The best studio headphones for mixing should be on your priority list if you’re creating a studio setup. After all, the quality of the monitors plays a big role in how good your mix sounds.
But the thing is, not all the headphones in the market are great picks in this regard. Most will claim to be the best. However, if you take a closer look, they’ll make it hard for you to assess the fine details of the mix. And if you can’t get the stereo image of the mix right, it’ll not be a banger.
Now, the question is, what exactly makes a pair of headphones good for studio mixing? First of all, the driver setup of the headphone should offer you a clear and precise sonic picture of all the aspects of the frequency range.
Secondly, there should be some sort of noise cancellation function. If it’s not Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), the headphone needs to have good passive noise cancellation capability. Of course, this doesn’t count for open-back headphones.
Furthermore, the headphone should excel in terms of comfort. You should be able to wear them and listen to your mixes for hours without feeling like taking the headphones off.
Last but not least, the build quality must be top-notch. After all, studio setups demand high-quality and durable pieces of equipment.
So, which of the available headphones checks all of these factors? Well, there’s a list that’s just for you! It contains all the options that have passed with flying colors. Take a look!
3 Best Studio Headphones for Mixing
Sennheiser HD 800 S
TL:DR;
Most professional studio mixers prefer open-back instead of closed-back headphones. Want to know why? The open-back design lets you get a much broader and more natural soundstage. As a result, you can easily assess every part of the mix. And the Sennheiser HD 800 S is the best overall pick in this regard.
The drivers of the headphones can produce a very neutral sound profile. You’ll get an extremely accurate mid-range profile, ensuring you can hear the finer details of vocals and instruments. Even the treble response of the drivers is well-balanced, making everything feel natural and not piercing.
Other than that, Sennheiser HD 800 S comes with a high-end build. It can offer superior comfort, letting you fine-tune the mixes for hours. Also, you get a secure fit.
The Specs
- Connection Type: Wired
- Transducer: Dynamic
- ANC: No
- Enclosure: Open-back
What’s in the Box?
- 4.4mm 10ft cable
- 6.35mm 10ft cable
- Microfiber cleaning cloth
Stuff I like
- High-end build
- Extremely comfortable to wear
- Offers a secure fit
- Open-back and can offer a natural sound
- Can produce accurate mid-range sounds
Stuff I like less
- A bit too expensive
Where to get it
Superlux HD 681
TL:DR;
After getting your studio room right, you might already be a bit tight in terms of budget. The good news is that there’s no need to go all in to get good-sounding studio headphones. Consider the Superlux HD 681, for example.
Even though it’s cheaper than most of the studio headphones on the market, it executes everything perfectly. The semi-open-back nature of the Superlux HD 681 makes it fully capable of delivering immersive audio. You also get a spacious soundstage that’ll let you hear every nuance of the mix.
Another great part of the Superlux HD 681 is that the drivers can offer a very flat mid-range sound. That’ll make sure that you can hear most of the lead instruments and vocals on your mix.
The sound profile isn’t the only highlight of the Superlux HD 681. In addition to that, the headphones have a great overall design. It comes with comfortable and plush padding, allowing you to keep them on for hours without facing any issues.
The Specs
- Connection Type: Wired
- Transducer: Dynamic
- ANC: No
- Enclosure: Semi-open-back
What’s in the Box?
- 6.35 mm stereo jack
- Carrying pouch
- Adapter
Stuff I like
- Great value for the money
- Comfortable to wear
- Neutral sound profile
- Can offer a spacious soundstage
- Flat mid-range response
Stuff I like less
- The build is a bit plasticky
Where to get it
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
TL:DR;
Don’t you like open-back headphones? Want to grab the best studio headphones for mixing with a closed-back enclosure? In that case, you need to check out the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x!
As you might have guessed, the closed-back nature of the headphones makes the Audio-Technica M50x block out background noises. Thanks to that, you can monitor and assess the mix without getting distracted by ambient noises. The design also eliminates the chances of audio leaks, making it perfect for recording.
Now, even though the price point of the Audio-Technica M50x isn’t in the high-end range, the build quality is premium-grade. It’s extremely durable and can withstand a couple of accidental falls. You also get an impressive soundstage. And in terms of comfort, the headphones are as good as closed-back headphones can get.
Lastly, you get a lengthy coiled cable with the box. This cable will enable you to move freely around the studio. Also, it’ll be pretty easy to get the headphones set up on your studio setup.
The Specs
- Connection Type: Wired
- Transducer: Dynamic
- ANC: No (passive noise cancellation)
- Enclosure: Closed-back
What’s in the Box?
- Coiled Cable (3.9 to 9.8′)
- Straight Cable (9.8′)
- Straight Cable (3.9′)
- 1/4″ Screw-On Adapter
- Carrying Pouch
Stuff I like
- Effective passive noise cancellation
- Excellent soundstage
- Comfort-forward design
- Premium build quality
- Comes with a great coiled cable
Stuff I like less
- Tends to bleed a bit of audio in high volumes
Where to get it
Quick Summary of the Best Studio Headphones for Mixing
While you’ll find tons of studio-grade headphones on the market, not many are worthy of being in a professional studio. But the Sennheiser HD 800 S, Superlux HD 681, and Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are exceptions in this regard.
They deliver great soundstage, accurate stereo imaging, accurate sound production, comfortable wearing experience, and great overall build. So, no matter which one you pick, you’ll end up with the best professional headphones for studio mixing.
Slava is a man of mystery and no-one seems to know exactly where he is at any point in time. When he isn't enjoying writing about all things audio and technical he can be found researching his next project of interest. The man never rests.
This post was last updated on 2024-12-14 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.