Professional studio headphones for mixing, mastering, tracking, and production.
The professional's choice for mixing. Developed with Grammy-winning mixer Manny Marroquin and used on Kendrick Lamar's #1 album. Its key advantage is translation—mixes made on the MM-500 consistently translate well to speakers, earbuds, and car stereos. Open-back only: NOT for tracking/recording.
MusicRadar's 'best overall studio headphone available right now.' Purpose-built for modern production with included dearVR MIX-SE spatial mixing plugin—invaluable for bedroom producers mixing on headphones instead of monitors. At $356, it's the best value for serious mixing. Open-back only: NOT for tracking/recording.
Exceptional detail resolution with the MKII's refined TESLA.45 drivers. At 250Ω, it requires a dedicated headphone amp or quality audio interface—but rewards with micro-detail that reveals mix issues. Open-back only: NOT for tracking/recording.
A closed-back audiophile headphone with 56mm ring radiator drivers and Gorilla Glass reflector. Unlike the open-back models above, the HD 820's closed design provides isolation usable during tracking/recording. Its spacious soundstage reveals spatial issues, but the exaggerated staging can mislead mixers. At 300Ω and $2,199, this is a specialist tool, not a mixing workhorse.
The ONLY closed-back headphone on this list—essential for tracking and recording where open-back models leak sound into microphones. Industry standard since 1991, found in virtually every professional studio. At $104, every studio should own a pair regardless of what else they have. Not ideal for critical mixing (use open-back for that), but indispensable for recording sessions.
| Product | Accuracy · 40% | Detail Resolution · 25% | Comfort · 15% | Build Quality · 10% | Value · 10% | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1Audeze MM-500 | 10 | 10 | 7.5 | 9.5 | 7 | 9.3 | $1699 |
2Sennheiser HD 490 Pro | 9 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 8.9 | $356 |
3Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII | 9 | 9.5 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8.9 | $658 |
4Sennheiser HD 820 | 8.5 | 10 | 8 | 9.5 | 5 | 8.6 | $2199 |
5Sony MDR-7506 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 8 | 10 | 7.6 | $104 |
CRITICAL: Open-back and closed-back headphones serve completely different studio roles. Open-back (MM-500, HD 490 Pro, DT 1990, HD 800 S) are for mixing and mastering—they leak sound and CANNOT be used while recording with a microphone. Closed-back (Sony MDR-7506) are for tracking/recording—they isolate sound so it doesn't bleed into your mic. Most studios need both types.
We evaluate frequency response accuracy, transient response, distortion, and real-world mix translation. IMPORTANT: This list contains both open-back headphones (for mixing/mastering) and closed-back (for tracking/recording). Open-back headphones leak sound and CANNOT be used while recording with a microphone—the headphone audio will bleed into your recording. The Sony MDR-7506 and Sennheiser HD 820 are the closed-back options here for that purpose.
Flat, revealing frequency response
Micro-detail and transient response
Extended session comfort
Professional durability
Performance per dollar