Best Professional Mixing Headphones (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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The Sennheiser HD 599SE leads this list as an open-back headphone at 50 ohm with a detachable cable, a 3-meter 6.3 mm cable and a 1.2-meter 3.5 mm cable. The Sony MDR-M1 gives a closed-back option at 0.5 lb with two detachable cables, and the Tascam TH-MX2 gives a closed-back option at 32 ohm with a leatherette bag.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Mixers who want an open-back headphone at 50 ohm: Sennheiser HD 599SE Open-Back Wired Audiophile Headphones See pick 1More picks: Best Open Back Studio Headphones
- Mixers who want a closed-back headphone with a 40 mm driver: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Monitor Headphones + Slappa See pick 2More picks: Best Closed Back Headphones for Mixing
- Mixers who want a closed-back headphone at 0.5 lb: Sony MDR-M1 Professional Reference Closed Monitor Headphones See pick 3
- Mixers who want a closed-back headphone at 32 ohm: Tascam TH-MX2 Closed-Back Studio Mixing Headphones See pick 4
- Mixers who want an open-back headphone at 120 ohm: Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Over-Ear Wired Audiophile See pick 5More picks: Best Open Back Headphones for Mixing
Want the full range? Best Mixing Headphones ranks the top studio headphones for every buyer, or browse all 49 guides.
The 5 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
Sennheiser HD 599SE Open-Back Wired Audiophile Headphones
- Driver size not stated in the listing
- Detachable cable
- Impedance: 50 ohm
- Design: Open-Back
- 2-year warranty stated
It holds Best Overall as an open-back headphone at 50 ohm with a detachable cable and velour ear pads at 0.6 lb.
Who it suits
- Mixers who want an open-back headphone at 50 ohm
- Buyers who want detachable cables in 3-meter and 1.2-meter lengths
Skip it if
- You want a closed-back headphone instead of open-back
- You want 120 ohm impedance instead of 50 ohm
It uses an open-back design at 50 ohm and weighs 0.6 lb. The box includes a 3-meter 6.3 mm cable and a 1.2-meter 3.5 mm cable, both detachable. It has over-ear earcups with velour ear pads and carries a 2-year warranty.
2Runner-Up
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Monitor Headphones + Slappa
- Driver size: 40 mm
- Detachable cable not stated in the listing
- Low-frequency reach (Hz): 15 Hz
- Impedance: 47 ohm
It holds Runner-Up as a closed-back headphone with a 40 mm driver, 47 ohm impedance and a carrying case.
Who it suits
- Mixers who want a closed-back headphone with a 40 mm driver
- Buyers who want a carrying case with their headphones
Skip it if
- You want an open-back headphone instead of closed-back
- You want 50 ohm impedance instead of 47 ohm
It uses a closed-back dynamic design with a 40 mm driver, 47 ohm impedance and a low-frequency reach of 15 Hz. It connects through a 3.5 mm connector with a detachable cable. It comes with a carrying case and weighs 2.1 lb.
3Lightest Pick
Sony MDR-M1 Professional Reference Closed Monitor Headphones
- Driver size not stated in the listing
- Detachable cable
- Impedance: 50 ohm
- 1-year warranty stated
- 0.5 lb, the lightest here
At 0.5 lb, this closed-back headphone with 50 ohm impedance, two detachable cables and a 1-year warranty holds its rank.
Who it suits
- Mixers who want a closed-back headphone at 0.5 lb
- Mixers who want a screw-in adapter for 6.3 mm and 3.5 mm jacks
Skip it if
- You want an open-back headphone instead of closed-back
- You want 120 ohm impedance instead of 50 ohm
It uses a closed-back design at 50 ohm and weighs 0.5 lb. It comes with two detachable cables and a screw-in plug adapter for 6.3 mm and 3.5 mm jacks. Its earpads are replaceable, and it carries a 1-year warranty. It plays from 5 Hz to 80 kHz.
4Also Great
Tascam TH-MX2 Closed-Back Studio Mixing Headphones
- Driver size: 40 mm
- Detachable cable not stated in the listing
- Impedance: 32 ohm
- Design: Closed-Back
- 1-year warranty stated
It holds its Also Great rank as a closed-back headphone with a 40 mm driver, 32 ohm impedance and a leatherette bag.
Who it suits
- Mixers who want a closed-back headphone at 32 ohm
- Buyers who want a leatherette bag and a screw-on adapter
Skip it if
- You want an open-back headphone instead of closed-back
- You want 50 ohm impedance instead of 32 ohm
It uses a closed-back design with a 40 mm driver and 32 ohm impedance, and it weighs 0.7 lb. It comes with a screw-on adapter from 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm and a leatherette bag. Its cable extends to about 9.8 ft, and it carries a 1-year warranty.
5Also Great
Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Over-Ear Wired Audiophile
- Driver size not stated in the listing
- Detachable cable not stated in the listing
- Impedance: 120 ohm
- Design: Open-Back
- 2-year warranty stated
It holds its Also Great rank as an open-back headphone at 120 ohm with a 1/4-inch connector and a 2-year warranty.
Who it suits
- Mixers who want an open-back headphone at 120 ohm
- Buyers who want a 2-year warranty on their headphones
Skip it if
- You want a closed-back headphone instead of open-back
- You want 50 ohm impedance instead of 120 ohm
It uses an open-back design at 120 ohm with a 38 mm driver, and it weighs 1.3 lb. It connects through a 1/4-inch connector and comes with headphones, a cable and an owners manual. It carries a 2-year warranty.
Side by side
| Product | Driver size | Detachable cable | Low-frequency reach (Hz) | Impedance | Design | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sennheiser HD 599SE Open-Back Wired Audiophile Headphones | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | 50 ohm | Open-Back | 0.6 lb | 2-year |
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Monitor Headphones + Slappa | 40 mm | Not stated | 15 Hz | 47 ohm | Not stated | 2.1 lb | Not stated |
| Sony MDR-M1 Professional Reference Closed Monitor Headphones | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | 50 ohm | Not stated | 0.5 lb | 1-year |
| Tascam TH-MX2 Closed-Back Studio Mixing Headphones | 40 mm | Not stated | Not stated | 32 ohm | Closed-Back | 0.7 lb | 1-year |
| Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Over-Ear Wired Audiophile | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 120 ohm | Open-Back | 1.3 lb | 2-year |
How we ranked these studio headphones
Every pick has at least 100 customer ratings on Amazon and a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.
- Driver size weight 2
- Detachable cable weight 2
- Low-frequency reach (Hz) weight 1
Buying advice: professional mixing headphones
Choose open-back or closed-back first
Open-back and closed-back designs differ in this list. The Sennheiser HD 599SE and the Sennheiser HD 560S are open-back headphones, while the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, the Sony MDR-M1 and the Tascam TH-MX2 are closed-back headphones. Pick the design that matches your mixing setup, then compare impedance and weight within that design group.
Compare impedance, driver size and weight
Impedance runs from 32 ohm on the Tascam TH-MX2 to 120 ohm on the Sennheiser HD 560S, with 50 ohm on the Sennheiser HD 599SE and the Sony MDR-M1 and 47 ohm on the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. Driver size is 40 mm on the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, the Sony MDR-M1 and the Tascam TH-MX2 and 38 mm on the Sennheiser HD 560S. Weight runs from 0.5 lb on the Sony MDR-M1 to 2.1 lb on the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x.
Check cables, adapters and included extras
Cable and adapter details differ across this list. The Sennheiser HD 599SE includes a 3-meter 6.3 mm cable and a 1.2-meter 3.5 mm cable, and the Sony MDR-M1 includes two detachable cables with a screw-in adapter for 6.3 mm and 3.5 mm jacks. The Tascam TH-MX2 includes a screw-on adapter and a leatherette bag, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x includes a carrying case, and the Sennheiser HD 560S includes a cable and an owners manual.
Frequently asked questions
Which headphones in this list are open-back?
The Sennheiser HD 599SE and the Sennheiser HD 560S are open-back headphones. The HD 599SE runs at 50 ohm and weighs 0.6 lb, while the HD 560S runs at 120 ohm and weighs 1.3 lb.
Which pick is closed-back and weighs 0.5 lb?
The Sony MDR-M1 is a closed-back headphone that weighs 0.5 lb and runs at 50 ohm. It includes two detachable cables with a screw-in adapter for 6.3 mm and 3.5 mm jacks, and it carries a 1-year warranty.
What impedance values do these headphones use?
The Tascam TH-MX2 uses 32 ohm, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x uses 47 ohm, the Sennheiser HD 599SE and the Sony MDR-M1 use 50 ohm, and the Sennheiser HD 560S uses 120 ohm. Compare those values before you buy.
Do any of these headphones include a case or bag?
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x includes a carrying case, and the Tascam TH-MX2 includes a leatherette bag. If a case or bag matters to you, start with those two picks.
Gear that goes with it
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Best Audio InterfaceTop pick: Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB-C AudioMore studio headphones guides
Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Oct 24, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.