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.

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

Why calibration matters for translation between pairs

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

How referencing trumps tools when mixing on headphones

Why our body experience changes how we hear low end

Whether crossfeed and room emulation plugins are worth committing to

How Atmos mixing on headphones is already happening

From foam Walkman pads to pro studio cans

The rise of headphone mixing in home studios

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

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

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

Bass perception, body memory, and translation struggles

The future: Atmos on headphones and beyond

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.

“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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