A good set of studio headphones is perhaps the most used piece of equipment in a producer’s studio. They’re a must-have tool for evaluating a mix’s stereo picture, low-end, and fine detail. It’s just as vital to choose the appropriate set of studio headphones as it is to pick the ideal pair of studio monitors, yet it’s a highly personal decision.
The ideal monitor headphones for you in the studio will be those that allow you to mix and create the most epic sounding outcome imaginable. Maybe you’re searching for a set of studio headphones that you can use just for mixing, or maybe you want something that you can use for regular music listening as well. Studio headphones, which are often made to a higher level than most general-listening cans, are also a good option if you’re searching for a pair of workhorse cans that can handle life on the road.
The Sennheiser HD-206 is my top studio headphones selection if you’re searching for a terrific set of affordable studio headphones. These are budget-friendly headphones that have been around for a long time, but the total performance they provide is far from cheap. These headphones are ideal for studio usage, as well as being very light, comfy, and long-lasting for those long days of recording and mixing.
1. Focal Listen Studio Headphones are professional studio headphones from Focal.
For all your music production requirements, these are the best mixing headphones 
A good set of studio headphones is perhaps the most utilized piece of equipment in a producer’s studio. They’re a must-have tool for evaluating a mix’s stereo picture, low-end, and fine detail. It’s just as important to choose the right set of studio headphones as it is to choose the right set of studio monitors, but it’s a very personal choice.
The ideal monitor headphones for you in the studio will be those that allow you to mix and create the most epic sounding outcome imaginable. Maybe you’re searching for a set of studio headphones that you can use just for mixing, or maybe you want something that you can use for regular music listening as well. Studio headphones, which are often made to a higher level than most general-listening cans, are also a good option if you’re searching for a pair of workhorse cans that can handle life on the road.
SPECIFICATIONS
Price: $299/£219/€229
Type: Closed-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 5Hz – 22kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω
Driver type: Mylar/Titanium, 40mm
Connection: Wired
REASONS TO PURCHASE
Sturdy and comfortable fit
Excellent sound reproduction at low levels
Unique appearance
REASONS TO STAY AWAY
Sweat is attracted to silicone headbands.
2. Sennheiser HD-206 Studio Headphones
The best mixing headphones for less expensive music production
The Sennheiser HD-206 headphones are a great option if you’re looking for a low-cost set of studio headphones. The highly strong and durable HD-206 headphones, which have the well-known Sennheiser brand on the headband, are pleasant to use for long periods of time.
The HD-206’s are very accurate for the money, and they compare well to much more expensive competitors. The bass response is very deep and crisp, with lots of clarity in the mids and highs, possibly making them some of the finest guitar amp headphones.
The hypoallergenic ear cushions are more than capable of filtering out unwanted noise in the studio or while on the go, and at this price, you won’t be afraid to put them in your laptop bag carelessly. Get your hands on a pair before Sennheiser realizes how fantastic they are and increases the price.
SPECIFICATIONS
Price: $59/£35/€42
Type: Closed-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 21Hz – 18kHz
Impedance: 24 Ω
Driver type: Dynamic, closed
Connection: Wired
REASONS TO PURCHASE
Equally balanced responsiveness
Excellent for tracking
Durable yet lightweight
REASONS TO STAY AWAY
The cord is too long.
3. Sony MDR-7506 Studio Headphones
Still topping the charts after 35 years
The Sony MDR series has been around for a long time and has a strong studio heritage, as shown by decades of usage in the recording and broadcast industries across the globe. The MDR-7506 is a fantastic blend of comfort, practicality, and value in its present version.
These are meant to show what’s wrong with a recording rather than what’s correct, and are quite pleasant to wear for long periods of time. The sound is strong and clear across the spectrum (with a little bump in the high mids) while not being excessively flattering, comparable to other cans costing twice as much.
Overall, the fact that these workhorse cans can be had for under a hundred pounds is not to be overlooked.
SPECIFICATIONS
Price: $99/£87/€100
Type: Closed-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 10Hz – 20kHz
Impedance: 63 Ω
Driver type: Neodymium, 40mm
Connection: Wired
REASONS TO PURCHASE
Workhorse headphones
Comfortable for extended use
Excellent sound
REASONS TO STAY AWAY
The weight of a long coiled wire might be considerable.
4. Sennheiser HD-25
If you want a tried-and-true DJ favorite, these are the finest studio headphones.
HD-25s are another long-time studio favorite, with experts praising them for their ability to tolerate high sound pressure levels while still delivering outstanding sound reproduction. The HD-25 provides loud and precise sound in a lightweight but strong form, owing to its split headband, rotatable earpieces, and reputation for durability.
The HD-25 is currently available in three flavors (Light, Standard, and Plus) at three price points, and is classified as an on-ear design because the pads are circular and rest on the outside of the ear rather than fully enclosing it. For general studio/DJ duties, you really can’t go wrong with a pair of Sennheiser HD-25’s.
SPECIFICATIONS
Price: $149/£129/€154
Type: On-ear
Frequency response: 16Hz – 22kHz
Impedance: 70 Ω
Driver type: Dynamic, closed
Connection: Wired
REASONS TO PURCHASE
Professional
Lightweight
Sturdy
REASONS TO STAY AWAY
Not the most comfortable earpads
5. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones
One of the best headphones for music creation in general.
The M50 (‘x’ = detachable cable) has been relaunched and is a popular model in the audio market, competing directly with Beyerdynamic and AKG. They’re lightweight, comfy, and fold and flex in all the right places (285g).
Overall, the sound quality is acceptable, albeit they avoid a detailed, airy HF area. The mids are clear and upfront, and the bottom end stretches out without any peaky resonances. They are readily pushed above my comfort level, as are many of the low impedance designs here (these are 38 ohm).
SPECIFICATIONS
Price: $149/£159/€179
Type: Closed-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 15Hz – 28kHz
Impedance: 38 Ω
Driver type: Large-aperture w/rare earth magnets, 45mm
Connection: Wired
REASONS TO PURCHASE
Comfortable
Affordable
DJ friendly
REASONS TO STAY AWAY
High-end but not particularly detailed
6. Audio-Technica ATH-R70x
When you require open-back reference headphones, these are the best mixing headphones.
Open-back headphones, such as the ATH-R70x, are better for extended mixing sessions since they’re lighter and less tiring than closed-back cans, which is excellent news given that this model was created specifically as a reference headset for mixing.
I’ve tried models with more obvious ‘air’ at this price point and higher, but I don’t consider this a flaw – if anything, it means you’re less likely to wind up with a boring mix. The response on the other end is just as smooth, with all the extension you need and no trace of boom or fake fatness.
Moving up, the low mids remain unwrinkled, free of cheap scooping back (a voicing technique sometimes used to disguise uneven response), allowing you to hear exactly what’s going on, for better or worse. Unless the source says otherwise, we’re all about the mids and low mids, and with the R70x, all the juice comes through without complexity; everything is cleanly defined and unmuddled.
Because it’s a high-impedance model, you’ll need to connect it to an appropriate headphone amp to get the greatest results.
SPECIFICATIONS
Price: $349/£279/€339
Type: Open-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 5Hz – 40kHz
Impedance: 470 Ω
Driver type: Carbon composite resin, 45mm
Connection: Wired
REASONS TO PURCHASE
Unique headband design
Good stereo separation
Great clarity and detail
REASONS TO STAY AWAY
It would have been wonderful to have a coiled cable option.
7. Beyerdynamic DT1770 PRO
Mixing low-end frequencies with top studio headphones.
Beyerdynamic is a well-known audio brand, best known for the DT 100 tracking headphones that were popular in the 1980s and 1990s and are still available today. The DT 1770s are very well balanced over the audible spectrum, despite the fact that their current range is vast. They were created primarily for mixing.
There is no perceptible phase change in the midrange, providing for the clarity required for professional usage. The sound stage that is projected into your head is both enjoyable and informative. They show you your audio in great detail, from left to right, front to back, and even into the corners.
Because they’re high-impedance, you’ll have to push them hard, but they’ll mimic whatever your signal chain can throw at them, from discrete reverb tails concealed beneath a bustling mid range to small distortions and clips. The DT 1770s provide excellent quality for audio restoration, mixing, and tracking.
SPECIFICATIONS
Price: $599/£430/€499
Type: Open-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 5Hz – 40kHz
Impedance: 250 Ω
Driver type: Dynamic Tesla neodymium, 45mm
Connection: Wired
REASONS TO PURCHASE
Excellent sound quality
Solid construction
Excellent low-end detail
REASONS TO STAY AWAY
This is not a budget-friendly choice; look for better deals elsewhere on the list.
8. Hi-X65 by Austrian Audio
Ex-AKG personnel developed high-performance open-backed studio cans.
Austrian Audio, a relative newcomer to the pro headphone industry, released its newest studio-centric, open-back design in July 2021 and has already received rave reviews from reviewers and buyers. Excellent, balanced sound that is neutral but very detailed, together with robust build quality, all contribute to a pleasurable listening experience in any environment.
Foldable design for additional mobility, twin detachable cables in 3- and 1.2-meter lengths to suit a range of jobs, and soft, slow-retention memory foam earpads for longer comfort all contribute to the attraction.
The Hi-check X65’s a lot of boxes if you’re looking for a quality set of headphones that excel at mixing and critical listening.
SPECIFICATIONS
Price: $440/£319/€349
Type: Open-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 5Hz – 28kHz
Impedance: 25 Ω
Driver type: 44mm high excursion driver
Connection: Wired
REASONS TO PURCHASE
Excellent detail and separation
Neutral sonic character
Very comfortable fit
Two detachable cables (1.2m and 3m) are included
REASONS TO STAY AWAY
Less well known than Audio Technica, Sennheiser et.
8. Shure SRH1540
A definite favorite from a venerable pro audio brand.
Shure is a brand you should be able to trust when buying headphones for your studio, with a pro audio heritage spanning decades. Professionals and audiophiles alike will appreciate the premium model SRH1540’s, which provide exceptional acoustic performance, comfort, and longevity.
The 1540’s are capped with elegant Alcantara leather earpads for optimum comfort and sound isolation, with a wide soundstage and superb transient detail across the board, with clean, extended highs and warm bass in a lightweight aluminum and carbon fibre design.
Despite the fact that the 1540’s are far from the cheapest choice on the list, their performance more than compensates for the cost.
SPECIFICATIONS
Price: $645/£469/€550
Type: Closed-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 5Hz – 25kHz
Impedance: 46 Ω
Driver type: 40mm neodymium driver
Connection: Wired, dual-exit
REASONS TO PURCHASE
Light and comfortable fit
Impressive low-end extension
Alcantara ear cushions
REASONS TO STAY AWAY
Non-foldable
10. Beyerdynamic DT-770 PRO
Without breaking the money, you may own a classic pair of studio headphones.
Professionals and amateurs alike have praised Beyerdynamic headphones as the go-to studio headphones for producers looking for exceptional build quality and longevity.
The DT-770s, like the DT-1770 models previously mentioned in this book, provide a terrific flat frequency base that allows you to hear your mix in great detail. Furthermore, the plush cushioned headband ensures that you may work on your mix for hours without becoming fatigued, and the durable build ensures that they will endure.
These wonderful headphones provide incredible value for money and are a perfect first step into the world of studio headphones, coming in at a far more wallet-friendly price point than the DT-1770.
SPECIFICATIONS
Price: $150/£110/€130
Type: Closed-back, over-ear
Frequency response: 5Hz – 40kHz
Impedance: 250 Ω
Driver type: Dynamic Tesla neodymium, 45mm
Connection: Wired, dual-exit
REASONS TO PURCHASE
Comfortable on the ears
Flat frequency response
REASONS TO STAY AWAY
There is no way to remove the cable.