Headphones for musical production

07 May Headphones for musical production

What headphones to choose for music production and even mixing? It is a very common question, so here we are going to make a list of headphones with the necessary quality and, if possible, at the best price.

What features should headphones have for music production?

Basically two: they should sound good and be comfortable. In addition, while we’re at it, we can try to make them as affordable as possible. We don’t want to go on for too long because there are many models, so we’ll give a brief overview of these six:

1. AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-M50X
2. BEYERDYNAMIC DT 990 PRO
3. STEELSERIES ARCTIS PRO WIRELESS
4. SENNHEISER HD 650
5. AKG K240 MKII
6. SENNHEISER HD 800

Before we begin, we would like to mention that there is no particular order of preference in this list, as the choice of one model over another is largely subjective and dependent on each individual’s preferences or needs. The analysis presented here is simply informative.

1. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Perhaps these are some of the most popular headphones in studios today. They have a fairly good sound, and the frequency response curve is balanced, with a slight dip around 300 Hz and also around 5000 Hz. This will prevent the highs from hurting our ears. The low frequency range responds very well, although there is a slight excess around 30 and 120 Hz, but nothing that interferes with the listening experience. The design is comfortable, focused on long work sessions.

TECHNICAL DATA:

• Weight – 285g
• Magnet size – 45mm
• Frequency response – 15 to 28,000 Hz
• Impedance – 38 ohms
• Sensitivity – 99 dB
• Harmonic distortion: 0.05% (THD)
• Magnet – Neodymium
• Cable – Yes

Frequency response graph.

2. Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

A classic in studios for years. With a super comfortable design for endless work sessions, these headphones are the preferred choice among many producers. Their bass response is very balanced, dipping in the sub-range but balanced by a boost at 120 Hz. The mid-range can be a bit heavy in the lower mids, so everything will sound pretty clear and present. They may be a little fatiguing in the high frequency range, so be careful with very bright sounds.

TECHNICAL DATA:

• Weight – 250g
• Magnet size – 45mm
• Frequency response – 5 to 35,000 Hz
• Impedance – 250 ohms
• Sensitivity – 96 dB
• Harmonic distortion: <0.2% (THD)
• Magnet – Neodymium
• Cable – Yes

Frequency response graph.

3. SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

Pay attention to this Steelseries model, as it has one of the flattest frequency response curves you can find on the market. These headphones are primarily designed for gaming, but we cannot ignore their frequency response. Essentially, we will hear the sound as it is. They may sound a bit harsh due to the abrupt boost in the mid-high range between 1000-3000 Hz, but the low range will sound spectacular, and they won’t show you anything that doesn’t exist. The downside is that the receiver is large and makes it uncomfortable for travel.

TECHNICAL DATA:

• Weight – 357g
• Magnet size – 40mm
• Frequency response – 10 to 40,000 Hz
• Impedance – 32 ohms
• Sensitivity – 102 dB
• Harmonic distortion – <1%
• Magnet – Neodymium
• Cable – No, Wireless 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 4.1
• Battery life – 10 hours

Frequency response graph.

4. Sennheiser HD 650

Another classic in studios, the Sennheiser HD 650 headphones are perhaps the most widely used headphones among the musical community due to their attractive mid-range response curve. But beware, we may not boost the mids enough in our mixes. The low range is a bit weak, and the high range is stable. Depending on the type of music you produce, they can be a good or bad investment. If you use vocals and minimal bass, they can be a good investment.

TECHNICAL DATA:

• Weight – 260g
• Magnet size – 43mm
• Frequency response – 10 to 41,000 Hz
• Impedance – 300 ohms
• Sensitivity – 103 dB
• Harmonic distortion: 0.05% (THD)
• Magnet – Neodymium
• Cable – Yes

Frequency response graph.

5.  AKG K240 mkII

We are now in front of one of the most famous AKG models, and it is also one of the least flat ones within this article. If we take into account that it is one of the most widely used headphone models for music production, we can find the answer to why many electronic music producers cannot balance the low range properly, as the lack of sub is offset by an excessive boost in the 200 Hz range, which will make you lose clarity in the mix. With great emphasis on the mid-range, they can be fatiguing due to their significant boost at 10,000 Hz. They may be too colored for some.

TECHNICAL DATA:

• Weight – 240g
• Magnet size – 30 mm
• Frequency response – 15 to 25,000 Hz
• Impedance – 55 ohms
• Sensitivity – 104 dB
• Harmonic distortion: 0.3% (THD)
• Magnet – Neodymium
• Cable – Yes

Frequency response graph.

6. Sennheiser HD 800

Now and to finish this article we present to you the HD800 from Sennheiser, a true tank, both in sound and size. With these headphones, you won’t have any problems, as although the response is not flat, they are perfectly balanced to obtain one of the best listening experiences when it comes to headphones. They are very comfortable, they won’t make your ears suffer, and in fact, you won’t want to take them off. There is one downside, their high price.

TECHNICAL DATA:

• Weight – 330g
• Magnet size – 56 mm
• Frequency response – 6 to 51,000 Hz
• Impedance – 300 ohms
• Sensitivity – 102 dB
• Harmonic distortion: ≤0.02% (1kHz/1Vrms)
• Magnet – Neodymium
• Cable – Yes

Frequency response graph.

What is our choice of headphones for music production?

It all depends on several conditions. If we had extra money, we would go straight for the HD 800. If we want the highest audio fidelity at a medium price, we would go for the Arctis Pro Wireless. If we want a middle ground and reliability, we would go for the DT 990 Pro. But if we wanted the best value for money, we would bet on the ATH M50x.

Still, I insist, this is only a personal opinion and should not influence your decision.

We hope we have helped you with this selection of headphones for music production, and…

…we will be back soon with more content that can be helpful. Remember that in no case are we responsible for your choice when choosing your headphones for music production, mixing or any other matter. Thank you very much for your visit!

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