9 Best Headphones for Music Production

Introduction

A good pair of headphones is essential for monitoring your mix in detail. Look for headphones with a wide frequency response and good isolation.

When it comes to music production, having a reliable pair of headphones is essential. Headphones allow for accurate monitoring and mixing of audio, which is crucial for achieving a professional sound. Here are some of the best headphones for music production, organized by tier of pricing and specifications.

9 of The Best Headphones

Tier 1: Under $100

1. Audio-Technica ATH-M20x – These headphones provide excellent value for their price, offering a frequency range of 15Hz – 20kHz and 40mm drivers for clear and accurate sound.
2. Sony MDR-7506 – These are a classic choice for music production, known for their clear and detailed sound reproduction, and a frequency range of 10Hz – 20kHz.
3. AKG K240 – These headphones are known for their comfort, and they deliver a balanced sound with a frequency range of 15Hz – 25kHz.

Tier 2: $100 – $300

1. Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro – These headphones offer a frequency range of 5Hz – 35kHz and a semi-open design for a more natural sound. They also have a high level of comfort and are well suited for long sessions.
2. Sennheiser HD 600 – These headphones offer a neutral and detailed sound, making them ideal for critical listening and mixing. They have a frequency range of 12Hz – 39kHz and are designed for long sessions.
3. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x – These headphones are widely used in studios and offer a balanced sound with a frequency range of 15Hz – 28kHz. They are also known for their durability and comfort.

Tier 3: $300+

1. Sennheiser HD 800 – These headphones offer an incredibly detailed and accurate sound, with a frequency range of 4Hz – 51kHz. They are designed for critical listening and are comfortable for long sessions, making them a popular choice for professionals.
2. Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro – These headphones offer a balanced and accurate sound, with a frequency range of 5Hz – 40kHz. They are also designed for comfort and are well-suited for long sessions.
3. Audeze LCD-X – These headphones offer a unique planar magnetic driver design that provides excellent detail and accuracy. They have a frequency range of 10Hz – 50kHz and are designed for professional use.

When it comes to choosing the best headphones for music production, it’s important to consider the specifications, comfort, and price. Ultimately, the right pair of headphones will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

Three Types of Headphones

When it comes to music production, choosing the right headphones is essential to achieve a well-balanced mix. There are three main types of headphones: closed-back, open-back, and semi-open.

1. Closed-back headphones: Closed-back headphones have a solid shell that completely encloses the earcups. This design makes them ideal for recording in the studio as they offer excellent sound isolation, which prevents bleed into the microphone. They also provide strong bass response, which can be useful for mixing and mastering. However, they tend to produce a sound that is more confined, which can be fatiguing over long periods.
2. Open-back headphones: Open-back headphones feature a design where the back of the earcups is left open, which allows air to flow freely. This design produces a more natural, spacious sound that is often preferred by audiophiles. Open-back headphones tend to have a wider soundstage, which can make it easier to hear individual instruments and their placement in the mix. However, they tend to leak sound, making them unsuitable for recording in the studio.
3. Semi-open headphones: Semi-open headphones are a hybrid of closed-back and open-back designs. They feature a partially enclosed earcup, which offers some of the isolation of closed-back headphones while still providing a more spacious soundstage. Semi-open headphones can be a good compromise for those who want some isolation while still being able to hear the mix accurately.

Overall, the choice between closed-back, open-back, and semi-open headphones will depend on your personal preferences and the specific application. It’s also important to consider the frequency response, impedance, and sensitivity of the headphones, as these factors can affect their overall sound quality and compatibility with your audio interface.

Additional Points to Consider

Here are a few additional points that you can consider when making your decision:

1. Comfort is Key: Music production often involves long hours of wearing headphones, so comfort is an important factor to consider when choosing a pair. Look for a pair with well-padded ear cups and headbands that can be adjusted to fit your head comfortably.
2. Impedance and Sensitivity: Impedance and sensitivity are two important specifications to consider. High impedance require more power to drive, but they can deliver a cleaner and more accurate sound. Sensitivity refers to how loud the headphones can get, and it’s important to choose a pair that are sensitive enough to be driven by your audio interface or amplifier.
3. Avoid Noise-Canceling Headphones: While noise-cancelation may be great for blocking out ambient noise when you’re traveling, they are not recommended for music production. This is because they use electronic circuitry to cancel out noise, which can affect the accuracy of your audio monitoring.
4. Check the Cable: A removable and replaceable cable is a useful feature to have, especially if you plan to use them for a long time. Make sure that the cable is long enough for your needs and that it is sturdy enough to withstand frequent use.
5. Test Them Out: Lastly, it’s important to test out different set before making a final decision. This will give you a chance to listen to different models and see which one works best for your needs. If possible, try to test them out in a quiet listening environment, so that you can hear the nuances of the sound.

Tips for Mixing and Mastering

Mixing and mastering are two essential processes that can make or break the final sound of your music. Here are some tips for both processes:

Mixing Tips

1. Start with clean recordings: Good mixing starts with clean and well-recorded tracks. Make sure to record in a treated room with good microphones and proper gain staging.
2. Listen to reference tracks: Listening to professionally mixed tracks in the same genre as your song can give you an idea of how your mix should sound. Compare your mix to these references frequently to ensure you’re on the right track.
3. Use EQ wisely: EQ can help shape your mix, but don’t overuse it. Make sure to cut unnecessary frequencies and boost important ones subtly. Also, try using EQ in creative ways to achieve unique sounds.
4. Pay attention to levels: Ensure all elements of the mix are balanced and sitting in the right place in the stereo field. Use volume automation to adjust levels where necessary.
5. Use compression effectively: Compression can help even out levels and add sustain to individual tracks. Use it wisely, and make sure not to over-compress your mix.

Mastering Tips

1. Take breaks: It’s essential to give your ears a break during the mastering process. Take frequent breaks and switch to other songs to refresh your ears.
2. Get the right levels: Make sure your mix is peaking at the right level, and adjust the levels of individual tracks if necessary. Keep in mind that commercial streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have specific loudness targets.
3. Use EQ and compression subtly: The goal of mastering is to enhance the mix, not to fix it. Use EQ and compression subtly to add character and polish to the mix.
4. Add stereo width: Use stereo widening tools like stereo imagers or mid-side EQ to create a wider soundstage and add depth to the mix.
5. Test on different systems: Make sure to test your final mix on different systems, including headphones, speakers, and car audio systems, to ensure it sounds good across different platforms. You can use software like SoundID Reference to test our your mixes sound on different systems.

By following these tips, you can improve your mixing and mastering skills and achieve a more polished and professional sound in your music.

Conclusion

Choosing the right pair of headphones is crucial for achieving a professional and well-balanced mix in music production. There are three main types to consider: closed-back, open-back, and semi-open, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.

It’s important to consider the specifications, comfort, and price when selecting headphones for music production. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, there are options available at different price points to suit your specific needs and preferences. By investing in a reliable pair of headphones with a wide frequency response and good isolation, you can take your music production to the next level.

Additional Reading

Now that you’ve taken the time to learn about the best headphones for music production, review our other articles. Interested in the learning more about the greatest composer? Read our article about the comparing Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. You can also learn the lesser known composers of the Romantic era here.

Interested in finding a great midi controller for music production? Read our article about the 6 of the best midi controllers. Also, here are 9 of the best microphones for musicians.

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