The Best Headphones for Mixing and Recording

When building a home studio, there’s a few absolute certainties on the checklist of what you’ll need. At the top of the list, alongside your interface and your software optimised desktop, is the audio output source. While a solid set of speakers could be the first port of call, this might not always be suitable in some cases, for various reasons. This is where a pair of headphones for recording and mixing will see you straight.

The term “home studio” itself indicates the issues that high powered speakers could present. With emphasis on the home aspect, you likely won’t make friends with any fellow residents in your house or flat block, no matter how many egg boxes you cellotape to the paper thin walls. We don’t all have the luxury or know how to kit our studio space with Fort Knox style soundproofing, so this is just one instance where headphones will facilitate you to be able to manically mix and record into the early hours.  

From a more audio focussed perspective, you’ll benefit from having both a great set of speakers as well as some ‘cans’ for cross referencing your mix. A good tip is to cross reference your mix with as many output sources as you can (through a Bluetooth music dock, cheap £5 earphones, out of a mobile phone speaker, through the car sound system...) and not just through professional mixing equipment. This is in order to have an idea of how a typical listener will hear your track. But in saying this, a good pair of headphones as opposed to speakers will allow you to hone in on intricacies such as track panning and assessing sound acoustics without any influence from the (lack of) treatment of the room itself. Not to mention the mobility benefits of headphones, meaning that you can work on your mixes wherever you like: on the train, in the shower, at a family meal...

So without further ado, we’ve put together a list of great headphones for recording and mixing that don’t surpass the £150 threshold, based on tests from leading audio & gear outlets. We’ve avoided including any wireless Bluetooth headphones, as they aren’t recommended for mixing purposes due to the latency issues they can present. We’ve also managed to swerve the multi-million dollar marketing ploys of commercial headphones such as Dre’s Beats, which, while they might superboost the bass of your mix to the point of seismic disruption, aren’t going to give you a great representation of your track as a whole. (These headphones could be more suited for other things however, like DJ Sets, or fashion shoots).

Sennheiser HD 280 Pro

Background

Widely viewed as a “modern classic”, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro model fits the bill while staying under the £100 mark. Released in 2003, the industry standardised features edge in the direction of precision-based mixing/mastering. The foam headband maintains comfort throughout lengthy sessions, as well as proving to be extremely durable; which is what has come to be expected of one of the world's leading audio brands. The HD 280 Pro is a no frills, affordable pair of headphones that serves its purpose as a great all rounder for musicians/producers with no overly specific requirements.  

Pros

• Comfortable
• Affordable
• Great all-rounder
  

Cons

• No real unique features.
• More a ‘mixing headphone’ than a ‘listening headphone’.
  

Price

£76.00

Rode NTH-100

Background

The Rode NTH-100 was the first venture into headphones by the Australian audio company, and it’s fair to say they were onto a winner from the off. Maybe Rode are more well known for their microphones, but the headphones prove a great choice for those loyal to the brand, as they have applied the same levels of technical proficiency to the headphones, while still remaining affordable. Strangely, the NTH-100 is also one of the only pairs of headphones that are designed to actually mimic the shape of an ear. Who’d have thought it?

Pros

• Clever design.
• Another great choice for musicians/producers looking for a good all-rounder.
  

Cons

• Faces a lot of justified competition for headphones at this level/price range.
  

Price

£125

Beyerdynamic DT770

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Background

The Beyerdynamic headphone family are well renowned for their quality, serving as a favourite amongst producers who want to intricately work on the finer details of their mixes. In the Beyerdynamic collection, the price range can vary from pretty dizzying heights to more financially friendly options. The DT770 is one of the latter, as it maintains its trademark features of depth and balance without breaking the bank.

Pros

• Affordable option from an elite audio brand.
• Extremely clear and accurate for mixing.
  

Cons

• Not recommended for use with mobile devices.
  

Price

£110

Sony MDR 7506

Background

The Sony MDR 7506’s are potentially the biggest rival to the classic Sennheiser HD 280 Pro at the beginning of this list. With little in it price wise between the two, it comes down to functionality as the decision maker on which to go for. The MDR 7506’s provide all-round comfort, durability and sound quality, and having served as a studio staple since the late 80’s, they’ve been an ever present industry standard that’s stood the test of time throughout history. We’ll call it a draw…

Pros

• Under £100
• Industry proven classic
  

Cons

• Can be quite cumbersome alongside more modernised designs.
• More a ‘mixing headphone’ than a ‘listening headphone’.
  

Price

£85

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

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Background

The ATH-M50x is an upgrade from Audio-Technica’s well received ATH-M50, with the only real new feature boasting the addition of a removable cable. This feature can prove beneficial, as most damages to headphones are commonly due to the cable. Replacing the cable without having to touch the main body of the headphones can be a much more cost effective means of repair. On the whole, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x performs generally well in mixing, however the high end frequencies have been reported to seem a little diminished.

Pros

• Comfortable
• Durable
  

Cons

• Less effective frequency range in comparison to other headphones.
• One of the pricier options on this list.
  
  

Price

£130

AKG K240

Background

If it’s total affordability that you’re looking for, then look no further than the AKG K240. In spite of their low price, they are still more than capable of serving their purpose as mixing and recording headphones - for the most part. Tests have shown that the more detailed qualities of the overall sound, albeit very clear, can lack in its punch, and possibly jeopardise the fully intended effect of the track or mix.

Pros

• The cheapest option on this list.
• Comfortable and clear-sounding.
  
  

Cons

• The cheapest option on this list.
• Lacking in punch.
  

Price

£45

Extreme Isolation EX-29

Background

There’s no prize for guessing the main USP of the Extreme Isolation EX-29, and the reason that they are included in this list; that they were designed specifically for absolute sound isolation. This is very useful for drummers in particular, when laying down drums while using an audio track for direction. Having total sound isolation in their headphones helps the drummer to assess how their playing fits into the track, so they can pick up on or refine their playing more mindfully and effectively. It can also help the drummer to create more of a pocket in the groove of a track, and understand how they are slotting in alongside other instruments.

Pros

• Very effective for tracking.
  

Cons

• Not recommended for mixing/mastering.
  

Price

£147


So that was a selection of products from a few audio heavyweights in the headphone market. Of course, there are plenty of other options to explore for those with more specific needs, or with a budget higher than £150. But if you’re in need of a solid, affordable pair of headphones to labour over your mixes with, then we hope this list has helped! Feel free to get in touch with your recommendations.  

Matty Dagger

Sources:

RTings.com

MusicRadar.com

PCMag.com