10 Best Headphones for Music Production

If you're looking to elevate your sound quality and precision in the studio, choosing the best headphone for music production is essential. Whether you're tracking vocals, mixing beats, or mastering full songs, your headphones must give you accurate and dependable playback. From flat responses and great comfort to proper connectors and impedance matching, the right model will help you make mix decisions you can trust. In this article, we'll walk through what to look for and present ten of the best headphones for music production.

Part 1: What to Look For in Headphones for Music Production

1. Neutral/ Flat Frequency Response

You want headphones that don't colour the sound too much (e.g., exaggerated bass or overly bright treble). A flatter response helps you make more accurate mix decisions. In production environments, where your mix needs to translate to other systems, a "truthful" headphone means you're hearing what's really there rather than an enhanced version of it.

2. Headphone Type

• Closed-Back: Better isolation (keeps external noise out and keeps sound in) and good for tracking/recording.
• Open-Back: More natural, wider soundstage, and better spatial cues. These are often preferred for mixing/mastering in a quiet environment. But they leak sound and isolate less.
• Semi-Open: Combine the advantages of both designs, suitable for studio monitoring or home music production.

The type you select depends on your environment (home studio vs dedicated mixing room) and whether you will also use them for recording (where bleed and isolation matter).

3. Comfort & Build Quality

Some studio headphones need more power to perform their best. If your system doesn't drive them properly, the sound can feel quiet or thin. So, you need to pair them up with a decent headphone amp to make sure you are hearing the full punch and detail of your composition. 

4. Power Requirements 

Higher-ohm headphones often require a good headphone amp or audio interface with sufficient output. This matters especially if you have 250 Ω+ headphones. If you plug a high-impedance pair into a weak headphone output, you may get low volume or compromised dynamics.

5. Soundstage & Driver Quality

For mixing, especially, your mixing headphones should allow you to perceive stereo placement, space, depth, and separation. Open-back models often offer a more expansive soundstage, while closed-back models may feel "in your head." Driver size/technology (dynamic vs planar) also impacts resolution and accuracy.

6. Budget & Use Case

Not everyone needs a £2,000 headphone right away. Establish your use case: Are you recording in a noisy room? Do you need tracking isolation or mixing accuracy? Set a realistic budget and match features accordingly. Some very good budget models exist, while high-end ones are geared for experienced professionals with treated rooms and reference monitors.

Part 2: 10 Best Headphones for Music Production

Budget Choices

1. Sony MDR-7506

A studio staple for over two decades, the Sony MDR-7506 is one of the best headphones for music producers who value clarity, neutrality, and dependability. Designed for professional studios and live broadcast environments, it delivers an honest sound signature that helps producers make accurate mix decisions. Its closed-back design isolates external noise, making it equally useful for tracking and late-night production sessions.

Type: Closed-Back 

Pros

• Neutral sound signature ideal for accurate mixing decisions
• Excellent mid-range detail for balancing instruments and vocals
• Lightweight, foldable, and built for long sessions
• Durable construction trusted by professionals worldwide

Cons

• Treble can sound slightly sharp on long listening sessions
• Fixed coiled cable limits flexibility
• Bass is less pronounced for EDM or heavy-low-end genres

2. Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro

For music producers working in tracking, overdubs or home studio mixing, the DT 770 Pro is a venerable and trusted choice. It delivers good isolation with its closed-back design (helpful when recording or working next to live instruments) and offers a sound profile tuned for professional monitoring. It is capable of reproducing the full frequency range from 5 Hz to 35,000 Hz according to the manufacturer. Its "bass reflex system" and robust German build make it a reliable tool in production workflows where accuracy and durability matter.

Type: Closed-Back 

Pros

• Excellent noise isolation for tracking and editing
• Clear, detailed sound with deep bass and crisp highs
• Plush velour ear pads for long mixing sessions
• Rugged, replaceable parts built for years of use

Cons

• High-impedance (250 Ω) versions need a dedicated amp
• Slightly boosted highs may sound sharp in long sessions
• Narrower soundstage than open-back models

3. AKG K371

For music producers who need a reliable, studio-grade headphone that balances tracking, mixing, and editing, the AKG K371 is a compelling choice. With its closed-back design, it offers sufficient isolation to let you work in less-than-perfect rooms while still delivering the detail needed to make mix decisions. It features a wide frequency response (5 Hz–40 kHz) and is engineered to match AKG's "Reference Response" target, helping you hear your production with clarity and realism.

Type: Closed-Back 

Pros

• Balanced, natural sound for accurate mix referencing
• Wide frequency range (5 Hz–40 kHz) for full-spectrum clarity
• Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
• Foldable design with detachable cables for portability

Cons

• Slight bass boost can mask low-end balance
• Narrower soundstage than open-back headphones
• Average isolation for loud environments

4. Audio-Technica ATH-R70x

The Audio-Technica ATH-R70x is the brand's first professional open-back reference headphone, designed for serious mixing and mastering engineers. It delivers an exceptionally natural and spacious soundstage, allowing producers to hear depth, stereo placement, and reverb tails with lifelike precision. Its lightweight carbon composite build and breathable pads make it ideal for long editing or mastering sessions. The R70x brings a neutral, transparent character that exposes every layer of your mix, making it a dependable choice for fine-tuning tone and balance in music production.

Type: Open-Back

Pros

• Exceptionally natural and open soundstage
• Accurate, transparent tone for critical mixing/mastering
• Ultra-light design for fatigue-free long sessions
• Durable build with self-adjusting headband

Cons

• Requires good room acoustics (open-back design)
• Needs a quality headphone amp for best performance
• Not ideal for recording, as users have faced sound leaks both ways

Official Link - 

5. Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro

The Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro is a studio-focused headphone built for precision in mixing and mastering. Its semi-open design gives you a natural soundstage, which is ideal for hearing spatial cues, instrument placement, and stereo imaging in your productions. With a wide frequency response of 5 Hz to 35 kHz, it delivers detail across the full spectrum. Its replaceable velour ear-pads and robust German build make it durable for long sessions in a home or project studio environment.

Type: Semi-Open

Pros

• Neutral, detailed sound ideal for monitoring and mix decisions
• Spacious semi-open soundstage helps with stereo placement
• Comfortable velour pads and a build suitable for long sessions
• Durable, serviceable construction with replaceable parts

Cons

• Requires decent amplification due to 250 Ω impedance
• Bass extension is tighter, may feel less "fun" for bass-heavy genres
• Semi-open design permits some room noise and sound to leak

Professional Choices

1. Sony MDR‑Z1R

The Sony MDR-Z1R is the flagship studio headphone in Sony's Signature Series, designed for the most demanding production environments. With its massive 70 mm drivers and ultra-wide frequency response (4 Hz–120 kHz), it captures every nuance of your mix. Its closed-back enclosure offers excellent isolation, making it useful even in less-treated rooms. Meticulously built in Japan with premium materials (sheepskin ear-pads, carbon-composite housing, titanium and leather headband) it's clearly aimed at professionals who need reference-level accuracy for mixing, mastering, or high-resolution content creation.

Type: Closed-Back 

Pros

• Ultra-wide frequency response (4 Hz–120 kHz) for full-spectrum clarity
• High-resolution drivers and materials ensure precision and low distortion
• Premium build quality with replaceable parts for long studio use
• Strong isolation compared to open-back models
  

Cons

• Very high price tier
• Requires quality amplification/interface to fully exploit its potential
• Closed-back design gives a less open soundstage compared to open models

2. Sennheiser HD 800 S

The Sennheiser HD 800 S is a reference-grade open-back headphone built with extreme precision for serious mixing and mastering environments. With a wide frequency response from 4 Hz to 51,000 Hz and ultra-low distortion, it offers audio producers an expansive soundstage and detail that reveals nuances in your production that lesser headphones might bury. Its open design enables natural spatial cues, making it ideal for positioning instruments, panning decisions, and mix depth. Built in Germany with premium materials and balanced connection options, it's tailored for high-end studio workflows.

Type: Open-Back

Pros

• Exceptional soundstage and imaging for precise mix placement
• Ultra-wide frequency response reveals micro-details across the whole spectrum
• Premium build and replaceable cables for long-term studio use
• Balanced connectivity (e.g., 4.4 mm, XLR) supports advanced audio setups

Cons

• High impedance (300 Ω) requires a quality headphone amp/interface
• Open-back design limits isolation and leaks sound
• Bright treble character may cause fatigue during long sessions

3. Audeze LCD-X

The Audeze LCD-X is a professional-grade planar magnetic headphone designed for audio engineers and music producers who need absolute accuracy. Known for its ultra-fast transient response and extremely low distortion, the LCD-X delivers a balanced, transparent sound that exposes every layer of your mix. Its open-back design creates a natural, immersive soundstage that helps you make confident mix and mastering decisions. With handcrafted build quality and robust aluminum housing, it's engineered for serious studio use where critical detail and translation matter most.

Type: Open-Back/ Planar Magnetic

Pros

• Exceptionally clear, detailed sound with minimal distortion
• Precise low-end response ideal for mixing and mastering
• Wide, realistic soundstage for spatial accuracy
• Built with premium materials and planar magnetic drivers

Cons

• Heavy compared to other open-back models
• Requires a quality amplifier or high-output interface
• Not suitable for recording due to sound leakage

4. Focal Listen Professional

The Focal Listen Professional is built for serious producers who require accurate monitoring in environments where isolation matters. With its closed-back design, it delivers the comfort and isolation needed for hours in the studio while offering a tonal balance that helps you trust your mix decisions. Its 40 mm Mylar/Titanium drivers render details throughout the frequency spectrum, making it well-suited for tracking, editing, and mixing workflows. The low 32 Ω impedance means it's easy to drive, whether you’re working on a compact audio interface or a full studio rig.

Type: Closed-Back 

Pros

• Balanced, studio-grade sound for accurate monitoring
• Closed-back design gives strong isolation for tracking environments
• Low impedance (32 Ω) means easier drive from most interfaces
• Comfortable build with memory-foam ear-pads for extended sessions

Cons

• Closed design limits open soundstage compared with open-back models
• Slight bass emphasis may mask ultra-fine low-end deficiencies in mixes
• Fewer spatial cues compared to open-back headphones

5. HIFIMAN Arya

The HIFIMAN Arya is a high-performance planar-magnetic headphone built for detail-oriented production work, making it perfect for mixing, mastering, and sound design. With its ultra-wide frequency response (8 Hz-65 kHz) and very low distortion, it reveals nuances in your tracks that lesser headphones might mask. The open-back design delivers a spacious soundstage, helping you assess stereo placement, depth, and spatial effects as they will translate beyond your studio. While it demands a quality interface or amp for best results, in a treated listening environment, it becomes a reference tool that lets you confidently make production-level decisions.

Type: Open-Back 

Pros

• Exceptionally detailed and transparent sound reproduction
• Wide, immersive soundstage for accurate spatial mixing
• Planar-magnetic driver technology delivers low distortion and smooth response
• Reveals mix elements (reverbs, effects, micro-dynamics) clearly

Cons

• Open-back design leaks sound and offers minimal isolation
• Not ideal for recording/tracking due to sound bleed
• Requires a capable headphone amp/interface to drive fully for best performance

Part 3: FAQs About the Best Headphone for Music Production

1. What are the best headphones for producing music?

Closed-back models like Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro are great for tracking, while open-back options like Sennheiser HD 800 S or Audeze LCD-X excel in mixing and mastering.

2. What headphones are used in recording studios?

Studios typically use Sony MDR-7506 or AKG K371 for tracking, and Audio-Technica ATH-R70x or HIFIMAN Arya for mixing.

3. What is the 60 rule for headphones?

Listen at 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes to prevent ear fatigue and protect hearing.

4. What are the best audiophile headphones?

Top choices include Sennheiser HD 800 S, Audeze LCD-X, and HIFIMAN Arya for unmatched detail and transparency.

Conclusion

Choosing the best headphone for music production depends on your workflow, space, and budget. Closed-back options like the Sony MDR-7506 and Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro offer great isolation for recording, while open-back models such as the Audeze LCD-X and Sennheiser HD 800 S deliver the precision needed for mixing and mastering. The goal is accuracy and hearing your track as it truly sounds. With the right pair, you'll make more confident mix decisions, maintain consistency across playback systems, and elevate the overall quality of your music production.