Any music producer worth their salt understands the importance of a solid mix and master. It can make or break the impact of a track, and if something sounds muddy, harsh, or unrefined, it can pull the listener out of the moment and ruin the experience.
After testing a wide range of options, I believe the Shure SRH1840 are the best headphones for mixing and mastering. Ideal for critical listening, they deliver a neutral response without ever sounding sterile – and they’re comfortable enough for longer sessions.
For those looking for the best closed-back headphones to mix and master with, I recommend checking out the AKG K371. While they slightly exaggerate the lows and highs, they’re still a strong all-rounder for the price.
Finally, for anyone on a tight budget, the Sony MDR-7506 is the way to go. While not ideal in every respect, they’ve stood the test of time and remain a trusted standard among audio engineers.
Contents
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Why you should trust me
I’ve been producing and engineering for over 15 years.
During that time, I’ve had hands-on experience with a wide array of monitoring setups – from high-end monitors and studio headphones to crappy earbuds and repurposed car speakers.
I know how to stretch a budget, and I know when a piece of gear doesn’t perform up to its asking price.
This experience, along with years of problem-solving in a variety of recording environments, has taught me what gear is worth your investment – and what isn’t.
How I chose and tested
Upon selecting which headphones to include on this list, there were a few factors I had in mind: frequency response, comfort, general consensus amongst professional use, and cost-to-value ratio.
I’ve personally tested and used each set on this list, so while there may be some inherent bias afoot, I felt that to be preferable over blind statistics.
At the end of the day, the criteria that makes a pair of headphones the best choice for you entirely depends on your own personal set of needs and preferences.
Here’s my pick of the best headphones for mixing and mastering:
- Best overall: Shure SRH1840
- Best closed-back: AKG K371
- Best reference: Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro
- Best budget: Sony MDR-7506
- Best hidden gem: AKG K712 Pro
Check the Honorable mentions for a couple more options that didn’t make my top list but are still worth mentioning for their mixing and mastering performance.
Best overall: Shure SRH1840
- Design: Over-ear, open-back
- Frequency response: 10 Hz – 30 kHz
- Impedance: 65 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
For those of you who are familiar with Shure, the corporation responsible for some of the most iconic and well-known gear in the history of audio, it should come as no surprise that the SRH1840 are, simply put, headphones par excellence.
They’re easy to drive, neutral in their response, yet never come across as boring or sterile in their reproduction. What’s more is that they’re lightweight, comfortable, and durable.
I understand that some of you may be wary of these, considering they’re nearly $500, but trust me when I say they’re hands down some of the best studio headphones for mixing and mastering.
Read my full Shure SRH1840 review for more details.
What I like
- Neutral response.
- High-quality audio.
- Lightweight and durable.
What I don’t like
- Not the most affordable on this list.
Best closed-back: AKG K371
- Design: Over-ear, closed-back
- Frequency response: 5 Hz – 40 kHz
- Impedance: 32 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
In regard to closed-back headphones, the AKG K371 blow nearly every competitor out of the water for their price range. Their frequency response (5 Hz – 40 kHz), while still suffering from a slight V-shape, is far more neutral than, say, Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50x.
Yes, you’ll still get a bit of exaggeration in the lowest of lows and highest of highs, but considering these were designed to be relatively low-budget, the slight inconsistencies ought to be given a pass.
The same can be said for their less-than-ideal build and comfortability, which is a small price to pay for their convenience.
Read my full AKG K371 review for more details.
What I like
- Relatively neutral frequency response.
- Good cost-to-value ratio.
What I don’t like
- Slight exaggeration in low and high frequencies.
Best reference: Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro
- Design: Over-ear, open-back
- Frequency response: 5 Hz – 35 kHz
- Impedance: 250 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
While Beyerdynamic has a reputation for sounding a bit too clinical and overbearing on the high end, it doesn’t make the DT 880 Pro any less viable as a pair of mixing headphones.
Their sound signature is incredibly bright, but this can help highlight sibilance issues and other blemishes in a mix. This can work wonders for your mixes if you take the time to warm up to their character.
The main takeaway here is that the DT 880 Pro are some of the most popular studio headphones for a reason. They sound great, they’re well-built, and they’re supremely comfortable.
If you like a bright sound signature, this one is a no-brainer. Even if you don’t, they make a great pair of reference headphones.
Read my full Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro review for more details.
What I like
- Good to help identify imperfections.
- Well-built.
- Comfortable.
What I don’t like
- Might be overly clinical-sounding to some.
Best budget: Sony MDR-7506
- Design: Over-ear, closed-back
- Frequency response: 10 Hz – 20 kHz
- Impedance: 63 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
The MDR-7506 headphones are a divisive choice. Many refer to them as the gold standard of mixing headphones, others disregard them as trash and move on, but my opinion lies somewhere in between.
It’s important to recognize that these headphones were originally designed to weed out inconsistencies and issues found in voice broadcast engineering, way back when radio was at its peak. So, while they’ve certainly stood the test of time, they’re not perfect.
They are indestructible, however, and stupidly cheap. If you’re interested in having a set of industry standard cans, these are probably the easiest to get a hold of.
Read my full Sony MDR-7506 review for more details.
What I like
- Good audio quality.
- Durable build.
- Affordable.
What I don’t like
- Divisive reputation.
Best hidden gem: AKG K712 Pro
- Design: Over-ear, open-back
- Frequency response: 10 Hz – 40 kHz
- Impedance: 62 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
The K712 Pro headphones are an underrated choice, but are nonetheless some of the best options for mixing and mastering you can find. The price is a bit higher than most of what’s on this list, but is completely worth it.
The soundstage on these cans is absolutely massive. Elements of your mix you once perceived as being closer will sound much farther away, all while retaining their clarity and detail.
The highs are smooth and the bass is present without being overbearing. However, the sound signature might take some getting used to, so I recommend you try them out before buying to make sure they’re right for you.
Read my full AKG K712 Pro review for more details.
What I like
- Massive soundstage.
- Smooth highs and balanced bass.
What I don’t like
- Somewhat higher price than other options.
Honorable mentions
- Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro. These headphones are like the little sibling of the DT 880 Pro – not quite as good but roughly the same. The V-shape in the frequency response is a bit more drastic, but not so much that it will ruin your listening experience. The accuracy of the midrange is what really makes these headphones stand out among a crowd.
- Sennheiser HD 600. A solid choice for any mix engineer, regardless of experience. The HD 600 are rather bright and risk being too hyped up in the high end, but are fairly accurate overall. The brightness can work to your advantage too, especially if you’re in need of some headphones for critical listening.
Conclusion
There you have it, an updated list of the best headphones to use for mixing and mastering your tracks in 2025. While this may not be a complete list, I hope that I’ve provided enough information for you to make your own informed decision.
Remember that the only important thing, the only thing that really matters, is that you’re happy with your investment and that it helps you make better music. Everything else is a farce.
