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Music & AudioHeadphones

What are the best headphones for music production, song programming, and mixing?

4

Options
Considered

40

User
Recs.

Jan 18, 2021

Last
Updated

Here’s the Deal

4 Options Considered

Best headphones for music production, song programming, and mixing	Price	Type	Last Updated
87 Sennheiser HD 650	-	-	May 21, 2020
-- Sony MDR 7506	$100	On/Over-Ears	Dec 14, 2018
-- Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro	$179.02	On/Over-Ears	Jan 18, 2021
-- Audio Technica ATH M50X	$149.00	-	Dec 14, 2018

Sennheiser HD 650

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Top Pro

Tight and punchy bass, clear with natural mids and highs

The sound signature is near neutral but with a little emphasis on the lower frequencies. The bass is slightly forward with good punch and tightness. Explosions will have good rumble, without overpowering the other frequencies. The mids are warm and clear, adding extra body to the sound. Game dialogue will be easy to hear. Highs have good clarity, but are not forward in any way, so harshness is minimized. See More

Top Con

May require a headphone amp for optimal sound

Plugging these directly to your computer or phone will most likely result in audio that is lacking in volume or may sound too thin. To get the best listening experience, you will need to run these with a capable headphone amp. See More

Top Pro

Decent soundstage

The open ear cup design allows the sound to blend with your surroundings, giving it a natural width. It will also be easier to identify the direction of sounds, which can really help immersion. See More

Top Con

Sound leak can be a distraction for others

The open design means that a lot of sound can leak out the ear cups. Other people in your immediate vicinity will be able to hear your music, movie or game, which can be annoying for them. See More

Top Pro

Headphone cable can easily be replaced

While the cable connectors are proprietary, they can easily be removed from the ear cups with a firm pull. The popularity of these headphones means that there are a lot of aftermarket cables that can be bought. See More

Top Pro

Lightweight for full-sized headphones

The HD-650s do not feel heavy at all. They are usable for long music listening, movie or gaming sessions without feeling pain or strain on their head and neck. See More

Top Pro

Comfortable even when used for hours straight

Clamping force is not too tight. The ear pads and headband feature memory foam which are covered by velour material. The pads feel really soft on the head and allow airflow for minimized heat build-up/sweat. The headband also features similar cushioning materials and minimizes pressure spots on the head. See More

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Sony MDR 7506

Top Pro

Offers a fairly accurate sound with good comfort and noise isolation but at a very affordable price

The MDR 7506's price is a fraction of the cost of most studio headphones, yet these offer most of what you need for studio use: accurate sound and good noise isolation. See More

Top Con

Can be very picky with audio sources

Due to how accurate sounding these are, you will be able to hear minute details from the sound, including hiss, distortion, and the like. To get the most out of these headphones for music enjoyment, you will want to have a great audio source. See More

Specs

Type:On/Over-Ears

Top Pro

Clean and balanced sound with smooth bass and detailed highs

The bass is just right. It may not have the deep sub-bass extension that bass heads crave for, but what is there is fast, tight and punchy. The mids are clear with a hint of warmth, which make vocals and guitars sound very clear and you can easily hear their sonic nuances . The reproduction of highs is the part that these headphones really shine. They are crystal clear and highly detailed without adding hiss or harshness to the overall sound. Cymbal crashes and pings, for example, are very close to what you would hear if they were played right in front of you. See More

Top Con

Cable is quite long and non-removable

The headphone cable is coiled and is about 10 feet long. This is great for studios, however walking around in public with these headphones on can be awkward. The cable cannot be removed and has no remote or mic. See More

Top Pro

Reliable headphones due to solid build quality

The MDR 7506 is built outstandingly well, with high quality materials and with little to no creaks and unnecessary flex. These headphones have been around since 1991, which has given Sony a lot of time to refine the manufacturing process of these cans. See More

Top Pro

Minimal sound leakage due to the closed back design

These leak very little sound compared to other over-ear headphones. The rear side of the ear cups is fully closed, which effectively minimizes sound leakage. With these, you can fully enjoy your music without disturbing people beside you. See More

Top Pro

Easy to bring on the go due to the collapsible design

The yokes are collapsible and fold into the headband, reducing the headphones to a much more compact size. Included with each purchase is a synthetic leather pouch for added protection for the headphones when taking them on the go. See More

Top Pro

Bang for the buck

Despite being sub $100, the MDR 7506 can compete against headphones up to twice the price. These are great if you are just starting to get serious about your audio and you want a relatively inexpensive yet quality purchase. See More

Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro

Top Pro

Good soundstage for closed back headphones

The DT770 Pro, when amped properly, creates an open feeling sound stage that is very impressive for a headphone with a closed design. See More

Top Con

Headband may not fit those with larger head sizes

While the Sennheiser's have headbands which can be adjusted to easily fit a 'hatsize 62/63' head, the DT770 Pro and DT990 Pro headbands may need tweaking to make them work for larger heads. See More

Specs

Type:On/Over-Ears

Top Pro

Great sound quality with deep and powerful bass

The bass is not overpowering. Instead, it is clean and controlled. The overall sound signature is focused on the bass but the mids and highs are in no way lacking either. See More

Top Con

May require extra power/amplification for optimal sound

Depending on which model is purchased (16/80/250-ohm), your system may have trouble powering them to get a full sound and comfortable volume. 16/80-ohm should work fine in most systems. If not, you may need an external amplifier. See More

Top Pro

Impressive isolation and minimal sound leakage

The headphones offer impressive sound isolation, keeping exterior noise out and your music in. See More

Top Pro

Sits well over your ears

The DT770s are very comfortable to wear with its deep and spacious ear pads. The velour material used on these are smooth and breathable, and the thick foam provides ample cushioning. These headphones can be worn for long periods of time with no issues. See More

Audio Technica ATH M50X

Top Pro

Good passive isolation

The ear cups and pads are able to keep the sound in and block outside noise. These are suitable for a noisy office as even low volume music is enough to drown out those noisy office mates. See More

Top Con

Ear cups may be too small

The ear cups on the M50x are smaller than those on something like the 380HD or the DT 770 Pro. Your ears could end up touching the the inside of the headphones which can be uncomfortable for some. See More

Top Pro

Generally neutral sounding but with an added kick to the low end

The ATH-M50x are great sounding headphones with a sound that may fall in the neutral category, but with very slight boosts to the bass and highs; a slightly V-shaped sound. The bass is full and has a lot of power. The sub bass has a hint of elevation though, which can make the bass sound a bit loose on hip-hop or EDM tracks. The mids are fairly neutral with no elevation. The highs are also slightly elevated, which does not add harshness but instead gives the sound a shimmery and detailed feel. This sound signature of the M50x makes it versatile. It is neutral enough for monitoring use, yet also has just the right qualities to make it a great choice for enjoying music. See More

Top Con

Not very long lasting

The leather on the ear-cups and the headband, though very comfortable, can start wearing off in a year or two. See More

Top Pro

Good passive isolation

The ear cups and pads are able to keep the sound in and block outside noise. These are suitable for a noisy office as even low volume music is enough to drown out those noisy office mates. See More

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