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The Hook: Picking Open-Back Headphones for Mixing Isn’t Simple
Shopping for open back headphones for mixing sounds easy—until you realize every option “claims” to be accurate. You’re trying to make decisions that translate to speakers, cars, earbuds, and club systems. But the wrong headphones can trick your ears with hyped bass, sharp treble, or a cramped soundstage.
If you’re buying a new pair specifically for mixing, you want three things: a natural tonal balance, wide imaging (so panning decisions actually stick), and comfort for long sessions. Here are the three models worth your shortlist in 2025.
Quick Verdict (TL;DR)
- 🏆 Best Overall: Audio-Technica ATH-R50X Open-Back Headphones
- 💸 Best Value: beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO
- 💎 Upgrade Pick: PHILIPS SHP9600
The Winner: Audio-Technica
If you want the smartest buy for mixing in 2025, the Audio-Technica ATH-R50X Open-Back Headphones is it. It hits the sweet spot: honest sound, open-back spaciousness, and a price that doesn’t feel like you’re paying “studio tax.” For most home and project studios, this is the no-brainer pick.
Why it wins
- Open-back presentation that helps mixes translate: You get that airy, speaker-like sense of space that makes it easier to judge reverb tails, panning, and depth.
- Balanced tuning for real decisions: Instead of “fun” bass boosts, you’re more likely to hear problems—mud, harshness, and masking—before your mix leaves the session.
- Over-ear comfort for long sessions: Over-ear cups generally reduce fatigue. That matters when you’re comping vocals or dialing EQ for an hour too long.
- Strong value at $149: It’s priced like a practical tool, not a luxury flex.
Pros & Cons
| What We Like (Pros) | Flaws (Cons) |
|---|---|
| Wide, open soundstage that’s great for mix placement | Open-back design leaks sound—bad choice for tracking vocals in the same room |
| Mix-friendly, “tell the truth” vibe for EQ and balance decisions | Not ideal for noisy environments (you’ll hear your room/PC fan) |
| Over-ear fit that’s built for longer sessions | If you prefer extra bass for casual listening, it may sound “too honest” |
Best Value: beyerdynamic
If you want to save cash but still get legit studio credibility, the beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO is a classic. It’s a reliable open-back option for mixing when you want roomy imaging and detail without spending a fortune.
- Great for spotting details: The presentation can make it easier to hear hiss, edits, and transient issues.
- Open-back width: Helps you make panning and ambience decisions with more confidence than many closed-backs.
- The tradeoff: Compared with our top pick, it can be less “set-and-forget” neutral for some ears, meaning you may need more time learning how your mixes translate.
The Upgrade Pick: PHILIPS
If budget isn’t an issue and you want a comfy, easy-to-live-with open-back for long listening and mix checks, the PHILIPS SHP9600 is a strong upgrade-style alternative—especially if you want something lightweight and relaxed for extended sessions.
- Comfort-forward design: Great when you’re doing long arrangement edits or marathon mix revisions.
- Open-back airiness: Makes it easier to judge space and stereo movement than typical closed-backs.
- Best for: Producers who want an open, speaker-ish presentation for referencing and general mixing—especially at its often-aggressive price.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
Here’s the clean recommendation based on how most people actually mix in 2025:
- For Budget Shoppers: Get the beyerdynamic if you want to save cash without sacrificing core features.
- For Power Users: The PHILIPS is the way to go if you want a comfortable open-back for long sessions and lots of reference listening.
- Our Top Pick: We recommend the Audio-Technica as the best overall choice for most people.
Prices and availability are accurate as of the time of publishing and are subject to change.