Everyone talks about “flat” headphones for mixing… but what does flat actually mean?

In this episode, we sit down with Rok Gulič of OLLO Audio to unpack the myths and realities behind flat response, low end, calibration, and translation when mixing on headphones.

We dive into why “flat” isn’t one curve, how calibration really works, and how psychoacoustics shape what we think we’re hearing, especially in the low end.

Plus, Rok explains the differences between driver types, the role of crossfeed and room emulations, and whether Atmos mixing on headphones is truly possible.

You’ll Learn

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  What “flat” response really means (and why there’s no single standard)

  
  


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  Why calibration matters for translation between pairs

  
  


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  Dynamic vs planar drivers—and how they affect distortion and bass

  
  


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  How referencing trumps tools when mixing on headphones

  
  


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  Why our body experience changes how we hear low end

  
  


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  Whether crossfeed and room emulation plugins are worth committing to

  
  


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  How Atmos mixing on headphones is already happening

  
  

Topics & Stories

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  From foam Walkman pads to pro studio cans

  
  


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  The rise of headphone mixing in home studios

  
  


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  “Flat according to what?”—the scientific tolerance range

  
  


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  Unit-by-unit calibration explained (and why OLLO does it)

  
  


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  Crossfeed as a way to “move out of the sweet spot”

  
  


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  Bass perception, body memory, and translation struggles

  
  


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  The future: Atmos on headphones and beyond

  
  

Listener Q&A

Q: Should I commit to crossfeed/room emulation plugins?
A: Use them like virtual “movement checks.” They’re not essential, but if they help you build trust in your balances, they’re worth trying.

Final Takeaway

“Flat” is not a single curve. It’s a range. The key is choosing trustworthy tools, referencing a lot, and learning what your headphones are telling you, so your mixes translate everywhere.

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