15/03/2026 6:12 am
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So I finally decided to stop just making beats on my laptop speakers because my roommate is starting to get really annoyed and honestly my mixes sound like trash when I play them in my car... like total garbage. I want to get some pro headphones and I keep seeing Sony everywhere in like every studio video on youtube but I have literally no clue what I am looking at. I went on their site and there are so many numbers and letters it makes my head hurt lol. I dont even know the difference between the ones that cost 50 bucks and the ones that are like 500.
I am looking to spend maybe 200 or 300 dollars max because I just started working this summer job and that is all I can really spare right now. I live in a pretty small apartment in Chicago so I need something that wont leak too much noise because my walls are paper thin and I dont want my neighbors hearing my bad snare drum choices at 2am. I am totally new to this so sorry if these are dumb questions but I really dont want to waste my money on the wrong thing.
Here is what I think I need but please correct me if I am wrong:
- They need to be comfortable because I stay up way too late working on stuff and my current cheap ones hurt my ears after like twenty minutes.
- I want to actually hear the bass correctly... right now everything I make has way too much bass because I cant hear it on my laptop and then it blows out my car speakers.
- They need to last a while because I am kinda clumsy and drop things a lot.
- Are there specific ones for mixing vs just listening? People keep saying monitor headphones but I thought monitors were the big speakers on the desk??
I saw the MDR-7506 ones and they look kinda old school which is cool but are they actually good for modern music? Or should I be looking at the newer noise cancelling ones? I am so lost honestly and just want to buy one pair and be done with it for a few years. Does anyone have a favorite model that fits that budget or should I look at a different brand entirely...
3 Answers
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15/03/2026 6:27 am
Using an interface? Be careful with power requirements tho.
- Sony MDR-M1ST Professional Studio Monitor Headphones: super sturdy but kinda pricey.
- Sony MDR-CD900ST Studio Monitor Headphones: very accurate but rare.
11
15/03/2026 7:17 am
To add to the point above: we have seen the classic 7506 and some pricey imports mentioned, but I would suggest being careful with older gear if you need accurate bass. You might want to consider the Sony MDR-M1 Reference Closed-Back Monitor Headphones. They are newer, cost around $250, and are much more comfortable for late nights. Just make sure to get a case since theyre a big investment for a summer budget tho.
4
15/03/2026 6:12 am
> I saw the MDR-7506 ones and they look kinda old school which is cool but are they actually good for modern music? Oh man, you are looking at the absolute king of the studio world! I have had my pair of Sony MDR-7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphones for over a decade and they have survived three apartment moves and countless drops on hard floors. They are literally indestructible! The reason you see them in every video is because they tell the truth. If your snare sounds like paper or your bass is muddy, these will scream it at you so you can fix it before it hits your car speakers. Since you are in Chicago with thin walls, these are perfect because they are closed-back. No sound leaks out to annoy the neighbors! They are super comfortable for long sessions, though some people eventually upgrade to Dekoni Audio Choice Suede Earpads for Sony MDR-7506 for extra fluffiness. Seriously, dont get the noise-cancelling consumer ones for mixing... those add fake bass that will ruin your tracks. Stick with the classics and you wont regret it!
