The 7 Best Studio Headphones For Mixing And Recording - Spring 2021 Reviews

The best studio headphones that we've tested are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. These very popular wired over-ears are well-known within the recording community. 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 pair 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, 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 AKG K371 are the best studio headphones for recording that we've tested. These comfortable over-ears have a closed-back design, so you can listen to your mix without worrying about it leaking into your recording. They also come with three different cables included a long, coiled cable to give you a bit more mobility.

They have a balanced and neutral sound profile. Their bass accuracy is outstanding and flat and shouldn't overwhelm the rest of your mix. The mid-range produces clear, present, and detailed vocals and lead instruments. Although they're a bit underemphasized in the treble range, they still deliver an overall decent performance in these frequencies. They also have overall decent build quality, and the earcups can fold up so that you can take them with you on-the-go.

Unfortunately, the ear cups don't form a very tight seal around your ears, which can result in inconsistent bass and treble delivery. Their closed-back design also makes their soundstage seem closed-off, so they may not be the best choice if you plan to mix audio. However, if you're planning to only use them for recording, they offer a balanced sound profile, low leakage performance, and a couple of cable options.

The Sennheiser HD 800 S are the best headphones for mixing that we've tested. These very well-built open-back headphones can create an open and large soundstage that sounds natural, which is well-suited for mixing audio. Their spacious ear cups and suede-like padding also ensure a comfortable listening experience.

Thanks to their very well-balanced mid-range, vocals, and lead instruments sound clear, accurate, and detailed in your mixes. Their treble accuracy is also great, and although it's a little underemphasized across the range, the response is quite flat. They're also made from premium build materials and feel high-end overall. They come with a 1/4" TRS cable so that you can connect to a mixer or amplifier as well as a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

Like many other open-back headphones, they lack low-bass, so tracks lack a bit of thump and rumble. Their open-back design also makes them more prone to audio leakage, which can bother others around you. That said, they deliver a balanced sound profile and a spacious soundstage, making them suitable for mixing audio.

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless are the best wireless studio headphones that we've tested. Although most people usually use wired headphones in a studio, some may prefer a wireless design so they can move more freely when mixing and mastering tracks. However, most wireless headphones use Bluetooth, which can have very high audio lag. These offer a good counter to this concern as they use non-Bluetooth wireless technology via their transmitter base to help ensure low latency.

Once you take the time to properly fit them to your head, they have a fairly neutral sound profile that's suitable for a variety of audio genres. If you need to tweak their sound, their companion software offers a graphic EQ and presets, so you can adjust them to your needs. They also have a comfortable, ski-band headband design with spacious and well-padded ear cups, and they come with two swappable batteries. Each battery has a continuous playback time of over 15 hours, and you can recharge the one you're not using by placing it directly inside the transmitter base.

Unfortunately, even though they have a closed-back design, they leak a bit of audio. They also have really inconsistent bass and treble delivery. On the upside, once you take the time to adjust their fit, you should be able to achieve a more consistent frequency response. While they may not be the first choice for professionals looking to record or mix audio, the SteelSeries can be a suitable choice for those looking for a wireless design with low latency and a fairly neutral sound profile. 

The best studio headphones at a budget price point that we've tested are the Superlux HD 681. Despite their budget-friendly price, these over-ears have a very well-balanced sound profile, with full-bodied, present, and clear vocals and lead instrumentals as well as a relatively deep and extended bass range, so they should suit a wide mix of musical genres.

They're also quite comfortable, courtesy of their lightweight design and spacious ear cups that should accommodate a wide variety of head and ear shapes, so you shouldn't experience too much discomfort, even during extended listening sessions. They deliver audio quite consistently and have an expansive, speaker-like soundstage.

Unfortunately, their all-plastic construction feels quite cheap and flimsy, which isn't entirely surprising given their price. They also don't use a detachable audio cable, so if it gets damaged, the entire unit would need to be replaced. Otherwise, if you're looking for cheap headphones with a large soundstage and well-balanced sound profile, these are a great choice.