> everything I make sounds like trash when I play it in my car. @Reply #1 - good point! Honestly, the car test is the ultimate ego killer... happened to me more times than I care to admit. While the 7506 is the standard, I actually ended up going with the Sony MDR-7510 Professional Studio Headphones and have been super satisfied. I remember working on a hip-hop track last winter and the bass was just a muddy mess. Once I got these, I could finally hear exactly where the kick and the sub were clashing. They have these really thick pads that are great for isolation and they dont hurt my ears even after five hours of staring at a screen. They usually sit around $130 online, so they are right in your price range. They just work well for finding those hidden problems before you export.

@Reply #1 - good point! Honestly, that car test is a total rite of passage for all of us. I remember finishing my first EP and thinking it was pure fire until I played it on my commute and literally wanted to cry because the bass was just... gone. Total silence. It happens to everyone at the start. I would suggest being a bit cautious with the 7506s tho. They are legendary for a reason, but they can be really fatiguing on the ears because that high end is so sharp. Since you're pulling all-nighters for this Friday deadline, you might want to consider the Sony MDR-7510 Professional Studio Headphones instead. They usually sit right around 130 bucks and they feel way more comfortable on the head for long stretches. The sound is a bit more balanced than the older models, which helps prevent those nasty surprises in the car. You should also look at the Sennheiser+HD+280+Pro+Closed+Back+Studio+Headphones&linkCode=osi&tag=5422-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Closed Back Studio Headphones if you want a second opinion. I used those for years before switching to more expensive open-back stuff. They block out a ton of noise which is great if your apartment in Chicago has thin walls. The Sonys are generally better for finding tiny mistakes like clicks and pops, but those Sennheisers+might+give+you+a+m&linkCode=osi&tag=5422-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">Sennheisers might give you a more honest look at your bass. Just make sure to take breaks every hour so your ears dont start lying to you. You've got this!

I learned the hard way that consumer gear makes everything sound good even when your mix is a mess. I once ruined a whole track because my bass was way too loud but my headphones hid it. Be careful with the fancy Bluetooth ones...

• Definitely grab Sony MDR-7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone.
• Theyre cheap, usually around 100 bucks.
• They let you hear the mistakes.