Overview
For mix engineers, producers, and studio musicians, a pair of closed-back headphones is a critical tool for achieving pinpoint accuracy and focused isolation. At Technowant, we understand this necessity, which is why we brought over 40 pairs of closed-back headphones under $500 into our testing studio.
We conducted a full evaluation of their frequency response, isolation, and comfort to identify the seven models that truly deliver. Whether you’re mixing a chart-topping track, tracking vocals in the booth, or monitoring a live performance, these headphones provide the clarity and detail you need without breaking the bank. Our scientific evaluations and real-world studio tests are designed to help you find the perfect pair to elevate your craft.
Best Closed Back Headphones Under $500 at a Glance
Why is Techowant Trustworthy? At Technowant, we scientifically test headphones in our dedicated headphone testing studio to ensure accurate and reliable evaluations. For more details, you can read about our headphones Testing Method.
In this video, we introduce you to seven of the best closed-back headphones
Sony MDR-M1
Kicking off our list is the Sony MDR-M1, a modern headphone that echoes the design of the iconic MDR-7506. Its featherlight 216-gram build, combined with a plush foam headband and earpads, delivered exceptional comfort during mixing sessions that stretched past the three-hour mark in our studio. It boasts superior isolation compared to its predecessor, making it an ideal choice for noisy studio environments. In our tests at Technowant, the MDR-M1 produced the most natural sound among all the closed-back headphones we evaluated under $500, revealing sonic details that only a seasoned audio professional might catch.
Sound Quality
The frequency response of the Sony MDR-M1 is truly impressive, offering a wide bandwidth that captures every nuance, making it a dream for critical mixing and mastering tasks. It avoids any artificial boosts or coloration across the bass, midrange, or highs, delivering a sound so true to the source it’s like hearing your mix completely unfiltered. The bass is tight and accurate, the midrange reveals vocals and instruments with breathtaking clarity, and the highs remain smooth without a hint of harshness. During our Technowant tests, this headphone allowed me to hear subtle details, like faint reverb tails, that other models in this price range simply missed. For composers and engineers pursuing an authentic and uncolored sound, the MDR-M1 is the gold standard.
Pros and Cons
✅Pros:
- Features a lightweight 216-gram build for extended comfort during long mixing sessions.
- Offers superior noise isolation, making it ideal for noisy studio environments.
- Delivers a natural, uncolored sound with a wide frequency response, perfect for mastering.
- Built with durable, high-quality cables to ensure reliability in a studio setting.
- Reveals subtle details like reverb tails, a significant advantage for seasoned pros.
❌Cons:
- Comes at a higher price point (around $200) compared to other options on this list.
- Requires a powerful audio interface to unlock its full potential.
Also Read: Best Open Back Headphones Under 200
Sony MDR-7506
Next up is the Sony MDR-7506, a studio icon adored by mix engineers and musicians alike for its reliability and performance. As someone who spends hours mixing, I can vouch for its lightweight 230-gram design and soft earpads, which are perfect for marathon sessions. My friend Robert, a veteran composer, tested it in our studio and remarked, “You see these in every studio—they’re affordable and a musician’s favorite.”
Sound Quality
The frequency response of the Sony MDR-7506 is a testament to its prowess as a monitoring tool. Its bass is carefully tuned to avoid any boomy output, delivering a clean and accurate low-end that is essential for mixing. The midrange allows vocals and instruments like guitars to shine with exceptional clarity, making it perfect for critical listening. The highs are balanced and natural, free from the harshness or artificial boosts that can color a mix. While its soundstage isn’t as wide as pricier models, limiting its ability to reproduce minute details, it remains a top contender for reliable studio monitoring.
Pros and Cons
✅Pros:
- Has a lightweight 230-gram design with soft earpads, great for marathon mixing sessions.
- Provides a crisp, balanced sound with clear mids, ideal for critical listening.
- Features an affordable price (around $100), offering excellent value for professionals.
- It is a trusted studio icon, widely used by musicians and engineers.
- The detachable cable enhances portability and makes replacement easy.
❌Cons:
- Its narrower soundstage limits the reproduction of minute details in a mix.
- Offers less isolation compared to newer models like the MDR-M1.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Continuing our list is the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, a gem from the iconic American brand featuring large 45mm drivers. Its design is not only striking but also functional, with comfortable earpads and a supportive headband. The ATH-M50x truly excels in isolation—a few months back, I saw it being used in a downtown studio where poor acoustics were a major issue, yet it kept the mix crystal clear for the engineer. Its foldable design also enhances its portability, making it a top pick for on-the-go professionals.
Sound Quality
The frequency response of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x highlights its strength for studio monitoring. The bass is punchy yet precise, avoiding the excess that can often muddy a mix. Midrange frequencies shine, allowing vocals and instruments to cut through with remarkable clarity, which is ideal for critical listening. During our testing, I noticed a slight boost in the highs, which adds a touch of color to the sound, but it’s subtle enough that it doesn’t compromise monitoring accuracy.
Pros and Cons
✅Pros:
- Provides excellent noise isolation, perfect for studios with poor acoustics.
- Delivers punchy, precise bass and clear mids, making it versatile for studio monitoring.
- Its foldable design enhances portability for on-the-go professionals.
- Features comfortable earpads and a supportive headband for extended use.
- Equipped with large 45mm drivers that deliver robust sound quality.
❌Cons:
- The quality of the detachable cable could be better and may be prone to wear.
- A slight high-frequency boost may add subtle coloration to the sound.
Sennheiser HD 569
Diving deeper, the Sennheiser HD 569 stands out, backed by a brand with over 75 years of audio mastery. Its unique design features high-quality leather and soft pads, but its weight and tight clamping force caused me fatigue after two hours of mixing in the studio. It offers solid isolation and rare features for a studio headphone, like a built-in microphone and a call-control remote. However, the 1.2m and 3m cables feel flimsy—I nearly wrecked one under my studio chair’s wheels during testing.
Sound Quality
The Sennheiser HD 569’s frequency response is optimized for mixing and composing, though it isn’t flawless. In our tests, I found the sound slightly muddy compared to rivals, especially when powered by a mobile phone. The bass feels understated and lacks the punch needed for bass-heavy genres like EDM or hip-hop. However, the midrange truly excels, rendering vocals and instruments like violins and pianos with stunning clarity, which is perfect for detailed mixing of instrument-driven tracks.
Pros and Cons
✅Pros:
- Offers exceptional midrange clarity, ideal for vocal- and instrument-driven mixes.
- Made with high-quality leather and soft pads that enhance its premium feel.
- A built-in microphone and call-control remote add versatility.
- Provides solid noise isolation that suits both studio and casual use.
- Backed by Sennheiser’s 75-year legacy of audio expertise.
❌Cons:
- Its heavy build and tight clamp can cause fatigue after about two hours.
- The included 1.2m and 3m cables feel flimsy and are prone to damage.
- Features an understated bass, making it unsuitable for mixing EDM or hip-hop.
- Can sound slightly muddy when used with mobile devices.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (250 ohm)
In our hunt for the best studio headphones, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro stands out, blending a stunning design with unmatched comfort. Its velour earpads and lightweight build make it incredibly cozy for long mixing sessions, while its sturdy frame can easily shrug off minor drops. At Technowant’s studio, we tested the 250-ohm model, which is ideal for pro setups with dedicated audio interfaces. The fixed cable is a minor drawback, but the DT 770 Pro remains a pro-grade choice for meticulous mixers.
Sound Quality
The frequency response of the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro excels for genres like acoustic or slow pop, where vocals and instruments take center stage. The bass is slightly understated, which helps keep mixes clean but results in less punch. Midrange frequencies deliver vocals and guitars with exceptional clarity, a clear highlight during our Technowant tests. The highs are subtly boosted, which adds a nice layer of transparency without skewing the overall accuracy of the mix.
Pros and Cons
✅Pros:
- Offers unmatched comfort with velour earpads, perfect for long sessions.
- Delivers precise vocal and instrument clarity, making it perfect for acoustic and pop genres.
- Features a sturdy frame that withstands minor drops, built for studio durability.
- A subtle high-frequency boost adds transparency without causing distortion.
- The 250-ohm model is ideal for professional setups with audio interfaces.
❌Cons:
- The fixed cable limits replacement options if it gets damaged.
- Its understated bass makes it less suited for bass-heavy genres.
- The 250-ohm model requires powerful amplification and is not ideal for smaller setups.
Sennheiser HD 620s
The Sennheiser HD 620S storms our list, blending an open-back vibe with locked-in isolation. Its 400-gram build, featuring soft leatherette earpads and vented cups, hugged my head comfortably through a five-hour mixing session at Technowant’s studio. The angled drivers craft a soundstage so wide it’s like mixing on speakers, yet the isolation effectively shuts out the chaos of a vocal booth. During our tests, the HD 620S delivered jaw-dropping accuracy, making it a must-have for mixers craving immersive sound.
Sound Quality
The frequency response of the Sennheiser HD 620S is a mixer’s dream, serving up uncolored sound that rivals studio monitors. Its bass is tight and honest, carving out kick drums without a hint of boominess. The midrange unveils vocals and instruments with stunning clarity; during Technowant’s tests, I caught a faint guitar pluck buried in a mix that other headphones missed. The highs are crisp yet silky, adding air without harshness, making them ideal for long sessions.
Pros and Cons
✅Pros:
- Delivers an immersive soundstage that mimics studio monitors.
- Provides top-tier isolation that kills noise in chaotic studios.
- Offers a natural, uncolored sound perfect for professional mixing.
- Features comfortable, vented earpads for all-night sessions.
- Boasts a durable build with a detachable, long cable.
❌Cons:
- Its 400-gram weight might feel heavy after several hours of use.
- The price (around $350) is higher than budget champions like the MDR-7506.
- Its bulky design is less portable than foldable rivals.
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
Closing our list is the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, another gem from Sennheiser. Its foldable, swiveling ear cups and modular design are great for saving space, while its robust build and sturdy, single-sided cable can withstand the rigors of studio wear. The noise isolation is strong enough for focused mixing, but the tight clamp and hefty weight had me removing them after about an hour of use.
Sound Quality
The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro offers a natural sound profile ideal for mixing and recording, though it lacks some of the clarity found in rivals like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. Its frequency response achieves a high level of neutrality, with the bass, midrange, and highs being free from exaggeration, which creates a flat and honest soundstage. The bass is controlled, the midrange keeps vocals and instruments clear for precise mixing, and the highs are crisp yet smooth. At its price point, the HD 280 Pro is a standout choice for unbiased monitoring.
Pros and Cons
✅Pros:
- Provides a neutral sound profile with a flat frequency response, ideal for unbiased monitoring.
- Offers great noise isolation for immersive mixing in noisy environments.
- Features foldable, swiveling ear cups that enhance portability and storage.
- A robust build and replaceable cable ensure long-term durability.
- The affordable price (around $100) offers excellent value.
❌Cons:
- Its tight clamp and heavy build can cause discomfort after an hour of use.
- The coiled cable can be cumbersome in tight studio spaces.
- Lacks the overall clarity of some rivals like the ATH-M50x.
Final Verdict
When you’re deep in a late-night session, chasing that perfect mix, the right closed-back headphones are your secret weapon. After putting over 40 pairs under $500 through the Technowant studio gauntlet, we’ve identified seven that will make your tracks pop. For pristine clarity, the Sony MDR-M1 is mastering magic, catching every whisper in your mix. The legendary Sony MDR-7506 keeps it real with crisp sound on a budget. Craving versatility? The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x brings punchy bass and killer isolation to any setup. For soaring vocals, the Sennheiser HD 569 excels in the mids.
For acoustic precision, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro carves out every note. For an immersive, speaker-like experience without sacrificing isolation, the Sennheiser HD 620S delivers a stunningly wide and accurate soundstage. And for dead-neutral monitoring, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is your truth-teller at a steal. We’ve tested these in real sessions—mixing, tracking, and composing—to ensure they deliver.
FAQs
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x slams with punchy bass that makes kicks pop. You should steer clear of the Sennheiser HD 569, as its low-end is too shy for those genres.
The Sony MDR-M1 shuts out chaos like a pro, keeping your mix pure. The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro’s also a beast at killing noise.
Studio cans like the Sony MDR-7506 keep it real with flat sound for mixing. Regular headphones hype the bass, muddying your tracks.
Sony MDR-M1 and Sennheiser HD 620s nail precision for pro mixes. They caught every whisper in our Technowant tests.
5 Comments
It was a very complete and comprehensive article. The variety of headphones you introduced was great. I use the Sony mdr-7506 myself and I want to buy the Sony MDR-M1.
Thank you matt. Sony MDR-M1 is a very good choice.👌
How great that you review headphones so thoroughly and scientifically. Please also introduce the best open-back headphones.
Thank you so much katy.🙏 soon….
The Sony MDR-M1 headphones seem like a fantastic choice for professionals seeking accuracy and comfort. The natural sound reproduction and detailed frequency response make them ideal for critical mixing and mastering. Their lightweight design ensures comfort during long sessions, which is crucial for any audio engineer. The superior isolation is a great feature for noisy studio environments. Have you tested these headphones in different acoustic settings to see how they perform? Given the growing economic instability due to the events in the Middle East, many businesses are looking for guaranteed fast and secure payment solutions. Recently, I came across LiberSave (LS) — they promise instant bank transfers with no chargebacks or card verification. It says integration takes 5 minutes and is already being tested in Israel and the UAE. Has anyone actually checked how this works in crisis conditions?