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Let’s be honest — the “monitors vs headphones” debate has been going on forever. And depending on who you ask, you’ll get wildly different answers. As sound engineers, we’ve been in both corners. We’ve done critical mixes on pro-grade nearfields in acoustically treated rooms… and we’ve also finished mixes on headphones in hotel rooms at 2 AM because deadlines don’t care where you are. So what’s the verdict? Here’s our honest take — from the studio floor, not a gear forum.

Monitors: The Big Picture

When we’re working in our control room — especially at Gray Spark — monitors are our primary weapon. Why?
• Stereo imaging is way more realistic. You hear sound in the room, not injected directly into your ears.
• You feel the low end, not just hear it. That’s a big deal when you’re balancing bass guitars or kicks.
• They force you to listen at natural volumes, which helps avoid ear fatigue on long sessions.
Our go-to monitors? The Dynaudios M2’s and Neumann Kh 150’s
They’re brutally honest, which is what you want. If it sounds good on these, chances are it’ll sound good anywhere.

But — and it’s a big one — headphones aren’t the enemy. In fact, they’re crucial for spotting the tiny things for sound engineers:
• Editing vocals, especially clicks, pops, lip smacks — all that fun stuff.
• Checking automation and panning on a microscopic level.
• Late-night mixing or reference checks when monitors just aren’t an option.
We swear by models like the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro — they give you clarity without coloring the sound too much.

Headphones: The Zoom in Tool

So, Which One Do We Prefer?
Here’s the real answer: both. But for different jobs.
Think of it like this:
• Monitors = the wide-angle lens
• Headphones = the microscope
We’ll often start a mix on monitors to get the balance and vibe right, then switch to headphones to fix details. Then back to monitors for the final balance. It’s a dance.
Our Takeaway for New Engineers If you’re just starting out and can’t afford both, get a decent pair of headphones first. Learn how music sounds on them. Reference a lot. Mix a lot. You’ll develop an internal compass. But as soon as you can, invest in even a modest set of studio monitors — and treat your room a little (even DIY treatment helps).
Because we as sound engineers hearing how sound behaves in space will change how you mix forever.

Bottom Line.

It’s not “monitors or headphones.” It’s “monitors and headphones — used intentionally.“
That’s what we actually prefer.
Got more doubts? Feel free to reach out to us. Drop us a message or send us a mail!