Does headphone frequency response matter more at tracking or mixdown?

Tracking tolerates coloration better because you're capturing performance, not making tonal decisions in real time. Mixdown punishes it immediately since you're hearing cumulative choices across the whole mix. Under $200 headphones force you to commit to their character rather than chase neutrality. That predictability matters more than flat response, especially if you're working consistently on the same pair. You'll catch problems faster through intentional listening, but you'll develop blind spots tied to whatever those headphones emphasize. The constraint becomes part of your decision-making instead of friction you're fighting.