$100 headphone recommendations for music production (include mixing and mastering).

[Silvaa]

Hello everyone. I discovered this site recently, and after spending a short time here, I’ve found it to be incredibly useful and decided to make my first post here.
I’m currently a third-year university student and what people call a "bedroom producer". I focus heavily on electronic music. However, like many others in my position, acquiring gear considered "professional" is virtually impossible.
My current setup for making music consists of the Crinacle Zero Red IEMs and a FiiO Snowsky DAC/AMP—and even buying just those two items was a real struggle, haha. After few years, I decided to take the next step by using headphones for production.
After doing some research, I’ve found that most people lean towards open-back headphones. Many also prefer planar magnetic headphones for mixing and mastering.
I’ve saved up about $100 so far. Assuming I don't upgrade the DAC/AMP and put that entire budget toward headphones, do you have any recommendations? I’m completely open to dynamic driver headphones, not just planar magnetic ones. Regarding sound quality, I believe that truly understanding and getting familiar with the headphones is what matters most; while finding a model that offers the best possible sound for that $100 price point would be great, it’s not a deal-breaker if that’s not the case. Another factor is availability in my area, so I’d appreciate recommendations from well-known brands, as that increases the likelihood of finding them for sale in my country.
Thanks.

 

[tccalvin]

Hey.

I don't think you can do much better than the ZERO:RED in terms of frequency response and would only consider getting a pair of headphones if you want a different fit/comfort.

The models that I've been eyeing for that kind of price range are:

Beyerdynamic DT 270 PRO (dynamic, closed back) - Bass heavy, cups are very small so they're better for smaller ears, exactly 99€ in my region

Sennheiser HD 560S (dynamic, open back) - They lack bass, >100€, often goes on sale

FiiO JT7 (planar magnetic, open back) - Balanced bass, >100€

AKG K361/K371 (dynamic, closed back) - Balanced frequency response, disposable, they fall apart after 2-3 years and availability for spare parts is bad, ~100€

My advice is: forget about sound stage, headphones aren't good for that and whatever spaciousness effect you can get will be at the expense of frequency response.

 

[staticV3]

HE400se is worth mentioning.

Caveats are Hifiman's infamous QC, low sensitivity/impedance, and that it is best enjoyed with frequency response correction.

FiiO JT1/JT1 Pro also deserve a mention.

 

[Redacted]

For value & comfort look at Austrian Audio.

 

[pinger]

Hey.

I don't think you can do much better than the ZERO:RED in terms of frequency response and would only consider getting a pair of headphones if you want a different fit/comfort.

The models that I've been eyeing for that kind of price range are:

Beyerdynamic DT 270 PRO (dynamic, closed back) - Bass heavy, cups are very small so they're better for smaller ears, exactly 99€ in my region

Sennheiser HD 560S (dynamic, open back) - They lack bass, >100€, often goes on sale

FiiO JT7 (planar magnetic, open back) - Balanced bass, >100€

AKG K361/K371 (dynamic, closed back) - Balanced frequency response, disposable, they fall apart after 2-3 years and availability for spare parts is bad, ~100€

My advice is: forget about sound stage, headphones aren't good for that and whatever spaciousness effect you can get will be at the expense of frequency response.

I have the AKG 371's and the earpiece foam (fake leather covering) is pulling away from the plastic. So I like your description of "disposable". Not sure why its so hard to design them so this doesnt happen

 

[FTB]

Alternative to the Beyer DT270, I would say Simgot EP5 for 80 to 100 € on aliexpress

Not perfect, too much bass around 100 Hz but for the price I don't know better than these two.

 

[Redacted]

I have the AKG 371's and the earpiece foam (fake leather covering) is pulling away from the plastic. So I like your description of "disposable". Not sure why its so hard to design them so this doesnt happen

The vinyl-on-fabric leather-look ear cushions will all peel off the underlying 'cloth' after enough use.
It's the nature of the material, and aided by sweat (acidic), even if you personally think you are dry.
I'm glad when all the dreadful black stuff drops off!
You can buy leather or uncoated fabric, but it will cost more - and the thread is "$100 headphone recommendations"...

 

[kemmler3D]

I give a +1 to staying with the IEMs. Mixing on headphones isn't really any better than mixing on IEMs in terms of outcome IMO. You will end up paying $100 to get a slightly worse frequency response and no more accurate stereo than you had before.

Spend the $100 on a good reverb plugin or something instead.

 

[pinger]

The vinyl-on-fabric leather-look ear cushions will all peel off the underlying 'cloth' after enough use.
It's the nature of the material, and aided by sweat (acidic), even if you personally think you are dry.
I'm glad when all the dreadful black stuff drops off!
You can buy leather or uncoated fabric, but it will cost more - and the thread is "$100 headphone recommendations"...

I hadn't thought about continuing to use them after the fabric falls off. Wouldnt look very good though. I actually need another set of phones for my other house so I may have to look closer at durability this time

 

[Roland68]

Hello everyone. I discovered this site recently, and after spending a short time here, I’ve found it to be incredibly useful and decided to make my first post here.
I’m currently a third-year university student and what people call a "bedroom producer". I focus heavily on electronic music. However, like many others in my position, acquiring gear considered "professional" is virtually impossible.
My current setup for making music consists of the Crinacle Zero Red IEMs and a FiiO Snowsky DAC/AMP—and even buying just those two items was a real struggle, haha. After few years, I decided to take the next step by using headphones for production.
After doing some research, I’ve found that most people lean towards open-back headphones. Many also prefer planar magnetic headphones for mixing and mastering.
I’ve saved up about $100 so far. Assuming I don't upgrade the DAC/AMP and put that entire budget toward headphones, do you have any recommendations? I’m completely open to dynamic driver headphones, not just planar magnetic ones. Regarding sound quality, I believe that truly understanding and getting familiar with the headphones is what matters most; while finding a model that offers the best possible sound for that $100 price point would be great, it’s not a deal-breaker if that’s not the case. Another factor is availability in my area, so I’d appreciate recommendations from well-known brands, as that increases the likelihood of finding them for sale in my country.
Thanks.

Personally, I can recommend the Beyerdynamic TYGR 300R.
They are extremely robust and durable—essentially studio headphones—and offer great detail, performing well above their price point.
They are highly underrated because they are marketed as gaming headphones.
You can even find them for under €100 used or as B-stock.

 

[Redacted]

You can often buy replacement pads - I did with mine, for not a £lot, but the second set are now shabby!
I don't care what they look like, as they mostly live in my office...
And I know some will go on about how well they seal without the vinyl, but the sound is not audibly different to me - but obviously, as an audiophile, I shave all around my ears twice daily, use only pince-nez specs and maintain a 5mm coating of lithium grease around my ears where the pads fit..

 

[Mr. Swordfish]

The Sony MDR-7506 would seem to fit your criteria. It's been around forever and should be available almost everywhere at your price point.

 

[zonk]

Actually in the Hifiman Store there is "Back To School Sale". They offer on top 12% extra savings on refurbished and open box items.

Hifiman HE400se or Hifiman Sundara can be an option.

 

[kemmler3D]

The Sony MDR-7506 would seem to fit your criteria. It's been around forever and should be available almost everywhere at your price point.

I own a pair, they're overrated overall, audibly harsh in the treble without EQ and you cannot get clean bass out of them for love or money. Not the worst in the sub-$100 price range, but not a pair I would recommend in 2026.

I also own some Truthear IEMs and I'd go for those for mixing or mastering 7 days a week over the Sonys, even though the latter were my daily drivers for a couple years.

 

[sikamikaniko]

Kiwi Ears Altruva 45$ 70$. Well-balanced, comfortable, and perfect for a big-picture view of the mix/master. For detailing and editing, you can pair them with your Zero Reds.
Altruva´s don't have the most precise bass in the world, but given your budget, they're a solid option, leaving you with some extra cash for other needs.

 

[Redacted]

"you can pair them with your Zero Reds."
You run both at the same time? I'm not following "pair them with"...

 

[sikamikaniko]

"you can pair them with your Zero Reds."
You run both at the same time? I'm not following "pair them with"...

Probably just a translation mix-up. English isn't my first language. Either way, it doesn't matter much since the OP hasn't come back.

 

[rockhard]

Seconding Austrian Audio, look at Hi-X15, they are currently a good deal in audio.

 

[staticV3]

Seconding Austrian Audio, look at Hi-X15, they are currently a good deal in audio.

I'm lookin' alright, what a mess: