The BEST RECORDING HEADPHONES (2023) - [Not the same as the best STUDIO headphones]
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🔗 HEADPHONE LINKS
1) Sennheiser HD 280 Pro: sweetwater.sjv.io/21k3Ba
2) Austrian Audio Hi-X15: sweetwater.sjv.io/R5PXDR
3) Sony MDR-7506: sweetwater.sjv.io/daKAq7
4) Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: sweetwater.sjv.io/y2g5xb
5) Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro: sweetwater.sjv.io/Mmn1Y2
6) Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X: sweetwater.sjv.io/VmaZzO
7) Ollo HPS S4R: olloaudio.com/products/s4r-re...
8) Austrian Audio Hi-X60: www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...
9) Audeze LCD-XC: sweetwater.sjv.io/k0gzyL
The best studio headphones are not necessarily the best recording headphones. I take you through 9 of my favorite headphones for recording (tracking) for 2023.
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🎸🎹 MY STUDIO GEAR
AUDIO INTERFACES I USE
Universal Audio Apollo X4: sweetwater.sjv.io/9gGAVj
Antelope Audio Discrete 8 Pro: amzn.to/3qTbFav
STUDIO MONITORS
Adam Audio A7V (Pair): sweetwater.sjv.io/GmXnb9
Adam Audio T10S (Sub): sweetwater.sjv.io/XYyd4b
MIDI CONTROLLER KEYBOARDS
Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII: sweetwater.sjv.io/QyA2RM
NI S61 MK2: sweetwater.sjv.io/B0Exqy
MIDI Control Surface
ICon QCon Pro G2: amzn.to/47PQhn0
MICROPHONES
Audio Technica AT2020: sweetwater.sjv.io/5gnaEL
Rode NT1A: sweetwater.sjv.io/5gy1X9
Shure SM57: sweetwater.sjv.io/nLyVQV
Shure SM58: sweetwater.sjv.io/ZQNEAK
Shure SM7B: sweetwater.sjv.io/5gaAj3
Warm Audio CX12: sweetwater.sjv.io/eKekOD
Neumann U87 AI: sweetwater.sjv.io/rQ4GZQ
Universal Audio SD-1: sweetwater.sjv.io/xkrz0A
Universal Audio SP-1 (Pair): sweetwater.sjv.io/NkbEqq
Rode NT5 (Pair): sweetwater.sjv.io/oqWxVb
Neumann KM184 (Pair): sweetwater.sjv.io/Mmn5bJ
Austrian Audio CC8 (Pair): sweetwater.sjv.io/rQ4G9v
HEADPHONES
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro: sweetwater.sjv.io/21k3Ba
AKG K240 Studio: sweetwater.sjv.io/EKjL2P
AKG K702: sweetwater.sjv.io/bae659
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro: sweetwater.sjv.io/6eK07K
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro: sweetwater.sjv.io/OrJkzQ
Austrian Audio Hi-X55: sweetwater.sjv.io/4PYz29
Austrian Audio Hi-X65: sweetwater.sjv.io/daA2eM
Audeze MM500: www.audeze.com/products/mm-500
Audeze LCD-XC: www.audeze.com/products/lcd-xc
MIC PREAMPS
ART Voice Channel Tube Channel Strip: sweetwater.sjv.io/3eAjJn
Warm Audio WA-MPX: sweetwater.sjv.io/GmEr6n
RACK GEAR
Warm Audio WA-2A: sweetwater.sjv.io/eKvqRX
Warm Audio WA-76: sweetwater.sjv.io/AW0mKN
Warm Audio WA-1B: sweetwater.sjv.io/oqBEan
ART Head Amp 6 Pro: sweetwater.sjv.io/1re1bx
Samson S-Patch Plus: sweetwater.sjv.io/g1PDo2
🔌🎹 MY FAVORITE PLUGINS
Arturia FX Collection 4: www.pluginboutique.com/produc...
NI Komplete: www.pluginboutique.com/search...
FabFilter Pro-Q 3: www.pluginboutique.com/meta_p...
iZotope Ozone 11: www.pluginboutique.com/search...
Addictive Drums 2: www.pluginboutique.com/search...
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• The BEST RECORDING HEA...
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:01 Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
03:02 Austrian Audio Hi-X15
04:31 Sony MDR-7506
06:22 Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
08:30 Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
10:36 Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X
12:31 Ollo HPS S4R
15:21 Austrian Audio Hi-X60
17:01 Audeze LCD-XC
19:24 Conclusion
Note - Links provided in this video description may be affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to purchase products using these links, a small commission may be paid to me for referring you. Thanks for helping me and the channel.
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I use two different headphones. The one I use for recording vocals is the Sony Professional MDR 7560. It does a great job of not leaking noise. Even if I have a click track going. The one I use for mixing is a Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro. I have found that these have a great sound that allows me to hear a lot of detail in both the low and high end.
Nice to have you back at it Mike! The new studio looks great!
I’ve been using a set of Beyerdynamic DT880’s that I bought way back in 1986 - that’s right 37 years ago. I paid $399 trade at the time. I don’t have any idea how many replacement ear pads I’ve gone through in that time (the black material perishes from UV exposure probably) but there’s sure been a few (a few dozen probably). I’ve used them for tracking, mixing and mastering and found them to be comfortable and accurate with goof seperation. I have others on the budget end, but never had a reason to go looking for anything other than my DT 880s for my personal earphones. great video Mike - but $1299 phew! Cheers Mike V
I used almost always Beyer or Sennheisers in radio studios in the past, but now in my home studio, I am into AKGs. I certainly recognise your frustration at the fixed coiled cables though - they are a nightmare. Your studio is looking very cool.
Thank You for your informative video. Just getting back into recording some of my and my partner's old ballads we recorded back in the 1980's and '90's on tape. Being on a budget, I did just buy the Audio Technica 50x, but have not received them yet. Love the fact you are playing a Gretsch similar to my Tennessee Rose! I will be looking for more advice as my technology level is pre digital old time reel to reel four track. Thanks again.
Thanks for this video, I always trust You, yeah that's a good beautiful new Studio, and I I love it. ❤
I use the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones to record my trumpet playing. They work great. Please understand that many times I have to pump up the headphone volume to be able to hear the tracks that I'm recording on top of. Trumpet can be sorta LOUD. I have NOT had ANY problems with isolation, even cranked to the moon. Oh yeah,... they NEVER lose their cord curl. Excellent in that, for sure. Build quality: I have been using these headphones for more than 15 years (the same pair). Still like NEW. I place one ear headphoned and one ear NON-headphoned. Yeah.
I own the DT 770 Pro and love them (they have a straight cord - most I've seen do)
For tracking- MDR-7506. So comfortable, ..for long tracking sessions. And so happy ear pad replacements are available because they fall apart. 👍
Good video Mike, you've got a lot of headphones...😄I don't have any of these; I've got AA Hix55 and Hix65, which are both great.
Thank you for a very comprehensive review!!!! The thing that made me hesitant to buy Beyer Dynamic headphones is the attached cable. It's good to know that there is a pair with a detachable cable! I currently have a pair of ATH-M50X and a pair of Hi-X15 and I like them both and agree with your assessments. The Hi-X60's are way out of my price range but I'm seriously considering the DT-700 Pro X's.
Man those 280s are so nostalgic. Nowadays I use the hifiman sundora with a custom calibration when it comes to mixing on the go but I use my ollo audio s3r for tracking. And obviously I use speakers when at the studio at home.
Boy, this is exactly what i was looking for on my way to the trainstaition today - Thank you very much. btw - Congrat for youre new studio mate
Thank you!
@@CreativeSauce hi Mike, can you please do one on pc monitors. I've changed the resolution on my screen but some non-resizeable plugins are always cropped out of the screen and making it hard to see some buttons and knobs on them. Looking to buy a new screen but don't know the best specs for music production
Been using the Sony MDR-7506 headphones for a while now. I have warm them for 3 to 4 hours with no discomfort. Yes the cable is a pain as all coil cables I’ve used are. Having a detachable, straight cable on these would make them even better. If you don’t like the pads you can find a lot of different types to fit these (they have been around a while). They sound great to me but I have some hearing loss so I don’t consider my self an expert.
I have an old pair of Sony MDR V300's very flimsy but somehow have a really nice sound, I'm on AKG's at the moment
Thank you for the info on the sound bleed prevention with the Sennheisser HD 280 Pro. Been looking for someone to say that for a long time and I just bought them. Hoping they help with preventing sound bleed from the click track. It's been driving me crazy.
Just a heads up Mike, the link you supplied for the Audeze goes to the Austrian Audio Hi-X60 Sweetwater page. As for me, I've owned a new pair of Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro for two weeks now, so am still breaking them in. They are immensely comfortable and I'm sure they're going to be fine for tracking and mixing. Btw, I have the 80 ohm pair and they do have the straight cable. They are just loud enough for the 32 ohm to 100 ohm headphone output of my interface.
He's right about the AT M50X. I actually mix on both the M40X for more accurate representation in the Mids and then switch over to the M50X for very detail oriented things like stereo separation, etc. I also have been using Sennheiser, well, everything, for about 20 years. I can't think of a bad product that they've ever made.
Hi Mike. Thanks for all your great videos 🙂 About 3 years ago, I decided to try headphones for mixing. I searched around and saw that the Sennheiser HD 800 were rated very highly by several sources, and I ended up purchasing those. I also found on the internet a free 20-band EQ, along with settings that would "correct" some of the "deficiencies" of the HD 800. That made a significant change for the better, removing a distortion I noticed on the highs. Did you ever try the HD 800's, or compare them with with some of the headphones you currently use? If so, how did they stand up? Pros and cons?
I prefer a single cable to a Y cable. It’s easier to see which way round they go, especially when you have inexperienced people in the studio. It’s easy to tell ‘em to put the cable on the left ear.
Hi Mike. About the Senheiser HD-280 Pro, I totally agree with you about the comfort, very heavy on the head. However, about the headphones wires, my trick is I always put the wire over my shoulder so the wire just hangs down my back.
I use 1990 Pro for mastering too which are super comfy, and 550 for tracking which are also great and very comfortable. They also have a straight cable. I also have a pair of Audio Technica M50X for tracking which are pretty good too, although the pads did start falling apart and it cost me £30 for a new set! The top band is also starting to deteriorate. I agree, I would never use these for mixing, not very accurate or detailed.
I use mx50s and Beyerdynamic DT770s for tracking.. also use a Beyerdynamic DT990 open back for mixing
I have been using the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro for my main headphones. While I like them a lot, I have to agree that they aren't the most comfortable. My Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (80 ohm) 'phones are much more pleasant to wear for long periods, and sound very nice. I haven't opened my Sony MDR-7506 'phones yet, but they're waiting on the shelf in case one of the others fails.
Thank you for all your videos! Always helpful!
Mike I don't have your type of set up but I brought some Buxtons and they seem ok for me
Hi Mike - great run through - I had the Sony MDR-7506 headphones for years (must be ten) and have been through a couple of sets of replacement ear pads in that time. they are still great but I am with you on that cable - it is really annoying and cumbersome to use. I upgraded to the Hi-X60s after your review a few months back and have not been disappointed. Great isolation, flat response and super comfortable for a long session. Keep up the great work.
Great breakdown. I know the DT770 Pro are popular - but I have a very hard time recommending them for mixing. Their EQ curve is so V shaped that the mids get all sucked out. I'd always point to the 880 for a mixing set out of that series. For tracking and recording I use either the Sony MDR-7506, or the Fostex t50rp. For mixing I use the Sennheiser HD600 - I have never found a more balanced pair. I love my Audeze headphones (and others, Denon D5000, Meze, etc.) for pleasure listening - but I don't trust them as implicitly for mixing.
Agree, most beyerdynamics are treble cannon, dunno why people love em, must only be olds peeps who lost their hearing 😂
I use my AudioTechnics M50's for mixing, but only for careful listening to the bass range.
Hi Mike , yeah after long long contemplation I bought a pair Sennheisser 280 agree with all your critque (that heavy curly cable AAggghh ,) although i couldnt record vocals with them I could hear my voice through my head ? (headphones too tight ??) and I tried using them as a mixdown headphones and just found them rather boxxy so I bought a pair of really cheap no name €20.00 HD headphones light and clear and I never put them down , I do use the 280`s to make a comparison though ...I bought them on line ..rule of the thumb try them out in a shop first cheers ..great channel
Itd be good to see a vid on Mixing Headphones and which give the best bang for the buck
Je possède les ATH-M50X, Senheiser HD-280Pro and Sony MDR-7506 qui sont mes plus anciens , pour mes mix j’ai des AKG K701 sont-il assez bien pour les mix, Merci très intéressant. 👍
ATH-M50X here for recording.
Great video brodda- Ever tried the Sony MDRV6 Studio Monitor Headphones with CCAW Voice Coil? My dad had bought a pair of these babies when I was a kid...and later on when I built a little studio, I bought another pair just because they were so good. And not too long after that...They discontinued them, and the price has sky-rocketed..lol I just saw them on Amazon for almost 500 bucks!... I have tried the Sony 7560 headphones, and they don't come close. The F-response of the MDR-V6's is 5-30k. Anyway, if u ever get a chance, check 'em out. I have not compared them to ones that cost mega-bucks, but I would love to lol
Hi, thanks for the video! I have the ATH-M50x since 2017. I completely Love the sound however the quality isn't there. One of the three cables that come with it is already broken (and I take good care of my things) and I had to change the ears pad because they "leather" part started to crack and loose small parts.
Im very surprised tou think the ath m50x lacks detail. I find them to be very detailed and also with alot og sub bass in comparison to my dt700 pro. Finneas also uses them for that purpose.
I have the Sony MDR-7506 currently.
I think the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro is the sweet spot in the middle, especially if you just have a hobby studio or do video. I have the 80 ohm version so I can use them for casual listening on other devices. I've used the Sony MDR-7506 for years in the video biz, but the 770's have a better soundstage to me, and the low end seems more accurate.
do you need an amp to power the 770's?
@@devincallen1257 My phone is loud enough if I turn it up a bit. I use them with a Komplete audio 6 on my computer.
@@devincallen1257there’s three versions… 32ohm, 80ohm and 250ohms. The 32ohms are the most versatile, meaning you can use them to listen to music on a laptop or phone because they don’t require that much power the 80 and 250ohms would require more power from like a guitar amp or a decent audio interface or amplifier
What's the best for recording AND mixing?
What are your thoughts on ATH-R70x for mixing?
love you
Had the exact same issue on the HD280! The coiled cable kept swinging around and reverberating on my bass neck while recording.
Sony 7506 FTW. They’re $80 USD on Amazon right now.
I use the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro for recording. Very comfortable and sounds good to my ears.
what OHM??
@@702prodigy 250 ohm
austrian audio hi-x15 and sony mdr 7506 which one is best for mixing and mastering ?????
For quite some time now I have used Sennheiser HD 202. They are comfortable, and sound great, and work for my purpose of mixing audio for my projects, however the straight cable from the headphones is about 6 ft long and is constantly getting twisted and curled up. Is there something on the market I can use to keep the cable from getting twisted??? I do own the the first headphones from Sennhesier on your list and I agree, they are too heavy for use over an hour.
I use Samson SR850s - flat response, comfortable if you wear glasses, and only £39. 'Nuff said 👍
The ones I use for reference from my recorder are 7506, M50X, Dt770 and Superlux 681 for vocal tracking because of their clarity. If you make any mistakes they will be painfully obvious on them when it sounds smooth on the M50Xs as you mentioned. The 280 Pro I am selling because their low frequency is too muddy to be of value. Hooked to my CD Recorder though are AKG 361, Sennheiser 560, Philips SPH9500, Shure 440, Samson SR850 and Superlux 668B. I WISH I could afford those Audeze. But for years all I had was 7506 and they never steered me wrong. They are reliable. Not amazing. Just never far off in any direction. 770s? Not enough bass. 280s? Too much bass. M50X? Could use a little more clarity. But my newly acquired 361 and 560s are definitely going to get some use. The 361s especially have highs, lows and a nice kick to them. I also have a few others that are very good: www.querytools.net/Images/HeadphoneNeutrality2.jpg
Hi Mike. Could you kindly recommend 1 or 2 headphones for an upgrade of my Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro 250ohm? The main intention is to mix with headphones in a more truthful way (without spending a fortune). I thank you in advance.
You should do a review of the Steven Slate Audio VSX Modeling Headphones if then look at the or watch a few KZhead videos about the. In my opinion the best for mixing and mastering.
Hands down...
I use my Dt 770 pro 80 ohm for recording and the sony mdr-7506 for mixing 😅 but i wanna get the sennheiser hd 600 or dt 990 pro 250 ohms for mixing
As a multiple pairs of M50x and M50Bt2 owner that has also tested most of the presented headphones i have to agree. Do not use the M50x for mixing as they are not the perfect headphone for sound separation and extra wide sound stage. Headphones like the DT770 or better the DT990 do that much better; to mention the main competitor at the price/performance range. However if you want a headphone for gaming, movies and all sorts of music listening or as a Monitor or DJ Headphone, the M50x got you covered. The sound stage is usually rather tight which is perfect for all sorts of electronic, rap, and metal music. Also Blues or all sorts of Rock and Pop Classics sound supreme on these. Jazz and Classical Stuff works just fine too but i have to admit the Beyerdynamic do a better job there. And if you really need to dissect every single track/instrument you are mixing, the M50x will not deliver the sound separation you want for that task. Given the right recording in movies, music or games the sound stage can though widen considerably making the M50s the most versatile pair of headphones and to me the jack of all trades as a daily driver. And do note ... if you can provide the M50BT2s with LDAC 960 (Android🙌) they will sound like a wired pair of headphones and will also perform quite well for simple tasks like teams sessions with a decent microphone and good sound isolation in a crowded office enviroment. Of course no wireless headphone using Bluetooth and using MacOs or Windows will (as of now) provide a decent sound quality ... which kinda sucks. It is what it is. MacOs users... be humble ... you are not classified as audiophile. Respect to the last Vertical #competitionisgood. (And yes ... Linux nerds... you win that battle... but who does music on Linux?) Shout out to Creative Sauce! Really enjoyed this video. Very rare i can agree so well on a headphone roundup. 👍🤓
I use dt 770 pro 80ohm for recording, and HD560S for mixing 🤷♂️ ‘cheap’ and cheerful
Hd 560s have coloring on 4k and 10k frequencies, it’s made for critical
i just bought austrian audio HIX15, still in the box because im know hesitating to get them back to the store, pay 15$ more and buy some DT770 pro... it'd be for amateur recording and possibly mixing. Should i ? (In here in france, AAHIX15 are 119eu and DT770pro are 135eu)
You are right about the AudioTechinca, unfortunately.
You should have tested Audio Technica M40X and AKG K361
I am looking at the m40x hearing so many great reviews
I agree - Curly cables are a definite NO!
Dt770 can be had with a straight cable
Would the AKG 371 headphones be in this conversation too?
Kinda, but you would rather get akg k361 to avoid the slight coloring in sound akg k371 have
Hello. I bought the DT 770 PRO 80 ohm from Amazon, I just received them just now. The problem is that it says DT 770 STUDIO on it, not PRO. Is this an Amazon error? Or another model different from the PRO? If it is another model I will send it back to Amazon.
It's the same headphones.
❤❤❤❤❤
What if you are an aging metalhead that can’t hear all the frequencies? My mix will just have to be however it is😂
Below... Way down under 99$. Many options, many choices.
Senn 290 - that curly lead is awful - utterly gets in the way. Totally annoying. Straight leads are a must.
I literally have hated the 7506 since I was able to buy my own head phones and didn't have to use the studio's provided headphones... Trying to track hip hop in them is dead as a slug that escaped from a bird by crawling into a box of Morton salt. You cannot beat the m50's, Ultrasone 780i's, or the DT770's for tracking imo. You get to have fun and be immersed in the melodies, tones, and harmonic frequencies of what you're recording.
Mixing on headphones? I think the best way is to use only monitor speakers. On headphones, the final mix will sound much better anyway... :)
Not always possible when living in a condominium, apartment or townhouse.
@@remotejazz true, but if you want to drive, you need roads
Straight tubular or straight flat are best for me!
I can't stand Sony anything at this point, especially their headphones! Their headphones are terrible! Every single pair of Sony headphones I had has either crapped out or has broken