Headphones for listening are frequently featured more prominently than headphones for mixing and mastering. Both open-back and closed-back headphones will be available in 2021. This list will assist you in finding the best headphones heavy metal for mixing and mastering for use at home or in a professional studio.
Here are the best mixing/mastering headphones 2021:
1. Grado Labs PS2000e
Grado Labs may not be a household name in the audio industry, but they have more than six decades of experience. The PS2000e professional reference headphones heavy metal took almost two years to create.
The PS2000e headphones have an open back and are made of metal and wood. They have a large leather headband with extra padding, as well as a hand-carved inner chamber made of maple wood and finished in smoked chrome. They create a one-of-a-kind, desired response with great sonic character.
The mixture of wood and metal eliminates harsh frequencies, ringing, and harmonic distortion. The PS2000e reduces signal coloration to accurately show your audio‘s data. From the speaker chassis to the voice coil and magnets, the PS2000e was built with only the best materials.
The audio signal from the diaphragm is diffraction-free thanks to a new front panel and a grill for the driver. The driver’s housing reduces distortion and echo. The PS2000e has a very large sound stage that is faithfully reproduced. The best headphones heavy metal capture a lot of detail and space.
These headphones have a frequency response range of 5 Hz to 50 kHz, which is very wide. They’re certainly audiophile-quality headphones, but they don’t have the coloration that audiophile-quality the best headphones heavy metal should have.
Due to the fact that the Grado PS2000e headphones are the most expensive on this list, they are unquestionably among the best heavy metal mixing headphones. They sound incredibly accurate, and the maple wood adds to the headphones’ acoustic efficiency.
I would highly recommend them for advanced to experienced users, as well as beginners who have the financial resources to invest in such high-quality headphones.
2. ADAM Audio Studio Pro SP-5
ADAM Audio is renowned for their high-quality studio monitors, but they also have some excellent headphones if you need a reference companion to your monitors. The Studio Pro SP-5 headphones are an excellent pair of mixing headphones. They are the best-rated closed-back, over-the-ear headphone on the market.
Ultrasone’s S-LOGIC Plus technology, which positions sonic artifacts in the intended spatial area, gives your audio very realistic, precise spatial imaging and makes it easier to mix, is included with the SP-5s. The S-LOGIC Plus technology also greatly decreases ear exhaustion by lowering sound pressure levels on your eardrums by 40%, lowering the risk of hearing loss.
The decentralized driver positioning sends audio to your outer ear before sending it to your eardrum, resulting in a 3D audio experience that allows you to perceive distance and dimension.
They have a frequency response range of 8 Hz to 38 kHz, which isn’t too dissimilar to the Grado Labs PS2000e’s extremely broad range.
The Studio Pro SP-5s’ closed-back nature offers excellent acoustic isolation, making them ideal for audio mixing on the go. The headband is well-padded, and the ear cups are comfortable and well-cushioned. Overall, the headphones seem to be very sturdy.
Ultrasone is responsible for yet another useful feature of the Studio Pro SP-5 headphones. Their ground-breaking ULE (Ultra Low Emission) technology significantly decreases magnetic radiation, which is induced by many low-frequency headphone drivers. As compared to other studio headphones, the MU Metal insulation eliminates magnetic radiation by up to 98 percent.
When you first open the Studio Pro SP-5 headphones, you’ll note that they come with two cables and a semi-rigid travel shell.
ADAM Audio‘s Studio Pro SP-5 headphones are a perfect alternative for mixing with high-quality closed-back headphones. They are considerably less costly than studio mixing headphones in the thousands of dollars range, but they provide the same high-quality sound as those that are significantly more expensive. These supportive headphones are ideal for intermediate to professional producers.
3. Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO headphones, which are identical to the ADAM Audio SP-5 headphones, are one of the best pairs of open-back headphones for mixing. The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO is a newer model designed for stress-free listening, whether for fun or in the studio while making important mixing or mastering decisions.
With a brilliant, rich bass, clear mids, and soaring highs, the DT 990 PROs have a very pleasant tone. The DT 990s, like the SP-5s, produce three-dimensional sound, faithfully reproducing all of the information of each instrument in a broad spatial image. They have a frequency response range of 5 Hz to 35 kHz as well.
The headband is more rigid in nature, but it adds less pressure to your head. It’s also padded and fuzzy, making it more comfortable. Ear pads are also fairly soft and quickly replaceable. A coiled cable is included with the DT 990 PROs.
Beyerdynamic‘s DT 990 PRO headphones are an inexpensive style of decent mixing headphones. They give you precision, comfort, and ease of use.
For beginners to experienced producers, I would highly recommend these as a top-rated pair of headphones for mixing and mastering. They’re inexpensive enough that they won’t cost, and they’re certainly long-lasting.
4. Shure SRH1840
Shure is well known for its high-quality microphones, but they also make some of the best mixing studio heavy metal headphones. The Shure SRH1840, on the other hand, is one of the best heavy metal headphones for mastering. The SRH1840 headphones are over-the-ear headphones with an open back.
Since open-back headphones don’t have the same low-end pressure problems as closed-back headphones, they’re perfect for mastering and having a clear sense of the stereo field because they’re more natural to listen to. Using open-back headphones avoids one of the drawbacks of mixing with headphones: the mix doesn’t always translate well to different speaker systems.
The SRH1840s have comprehensive highs, rich bass, smooth midrange, and are overall very accurate, and the neodymium drivers could easily replace studio monitors. They’re really good for tracking and critical listening. The SRH1840s have a large frequency response that starts at 10 Hz and ends at 30 kHz, allowing for plenty of mastering space.
Cushioned ear covers, a premium padded headband, and stainless steel grills distinguish the SRH1840s. This makes them extremely light and easy to wear for long periods of time with little to no skin discomfort or strain on the top of your head or around your ears.
The SRH1840s were designed to be extremely durable, making them ideal for both studio and live performances. The oxygen-free copper cable on the SRH1840 is detachable and protected by a Kevlar-reinforced jacket.
Shure‘s SRH1840 headphones are among the best mastering heavy metal headphones available in 2021. They give you a natural listening experience that will help you master quickly so that your mixes sound great no matter what device you’re listening to. They’re an excellent option for moderate to advanced users looking for a high-end headphone for mastering.’
5. Audio-Technica ATH-M70x
The Audio-Technica ATH-M70x headphones are a new closed-back flagship model designed to enhance clarity in your mixes. It has ultra-large neodymium drivers that reliably replicate extreme low and high frequencies without causing any distortion.
They’re engineered to be robust and strong while still being comfortable, and are ideally suited for mixing, recording, mastering, DJ use, live mixing, personal listening, and post production.
They have a frequency response range of 5 Hz to 40 kHz, which is large enough to detect even the lowest frequencies and provide crisp airiness in audio. This is partly due to the use of a copper-clad aluminum wire voice coil.
The ATH-sturdy M70X’s plastic frame is incredibly comfortable, particularly when combined with the heavily cushioned adjustable headband and swiveling padded ear cups.
Audio Technica’s M series headphone line is one of my favorites, and every pair I’ve worn has incredible sound quality and is ridiculously comfortable. This one is no different. The ATH-M70x comes with three detachable and interchangeable cables (one coiled and two straight).
The Audio-Technica ATH-M70x headphones are among my personal favorites, and they’ll quickly become yours as well. They are one of the best headphones heavy metal for mixing, and they are unquestionably the best headphones heavy metal for the money. They are the ones I would like, and I would recommend them to anyone from a novice to a seasoned producer.
6. AKG K701
For the past 15 years, the AKG K1000 headphones have been the most common audiophile headphones, and now AKG has incorporated their concept into the AKG K701 headphones.
The AKG K701 headphones are open-back, over-the-ear headphones. They are the first headphone to use flat-wire voice coil technology in combination with AKG’s Varimotion technology, and they are extremely accurate in terms of acoustic reproduction. This ensures that all frequencies and spatial imaging are accurately reproduced.
The imaging is fantastic, and when combined with the incredibly precise sound of the crisp highs and smooth yet punchy bass frequencies, you get a truly enjoyable listening experience.
Flat-wire voice coil technology is a relatively recent invention. To go into more detail, the flat-wire coil is housed inside a neodymium magnet device. The coil is smaller, which helps to improve the efficiency of the headphones’ motor and allows the K701s to be used with a headphone amplifier.
The diaphragm of the K701s can monitor audio signals with extreme precision thanks to the combination of a light but powerful coil and a strong magnetic field. The acoustic precision would be most noticeable in the low frequencies.
Varimotion technology, which is basically a newer form of ultra-precise diaphragm, is also included in the K701s. The Varimotion diaphragm is made up of two layers, each made of a different material. The first improves diaphragm motion, while the second reduces undesirable breakup modes.
The thickness of the diaphragm varies, with an 80 micrometer core zone providing well-balanced high-frequency responses and a 40 micrometer perimeter handling the power required to reliably replicate mid-range and bass frequencies.
The AKG K701 has a unique structure design as well. They have a 3D Type ear pad system and a self-adjusting padded leather headband. The 3D Form ear pads are ergonomically built to fit just right around your ears, resulting in a precise listening position and optimized acoustic transmission.
These excellent headphones even come with bi-wired oxygen-free copper cables that improve channel separation. The frequency response of the K701s is extremely wide, ranging from 10 Hz to 39.8 kHz, allowing you to hear frequencies that are beyond human hearing. With informative highs and punchy bass, the K701s have a wide dynamic range and very low distortion.
The AKG K701 headphones are an excellent option for producers looking for audiophile-quality headphones with a flat and clear frequency response. Because of the open-back design, this is a perfect headphone to use if you don’t have studio monitors.
7. Focal Listen Professional
Focal is a leading manufacturer of high-end audio products, including displays and headphones. The Listen Professional closed-back headphones have been a long time coming, following in the footsteps of the iconic Spirit Professional model.
They come with powerful drivers, passive noise isolation, and smartphone usability. As a result, they’re the ultimate multi-purpose mixing headphones. The Listen Professional headphones feature low-distortion Mylar and titanium drivers for easy access to world-class audio.
The titanium-coated dome on the Mylar suspension helps to break up the low end and expand the frequency range. Strong bass with low distortion, soaring high end, and clear mid-range frequencies are all present. 5 Hz to 22 kHz is the frequency response range, which is ideal for mixing and mastering.
The headphones have a silicone lined headband that conforms to your head for the most supportive listening experience while in the studio for long periods of time, and the ear cups are made of high-density, heat sensitive memory foam ear cups that are coated in microfiber.
There are two oxygen-free copper cables included in the package. One of them has a remote and microphone that you can use with your smartphone to make calls or monitor your music while you’re on the go.
The Focal Listen Professional headphones are suitable for mixing and mastering on the go because they fold up quickly and are lightweight and portable.
The Focal Listen Professional headphones are an excellent alternative for producers looking for a multi-purpose headphone. They’re a well-balanced pair of headphones with high-quality audio components, but they also fold up for travel and are compatible with smartphones.
8. Sennheiser HD 200 PRO
If you’re on a budget, the HD 200 PRO closed-back, over-ear headphones are the perfect headphones for mixing at this price point. They produce professional-sounding audio without breaking the bank.
The HD 200 PROs feature neodymium drivers that deliver detailed sound with a punchy low-end, but not to the point of being overpowering. These bad boys have a frequency response range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, which gives them plenty of space to examine all of the frequencies in your audio. When you use these headphones, you can be sure you’ll get an accurate mix in terms of acoustic characteristics and frequencies.
With lightweight, soft ear cushions and a cushioned headband that doesn’t add any pressure, they’re extremely comfortable. They are a little snug on the head, but that isn’t a big deal because they are so light. Because of the ear cushions, the headphones have excellent noise isolation, keeping noise out and audio in. They are very dense, but they have a light weight to them.
The HD 200 PROs are excellent for recording as well as mixing and mastering, as they do not allow any audio to leak into the microphone. They’re a decent mixing and mastering headphone that can also be used for DJing, live concerts, and personal listening outside of the studio.
If you want something that can be quickly replaced, the Sennheiser HD 200 PROs are a good budget choice. Although they are sturdy and comfortable, they can feel a little tight against the head and put pressure on the ears, particularly if you wear glasses or have a larger head. Overall, they sound well-balanced and precise, making them a good choice for beginners.
final thoughts
Headphones for mixing and mastering should be chosen with caution. Open-back headphones, on the whole, are more accurate and better for mixing and mastering. If good open-back headphones are out of your price range, closed-back headphones will suffice.
Now that you’ve read this post, you can use what you’ve learned to find the right headphone for your mixing/mastering needs – maybe one of the choices mentioned here.
