Top 5 Studio Mixing Headphones: Comparison and Review 

One thing I appreciate about your review is that you actually have the equipment and it's based on experience rather than getting some info from internet... Thanks and we need more people like you and more reviews like this.

i spent around 4 days searching for my first mixing headphones, finally i'm getting DT-770. thank you for the insights

This couldn’t come at a more perfect time!

The cushions on the DT770’s are insane. Love mine 💯

I also use the HD-650 and DT-770. In addition i often apply the Sonarworks Reference for Headphone profiles in order to get even better/flatter results when mixing my songs.

My MDR-7506 is 19 years old :) still, work flawlessly.

Thanks Sean you just saved me money. I've had the DT-770 headphones for a number of years, they're a little tatty but still fully functioning & sounding great & if I hadn't seen this I might have replaced them. I agree they sound great, you could spend way more on expensive phones but there's no point. Nice job.

The Sony MDR-7506 are mix engineer Andrew Shep's headphones of choice. For recording, or just listening, I really like the DT-770s. For mixing, I like the Beyerdynamic DT-880 Pros, with SoundID Reference. Hifiman Sundara/Ananda/Edition XS, and Ollo M5X, or the Beyer 1990 Pro might be interesting to me too, further down the line.

None of us believe you get hot or sweaty as you are too cool for school. | DT's for value:quality ratio. 990's here for like 12 years.

I have the Sen 660s and the DT 770. In contrast to many people that seem to swear by the DT 770s to me they sound a bit harsh. This can be great for finding problems in the mix but for general listening they become fatiguing quickly at least for me. I can only comfortably listen to them if I eq them down a couple of db around 8kHz and 16kHz. Actually I was surprised when you described them as not harsh having already described the Sony as very bright (I haven't tried them but I am really curious to see how they sound). I have A/B mine quite a lot and when I switch between the 660s and the DT 770 the sibilants just pop out whatever I am listening to (hi hats, more bright snares, crashes you name it, are all over the place) to the point where I would drastically EQ them if I was only using the DT 770 for mixing. I would say that I am a bit more sensitive to bright sounds (and I like more warm sounds in general this is true) but the problem is the following. Many Beyer Dynamics headphones, including DT 770, have a really obvious peak around 8-9kHz in their frequency response which is measurable. And the peak is also quite extreme, it is around +9 to 10 dB SPL from the expected flat frequency response (at least according to the measurements I have seen online in a few popular review sites). So there is a big amplification there (at least on paper) and honestly I am not sure how much harsher you can get at least at this specific high treble range. I am not trying to argue with anyone's experience as this is really subjective but having them described as not harsh at all (not only by you but also many reviewers actually) and the fact that many people seem to not only not be bothered, which is understandable as people have different sensitivity to different frequencies, but not even notice any brightness in such an obvious EQ peak (it is similar to taking your DAW EQ and going in these frequencies and almost maxing them out) really strikes me as odd. Again I am not trying to say everyone is wrong but anyway I wanted to mention it in case someone has a similar experience. I might as well be reading the charts wrong too to be frank. (It is worth mentioning that below these frequencies the headphones are almost completely flat so if you are listening to something that does not have many trebles you should get a pretty accurate and not harsh at all sound). Anyway thanks for the review. Cheers.

I'm watching your vid and waiting for the #1 headphone thinking "oh man, these are gonna be expensive". Not only are they not, I already own three pairs! Ha.....

A thing about the DT770, the 32/250 ohm versions have similar drivers, but the 80 ohms have distinctly different drivers, which gives them also a distinctly different sound to the other versions. Many people (including myself) prefer the 80 ohm sound.

Fully agree. Have them all snd tested them back to back. The DT880 Pro sounds exactly like the Airpods Pro 2.

I can vouch for the much improved OLLO Audio S4X model, they're stunning!

Right on time I was just researching for mixing headphones. Always awesome Sean

Been watching your channel for years regarding mixing/mastering tips, truly appreciate your insight!

My headphones broke this morning and then this comes out 👌👌👌

i just got the DT770 PRO 250 ohm and its sounds amazing!

The Sony MD 7509 (now discontinued) had a much wider bandwidth than the 7506 and was better suited to mixing I think. The dark horse of Beyer's DT range is the 880 Pros a really great mixing headphone and has been described as Beyer's best kept secret. I would recommend anyone to give them a try.

I love the DT990 pros but I definitely need an audio interface. As they are the 250 ohms

Thanks a lot for this Sean. Right on time.

I just bought a pair of Audio-Technica ATX-M50x headphones. The both the high and low end are pretty detailed. The mids sound great too.

U inspired me to get the DT’s. I use them for music and also gaming which sounds awesome ! Thanks for the great video & have a great day!!

Thanks for a great video - very useful

DT 770....agreed. Best headphones on the planet hands down. I've had them all. You just can't beat them in sound quality and comfort.

I'm gonna get the new model Ollo audio s4x for christmas

Thanks for the review Sean, and 15 years my God 😇🙏

Nice take on these headphones, thank you!

650s best hands down!

I ordered the MDR as soon as he said 15years 😅

Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro are the ones for me. Way better then the other DTs

There's actually three versions of the Beyerdynamic. There's a 35 Ohm aswell...

Great review thanks. I thought most people recommend open headphones for mixing/mastering. Surprised to see so many closed backs on the list

I got 2 different sony mdr series. Never give it away!!

what do you think about the HD600 vs HD650? A lot of good producers in my environment recommend the 600s over the 650s for sounding more accurate

Great quality video and information thanks bro!

For No.5 it is very bright and harsh and the cups are easily damage. It is nearly no bass😱 For HD650 it is lack of high-en. If used it for mixing, the mix will be easily too bright. Although it is very light, it make my head so painful foot long time working because of the head bend. Honestly, I can’t comment those headphones I haven’t own ever. My favourite headphones for mixing is HD800S. It is very light and comfortable. The sounds is so accurate and flat.😁 Moreover, one of the most famous mixing engineer in Hong Kong, sometimes he will use Audeze LCD-4 for mixing and mastering. Recently I have bought Hi-X65. I feel it sounds more accurate than HD660, but the head bend issue is same as HD660.

Sean please do a similar top 5 for mic under 150-200 $

Thanks mate you saved my papels as putting my DT-770 as Number one which I bought for production but now I learned that it is also great for Mix/Mastering :)

Have you tried the Audio Technica R70X ? Comfort is second to none, and amazing sound :)

Thx! 770s came in yesterday

The DT 77 cables are replacable. But the replacement coiled high end replacements cost about $70 USD and require soldering to the left can connection. But it's worth the repair.

I've got Shure SR940s. I'd like to try the Sennheisers and the Adams too. My monitors are Adams S3As and A7xs so I should really get the full set. 😆

I use MDRs to record and 770s to mix down. Recording takes more abuse and the 770s are more expensive. Plus 770s seem to have almost too little bass and too much sound separation. But who can tell? What do you use as a reference, they are the standard. Otherwise I have ATH M40X and HD280 Pro. I like both but they seem to add bass. Just got the M50X in the mail. Whoa. Those are amazing.

What would you recommend for EDM production house, techno, trance etc

Sean, Have you tried the DT-990 pro open back for mixing? I use the DT-770 80 Ohm and I love them 🎧

GREAT VIDEO!!!.... I agree 100% with you. It's gonna be good a video Comparison/Review of the next Top 5 to see the total Top 10. Headphones are more and more necessary these days than ever before. Trust me.

I have the 770 80 ohms and they sound so quiet on my Apollo FireWire. I’m also have akg k240 studios which I’ve had for a long time. They are open back and pretty cheap but I’ve used them for awhile and mainly use it as my primary mixing headphone

I use Beyerdynamic DT-880 pro. They do lack lowend and some highs are to high. I do like them do, but ears get a bit tired after long sessions. I did try Sonnarworks reference 4 and it does make it a bit better, but i dont like running another software for correction, and i feel that they remove a bit of the details to.

Great video thank you very informative

I have the DT770 and the HD650 and I love them. Also my AKG702

Thanks bro great review.

Nice comparison review! Very helpful! 👊🏽 🎶 🎧 👍🏽

this is a great video. only mystery to me is how one would point out the high-end on the Adam and Sony, yet totally ignore the typical "Mt. Beyer" peak on the 770s. Super hyped treble is the Beyer signature sound, and it's fatiguing af.

That's the difference between the 80ohm and 250 ohm in the DT770 Beyerdynamic? Thanks

Great video, thanks!

thank you very useful info

Listening on DT-770s. Love them. I guess I made a smart decision.

@Sean Divine I see that Fireface on your desk! what kind of cable management do you have - you don't happen to have a video of that do you?

Any thoughts on the Audio Technica ath-m50x anyone?

Awesome video! Thanks dude!

Why my dt770 pro 250 sounds clear.. But without details on the songs... Are all the same.. I cant mix and Master like this... 😓

thank you i needed this

Thank you for review, I'm going to buy 770s😊

My DT770s developed a buzzing in the left ear which led to it completely dying. The right ear is fine but it means that I can't produce on them anymore. I have had to revert back to the headphones that came with the focusrite scarlett 2i2 1st gen which are really uncomfortable. So as a result I'm looking at getting a new pair with a removeable cable to eliminate this problem.

I love the Sony MDR's but I really hate the pig nose cable.

Do you recommend dt770 80ohm version for mixing? Or 250 ohm version is must?

Perfect timing

Oh, one more IMO. AKG K553 Pro. A little more than DT's but the AKG's are fav for the money.

Just out of curiosity I'm looking for high quality headphones that are super pleasant to listen to with high bass. I usually use the ones that sound best to make the song and don't use the flat response until I actually need to mix. I noice that I lose a lot inspiration when using mix headphones to produce lmao. (Like concert quality open back)

What about beyerdyanmics dt 990?

Just wondering how about ATH-M50x for mixing?

I have the Audio technica M40x’s right now. What’s an upgrade do you think from that? I record/ mix and master hip hop.

Still waiting for you to put out divine mixing chain for the (waves studio rack 11 version). Please do that, cant wait to purchase that cos i have just upgraded my waves bundle

Are the Beyerdynamic DT-770 80 Ohm (Closed Back) good for mixing and mastering?

Which headphone output or headphone amplifier would you reccomend for 250 ohm headphones?

My Audio Technica ATH M50x serve me really well. My mixes translate well.

Thanks sean!

I got some senheiser hd280 pro on sale for $20 in 2014 when I started messing around with iOS music production. I started getting serious and upgraded to iMac, Logic and some Beyerdynamic DT770 in the 80 ohm version because my interface won’t push the 250 ohm version enough. I have the M-audio air 192/6 interface. In hindsight, I wish I would have gotten an interface that will push 250 ohm headphones. Mine requires 75% volume to get decently loud. And I worry I’m missing detail.

Yamaha HPH MT7 vs DT770 80ohm for mixing/mastering ?

would you recommend beyerdynamic dt-770 or the dt-990 pro better? Thanks ! I have an Appolo twin x as audio interface also.

If you had to put Sony MDR 7506's vs Sony WH-1000XM4's in a scale of 1-10 for best music listening expierince, what would that be in your opinion? (Example like 5.2 vs 7). Was curious to ask - thank you.

Very nice headphones. Makes me think which to get. :)

good video! ty

Bro i think my personal review for DT 770 pro 30 ohms and 80 ohms or may be 250ohms, PLEASE DON'T BUY ANY OF THESE HEADPHONES IF YOU DON'T HAVE PREAMP OR USER INTERFACE AS ALL THREE HEADPHONES HAVE VERY LOW VOLUME OR SPL, I have tried it without preamp am returning my new headphone now... If spl is so low it's very hard to listen the problems in mix...

Hello, your videos are very helpful so thanks and I have seen all three pairs of headphones you have advertised. I’m actually looking for a pair of headphones which have a very good quality jack plug and or replaceable jack plug if needs be. I notice you advertised Beyerdynamic DT-770 models? I’m only looking for monitor headphones for home use mastering mixing with GarageBand and Logic. Which would you recommend for home use for mixing and singing recording vocals? Can I see a picture of the cable and jack plug on the Beyerdinaic D-770 headphones please?

What kind of headphones should i get if imma record my vocals and mix ?

I've had issues with beyerdynamics drivers having low power handling, Is that the case for you as well on the dt770-80 ohm?

Sennheiser 650's are IT!

Hi Sean, good review. Do u recommend the Beyerdynamics for genres like Deep House, House, Minimal? Thxs!!

I have genelec 8030Cs ... I'm looking for headphones for mixing and mastering purposes and I have no budget issues. What would you pick?

I have Adam Audio studio monitors so I’m curious about their headphones.

Really great comparison video. Can I ask - been working HD650s with a headphone amp for a few years, but am going to need to move to closed backed for a little while. Do you think the DT770s would be my best move? Being that you've used both, I'd very much appreciate your take. Thanks.

Nice vid!

Sir kindly inform something about KRK 8400.thanks

Hello Master, thank you for your valuable videos . I have a problem , I use Eris 5 speakers for mixing And I compare it with the reference song , Everything sounds great , But with the phone speaker, the volume of my song is much louder than the reference song And this is very annoying . I even tried SonarWorks but my problem was not solved . I have an audio technic ath-m20x headphones But it does not have a good sound , My sound card is saffire pro 14 , And I do not know what to do to have a good mix . I have been mixing hip hop songs for 4 years And now I need a higher quality to earn credit ... The acoustics of my room are relatively good, but I work in a 3 * 3 room. Where do you think the problem comes from? Do I need to replace my speakers or buy a open back headphone ? But which model is better? I am in Iran and due to economic problems I have to choose cheap equipment I had several training courses with Iranian mix engineers, but my problem still persists Please help me how to solve my problem🙏❤️

Hi sean, Don't you find the dt990pro better than the dt770pro for mixing? The price is similar (in my country).

Super awesome 👏🤘🏽🤘🏽🔥🔥🔥

Thanks 👌🏾

Can a tascam us-122 mkii run a dt 770 80 ohm or 250 ohm?