The 7 Best Studio Headphones For Mixing And Recording - Fall 2020
Reviews

The best studio headphones that we've tested so far are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. These very popular wired over-ears are well-known within the recording community and for good reason. They provide amazing value and feel surprisingly well-built and durable despite their relatively low price point. They're comfortable enough for long recording sessions, with large ear cups and a well-padded headband.

Their sound reproduction is well-balanced and fairly accurate, with a tiny amount of extra bass, but an even and accurate mid-range. They're a good choice for mixing, mastering, or recording as their closed-back design leaks a lot less audio than open-back headphones. Their ear cups can swivel, and they feature a detachable cable, so you don't need to replace the entire headphones should the wire get damaged. They also come with three different cable options, including a coiled one that can stretch up to ten feet so that you can move freely around your studio.

Unfortunately, none of the included cable options feature an in-line remote, so they may not be the best option for casual use if you like to be able to change your music quickly. Despite being closed-back headphones, they still leak a bit of audio at higher volumes, so they may not be the best for extremely noise-sensitive recording situations. While this will likely be fine if you're monitoring a recording session from a separate room, it may be an issue if you're recording yourself.

The best studio headphones for recording that we've tested to date are the AKG K371. Thanks to their closed-back design, they leak much less audio than other entries on this list, which might be helpful if you intend to wear them in a recording booth. That also means that they do a slightly better job of blocking out ambient sound, so you won't have to worry about cranking the volume knob completely up to drown out some background chatter.

These headphones have a decently well-balanced sound profile overall, with extremely even bass and mids. However, their treble is a little less neutral, and some more delicate instrumentals and vocals might be dulled and veiled. Unfortunately, they don't provide the most consistent listening experience either, as bass and treble might be heard differently on separate occasions, especially if you wear glasses or have long hair.

They're also comfortable enough to wear throughout long listening sessions, feel reasonably well-built, and come with a selection of detachable audio cables, including a long coiled wire, which helps make them more suitable for a wide range of environments. Since they don't provide as consistent a listening experience as some of the other choices on this list, they may not be the best-suited product for mixing. However, their very good noise isolation performance means that they aren't a bad choice for recording.

The best studio headphones for mixing that we've tested to date are the Sennheiser HD 800 S. Mixing usually takes advantage of open-back headphones thanks to a more spacious soundstage. Since you don't have any recording microphones on, the leakage isn't something to worry about. These headphones are also very comfortable and feel lightweight, even if they have very large and spacious ear cups.

These headphones have an exceptionally neutral sound signature, especially in the mid and treble ranges. Some might feel like they're a bit too bass-light, but nothing a professional EQ can't fix. These also have one of the widest soundstages we've tested so far. They're well-built and should last you for a while as well.

While these are the best audiophile headphones we've ever tested, they're very expensive, and you'll need to get an amplifier to drive them. However, if you don't mind spending your money to get an amazing listening experience, these headphones are a great choice.

The best wireless studio headphones that we've tested to date are the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. Thanks to their dedicated wireless transmitter, they have a low latency that's ideal for studio use. Also, with their tight yet comfortable fit, you can wear them for long listening sessions without fatigue.

Once properly fitted on your head, these headphones have a neutral audio reproduction that makes them ideal for a variety of music genres. If you like to customize the sound, you can use the graphic EQ and presets on the companion app. With over 15-hours of battery life, you shouldn't have to worry about recharging them during long mixing sessions, but their wireless transmitter base comes with an extra charge if you're on the go.

On the downside, these headphones leak a bit of noise, so they might disturb the people around you. That being said, these over-ears offer a decently versatile performance and a neutral sound profile that makes them ideal for studio use.

The best budget studio headphones that we've tested so far are the Superlux HD 681. These wired headphones have a similar design to the Superlux HD 668B, but thanks to their more relaxed headband design, they have a much more comfortable fit. Their semi-open design also helps to provide a spacious soundstage.

These headphones have a neutral and balanced audio reproduction, especially compared to other headphones at this price point. They have outstanding accuracy in the bass and mid-ranges, though a bump in the low-treble can make them sound a bit sharp at times. Overall, they're still very well-suited to reproducing lead instruments and vocals.

On the downside, like most headphones in this price range, they aren't very well-built or very stable on your head. That being said, critical listeners on a budget are likely to be satisfied by these headphones.