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11 Best Headphones For Mixing [October 2023]: 11 Great Mixing Cans You Can Buy

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If you have a studio or otherwise you are a mixing enthusiast, you have come to the right place. In this article, I have compiled a list of the 11 best headphones for mixing.

Before we go down the line explaining in details and deep dive  in all great mixing cans, let’s have a look at our top 3 choice first.

Best of overall

Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro

beyerdynamic-dt-1990-pro-open-studio-headphones

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editor’s choice

Rode NTH-100

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Value for money

OneOdio Monitor 80

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If you are in a hurry to read the whole article but still want to know which mixing cans are best fit for you from the list of the 11 best headphones for mixing, check out my recommendations below:

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  • Battery: Wired
  • Sound: High Resolution
  • USP: Best Overall
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  • Battery: Wired
  • Sound: High Resolution
  • USP: Editor Choice
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  • Battery: Detachable Cable
  • Sound: Studio Sound
  • USP: Best Value for Money
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q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00HVLUR86&Format= SL160 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=smalltechy 20&language=en USir?t=smalltechy 20&language=en US&l=li2&o=1&a=B00HVLUR86Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Studio Monitor Headphones

  • Battery: Detachable Cable
  • Sound: Studio Sound
  • USP: Best Mixing Headphones
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q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B09G777VG7&Format= SL160 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=smalltechy 20&language=en USir?t=smalltechy 20&language=en US&l=li2&o=1&a=B09G777VG7beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X Open-Back Studio Headphones

  • Battery: Detachable Cable
  • Sound: Studio Sound
  • USP: Best Mixing Headphones
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  • Battery: Wired
  • Sound: Studio Sound
  • USP: Best for Audiophile
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q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B076HP574T&Format= SL160 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=smalltechy 20&language=en USir?t=smalltechy 20&language=en US&l=li2&o=1&a=B076HP574TSENNHEISER HD 660 S - HiRes Audiophile Open Back Headphone

  • Battery: Wired
  • Sound: Studio Sound
  • USP: Best for Audiophile
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  • Battery: Detachable Cable
  • Sound: Studio Sound
  • USP: Best Studio Monitor
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  • Battery: Wired
  • Sound: Wide Sound Field
  • USP: Best Studio Monitor
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  • Battery: Wired
  • Sound: High Resolution
  • USP: Best Studio Monitor
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  • Battery: Detachable Cable
  • Sound: High Resolution
  • USP: Best Music Production
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My friend owns a studio and we have been using these headphones for making creative and mixing for some time now.

And my experience tells me these mixing cans offer a great soundstage and excellent sonic picture of every aspect of the frequency range.

For professional mixing and production, you need to have good pair of headphones. It may sound a little subjective, but in the absence of these headsets, you may miss many great details in your music.

This list of headphones for mixing includes very well-tested and perfectly curated cans. The list is also tailored made to suit different budgets.

There’s an element of getting what you pay for, but some budget options are still very good.

If you are in hurry to read all the reviews but still want to know which headphones are best for mixing and recording, check out my recommendations below.

When you need headphones for mixing, it’s always a good idea to get the right pair for your needs. That will take your mixing and production to the next level.

There are various options available for different occasions. For example, if you want a headphone for live studio recording, closed-back headphones are good options because you have full control over monitoring the live recording without the sound going into the mic.

On the other hand, it’s a better idea to have more spacious and immersive open-back headphones for mixing, because they are more comfortable for a long day in the studio session.

In my experience, the best headphones for mixing usually come with a coiled cord that allows let to move freely in the studio.

These are very popular over-ears headphones and are very well-known in the mixing and recording community.

Based on my experience, I would say they offer amazing value for money and is surprisingly well-built and durable despite different their different price rage.

I am sure by now, you are well aware of the significance of a good headset for your mixing. So, have you ever wanted to settle for inferior headphones that not only strain your health but also don’t go well with your recording and mixing experience?

Of course not. For that matter, I made it very easy to pick the best mixing headsets for you. Therefore, I have put together a list of the 11 great over-ear cans that consistently offer a great recording and mixing experience.

Try the headset that has been carefully curated for you.

In Case You Are in a Hurry, Check Out Our Overall Best Pick

Best of overall

Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro is 250 ohms, 45 mm dynamic Tesla neodymium drivers. The headphone offers an open studio reference class for mixing and mastering. It has a Single-sided, detachable cable with mini-XLR connectors.

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How I Pick the Best Headphones for Mixing

Picking the best headphones for mixing needs a lot of research, testing, and experimentation. That’s when I could help myself to pick the best for my viewers and mixing and recording enthusiasts.

Frankly speaking, only a true recording professional can explain what it means to have top-quality premium headphones and what difference they make to your mixing experience.

I am very fortunate, as said above, one of my friends has his studio and he does all his mixing mastering there and helps me in my selection.

Good materials and a good gaming headset will give you added value over the competition and set you apart.

But how do you know if the headset you’re buying is of good quality and fits your needs?

I take a few things into utmost consideration while recommending these headsets to my readers through my article.

Here are quick basic pointers I keep in mind and help me to pick up the top mixing headsets.

  • Of course the sound quality is the most important factor I keep in mind before purchasing these headphones
  • It’s certainly not easy to find a device that is compatible with all platforms. Therefore, it’s important that I check the compatibility of the headphones
  • Another important point that I keep in mind is comfort for long-lasting sessions
  • The flexibility of the ear pads and headband is a very important determinant for me
  • Budget is yet another very important deciding factor because it’s all about affordability for all
  • Microphone quality matters a lot because recording and mixing enthusiasts have their individual preferences in terms of location

Why You Can Buy From The 11 Top Picks of Headphones for Mixing?

I never pick any pair of headphones based on stand-alone criteria. In fact, I have a professional team including my friend for recording, mixing, and mastering.

While writing this post, I roped in many professional mixing engineers including my own friend who has his own recording studio.

Therefore, these pairs of headphones are very well-tested and tried by experts. I pick only those pairs that experts recommend.

Whether you’re an expert or a novice in the mixing or mastering domain, this list of headsets is for all, that really makes a significant difference in your music experience.

You might even consider a new set of headphones if you’ve upgraded to a new mixer or audio interface.

Depending on the equipment you are using, you may need headphones that can receive higher-voltage audio signals through the XLR cable.

High-impedance headphones are of better quality and usually have a more robust design.

If you’ve set up your home studio with sound isolation and acoustics in mind, it might be time to consider a set of open-back studio headphones.

These types of headphones typically offer comfortable listening and an expansive soundstage.

New magnetic drivers allow studio and audiophile headphones to produce a wider soundscape and more transparent sound.

In comparison to older headphones, the newer models offer a more detailed sound and a more accurate frequency response over a wider range.

Even in noisy environments, modern over-ear headphones perform better for musicians and gamers. They also tend to have less distortion and can produce an accurate sound at lower volumes.

I am pretty confident I will help you to pick the best headphones you are looking for that meets all your requirements.

Here are the best headphones for mixing! Check out the best picks and make the most out of them buddies!

Top 11 Great Mixing Cans You Must Have a Look- At A Glance

Here are the top 11 picks of headsets for mixing at a glance for everyone.

  1. beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro for Mixing
  2. Rode NTH-100 Professional Over-Ear Headphones
  3. OneOdio Monitor 80 Open Back Headphones
  4. Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Professional Studio Headphones
  5. beyerdynamic DT900 PROX Studio Headphones
  6. Sennheiser HD600 Hi-Res Dynamic Headphone
  7. Sennheiser HD660-S Audiophile Open Back Headphone
  8. HIFIMAN XS Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Hi-Fi Headphones
  9. Sennheiser HD 560S Over- Ear Audiophile Headphones
  10. Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone
  11. Status Audio CB-1 Studio Monitor Headphones

Top 11 Great Headphones for Mixing You Can Buy Now

These are the best headphones for mixing very carefully curated and picked after using them for weeks and months.

Let’s dive in and see how each of them comes out in overall performance.

1. beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro for Mixing

Best of overall

Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro is 250 ohms, 45 mm dynamic Tesla neodymium drivers. The headphone offers an open studio reference class for mixing and mastering. It has a Single-sided, detachable cable with mini-XLR connectors.

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The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro open-back headphones deliver the promise. These are approximately the sound exceptional.

I am sure you also are not be disappointed!

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro delivers excellent audio given its retail price. The lows are fantastic as they are now no longer overly effective but have a sufficient kick at the same time as handing over simply the proper quantity of bass.

When it comes to mids, vocals and devices sound clean and emphasized no matter the style you are listening to.

Some songs will have an excessive amount of bass, which disturbs the track’s vocals. What impressed me the most is the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro’s capacity to hold the bass in test and allow vocals to flourish.

In addition, it’s important to see readability and distortion while selecting headphone purchases. I was very excited to discover that, while examining the highs, there was no distortion or crackling.

Like each set of headphones, however, the DT990 is not free of a few drawbacks including a budget. The open-back layout isn’t always best for ordinary use because leakage is present.

Therefore, these will not be the best if you are now no longer in a non-public area. Leakage can now and again additionally suggest negative isolation.

Due to the open-back design, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro’s do not provide isolation below 1KHz.

They reproduce detailed, clean, and crisp sound with a spacious soundstage. The band has a metallic body that ensures the DT990 Pro is sturdy and durable can.

However, I do not recommend putting an excessive twist and turn or bend upon these open-back headphones.

It is very for me to see the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro has a very stable build at first site. It feels robust while put over your head.

The DT 990 Pro is very good for professional mixing, editing, and mastering. The can’s transparent, spacious, sturdy bass and treble are ideal for studio programs.

At the same time as making sure to consolation for extended sessions

Pros
  • Overall excellent value for the money
  • Good frequency range delivery
  • Great for professional mixing
  • Detailed, clean sound
Cons
  • Leakage sound doesn’t make them best for ordinary use
  • You may not like negative isolation
  • Excessive twist and turn can damage the headband

2. Rode NTH-100 Professional Over-Ear Headphones

editor’s choice

The headphone is optimized for mixing, and long-format content creation and is very comfortable for long sessions. It comes with double-sided cable attachments that provide great flexibility. Accessories include a storage pouch, 2.4m headphone cable, a high-quality threaded adaptor, and colored ID rings

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Hey, hey friends, are looking for one of the best headphones for monitoring, mixing, and mastering? Yea. You got it right.  The Rode NTH-100 is one of these.

This pair of headsets produce clarity and give a great experience that you can go about monitoring, mixing, and mastering with a true sonic representation of sound.

The NTH-100s are powered by 40mm dynamic drivers that deliver a frequency response of 5Hz – 35kHz at 32 ohms, with a sensitivity of 110dB/V.

I am very happy to see that these cans have a 2.4m straight TRRS cable, 3.5mm to the ¼-inch adapter, and a soft pouch for storage.

It’s also a pleasure to see that the end caps for the cable consist of multiple color variations. The first thing that came to my notice when I opened up the box was the shape of the ear cups.

Frankly, I don’t know whether it was a good idea to have designed these earcups. But it makes a little sense to me to have earcups designed that are more or less identical to the human ear.

Does this sound good? Yea, it does for me!

I tried and tested many headphones over the years. All of them needed me to put a little extra effort to fit them over my head.

I am happy Rode NTH-100 has a slightly different approach to these particular headsets. They have a locking system that lets you faff about with the fit once and then move on through.

Impressive! FitLok is simple yet elegant with two locking points for each side. It turns out the CoolTech feature isn’t just a marketing gimmick.

It really worked for me. I felt there is a cooling sensation around my ears within a few seconds of putting the mixing headsets over my head.

While the initial sensation doesn’t last, after several hours of monitoring and mixing in a stuffy studio. But, interestingly for me, the layer of cooling gel nestled underneath the Alcantara does the job of keeping the temperature down.

All in all, it’s a very good headphone with excellent recreation of sound, comfort, and robust and quality construction throughout. This is one of the best headphones I tested and experimented with in a while.

Pros
  • Good clarity of sound and experience
  • Delivery of sonic representation of sound
  • Headset remains cool with a cooling gel
  • Overall, great headset for mixing ad mastering
Cons
  • Not very exciting very casual listening
  • Design and build a little inconsistent
  • Plastic and metal parts don’t seem to gel well

3. OneOdio Monitor 80 Open Back Headphones

value for money

OneOdio Monitor 80 is Hi-Res audio certified excellent headphone for mastering, mixing, or tracking. It has a 40mm driver to deliver advanced high-precision etched diaphragms protected by aluminum honeycomb housing. The open-back design reduces distortion and reproduces the accurate and full-range pure sonic experience.

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Whether you’re a mixing enthusiast, audio jokey, DJ, music producer, or just a hobbyist, the OneOdio Monitor 80 has something for all.

These headsets are very lightweight and comfortable for long sessions of reproduction and recording work. More interestingly, this is a well-balanced monitor with warm and accurate tones.

It needs an amp to get the best sound, but with enough power, it’s great for both content creation and entertainment.

Like all OneOdio headphones, I love the Monitor 80 which is foldable and compact for portability. The Monitor 80 is mostly made of lightweight plastic, with the exception of the metal grille on the open-back earpads.

Going by such a lightweight, it felt as though the headphone is made with some cheap material. However, a closer look dispel all that myth, the build quality is very good.

I used these headphones for some time now and they’ve held up really well for me. The hinges and pivots are solid but smooth and there’s no or negligible squeak or rattle when using the headphones.

With ample foam padding on the headband and large plush velour ear pads, these are really comfortable.

Combined with the slight clamping force, the Monitor 80 headphones are extremely comfortable to wear even during long listening sessions.

In addition, the open design of the headphones allows your ears to breathe. This is one of my favorite features of the OneOdio headphones that are an adapter-free design.

The left earpad of the headset is equipped with a 3.5mm connector and the right one has a 6.35mm connector. This helps me to use the terminator to connect to headphones or an audio source.

Another great feature is Shareport technology. This allows me to easily connect additional headphones to any available port on the Monitor 80 to share music with friends and family.

Overall, the OneOdio Monitor 80 headphones deliver an excellent performance coupled with a flat sound signature, perfect for sound editing, and mixing at an affordable price.

Pros
  • Delivery of accurate and warm tone

  • Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
  • Breathable earpads
  • Very good overall performance
Cons
  • Somewhat inconsistent treble

  • Flat tuning doesn’t deliver very exciting experience

4. Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Professional Studio Headphones

Sturdy design

Delivers great bass sound at an affordable price. Very good choice for mixing, listening and audio recording. Closed-back headphones have a strong build and design. Offer reasonably comfortable ear cups.

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The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are great-sounding closed-back headphones for critical listening.

The headsets deliver outstanding bass, midrange, and treble reproduction, and are sturdy and durable for long-lasting use.

However, their studio design offers only passive isolation from ambient noise and no audio control, so it’s not ideal for noisy environments or commuting.

The 45mm dynamic drivers are located behind the ear cushions, leaving about 6.5cm x 6cm of space to fit around your ears.

The pads feel stiff at first but break with normal use without issue. The vinyl material that wraps the ear cushions retains heat, but the ATH-M50x are comfortable for about two hours.

The clamping force is secure and not too tight. But for eyeglass wearers, it can become less than optimal after a while.

To be honest, we are more confident in the build quality of the ATH-M50x than the wallet-friendly ATH-M20x.

One of the reasons the ATH-M50 headphones from Audio-Technica became popular was because it was kind of anti-beat.

In other words, they are headphones for selected and smart listeners who overpaid and looked down on those who got sucked all over Beats’ marketing machine.

The ATH-M50x are well-made headphones. The high-density plastic used in the earcups and headbands makes them sturdy and durable.

You can survive a few falls without taking much damage. However, like the ATH-M40x, the joints are the weak point where the headphones are prone to breakage.

The metal frame used to reinforce the headband is thicker than the ATH-M30x. When it comes to sound, the ATH-M50x headphones are almost flawless.

The tonal balance is precise, stereo imaging for closed designs is spacious, and dynamic impact is excellent.

Audio-Technica claims there is no sonic difference between the original ATH-M50 and the updated version

But our experience shows the ATH-M50x models sound clearer with more detailed bass, mids and highs.

When we put it back on the ATH-M50 headphones, the sound is a little hazy and cloudy. So, we found that the sounds are very similar but not identical.

Great for neutral listening. The Audio-Technica M50X offers balanced audio reproduction and moderate bass.

It has a balanced midrange that accurately reproduces instruments and vocals, and the treble is neither too sharp nor too deep.

However, the closed design can limit the soundstage a bit, but the sound quality did not disappoint us.

Pros
  • Impressive audio reproduction

  • Thumping bass at an affordable price
  • Strong build and design
  • Comfortable to wear for a long time

Cons
  • We felt the headsets should have integrated mic

  • No great noise isolation is felt
  • We felt the headphones heating up more often than usual

5. beyerdynamic DT900 PRO X Studio Headphones

Sturdy design

The beyerdynamic DT900 PRO X comes with an impedance of 48 ohms. The STELLAR.45 driver delivers the best sound in studio quality without any distortion.It has a memory foam headband, spring steel bracket, and velour ear pads.

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The Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X offers something for content creators, music professionals, and audio enthusiasts alike.

All thanks to the German headphone maker. It continued to set the standard for the quality of good open-back headphones for a while.

If you are looking for something you can buy for a variety of uses, the DT 900 PRO X may just fall short of that. But, I am sure it will meet the maximum expectations of end users.

If I speak in a nutshell, Beyerdynamic headphones are classy. From the supple velour ear pads to the brushed metal headband, the Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X doesn’t feel cheap.

The matte black design looks great in any studio setup, and Beyerdynamic completes the professional look without making any effort to highlight the branding of the headphones.

What makes me a little disappointed is the mixing headset doesn’t have a folding mechanism, therefore, earcups don’t fully rotate.

The DT 900 PRO X isn’t very portable. These studio headphones may not be far from your desk, but if you need to take the DT 900 PRO X with you, Beyerdynamic includes a soft carrying case.

I am very impressed with the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO X because it does an excellent job when it comes to reproducing sub-bass, bass, and midrange frequencies.

This is the perfect headset for audio production and mixing. The DT 900 PRO X are very good headphones when used for their intended purpose.

As I mentioned, open-back headphones are usually very good at playing music. But the one thing I feel on the other side is that the isolation is very poor. Sometimes, they are very bad also.

Since it’s an open-back headphone, the Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X’ allows sound to flow easily in and out of your cans.

I enjoyed these headphones for mixing and listening in a closed room. In the open, ambient noise did drown out the audio significantly.

Be careful when listening to music with headphones near other people. You may hear something bleeding from the ear cup.

Pros
  • Excellent delivery of sound

  • Detachable parts
  • Comfortable for long sessions

Cons
  • Lacks isolation by design and nature

  • Doesn’t have a very good portability
  • More suitable for closed-room use

6. Sennheiser HD600 Hi-Res Dynamic Headphone

Good Sensivity

The Sennheiser HD 600 open-cans have excellent design and finish. These are wired headphones with oxygen-free copper cable and low-noise handling. The cans deliver great sensitivity and dynamics with neodymium ferrous magnets. They deliver excellent transient response because of their light-weight aluminum voice coils.

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I am happy! When I got the Sennheiser HD600, I could feel the most transparent and natural presentation of the audio experience the headphone offers.

These open-back headsets are very balanced and neutral, with a good balance of bass and treble.

Starting with the bass, I noticed there is a slight hump around 100Hz before dropping off between 70Hz.

Other tracks in comparison to other headphones around a similar price range and the bass light response look a little lacking.

That doesn’t mean the bass is poor quality, it’s impressive even without distortion, but the mid and upper bass boost can leave you wanting more if you’re inclined to bump.

Impedance drives the headphones and measures the amount of energy required to a staggering 300 ohms for the Sennheiser HD600, while typical consumer headphones are under 50 ohms.

How does this help you?

Well, that means the headphones can handle higher levels of amplification. The downside is that to get the most out of the HD600, you’ll also need an amplifier or playback device that can put out a good amount of power.

The Sennheiser HD600 features detachable oxygen-free Kevlar copper cables. It connects at 3.5mm and comes with a 1/4″ adapter.

The build quality of the headphones is great, but the cable quality falls a bit. For such great headphones, the standard cable feels cheap. They are very fragile and seem to break in a short time.

If you’re an audiophile, the Sennheiser HD600 needs no introduction. Considered by some to be the most famous open-back headphones ever released.

Pros
  • Comfortable for long sessions

  • Deliver balanced sound
  • Appealing design and a very good finish
  • Good bass delivery

Cons
  • Price looks on the higher side

  • Connecting looks cheaper by price standard
  • Amplifier required for professional performance delivery

7. Sennheiser HD660-S Audiophile Open Back Headphone

perfect audiophile

You have got a complete package for hi-resolution audiophile. Open-back headphones strike a perfect balance for listening and music reproduction. Produces very well-balanced and clear mid-range. Great for musical fun and professional mixing & editing at home.

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The Sennheiser HD 660 S are open-back headphones for critical listening. During our usage, we did find the audio reproduction is good and comfortable enough for long listening sessions.

However, they are considerably tighter than other Sennheiser headphones we used so far. For example, the Sennheiser HD 650.

One disadvantage of open headphones is that they do not provide good isolation due to their open design.

The same limitation falls in line with the HD 660S.  This is virtually immune to external noise.

Unsurprisingly, the measured passive isolation of the Sennheiser HD 660S isn’t great. We could hear our surroundings, as well as people nearby, can hear us too.

In private settings it’s fine, but if you buy the HD 660S you’ll need a separate set of headphones for less-friendly environments.

We are pretty fine with the headband that is of course adjustable, and the generous padding and silicone-coated foam ensure a comfortable fit.

In addition, the ear cups are padded with velour covers. They are interchangeable and their tight fit ensures a comfortable wearing experience.

The result is a compelling headphone model that excels in terms of comfort, as the headphones fit tightly to the head and the ear.

The open design allows relatively little noise from the outside world to seep in, as does sound leaking out of the headphones themselves.

The HD 660 S easily reproduces the entire audible frequency range, from real bass levels to levels well above 20 kHz.

It features impressive detail resolution and balance, making it the first choice for high-resolution sound sources in all genres.

The HD 650 is undoubtedly a convincing headphone, but its successor turned out to be a more balanced choice, with better resolution, more bass definition, more level stability, and mid.

The roughness of the area is slightly reduced. Suitable for neutral listening. Their bass is very good, consistent, and punchy, their mids are balanced and clear, and their treble is also very good.

It also sounds somewhat forward-leaning in the midrange. Also, their highs lack detail and can sound a little muddy.

Overall, they’re great, versatile headphones for a  variety of music genres, though they might lack a bit of sub-bass for bass-heavy music.

Pros
  • Perfect hi-resolution audiophile

  • Comfort and sound quality speak well for it
  • Open-back with good audio reproduction
  • Multiple wires for connectivity

Cons
  • Open-back headphone doesn’t protect against sound leakage

  • Depending on the head size, may not be comfortable for all

8. HIFIMAN XS Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Hi-Fi Headphones

most comfortable

HIFIMAN XS reproduces a wide natural sound for the best listening experience. It has 3.5mm sockets and 3.5mm cable is user changeable and replaceable. The headphones offer a very deal of comfort for long sessions. They feature Stealth Magnet Technology and the NEO super nano Diaphragm

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It has always been a great pleasure to own a pair of HIFIMAN over-ear headphones. As I talk of a pair of headsets for mixing, these are one of the best and I rate these cans very highly.

They reproduce spatial sound and have excellent resolution. I really love the depth of the sound, deep and clean thumping bass.

And the midrange! How can I forget this? This is overwhelming. Absolutely one of the best experiences to listen to. By nature and design, the open-back headphones let the air pass in, the HIFIMAN XS also has the same condition, but retains rich details.

Coming to the build and design of the headset, I feel it’s just an above-average pair of cans. What I found a little annoying is the faux leather material used in its construction.

Though this doesn’t look very cheap, it will not give a very exciting experience over the long run because it would need you to be extra careful to maintain. It is going to get scratched at some point in time to damage the leather.

When I put the headset over my head, I could clearly hear the creaking sound passing into the earcups. I know this is produced by a plastic-built headband. I didn’t find this very pleasant.

HIFIMAN XS comes with 3.5mm sockets similar to those found on most common audio devices. Interestingly the 3.5mm cable is user changeable and replaceable. I like this one.

To be frank with you, the headphones are excellent for mixing, mastering, and recording, though the price looks higher.

At this price, I expected the cans will come with a carrying case. But I realized it wasn’t there when unboxing.

There is very little clamping force and the headband is very smooth with less surface contact with the head.

This somehow gives me the impression that they get slid off very easily. Overall, these headphones are worth considering.

I love the reproduction of sound. As mixing and recording enthusiasts, you would love them too.

Pros
  • Excellent delivery of soundstage
  • Very good midrange
  • Very consistent audio
  • Thumping bass delivery
Cons
  • No background sound isolation
  • More expensive than expected
  • Delicate faux leather
  • Doesn’t come with a carry case

9. Sennheiser HD 560S Over-Ear Audiophile Headphones

balanced sound

The headphone comes with a 1/4-inch detachable cable and a flexible adapter. Sennheiser HD 560S headphone delivers a frequency response of 6 – 38,000Hz. Sennheiser HD 560S delivers the linear performance required by analytical audio enthusiasts. The HD 560S features an open-back design that delivers natural sound waves.

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Wired open-back headphones, the Sennheiser HD 560S are very good for mixing and neutral listening. I love the balanced sound profile that suits most music genres and delivers consistent audio.

It also has a relatively lightweight design and plenty of valor padding that makes these mixing cans very comfortable.

Like most open-backs, the noise isolation is very very unpleasant, sound leakage is extraordinary and the bulky construction makes it unsuitable for on-the-go use.

All that said, they’re great headphones if you’re looking for comfortable headphones with a neutral sound profile.

I am pretty much impressed with the sound profile. It’s very well-balanced and the headsets are comfortable to wear for long periods of time without discomfort.

What makes me feel a little uncomfortable is, they’re pretty bulky and don’t have built-in playback controls. But then, I must concede these headphones are very comfortable.

The headband and earcups are generously padded. They feel very light and didn’t put too much pressure on the sides of my head, even when I wear glasses.

The Sennheiser HD 560S looks a lot like other headphones in the manufacturer’s HD5 line, such as the Sennheiser HD 598 and Sennheiser HD 599.

The detachable audio cable made me happy because it could save the headphones entangled or caught with something when plugged in.

I wished, the ear cups would roll flat and the headband was foldable. But, this didn’t make me happy because none of both are there.

As with most open-back headphones, there’s a slight lack of deep bass. However, the mids and highs are very well-balanced.

Overall, this delivers detailed vocals and lead instruments that are clear and present. Surely, it should be very suitable for listening to various types of audio content.

The Sennheiser HD 560S’s stereo imaging performance is excellent. The L/R drivers are well matched in terms of magnitude and phase response, with little frequency deviation.

Objects must be precisely located within the stereo image. This is important for creating an immersive listening experience.

This is a very well-designed headphone for mixing. Must give try.

Pros
  • These cans deliver very well-balanced sound
  • Comfortable fit for long sessions
  • Excellent stereo imaging performance
  • Great consistency in audio delivery
Cons
  • Lack of certain control features
  • The headband is not foldable
  • Doesn’t deliver deep bass
  • Noise isolation by nature is very poor

10. Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone

home recording

Delivers solid and detailed sound quality. The headphone has amazing noise cancellation. Outstanding performance delivery in professional & home recording studios. Excellent signal connection and transmission

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The Sony MDR7506 is a very good headphone and has an over-ear design and padding to provide a comfortable headset for long listening sessions or performing on stage.

In addition, the ear can’s long audio cable and amplifier adapter make it perfect for music professionals who love to play.

Based on our experience, we recommend the Sony MDR7506 headphones for users looking for a comfortable, lightweight headset for long practice.

These are perfect over-ear headphones that are comfortable to wear and long listening sessions.

We are very happy that ear cans’ long cables and amplifier adapters allow us to play and practice without limits.

Coupled with this, the MDR7506 features a foldable design and carrying case for easy transport to gigs.

The highs don’t spike really, but we are satisfied with the EQ and the impressive soundscape the headphones offer.

Along with an amplifier adapter and a long audio cable, the Sony MDR7506 headphones offer 40mm, drivers, for detailed sound in music and your favorite streaming media.

We are also happy with the features the headphone comes with thick ear pads, that allow you to enjoy passive noise isolation while immersing yourself in the music.

Moreover, we completely enjoyed the accordion-style cables that make audio cables easier to manage for active music production.

If you are looking for the best of overall music production, mixing and mastering headphone that is not too expensive, this is a good option to go with.

11. Status Audio CB-1 Studio Monitor Headphones

studio monitor

The CB-1 comes with two 9-foot audio cables – one coiled, one straight. It has ¼ adaptor and the headphones is compatible with any 3.5mm audio cable. The CB-1’s adjustable headband ensures a snug fit on your head. The headset has 50mm drivers that deliver studio-quality audio with a wide, expansive soundstage.

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If you are not ready to shell out those extra bucks generously and still want good headphones for mixing, this is a very good option on the list. The Status Audio CB-1.

It’s indeed a very opportunity for my readers to believe me because I have proven time and time again that you don’t necessarily have to spend hundreds of dollars to get good headphones.

The CB-1 are closed-back studio monitor headphones and aren’t the flashiest or the most future-proof, but they’re sonically better than most of their counterparts in the price line.

The headsets don’t have very appealing aesthetics and neither the noise isolation impressed me. But excellent sound paired with durable comfort and versatile cables make for an enjoyable listening experience.

It doesn’t have state-of-the-art acoustic circuitry or a plantar magnet drive, but it still crushes your sonic expectations.

The headphones offer excellent stereo imaging and a wide soundstage, making them surprisingly suitable for all music genres and media platforms.

The 50mm drivers accurately recreated the record’s impressive low and high synths, and I was instantly in headbanger mode.

With such a complex instrumental arrangement, I thought some vocals would be lost in the background, but the evocative rhymes were clear and crisp.

The headphones also helped clean up songs that were designed to sound distorted. The result wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough to hear the lyrics more clearly.

Depending on the song selection, the midrange is acceptable, but some were more balanced than others.

Though these are very good closed-back over-ear headphones, I was not happy with their performance in terms of blocking out noise.

The CB-1 lets a fair amount of ambient noise through when listening to music at low or medium volumes.

All in all, the Status Audio CB-1 Closed Back Studio Monitor Headphones are fantastic headphones for mixing at an extremely affordable price.

Pros
  • Delivery of comfortable fit

  • Compatible with all media
  • Deliver wider soundstage
  • Budget-friendly headphone

Cons
  • Poor noise isolation

  • Inconsistent midrange
  • An average aesthetics
  • High range is uncomfortable

M S

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