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Today we at Gray Spark Audio an audio engineering course in India are reviewing the best headphones for 2022 mixing and mastering.
As you know, the market is very saturated with old and new headphones, each with its own twists and excitement added to the listening experience by boosting and reducing specific frequencies, therefore understanding any headphones is very important for any mix mastering engineer.
To overcome this endless corporate double transaction and relentless persuasive swamp, I am here on a mission to create a definitive list of the Top 5 Headphones for Mixing Mastering.
1
Shure RH1840
For those of you who are familiar with Shure (the corporation responsible for some of the most iconic and well-known microphones in the history of audio), it should come as no surprise that the SRH1840 are, simply put, headphones par excellence.
They’re easy to drive, neutral in their response, yet never come across as boring or sterile in their reproduction. What’s more is that they’re lightweight, comfortable, and durable.
We understand that some of you may be wary of these considering they’re nearly 45,000 Rs, but trust us when we say they’re hands down some of the best studio headphones for mixing and mastering.
They come in both open and closed backs which is great for engineers with specific tastes.
2
Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro
While Beyerdynamic has a reputation for sounding a bit too clinical and overbearing on the high end, it doesn’t make the DT 880 Pros any less viable as a pair of cans.
Their sound signature is incredibly bright, but this can help highlight sibilance issues and other blemishes in a mix. This can work wonders for your mixes if you take the time to warm up to their character.
The main takeaway here is that these headphones are popular for a reason. They sound great, they’re well built, and they’re supremely comfortable.
If you like a bright sound signature, this one is a no-brainer. Even if you don’t, they make a great pair of reference headphones.
3
AKG K371
In regards to closed-back headphones, the AKG K371s blow nearly every competitor out of the water for their price range.
Their frequency response (5 Hz – 40 kHz), while still suffering from a slight V-shape, is far more neutral than, say, Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50x.
Yes, you’ll still get a bit of exaggeration in the lowest of lows and highest of highs, but considering these were designed to be low-budget, the slight inconsistencies ought to be given a pass.
The same can be said for their less than ideal build and comfortability, which is a small price to pay for their convenience.
4
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro studio headphones have set an industry benchmark for reference audio sound and accurate sound reproduction. They are loved by music enthusiasts, music producers, sound engineers and broadcasters all over the world. These studio headphones are used in all the studios and have a great response towards the entire frequency range. It also delivers punchy detail in low-frequency music.
Another bright sounding set of headphones from Beyerdynamic, is perfect. The DT 770 Pros are like the little sibling of the DT 800 Pro – not quite as good but roughly the same.
That aforementioned V-shape in the frequency response is a bit more drastic, but not so much that it will ruin your listening experience. The accuracy of the midrange is what really makes these headphones stand out among the crowd.
Just as the DT 800s and 990s, however, these headphones are built to last and are incredibly comfortable. If you wanted the DT 800s but couldn’t afford them, these are almost half the price.
Overall, these are probably the best closed-back headphones you can find for mixing.
5
AKG K712 Pro
These headphones are an underrated choice but are nonetheless some of the best mastering headphones you can find. The price is a bit higher than most of what’s on this list but is completely worth it.
The soundstage on these cans is absolutely massive. Elements of your mix you once perceived as being closer will sound much farther away, all while retaining their clarity and detail. The highs are smooth and the bass is present without being overbearing.
However, the sound signature might take some getting used to, so we recommend you try them out before buying to make sure they’re right for
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If you guys have another other questions you would like to shoot at me, just shoot me a mail at ronak@gray-spark.com.
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