Recommended Dolby Atmos Headphones for Mixing and Mastering?

Here’s an extensive article (video version embedded) by a mastering engineer who covers several models, good perspective. But the bottom line is, his two favorites are the MM-500’s and the $649 Neumann NDH 30’s ($1,050 cheaper!). I’ll be going for the Neumann’s, and they just released a black edition. No doubt the mm-500s are best in class, but are they $1,050 better?

Honestly, I have no idea what makes good headphones for binaural Atmos.

I imagine soundstage and representation of depth, maybe? In that case the planar Hifiman Arya should be great if you like the neutral-bright sound signature.

Audeze do have a reputation of making headphones that sound "like speakers in a room". I imagine because of the huge planar driver.

PaulieDC said:

I’ll be going for the Neumann’s

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Same. Bought those a couple of days ago and waiting for Amazon to deliver.

I'll try them with Atmos on Cubase and let you know how they perform.

PaulieDC said:

No doubt the mm-500s are best in class

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Eh. It's really a matter of taste and skill.

Plenty of people mix and master with the LCDX (Noisia, etc).

Andrew Scheps mixes with the Sony MDR7506.

Glenn Shick masters with the LCD4 and LCD5.

Loads of people use the HD600.

Etc.

Allen Constantine said:

Hi guys,

Do you have any recommendations for some good headphones that are great for mixing and mastering in Dolby Atmos?

Would love to hear your opinions!

I have found these ones, they are pretty pricey though - https://www.audeze.com/products/mm-500

Can you recommend others?

Best,
Allen

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Atmos mixes down to binaural audio for headphones, so whatever headphones you are already happy with should be sufficient.

Trash Panda said:

Atmos mixes down to binaural audio for headphones, so whatever headphones you are already happy with should be sufficient.

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I'm using Sennheiser HD 650's, as for my monitors, ADAM S2V's, all through an RME UFX II.

Planning to get the Audeze's or the recommended Neumann NDH 30’s!

Thanks for pointing it out!

Best,
A.

PS: Happy Holidays in advance! May 2024 bring us the best discounts!

I have the HD600's which I really like but I'm looking at these for Atmos and 5.1:

You can install Dolby Access and trial (or purchase) their Dolby Atmos for Headphones add-on, and play through their demo content to get a bit of an idea of how your headphones will perform with atmos.

ryst said:

I have the HD600's which I really like but I'm looking at these for Atmos and 5.1:

S5X 1.1 Spatial mixing

Ollo Audio S5X mixing headphones for immersive formats (e.g. Dolby Atmos, Sony 360) were designed and tuned in a way to help your mix translate between binaural and full speaker setup. Individual unit calibration is included with 1.3 edition. it pushed tolerances in frequency response to the...

olloaudio.com

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Really interesting! Thanks for your recommendation!

Jdiggity1 said:

You can install Dolby Access and trial (or purchase) their Dolby Atmos for Headphones add-on, and play through their demo content to get a bit of an idea of how your headphones will perform with atmos.

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Thanks for this! I'll check it out

For Mac users I can recommend the Airpods Max (cable connection sold separately, if needed), which have pretty good 3D audio capabilities.

For analytical Stereo mixing I use a Beyerdynamic T90 though, where I hear things, that I even can't hear on good speakers.

Another option to consider is the Ollo S5X:

I haven't tried this model but their S4 is my favourite open-back for when I'm not using VSX.

SupremeFist said:

Another option to consider is the Ollo S5X:

S5X 1.1 Spatial mixing

Ollo Audio S5X mixing headphones for immersive formats (e.g. Dolby Atmos, Sony 360) were designed and tuned in a way to help your mix translate between binaural and full speaker setup. Individual unit calibration is included with 1.3 edition. it pushed tolerances in frequency response to the...

olloaudio.com

I haven't tried this model but their S4 is my favourite open-back for when I'm not using VSX.

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Thanks for this. I'll definitely look into it.

I've heard so many opinions on the VSX's, Some hate it, some don't.

How is the stock sound of them without the software?

Allen Constantine said:

Thanks for this. I'll definitely look into it.

I've heard so many opinions on the VSX's, Some hate it, some don't.

How is the stock sound of them without the software?

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They are not designed to be used without the software at all, but with just the software EQ correction applied but no room simulation (HD Linear setting) they are already terrific.

Has anyone tried the Audeze MM 100 ?