14/03/2026 12:11 pm
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I am so incredibly frustrated right now I feel like I am going in circles. I have been trying to set up a little home studio in my bedroom here in Bristol and I thought I could just use my regular earbuds but everything I record sounds like absolute garbage when I play it back in my car. It is like way too much bass or I cant hear the vocals at all but it sounded fine when I was recording it?? I have spent the last three hours looking at Sony stuff because my cousin told me they are the industry standard but I am totally lost. There are so many numbers and letters and I have no clue what any of it means. Like what is an MDR-7506 vs an MDR-V6 vs those fancy ones with the noise cancelling?
I saw the XM4 and XM5 ones in a shop and they were really expensive but then someone online said noise cancelling is actually bad for mixing? That makes no sense to me if you want to hear the music clearly but what do I know lol. I am a complete newbie at this and honestly I am a bit embarrassed to even ask because it probably sounds so basic but I really need help before I lose my mind. My budget is pretty tight, I can probably go up to about 150 pounds if I really stretch it but I need to get them by next Friday because I have a project deadline for a class. I just want something that tells me the truth about the sound if that makes sense? Every site I go to uses words like impedance and frequency response and my brain just shuts off. I just want to know which specific Sony headphones are the ones that professional people actually use for studio mixing so I dont waste more money on the wrong thing...
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14/03/2026 12:41 pm
thought about this for a bit... @Reply #1 - good point! consumer gear like the XM5s uses digital processing that basically hides flaws in your mix.
- quick tip: check frequency response graphs on sites like RTINGS or SoundGuys.
- you want a flat graph so you dont overcompensate for boosted frequencies.
- Sony MDR-CD900ST 63 Ohm Closed-Back Studio Headphones are a pro-level alternative popular in Japan that fit your budget and offer a very honest sound.
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14/03/2026 12:11 pm
ngl those noise cancelling ones like the XM5 will totally lie to you about your bass levels. avoid them for studio work. i would suggest just grabbing the Sony MDR-7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphones instead. they are the gold standard and way under your budget. just be careful with the high frequencies tho because they can get a bit sharp. TL;DR: get the MDR-7506, skip the fancy noise cancelling stuff.
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17/03/2026 6:13 pm
You absolutely have to look at the Sony MDR-7510 Professional Studio Headphones! If you want something that really tells you the truth about your tracks, these are a massive win. I think they are a huge step up from the super old-school models and they should fit your 150 budget perfectly. I honestly love these because they have a bit more sub-bass clarity than the older studio standards which is gonna help you so much with that car-test problem you are having. Here is why they are amazing for mixing:
- They have way better isolation so you wont get distracted by outside noise while working in your room.
- The ear cushions are super plush... honestly like pillows for your ears during those long nights.
- The sound is incredibly detailed so you can actually hear where the vocals are sitting in the mix. Definitely grab these before your deadline! They are built like tanks and wont let you down when you are trying to get that final project finished... it is such a relief when you finally hear everything clearly. Good luck with the class project!
