9 Best Studio Headphones: Amazing Music To Your Ears
Studio headphones can distinguish between a perfectly recorded, mixed, and mastered track that listeners will deem a masterpiece and another one they will skip each and every time. Today, I review the 9 nine best studio headphones (for the home studio) that are a must-have for budding musicians and sound engineers. These may not be the very best on the market, but they are the best for this price point and you don’t lose much quality to the extreme price point headphones.
What are the Best Studio Headphones for Audio Mixing?
After recording your track, the mix down of it plays an invaluable role in determining how the final song will sound. So, having a reliable pair of studio headphones for mixing can’t be an afterthought.
Judging by design, comfort, sensitivity, frequency response, and price, this list is mostly made up of the best affordable home studio headphones.
- Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X
- Sony MDR-7506
- Shure SRH1540
- Sennheiser HD25
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50X
- Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X
- Audio-Technica ATH-R70x
- Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO
- Austrian Audio Hi-X65
1. Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X is a versatile over-the-ear studio headphone ideal for mixing various tracks. Whether your mix ends up as a song, podcast, or video audio, you can take your audio mixing skills to the next level with a pair of these.
As over-the-ear headphones, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X offers better sound isolation when mixing, thus allowing you to refine your mix better and improve the quality of your final recording.
Whether a beginner or a pro, these studio headphones will make it easy to use other studio equipment while mixing your tracks. Additionally, this feature is vital in reducing signal compression.
Key Features
- Closed over-ear headphones, ideal for professional recording and monitoring
- Perfect for studio and stage recordings thanks to their pure, high-resolution sound
- The soft, circumaural and replaceable velour ear pads ensure high wearing comfort
- Hard-wearing, durable and robust workmanship Made in Germany. Innovative bass reflex system
- Practical single-sided cable (3.0m cable) . Comfortable fit due to rugged, adjustable, soft padded headband construction
Conclusion
Excellent sound quality, convenient compatibility with multiple recording and mixing equipment, and comfort due to its rugged, adjustable, and soft padded headband construction all make the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X among the best audio mixing headphones to have for your home studio.
These may just be the best studio headphones for mixing and mastering that almost everybody can afford.
Price: $149 USD
2. Sony MDR-7506
Sony’s name was derived from the Latin word ‘Sonus’ that translates to sound in English, and this 1940s company has continued to set the trend in audio matters since then. Their Sony MDR-7506 is another release that had to make it to this list of nine best studio headphones.
A wired studio headphone, the Sony MDR-7506 features a humongous 9.8-foot cord with a 40mm driver for minimal signal compression and better sound refinement. The length of this cord allows you to easily move from your computer while listening to your track, stretch, and get more inspiration while mixing. As a recording headphone, this cord also allows for more versatility.
For sound engineers that love more dynamism in how they can refine their tracks, this Sony MDR-7506 has a great frequency response range of 10Hz to 20kHz for more options when detailing your mix.
Key Features
- Neodymium magnets and 40 millimeter drivers for powerful, detailed sound
- Closed ear design provides comfort and outstanding reduction of external noises
- 9.8 foot cord ends in gold plated plug and it is not detachable; 1/4 inch adapter included
- Folds up for storage or travel in provided soft case
- Frequency Response: 10 Hertz to 20 kilohertz
- These large diaphragm, foldable headphones feature a rugged construction, a secure, highly effective closed ear design
- Connectivity technology : Wired
Conclusion
Recording artists that would like to mix their tracks while on tour will enjoy the foldable feature of the Sony MDR-7506, which makes it ideal for travel.
Price: $99 USD
3. Shure SRH1540
The Shure SRH1540 is another entrant on our list of best studio headphones for audio mixing, which features 40 mm neodymium drivers that help you get the full spectrum of the warm bass and clear, extended highs of your track when mixing.
Shure is an established audio equipment manufacturer, and it’s no surprise that their expertise is on full display with these over-ear Shure SRH1540 that add an unrivaled aspect of sound isolation for taking your mixing to the pro’s league. The feature also makes them a versatile option that allows you to mix different genre tracks expertly.
Its ergonomic dual-frame, padded headband is a lightweight fixture when wearing the Shure SRH1540, thus allowing you to stay on your computer mixing for hours without reddening your ears.
Key Features
- 40 mm neodymium drivers deliver superior acoustic performance for an expansive soundstage with clear, extended highs and warm bass
- Closed-back, circumaural design rests comfortably over the ears and reduces background noise. Ergonomic dual-frame, padded headband is lightweight and fully adjustable for hours of listening comfort
- Lightweight construction featuring aircraft-grade aluminum alloy yoke and carbon fiber cap for enhanced durability
- Steel driver frame with vented center pole piece improves linearity and eliminates internal resonance for consistent performance at all listening levels
- Refer user manual for troubleshooting steps
Conclusion
I highly recommend the Shure SRH1540 because its steel driver frame also features a vented center pole piece. This construction ensures maximum elimination of internal resonance while improving the linearity, thus ensuring consistent listening performance at multiple levels.
Price: $495 USD
4. Sennheiser HD25
A pair of audio mixing headphones that feature high sensitivity is invaluable if you are looking to refine your tracks to be one for the ages. The Sennheiser HD25 is just the answer for you if you are looking for this. It features a lightweight aluminum voice coil that makes it one of the most sensitive headphones for audio mixing on this list.
Its on-ear (supra-aural) design makes it capable of handling high sound pressure levels, thus allowing you to mix your track to a more natural refinement. For tracks that need a bit of ambiance when mixing, the Sennheiser HD25 is the go-to option.
The Sennheiser HD25 is a lightweight studio headphone for audio mixing with a padded headband and cups for added comfort when wearing. You can wear this pair for long hours without any discomfort that stops your audio mixing prematurely.
Key Features
- High sensitivity due to lightweight aluminium voice coils
- Capable of handling very high sound pressure levels
- Very lightweight and comfortable, even if used for long periods of time
- Tough, detachable, single-sided cable
Conclusion
I like the Sennheiser HD25 for its modern touch that includes a rigid but detachable one-sided cable which gives me the freedom to move around with my headphones during the mixing process, meaning I can grab a coffee and get back to my computer without pause.
Price: $145 USD
5. Audio-Technica ATH-M50X
Described as a critically-acclaimed sonic performance studio audio mixing headphone, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X means business and is a no-brainer choice for pro sound engineers.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50X features state-of-the-art Proprietary 45-millimeter large-aperture drivers that will make your audio mixing the clearest it has ever been. It is reinforced with rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils for more detailed refinement.
Perhaps the most amazing feature of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X is its astounding frequency response range which stands at an astonishing 15Hz to 28kHz. This range gives you a blank canvas of some sort when refining your audio for your end listener, so you never miss an element.
Key Features
- Critically acclaimed sonic performance praised by top audio engineers and pro audio reviewers
- Proprietary 45 millimeter large aperture drivers with rare earth magnets and copper clad aluminum wire voice coils
- Exceptional clarity throughout an extended frequency range with deep accurate bass response
- Circumaural design contours around the ears for excellent sound isolation in loud environments
- 90 degree swiveling earcups for easy one ear monitoring and professional grade earpad and headband material delivers more durability and comfort
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the ATH-M50X packs a lot of unique features. It’s even more interesting that these studio headphones for audio mixing are available in a wired version that is detachable for convenience. The headphones are also foldable for easy packing and carrying.
Price: $169 USD
6. Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X
As you mix your audio, you want to glimpse what the end listener will be hearing without switching between multiple headphone types. The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X makes this possible with Stellar .45 drivers that allow for versatile application on all devices.
A circumaural closed-back headphone, the DT 900 Pro X provides more sound isolation that works well with engineers looking to mix tracks for podcasts and other digital content. Despite its closed-back design, it’s comfortable to wear thanks to its excellent passive cushioning.
This German-built studio headphone for audio is also famed for its low impedance of 48ohms, allowing one to use it with less powerful devices and still achieve remarkable results.
Key Features
- Open studio headphones for listening, mixing and mastering with a detailed, spatial and transparent sound.
- Versatile applications on all devices thanks to Stellar .45 drivers with an impedance of 48 ohms.
- Excellent comfort with outstanding passive cushioning.
- Durable and robust workmanship.
- Sustainable headphones: Made in Germany.
Conclusion
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X’s lightweight design and excellent workmanship ensure maximum comfort when wearing the pair, even for extended periods.
Price: $259 USD
7. Audio-Technica ATH-R70x
You can always trust Audio-Technica to deliver when it comes to the best studio headphones for audio mixing. The Audio-Technica ATH-R70x is a top-of-the-class headphone for mixing all types of tracks without missing out on anything.
Featuring an open-back design, this wired headphone allows sound to flow through an aluminum honey-comb mesh housing, thus reducing pressure building, ensuring less sound isolation, and delivering a more natural sound.
It measures just 210 g (0.5 lbs), exclusive of the cable, and comes with breathable fabric earpads and improved wing support that allows one to wear it for an extended period and work on long mixes without discomfort.
Key Features
- High-efficiency magnets and pure alloy magnetic circuit design reduce distortion and ensure accurate and extended high-frequency response
- Carbon composite resin improves structural rigidity to provide detailed transient response
- Acoustically transparent, aluminum honeycomb-mesh housings provide a natural and spacious open-back sound
- Breathable fabric earpads and improved wing support provide long-wearing comfort
- Feather-light weight (approx. 210 g w/o cable) and robust construction make headphones perfectly suited for professional use
Conclusion
Anyone looking for a pair of headphones dedicated exclusively to audio mixing will delight in the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x, which has high-efficiency magnets coupled with a pure alloy magnetic circuit design that minimizes distortion and improves accuracy and frequency response.
Price: $349 USD
8. Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO
The Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO is one of the comfiest studio headphones for audio mixing available today. This pair features durable padding on its headband and premium cushioning on its cups for comfortable use even on the longest days in the studio.
It comes with highly reliable 45 mm dynamic Tesla neodymium drivers but will require more power to produce great sound quality as it has a high impedance of 250 ohms. However, the closed form factor of the headphones still allows you to refine the sound to a high degree.
With the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO, you can experiment with a wide frequency response range of between 5Hz and 40kHz. This range gives you more versatility and allows you to pick out and edit elements easily.
Key Features
- Closed studio reference headphones for mixing, mastering, monitoring and recording, Made in Germany
- 250 ohms, 45 mm dynamic Tesla neodymium drivers
- Single sided, detachable cable with mini-XLR connectors.Nominal sound pressure level:102 dBSPL (1mW/500Hz)
- Soft, replaceable ear pads and headband for long studio sessions
- Delivery contents: 2 ear pads (velour and leathrette), 2 cables (coiled and straight, 3m), Premium carrying case.
Conclusion
The detachable cable allows you to utilize these headphones to the maximum, whether in the studio where there is minimal movement, on the road, or at home mixing in your room. It is also foldable for easy portability.
Price: $528 USD
9. Austrian Audio Hi-X65
Last but not least is the magnificent Austrian Audio Hi-X65 with an open-back design enabling you to detect errors in your tracks faster and more accurately for better refinement.
The Hi-X65 is one of the most durable audio mixing headphones available on the market. It features metal hinges and bows for more stability while allowing you to conveniently replace the bow and ear pads for extended longevity.
On matters of sound, it comes with a 44m driver and ring magnet system alongside a copper-clad aluminum voice coil. You will get a more responsive impulse reaction and a linear frequency response that results in high-resolution sound.
Key Features
- Proprietary High Excursion technology that delivers a linear frequency response and open, precise, high-resolution sound that simplifies error detection and makes mixing/mastering a pleasure
- Metal hinges and bow for maximum durability and stability
- Best-in-class comfort with soft memory foam earpads and outstanding ventilation to keep you comfortable even during the longest sessions
- Detachable cable that can be easily replaced (2 included)
- Replaceable ear pads and bow pad, for long lifetime and hygienic use
Conclusion
The Austrian Audio Hi-X65 is for the pros who want to improve their mixing skills, but I will also recommend it for amateurs who want to hone their skills on a pair that will serve them till they become masters at their craft.
Price: $429 USD
Summary
Choosing the best studio headphones for audio mixing to invest in will ultimately boil down to personal preference, budget, and level of expertise. For our readers, we recommend that you get a pair that blends in functionality and durability and enables you to improve your craft. That option is the Beyerdynamics DT 770 Pro.
Tags: best studio headphones on the market, best open-back studio headphones, best studio headphones 2022
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