Remember when mixing was limited to a pair of studio speakers in the studio you recorded in? With the evolution of technology, home studio setups have allowed for all your favorite post-production activities to be taken anywhere. Even more so, headphones are being continuously upgraded to give you high studio-level sound to make creative projects the best they can be. The accessibility of the technology is truly fantastic, and it's changing the game in creative production.

The question is: how do you know if your gear is giving you top-quality sound? Are there other, better options out there to use on your project? Today, we’ve put together a list of the top 5 headphones that are great for mixing. Even people who don't mix music will find something to love in this list. 

Sennheiser HD 600 – $299.95

Sennheiser has been a studio staple for many years, so it makes sense that one o theri most reliable models would be hitting the top of this list. The HD 600 has an open-back design that allows for an incredibly wide soundstage that will reflect well in your work. The detailed mid-range and tight low end is cleverly balanced and with an amp to help power it, you know you will be getting a studio-level experience right on your head. The headband and ear pads offer a lot of comfort that is sure to last for a lot of long mixing sessions. 

Audio-Technica M40x – $99.00

You may not be surprised to see Audio-Technica on this list, but it probably isn’t the pair you’d expect. The M50x is a popular choice and on a lot of recommendation lists in terms of mixing, but the dynamic sound makes itself a better tool for DJs and live mixers instead. If that is the type of mixing you’re looking for, then that may be the pair for you. For people in the post-production mixing field, the M40x is a better recommendation. Its wide soundstage is a bit flatter and allows for a better adaptability and versatility when you are actively changing the sound throughout your creative process. You’ll still get the same clarity and detail in both headphones, as well as an impressive range that is sure to let you hone in on your work.

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro  – $169.00

For years, the DT 770 has been a studio standard headphone, and that still rings true. The DT 770 Pro was an easy choice when looking at mixing headphones to recommend, as it has all the same great qualities as the DT 770 but with that extra level of detail and finesse.. There are some tuning differences between the two, with the Pro giving a highly detailed bass response that was elevated from the previous iteration, as well as crystal clear mids that allow for careful editing. The earpads are comfortable and the weight is not overbearing, so long work sessions aren’t fatiguing.

Sennheiser HD 620S – $349.95

Another Sennheiser headphone makes this list, this time for fans of closed-back headphones. The HD 620S is a great pair for mixing, especially if you want to hone in on some detailed sound and want a little more noise cancellation during workflow. You can use these to work in busier environments and really lock in on your work. They provide a bass response that isn’t overpowering, and the rest of the frequency ranges balance nicely to give you a good starting ground to your personal mix. 

Audeze LCD X – $1,199.00

This is a big price jump from the other headphones on the list, but Audeze does not disappoint. The LCD-X are open-back planar headphones are great mixing tools with their wide soundstage and incredible attention to detail. These are not new to the market; in fact, they were released over ten years ago and have been a hit ever since. The 2024 revision accentuates all that is great about the first released LCD-X, with elevated bass response and detailed finish. They are a little heavier on the head, but the over-ear design and plush ear pads allow for them to be worn for hours without discomfort. 

Summary

At the end of the day, it is up to your personal preference what kind of headphones you mix with. There are a ton of other great mixing headphones, some of which are variations on what you see here, so don’t let this list be your only guide. You can listen to these headphones and many more at Audio46, and then you can make your choice on the best mixing headphone for you. 

You can get all these headphones and more at Audio46.