The Best Headphones for Mixing in 2019 (Never miss)

 

Music is an art. Audio professionals work in treated rooms with flat monitoring to create a masterpiece. When it comes to audio mixing and mastering, headphones also play a vital role, especially when you are recording and mixing from your home where constant noise always interrupts you. Many professionals who are running a shortage of funds and can’t afford a proper studio, they prefer to buy the best headphones for mixing. Not only it saves their money, but also provides them good frequency response, clarity and transparency.

If you are also planning to use the best mixing headphones, then it can turn out to be the best option. However, if you want to record and mix solely with headphones, you must have a good pair of headphones specifically designed for audio mixing. Not only high-quality headphones enhance your performance, but also enable you to detect low-end nodes and accurately evaluate a mix.

However, today’s market is saturated with countless numbers of headphones, making it difficult to decide which one to choose. Hence, before you step out to shop the best studio headphones for mixing, it is good to know the things you should consider when purchasing headphones. In this guide, we are going to tell the key factors one should look for in a pair of headphones for audio mixing.

Things to consider when buying headphones for mixing

1. Sound quality: It is vital to remember that the sound equipment such as earphones, headphones and speaker vary with the listener and sound qualities also alter with the audio equipment. The headphones that are designed only for audio mixing will help you to achieve the best quality music. Hence, before you make your final decision, make sure that the headphones you are buying allow you to mix and master the audio accurately so that your music track sounds great no matter on which equipment it’s being played.
2. Comfort: Audio engineers and music producers spent several hours a day wearing headphones over their heads only to record the best music piece. Hence, the best headphones for mixing and mastering should be comfortable to wear. Before you buy your headphones, don’t forget to check that its headband fits your head size and ear pads cover your ears. Not only it helps you to get the best music track, but also protects your ears.
3. Durability: Undoubtedly, the price of headphones for mixing is high but inexpensive than studio monitors. You will never want to end up buying a wrong pair of headphones that last for a short duration. So, it is wise to spend on a good pair that can guarantee durability. It is not like that expensive headphones will not wear and tear, but they can be your best partners for many years to come. Hence, don’t give much importance to price as you will recover its cost with its durability.

While these are the things you should consider when buying headphones for audio mixing, there are many more such as price, noise cancellation, customer feedback, design, recording instruments, bass response, etc. However, if you are still confused and unable to decide on which headphone will suits you the best, then you are at the right place. Here we are going to review the top 10 headphones for audio mixing. We hope, it will help you to find the best headphones as per your needs.

Top 10 headphones for audio mixing

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#1- Sennheiser HD 650 headphones for mixing

It is as good inside as it looks from the outside! These Sennheiser headphones come with an elegant titanium-silver finish. Their exceptionally natural, spatial and accurate sounds are sure to impress you. The open back design works wonders for mixing as it makes audio highly realistic. In adding to that, this design puts you in the center of the audio field. Another visual aspect of these headphones is its large earcups. You will feel comfortable wearing them, all thanks to their soft padding.

Professional mixers are going to love this piece of equipment. Its frequency response, sensitivity and very low harmonic distortion provide rich detail to your audio experience. Along with that, the audio drivers include Neodymium ferrous magnets that are 40mm in size. Even though there are no doubts about their durability, these mixing headphones come with a 2-year international warranty.

There are a few downsides as well. While using these headphones, those around you may be disturbed due to its sound leakage problem. They also lag behind in of noise isolation. Nonetheless, Sennheiser HD 650 is one of the best headphones for mixing even with a couple of drawbacks.

Specifications:

• Headphone Type: Open-back, over-ear
• Frequency response: 10-39,500 Hz
• Sensitivity: 103 decibels

Pros:

• 2-year international warranty
• Very wide frequency range
• Very large earcups
• Harmonic distortion of only 0.5%

Cons:

• Sound leakage may disturb those around you
• Noise isolation could be improved

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#2- Shure SRH1840 headphones for mixing

If you are a professional mixer or anyone who uses headphones for long hours, this one is for you! The padded steel headbands of these headphones are adjustable and comfortable to use. Even though they have a sturdy structure, they are lightweight. Its frame is strong and impressive, but it doesn't lag behind in features. You are going to love its extended high and accurate bass, all thanks to the 40 mm neodymium drivers. The open-back circumaural design produces sounds that seem natural. It also provides a wide stereo image and increases the depth of field for a wide soundstage. The materials used in the headphones are of premium quality, making it one of the best headphones for mixing

But, you need to keep a few things in mind; these headphones aren't suitable for amateurs. It is because they are effective and best with high-end equipment. Moreover, it has a dual-exit cable. Unlike single-exit cables, it is likely to tangle up.

Specifications:

• Headphone Type: Open back
• Frequency response: 10-30,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 96-decibels

Pros:

• Premium material used in parts
• Large soundstage
• Padded headband which is comfortable to wear for long hours
• High audio details with accurate bass and extended highs

Cons:

• Dual-exit cable may be inconvenient to handle
• May not be useful for amateurs

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#3- Samson SR850 mixing headphones

These headphones are for you if you are running on a tight budget, but lower price doesn't mean they lack features. They are a pair of studio reference headphones with big 50mm drivers that aids fuller sound. It has semi-open back cans which provide ambiance and enables you to have a room like audio experience. It has a functional frame as well. The cans come with circumaular pads which make them comfortable to wear. The cans are attached to the headband which is self-adjusting.

These headphones are particularly popular amongst those mixing on headphones for the first time. However, professionals with experience in the arena are also likely to be impressed with its performance.

While they are one of the best headphones for audio mixing at this price, there are some drawbacks as well. Professionals may require a higher quality of audio drivers. Moreover, the earcups aren't the best ones and hence may not be comfortable for all. The durability of the headphones is also on the cheaper side. Anyhow, they are one of the best options in the market if you are looking for headphones at a lower price range.

Specifications:

• Headphone Type: semi-open back, in/on ear
• Frequency response: 10-30,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 98 decibels

Pros:

• Value for money product
• High range of frequency
• Excellent open back design
• Self-adjusting headbands for a natural fit

Cons:

• Professional mixers may not be satisfied with the quality
• Durability could be better

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#4- Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro headphones for mixing

These headphones are one of the ideal options for professional mixing, mastering and editing. If you use studio applications, these are the best studio headphones for bass and treble sound. They ensure exceptionally detailed frequency response. The sounds delivered are accurate with clear and crisp highs. Its wide stereo image and balanced sound quality make it a good reference point in the studio. All of these features come at a comparatively lower price!

The frame of these ideal studio mixing headphones is robust and extremely durable. It has soft, adjustable ear cups which increase wearing comfort. In addition to that, they are extremely lightweight. So, you can wear them for long periods without feeling much discomfort.

But, you do need to consider a few other aspects of the headphones to make an informed purchase decision. The headphones have no noise cancellation which can be a problem if there are distractions in the environment. Moreover, the 250 ohms variant of the headphones may cause problems.

Regardless of some of their drawbacks, these are one of the best budget studio headphones with such high-quality features and durable design.

Specifications:

• Headphone Type: Open back, over-ear
• Frequency response: 5-35,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 96 decibels

Pros:

• Affordable
• Comfortable to wear for long hours
• Wide soundstage
• Robust design

Cons:

• Bass can be improved
• No noise cancellation

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#5- Sennheiser HD 8 DJ headphones for mixing

These Sennheiser studio headphones are sure to impress you with their looks! Sennheiser has kept them plain black but with an excellent finish. However, their looks aren't the only features it has got. If you are a pro in the studio, these headphones are a perfect match for you. They have amazing noise cancellation and super dynamic sound with acoustics. It has a closed-back design with a high SPL which makes mixing with headphones easy even in loud environments.

As for its frame, the ear cups allow you to feel the rhythm and focus on the beats. Comfort is taken care of by the cushioned headbands and ear cups. Moreover, the metals used for its body is of premium quality. So, there are no doubts about its durability. They come in an exclusive protective case with a two-year warranty.

You do need to take care of the product though. The earpads may wear out quicker than expected. Moreover, the ear cups may make squeaky sounds which can be discomforting. Nonetheless, these are one of the best headphones for studio mixing and DJs.

Specifications:

• Headphone type: Closed back
• Frequency response: 8-30,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 115 decibels

Pros:

• Amazing noise cancellation
• Premium metal body with high durability
• Two-year warranty
• Optimum compatibility with DJ equipment

Cons:

• Earpads may wear out
• Earcups may make squeaky sounds while moving your head

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#6- Audio Technica ATH-AD900X headphones for mixing

These are one of the best headphones for mixing audio if you have a low budget. It has an open back design which might seem bulky, but it extremely comfortable to wear for long durations. It has large audio drivers (53 mm) which produce detailed and accurate sounds that are essential for professional mixers. It can handle high volumes and full bass. All thanks to the 3D wing support housing that offers a vibration-proof mechanism. They are coupled with its CCAW Voice Coils, makes it an ideal option for superior sound reproduction.

It has a bulky design, as mentioned before. However, this wouldn't make you uncomfortable once you adjust the headbands. The earcups are large which can accommodate your ears easily and allow ventilation.

These headphones do have their downsides; its design which does look good, feels a little cheap. Moreover, the 3D-wings may be hard to adjust at first, but if you can ignore these flaws, these are quite good mixing headphones at a very affordable price in the market.

Specifications:

• Headphone type: Open back
• Frequency response: 5-35,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 100 decibels

Pros:

• Comfortable to wear for long durations
• Detailed and accurate sound quality
• Wide frequency range
• An affordable option with high-quality features

Cons:

• The design is bulky which can make it difficult to store
• The build feels a little cheap

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#7- OneOdio Adapter-free DJ Headphones

These headphones from OneOdio are one of the best budget-friendly options in the market. These adapter-free headphones come with a detachable spring cable. Its large 50mm audio driver gives a detailed sound that is important for mixing with headphones. In addition, its Japanese driver effectively distinguishes sounds and produce accurate audio. While you may not find the best of features in these headphones, amateurs generally find them sufficient to get started. It has large earcups which easily cover your ears. The padding makes it comfortable to wear while working. Along with that, the headbands are adjustable to give you the fit that works for you.

While these are affordable headphones, there are some areas where it lags behind. The in-hand feel of the build of these headphones is rather cheap. Also, the noise cancellation could be improved to prevent distractions during work. Nonetheless, if you are an amateur looking for mixing headphones, then these will turn out to be a decent pick.

Specifications:

• Headphone type: closed back
• Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 110 decibels

Pros:

• Large earcups and adjustable headband for a comfortable fit
• Decent audio quality for the price
• An affordable option for amateurs

Cons:

• Quality of the build is cheap
• Frequency range is smaller as compared to other options at similar prices
• Noise isolation isn't very effective

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#8- AKG K702 Reference-Class Studio headphones

The open back, over-ear design of these headphones provide maximum comfort for long work sessions. It has a patented Varimotion two-layer diaphragm for an improved high-frequency range. Its unique flat wire voice coil increases sensitivity and treble response. These features are the result of six years of research, making them one of the best headphones for recording and mixing. These premium-class reference headphones, with all the features they are comparatively cheap.

Its earcups are large and comfortable to wear. The 3D foam earpads accommodate your ears. These earpads are replaceable. The thin headband decreases the overall weight of the headphones. It also has a detachable cable with is 3 meters in length.

However, the headband is quite thin which makes it look weak. It might also have durability issues over time.  One other issue with the headphones is that there is no noise isolation. Moreover, sound leakage is quite high. But at this price, these headphones can provide an amazing experience for mixing enthusiasts.

Specifications:

• Headphone type: Open back, over-ear
• Frequency response: 10-39,800 Hz
• Sensitivity: 105 decibels

Pros:

• Patented Varimotion two-layer diaphragm
• Value for money product
• Unique flat-wire voice coil for higher sensitivity

Cons:

• The design is quite bulky, which may not be comfortable for everyone
• The headband may not be as durable as it is thin

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#9- Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm headphones

These are the best closed-back headphones for mixing, recording, filming and live arenas and make it ideal for professional applications. Its low impedance, coupled with its closed-back design, which eliminates background noise and sound leakage. Along with that, its Neodymium magnets and 40mm audio drivers produce detailed sounds.

You can use the headphones quite comfortably as its cable is stretchable. It has a very easy to store design and frame as well. The structure folds up and can be safely stored in a case that comes in the package.

However, there are certain things you should keep in mind before settling for these headphones. Their cord, unlike many other headphones', is not detachable. It is also heavy and not the most portable. The build is of plastic, which does raise some doubts about its durability.

For this price, however, these are one of the best mixing headphones in the market.

Specifications:

• Headphone type: closed back
• Frequency response: 10-20,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 106 decibels

Pros:

• Provides noise isolation with its low impedance and closed back design
• A foldable structure which is easy to store
• The coiled cable allows you to move around a bit while the headphones are connected

Cons:

• Plastic build which may not be as durable
• The coiled cord is heavy and not the most portable

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#10- Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones for mixing

These are one of the best studio headphones for mixing with their accurate audio monitoring across a wide frequency range. They will enhance your mixing experience with their superior sound isolation. It blocks out all the background noise to give you one of the best audio experiences. They are the ideal option for professional studio tracking and mixing, as well as DJ monitoring. The earcups also aid one-ear monitoring as they are freely rotatable. In terms of design, they are particularly useful for those who have long work sessions.

The material used for the headband is highly durable. However, the rest of the build could be better in terms of durability. Your comfort is not a problem as these have professional-grade earpads. The structure is foldable with a detachable cable which makes these headphones very easy to store and carry.

You do need to consider a few things before making your purchase though. These headphones don't have a built-in mic. Also, the bass could be better. Nonetheless, if you are looking for an affordable option for monitoring or just listening to music, these headphones are the perfect match.

Specifications:

• Headphone type: closed back
• Frequency response: 15-24,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 98 decibels

Pros:

• Comfortable earcups
• A foldable design which makes it easy to carry
• Superior sound isolation
• 90 degrees swiveling earcups design

Cons:

• Doesn't have a built-in mic
• Durability issues

While these are the best headphones for mixing available in the market, there are many more, but these all are reviewed on the basis of customer reviews, rating, forum discussions as well as personal experience. We hope that now you will be able to choose the best mixing headphones for you. However, with plenty of options to choose from, finding the right pair of studio headphones is not an easy task, but a little research won’t be amiss. Don’t forget to check the customer reviews before making a final call. For more information, explore the internet.

All the best!