piece of gear that deeply impacts your experience as a producer is your choice of studio headphones.

When searching for the best studio headphones for mixing and recording, you might wonder if certain headphones truly make a difference in mixing or which ones work best for various music styles. Don’t worry, this comprehensive guide dives into the top 8 studio headphones for mixing and recording, giving you clarity and insights you can put to work immediately. Best of all, we’ve curated options for every budget!

Table of Contents:

Unmasking the Sound: The Need for Top Studio Headphones

Before jumping into the top 8 studio headphones for mixing and recording, let’s grasp why this selection holds such weight. Many newcomers, and even experienced producers, don’t fully understand how profoundly headphones shape final mixes. Think about it. How many times have you crafted a killer track on your headphones, only for it to sound wildly different when played back on your car’s stereo, phone speaker, or laptop?

This difference stems from frequency response, like a headphone’s fingerprint. Every model has unique peaks and dips in its sonic reproduction across bass, mids, and highs. Some headphones have frequency response designed for enhanced bass, making everything sound big and boomy, while others might artificially accentuate highs, making cymbals sizzle.

Studio headphones for recording and mixing aim for neutral, accurate, honest sound reproduction. This lets you make critical mix decisions based on the true sonic picture, resulting in mixes that translate beautifully across diverse playback systems.

Besides a flat frequency response, isolation from the outside world plays a vital role, especially for live recording and vocal sessions. Closed-back designs offer noise isolation for clear audio capture.

Lastly, consider comfort an indispensable factor when choosing your mixing companions, especially for long production hours. The wrong headphones quickly become an unwelcome head vice.

Open vs. Closed Back: Breaking the Silence

Choosing between open and closed-back headphones can be like choosing between a studio monitor’s clarity and a sound booth’s immersive silence. Each has unique sonic advantages depending on your needs. It comes down to design: closed-backs keep sound contained within the earcups, offering greater isolation, while open-backs allow audio to freely escape.

Open-Back: Breathing Freedom into Sound

Think of open-back studio headphones like a finely tuned concert hall. They produce a spacious, airy sound, ideal for mixing sessions since sound travels more naturally in and out of the headphones. Open-back designs typically excel in mid-range and treble details. They offer wider stereo separation, crucial for precise placement of instruments in the mix. One trade-off is isolation.

This design allows external sound to enter and audio to leak out. Using open-backs for vocal or live instrument recording means unwanted ambient noise will bleed into your recordings. Another caveat: a quiet listening environment is a must. These headphones are less effective in noisy setups like public transport, studios with lots of traffic, or even your house with a chatty family. Consider these your late-night mixing partners, ideal for introspective sonic voyages when isolation is less of a concern.

Closed-Back: Silence for Focus

Closed-back headphones offer fantastic noise isolation. Sound is less likely to leak into a microphone when tracking instruments. They excel when you need to focus solely on the audio without distracting outside noise. Since closed-back designs trap sound inside the cups, they often produce a stronger, deeper bass, appealing for bass-heavy genres like electronic music.

The downside is their tendency for a more confined, less natural soundstage compared to open-backs. This doesn’t mean they lack clarity, far from it. However, the confinement can lead to ear fatigue over time since air isn’t flowing freely like with open-backs. This makes features like comfortable ear pads even more important when looking at closed-back headphones.

The Top 8 Studio Headphones

Let’s explore our detailed roundup of The Top 8 Studio Headphones for Mixing and Recording. This selection blends open and closed-back models with specific features highlighted to give you a variety of options to suit your preferences and price point.

1. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

The Top 8 Studio Headphones for Mixing and Recording

If you research studio headphones for mixing, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x inevitably appears, and for good reason. These closed-back headphones are great for audio recording and have become an industry mainstay since their release in 2014. They combine remarkable performance at an appealing price. Reviewers highlight a sturdy build that feels surprisingly durable. Multiple cables cater to diverse studio setups. Another perk is the swiveling earcups, a huge boon for comfort.

For mixing engineers seeking neutrality without overemphasized bass, these closed-backs hit the mark. According to extensive testing at RTINGS.com, the ATH-M50x achieves an overall score of 8.1 for neutral sound reproduction and impressive value. Its low cost and ability to perform consistently have catapulted these headphones into numerous studios worldwide. However, while capable of isolating well enough for recording tasks, it doesn’t completely block out sounds at higher volumes, something to keep in mind if absolute silence is a necessity during recording.

2. Sony MDR-7506

The Top 8 Studio Headphones for Mixing and Recording

Another mainstay gracing numerous studios is the Sony MDR-7506. Often touted as the recording industry’s trusty workhorse, these closed-back studio headphones deliver consistent performance at a price-point most studios can embrace. Its frequency response leans slightly towards a more defined, almost exaggerated low-end without completely drowning out higher frequencies. Unlike most headphones, the sound consistency across repeated wearing means you can be certain you are hearing things as they are and won’t have to reseat these over and over trying to hear them “just right.”

While RTINGS gives these retro headphones an overall score of 7.9, the ability to be repaired by replacing parts individually gives these legendary studio companions an added edge of longevity and repairability over newer more premium sets. Even though they don’t feel very high quality, their repairability is a huge benefit.

3. Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

The Top 8 Studio Headphones for Mixing and Recording

If affordability trumps all else, but you’re not about to sacrifice audio quality for a throwaway pair of headphones, look to the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. For situations where you’re recording multiple tracks at once (especially drums where bleed through of click and guide tracks are unwanted by the recording artist), the ATH-M20x makes a sensible and affordable choice for headphone mixes.

Reviewers at RTINGS.com score these at a respectable 7.5, acknowledging a flat neutral sound across the midrange, crucial for vocal clarity and balance, although its lack of low-end may leave producers desiring a richer bass. They’re also consistent from user to user and stay accurate. With a design resembling the much-loved ATH-M50x and a secure fit for prolonged studio sessions, the ATH-M20x punches well above its budget weight class, making these budget companions the go-to choice when affordability trumps extravagant studio features.

4. Sennheiser HD 800 S

The Top 8 Studio Headphones for Mixing and Recording

While many budget options perform well in mixing and mastering, some engineers prefer a premium experience, even if it means buying a more expensive pair of headphones. The Sennheiser HD 800 S open-back design excels for tasks requiring precise instrument placement and mixing decisions, delivering an immersive listening space similar to well-positioned studio monitors.

According to in-depth analysis by RTINGS, the Sennheiser HD 800 S open-back headphones garner a stellar 8.5 score. They mention the sound profile is highly neutral, and its accurate mid-range ensures both lead instruments and vocals sound pristine and authentic. Their wide, open soundstage doesn’t reproduce booming bass with the same power as closed-back counterparts but they certainly are not deficient. Keep in mind, however, the Sennheiser’s higher impedance means a powerful headphone amp is a necessity to truly get the best out of these headphones. For engineers seeking the best, the Sennheiser HD 800 S deliver a captivating open-back experience worthy of high-end audio production setups.

5. HiFiMan Edition XS

The Top 8 Studio Headphones for Mixing and Recording

Studio headphones don’t always have to carry a hefty price tag. If you’re looking for something more affordable but crave a premium open-back experience for mixing, consider the HiFiMan Edition XS open-back headphones. This planar magnetic masterpiece comes with advanced features without pushing most studios out of budget.

With an impressive score of 8.7 by RTINGS, these studio headphones offer comfort alongside performance. They earn accolades for a wide frequency range and an airy, spacious sound ideal for long mixing sessions. The Edition XS are even better with a quality DAC and amp because of the slightly weaker power. Another standout feature is a lightweight design with plush earpads, essential when working those long studio hours. Their impressive 30 Hz bass extension rounds out its appeal for mixing and mastering bass-heavy music, making these open-backs a sensible blend of audio prowess, comfort, and affordability.

6. Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

The Top 8 Studio Headphones for Mixing and Recording

A long-time mainstay within numerous studios, Beyerdynamic has become a staple name amongst producers for recording and mixing for both sound quality and build quality. Falling somewhere in the mid-range price point but punching well above their weight class are the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. A semi-open design gives the advantages of an open-back soundstage but with increased isolation over true open-backs.

RTINGS gives these semi-open headphones a respectable score of 8.1 for neutral sound and solid overall performance. It boasts a comfortable and durable construction with soft velour earpads and a lightweight feel ideal for long sessions. One drawback mentioned is the requirement for an amp because the 250-ohm model lacks clarity in audio detail at lower volume, although this impedance does ensure superior sound when properly powered.

So, while less portable, they are more likely to expose nuances in your audio during mixing, allowing you to refine and improve your tracks further. With its appealing balance of open back-inspired features alongside semi-open isolation and a lower price point compared to similar studio companions, the DT 990 PRO stands out as a worthy studio choice.

7. Superlux HD 681

The Top 8 Studio Headphones for Mixing and Recording

For producers seeking remarkable value and balanced sound at a surprisingly low cost, consider the Superlux HD 681. Their unique feature for mixing is that the sound remains accurate regardless of how they’re being worn, an uncommon but vital advantage for audio engineers seeking neutral playback without needing to continuously readjust.

Scoring an impressive 8.3 for neutral sound from RTINGS.com, these budget headphones prove you don’t always have to pay a hefty price tag for excellent mixing tools. Reviewers highlight an impressive overall sound that remains crisp across highs and mids, with adequate bass suitable for genres not as dependent on low-end frequencies.

Another bonus is comfort – users rave about plush earpads and a lightweight fit suitable for those marathon studio sessions. So, for newcomers and budget-conscious producers, these semi-open headphones provide a great entry point for starting that sonic journey without spending exorbitant sums on studio tools.

8. Beyerdynamic DT770M

The Top 8 Studio Headphones for Mixing and Recording

Beyerdynamic continues to grace our roundup of top studio headphones with a variation of the legendary DT770 line – the Beyerdynamic DT770M. Similar in sound profile to their studio cousin the DT770 PRO, this model has a single coiled 10 ft. cord and lacks impedance selection options. These headphones are designed specifically for drummers and other recording artists needing longer cord options and clear isolation during multi-track sessions.

These boast comfortable, plush earpads alongside solid noise isolation, essential features when wearing headphones for hours while listening to isolated drums with minimal bleed-through from other tracks. They are a solid choice for any recording artist.

FAQs about The Top 8 Studio Headphones for Mixing and Recording

FAQ 1: What are the best headphones for mixing?

Choosing headphones for mixing relies heavily on your preferences. But for engineers seeking precise instrument placement, spacious sound, and airy reproduction – ideal for critical listening sessions – an open-back design usually prevails.

The Sennheiser HD 800 S (open-back), scoring 8.5 for its neutral sound profile on RTINGS.com, excels for clarity and precise sonic detail. A popular lower-priced pick with a semi-open design, bridging open-back soundstage and greater isolation, is the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO open-back headphones. For engineers favoring neutral playback across various genres and a more controlled low-end, closed-back models often win.

FAQ 2: What is the most used type of headphones for studio monitoring and recording?

The Sony MDR-7506 (closed-back) is commonly spotted in studios globally, appreciated for its sturdy build, neutral response, and lower price point. Its consistency and wide availability make these a mainstay for various production tasks, although they don’t excel in isolation. This makes them a great all-around option for recording studios.

FAQ 3: What headphones do artists use in studio?

Many artists favor headphones renowned for both isolation and comfort during long recording sessions. This prevents sound leakage into the microphone while ensuring a distraction-free experience. This makes closed-back models popular with recording artists. Two that frequently grace studios globally are the Beyerdynamic DT770M, built specifically for musicians needing longer cord lengths with no impedance options. Another frequent pick, and one that offers consistent sonic reproduction for accurate playback of pre-recorded tracks during vocal recording, is Sony’s MDR-7506 cans.

FAQ 4: Which headphone is best for song recording?

Recording usually requires isolation to prevent sound leaking from headphones into microphones during vocal or instrument recording. Because of this need for silent, controlled capture, closed-back models, like the widely used Audio-Technica ATH-M50x with an impressive 8.1 score from RTINGS, or the Beyerdynamic DT770M, built with drummers in mind for longer cable lengths and strong noise isolation, are great picks for these tasks. However, keep in mind these do bleed audio at louder volumes so keep that in mind based on your studio situation.

Conclusion

Whether you’re just starting your music production journey or refining your workflow as an experienced producer, headphones form an undeniable bridge between your creative vision and listeners’ ears.

Picking the right pair goes far beyond stylish looks or big brand names – it’s about sound reproduction and how their fingerprint impacts your mixes. This journey requires understanding frequency response, deciphering isolation needs, and factoring in those marathon studio hours to ensure comfort doesn’t take a backseat to performance.

Remember, no two producers have the exact same needs, so experimentation is your trusty sonic compass. Hopefully, this list of the top 8 studio headphones for mixing and recording will make this choice much easier. 

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