Top 7 Studio Headphones for Mixing and Recording in 2025

Looking for the best studio headphones to enhance your mixing and recording experience? Check out our top picks for 2025!

Choosing the Right Studio Headphones

When it comes to studio headphones, making the right choice can elevate your production to the next level. If you're looking for something for studio recording, closed-back headphones are essential because they allow you to hear the recording in real-time while preventing sound from leaking into the microphone. On the other hand, many sound engineers prefer open-back headphones for mixing because they offer a more spacious and immersive listening experience, which is more comfortable after a long day in the studio. Additionally, many of the best studio headphones feature a coiled cable that provides enough length to move around the studio freely.

Best Studio Headphones in Detail

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x — Best Closed-Back Studio Headphones Overall

• Bass Response: Balanced (0 dB)
• Treble Response: Balanced (0 dB)
• Design: Closed-back
• Wireless: No
• Transducer: Dynamic
• Noise Cancellation: No
• Microphone: No

When it comes to closed-back studio headphones, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x stands out as a top choice. Their design effectively blocks some background noise, helping you monitor your sound without completely isolating yourself from the surrounding environment. However, these headphones can still leak some sound at higher volumes, which may not be suitable for sensitive recording situations.

Despite their relatively low price, these wired headphones are well-built and durable, making them a favorite in the recording community. They come with various cable options, including a coiled cable that extends up to 10 feet, allowing for great mobility inside the studio. They are also designed for comfort, with rotating ear cups.

For those who might prefer an alternative, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO offers a viable option. They provide a wider passive sound stage and a brighter sound profile, which can help reveal flaws like clicks in your audio, though they might be fatiguing over time.

Sony MDR-7506 — Best Mid-Range Closed-Back Studio Headphones

• Design: Closed-back
• Wireless: No
• Transducer: Dynamic
• Noise Cancellation: No
• Microphone: No

If you're seeking something more affordable, the Sony MDR-7506 is a great option. These retro-style on-ear headphones have become a staple in studios due to their balanced sound and closed-back design, which minimizes the risk of sound leakage during recordings. Despite a slight boost in bass, they maintain clarity in vocals and lead instruments.

Their coiled audio cable helps prevent tangling, ideal for those who like to move around the studio. However, the build quality isn't as robust as pricier models, and the non-detachable cable could be a hassle if it breaks. Nonetheless, they provide a well-balanced sound suitable for recording.

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x — Best Budget Closed-Back Studio Headphones

• Design: Closed-back
• Wireless: No
• Transducer: Dynamic
• Noise Cancellation: No
• Microphone: No

For those on a tight budget or needing multiple headphone pairs, consider the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. While they don’t match the quality of the Sony MDR-7506, they still deliver decent sound for a lower price. They feature a more plastic design with a thinner metal frame and open cables.

Though they lack the deep bass typical of closed-back headphones, they provide a flat, balanced sound that accurately reproduces voices and instruments. However, high-frequency sounds can sometimes come through muffled. Still, they are comfortable enough for extended studio sessions.

Sennheiser HD 800 S — Best Open-Back Studio Headphones Overall

• Bass Response: Slightly diminished (-3 dB)
• Treble Response: Balanced (0 dB)
• Design: Open-back
• Wireless: No
• Transducer: Dynamic
• Noise Cancellation: No
• Microphone: No

If you prefer open-back headphones, the Sennheiser HD 800 S is a fantastic choice. Their design allows sound to escape from the ear cups and interact with the environment, creating a more immersive and natural sound stage, ideal for mixing. Keep in mind that they come with a steep price tag and require a powerful amplifier to function optimally.

These premium headphones offer a flat sound profile with accurate mid-range frequencies, ensuring vocals and lead instruments sound pristine. However, like most open-back designs, they struggle with low frequencies. Their detachable audio cable comes with an additional cable and a 1/4 to 1/8 inch adapter.

HiFiMan Edition XS — Best Mid-Range Open-Back Studio Headphones

• Bass Response: Slightly diminished (-1 dB)
• Treble Response: Balanced (0 dB)
• Design: Open-back
• Wireless: No
• Transducer: Magnetic
• Noise Cancellation: No
• Microphone: No

Looking for something more affordable? Check out the HiFiMan Edition XS. They utilize planar magnetic drivers to create an exciting, open sound stage, making them suitable for mixing and mastering. While they share characteristics with pricier HiFiMan models, they are budget-friendly.

Their sound is generally well-balanced, albeit slightly bright, making them versatile across genres. While they lack low frequencies typical in open-back headphones, the slight emphasis on high frequencies ensures a warm and enveloping bass line.

Sennheiser HD 560S — Best Entry-Level Open-Back Studio Headphones

• Bass Response: Insufficient emphasis (-4 dB)
• Treble Response: Balanced (0 dB)
• Design: Open-back
• Wireless: No
• Transducer: Dynamic
• Noise Cancellation: No
• Microphone: No

The best entry-level open-back studio headphones we tested are the Sennheiser HD 560S. They utilize dynamic drivers, which are more common in budget headphones. Their PRTF measurements indicate that they produce sound less akin to angular reference monitors compared to the HiFiMan Edition XS. On the bright side, they have a flatter mid-range that accurately reproduces instrument sounds.

Their lightweight design makes them comfortable for most users, though the build quality is not as high as that of HiFiMan.

Philips SHP9500 — Best Budget Open-Back Studio Headphones

• Design: Open-back
• Wireless: No
• Transducer: Dynamic
• Noise Cancellation: No
• Microphone: No

The Philips SHP9500 are the best budget open-back studio headphones we've tested. In this price range, there are limited options for open-back headphones, many of which have poor build quality. However, these headphones provide a balanced sound profile and an engaging sound stage.

They are suitable for most genres, although EDM enthusiasts may find the bass lacking. Their mid-range is well-balanced, accurately reproducing vocals and instrument sounds, albeit with a slightly emphasized upper range that can make cymbals sound piercing.

As with most open-back headphones, these comfortable headphones let a lot of sound escape, making them more suitable for mixing rather than recording. Nonetheless, they are pleasant to wear during long sessions as long as you're not in a noisy environment, since their open design does not block out surrounding sounds.

Honorable Mentions

• AKG K361: AKG K361 — это закрытые наушники с довольно сбалансированным звучанием и отличной защитой от посторонних шумов, что делает их достойной альтернативой Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. Однако они не так хорошо сконструированы и более подвержены искажениям звука.
• HiFiMan Ananda: HiFiMan Ananda — это планарно-магнитные наушники с открытой задней панелью, которые обеспечивают исключительную звуковую сцену. Однако их звуковой профиль не такой сбалансированный, как у HiFiMan Edition XS, и они более склонны к непостоянству в воспроизведении звука, хотя это всё равно незначительно.
• HiFiMan Sundara 2020: HiFiMan Sundara 2020 — это планарно-магнитные наушники с открытой задней частью. Они более удобные, чем HiFiMan Edition XS, но их пассивная звуковая сцена не такая захватывающая, и они более подвержены искажениям звука.
• Sennheiser HD 490 PRO: Sennheiser HD 490 PRO — достойные наушники с открытой задней частью, которые весят меньше, чем HiFiMan Edition XS, и поставляются с двумя разными комплектами удобных амбушюр. Однако они дороже, чем HiFiMan Edition XS, а их пассивная звуковая сцена не такая захватывающая.
• Philips Fidelio X2HR: Philips Fidelio X2HR — это хорошо сконструированные наушники с открытой задней частью и более широкой звуковой сценой, чем у Sennheiser HD 560S. Однако их высокие частоты не так хорошо контролируются, и они менее устойчивы на голове.
• Superlux HD 681: Superlux HD 681 — это хорошо сконструированные наушники с полуоткрытой задней частью. Благодаря полуоткрытой конструкции они пропускают меньше звука, чем Philips SHP9500, а также воспроизводят более низкие частоты. Однако они менее удобные и хорошо сконструированные, чем наш выбор, а их кабель не отсоединяется, поэтому, если вы его сломаете, вам, возможно, придётся заменить наушники.

In conclusion, choosing the right studio headphones depends on your specific needs—whether it’s for mixing or recording. With our top picks, you’re well on your way to finding the perfect pair.

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