Choose studio headphones, connect them to your audio interface or computer, and set a listening level you can use for mix decisions. This guide is for beginners setting up a home or project studio; it takes about 30–60 minutes, including time to compare models if you have access to more than one pair.
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Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones, Black
- ✔ Driver size: 45 mm
- ✔ Frequency response: 20 Hz–28,000 Hz
- ✔ Impedance: 38 ohms
Sony MDR-7506 Professional Closed-Back Studio Headphones
- ✔ Driver size: 40 mm
- ✔ Frequency response: 10 Hz–20 kHz
- ✔ Cord length: 9.8 ft
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
- ✔ Driver size: 40 mm
- ✔ Driver type: Dynamic
- ✔ Frequency response: 15 Hz–20 kHz
Difficulty: Beginner | Time: 30-60 minutes
What You’ll Need
Tools & Materials:
- A computer or audio device with a headphone output
- A DAW or audio player with familiar reference tracks
- Studio headphones with a suitable plug or adapter
- Audio interface with a headphone output, if your computer output is unsuitable
Knowledge:
- Basic ability to play audio from a DAW or audio player
- Basic familiarity with the type of music you plan to mix
Use existing headphones or borrow a pair before buying if possible. A headphone frequency response is not perfectly neutral, and comfort and fit affect how long you can work. Keep the product return period in mind when comparing a new pair.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones, Black
The ATH-M50x takes the top spot because its design supports more ways of working than the other two picks. Its 90-degree swiveling earcups make one-ear monitoring practical during cue checks, and the detachable cable gives us an easier path if a cord needs replacing or a different cable suits the setup. The 45 mm drivers and closed circumaural fit are positioned for studio monitoring, with the product description emphasizing deep, accurate bass. That bass emphasis is useful context for mix work: we should check low-end choices against another playback reference rather than assume the headphone alone tells the whole story.Compared with the MDR-7506, the M50x offers a detachable cable and more explicit one-ear monitoring support, while the Sony folds for compact storage and includes a soft case. Against the ATH-M20x, the M50x adds the larger listed drivers and more flexible cable and earcup arrangements. Those extras make it the strongest general-purpose choice here, especially when a session involves tracking as well as mix checks. Its over-ear bulk may not suit every listener, and there is no water resistance. We would skip it if we want a compact in-ear fit or a headphone with a microphone and mobile controls.
Pros:
- Detachable cable is more convenient to replace or adapt than the fixed cords on the other two models.
- 90-degree swiveling earcups support one-ear monitoring.
- Circumaural closed-back fit provides passive isolation for studio use.
- 45 mm drivers and stated extended frequency range suit detailed monitoring work.
Cons:
- Over-ear design is less compact than an in-ear option.
- No water resistance or built-in microphone is listed.
Best for: Mixers and home-studio users who want one closed-back headphone for monitoring, cue checks and one-ear listening.
Not ideal for: Listeners who prioritize a compact in-ear form, water resistance or a built-in microphone and inline controls.
Bottom line: We recommend the ATH-M50x as the most flexible mixing pick in this group, provided its over-ear fit and bass-forward description suit our monitoring approach.
“We recommend the ATH-M50x as the most flexible mixing pick in this group, provided its over-ear fit and bass-forward description suit our monitoring approach.”
Sony MDR-7506 Professional Closed-Back Studio Headphones
The Sony MDR-7506 earns its place with a practical combination of a foldable closed-ear design, long cord and included accessories. When we move between a home setup, a recording space and a bag, folding headphones and a soft case make storage straightforward. The included quarter-inch adapter is useful for connecting to common studio equipment, while the 9.8-foot cable gives room to move around a desk or monitoring position.For mixing, the MDR-7506 offers a focused alternative to the M50x: it is more storage-friendly and arrives with a case, but its cord is non-detachable. That is a meaningful limitation if the cable becomes damaged or if we need a different length. The M50x is more adaptable for one-ear monitoring thanks to its swiveling cups and replaceable cable. The MDR-7506 also differs from the simpler M20x by including a foldable design and adapter, though all three rely on passive isolation. We would choose Sony when portability and straightforward wired monitoring matter more than cable flexibility; skip it if a removable cable is a priority.
Pros:
- Foldable design and included soft case simplify storage and transport.
- Long 9.8-foot cord works well around a studio desk.
- Quarter-inch adapter is included for studio connections.
- Closed-ear design helps reduce some external sound.
Cons:
- The cord is non-detachable, unlike the ATH-M50x cable.
- No microphone, inline controls or active noise cancellation are listed.
Best for: Engineers or musicians who carry their closed-back headphones between a studio, rehearsal space and travel bag.
Not ideal for: Buyers who need a detachable cord, or who want explicit one-ear monitoring features like the M50x offers.
Bottom line: The MDR-7506 is our portable monitoring pick when folding storage and included studio accessories matter more than a detachable cable.
“The MDR-7506 is our portable monitoring pick when folding storage and included studio accessories matter more than a detachable cable.”
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
The ATH-M20x is the no-frills choice for a first studio headphone or a secondary pair used for tracking. Its circumaural closed-back design provides passive isolation, which can help when monitoring in a space where some sound leaks in or when performers need to hear a cue mix. Audio-Technica describes its tuning as enhanced in the low frequencies; that can make bass content easy to notice, but mixers should compare low-end decisions with speakers or another trusted reference because this description does not establish a neutral response.Its role is simpler than the ATH-M50x: the M20x does not list swiveling earcups or a detachable cable, so it gives us fewer conveniences for one-ear monitoring and cord replacement. The MDR-7506 adds foldability, a case and a quarter-inch adapter, making it better equipped for moving between locations. The M20x instead keeps the focus on basic wired monitoring, with a long single-side cable and a suspension headband intended for longer listening sessions. Choose it when essential isolation and a straightforward fit are enough. If our work depends on frequent cue changes, portable storage or replacing cables, the other two are better matched.
Pros:
- Circumaural design provides passive isolation for monitoring in louder environments.
- 40 mm dynamic drivers and stated low-frequency tuning support general studio listening.
- Single-side 9.8-foot cable reaches across a typical studio desk.
- Suspension headband is designed for extended listening sessions.
Cons:
- Fixed cable and single-side exit offer less flexibility than the detachable ATH-M50x cable.
- No active noise cancellation, microphone or inline controls are listed.
- Does not list the foldable design and included case supplied with the MDR-7506.
Best for: New home-studio users who need a basic over-ear headphone for tracking and general mix checks.
Not ideal for: Mixers seeking a detachable cable, folding storage, one-ear monitoring or added mobile features.
Bottom line: The ATH-M20x is a sensible starter for basic tracking and mix checks, but its fixed cable and simpler feature set make it less adaptable as studio needs grow.
“The ATH-M20x is a sensible starter for basic tracking and mix checks, but its fixed cable and simpler feature set make it less adaptable as studio needs grow.”
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Before You Start
Decide whether you need closed-back or open-back headphones. Closed-back models reduce sound leakage and help when recording near a microphone. Open-back models let air and sound pass through the ear cups, which some listeners find more comfortable for mixing, but they leak sound and provide little isolation. Neither type guarantees accurate mixes.
Check the headphone plug, cable, and output before connecting. A 3.5 mm plug may need a 6.3 mm adapter. Headphone impedance and sensitivity affect how loudly a pair plays from a given output; if you cannot reach a comfortable level without turning the control near maximum, try a dedicated interface or headphone amplifier.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Set your mixing needs
Write down where you will mix, whether you will record with a microphone nearby, and how long each session will last. Choose closed-back headphones when isolation and low sound leakage matter. Consider open-back headphones when you mix in a quiet room and do not need to prevent sound from escaping.
Set a realistic budget that includes any required adapter or amplifier. Do not choose a model from its marketing label alone; listen for comfort and a sound you can learn to judge.
Tip: If you record vocals, check that the headphone design keeps click tracks and backing audio from leaking into the microphone.
Check: You have a clear choice of headphone type, a budget, and a use case to compare against.
Step 2: Check fit and build
Try the headphones on for at least 10 minutes if you can. Adjust the headband and ear cups so they sit evenly without pressing painfully on your ears or jaw. Check whether the pads seal comfortably, whether glasses break the seal, and whether the cable reaches your listening position.
Inspect the cable connection, hinges, headband, and replaceable pads. For long sessions, comfort and repairable parts matter as much as initial sound.
Tip: A poor seal on closed-back headphones can change bass response. Reposition the cups before judging how much low end you hear.
Check: The headphones stay in place, remain comfortable, and connect reliably while you move normally at your desk.
Step 3: Connect to a suitable output
Turn the headphone output level down, then connect the headphones to your interface or device. Use the correct adapter and avoid forcing a plug into the jack. Play a familiar track quietly, then raise the output until it is clearly audible at a comfortable level.
If the sound is weak, distorted, or only audible at a very high setting, check the plug and adapter, try another headphone output, and review the headphone sensitivity and impedance specifications. Use an amplifier compatible with the headphones if the source cannot drive them adequately.
Tip: Do not use a microphone or line output as a headphone socket. Use a jack marked for headphones or the interface’s headphone control.
Check: Audio plays in both ears without crackle or distortion, and the output has enough level with headroom on its control.
Step 4: Set a comfortable monitoring level
Play a representative track and lower the volume until the music is comfortable rather than forceful. Use that level for most comparisons. Keep listening breaks in longer sessions, and lower the level if your ears feel tired or if you notice ringing.
Do not set the volume by matching another person’s headphone level. Headphones, output controls, and hearing differ, so use a level that remains comfortable for you.
Tip: Quiet listening can reveal whether the vocal and main rhythmic parts remain easy to follow without relying on loudness.
Check: You can hear the mix clearly without needing to raise the level to an uncomfortable volume.
Step 5: Compare familiar reference tracks
Play two or three professionally mixed tracks in the same genre at a similar perceived loudness. Listen for the vocal or lead level, bass weight, kick and bass separation, brightness, and stereo width. Use tracks you know well, rather than judging the headphones from a single new song.
Notice consistent tonal differences, such as bass that seems unusually strong or treble that becomes tiring. Treat these observations as characteristics to learn, not proof that the headphones are defective. Check that your DAW is not applying EQ, spatial effects, or loudness processing to the references.
Tip: Level-match comparisons as closely as practical. A louder track often seems fuller or clearer even when its tonal balance is not better.
Check: You can describe how your headphones present bass, midrange, treble, and stereo placement relative to tracks you know.
Step 6: Check the headphones in your DAW
Open a familiar mix or a simple session and listen for common problems: excessive sibilance, masked vocals, boomy low end, clicks, and hard panning. Make a small change only when you can identify a specific issue. Then replay the original and the adjusted version at matched levels.
Use headphones to inspect details and make practical decisions, but check important balance and stereo choices on speakers or another playback device when available. Headphones remove room interaction and can make left-right placement feel wider than it will on speakers.
Tip: Avoid repeatedly boosting or cutting EQ to compensate for a headphone’s built-in tonal character. Compare against references and verify consequential changes elsewhere.
Check: You can hear session details clearly and explain the reason for each change you make.
Step 7: Save your setup and listening notes
Record the headphone model, output device, typical volume-control position, and any consistent tonal observations. Keep a familiar reference playlist available in your DAW or player. If you use correction software, note whether it is active and keep its settings consistent between sessions.
Return to the same references during later sessions. Repeated listening helps you learn how the headphones translate, while checking mixes on other systems helps catch decisions that do not carry over.
Tip: A volume-control position is a repeatable starting point, not a safe or accurate loudness measurement.
Check: Your setup and listening notes are easy to find, and your reference tracks play through the intended output.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing headphones only because a listing calls them studio or reference headphones. — Compare comfort, use case, connection requirements, and familiar tracks. Treat product descriptions as specifications to check, not a guarantee of neutral sound.
- Mixing at a loud level to make details easier to hear. — Use a comfortable level, take breaks, and lower the volume if listening becomes tiring. Use quieter playback to check whether important parts remain clear.
- Making major bass or treble corrections based on headphones alone. — Compare with reference tracks and check significant changes on speakers or another playback device before settling the mix.
- Ignoring leakage when recording with a microphone. — Use closed-back headphones for tracking near a microphone, and test for audible bleed before recording a full take.
Troubleshooting
Problem: The headphones play quietly even with the output turned up.
Solution: Check that the plug is fully seated and that the adapter is the correct type. Try another headphone output, then compare the headphone’s impedance and sensitivity with the source’s specifications. Use a compatible headphone amplifier if needed.
Problem: You hear sound in only one ear or hear crackling.
Solution: Reconnect the plug, inspect the cable and adapter, and try another output. If the cable is detachable, reseat it. Test the headphones with another device to identify whether the problem follows the headphones or the source.
Problem: Bass seems weak or changes when you move the ear cups.
Solution: Reposition the cups and check the seal around your ears. Glasses, hair, or displaced pads can affect the seal on closed-back models. Compare another pair or reference system before changing the mix.
Problem: A mix sounds wide on headphones but narrow or unbalanced elsewhere.
Solution: Recheck panning and level balance on speakers or a second playback device. Headphones isolate each ear, so stereo placement can seem more spread out than it does through speakers.
What Success Looks Like
Your headphones connect cleanly, play at a comfortable level, and let you hear familiar reference tracks and mix details. You can describe their recurring tonal character, use them consistently, and verify important tonal and stereo decisions on another playback system when available.
Next Steps
Use the same reference tracks during future sessions and note how finished mixes sound on speakers, earbuds, and other common systems. Keep pads and cables clean, replace worn parts when practical, and reassess comfort or output needs if your setup changes. If you record with a microphone, check for headphone bleed before each recording session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are open-back or closed-back headphones better for mixing?
Either can work. Closed-back headphones isolate better and reduce microphone bleed, while open-back designs leak more sound and need a quiet room. Choose based on where you mix and record, then learn the sound through familiar references.
Can I mix a complete song on headphones?
Yes, especially when speakers are unavailable, but check important decisions on other playback systems when possible. Headphones remove room effects and can make stereo placement seem unusually wide, so references and translation checks help.
Do I need a headphone amplifier?
Only if your current output cannot drive the headphones to a comfortable, clean level. Check for weak volume or distortion and compare the headphone specifications with the output’s guidance before buying an amplifier.
How loud should I listen while mixing?
Use a comfortable level that lets you follow the music without strain. Keep sessions moderate, take breaks, and lower the volume if your ears feel tired or ring. Do not use an unfamiliar fixed control position as a loudness target.
Should I use headphone correction software?
Correction software can provide a model-specific tonal adjustment, but it does not replace reference listening or checks on other systems. Keep its settings consistent and know whether it is active in your DAW or player.
