In this article, we are looking at ten of the best studio headphones for mixing and mastering!
Studio headphones have become an absolute must-have for carefully monitoring, tracking, or recording audio.
Plus, they have become suitable candidates for listening to music casually, thanks to their neutral and bias-free audio reproduction.
Nonetheless, we will cover the best monitoring headphones for each price category.
Now, let’s cut the chase and dive right in!
Studio Headphones Buying Guide for mixing & mastering
Before you move forward to look at ten of the best studio headphones for mixing and referencing, I insist you to check the below mentioned points to get the most out of your new purchase.
1) Closed Vs Open-Back headphones
This section lets us determine whether open-back or closed-back headphones are right for you.
Closed-back headphones are pretty easy to identify due to their solid build quality. These headphones are sealed and do not let air come within the ear cups. Hence, the sound quality remains closed and up-tight. However, they isolate the sound pretty well and prevent audio from leaking into the surroundings. However, this makes them suitable for multiple uses like soundtracking, recording artists, and mixing references.
Related: 32 vs 80 vs 250 Ohm Headphones
On the other hand, open-back headphones lack any solid structure that prevents audio from leaking into the surroundings. They are primarily perforated, and the air moves freely in and out of the headphones. Hence, giving them an open and immersive sound is excellent for mixing and mastering and audio referencing.
Generally, it is best to use closed-back headphones for recording purposes and mixing and open-back headphones for mixing purposes.
2) Circum-Aural vs Supra-Aural headphones
Circum-Aural headphones cover the entire ear, whereas supra-aural headphones press against the ears.
Among these two types of headphones, circumaural headphones are much more recommended than supra-aural ones for mixing purposes due to:
- Comfort,
- Features,
- sound quality,
- audio staging, and,
- No. of hours one can wear them.
Also, I recommend reading this article on difference between regular and studio headphones.
Nonetheless, I suggest you go with supra-aural headphones if you are heavily involved in recording purposes or in the scenarios where you want to block outside noise.
3) Sound Staging
The next crucial aspect related to studio headphones is their sound stage and how well they represent audio in stereo.
The sound stage is an essential feature when you want to mix songs as perfectly as possible. It helps to locate different sounds in your mix, leading you to better mixes.
In general, open-back headphones have a better sound staging than closed-back headphones.
4) Comfort & build quality
Not to forget, studio headphones are frequently tossed in a studio space, where build quality plays a significant role. For this, we have hand-picked some of the best studio headphones in terms of build quality and comfort levels.
Related: Can you mix music on headphones?
Comfort from studio headphones is an absolute must when involved in long studio recordings or mixing sessions. Look for headphones with soft cushioning around ear-cups and headbands if comfort is your primary concern.
5) Budget or investing capacity
Lastly, another important criteria you need to set before buying a studio headphone is your spending capacity. This will help you get through the list quickly and compare relevant reference headphones.
Again, if you want studio reference headphones for recording and mixing purposes, go with closed-back headphones, whereas, for mixing purposes and casual music listening, open-back headphones are much suitable.
Best Studio Headphones for Mixing
1) Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro Open Studio Headphones
Product Features
- Impedance – 250 ohms,
- Straight 3m & coiled 5m,
- 3.5 mm TRS Jack connector,
- Cable Type – Non-detachable,
- Type – open back headphones,
- Frequency response – 5Hz – 40kHz.
click to view price of Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro on amazon
A Deeper Analysis
The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro studio reference headphones are our top pick for best studio headphones for mixing purposes. These are one of my favourite open-back studio headphones for mixing and mastering.
Let’s see why!
In terms of design, the DT 1990 Pro open studio headphones look alluring enough for you to imagine them in your studio and daily life. But this is not what they are famous for.
When you choose these german build headphones, you will get a very premium build, open design, and superior sound quality. These headphones are highly durable and can last you for years before giving up.
The stereo image and sound staging are extensive and let you quickly detect different sounds without fretting. Plus, these can get excessively loud compared to classic DT 770 and 990 Pros.
Next, speaking of sound quality, the DT 1990 Pro headset is absolutely transparent and neutral enough for mixing purposes. Due to the open-back design, they have an immersive sound with extended bass, natural mids, and detailed high without any harsh sibilance.
The soft ear pads and headbands make them very comfortable for long studio hours.
I have worn the DT 1990 Pro headset for 9 hours in one go. No kidding!
In my opinion, these are what flagship models should sound and look like. Use them for mixing, mastering, audio tracking, referencing, or recording playback artists, instruments, or vocals.
Pros
- Attractive & Solid Build,
- Accurate audio reproduction,
- Detachable / removable cables,
- Removable / Change-able earcups.
Cons
- Not a budget-friendly option,
- The ear-cups become hot during long sessions.
2) Shure SRH1540 Premium Closed-Back Headphones
Product Features
- Straight 2m cable,
- Impedance – 46 ohms,
- 3.5 mm TRS Jack connector,
- Cable Type – Non-detachable,
- Type – closed back headphones,
- Frequency response – 5Hz – 25kHz.
click to view price of Shure SRH1540 on amazon
A Deeper Analysis
The Shure SRH1540 closed-back headphones are among the best studio headphones you can get for under $500. The Shure Headphones do a great job covering the entire frequency evenly and keeping the sound natural without any coloration.
These headphones are neither sibilant nor boomy, and they offer a deep and well extended low-end and high-end that exceeds pretty far up. Everything is controlled and meant to sound as professional as possible with no audio flukes.
You can tell how well a song has been mixed or mastered by listening to music. They have highly revealing audio that can put you in an excellent place while monitoring your mixes and past songs.
Not to forget, the sound stage is exceptional for closed-back headphones. The stereo image, separation, and detail impress me the most about these studio headphones.
Furthermore, the Shure SRH1540 studio headphones are very comfortable. The ear cups are made up of fiber material suitable to keep you relieved for long studio hours. Also, the headband offers a leather finish, and the clamping power delivers a good fit.
Lastly, I highly recommend checking out Shure SRH1540 because of its comfort, build, sound isolation, and exceptional sound quality. You can use them for recording, mixing or monitoring purposes.
Pros
- Multi-purpose headphones,
- Durable and sturdy build quality,
- Sounds phenomenal without amp,
- Flat and neutral sound referencing headphones.
Cons
- The bass can be a bit low for some music genres.
3) Sennheiser HD 600 Open Back Dynamic Headphones
Product Features
- Straight 3m cable,
- Impedance – 300 ohms,
- 3.5 mm TRS Jack connector,
- Cable Type – Detachable,
- Type – open back headphones,
- Frequency response – 12Hz – 39kHz.
click to view price of Sennheiser HD 600 on amazon
A Deeper Analysis
The Sennheiser HD 600 Open Back Dynamic Headphones are among our top picks for best studio headphones for mixing and mastering purposes. The newly designed HD600 headphones have excited the audience about its latest features once again.
The Sennheiser HD 600 headphones feel incredibly light and satisfying to wear. The soft foam headband material and fat cushioning on the ear cups let you indulge in the long studio or mix sessions. Also, the oval design of the earcups delightfully covers the ear without any irritation.
Furthermore, the sound quality of these headphones remains flat and highly accurate for monitoring or mixing purposes. The highs are detailed, mids remain a little emphasised, and the bass is deep and extended. This allows you to notice every single detail in a song or mix. It is very similar to the previous model of the HD600 headphones.
Often, you can find people in online forums and blogs comparing the HD600 and HD650 to a vast extent. But, let me give you the main differences.
There are two massive differences between these headphones: the sound stage and the second is effortless sound.
The sound stage of HD650s is more expansive than that of 600s. So, if you need a vast sound stage, then probably HD650s are better for you.
The second difference is that the HD650s provide effortless sound. Unlike HD600s, they hide refined details and harshness in the sound. In short, they are smoother than HD600s across the frequency spectrum.
Pros
- Reveals finer details,
- Immersive sound quality,
- Good price to performance ratio,
- Comfortable to wear for long hours.
Cons
- Head-band can be a bit tight for some people,
- Audio leak is noticeable as they are open-back studio reference headphones.
Best Budget Studio Headphones for Mixing
Now, if you do not want to heavily invest in studio headphones, I recommend checking out the below list.
These headphones demand a little less budget than the ones mentioned above without compromising on the quality.
4) Audio-Technica ATH-M70X Monitor Headphones
Product Features
- Impedance – 35 ohms,
- Cable Type – Detachable,
- 3.5 mm TRS Jack connector,
- Straight and coiled 3m cable,
- Type – closed back headphones,
- Frequency response – 5Hz – 40kHz.
click to view price of Audio-Technica ATH-M70X on amazon
A Deeper Analysis
In our list of budget studio headphones, Audio Technica’s ATH-M70x grabs a spot.
Firstly, these headphones look pretty simple. They have rotating ear cups, cushioned head-band, and very soft ear pads. The clamping force hits the sweet spot, neither too tight nor loose.
The sound quality remains as it should be, flat and accurate. The dynamic range you get with these headphones is upto the mark. The sound signature is very neutral, which is perfect for mixing audio.
Compared to ATH-M50x, the M70x have a much flatter low and high-end response. And these differences make the ATH-M50x suitable for daily uses like watching movies, listening to music and streaming videos than M70x.
As the M70x headphones are the successor to the M50x and much more expensive, I expected a better build material and design. The build material is mostly plastic which is quite a turn-off. Also, these headphones are un-foldable and offer less portability.
Now, as these are closed-back monitoring headphones, they isolate the sound pretty well to avoid audio leaking out of the ear cups.
Hence, the ATH-M70x is a viable option for studio recordings, audio monitoring, music production, mixing, mastering and casual listening.
Pros
- Great sound isolation,
- Extremely cost effective,
- Wide frequency response,
- Suitable for mixing, recording, tracking purposes.
Cons
- Plastic dominant build,
- Un-foldable design limits portability.
5) Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X Studio Headphones
Product Features
- Impedance – 48 ohms,
- Cable Type – Detachable,
- 3.5 mm TRS Jack connector,
- Straight and coiled 3m cable,
- Type – closed back headphones,
- Frequency response – 5Hz – 40kHz.
click to view price of Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X on amazon
A Deeper Analysis
If you already use Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro or 990 Pro and looking for the same brand upgrade, then one of the Beyerdynamic DT 700 or 900 Pro X might be right for you.
These headphones come well built with a sturdy design and soft cushioning around the earcups and the headband. What I like is that everything is detachable. It makes it easier to replace items if they get worn out.
Coming to sound signature, the DT 700 and 900 Pro X are much louder and have an extended frequency range than the 770 and 990 Pro. They say pretty flat for mixing and mastering purposes.
Now whether to go with Beyerdynamic DT 700 closed-back or 900 Pro X open-back headphones?
It depends!
I would recommend the open-back DT 900 Pro X to anyone who wants a more expansive sound stage. These headphones are fabulous for mixing. However, as these are open-back, a lot of sound leaks. Hence, making them not viable for studio recordings.
On the other hand, the closed-back 700 Pro X are great for multiple tasks like audio recording, mixing, editing or mastering tracks. They isolate the sound pretty well and prevent audio from leaking in or out. A problem with them is that they have a less expansive sound stage than the 900 X.
Pros
- Proper sound isolation,
- Alluring color scheme,
- Attractive design and build,
- Accurate sound reproduction.
Cons
- Demands a little investment.
6) Focal Listen Professional studio Headphones
Product Features
- Impedance – 32 ohms,
- Cable Type – Detachable,
- 3.5 mm TRS Jack connector,
- Straight and coiled 3m cable,
- Type – closed back headphones,
- Frequency response – 5Hz – 22kHz.
click to view price of Focal Listen Professional studio Headphones on amazon
A Deeper Analysis
The Focal Listen Professional studio headphones try to compete in a difficult price segment as many established brands have their studio headphones in this price category. After using these headphones for almost 3 months now, these are one of the best studio headphones under $300.
The headphones can be easily folded, making them an excellent portable option. Additionally, you can remove or replace the cables, which is quite handy to have in a studio headphone.
Next, the Focal Listen studio headphones offer sheer comfort and sound isolation. The earpad cushioning is very comfortable and blocks out the external noise properly.
Furthermore, the sound quality remains neutral and relatively flat compared to other reputed brands like Audio Technica, Beyerdynamic and Sennheiser. The highs are clean, the mids are excellent, and the lows are deep.
As these are closed-back monitoring headphones, the sound stage is a bit compact than the studio headphones we saw above in the list. Nonetheless, the stereo image is good enough to distinguish between different sounds within a track.
All in all, I recommend the Focal Listen studio headphones to anyone with a good budget, and stepping up in audio monitoring tasks like recording, editing, mixing or mastering.
Pros
- Comfortable build,
- Wide sound staging,
- offers expansive accessories.
Cons
- The mid frequencies are a bit colored.
7) Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Professional Studio Headphones
Product Features
- Detachable cable,
- cable length – 3m,
- Impedance – 38 ohms,
- 3.5 mm TRS Jack connector,
- Type – closed back headphones,
- Frequency response – 15Hz – 28kHz.
click to view price of Audio-Technica ATH-M50X on amazon
A Deeper Analysis
The Audio Technica ATH-M50x studio headphones impress me with their overall value factor. They perform better for their price and stay well within the budget of an intermediate music producer or an audiophile.
Additionally, the whole design of the Audio Technica ATH-M50x is well thought out. They come with rotating ear cups, detachable cables, and ear cups that excellently cover your ear. On top of that, you can easily fold the headphones, making them highly portable.
One thing that becomes important with headphones is comfort because of their everyday use. With ATH-M50x, I have had no issues with comfort, even after wearing them for long hours. They are very lightweight, making them highly efficient for music producers and mixed engineers alike.
Moreover, the ATH-M50x headphones have a fair sonic representation, and their frequency response remains relatively flat with no notable boost or cut. Hence, making them one of the best budget studio headphones for sound monitoring and recording purposes.
Now, why I recommend these studio headphones is due to excellent sound isolation and a spacious sound stage compared to other closed-back headphones in this price segment.
Pros
- Detachable cables,
- Powerful build quality,
- Precise audio reproduction.
Cons
- Big budget headphones,
- Bass response is a bit dim for some genres.
8) Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Studio Headphones
Product Features
- 3m coiled cable,
- Impedance – 38 ohms,
- Non-Detachable cable,
- 3.5 mm TRS Jack connector,
- Type – open back headphones,
- Frequency response – 5Hz – 35kHz.
click to view price of Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro on amazon
A Deeper Analysis
I have always been impressed with the Beyerdynamic line of products, and due to this very fact, I own three of their studio headphones. Everything falls in place for a budget studio headphone with the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. It is one of the best cheap studio headphones for home recording studios.
These open-back design studio headphones do a remarkable job for their price. The build quality is quite sturdy and robust to absorb good years in your studio. I like how they fit perfectly and cover the whole ear very smoothly.
The frequency response remains more like V-shaped, meaning that they have more emphasized lows and highs, leaving the mids relatively flat. They come with perfect and extended bass covering a broader frequency spectrum.
On the other hand, the sound stage and the quality are highly immersive. You can quickly figure out different sounds and their respective location in a song mix. Hence, these open-back studio headphones are fabulous for audio monitoring tasks like mixing or mastering.
Also, I want to mention two points that go with these budget studio headphones. The first is that you cannot detach the cables. Secondly, the clamping force of the headband is a little high, which, of course, will smoothen out with time.
Pros
- A good budget option,
- Immersive sound quality,
- Expansive sound staging.
Cons
- High-end can become crunchier than desired,
- The sound leaks because of their open-back headphones.
Best Studio Headphones under $100
Now, Let’s limit the budget even more and see some of the best studio headphones under $100.
9) Sennheiser Professional HD 280 PRO Over-Ear Monitoring Headphones
Product Features
- Non-Detachable cable,
- cable length – 3m,
- Impedance – 64 ohms,
- 3.5 mm TRS Jack connector,
- Type – closed back headphones,
- Frequency response – 8Hz – 25kHz.
click to view price of Sennheiser Professional HD 280 PRO on amazon
A Deeper Analysis
The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro studio headphones is one of the best studio headphones under $100. There are many reasons to this but the most striking one is its sound signature.
I love how the HD 280 Pro headphones are built. Wearing them is an extreme delight as these offer high comfort and represent the class of the flagship models.
Related: Top 9 Best Budget studio headphones for recording vocals!
Furthermore, the things that makes Sennheiser HD 280 PRO Headphones stand out from other headphones are sound isolation and perfect fit. These two things come handy when you need to prevent audio leak during recording sessions.
In terms of sound quality, these headphones are mostly neutral sounding. The mids and highs are clean and detailed with an extended and deep low-end response.
The sound stage also is quite spacious for a closed-back headphone. These are great headphones for producers who want to listen to every aspect of their mix and monitoring. In short, a suitable choice for mixing and recording purposes.
I would recommend the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headset to anyone with a low-budget unwilling to compromise on sound, build & comfort. All in all, these are well-crafted studio headphones for casual listeners and audio professional tasks.
Pros
- Budget-friendly cans,
- Precise audio reproduction,
- Cost effective option for newbie producers.
Cons
- Not comfortable for long studio hours.
10) Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
Product Features
- Detachable cable,
- cable length 3m,
- Impedance 47 ohms,
- 3.5 mm TRS Jack connector,
- Type – closed back headphones,
- Frequency response 15Hz 20kHz.
click to view price of Audio-Technica ATH-M30x on amazon
A Deeper Analysis
When choosing the best studio headphones under $100, the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x studio headphones can be the right choice for you.
I like these reference headphones because they fall within the budget of a newbie music producer or a budding mix engineer. Most importantly, you can use them for tracking, mix/master referencing, and recording purposes.
The foldable design makes them quite portable as well.
Next, coming to the build quality, the headphones’ exterior is mostly plastic. This can be a turn-off for some people. But under $100, you’ll hardly see any studio headphones with a different build material.
Furthermore, as these are closed-back headphones, they offer proper sound isolation minimizing the chances of the sound leak while recording vocals, instruments, or artists. This closed-back design also becomes handy when blocking out a noisy environment.
Related: Best studio headphones under $50
The ATH-M30X is relatively flat sounding with clear mids and high. The tonal balance is well managed and suitable for mixing and tracking recordings.
I found that the low-end could have been punchier and more deep compared to other studio headphones. The sound stage, too, is a bit compact and up-tight.
Lastly, I would say that these are very good studio reference headsets for the price, and they can get the job done quite efficiently for new producers and artists.
Pros
- Multi-purpose headphones,
- Great studio headphones under $100,
- Producer recommended studio headphones.
Cons
- Non detachable cables,
- Compact sound staging.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these were some of the top picks for best studio headphones for mixing and mastering.
Choosing perfect studio headphones depends on your studio needs and work requirements.
However, if you buy a second studio reference headphone, look for capabilities that your first headphone lacks. If your first headphone was closed-back, go for open-back, or if your first headphone was perfect for recording purposes, look for one with immersive sound and an expansive sound stage.
Lastly, I hope you liked this article. Do mention your favorite studio headphones and tell me what new addition you want to see on this list.
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