Headphones Recommendation for Mixing and Mastering

[richardln]

Hello ASR's members. This is my first time creating an account and post a thread. I am not either an audiophile or a professional sound engineer, just a simple hobbyist with limited knowledge. Been creating some jazz/classical works for fun, I don't want to bother anyone with my amateur production, so a nice pair of full-size headphones is what I'm looking for.

Right now, at my target price range, I only have these available options:
- Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X // The cheapest.
- Aune AR5000 // Already in my cart.
- FiiO FT3 // Much hesitant between this and AR5000.
- Austrian Audio Hi-X65/X60
- Hifiman Ananda Stealth V3, Edition XS, Sundara
- Sennheiser HD600

// A little bit more not-so-relevant context. My current sound preference is neutral, detailed and airy. My audio journey has been quite modest as I owned, by chronological order, DT990, DT1990, DT1770, DT880, HD598 before settling down with EQ-ed FiiO FH5 (IEM) for years.

Your help is always appreciated. Thanks!

 

[twsecrest]

For audio production (creating, mixing, editing, etc), Sony MDR-V6 or MDR-7506 headphones.

 

[Sjkrabbe]

if you are mixing in noisy surroundings you need a closed HP. My recommendation here would be ADAM AUDIO H200. My favorite

 

[markanini]

The thoughtful response would be to steer you away from headphones for primary monitoring, because it's possible a valid speaker setup is more accessible than you think: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...view-closed-back-headphone.19657/post-2380344

 

[CiX]

I currently use the FiiO FT3 (350 Ω) and SIMGOT EP5 with correction EQ applied for mixing.


My headphone ideal selection targets:

• Frequency response roughly aligned with the Harman Target
• Peaks and dips caused by treble resonances can be easily corrected with EQ without introducing side effects
• More linear low-frequency behavior with low compression
• Moderate comfort that allows three hours of wear without pressure or pain
• Lower distortion (under 200Hz<2%@86dB & upper 200Hz<1%@86Hz )
• No overly long resonances (see DIY-Audio-Heaven spectrum plot measurements for examples)
• And a low budget (under 400 USD)

Most planar headphones are off my list for now because many exhibit longer resonances.
They leave short-lived residual ringing after transients, which makes the sound muddy.

Although "autoeq.app" offers a correction EQ for the FT3, the FT3 may have been revised (the pleather earpads look different) or the measurement curve may have been smoothed, masking finer ripples. Even with correction applied, the FT3 still has slightly harsh spots above 2 kHz.

For the EP5, only "squig.link" measurements are available. Because the stock soft earpads compress to different degrees, peaks and dips can shift in both the lows and highs. EQ can only be rough adjustment.

For both headphones I handle >2 kHz by running sine sweeps, locating the deepest dips and highest peaks, then making subjective EQ moves by ear.
The results like this.

I think mixing on headphones requires first understanding each headphone’s frequency-response structure.
Individual HRTF and fit variations introduce small differences across frequencies, which slightly affect judgments of soundstage width and mid–high judgment.
Without correction, you need long-term listening to learn how the headphone portrays each frequency band and instrument before it can serve as a more complete monitoring reference.
Otherwise it is best used for inspecting details, catching problems, or as another reference device (some mixers buy popular models to hear from a consumer perspective).
Primary monitoring is still better on speakers. If the room is untreated, you can start with digital correction such as Dirac Live.

One advantage of modern headphones is a more complete and sufficiently strong low-frequency response.
Examples: FiiO FT3, SIMGOT EP5, Austrian Audio Hi-X60.
In-ears can deliver powerful bass with very low distortion and little effort from the driver, e.g., Truthear x Crinacle Zero Blue 2.

 

[olds1959special]

Sony MDR-7506

 

[Ported]

RØDE NTH-100
These are the only pair of headphones that i have found (and I've tried a good few) where mixing work done translates well to speakers and back.. have put in a request to have them analysed here but i guess the queue is long!

 

[solderdude]

RØDE NTH-100
These are the only pair of headphones that i have found (and I've tried a good few) where mixing work done translates well to speakers and back.. have put in a request to have them analysed here but i guess the queue is long!

You need to send them in if you want them measured/reviewed by Amir or wait for someone to send them in.
Amir is not likely to buy them.
Also it won't measure well and won't get a recommendation from Amir. It does not adhere to Harman target, is too 'dark' sounding for that, is seal dependent and has high distortion.

Røde NTH-100

back to measurementshome published: Apr-02-2022 NO SMOOTHING is applied to the shown plots. Most measurement sites have some smoothing applied which ‘irons flat’ sharp peaks and ‘wiggles’. I do not…

diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

 

[Ported]

Thanks that's interesting.. had not spotted that review.
All I can say is they work well for me in this context.