5 Best Closed-Back Headphones For Studio Mixing and Mastering Under $550

Finding a proper headphone for mixing or mastering in the studio can be incredibly difficult. There are so many choices in headphones these days it can be nearly impossible for anyone to narrow it down to just a few choices. But the experts at MajorHiFi have you covered because we know headphones inside and out. Let’s take a look at the 5 best pairs of closed-back headphones for mixing and mastering between $200 and $550.

Audio Technica M70x – (Under $300)

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The Audio Technica M70x is an incredible headphone for the price. The M70x is a serious step up in the M-Series from the M-50x. It’s the most comfortable headphone in the series and features a frequency range of 5Hz to 40,000Hz. Built for critical listening in the studio, the M70x is an excellent closed-back headphone for mixing, mastering or even monitoring mixes.

In addition to the top-notch M70x headphone, buyers get 3 detachable cables, a hard case, and a soft case. Here’s a breakdown of the full features and specs for the M70x.

Sennheiser HD 280 Pro – (Under $150)

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Here’s a headphone that’s hard to miss. If you’re familiar with the audio world even in the slightest manner, you’ve probably seen the Sennheiser HD 280 somewhere. Whether it is in behind-the-scenes studio features or maybe your favorite video podcast, there’s a big chance someone will be wearing these headphones. These cans have been around since 2003 and have garnered a reputation for being exceptionally reliable for a multitude of professional scenarios. From musicians to voice-over artists, the HD 280 Pro’s are perfect headphones for getting an accurate representation of performance and offer premium comfort for long mixing sessions.

Beyerdynamic DT 770 – (Under $200)

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Beyerdynamic is well known for their studio and broadcast-quality headphones and the DT 770 closed-back headphone is an industry-standard for pro-audio mixing and mastering. You can get the DT 770 in 32 Ohm, 80 Ohm, and 250 Ohm models and the frequency response spans from 5Hz to 35,000Hz. This incredibly comfortable over-ear circumaural headphone is designed for excellent isolation and long listening sessions. All the parts on this Beyerdynamic headphone are replaceable which makes it a worthwhile investment that will likely last a lifetime.

Here’s a list of the specs for the Beyerdynamic DT 770:

Ultrasone Pro 900i – (Under $550)

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Those who know Ultrasone headphones love them and those who have yet to discover them are soon to be Ultrasone fanatics. The Ultrasone Pro 900i is a dream come true for audio engineers that mix for many hours with headphones and demand the best possible sound. The frequency response on the Pro 900i headphone is 6Hz to 42,000Hz and has an impedance of 40 Ohms. If that’s not already enough to get your attention the super soft earpads and headband on the Pro 900i will definitely have you sold. The build and materials of the Ultrasone Pro 900i are second to none. The solid design and (included) carrying case make this another excellent headphone that will likely last you a lifetime.

Here are the full specs on the Ultrasone Pro 900i:

Shure SRH840 – (Under $200)

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Shure is another brand that’s hard to get away from when you’re in studio environments. They have their SRH440 model which is a great budget option, but for only a little more, the SRH840 is the one you’re gonna want to pick up. The frequency response is clear and supplies the listener with a balanced timbre that houses great extension and rich details to examine with a critical ear. Earcup and headband padding supply a good level of comfort for extended studio sessions. Its 10ft coiled cable gives you a ton of slack for bigger spaces and is also detachable as an added plus.

Summary

Whatever your budget and pro-audio needs, there’s a closed-back headphone for you. Any of these 5 headphones listed here will do you well in your home studio or top-of-the-line recording facility. All these brands (Audio Technica, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, Ultrasone, and Shure) make some of the finest headphones you’ll find anywhere and this list of the 5 best closed-back over-ear headphones is the perfect way to narrow down the choices and choose the perfect mixing or mastering headphone.

If you own one of these headphones and love how it works for you, comment in the forum below and let us know your favorite studio headphones and features.