Studio Monitors vs Headphones: What Should You Mix On?
If you’re producing or mixing music in 2025, chances are you’ve asked yourself this question at some point: Should I be mixing on studio monitors or headphones?
At Future Sound Academy, we’ve seen countless students try to figure out the right monitoring setup. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, this guide breaks down the pros and cons of each, helping you decide what’s right for your space, workflow, and budget.
The Role of Studio Monitors
Studio monitors are built to provide a flat, accurate representation of your mix. Unlike commercial speakers that often colour the sound, good monitors help you hear what’s really happening in the low end, midrange, and highs.
Pros:
Accurate stereo imaging and depth
Better for judging bass and spatial placement
Ideal for room-based mixing and collaboration
More natural representation of how music will sound on playback systems
Cons:
Require acoustic treatment or a good room setup
More expensive for entry-level producers
Not ideal for late-night work in shared spaces
We’ve found that students mixing on monitors like the Yamaha HS5, KRK Rokit 7 G4, or Adam T5V develop a better ear for balancing elements, especially when working on full tracks or mixes that need to translate to different systems.
The Role of Headphones
Headphones have come a long way in recent years, and some models now offer near-monitor-level accuracy. They’re also more practical for mobile setups, nighttime production, or shared spaces where you can’t make noise.
Pros:
Portable and easy to set up
Great for detail work like EQ adjustments and stereo panning
Ideal for producers working in untreated rooms
Useful for checking phase issues in mono
Cons:
No natural room acoustics or air movement
Can misrepresent bass frequencies
Fatiguing over long periods
Less accurate stereo image compared to monitors
Headphones like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro, and Sennheiser HD 600 are popular choices among our students and staff at Future Sound Academy. We also encourage using software like Sonarworks SoundID to correct frequency response issues, especially when relying heavily on headphones.
So Which One Is Best?
The answer depends on your situation. If you’re working in a well-treated room and have the budget, monitors will usually give you the most balanced perspective. But if you’re limited by space or noise concerns, quality headphones can absolutely get the job done.
In fact, many professionals today use both. You might do your broad mix decisions on monitors and switch to headphones for fine-tuning details or spotting clicks, plosives, and phase problems.
What We Use at Future Sound Academy
In our DJ and production classes, we teach students how to trust both systems. Many learn to bounce between monitors and headphones to improve their mix decisions. Our studios use monitor models like the Pioneer VM-80s and Yamaha HS series, while students often bring in headphones ranging from budget models to open-backs like the AKG K712 Pro.
It’s not about finding the “perfect” gear. It’s about learning your setup’s strengths and weaknesses and developing your ear.
Final Thoughts
There’s no rule that says you must choose one or the other. Great mixes come from knowing your equipment and making informed decisions. Whether you're producing in your bedroom or in a treated studio, learning how to work effectively with both monitors and headphones will make you a more confident, capable producer.
Want to hear the difference in a real studio environment or test your mix on pro gear? Join us at Future Sound Academy in Warrington or take one of our online production courses to level up your sound.
