For mixing and mastering, the Tascam TH-MX2 is my pick among closed back headphones for mixing and mastering, with a long cable and useful studio connections.
AKG is the runner-up: choose the K371BT instead if Bluetooth, folding portability, and its broader stated frequency range matter more.
AKG is the runner-up: choose the K371BT instead if Bluetooth, folding portability, and its broader stated frequency range matter more.
closed back headphones for mixing and mastering at a Glance
• Tascam TH-MX2 — best for a straightforward wired home-studio setup; pick this if you want a closed-back design, a long cable, and both 3.5 mm and 6.3 mm connections via the included adapter.
• AKG Pro Audio K371BT — best for studio work that moves between desk and mobile listening; pick this if Bluetooth, a folding design, and a stated 5 Hz–40 kHz frequency range suit your routine.
• AKG K72 — best for wired tracking and monitoring; pick this if you want a self-adjusting headband, replaceable earpads, and a long single-sided cable.
• ENCASED Thore Over Ear — best for iPhone listening with wired studio flexibility; pick this if you need a Lightning cable alongside a separate 6.5 mm auxiliary cable.
The Tascam TH-MX2 is a closed-back, over-ear wired headphone aimed at recording and mixing, with everyday listening also in its intended use. Its 40 mm dynamic drivers, 32-ohm impedance, and stated 18 Hz–22 kHz frequency range give a clear outline of the hardware. Those numbers describe the design, but they cannot by themselves tell you how a finished mix will translate to speakers or other headphones.
For a desk setup, its practical strength is the cable arrangement. The cable extends to about 9.8 feet, and the included screw-on adapter converts the 3.5 mm plug to 6.3 mm. That gives it a useful reach when the interface or monitoring gear is not right beside the listener, while the adapter covers common larger headphone jacks. A leatherette storage bag is included for keeping the headphones together when put away.
The padded headband and ear bands are intended to support longer listening sessions, and the closed-back construction is relevant when recording near a microphone or working around other sounds. Passive isolation is not a promise of total sound blocking, though; the sheet gives no isolation figure. Its 298 g listed weight is also worth considering if you tend to wear headphones for a long stretch.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
In my opinion, the TH-MX2 is the most direct fit here for someone who wants a no-frills wired studio headphone with a generous cable and a straightforward adapter setup. The trade-off is that it is wired only, with no folding or Bluetooth feature listed. If your workflow depends on moving around wirelessly, the AKG K371BT is the more flexible alternative.
The AKG Pro Audio K371BT combines an over-ear closed-back design with Bluetooth and a folding form. It has 50 mm dynamic drivers, a 32-ohm impedance, and a stated frequency range of 5 Hz–40 kHz. The manufacturer describes its tuning as intended for balanced, detailed listening and mixing decisions; those are design claims, not a guarantee that every listener will hear the same result or that no reference checks are needed.
Its wireless option makes it more adaptable away from a fixed workstation. The listed Bluetooth range is 10 metres, and battery life is stated as up to 40 hours, with a two-hour charge time. It also has a 3.5 mm headphone connection, so you can use a cable when that suits your setup. That wired option is particularly useful for focused editing or when you prefer not to rely on a battery.
The model is listed at 255 g in its description, while another product-information field gives 300 g; because those figures differ, I would not make a close weight comparison based on them. Its folding design and included accessories support portability, while passive noise reduction and plush earcups are relevant for listening in a busier space. Bluetooth adds convenience, but for critical work I would favor a wired connection rather than assume wireless listening is identical in every situation.
I would choose the K371BT over the Tascam if switching between a studio desk and mobile listening is central to the routine. It is the more feature-rich choice for that use. The trade-off is that wireless operation brings battery charging into the picture, and the available facts do not specify its cable length or included connector adapters. For a simple wired station, the Tascam’s long cable and included 6.3 mm adapter are easier to assess.
The AKG K72 is a closed-back, over-ear wired studio headphone with 40 mm dynamic drivers and a stated frequency range of 16 Hz–20 kHz. Its design is described for rehearsal, recording, and studio use. A self-adjusting headband is meant to fit without manual sizing, while the lightweight construction is intended to help during extended sessions.
The cable is single-sided, non-detachable, and about 9.8 feet long. It ends in a 3.5 mm plug, with a screw-on 6.3 mm adapter included. That layout can work well when the headphone jack is some distance from the chair, but the fixed cable is less convenient if you want to replace it separately or pack a compact detachable lead. The earpads are replaceable, which gives owners a way to renew that contact point if the pads wear over time.
I see the K72 as a practical choice for someone who values a self-adjusting headband and replaceable pads more than wireless features. The main compromise is its fixed wired setup: there is no Bluetooth option, and the cable is not detachable. It is less flexible for mobile use than the K371BT, but its simple studio-oriented connection package is clear and familiar.
ENCASED Thore Over Ear
The ENCASED Thore Over Ear is a closed-back headphone with 50 mm neodymium drivers and two wired connection options: a Lightning cable for iPhone and a separate 4-foot, 6.5 mm auxiliary cable. That pairing makes it unusually specific among these choices. It can serve an iPhone listening setup and also connect to equipment with a 6.5 mm headphone jack, without requiring the buyer to treat it as a wireless model.
Its adjustable headband has 16 points, and padded ear cushions are intended to support longer use and help with isolation. The product description also says the drivers are digitally tuned, but it does not provide a numeric frequency range or other detailed response measurement. That makes it harder to compare its stated audio range directly with the Tascam or AKG models, which list frequency ranges.
The iPhone cable is a meaningful convenience if Lightning is the connection you need. The separate 6.5 mm cable also gives it a studio-oriented route, though the listed cable length is four feet, considerably shorter than the roughly 9.8-foot cables specified for the Tascam and K72. That difference may matter if your interface sits across a desk or you move around while monitoring.
In my opinion, the Thore is best for someone whose main constraint is connecting to an iPhone while keeping a wired option for compatible studio gear. Its dual-cable approach is the standout feature, not a clearly documented reference response. The trade-off is limited published detail about its frequency range, plus the shorter listed cable; for a mixing-centered setup where comparison specifications matter, I would put the Tascam or AKG models ahead.
I compared the published design, connection, driver, cable, and frequency-range details for these four closed-back models.
The ranking is my independent editorial opinion, based on how clearly each set of features fits studio monitoring and mixing workflows.
No brand paid for placement.
They can be useful when you want a closed design for recording or listening around other people. I would still use speakers or additional references when possible, because headphone specifications alone do not establish how a mix will translate elsewhere.
The AKG Pro Audio K371BT lists Bluetooth connectivity and a wired 3.5 mm connection. The Tascam TH-MX2, AKG K72, and ENCASED Thore are listed as wired headphones.
The Tascam TH-MX2 and AKG K72 each list a cable of about 9.8 feet. The ENCASED Thore lists a 4-foot Lightning cable and a separate 4-foot 6.5 mm cable; no cable length is specified for the K371BT.
No: all four are over-ear headphones, not under 20 ear clip headphones or wireless earbuds for library use. They also are not described as sleep headphones for MacBook; those searches point to different form factors and uses.
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