If you want to start an argument in a music forum….
Start with the phrase, the best Studio headphones for mixing are…
And then fill in the blank with the brand that you use
Wait a couple of days until the moderators of the form shut the thread down to further commenting
yep….
Been there done that a few times
So I will try not to take sides to heavily in this debate
Basically, headphones are categorized into two different areas
1) closed-back headphones which are typically used for tracking
2) open-back headphones which are typically used for mixing
The most prominent features here are the fact that closed-back headphones have better sound isolation while open-back headphones tend to have better sound in general
Let’s get to the list
The six best closed-back headphones for recording tracks
1) Sennheiser HD280 Pro
I think headphones from Joe Rogan podcast and you’ll have nailed it
Probably the most commonly use tracking headphone in the industry
Granted, they’re not the best looking nor the best sounding headphones but for the price, I think it’s tough to beat
Click here to compare prices
2) Sony MDR 7506
Probably the closest competitor to the HD2 80s
Sony is a legendary company that produces solid quality just about everything they make
These headphones are no exception
They have a slightly better feel then the HD2 80s, they’re in the same price range, durable, and provide just as much sound isolation
If you look at the reviews from others online he will find approximately the same sentiments
Click here to compare prices
3) Extreme Isolation EX 29
I guess when you name your headphones extreme isolation people should expect that they do exactly that
Give maximum sound isolation
These headphones were designed by a drummer and intended for that specific use
They were designed to mimic industrial use hearing protection
They have 29 decibels of noise suppression which is a pretty respectable number
Even though other headphones boast sound suppression numbers Justice High, from personal experience and I’m not alone in this regard, you will find that they isolate sound better than any of the competition
The reason for this….
It really comes down to how we measure to attain those numbers
Well most of the tests done on headphones are done at a single frequency these headphones block extremely well at all frequencies which is what distinguishes them from the competition
They are extremely ugly but if your priority is isolation then ugly don’t count
Click here to check out prices
Next on the list
4) Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
So far all the headphones that we’ve been reviewing cost around $100
These particular headphones cost over twice that
But wait, there’s a damn good reason
In terms of comfort and sound quality that beyerdynamic with their German design are tough to beat
Anything this company put so generally tends to blow the competition away and these are no
I’m slightly partial because they only headphones I use in my studio or beyerdynamics
Trust me when I say I didn’t make this Choice lightly
Much of my mixing and recording is necessarily done on headphones so I made sure to get ones that I really enjoy listening to and wearing
Anyting beyerdynamic gets the nod
Check out their prices here
5) Focal Spirit Pro
Cheaper closed-back headphones are a huge compromise
Unless of course you spend a little more money
Sometimes you can have both good sound quality and good sound isolation
In the focal Spirits you get exactly that
All the things you would expect from a pair of closed-back headphones with sound quality almost as good as high-end open-back models
These headphones sport memory foam padding which molds comfortably to your head and seals up any gaps that loud noise in and out
See for yourself and I think you’ll be very impressed
Click here to compare prices
6) Shure SRH 1540
Although these headphones look like they have an open back design they are a closed-back
Probably the closest thing you will come to in terms of reference-quality sound from a pair of closed-back headphones
Probably the most attractive looking headphones on the list
In a strange sense you can almost tell how comfortable they are by looking at them
And you would be right
Do they sound as great as they look
If you read reviews on these headphones you will see that most agree that all of the above is true
If someone asked me for my recommendation for the best of the best in a closed-back headphone it would be the Shure
Click here to check out some prices
We’ve covered all the clothes back options so let’s check out the open-back options
The 7 best open-back headphones for mixing in a home studio
One of the unfortunate negative side effects of closed-back headphones is that as sound isolation increases sound quality off and goes down
This is fine for recording tracks when isolation is a high priority
There are a few situations, however, where sound quality is more of a priority
1) when you are recording an instrument Direct
2) when you are mixing tracks
Although mixing is far preferably done on studio monitors
Nowadays with people recording on the move and recording in home Studios where loud volume may be a detriment
Good open-back headphones can be a real game-changer even though they are a compromise for mixing
Given enough time you can learn to compensate for some of the factors that lock in headphones
The primary problem will be identifying spatial cues since headphones are very close to the ear
You can always check these elements of your mix later on open monitors
Let’s get to the headphone shall we
1) Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
These are the headphones that I have been mixing on for 10 years
Having tried over a dozen models I finally settled on the beyerdynamic DT 990
Ironically, I found that their frequency range closely matches my studio monitors
The Adam a7x
I would argue that these headphone stand up in sound quality to headphones three times their price
Some of the best features include
Extremely wide frequency range
Very solid base presence
Super comfortable fit
Trust me, when I say that comfortable fit is a really big deal
Uncomfortable headphones can really cramp your style if you are as fanatical as I am about spending hours and hours in the mix room
You will never have a problem with the beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
Click here and be surprised at the prices
2) AKG K 701
Once Upon a Time AKG k1000 were considered the best headphones in the world
Commonly considered by audio files to be of such renown
The new AKG k701 have picked up where the k1000 left off
With some updated technology to boot
For example
The k1000 is use a flat wire coil technology and so do the K701’s
This provides for a better low frequency sound and allows them to be driven by lower power amplifiers
According to the legendary producer Quincy Jones these headphones have the best sound of any headphones he’s ever heard
As a result, the company created a signature pair have the same headphones
The AKG Q701
Check out some prices here
If you thought the last couple headphones were expensive wait till you check out this bunch
3) AKG K240
If you’re starting out on a low budget then you cannot beat the AKG k240
Just One Look….
And you will be blown away to find out that they cost less than $100
These headphones fit into what I would call the semi-open design
A modification, or hybrid of the two models closed back and open back
These headphones would occupy the rare genre of being effective for both recording and mixing
Probably one of the few options at this price that can live up to these promises
Check out some prices here
Also see an updated version of the AKG k240 Mark II
Next up we have a second option of semi open headphones
4) Samson SR850
It may be hard to imagine but….
It is possible to deliver high-end quality at a price point under $50
The Samson sr850 definitely live up to this claim
You won’t hear them talked about much among the recording and mixing
Not sure why that is
But, if you are a little low on money and want something of decent quality these will fit the
Click here to check out prices
5) Shure SRH 1840
Ever listen to a really good pair of headphones, I mean a really good pair
There’s something about this experience that is extremely unique
Especially when you listen to something as good as the sheer srh1840
You just know when you’re hearing Great Sound and these headphones have great sound
Audio files have considered these and Industry standard for many years and are a very safe bet for those looking for really high-end list at a respectable price
Speaking of prices check here
Now for a real ear opener
6) Sennheiser HD 650
Just about as good as it gets terms of a headphone
Would be the Sennheiser hd650
Considered by many to be the creme-de-la-creme of headphones
Simply check out the reviews these headphones cat if you don’t believe me
it would be easy to criticize these headphones since they’re so expensive
Yet somehow, we don’t see that kind of criticism
Probably one of the best sounding and most comfortable headphones you will ever wear
Check out their prices here
Now for the grand finale of monster Studio headphones
7) Sennheiser HD 800
Legendary is the word that comes to mind when speaking of the Sennheiser HD 800
It began with the HD600
Progressed on to the HD650
Later can’t be HD700
And not satisfied with this progression, they went to the drawing board one more time to create the Sennheiser HD 800
Although not as well-known yet I suspect these will pass that hd650 in terms of reputation soon
Despite their ridiculously high price point they still get a shocking number of really top-notch reviews from satisfied customers
Many of these were views come from people who have upgraded from the hd650
Believe it or not the overwhelming consensus is that the hd800 completely blow them away
If you have deep pockets and what the absolute best then this is my recommendation
Click here to check out the ridiculously high prices