Studio headphones contribute to the mixing process, as they help sound engineers and musicians hear their recordings more clearly.
When you spend long hours in the studio working on production, mixing, and mastering, having the best studio headphones will make your job easier.
If you’re looking for a great pair of headphones that fit your budget and specifications, check out our list of the best studio headphones for mixing.
list of top 10+ Best Studio Headphones for Mixing in 2025
1. Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone
The Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone offers an impressive balance of clear, detailed audio that’s suitable for both professional and home audio.
High-quality sound performance: Equipped with neodymium magnets and 40mm drivers, these headphones deliver powerful and accurate sound across a wide frequency range, making them ideal for those looking to capture every nuance of audio.
The closed-ear design not only provides comfort for long-term wear but also effectively minimizes external noise, providing an immersive listening experience for focused work or leisure.
Overall, the Sony MDR7506 headphones are a solid choice for those seeking stability, clarity, and comfort in a professional-grade foldable design.
2. Sony MDR-7506 Noise Cancelling
If you want something a little more wallet-friendly, try the Sony MDR-7506.
These retro over-ears have become a studio mainstay thanks to their balanced sound and closed-back design, which helps reduce the risk of audio leaking into your recording.
There is a bit of thump, rumble, and boom in the sound, but the midrange is very flat, so it doesn’t overwhelm vocals and lead instruments.
They also deliver audio consistently throughout the listening session and have decent leakage performance, which is great for monitoring audio at moderate volumes.
Unfortunately, they struggle to block out ambient noise like background noise.
The coiled audio cable helps prevent tangles when you want to move around the studio. However, manufacturers tend to cut corners when it comes to quality at this price point.
Unlike the more expensive Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, the audio cable on the Sony headphones isn’t detachable, so if it gets damaged, you’ll have to replace the entire unit unless you’re handy with a soldering iron and can perform repairs.
Despite the metal and plastic parts, the build feels cheap and can creak when placed on your head. However, it offers a balanced sound that’s great for recording.
It’s designed with repairability in mind, so the screws make it easier to remove and replace parts than most modern headphones, but it’s not luxurious.
3. AKG K371
When it comes to closed-back headphones, the AKG K371 blows away almost every other competitor in its price range.
The frequency response (5Hz-40kHz) is still a bit V-shaped, but it’s much more neutral than Audio-Technica’s ATH-M40x.
Yes, there’s still a bit of exaggeration in the lowest bass and highest treble, but considering that this is a relatively budget-friendly design, the slight discrepancy has to go through the roof.
The same can be said for the less-than-ideal build and comfort, which is a small price to pay for convenience.
4. Shure SRH840A Professional Headphones
The Shure SRH840A Professional Headphones are a fantastic choice for mixing and are designed with the precision and detail that musicians and producers demand.
Designed for professional audio engineers and musicians, they boast a refined frequency response that extends lower into the range than other products, providing a more weighty and accurate sound.
This precision makes them ideal for critical listening and studio work, where every detail of your mix matters.
The sound profile is also balanced, so it doesn’t overly color your audio, allowing your mix to translate well into a variety of listening environments.
The SRH840A model boasts a comfortable design with an adjustable headband and a foldable design for easy storage.
The closed, circular design provides excellent sound isolation, making it perfect for noisy environments or recording sessions.
Furthermore, the signature durability that Shure is known for in its microphones is reflected in these headphones, making them a reliable investment.
5. Audio-Technica M70x
Audio-Technica is one of the most popular entry-level music production brands, and the M70x is known as their flagship model.
While we wouldn’t recommend dropping them or swinging them around the room, these studio headphones are so solidly built that they’ll likely break pretty badly by the time you play the last note.
People often complain that closed-back studio headphones have too much bass.
However, the M70x has a satisfying mid-focus, so you won’t be hit with too much bass. Overall, this is a great piece of technology from Audio-Technica.
6. Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X Closed Studio Headphones
The Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X headphones excel at delivering premium sound for both recording and casual listening, thanks to their closed design and versatile compatibility.
The STELLAR. 45 drivers deliver clear, distortion-free audio, making these headphones ideal for music producers and audio editors who require precise sound.
Soft, replaceable ear pads and a detachable cable enhance long-term comfort and adaptability, especially during long listening sessions.
These headphones are a solid choice for those looking for reliable audio quality and a solid design that will ensure consistent performance across a variety of devices.
7. Sennheiser HD 800 S
If you prefer open-back, the Sennheiser HD 800 S is worth considering. Compared to closed headphones, which are better suited for recording, open-back headphones are a great choice for mixing.
The design allows the audio to leave the earcups and interact with the surroundings, helping to create a more immersive and natural soundstage.
Sennheiser is the best open-back headphone, but it is very expensive, so it is not for everyone. It also requires a powerful amplifier to drive it, so if you don’t already have one, it may cost you extra.
These premium open-back headphones offer a balanced sound profile with accurate midrange response, so vocals and lead instruments sound clear and precise.
The treble response is generally flat, with a bit of mid-high that adds presence to vocals. Like most open-back headphones, they struggle to reproduce the thumping and rumble of the bass.
The audio cable is detachable, and you get a spare cable in the box, as well as a 1/4″ to 1/8″ adapter.
They are also solid and premium in construction, and are very comfortable to wear.
Unfortunately, the pins that hold the hinge together tend to loosen over time, which is annoying, and some may prefer a little less plastic in the construction for the price.
The equally premium HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version doesn’t have this issue and has more bass thump, but it’s also larger and heavier due to its planar magnetic drivers. That said, it’s still worth considering for mixing.
8. Philips SHP9500
The Philips SHP9500 is the cheapest studio headphones we’ve tested. There aren’t many open-back headphones to choose from in this price range.
Most of them have flimsy, plasticky build quality and lack durability. However, the Philips are quite well-made and are worth considering for their balanced sound profile and immersive soundstage.
These cans are suitable for most genres, but EDM fans may miss the lack of bass. The midrange is well-balanced, delivering accurate and detailed vocals and instruments.
Like the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO, the Philips has a slightly boosted treble, which can sometimes make cymbals sound sharp.
Like most open-backs, these comfortable headphones leak a lot of audio, so they’re better for mixing than recording.
However, because of their open design, they don’t block out much ambient sound, so unless you’re in a noisy environment, they should be comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
9. AKG K712 Pro Reference Studio Headphones
The AKG K712 Pro headphones are an underrated choice, but they’re nonetheless one of the best mastering headphones you can find. They cost a bit more than most on this list, but they’re worth it.
The soundstage on these headphones is truly expansive. Elements that you thought were close to you in the mix can be heard farther away, yet still retain clarity and detail.
The highs are smooth and the lows are present without being overpowering. However, the sound signature can take some getting used to, so it’s worth trying them out for yourself before you buy to see if they work for you.
10. Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
Sennheiser has gone all-in on the HD 490 Pro. Opening the package, you’re presented with all the accessories that go beyond the parts in the box.
A premium case, extra detachable lids, a couple of ear pads (I wouldn’t recommend using the fabric ear pads for critical mixing), and most importantly, a copy of the Dear Reality dearVR MIX Sennheiser version software.
These are excellent headphones with wide imaging, but the midrange isn’t as linear as the previously mentioned HD650.
What sets these apart is the inclusion of dearVR MIX software. This software allows you to virtually transform the sound of your headphones into the sound of a well-processed studio with high-end studio monitors.
Essentially, this changes the way you listen to and interact with your music by providing the closest possible studio monitor sound with headphones.
These headphones are perfect if you’re looking for a pair that can provide multiple sounds to reference your mixes. All things considered, you can be sure that the 490 Pro deserves the name HD.
11. SubZero SZ-MH200 Monitoring Headphones
The most affordable entry in this lineup, the SubZero SZ-MH200 monitoring headphones pack a serious punch.
The closed-back design effectively minimizes any external leakage and interference, so these headphones perform at their best even in unprocessed studio or home studio settings.
The low 60-ohm impedance is perfect for driving any high-quality headphone amplifier from your interface, and they can drive up to 94 dB without distortion across the entire 20 Hz-20 kHz range.
They’re not over the human hearing range, but they’re comfortable for the range they occupy.
Surprisingly, they’re not muddy or boomy, with clear highs, making them a great option for mixing in the entry-level price range. What really stands out to me is the build quality. They’re budget-friendly, but they don’t feel cheap.
The inclusion of a 3.5mm jack and a 6.3mm adapter is a thoughtful touch that will suit a variety of audio equipment needs.
However, it may not be suitable for the most discerning audiophiles who seek absolute accuracy in sound reproduction.
Conclusion
There are a lot of things to consider when looking for the best headphones for mixing, but hopefully after reading this article you will feel much more confident in your purchase.
Ultimately, it’s important to find headphones that provide a neutral sound and good imaging for your hearing.
Also read: Top 7+ Best Headphones For Recording Vocals