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Top Headphones for Mixing: A Comprehensive Review for Him
Published: March 4, 2024
Discover the best headphones for mixing in this comprehensive review, tailored for him. Find the perfect pair to elevate your audio experience.
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Are you in the market for a new pair of headphones for mixing? Look no further! In this comprehensive review, we will break down the top headphones that are perfect for mixing and provide a detailed analysis of each one. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, finding the right pair of headphones is crucial for achieving the perfect mix. So, grab your notebook and get ready to take some notes as we dive into the top headphones for mixing.
Overall Score: 8/10
The OneOdio Wired Over Ear Headphones are designed for maximum comfort, powerful bass sound, and versatility. With 50mm neodymium drivers, these studio monitor headphones deliver clear vocals and crisp high tones, making them ideal for recording, mixing, and mastering. The single-side monitoring and adjustable headband ensure a fatigue-free listening experience. These headphones work with all devices that have a 3.5mm or 6.35mm audio jack, giving you the flexibility you need. Overall, they offer excellent sound quality, durability, and comfort.
Key Features
- Bass sound: Enjoy clear sound with powerful bass
- Comfortable design: Soft padded ear cushions with adjustable headband
- No more adapter: DJ style coiled cord with detachable plugs
- Single-Side monitoring: 90° swiveling ear cups for fatigue-free listening
- Works with: Compatible with all devices with audio jacks
Specifications
- Color: Black
- Dimension: 7.09Lx5.51Wx3.94H
- Size: 1
Pros
- Powerful bass sound and clear vocals
- Comfortable design for prolonged use
- Versatile connectivity options
- Durable construction with swiveling ear cups
Cons
- Earpieces may swivel unexpectedly
- Coiled cord has limited reach
The OneOdio Wired Over Ear Headphones offer impressive sound quality, comfort, and versatility for various audio needs. With their durable construction and versatile connectivity options, they are an excellent choice for recording, mixing, mastering, or simply enjoying your favorite music.
Overall Score: 9/10
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20X Professional Studio Monitor Headphones are designed for studio tracking and mixing, delivering top-notch audio performance at an affordable price. The 40mm drivers with rare earth magnets and copper clad aluminum wire voice coils provide exceptional clarity and precision in the audio, while the circumaural design contours around the ears for excellent sound isolation. The sturdy and durable build, combined with a comfortable fit, makes these headphones perfect for prolonged usage. The convenience of a single-sided exit cable and Tune enhanced low frequency performance make these headphones an incredible value for both professional audio engineers and music enthusiasts.
Key Features
- Advanced build quality and engineering Designed for studio tracking and mixing
- 40 millimeter drivers with rare earth magnets and copper clad aluminum wire voice coils
- Tune for enhanced low frequency performance
- Circumaural design contours around the ears for excellent sound isolation in loud environments
- Convenient single side cable exit Magnet neodymium Designed for studio tracking and mixing
Specifications
- Color: Black
- Dimension: 11.40Lx10.00Wx4.10H
- Size: ATH-M20X
Pros
- Exceptional audio experience
- Outstanding clarity and precision in the audio
- Comfortable circumaural design
- Sturdy and durable build quality
- Detachable cable for convenience
Cons
- No onboard volume control
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20X headphones offer exceptional audio quality, comfort, and build at an affordable price, making them a top choice for anyone in need of reliable studio monitor headphones. The lack of onboard volume control is a small drawback, but the detachable cable adds to their convenience and longevity. Overall, these headphones deliver outstanding value and performance, and I highly recommend them to those looking for a fantastic audio experience without breaking the bank.
Overall Score: 9/10
The beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 ohm Headphones are professional studio headphones ideal for mixing, mastering, and editing. They offer a transparent, spacious, strong bass and treble sound, making them perfect for studio applications. The soft, circumaural and replaceable velour ear pads ensure high wearing comfort, while the hard-wearing, durable, and robust workmanship ensures longevity. The practical single-sided cable makes them convenient to use. These headphones come in a stylish gray color and have dimensions of 8.70Lx4.70Wx9.10H. They are rated 4.7/5 by customers and have received rave reviews for their sound quality, comfort, and value.
Key Features
- Open over-ear headphones for professional mixing and editing
- Transparent, spacious, strong bass and treble sound
- Replaceable velour ear pads for high wearing comfort
- Hard-wearing, durable, and robust workmanship
- Practical single-sided cable (3.0m coiled cable)
Specifications
- Color: Gray
- Dimension: 8.70Lx4.70Wx9.10H
- Size: 250 OHM
Pros
- Superior sound quality
- Comfortable for long periods of wear
- Durable and robust construction
- Convenient single-sided cable
Cons
- Not completely neutral mix for production and mixing
The beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 ohm Headphones are a fantastic choice for professional studio work and general audio needs. They offer exceptional sound quality, comfort, and durability, making them a valuable investment for anyone in need of high-quality headphones.
Overall Score: 9/10
The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones in black are a high-quality, professional-grade studio headphones perfect for audio professionals, gamers, and casual users. They feature advanced build quality and engineering, 40mm drivers with rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils, and are tuned for enhanced detail. The circumaural design contours around the ears and provides excellent sound isolation in loud environments. These headphones are lightweight and comfortable, making them perfect for long sessions. The single-side cable exit adds convenience, while the sleek black design gives them a great look. These headphones deliver exceptional sound quality, fold for transport, and come with a carrying bag and extra jack size. They are perfect for recording, gaming, and casual listening.
Key Features
- Advanced build quality and engineering
- 40mm drivers with rare earth magnets
- Tuned for enhanced detail
- Circumaural design for sound isolation
- Convenient single-side cable exit
Specifications
- Color: Black
- Dimension: 11.40Lx10.00Wx4.10H
- Size: ATH-M30X
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality
- Comfortable for long sessions
- Sleek design
- Convenient features like single-side cable exit
- Folds for transport and comes with a carrying bag
Cons
- Expensive
- Slightly snug fit for some users
The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones are top-notch in terms of sound quality, comfort, and design. These headphones are a great investment for anyone looking for professional-grade audio equipment, whether for recording, gaming, or casual listening. While they may be a bit pricey, their outstanding sound performance and convenience features make them well worth the cost.
Overall Score: 7/10
The Tascam TH-MX2 Closed-Back Studio Mixing Headphones are a budget-friendly option for beginners in the studio and audiophiles. They feature a lightweight and closed-back design, 40mm neodymium magnet driver, and a tightly-stitched, padded headband and ear bands for comfortable and long-lasting wear. The headphones come with a screw-on 1/8” to 1/4” adapter and a leatherette bag for convenience. While they are not suitable for professional mixing due to a hyped low end and warmth, they are great for tracking and general listening. Some users have reported issues with durability and ear discomfort after prolonged use.
Key Features
- Lightweight and Closed Back Design
- 40mm Neodymium Magnet Driver
- Tightly-Stitched, Padded Headband and Ear Bands
- Screw-on 1/8” to 1/4” Adapter and Leatherette Bag
- Cable Length: About 9.8ft (3m)
Specifications
- Color: Black
- Dimension: 7.00Lx3.50Wx8.50H
- Size: 8.50 x 3.50 x 7.00 inches
Pros
- Budget-friendly option for beginners and audiophiles
- Great for tracking and general listening
- Comfortable and long-lasting design
- Screw-on adapter and leatherette bag for convenience
Cons
- Not suitable for professional mixing
- Some users reported durability issues
- Ear discomfort after prolonged use
The Tascam TH-MX2 Closed-Back Studio Mixing Headphones are a great budget-friendly option for beginners and audiophiles. While they may not be suitable for professional mixing, they offer great sound quality for tracking and general listening. However, some users have reported issues with durability and ear discomfort after prolonged use, so it’s important to keep these factors in mind before making a purchase.
Overall Score: 8/10
The OneOdio Wired Headphones is a professional studio-grade over-ear headphone designed for monitoring, mixing, recording, and personal listening. With dual 50mm neodymium drivers, it provides outstanding response frequencies and superior noise isolation, ensuring a comfortable and tight fit. The headphones are compatible with a variety of devices and come with detachable dual jacks, making it a versatile choice for both professionals and casual users.
Key Features
- Professional studio-grade over-ear headphone
- Dual 50mm neodymium drivers
- Superior noise isolation
- Detachable dual jack
- Compatible with various devices
Specifications
- Color: Black
- Dimension: 0.00Lx0.00Wx0.00H
Pros
- Outstanding frequency response
- Superior noise isolation
- 50mm neodymium drivers for impactful bass
- Comfortable and tight fit
- Compatible with various devices
- Detachable dual jack for versatile use
Cons
- Creaking sound from hinges reported
- Shorter cord length than previous model
- Some issues with warranty replacements
The OneOdio Wired Headphones offers impressive sound quality, comfortable fit, and versatile connectivity options. Despite some minor concerns, such as creaking hinges and shorter cord length, the overall performance and build quality make it a reliable choice for professional and casual users alike.
Overall Score: 8/10
The Behringer HPX2000 High-Definition DJ Headphones deliver high-definition bass and super-transparent highs, making them a great choice for studio work and everyday use. Equipped with high-efficiency cobalt capsules, these headphones feature an ultra-high dynamic range and a single-sided cord with oxygen-free copper wires. The package includes a 1/8" connector plus a 1/4" adapter for versatile connectivity. With a customer rating of 4.2/5, these headphones offer fantastic value at an affordable price, delivering a rich bass and crisp highs. While they may not sound perfect, they are functional and provide excellent sound quality for the price.
Key Features
- High-definition bass and super-transparent highs: True
- Ultra-high dynamic range: True
- High-efficiency cobalt capsule: True
- 1/8" connector plus 1/4" adapter included: True
- Single-sided cord with oxygen-free copper wires: True
Specifications
- Color: Black
- Dimension: 7.95Lx6.77Wx3.82H
Pros
- Excellent sound quality for the price
- Comfortable to wear for extended periods
- High-quality cord and connectors
Cons
- Bass can be a little thick at times
- Lack of volume control on the cord
- Midrange and top octave sound is suboptimal
The Behringer HPX2000 High-Definition DJ Headphones offer fantastic value for their affordable price, delivering excellent sound quality with rich bass and crisp highs. While they may have some minor drawbacks, such as the lack of volume control on the cord and suboptimal midrange and top octave sound, these headphones are comfortable to wear for extended periods and provide a high-quality listening experience. Overall, they are a great choice for both studio work and everyday use.
Overall Score: 8/10
The OneOdio Monitor 60 Professional Studio Headphones are perfect for home and studio use, delivering high-resolution audio, supreme comfort, and noise isolation. The large diaphragm and 50mm drivers provide well-balanced, detailed sound across all frequencies, making it ideal for tracking, mixing, DJing, mastering, and broadcasting. The soft earmuffs and steel headband ensure optimal comfort and durability, while the included cables and adapters make it compatible with a wide range of devices and instruments. With a customer rating of 4.3/5, these headphones offer exceptional sound quality and value for money, but some users have experienced issues with the hinges and build quality.
Key Features
- Large 50mm drivers for balanced sound
- 1.2m cable with mic for phone calls
- Extra-long audio cable for TV connection
- Soft, breathable ear cushions for comfort
- Compatible with PC, laptop, phone, and Mac
Specifications
- Color: Black
- Dimensions: 8.66Lx7.09Wx4.33H
Pros
- Exceptional high-resolution audio quality
- Comfortable for extended usage
- Excellent value for the price
- Compatible with a wide range of devices
Cons
- Issues with hinges and build quality
- Some users experienced durability problems
The OneOdio Monitor 60 Professional Studio Headphones offer outstanding sound quality, comfort, and value for money, making them a great choice for home and studio use. However, users should be aware of potential issues with the build quality and hinges, which may affect long-term durability.
Overall Score: 7/10
The OneOdio Monitor 80 is the first open-back headphones from OneOdio. It's designed for mastering, mixing, and tracking in professional studio applications. With advanced diaphragms and a customizable fit, these headphones offer exceptional wearing comfort to the users. They feature detachable cables and come with a standard 3.5mm audio cable and a 1/4 inch stereo adapter cable, providing more options for music creation. The sound delivered by the headphones is stable, solid, and powerful, making them suitable for average listening. However, they require a fairly powerful and dedicated headphone amplifier to truly come alive. Despite their great sound, the headphones suffer from poor build quality and materials, leading to potential durability issues.
Key Features
- Open-back studio headphones
- 250 ohm nominal impedance
- Professional studio headphones
- Exceptional wearing comfort
- Adapter-free
Specifications
- Dimension: 2.28Lx6.06Wx8.66H
Pros
- Hi-Res audio certified
- Reliable companion for mastering, mixing, and tracking
- Accurate and full-range pure sonic output
- Detachable cables for more music creation options
- Exceptional wearing comfort for long-time use
Cons
- Require a dedicated headphone amplifier for best performance
- Poor build quality and materials may lead to durability issues
The OneOdio Monitor 80 offers impressive sound quality suitable for professional studio applications and average listening. However, the headphones suffer from potential durability issues due to poor build quality and materials, making them less favorable for long-term use.
Overall Score: 9/10
The OneOdio Hi-Res Over Ear Headphones are designed for studio monitoring and mixing with sound isolation. These wired headphones feature protein leather earcups and a 50mm driver unit to deliver clear and crisp tones. They are comfortable with swiveling ear cups for single-sided monitoring and a foldable design. The headphones are compatible with all devices that have a 3.5mm or a 6.35mm audio jack. They provide Hi-Res audio and come with a dual-duty cable. The black headphones have dimensions of 7.72Lx3.50Wx6.69H and are sized M. With a 4.5/5 customer rating, users praise their comfort, sound quality, bass, and value for money. However, some find the cords and earpads could have potential wear issues.
Key Features
- Hi-Res Audio Certified
- Dual-duty Cable
- Comfort Earcups
- Single-sided Monitoring & Foldable Design
- Works with all devices with 3.5 or 6.35 mm jack
Specifications
- Color: Black
- Dimension: 7.72Lx3.50Wx6.69H
- Size: M
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Comfortable for long periods
- Compatible with various devices
- Dual-duty cable provides versatility
- Foldable design for portability
Cons
- Potential wear issues with cords and earpads
- May not provide great sound isolation
The OneOdio Pro-50 Headphones are a great choice for those seeking high-quality sound and comfort. They are versatile, durable, and provide an excellent music listening experience, making them a valuable investment for music enthusiasts, producers, and audiophiles alike.
Types of Headphones for Mixing
- Open-Back Headphones
- Allow air and sound to pass through, creating a more natural sound
- Good for mixing because they give a sense of space and depth
- Can be less practical for noisy environments because sound leaks out
- Closed-Back Headphones
- Designed to keep sound in and block outside noise
- Great for mixing in noisy environments
- May not provide as wide of a soundstage as open-back headphones
- Semi-Open Headphones
- Combination of open-back and closed-back designs
- Offer some of the benefits of both types, such as a balanced sound and some isolation
Important Features to Look For
- Frequency Response
- Look for headphones with a wide frequency response to accurately hear low and high frequencies in your mixes
- Impedance
- Consider the impedance of the headphones to ensure they work well with your audio interface or devices
- Comfort
- Make sure the headphones are comfortable for extended use, especially if you'll be wearing them for long mixing sessions
- Durability
- Choose headphones made with quality materials to ensure they can withstand the rigors of mixing and daily use
- Sound Isolation
- Evaluate the level of sound isolation the headphones provide, especially if you'll be working in a noisy environment
- Detachable Cables
- Consider headphones with detachable cables for easy replacement and maintenance
Tips for Choosing the Right Headphones
- Purpose
- Determine if you'll be using the headphones primarily for mixing or if you need them for tracking and monitoring as well
- Budget
- Set a budget for your headphones and consider the best options within that range
- Research
- Read reviews and gather information about different headphone models to make an informed decision
- Try Before You Buy
- If possible, test out the headphones in a store or borrow them from a friend to ensure they meet your needs
- Compatibility
- Consider the compatibility of the headphones with your audio equipment and devices
- Ask for Recommendations
- Get advice from fellow musicians, producers, or audio engineers who have experience with mixing headphones
- Consider Multiple Options
- Don't settle on the first pair of headphones you come across; explore different options to find the best fit for your mixing needs
Caring for Your Mixing Headphones
- Store Properly
- Keep your headphones in a safe and dry place when not in use to prevent damage
- Clean Regularly
- Wipe down the headphones with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and debris
- Handle with Care
- Avoid dropping or mishandling your headphones to prevent unnecessary wear and tear
- Replace Parts When Needed
- If any parts of your headphones become damaged or worn out, consider replacing them to maintain optimal performance
- Avoid Cranking Up the Volume
- Listen at a reasonable volume to avoid damaging your hearing and the headphones themselves
Remember, choosing the right headphones for mixing is crucial for achieving accurate and balanced sound. Consider the type, features, and tips provided to make an informed decision that will enhance your mixing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions about Top Headphones for Mixing: A Comprehensive Review for Him
Regular headphones may not be the best option for mixing audio because they may not accurately represent the sound as it really is. It’s better to use headphones specifically designed for mixing.
When choosing headphones for mixing, look for ones that have a flat frequency response, good sound isolation, and comfortable fit. This will help ensure that you can accurately hear the audio as it is without any interference.
While wireless headphones may be convenient for everyday use, they may not be the best option for mixing because they can introduce latency and potential interference that can affect the accuracy of the sound.
You don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money, but it’s important to invest in a good pair of headphones specifically designed for mixing. There are some affordable options that can still provide good sound quality and accuracy.
Gaming headphones are designed for a different purpose and may not provide the accurate sound representation needed for mixing. It’s best to use headphones that are specifically designed for audio mixing.