Best Headphones for Mixing: $400 & Under [2024]

Justin Colletti reviews the top pro level headphones for mixing, focusing on open back models for $400 and under from brands like Audeze, Avantone, Hifiman, Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser, Sony, Steven Slate, Shure, AKG, Neumann, Focal, Audio Technica and more.
Article Version: sonicscoop.com...
Headphone Links:
Audeze MM-100: www.bhphotovid...
Avantone Planar the II: sweetwater.sjv...
Hifiman Edition XS: www.amazon.com...
Sennheiser HD 490 Pro: sweetwater.sjv...
Slate VSX: sweetwater.sjv...
Sony MDR MV1: sweetwater.sjv...
Austrian Audio Hi-X: www.sweetwater...
Beyerdynamic DT Series: www.sweetwater...
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#headphones #musicmixing #mixingengineer #proheadphones #mixingheadphones #podcast #justincolletti #audioengineer #musicproducer #listenable #mixingengineer #sonicscoop #interview #Audeze #Neumann #Focal #Beyerdynamic #Sennheiser #Sony #Focal #StevenSlate #Shure #AudioTechnica #hifiman #akg

[@SonicScoop]

❓What are your favorite mixing headphones? 📖Check out the article version here, and consider clicking our affiliate links below to help support the channel at no cost to you! sonicscoop.com/best-headphones-for-mixing-400-under-2024/ 🎧Headphone Links: Audeze MM-100: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?N=0&InitialSearch=yes&Ntt=Audeze%20mm%20100&BI=20084&KBID=13882&SID=DFF Avantone Planar the II: sweetwater.sjv.io/c/3177824/794166/11319?u=www.sweetwater.com/store/search.php?s=Avantone%20Planar%20II Hifiman Edition XS: www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&tag=sonicscoop08-20&linkCode=index=mi&keywords=Hifiman%20Edition%20XS Sennheiser HD 490 Pro: sweetwater.sjv.io/c/3177824/794166/11319?u=www.sweetwater.com/store/search.php?s=sennheiser%20HD%20490%20pro Slate VSX: sweetwater.sjv.io/c/3177824/794166/11319?u=www.sweetwater.com/store/search.php?s=Slate%20VSX Sony MDR MV1: sweetwater.sjv.io/c/3177824/794166/11319?u=www.sweetwater.com/store/search.php?s=Sony%20MDR%20MV1 Austrian Audio Hi-X: sweetwater.sjv.io/VmYkMA Beyerdynamic DT Series: www.sweetwater.com/store/search?s=Beyerdynamic+DT&irclickid=UiKUjiwdAxyNRaZ0i2WejQ8cUkF1qaSIN2%3AHS40&irgwc=1&utm+medium=SonicScoop&utm+source=Impact

[@esongsore]

HD650s

[@brianmorais1]

Got the Sennheiser HD490s - transformed my mixes for the better and a pleasure to wear especially over long sessions.

[@SonicScoop]

Awesome to hear!

[@TannerByTheSea]

Great show brother! They keep getting better and better and better and better and better. It’s amazing.

[@SonicScoop]

Thank you for tuning in Tanner!

[@dillpereira250]

I have a Hifiman Edition xs and I think it is a great value for the money for everyone that lives outside EU/US. I use headphones as primary monitoring system aside a pair of Kali In-5 to make sure if I'm in the right direction and the edition xs do the job really well. The MM100 sounds amazing for the price but I'm dreaming with the LCD-x for years. Unfortunately I still can't afford one of these because I live in brazil and audio gear is ridiculously expenseve here due to the irrialistic taxes (almost 100%). Great content, George! Thanx

[@SonicScoop]

Thanks for sharing your take. Even though they weren’t my top pick, they are very good headphones! You could do GREAT work on them. Just so I understand better, why do you think they’re a better value outside the US/EU? Are the import taxes different across brands? Or is it just that the current close out sale price of nearly 50% off is so good compared to other options? Originally, the Edition XS seemed to be priced higher than Audeze and Avantone when not on sale for being discontinued.

[@dillpereira250]

​@@SonicScoop I didn't express myself very clearly, I'm sorry. I meant that because it's a Chinese brand, in addition to having better prices within Asia, Hifiman products constantly have a steep price drop, in addition to easy conditions such as free shipping via marketplaces like AliExpress. Before I had the Edition XS, I had the brand's cheapest planar magnetic model, which was launched for $200 and today can easily be found for less than $100. For those who live in US/EU there's a bunch of better options for similar prices

[@SonicScoop]

Planar magnetic headphones on sale for $100 is crazy. That’s amazing! Yes, they do seem to do regular sales. It seems like they have a business model where they will source things from one factory using certain parts long enough to make enough of a specific model, and then, when they can’t do that anymore, they will change to a new model with new materials, and then drop the price on the older model. They seem to have a lot of change over in models, but also a lot of opportunities to get a great deal.

[@kennylamar5413]

Wanted to thank you for your advice on these headphones.(Sennheiser 490Pro) I am extremely happy with the overall sound with the Sennheiser 490Pro. I liked them so much that i bought two pairs. I wanted my clients to hear what i'm hearing and I wanted to enjoy the mixes with them at the same time. Again, I can't thank you enough.✌

[@SonicScoop]

So awesome to hear Kenny!

[@bangubw736]

Slate VSX all the way. I have had them for over 2 years now and I'm still happy with them

[@SonicScoop]

Great to hear!

[@jaredlucow]

Great for the price. But I prefer better headphones (neumman ndh30) with realphones which gives you that slate room emulations

[@mattytwohatsmusic]

Many thanks Justin for making this concise comparison. Headphones will be playing a more important part of any solid home studio setup. 👏👏👏

[@SonicScoop]

Agreed!

[@mattytwohatsmusic]

Would you need to buy a headphone amp like a topping if you go with a planar head phone? I have heard a lot of budget interfaces skimp on the heaphone amp.

[@RetroPlus]

I use the avantone planars, they are big, very utilitarian looking and get the job done extremely well. They eliminated the need for speakers in my case.

[@KravchenkoAudioPerth]

I have used the Avantones as a daily driver for about 6 months. They are simply awesome. A little EQ to get 16 hertz for some organ recordings, and you are set. Mark

[@SonicScoop]

Sweet! They are good!

[@okay1904]

An excellent video. Really good.

[@SonicScoop]

Awesome to hear! Thanks for tuning in. -Justin

[@surgerywithoutknives2353]

Audio techniqnica ATH-M50x are my go to headphones … I use with goodhertz can opener and get all the detail I need

[@SonicScoop]

Great to hear!

[@thoroughattention]

Just a little background regarding AKG: The K-701 and the K-702 are essentially the same, the only difference being that the K-702 has a detachable cable, and comes in an overall black design, while the K-701 is white and has a fixed cable. Both are very linear, and as they are open-back audiophiles find the bass under-represented. The K-712, which you got erraneously, or should I say luckily, is a re-incarnation of the K-702 with a +3dB boost at the lower end (official information from AKG), which most listeners (not me, BTW) find more likable. Also, the headband seems to be even more comfortable with the K-712, but the K-701 that has been my daily driver for so many years now, is already the most comfortable headphone I have ever tried. I can wear it for many hours with glasses. In fact that was one major reason for me to prefer it over the Sennheiser HD 650. Sure, I liked the sound a little bit more, too, but not enough justify the price difference. But the much better comfort was what gave the AKG the edge. Regarding prices: Have you checked out Thomann? The K-702 is currently listed at 139,00 EUR, the K-701 at 129,00 EUR and the K-712 can be had for 269,00 EUR new. When I bought my K-701 the MSRP was something in the 400,00 EUR area. BTW, while the K-271, K-241 and K-240 in their different incarnations may also come with the typical AKG sound signature, I found the K-7s to be much more natural, and not fatigueing, at all. So they are much more compatible with HiFi use cases than the K-2s, but still capable for production work like mixing. I cannot recommend the K-7s more, for the current bargain prices. In my area, at least.

[@SonicScoop]

Wow, what a great comment! Thanks so much for the detailed knowledge on it.

[@justinhayes3434]

Hi Justin! Great stuff as always! Do you have an opinion on the Avantone MP1 headphones, which have a 3 way switch that allows you to switch from stereo to midrange focused (simulating their mixcube from what I understand) to mono? If they do what they purport to do, it seems like they could be useful for mixing.

[@SonicScoop]

I haven’t tried them. It’s an interesting concept.

[@esongsore]

You have too may headphones. Can you send me one pair? Just kidding. Thanks for the wisdom as always. Leaning towards the audezes.

[@1eidji652]

Hi thanks for the video it's always a pleasure to watch, i got a question what do you thinks about the neumann ndh 20 & 30 ?

[@SonicScoop]

I cover those in the prior video where I look at mics across price ranges. The NDH30 are out of budget for this collection, but are great headphones. Very useful, neutral and unhyped. They don’t try to flatter your mix and make you work to make things sound good. They are some of the most useful open back dynamics out there. Personally, I’d rather have a pair of planar magnetics though for the extra low end and transient response. When the NDH30 came out, you couldn’t really do that in that price range. But now you can get good planars for LESS than the NDH30, so that’s what I’d recommend to most people. The NDH20 are sone of the best closed backs out there, but in general, open backs will be a better bet for mixing. Hope that helps!

[@KimonoEtrange]

Have you tried the Hifiman Sundara? I think their a steal for the price and are all around amazing

[@GeorgeTziafettas]

Thank you so much for your wonderful presentation and thank you because everytime I am learning many things ! I have a very important question! I own a pair of dt770 but I want to buy a better headphone without bleeding (so maybe closed back) and to do my mixes very well even when my wife is sleeping .Which would be your suggestion ? Neumann ndh20?

[@SonicScoop]

NDH20 are some of my favorite closed backs. But for closed backs for mixing, I have to recommend the Slate VSX.

[@karmagothits6268]

Hello sir hope you are doing good thank you for your research :) So far I have used -at m20x I’m singer/songwriter trying to mix and master on my own Planning to get ik multimedia mtm m2 as I have very small space with no treatment Please recommend a good headphone - i don’t know what to choose between nd30 - mm 100 Please suggest a good audio interface and mic I have decent budget - planning to get uad apollo and sm7B If you have any recommendations I would love to choose those While I don’t have that much experience seeking your help So I don’t make wrong choices

[@GeorgeAmodei21]

MM-500 are Great for $$$ ...@ NAMM 2023 heard the new MM--100's and I heard the difference but for great price but still rather go w/ the "MM-500" :) Thx George

[@rowegardner9673]

I am obsessed with my Audeze MM-500s. Changed my life. I can’t go back. I’ve used so many headphones and these ones are so nicely balanced and have such useful transient detail. They pair amazingly well when mixing with a SubPac also. But that’s another story lol.

[@SonicScoop]

Agreed! Love mine!

[@aKRo228]

I've been mixing on mm500 for a year now, and there are only 2 cons about these headphones. 1. I have a big head, and I just can't get it to sit right on my head . 2. I don't know why, but mixes translate on speakers quite transient heavy 'poky', so 1 thing I realised and after listening to tons of references is that I needed to imagine nearfield speakers in front of me and make my mixes sound like it was coming from the speakers and it kinda helped.

[@GeorgeAmodei21]

@@aKRo228 interesting 🤔. I’m sure people have experience it ALL.

[@aKRo228]

@GeorgeAmodei21 and if something is too loud, let's say vocals, it will sound like sound is coming from your forehead and not between your eyes. I mixed on headphones for 15 years, so maybe my ears are already dead, or these headphones have these strange quirks idk 🤷‍♂️

[@ereiffman]

I bought the HD600s like 6 months ago and they're awesome. I did because i find myself biased towards midrange, and so i wanted a pair that would encourage me to scoop the mids a bit more. I also don't really mix hip hop or pop or electronic, just folkier and rockier stuff, so the lack of low end didn't bother me as much. However, I was heavily considering the MM100s back then, but didn't see enough reviews about them. Now you're making me reconsider and wonder if I should trade the 600s for the MM100s..

[@SonicScoop]

If you are doing great work on them, then keep up with them! If you end up with mixes that are particularly bass heavy, or bass light, compared to your favorite sounding records in your style, you may want to reevaluate your headphone choices. But if the results you are getting are great, then you don’t have to fix what’s not broken :-)

[@ereiffman]

@@SonicScoop It's funny, because when I first started making music I was very bullish on 'gear doesn't matter', just focus on the music. And now it feels like I'm the opposite, always trying to 'acquire up' (which i'm trying to work on lol) - when you are indeed right, the HD600s are perfectly awesome already. I guess it's the question of how important those deep subs will be for what i'm working on.

[@SonicScoop]

Yup, the truth is somewhere in between. There are certain things that require certain gear, but it’s not most things. Some gear is unnecessary, but can help, and some gear doesn’t matter THAT much at all. That said, monitoring is one of the better places to look at spending first, when you do want to upgrade gear. It’s arguably the most important thing to get dialed in when you are optimizing. How much more you need to hear into the lows depends on how your results are in the lows. To know that however, at some point you will have to hear your work compared to records you love on systems that go all the way down, or you’ll have to work with a mastering engineer who can fill in that gap for you. Hope that helps!

[@ereiffman]

​@@SonicScoop Appreciate the helpful responses! Agree with you 100%, the monitoring is important but we all need to find that balance

[@jeremylarue4503]

One benefit of the car test, at least in my car, is transients. Usually I need to soften the sustain of the drums. I have to beef up the drums in headphones to make them hit hard, in the car I usually find I went too far.

[@SonicScoop]

Sounds like you could use headphones with better transient response! Planar magnetic all the way IMHO.

[@bradashlock]

Whoa, shocked you criticised the Pro Sony MDR7506 - since using them, I don’t need a treated room, I stopped car testing. If they make my music sound good on them, it sounds good on anything! I forget the rap producer who uses them exclusively, but he uses them in hotel rooms, at home, he doesn’t need a studio and they produce hit records. I’m sure these other headphones are great, but 7506 Sony headphones are a dream come true - and under $300! 🎧 🤯 👍

[@SonicScoop]

That’s awesome! If you’re getting great results with them, keep using them! With enough time, experience and effort, you can learn to make great mixes on almost anything! Though some things are easier to learn than others. There are a small number of high level mixers who have sone great work on those headphones, probably because they’ve heard music through them for many decades, as they used to be in practically every studio. For me, to get them to work, I have to make things sound too bright, too brash and too scooped for my tastes to have them translate. I find them misleading and difficult to learn. That said, everyone’s tastes are different, and you CAN learn them. If you were ever to upgrade, the Sony MDR V1 might be the right headphones to try. That said, if you’re doing great work on them, and it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! But if the only reason to use them is that someone ELSE is doing great work on them, I’d generally suggest other things that are easier for the average person to learn. Hope that helps! -Justin

[@bradashlock]

@@SonicScoop Thanks, Justin! That’s so interesting because the minute I put them on it was like a huge relief, like I finally was able to translate the sound in my thick head to the speakers. I found them instantly easy so it’s surprising to hear you say that. BUT…. I almost always go thru The God Particle - maybe that’s helping me control it easier? Thanks again for your insights!

[@SonicScoop]

Great to hear! Due to differences in our physiology around our ears, and differences in background and preferences and biases and experience, certain things people will prefer certain things. And that’s OK! Headphones are deeply personal choice. I’m glad you found some that work for you!

[@drydessert4198]

I think that Austrian Audio actually are ex AKG people. The AKG K701 are better than then K702. Definitely worth the money.

[@SonicScoop]

They are from AKG indeed! Glad you are enjoying them :-)

[@drydessert4198]

@@SonicScoop I paid 270€ for the K701 when they were still produced in Austria. I checked the Made in China version out of curiosity. I did not notice a difference. They were worth 270 and are incredible value for the current price.

[@sid5537]

I've had Beyerdynamic DT880, 250 ohm for more than 10 years. I am also using Sonarworks. Should I upgrade? I mix and produce on the road all the time

[@SonicScoop]

Those are good headphones. If you get great results with them stick with them! That said, for my personal tastes and needs, I believe that switching to planar magnetic headphones has been well worth it. But in general, if your monitoring ain’t broke, you don’t have to fix it. With enough time, experience and effort, you can learn to make great mixes on almost anything! Though some things are easier to learn than others. Hope that helps! -Justin

[@mikearlotta8635]

Would the BD 990 pro/ 900 pro x with sonarworks be better then the slate vsx system for producing/mixing?

[@RebiaiM]

I currently use the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro and Yamaha HS7s for mixing, but my environment isn't well-treated, so I mostly mix on headphones and refer to the Yamahas. I'm considering upgrading to planar magnetic headphones for better accuracy and detail. I'm looking at the HiFiMan XS, Avantone Planar II, and HiFiMan Sundara (open-back). Does this make sense? Which one would you recommend?

[@SonicScoop]

Yes, all of them are good. My preference is for the Avantone of those options, in part because of the sturdier build and higher quality feel. That said, the HiFiman are good too. And you can do good work on them. I also really like the Audeze. Hope that helps! More detailed thoughts in the video.

[@RebiaiM]

@@SonicScoop Yes , Thanks a lot !

[@AntmanFelix]

Thinking about getting the Audeeze or Avantones sometime in the future. Which pair do you think would be best if you happen to sweat a lot, or at least during summer i do. Is there some common practices to do so that way i do not get my headphones affected by sweat? I find myself needing to use my headphones more lately as i have time to mix when everyone (including my toddler) are sleeping

[@SonicScoop]

Man, great question! Honestly I’m not sure. MAYBE the Avantone because they have a thinner/narrower and slightly more porous ear pad… Maybe the Audeze because the space within the ear pad is slightly greater? But I’m not sure it makes that much of a difference either way. They are pretty comparable in that regard. The Hifiman are thinner and lighter overall, so maybe that’s of benefit? But I’m not certain. Is a window air conditioner or cooling fan an option?

[@AntmanFelix]

@@SonicScoop I guess a fan blowing wouldn't be so bad since at that point I wouldn't need to worry about tracking or having the room be part of the equation if I am using headphones. I just find myself using headphones a lot lately, if at the very least for some editing and cleanup work before actually mixing

[@officialWWM]

Those Avantone cans look ridiculous!

[@SonicScoop]

They do look different. I like them. But definitely not the standard fare.

[@DarkTrapStudio]

Are the Ollos far behind the Audeeze Justin ? I think more bass and highs could be cool for me, but not 3k highs more like 7 and up I love sub bass but like is the Ollos gonna articulate the sub bass (35hz and down) like the Audeeze ?

[@SonicScoop]

I like the Ollos, but for me personally, the Audeze are on an entirely other level of good. With the price so close now, it would be hard not to recommend the Audeze over them. Neither are the most bass heavy headphone on this list. But to my ear, the Audeze go deeper, and planar open backs will generally outperform dynamic open backs in low end. That said, tastes are personal, and what you prefer is up to you.

[@DarkTrapStudio]

@@SonicScoop I think our taste relate Justin don't worry I know already you are speaking knowing that it's your taste and not objective !

[@DarkTrapStudio]

@@SonicScoop Thanks for the answer, knowing Audeeze go deeper helped me.

[@sigurdaas1929]

I bought the shure 1840s. Never really happy with them.. missing low end on them.

[@sigurdaas1929]

Use them for vocal tracking though, wife like em.

[@SonicScoop]

They are some of the better open back dynamics, but there’s a limit to how much low end you can get out of that kind of design. The Audeze, Avantone, Blue, Slate VSX, and maybe the Sennhesier 490 if you use the producer pads and software could give you what you are looking for. Hope that helps! -Justin

[@MelanieKnudsen-y4b]

Johnson Brian Lewis Jason Wilson James

[@SonicScoop]

What’s with these random name comments lately? What are you bots up to?

[@GgWifi-ot2sh]

stop . stop. hold my beer . hold it right there ..... JVC HEADPHONES MODEL HA-531M ...... 25$ USUALLY at Best Buy . these head phones go 45hz - 20k I believe . so some low end missing and not fully represented( like most headphones) but these headphones .... DO NOT LIE! I repeat they DO NOT LIE !!!! all the frequencies are in the right place the high end is accented and the bass is smoothed out (like most headphones) but its not over exaggerated they aren't flat they are just even . so you cAN get a great representation of the mix. especially if you just listen to music on them for a day or so when I mix in these everything is in the right place . I might have to go back and turn up or turn down low end .

[@SonicScoop]

So glad you found something that works for you. I used to use a cheap pair of Sony walkman headphones as a reference check for YEARS when mixing. I think they were like $20, and I bought 3 of them, because I know them so well. I think the higher end headphones I use now tell me more, and are easier and more enjoyable to do great work on (especially in a mastering context!), but I believe you can learn to mix well on just about anything if you learn it well enough. Some things are just harder and easier to learn than others. Hope that makes sense! -Justin

[@GgWifi-ot2sh]

@@SonicScoop definitely makes sense! especially from a mastering sense. I wouldn't recommend LEARNING how to master on the JVC'S because of sheer output level capability. you will need your metering tools and learn how a good master feels in those headphones. but I reapeat they DO NOT LIE , at all . even with phasing. also you can mix in them all day the earpieces are very comfortable and because there's no significant bumps in the frequency response , you won't experience ear fatigue. if you listen to anything long enough of course you will lose some definition . but overall I can say they are basically painless

[@awemusic8465]

They may exaggerate the low end but works really well for me too

[@priscillaleapman2367]

Young Margaret Gonzalez Jason Martinez Dorothy

[@SonicScoop]

What's this in reference to, bot?

[@caspermaster-com]

Thoughts on Audeze mx4? MM500 sounds too harsh in himids for me

[@SonicScoop]

If you want Audeze that are softer in the high mids, the LCD-X are a great bet! I don’t think I’ve tried the MX-4 yet. The MM-500 have a bit of a lift at 3k and a bit of a dip at 5k, but this encourages you not to overload 3k and add a touch more 5k in your mixes, which is often a good bet for a lot of people. Of course, that depends on your biases and tastes and what your mixes already sound like. Hope that helps! -Justin

[@caspermaster-com]

@@SonicScoop Awesome! Yeah, the LCDX I like. MX4 is based on X but stronger magnets making it just perform more precise in all areas (and is 3X more expensive) So its probably between those 2 for me :)

[@SonicScoop]

I’d love to check them out!