Top 5 Headphones for Mixing
Studio mixing/monitoring headphones are one of the more important pieces of any recording studio setup. When recording a new track, it is important to not have any external noise and headphones can help the artist hear what they need to hear without interfering with the audio recording.
However, one of the more important uses is that they can help give a dry and accurate reference of a mix or recording as they aren’t affected by the room you are in.
This can help you understand what the actual sound of a recording is. Read on to learn the top 5 headphones for hearing an accurate and clean reference of any recording at a professional level.
Audio-Techinca ATH-M50X ($149)
The Audio Technica ATH-M50X is widely regarded as one of the best studio monitoring and reference headphones for mixing on the market today. It’s aesthetically pleasing, super easy to transport, and incredibly useful for a multitude of applications.
The ATH-M50X have an incredibly flat frequency response which make them ideal for referencing a song or listening back to a recording to get an accurate sonic reference. Admittedly, these headphones aren’t the best on this list for mixing, however, they are very similar to the sound of car speakers which makes them a good reference of how your audience might hear your music.
At $150, these headphones are the cheapest on the list and a great choice for any home studio or professional setup.
Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 250 ohm ($159)
The Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 250’s are some of the greatest mixing reference headphones ever made and known to be a top choice for many engineers. While there are many professional level headphones that can produce a higher-grade sound reproduction, the DT770 Pro 250’s are very accurate in representing the sound quality of many consumer grade speakers making them incredibly useful for general mixing.
One problem that can arise from the DT770 is that the 250ohm version can end up being too quiet if not used correctly. This is because headphone speakers with 250 ohms have to be used with a headphone amplifier so that the signal is loud enough to hear.
Listening from your computer or phone will not be loud enough to get an accurate reference, however, there is an 80ohm version that will be perfect for regular playback sources.
The DT770 Pro 250 ohm headphones are an amazing choice for any home studio at an affordable $159. These classic headphones will be a great fit for anyone looking to improve their mixes for a professional recording.
The Shure SRH940 headphones are incredibly accurate and comfortable. They have a pristine sound recreation and are perfect for anyone looking for an accurate frequency response. The velour ear pads make them easy to wear for longer periods of time and their construction makes them easy to transport.
The SRH940’s may be a bit expensive for some at $299, however the accurate sound representation easily makes it worth every penny. If you are in the market for top studio quality headphones, the SRH940’s could be the perfect fit.
The AKG K702 studio headphones are widely considered to be some of the best open back headphones on the market. These headphones have an insanely flat frequency response, making them ideal for mixing sessions and listening to final mixes and masters. The open back design allows the bass to escape from the headphones instead of becoming trapped in the ears that would otherwise create deceptive muddiness.
The K702’s are a perfect fit for any engineer looking to make the most out of their mixes, and their super-light construction keeps you comfortable during long sessions. At $349, these can be quite the purchase, but thanks to the amazing sound recreation, it may become one of the most useful tools in your studio.
The Neumann NDH20 closed back studio headphones have some of the greatest sound isolation and sound quality of any studio headphone ever made.
Due to its linear frequency response, these headphones give an extremely accurate picture of your recording and will reject any distracting or deceptive exterior noise due its stellar insulation.
The Neumann NDH20’s will definitely require a headphone amplifier at 150 ohm’s and can be quite expensive at $499, but due to all of the features we just mentioned, we believe that these could easily be the best decision you make when it comes to upgrading your studio.
While the headphones on this list might be a little pricey, there are plenty of other options for mixing headphones that are significantly more expensive.
We put this list together with the intention of showing you great options that range in terms of professionalism and price, that way you can make the best decision for your set-up.
