I Tested 10 Pro STUDIO HEADPHONES ($99 to $1699)

[@IcemanTheDj]

Nice presentation! I have Hd600 and HD25 from Sennheiser as main headphones, and others more on cheap side...

[@gregmccarty8253]

I'm using Sennheiser 560S phones. $230. 120ohms. I read some glowing reviews and went for it. I use Sonarworks. Many many years back I bought of a pair of AKG 240 600ohm phones. Made in Austria. Classics! My UR44 interface drives them just fine.

[@mixdownonline]

Never tried the Sennheiser 560S, glad you like them! Thanks for your comment Greg!

[@GROPIUS66]

Always good to hear your opinion. I personally have the Beyer Dynamic DT990 pro. Absolutely amazing revealing sound!!!...BTW... Barry Johns Studio Talks made some nice advertising for your channel and Cubase courses

[@mixdownonline]

Never tried them, but heard good things about him, Beyer Dynamic DT990 pro. Yes, I saw Barry's video yesterday...I'm speechless!

[@diegooliveirabenjamin]

I think nowadays, for mixing and mastering, there are three models priced reasonably and that just works, they are Slate VSX, Neumann NDH 30, and the HD650 by Sennheiser. Aside from that I LOVE the Focals Spirit Pro

[@kierenmoore3236]

Why the 650 over the 600 … ?

[@gdawgs101]

​@@kierenmoore3236 I have the same question, the 600s have a flatter EQ curve than the 650s

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@gdawgs101 Yeah, I think the 600s are the way to go …

[@veritas7010]

Ndh 30 is trash

[@raphabmroque]

@@veritas7010 why?

[@DjStatusss]

Audi technical 40? Superlux 681? What’s cheapest best?

[@EhsanExplains]

Thanks for the review. I have two questions. 1. For podcasting and editing podcasts, which one do you think is better: the Audio-Technica M50xBT2 or the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro? 2. For the same purpose, if money were not an issue, which one would you prefer?

[@Magichandzpro]

Neumann ndh 30 it's just the best! And I have a lot of headphones, like (beyer 1990, shure 1840, audio technica m50x, audeze LCD-2, HD 800s). The ndh30 is so far the best for mixing. For my taste.

[@g.o.9513]

same here, own them as well. will be honest, sometimes the air system or cars passing by will bleed into the listening experience on the nth 30. I'm thinking about using the Sony mdr 7506 to get rough mix or even a decent headphone mix first.

[@raphabmroque]

Is the NDH 30 good for checking bass? Because I really need a headphone to check my bass (even though I have a sub in my home studio, it's not 100% treated)

[@raphabmroque]

And what is your taste? I've tested the DT 1770 Pro once and it was AMAZING sound (never had a chance to mix with it, but the sound was beautiful). I have in my home studio a M40X and a K240 MKII, but I hate them... M40X - Too bright and little sub. K240 MKII - Dull and has NO SUB, pratically. And because I produce/mix electronic music, I really need those bass/sub frequencies

[@emperorbingo]

Used to use the Sony MDR7506 for mixing for years. They were the only headphones I used for anything and knew them pretty well. After I got SoundID, I went in for one of their pairs of individually calibrated Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pros. It really upped my game. For various reasons, I've almost always mixed in headphones. The Calibrated 880s make it that much easier.

[@mixdownonline]

Glad you like the DT 880 Pros! Beyerdynamic headphones are pretty good

[@alondite215]

The DT880 is the best headphone Beyer ever made, and is the only one in their line that isn't dramatically outperformed by its competitors. Good on your for not following the common advice and going for the inferior 770 or 990.

[@RobKristjansson]

I've got a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pros (250 ohm, open back) for mixing, and a pair of DT 770 Pros (250 ohm, closed back) for livestreaming and tracking. (I'm a VO artist.) I had a pair of RØDE NTH-100s for livestreaming and tracking, but the sound was so different from the 990s it kinda freaked me out! So I picked up the 770s and never looked back 😁 No knock on RØDE's cans, they're well built and super comfortable, if a little on the warm side, sound-wise.

[@alondite215]

The HD650 can be found from Drop (as the Drop-exclusive 6XX, but is the same headphone) for like $220. At that cost they pretty much invalidate every other option in terms of value unless close-backed is an absolute necessity for you. There's a reason the HD600/650 are _the_ de facto reference standard for headphones. In my experience, the Focal Clear (original, not Mg) are flat-out better than the MM500 for $200 less, though they can be found at less than half the price sometimes. Also the MM500's low impedance makes them a bitch to match with some amps (and under no circumstances should a $1500+ headphone be used without a dedicated amplifier), and without mods they have loose, floppy diaphragms that almost always have some degree of low-level ringing.

[@davidandrews864]

I have 2 sets of Verum headphones. I got the first set after your video on them. They took 5 months to get them in Australia. It was worth the wait. Couldn't believe how good they sound. I ordered another set. They have arrived and are definitely worth the wait. These are the best studio headphones I have ever had.

[@mixdownonline]

Oh wow, 2 pairs of Verum One? That tells a lot :-)

[@davidandrews864]

@@mixdownonline I want my vocalists to have the same experience, I'm having. When I got my first pair, the first track I listened to was Tina. That's what blew me away

[@DiegoMontesinos]

Another Verum´s Lover here, NO "Words"!!, and even better with a preamp like "Tooping L30 MKii",

[@alondite215]

@@DiegoMontesinos That amp is hot trash (along with Topping as a company) and is holding back the Verum considerably. Get rid of that turd and get a Magni Piety from Nitsch. Not only is it a _massively_ better amp, but it also pairs better with the Verum.

[@DiegoMontesinos]

well, I think is the better cheper one, as the verum one are!! 🙂@@alondite215

[@cefahprod]

I personally use the DT 880 Pro 250 ohms for Mixing and Producing, and now I Have a pair of ATH M20X for recording. However, I'm really looking forward for the Audeze MM-100. Great video, thanks Chris.

[@mixdownonline]

Awesome! Thanks for your comment!

[@xozcallboy7572]

Hi. tell me how do you like mm-100?

[@cefahprod]

@xozcallboy7572 I did not bought the mm-100 it looks too long to come in Montreal so I choose the Hitman Sundara and I couldn't be more happy. It is not like the higher rank of Audezr but it is truly remarkable. Sounds really great, with really good sound stage, transients and frequency representation. But it need a good DAC and a good preamp. By good I don't necessarily mean expansive. Topping made some amazing piece of gear for not that much money.

[@xozcallboy7572]

@@cefahprod thx

[@mikemccormick1624]

Thanks for another cool video, Chris! I have both the Beyer Dynamic DT990's and DT770's. I love them both but really prefer the open back 990's for mixing. For me, I've never had good luck with headphone correction plugins. I've tried Tone Boosters Morphit, dearVR MIX, and have all of the Waves NX rooms. When I do use the NX's or dearVR MIX I usually have the headphone correction turned off. I think that it's just that I'm so used to listening to music in them with no correction. However, I have never tried the SonarWorks.

[@mixdownonline]

Same here, when I work with the NX plugin, I don't use their room correction. SonarWorks is very different compared to NX. I made a video about this kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6SWaoCdqamJgKc

[@baronvonlichtenstein]

All I used for years were 7506. Very reliable. Won't steer you wrong, though hi hats and cymbals are hard to figure out. With about 12 headphones I'm not sure which ones tell me where 4-5000 should be. I suppose I could compare ones to my Rokit 5 v4 to see which are closest, but all headphones get goofy around 40000Kz

[@lloydbrownmusic]

'Sup Chris...well for tracking I use my cheap and cheerful AKG K52s. For mixing/mastering..I too use the Beyer Dynamic DT990 Pro. I now know them inside out, considering I started mixing periodically on headphones just over a year now. I might treat myself to the Verum One MK 2 for the holidays [ I saw your review on those a while back ] The craftmanship is truly evident in the design. News just in......My wallet just said "don't even think about the Audeze MM-500 dude" : ) great selection mon ami

[@mixdownonline]

Hey Lloyd, if you get a pair of Verum One, you will like them for sure. Yes, always listen to your wallet!

[@Vallosick]

So far I have only one pair of studio headphones, but I love them :D Sennheiser HD650 are my go-to headphones for everything. I don't record vocals so it's not a problem that they are open back.

[@mixdownonline]

The classic Sennheiser HD650, can't go wrong!

[@davidcottrell1308]

@@mixdownonline dude...they rock! sooooo comfortable, too.

[@facethemusic7o2]

Sennheiser HD280 Pro's (2nd revision).......... my go to for years. Surprised they didn't make the list.

[@mixdownonline]

Never tried them, but thanks for sharing

[@steinwaygoat]

Perfect! I'm slowly going deaf (family heredity, aaargh), and this gives me a great pool of headphones to look at for more personalized calibrations. Thanks, too, for that gear list. You're wonderfully generous with sharing your experience.

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@DomDufFTV]

And about Ollo audio headphones ? Best gear i bought

[@Electricowlworks]

I use the Ollo S4X open back headphones and love them! -chaz

[@mixdownonline]

Never tried Ollo yet, but heard good stuff about them, @Electric Owl Works is not the only one loving them

[@PaulieDC]

So you haven’t listened to the $649 Neumann NDH 30s then… if it’s possible for you to get a hold of a pair, you’ll do a review video just on them alone. The game has changed. 😊

[@mixdownonline]

No, I didn't. If I have a chance, I'll check them out, thanks!

[@jerryjazzbo2845]

In other words, look for someone else who already reviewed them....or trust your own ears and not depend on their opinions.

[@g.o.9513]

I never thought I'd say this, but the (NDH-30's) are too good or neutral sounding for me. I actually want something like the SONY MDR 7506. @@mixdownonline

[@veritas7010]

I got them. It's been a while since I was this disappointed. They don't sound better than dt 700 pro Xs and cost 2.2x in price. All masters sound unnatural on them. It's more like a bass speaker rather than a headphone

[@g.o.9513]

both DT, and MDR sound better than NDH 30's. I actually prefer the Sony MDR 7506 above all. @@veritas7010

[@moonbasselectra7079]

Hi there. Personally found DT 770’s disappointing especially low end. Bose QC 35 staggeringly good although wireless. Apple AirPod max also impressive sound stage. 11:57

[@psycofdo]

I do tend to think that headphones you wouldn't prefer with sound correction are better. I need a definitive recommendation for mixing and mastering, but can't afford something so expensive. I use basic interfaces and audio from computer, so higher impedance can be a bit of an issue. If there's an actual improvement on quality with higher impedance then i can try to manage, since audio quality is the most important for my needs. I'm thinking beyerdynamic dt990 pro. Reviewers agree the dt990 pro X tend to be more neutral, but turns confusing on the overall sound compared to the old 990 pro. Are they older pros better than the Xs? do they both need mandatory sound correction ? are those the best on the price range or do i have to sell a kidney for the 1990 pros? am i missing something better? Please help, can't afford trail and error since i have to make an international purchase. Need the audio engineer opinion.

[@uwe303-ou3mz]

I love my DT880 with a tube amp, i also use some sonys for just checking on another cans, and some audio technica too, but my beyers are best for me

[@ErixSamson]

DT770 Pro for recording and Ollo 4 Sx for mixing here

[@mixdownonline]

I would love to try the Ollos

[@PharaohLawLess1]

I mix primarily mix with the Audio Techniqua R70x and the Beats headphones and I record and mix at times with the KRK 8400 and I use those headphones with the Sonarworks plugin to get a flat sound

[@mixdownonline]

That's pretty nice!

[@ClarityJustin]

Thanks for the informative video. For Audeze mm500 and can I run it through scarlet 18i20's pre amp or would I require a dac or external amp? Thanks!

[@MuzdokOfficial]

Merci ;) bon channel!

[@ronaldmalcolm5609]

I use AKG K271 MK IIs for recording because they're closed back and AKG K240s for mixing because they're semi-open and both are very flat. However, I keep my eyes open for anything new, because I'm sure I'll need better headphones as my skills grow.

[@bingybeats189]

Which of these are translating the best?

[@ST-fl5fy]

Do you use any eq correction on the MM 500's?

[@Sacredriver1008]

Since I purchased the Audeze LCD-X a year ago. I started to hear, No 12 000 costing speakers necessary, And no room acoustic treatment needed. This is the headphone that is cutting many years from my time schedule to learn mixing and mastering more properly. The bass goes so deep, Has so much clarity and texture, Rumble. Without being overpowering, More expensive monitor brand like subtle but bass with alot of information. The midrange is more forward, 3D and wide then any headphone, The highs feel so natural and extended. I love planar magnetics! Recommend them to everyone, Give it a year to understand the headphone more properly. I will buy hedd audio type 07 mk2 or 3 next. Kali lp6 aren't as effective for production as better quality gear to hear properly in the audio

[@mixdownonline]

Glad you like your Audeze's, I do as well!

[@simonslee73]

What ohms do you have for the DT-770s? I’ve also been using them for years but I use 70ohms for recording and 250ohms for mixing/mastering. These sound different, the 250s have better separation and less hyped low end. The ohms can be important in choice

[@mixdownonline]

I have the 80ohms version on the DT-770

[@rocktonmusikschule]

I use the Beyerdynamic 770 and the 1999 PRO, Sony 7506. I like using the 7506 and the Beyerdynamic 1990 PRO's both with Sonarworks for mixing and mastering. Great video 🤘

[@mixdownonline]

That's pretty nice!

[@LondonSteveLee]

If your listed impedance spec for the Verum One MKII is correct (8 ohms) these will cause enormous distortion of the frequency response of most interfaces from not loading the headphone amp enough.

[@mixdownonline]

Definitely not the case with these headphones. I've been working with these for more than a year, no distortion of the frequency response at all

[@Bronwyn031]

Steven Slate Audio VSX for mix down and Focal Utopias for headphone check.

[@mixdownonline]

Never tried the SS VSX, but heard good things about them! Tanks for watching!

[@CreepypastaChroniclesDE]

I used the Audeze MM-100

[@xozcallboy7572]

For mixing?

[@ande047]

Can’t go wrong with the beyerdynamic DT990 for mixing. DT770 for tracking

[@mixdownonline]

Very good combination!

[@eranddroory9987]

Thanks for the video. Wondering why you didn't include the Hifiman Sundara as they're the "low budget" version of your Audeze and everyone around the forums online are raving about them..

[@mixdownonline]

I actually never heard of them, so that's why ;-) I will chwck them out, thanks!

[@TheLordcasio]

You take the beanie off when you wear your headphones, right? Have you tried anything from Ultrasone?

[@mixdownonline]

Of course I do :-)

[@BookOfTaliesin]

AKG K271 MkII closed back and AKG 702 open back , both pretty neutral, K702 little less lowend =)

[@mixdownonline]

That's pretty cool!

[@evilone10]

I just put my hands on a LCD-X, this headphones is amazing, i understand why many people have it. Having a shitty room sounds i cannot fix, that was a go to. Not disappointed !!

[@mixdownonline]

Hard to get disapointed with Audeze Headphones :-)

[@evilone10]

@@mixdownonline C'est clair, c'est une tuerie ce casque !!!

[@GeorgeAmodei21]

Tried all Beyer Dynamics (all at once) I found I liked the Audeze MM500 over the DT1990 * the others.

[@mixdownonline]

That's good to know! I mix with them a lot! Thanks for your comment!

[@virgopolution3378]

Any Focal for Mixing ?

[@mixdownonline]

Nevery tried Focal's headphones yet, but heard they're good!

[@Stressreallitychock]

I use Ath40x for recording , Ndh-30 for mixing, and DT770 to verify and confirm my mixing choices , Très bonne vidéo ;)

[@mixdownonline]

Very nice! Thanks!

[@raphabmroque]

Is the NDH 30 good for checking/mixing bass? Because I really need a headphone to check my bass (even though I have a sub in my home studio, it's not 100% treated)

[@Stressreallitychock]

@@raphabmroque yes ndh-30 are amazing

[@raphabmroque]

@@Stressreallitychock thanks, so do you still use them? Well, if you think they're amazing, i think you do lol

[@stephanemarsis1385]

Do you know that you have a sosie in France ( Le 6ème Homme ) ?

[@azizalami835]

Which one do you use? And which one do you recommend for tracking and mixing? (300$ max)

[@ande047]

Beyerdynamic DT770s for tracking, DT990s for mixing/mastering. If you had to choose just one, I’d get the 770s b/c the 990s are open back so the sound will bleed into your recordings (especially the click track).

[@azizalami835]

@@ande047 thanks for the reply! Which one would you recommend the 32, 80, or 250 ohms?

[@mixdownonline]

My main Mixing headphones are the Audeze MM-500, but I also listen to my mixes on my Hi-X65, Verum One, and HD650. For recording, I like the ATH M50x, and AIAIAI Wireless. With that said, if I had to choose a pair of headphones for recording and mixing under $300, definately the Beyerdynamic DT770, and I would go with the 80 ohms model.

[@azizalami835]

@@mixdownonline thank you so much for the clear response! I really enjoy your content! Cheers

[@davidcottrell1308]

Sennheiser 650's. wonderful.

[@milosevicbojan07]

No AKG??

[@Kingchord2000]

Dear Chris, I tried different browsers opening the gear guide and it’s epic fail on my part.😢

[@Kingchord2000]

Thank you very much Chris! Got the pdf!! Very clear and well explained!! More blessings to your channel!!

[@mixdownonline]

Thanks! I'm glad you got it!

[@kierenmoore3236]

Why the HD650s, over the HD600s … ?!

[@Jura_JS]

8:42 wow, I live in Ukraine but I didn’t know about this headphones. I use ATH M50x

[@mixdownonline]

If you're looking for a good pair of open-back headphones, you should check them out for sure, even better that they're your neighbor :-)

[@Redwane-Music]

you have mastered reviewing

[@mixdownonline]

Thank you!

[@Redwane-Music]

@@mixdownonline I just ordered the AKG 240 MKii. I hope I did a good choice . I needed hedphones for mixing and music production. I read many good reviews about them. But you will always find someone who will talk bad about any headphones it seems

[@earthlyng_official4599]

Nothing really compares to the audeze

[@borisstojs]

Please take off beanie. Headphones test with beanie on - hmmm.

[@mixdownonline]

Lol! Didn't you watch the video? Cause I'm not testing these headphones in this video, I've been testing them over the years, and sharing my thoughts on each of them, since I know them pretty well, so whatever I wear in this video is irrelevant ;-)

[@cawcaw3125]

FYI you can buy the same drivers and components as the Audeze mm-500 online for around $150 bucks ;) JS

[@rocktonmusikschule]

I use the Beyerdynamic 770 and the 1999 PRO, Sony 7506. I like using the 7506 and the Beyerdynamic 1990 PRO's both with Sonarworks for mixing and mastering. Great video 🤘