Best Studio Headphones for Mixing & Recording (2025)

If you are an expert in audio engineering, a podcaster, or a musician, it is crucial to select the most appropriate studio headphones for mixing and recording. This article is designed to provide the best studio headphones for various purposes—closed-back for recording and open-back for mixing—which are informed by expert experiments and consumer feedback.

Why Use Studio Headphones?

• Precision mixing and mastering: A flat frequency response enables you to capture every detail.
• Isolated listening during tracking: Closed-back headphones stop sound from getting into the microphones.
• Comfort for long sessions: Designed for long-term use.

✅ Studio headphones with a closed back (ideal for recording)

ATH M50x Audio Technica

• Perfect for recording: Excellent isolation, coiled cable (up to 10 feet), and swivel ear cups
• Sound: Even bass and treble, trustworthy audio reproduction
• Why it stands out: Famous in pro studios; three detachable cables included. In addition, you might also consider Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO—a wider soundstage, a slightly brighter sound, best for detecting mix imperfections

Sony MDR 7506 (Best Mid-Range Closed-Back)

• Pros: coiled cable, tight sound reproduction, and flat midrange
• Cons: Nonremovable wire, plastic material, less ambient noise blocking
• Why it matters: A studio legend that prospective workers and professionals have loved for over thirty years

Audio-Technica ATH M20x (Best Budget Closed-Back)

• Pros: Low cost, flat mids, and simple over-ears
• Cons: No low bass, rolled-off treble, plastic feel
• Great for: Beginners or studios with limited funds for equipment

🎛️ Open-Back Studio Headphones (Ideal for Mixing & Mastering)

Sennheiser HD 800 S (Best Open-Back Overall)

• Sound: Flat signature, huge soundstage, very accurate midrange
• Needs: A powerful amplifier, quite expensive
• Build: Premium—but hinge pins might become loose
• Ideal for: High-end mixing and mastering jobs where detail is crucial

HiFiMan Edition XS (Best Mid-Range Open-Back)

• Drivers: Planar magnetic—just like nature, the airiness of the voice
• Sound: A bit bright, clear vocals, bass at the low end present
• Cons: The hinges are delicate, made of plastic
• A great match: Planar sound on a more affordable budget

Sennheiser HD 560S (Best Lower Mid-Range)

• Sound: Flat midrange, less bass, dynamic drivers
• Comfort: Fit securely—great for lively mixing
• Why it wins: At a lower price, it can still provide accuracy, exact peaks & dips

Philips SHP9500 (Best Budget Open-Back)

• Pros: Balanced sound, reasonably built, immersive stage
• Cons: Treble might be too sharp, no low bass
• Perfect for: The budget-conscious mixers or production beginners

🔁 Honorable Mentions

• AKG K361: A solid closed-back alternative to the ATH-M50x
• HiFiMan Ananda / Sundara 2020: Planar headphones with an extensive soundstage, but the presence of subtle drawbacks
• Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, Philips Fidelio X2HR: Great open-back options with different strengths
• Superlux HD 681: Semi-open budget pick with a focus on low-end impact

🔍 Choosing the Right Pair: Quick Summary in Words

If your main intention is recording, then closed-back headphones are just perfect. Thanks to its studio-friendly coiled cable, sturdy construction, and well-balanced sound, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is the best in the entire line. The Sony MDR-7506 is a professional studio headphone of a classic kind with bright and detailed sound that is perfect for finding errors in the recordings. If you are on a tighter budget, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is a good choice for studio headphones at a more reasonable price for music and tracking.

When it comes to mixing and mastering, open-back models provide a more natural sound. The Sennheiser HD 800 S is the flagship model for accurate and clear sound. The HiFiMan Edition XS provides very detailed and spacious sound through planar magnetic drivers, and it is among the best studio headphones for a mixing task. At lower prices, the Sennheiser HD 560S and Philips SHP9500 are perfect examples of how good value content combined with the ability to achieve a clear and flat sound profile.

🎯 How to Choose: Pro Tips

• Determine your use case: Recording needs closed-back; mixing suits open-back.
• Flat frequency response matters: You want minimal coloration.
• Check cable quality: Studio-compatible detachable cables are more durable and allow easy replacement.
• Consider comfort: Go for cushy cups, lightweight, and a snug fit.
• Know your driver type:
• Dynamic: Warm, punchy bass, lighter
• Planar Magnetic: More detailed, wider soundstage, consumes more power

✅ FAQs

🛠️ Final Word: Matching Headphones to Your Workflow

• 🎙️ Track and record? Closed-back is the way to go—ATH M50x, MDR 7506, or ATH M20x
• 🎚️ Mix and master? Open back is the choice—HD 800 S, Edition XS, HD 560S, or SHP9500
• 🪙 Budget-conscious? Sony, Audio-Technica, and Philips offer phenomenal bargains