Home Headphone Guides the BEST studio headphones for mixing | SERIOUS options for SERIOUS people

the BEST studio headphones for mixing | SERIOUS options for SERIOUS people

by Stuart Charles Black
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Updates:

  • 1/30/21. Article/link cleanup.

Hi friend and Welcome!

Today I’ll be charging hard at you once again with a great post on the best studio headphones for mixing!! These 3 models I’m about to talk about are some of the most highly regarded in existence for mixing and reference.

Do you want my top recommendation right now? Check out my Sennheiser HD 600 Review! A more detailed description and link to the review can also be found at the bottom.

Otherwise, sit back and watch as the Shootout happens 😀

Before we get started, grab a snack, sit back and relax because…

You’ve come to the right place!!

The best studio headphones for mixing

The best studio headphones for mixing

What I will bring you in this review

of each headphone

  • Specifications
  • Summary
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Amp/DAC requirements
  • Who these headphones benefit?
  • Consensus/Conclusion
  • Final Word

All of these options are ‘open-back’, which are far more conducive to mixing. Why? Because with closed-back cans, the sound gets sort of “trapped” inside your head, with no room to breathe, thus muddying the sound and leaving you confused and annoyed. The open back lets some sound escape in order to keep the mix airy and fresh, sort of like Febreeze, Lol.

Anyways, let’s get to it:

1) Sennheiser HD600

  • price: check amazon! | check sweetwater! | check eBay!
  • type: open back
  • fit: circumaural (over ear)
  • impedance: 300 ohms. What is Headphone Impedance?
  • frequency response: 12 – 39000 Hz
  • material: metal grilles, carbon fiber, velour ear pads
  • color: speckled blue finish, black

Summary

What more can be said about these? Well, I’ll tell you! For starters, they may be the best reference headphone that you can buy. This is across the board pretty much a consensus among-st audiophiles. I will never forget the first time I read this review on amazon. The reviewer claimed that buying the HD 600 would revolutionize not only the music you may listen to in the future but also what you already own! It’s a very powerful concept that stuck with me. Being able to re-discover old sounds is something that is truly priceless and timeless. Everyone loves music. Imagine if the feeling you got from an old album was like hearing it for the first time again, only better and completely amazing?

That’s what these headphones provide. They provide the subtlety and details you’ve never heard before in recordings. They also reveal quite a bit of flaws in a mix/master, so be wary that these headphones were made for good quality recordings from good sources. Also, make sure to purchase a decent enough amp to power these correctly. At 300 Ohms, it is pretty much mandatory. I will get into amps more a little later!

Check out this ringing endorsement for the HD 600’s

Out of countless headphones that he has reviewed, only 4 got A+ value ratings. The HD 600 was the first one.

Pros

  • Great bass and low end. It’s not overpowering but rather strong, clear, and well defined.
  • Build quality is solid.
  • The gold standard for neutrality and accuracy in studio environments. Everything sounds exactly as it is, with no coloration whatsoever.
  • Great sound-stage.
  • Airy, open, and detailed but at the same time doesn’t sound thin.
  • Velour earpads make these extremely comfortable.
  • The price to performance ratio is virtually unmatched. Buying these may be the best investment you make, with audio equipment or otherwise.
  • Detachable cable. If your cat decides to munch on your chord, you can simply buy a new one!
  • Great mid-range, very natural (their bread and butter).
  • Great vocals especially female.

Cons

  • Sub-bass lacking.
  • A bit “veiled”, meaning the upper registers and treble frequency may be lacking as well. What is the Sennheiser Veil?

My Video Review!

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to my growing channel. 🙂 Any support is much appreciated!!

What they are good for/with

  • critical listening/mixing
  • jazz and classical
  • acoustic
  • soft rock
  • instrumental music

They sound good with just about every type of music and have been called a genre master…

What they aren’t good for:

  • they are really honest and will reveal flaws in your everyday recordings. One reviewer mentioned that he was tempted to throw away all of his old badly mastered recordings. Make sure your source is of good quality!
  • these aren’t really good for bass-heads
  • office and portable use, etc. They will bleed sound and aren’t really made for on the go situations or where there’s the potential for disturbing others.

Amp/DAC requirements

These are going to need a good amp to deliver optimal sound quality and volume. I have done a bit of research and a few great options are:

  1. The JDS labs 02
  2. Magni/Modi combo
  3. E09k paired with the E17
  4. Bottlehead crack

These across the board are considered the go-to options in regards to quality and convenience. Of course, you will encounter really high-end amplifiers if you look hard enough, but for your first foray into the world of audiophiles, any of these will more than suffice. The Magni/Modi combo in particular is quite popular and of amazing quality!

The Consensus/Conclusion

Perhaps the most transparent and honest set of cans you will find. The bass is clear and precise but doesn’t really hit as hard as some would like. Just be aware of your sound source before passing judgment on the headphones themselves. Also, a good amp is highly beneficial, if not mandatory to bring out the best in these.

Onto…

2) Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro

Specifications

  • price: check amazon! | check sweetwater! | check eBay!
  • type: semi-open
  • fit: circumaural (over-ear)
  • impedance: 250 ohms
  • frequency response: 5 – 35000 Hz
  • material: velour earpads, plastic
  • headband: soft padded headband construction
  • color: black, grey, silver

Summary

A quick note: the DT880 Pro’s have a coiled cable and a tighter fit. The DT880 Premiums have a straight cable and a looser, arguably more comfy fit. There’s also roughly a $100 difference.

Based in Germany, these things are as rock-solid as it gets really. This super reviewer, and owner of basically every headphone in existence, gives only 4 headphones in his collection an A+ value rating.

This is the second one.

Keep in mind that these are open-backed reference cans, and will not color your sound in any way.

They will bleed sound and people will be able to hear what you’re listening to. Ideal for isolated studio sessions. They aren’t particularly exciting, but rather honest. They are flat and neutral and aren’t really for “enjoying” music so much as critiquing it. These would do extremely well as your primary mixing headphone. Don’t expect to be blown away by the low end, but the high end has a bit of extra sparkle. Coming from Beyer, you know you will get crazy comfort with those velour earpads, and extreme durability. They sometimes lack a deep bass extension, but with a proper amp the bass signature overall really shines. This model also does well with all genres of music.

Pros

  • Extremely Accurate, “Surgical.”
  • Maybe the best investment you’ll make regarding flagship audiophile headphones. Simply an amazing value at this price point.
  • One of the best (if not the best) for mixing/reference.
  • Very comfortable (perhaps THE most comfortable headphone).
  • Clear mid-range, bass response enhanced with a good amp.
  • Casual listeners and producers alike will enjoy and appreciate the sound.
  • Superb build quality (standard for the DT line).
  • Replaceable ear-pads (or earmuffs, as some reviewers like to call them :D)
  • Wide sound-stage.

Cons

  • The high end may be a bit exaggerated to some.
  • Clamp force can be a bit tight at first.
  • While the sound-stage is wide, it lacks somewhat in the imaging dept. Basically, this means that some clarity and detail is lost.

Amp/DAC requirements

 

It is important to know that for 250 Ohm and up, an amp is highly recommended. You may be able to get away with not using one for 250 Ohm impedance, but then again you’d be doing yourself a disservice by purchasing a headphone of this caliber.

That said, there are some good options out there that won’t break the bank. Keep in mind, if it’s not an amp/dac combo (all in one), then your setup would look something like:

Computer/laptop —> DAC —> Amp —> Headphone.

This is a relatively simple way of illustrating it. Most amps need a digital to analog converter so that your brain can make sense out of the numbers. It functions much like an audio interface. The sound is a jumbled mess until it is converted to a signal that we can process. This signal is meant to be of a much higher quality than your standard built-in DAC that comes with your laptop or CPU.

A great affordable combo would be the Schiit Magni + Modi, as well as:

  • Schiit Vali (entry-level, but amazing) + Modi
  • Schiit Asgard 2 + Modi

DACS:

  • Schiit Modi (entry-level, affordable)
  • Schiit Bifrost (a bit more expensive) and can also be paired with the amp of your choosing.

Combo DAC/AMP:

O2 DAC:(a great option that sounds pretty amazing)

Check out this sweet video review!

Who this Headphone benefits?

I’ve heard from a very reliable source that it fares strong with nearly every genre of music, and is 1 out of only 3 other headphones (out of the 58 on his site) that received an A+ price to performance rating. Amazon reviewers have noted these qualities as well. For a list:

  • classical listeners (nice wide sound-stage)
  • audio engineers and producers who need a great mixdown.
  • people who need an open and airy sound, and don’t want to be fatigued wearing headphones for long periods of time.
  • Rock Rambos
  • Metalhead bros
  • Pop Pamelas (lol)
  • Jazzy Jeffs
  • Hip Hop Henry
  • Am I going overboard?

The Consensus/Conclusion

An extremely accurate, neutral set of mixing cans that gives a slight nudge in the treble department. The Soundstage is wide, but some detail may be lost. The low end is clean, but lacking to some.

These headphones are considered one of the go-to cans for mixing. They are comfy, durable, and give you a neutral sound conducive to mixing. If you’re a producer or a casual listener who appreciates honest sound.. they are definitely for you…

Now for the last option…

3.) AKG K701/702

Specifications

  1. price: check amazon! | check sweetwater! | check ebay!
  2. type: open back
  3. color: grey & maroon
  4. fit: circumaural
  5. frequency response: 10 to 39800 Hz
  6. impedance: 62 Ohms
  7. material: leather headband, plastic, velour padding

Summary

These babies are pretty sweet and are particularly good for mixing, as they provide you with a neutral and flat sound. The bass is somewhat lacking, but the mid-range is really its strong suit. The sound-stage on them is exceptionally wide, but some say so wide that they may start to sound a bit unnatural. They are very even sounding across the spectrum, with no frequencies overpowering each-other.

They will require a good amp and are really power-hungry. They aren’t really plug and play type headphones, even at a modest 62 Ohm impedance. They also won’t sound too good playing back low-quality crap, being that they are so honest. The sound is pleasant from your mobile devices, albeit a bit on the weak side.

Be forewarned though, AKG has recently changed its headquarters from Austria to China, and many people aren’t too happy about it. Why? Because the quality has gone down somewhat. That being said, these headphones are still among the best mixing cans available for this price range on the market. They are still getting really good reviews and still have a reputation for being one of the best.

Pros

  • very comfortable (ear pads are circumaural and are made of velour)
  • the headband is made of leather, self adjust to the size of any melon, big or small.
  • very even sounding across the spectrum
  • particularly great mid-range
  • good body, airiness, and clarity
  • does a good job of handling sibilance
  • solid construction
  • great for mixing down tracks
  • the extremely wide sound stage

Cons

  • bass is a tad light
  • slight pressure from the headband after many hours of wear (there are little dots on them that reviewers have complained dig into their dome).
  • the sound may have “tinny” quality until they are burned in for a certain amount of hours (upwards of 100)
  • somewhat bulky
  • the sound may be a bit cold, dry, and TOO analytical for some

My Sennheiser HD600 vs. K702 Comparison

Amp/DAC requirements

Even at low impedance, these will need to be driven by some sort of amp. The Woo Audio A5 will do the trick and is highly recommended. If you are looking for a more affordable solution:

  • Fiio E09K (can be paired with the E17 or used as stand-alone)

This amp has been known to pair well with the 701’s.

Who these headphones benefit?

If you’re looking for a wide, expansive sound-stage, these will do very well. They are also pretty darn good for mixing and will give you a flat, even response. The mid-range on these is particularly good as well, as they render acoustic instrumentation with startling realism.

Consensus/Conclusion

The K701 excels in flat, even sound conducive to mixing, but some may find that they will have to overcompensate due to lack of bass impact. Has a wide sound-stage, great mid-range, as well as good clarity and instrument separation. It lacks comfort as far as the bumpy quality of the headband. They also may be a bit awkward-sounding, since they will expose tiny human flaws in musicianship that other headphones gloss over.

Final Word

It’s a really close call between the DT 880 and HD 600. I’ve gone back and forth seemingly forever on this issue because I’ve been debating long and hard about it for months now. My goal here at home studio basics is the same goal that I hope to arrive at when doing my own research: To find as much information as possible about the product, and then come to a decision on which option better suits me. I want to do the same thing for you!

If you’re going for a headphone with more detailed highs, the DT 880 is your best bet. It has a wider but more 2-d sound stage. With the 880, you are more aware that you’re wearing headphones.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REVIEWS ON AMAZON!!

If you’re looking for that amazing mid-range, and a sound-stage that feels more natural than the 880, go with the HD 600. It’s more 3-dimensional and feels like surround sound speakers rather than headphones. The HD 600 definitely gives off more of a laid back, smooth vibe. It’s overall more of a purely enjoyable listen.

Update as of 1/30/2016:

Well, friend, I’ve finally come to a decision on the best mixing/reference headphone in its class or otherwise. I would go with the Sennheiser HD 600 above all. It’s been called the gold standard, with a price to performance ratio that is through the roof. As you know, I debated a long time over the 880 and the 600. The reason the latter gets the nod is because of the treble range. While the DT 880 is a remarkable headphone, its high end suffers from that sibilance factor. It can be pretty harsh, and very “bright” at times. What does sibilant mean? Conversely, the 600 has been called “veiled” on many occasions, and the debate is longstanding. Veiled is simply that it lacks some air and harmonic content in the high end. Overall though, it has become what producers go to when they need the absolute most honest and flat sound across the entire frequency spectrum. With a mid-range that is just a hare forward, these babies render vocals and acoustics with crazy clarity and startling realism. In that regard, they are something to get excited about and have been called the Genre master as well.

SEE THEM FOR YOURSELF ON AMAZON!!

OR

READ MY FULL SENNHEISER HD 600 REVIEW!!


Well, that’s about it for today! I really hope you learned something during this long-winded article on the best studio headphones for mixing! If you have any further specific questions, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments below, or contact me!

Which of these headphones sounds like the best mixing headphone?? Let me know!!

I very much look forward to speaking with you…

All the best and God Bless,

 

 

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Can’t decide which headphones to purchase? Interested in a complete buyers guide outlining over 40 of the best options on the market? Click on over to the best audiophile headphones to learn more!!

Be sure to also check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!

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14 comments

Tigran Tarbiyan May 27, 2015 - 3:25 pm

Great work. I have never known such good information about headphones.
Best Success!

Reply
Stu May 28, 2015 - 4:33 pm

Thank you Tigran for stopping by!
-Stu

Reply
Victor May 28, 2015 - 7:06 pm

Great info! Are any of these good for mixing live or just in the studio? It sounds like they might be a bit quiet if they need a separate amplifier.

Reply
Stu May 29, 2015 - 2:34 pm

Don’t quote me, but I’m pretty sure they would do really well in a live setting. I’m also fairly certain that there are other options out there meant specifically for DJing, and I have reviewed one, but it wasn’t all that stellar: http://homestudiobasics.com/numark-red-wave-dj-mixing-headphones-any-good

I would like to review more DJ headsets though…

Thanks for the comment though brother!
-Stu

Reply
AnnieLouisa May 28, 2015 - 7:38 pm

Hi Stu Very honest review of the pros and cons of the best studio headphones for mixing. You have explained all the technical stuff well and set all the info out very clearly.

Reply
Stu May 29, 2015 - 2:31 pm

Thanks Annie, I appreciate you dropping in!
All the best,
-Stu

Reply
Kerry Bramham July 24, 2015 - 2:37 am

Hi Stu,
Another great review, you really do know your stuff. To be honest, I don’t have a home studio, nor am I a sound mixer, but I do love music and there is nothing better than listening to it through headsets.
What, in your opinion would be the best headsets for someone like me?
I really enjoy your articles.
Kerry

Reply
Stu July 24, 2015 - 3:04 am

Hey!

Let me know your budget or what you want to spend.. It can really get crazy when you delve deep into the world of snobby audiophiles such as myself!

A few recommendations for budget ranges: ($23, to about $99, to about $150)

1) Sennheiser HD 202. A great entry level model. Won’t break the bank. Sounds great. Can get a bit uncomfortable after awhile. (I own these). Anything less in price than these, don’t even bother.

2) Sony MDR 7506. A bit of a jump in price, these were my introduction to higher end equipment. The reason I recommend these is because they are THE industry standard. If you pay attention, you will inevitably see them pop up everywhere. They have been around for decades and don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. A great model. Great sound.. You will be shocked and amazed at how different your recordings sound.

**3) Audio Technica ATH M50. (Link same as 7506, comparing both) A bit higher than the Sony’s. Yes, these are mixing/reference headphones (like the 7506’s) But they are great all purpose listening cans..(headphones 🙂 I have had these for 2 1/2 years. They are my babies. And never fail me!! There is a reason that I recommend these types of headphones to people. They are what music is supposed to sound like. It doesn’t matter if you’re a producer or not. You will appreciate these 100 fold. I really can’t say enough good things about ’em.**

Anything more in price than 2 and 3 and you’re really getting serious .. Haha, my next set will probably be a jump of about $100-200

Let me know if you have any other questions!

-Stu

Reply
Heidi August 6, 2015 - 6:40 pm

Hi Stu,
good breakdown. I use the ATH M50 for the musicians in the recording room, and there they are top notch. Whenever I need headphones for mixing I also use them of course, never thought about getting different ones. Now I started thinking! The points you make are all valid. And of course, in home recording a good monitoring and a treated room are not always in the book, so good headphones for mixing are really some of the best investments you can make.

What is the “break in period” you mentioned? I never came across this term before.
Thxs for the insights! Will come back here again for sure

Reply
Stu August 6, 2015 - 9:25 pm

Hey Heidi!!

The break in period simply refers to the amount of hours it takes listening with the headphones on before the sound reaches it’s fullest potential. Normally when you put on a pair of high end, or even above average cans on they won’t sound that great at first. It’s only after many hours that the sound signature becomes fully realized.

A lot of people will leave the headphones plugged into an iPod, or other source and just leave it playing on repeat. Others will have it play ambient noise on repeat, which is supposedly better and more beneficial to the phones during the break-in period..

Anywho, thanks a lot for stopping by! If you have any other questions let me know..

All the best,

-Stu

Reply
Chris August 12, 2015 - 8:56 am

Great article on more professional options of headphones – I’ve been following you posts for a while now and enjoying every one of them!
Out of the list you have supplied I would always recommend AKG first ( of course – they are the DADDY! ) but I would also point to Sennheiser products – they have come on leaps and bounds over the last decade and are now a serious audio engineering contender 🙂

Reply
Stu August 13, 2015 - 2:20 am

Hey Chris!

So glad you have been enjoying them.. I’ve definitely put in a lot of hours researching this stuff..I really do love audio equipment and have always loved headphones in particular.. Now I can rabble about it ! Lol. You’re right though.. Sennheiser products have been gaining more and more exposure over the years. I do think they have always been at or near the top, but have recently become a little more mainstream.. People are beginning to realize that better sound does exist, and has always existed. For instance, I didn’t even realize that a lot of these models have been around for decades! It really is amazing when you think about the longevity that these companies strive for in their products.. Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic in particular. And of course AKG 😛 Being a producer and needing a good mixing can, I have really narrowed down my next purchase to either the HD 600 or DT 880 Pro. A really hard decision!!

A note to potential buyers: Upon further research, the HD600’s are the better option for mixing. The 650’s are still up to the task, but you will find a flatter and more neutral response from the 600’s. They aren’t colored or warm sounding, but rather honest and more critical.

Anywho, Check out my Sennheiser HD 600 Review!! Thanks for stopping by! Hope you continue to visit my page

-Stu

Reply
Daniella February 1, 2016 - 11:15 am

Hi Stu,

Awesome article, I really enjoyed reading it! I am not a musician, but my husband is. I would love to make him a nice surprise for his birthday and buy a studio headphone for a start. I like the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro, it looks very professional and pretty as well. I will show this article to my children so they can help me chose one of them:)
Thank you very much

Reply
Stu February 2, 2016 - 12:56 am

Hey Daniella! I also like the DT880, but I would recommend the HD 600 overall to be honest. The 880 is about as close to flat and neutral as it gets. While that is great for mixing, it may be a bit cold and too analytical for your husband, and has a very bright treble range that may be piercing. Yes the 600 is more expensive but it’s pretty much the go to headphone in it’s price range and is the benchmark for which other headphones are measured. Check out my Sennheiser HD 600 review!!

Thanks for stopping by as well. Any other questions just ask!

-Stu

Reply

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