One of the best ways to mix in your headphones is to practice clean listening. Clean listening basically means that you should be able to hear the mix in your headphones with very little bass.
This is often referred to as ?Reference Mixing? because you can hear and listen to the mix as it would sound in a club?�?without?�? the bass. This is the best way to get a balanced sound.
There are a lot of headphones that you can choose from?�In the market today. Most of them however don’t provide you plenty of clarity. To help you get the best sound quality out of your mix, I present you the top 10 mixing headphones.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones | Best Overall |  |
| Tascam TH-02 Closed Back Studio Headphones | Budget Pick |  |
| Sony MDRV6 Studio Monitor Headphones | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
Pros:
- Great sound quality
- Sturdy construction
- Good overall sound isolation
- Great price for the quality that you get
Cons:
- Lack of accessories (for being an expensive pair of headphones)
- Thin wire and had to loop them together to prevent them from untangling
Want a pair of headphones that offer optimal bang for your buck? Well, if you agree with that sentence, then your search may end with these Audio-Technica studio monitor headphones.
The sound quality offered by these headphones is great and we like almost everything about them, especially the build quality. These headphones are remarkably lightweight, and they fold up for easy storage in the 3.9ft long chord.
The earcups have a swivel design, so you can rotate them as desired. The noise isolation is quite good due to the big earcups that cover the ears and the headband that goes over the ears.
2. OneOdio Adapter-Free Closed Back Over Ear DJ Stereo Monitor Headphones
Pros:
- Outstanding value
- Super-comfortable design
- Excellent frequency response
- Designed for professional-level mixing
Cons:
- Not as attractive as other models
- Sound quality gets distorted at high volume levels
- May not be ideal for casual listening
When it comes to mixing headphones, you want something that offers full clarity, superb controls, and a comfortable design. The OneOdio headphones are perfectly designed to help give it to you.
Made specifically for DJ's, their design ensures that the headphones remain comfortable for longer durations than typical models. And the fact that they have an excellent frequency response of 15 to 30,000 Hz only further ensures that you're experiencing amazing audio clarity.
The closed-back over-the-ear design of these headphones ensures that the music stays within your ears and doesn’t bleed out to other people around you. This means you can work up a beat in peace without others getting agitated by the sound.
3. Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
Pros:
- Exceptional audio quality
- Well-balanced audio response
- 45mm drivers with copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils
- Semi-open design
- Variety of colors
Cons:
- Sound leakage during high volume output
- Frequent complaints about plastic covering cracking
- Sound may seem conservatively balanced for some users
(best selling on amazon)
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x professional studio monitor headphones are one of the best sounding headphones on the market.
These professional studio headphones are a hit with both amateur filmmakers and music producers, offering a well-balanced frequency response. The sound is similarly balanced across all its five drivers, with its sub-bass, bass, and mid-range drivers all providing responsive sound. In addition, the natural acoustics of the semi-open design are further enhanced by the ‘dual-layer’ structure of the headband, which allows for air to freely pass through. The adjustable padded headband offers the utmost comfort for the listener.
4. Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Pros:
- Offer premium sound quality
- Strong noise cancellation
- Great battery life
- Alexa voice control
- Solid build quality
Cons:
- Non-replaceable battery
- Overall build quality could be better
If you’re looking for the best noise canceling headphones in the market, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II has you covered. This top-rated noise canceling headphones from Bose are ideal for just about any situation, considering the wireless connectivity and noise cancellation. Since these are wireless headphones, you can easily connect them to your smartphone or music player.
Like many modern headphones, the QuietComfort 35s also offer noise cancellation. However, the earcups alone contain a total of 40 sensors that pick up on outside sounds. The volume of outside noise is then played through the headphones, so you hear less noise and more of the music you like.
The headset also comes with Alexa integration, which means you can use your voice to control your music playback, adjust the volume, and take calls, perfect for those who use their phones often.
5. LyxPro HAS-10 Closed Back Over Ear Professional Studio Monitor And Mixing Headphones,Music Listening,Piano,Sound Isolation
Pros:
- Over-ear design
- Isolated from outside noises
- Perfect for monitoring mixing
- Good at reducing ambient noise
- High-quality material for good durability
- Great for outdoor and indoor use
- Doesn’t damage your ears
- Reliable Bluetooth range
Cons:
- Bluetooth is not perfect
- Not foldable
Black.
Although the HAS-10 may not be the most popular company or headphone models among professionals and audiophiles, the brand is still an excellent choice. Considering how few issues exists with this model, this company is definitely one that continues to raise the bar when it comes to design, stability, and quality.
Because of the hype, we decided to conduct a more in-depth analysis of the product and to test if the hype is justified. The first thing we did when we opened the box was to check the headphones and see how they felt.
6. Sony MDRV6 Studio Monitor Headphones
Pros:
- Very good sound quality
- No any sound leakage
- Long cable
- Comfortable for long usage
- Doesn’t require high power
Cons:
- Not sweat-proof
- Doesn’t come with a carrying case
- Not sound isolating
50mm Driver, Ferrite Magnet, and Neodymium Iron Boron Diaphragm.
This is the best choice for the people who prefer the design, high quality and durability over sound isolation or comfort.
For their size, the Sony MDRV6 headphones are super lightweight and comfortable.
7. AKG Pro Audio K240 STUDIO Over-Ear
Pros:
- Closed-back design allows for a clearer and more natural sound
- The AKG K 240 features a beautiful studio look which is a treat to look at on the desk
- The headband is adjustable for a better fit on your head
- Some younger people claim that these headphones are just what they need to keep them awake while studying.
Cons:
- The only real drawback of these are that you can hear what is going on around you as long as the sound isn’t too loud.
(Black/Metal)
Overall, the AKG K240 is not only good for music but also other sounds, like speeches or other tasks. They are light-weight and the cups are over-sized so it’s easier to put on when wearing glasses along with it. The sound quality of the instrument are slightly more defined and crystal-clear when using these headphones. This is a great bargain for the cost. You really cannot beat the price with headphones that offer this much.
8. Tascam TH-02 Closed Back Studio Headphones
One of the best options to consider in this category is the Tascam TH-02 Closed Back Studio Headphones. When it comes to the headphones that you wear most, you want to look for good quality and performance.
These headphones have been designed to deliver exceptional sound and clarity. You’ll be able to hear and understand your music a lot better when you put on these headphones. Plus, you can adjust the headband easily, which will make them feel more comfortable to wear.
When you put these headphones in, they’ll instantly feel comfortable and secure over your ears. This is going to help with the overall performance of the headphones as well as make it feel like they’re a lot smaller than they really are.
9. Behringer HPS3000 Studio Headphones
Pros:
- Noise-reduction technology
- Plush, comfortable earpieces
- Professional-use studio headsets
- Hi-Fi Audio technology
- Closed, acoustic design keeps monitoring under control
- 3-Year Warranty
- Enjoy superior sound quality
- Lightweight design
- Timeless, sleek design
- Sound isolating system
These are one of the best mixing headphones if you are looking for a pair that offers excellent focusing features. A little tight on the head, the product offers outstanding noise-reduction technology, and they are ideal for professional studio work.
The product has an impressive sound quality – crisp and detachable components. Studio engineers and professional musicians love this brand, and you will find the product extremely comfortable to use during mixing – they will never let you down. With the product boasting a great soundproofing system, the headphones offer a closed-acoustic design to keep monitoring under control.
10. AILIHEN I35 Kid Headphones
Pros:
- Lightweight construction
- Bass is not too exaggerated
- The sound is quite clear
- Very comfortable to wear
- Perfect for younger kids
- They come with a mini-microphone that comes in touch with your phone for better communication
- The ear cups come in a cool design
- Reasonably priced
- They fold up well so that they can be taken traveling in a backpack or suitcase
- Fit well over glasses
These headphones from Ailihen can be a good choice for the teen who doesn’t want to use adult headphones. Most teen headphones are high quality and durable, so they are perfect whether you are on the move or at home. They feature a comfortable design with soft cushion padding around the ear cups. In addition, they are quite lightweight, weighing just 4.8 ounces.
The ear cups are pretty large. They measure about 4.57” from side to side and are quite deep. The 4.57” size is ideal for kids and teens aged 6 to 16. In addition, they come in a safe design and have a glossy finish that you can find attractive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best headphones for mixing?
Some would claim that the most important category to consider when buying headphones is sound quality. After all, it doesn't matter how well mixed your music is if the sound quality is bad, right?
But, this is where things can get a bit tricky.
There are two types of music engineers: those that mix and master with speakers, and those that mix and master with headphones.
Those that work with speakers will often claim that when they use headphones to mix they are disappointed because a headphone’s sound signature doesn't closely resemble a good set of studio monitors or a quality hi-fi speaker system. What's more, they find it largely impossible to mix through the interference of an earbud-style headphone, a fact that headphone aficionados are quick to defend.
On the other hand, those that work primarily with headphones will often claim that it's close to impossible to fully hear the frequency spectrum when mixing on speakers.
What is the best headphones for mixing and mastering?
To prevent the unpleasant ear fatigue that most producers face, they choose a pair of headphones that are specifically designed for mixing. In general, these headphones are considered to be closed-back which means that the ear cups fit around the ears with minimal leakage. The major difference between the two types is that the sound isolation on closed-back headphones is slightly stronger than on the open-back variety. This makes closed-backs a great option if you're worried about sound bleeding into the microphones or if you're looking to preserve your mixing ability across large sound systems where leakage would otherwise be a problem.
What are the flattest headphones?
Flat-folding headphones are headphones that fold nearly flat. Not all folding headphones are flat-folding though. You'll see folding headphones that only fold inward or outward, leaving the earpieces in an upward position. They don't truly fold flat, but they do fold.
Why are flat-folding headphones important?
For some, they're an absolute necessity. For others, they're a clever design and a nice feature. Flat-folding headphones, like which Bowers & Wilkins T7i, allow you to wrap the earpieces around the headband. This makes them ideal for storage or traveling because they take up less space. If you're into minimalist design and you love all the benefits of folding headphones but you also want the option of storing them easily and in a compact way, then a flat-folding pair is for you.
Can you mix on headphones?
Mixing on headphones will be hard. It will be very hard!
The specs of studio monitors and headphones are different, so you canʼt expect great things from studio headphones. Even then, it will take time to learn to mix on headphones.
Here are some tips that will help you:
Always use studio headphones, never the ones of an ordinary consumer.
Turn the volume set very low.
Set the entire volume in the middle.
Cancel any noises on your headphones such as the one coming out of the fan.
Mix using headphones during the day so you can hear any outside sounds loud and clear.
Conclusion
So you want the best mixing headphones, huh? Ok, that makes two of us. The truth is, you can’t just report on the best headphones. You’re going to have to test them before you make a decision.
Factors to consider when choosing the best mixing headphones are based on your specific needs and preferences. This article will help cover all of them to help you make the right choice.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones | Best Overall | |
| Tascam TH-02 Closed Back Studio Headphones | Budget Pick | |
| Sony MDRV6 Studio Monitor Headphones | Upgrade Pick | |