Best studio headphones?
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 161 posts since 19 Apr, 2013
I've been looking at the Sennheiser HD660s for studio headphones. I wanna use them on the go (public loud places, etc.) as well as in the studio. I'm wondering if they will do the job or would it be better to go for something like the Sennheiser PXC550?
Or what other headphones would you recommend? Thanks!
Or what other headphones would you recommend? Thanks!
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- KVRAF
- 5624 posts since 23 Mar, 2006 from pendeLondonmonium
The HD660 are open-back so if you want to use them on the 'go' in public places, these are no good, for obvious reasons.
I'd try Audio-Technica ATM-50x. Closed-back, rugged, and sounds very good.
I'd try Audio-Technica ATM-50x. Closed-back, rugged, and sounds very good.
- KVRist
- 321 posts since 13 Nov, 2013 from Charlotte, North Carolina
Whichever ones you get, the key is to listen to everything on them and not just use them for mixing.
With that in mind for mixing you need have good mid range so I like the open back AKG K701. They sound phenomenal and are like a sound microscope.
I use the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x to check that the bass translates, and I always check on earbuds, as well as my monitors to make sure the mix doesn't fall apart listening via actual speakers.
With that in mind for mixing you need have good mid range so I like the open back AKG K701. They sound phenomenal and are like a sound microscope.
I use the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x to check that the bass translates, and I always check on earbuds, as well as my monitors to make sure the mix doesn't fall apart listening via actual speakers.
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- KVRAF
- 2265 posts since 30 Aug, 2004 from Lancaster, UK
It really depends on what you are going to use them for.
A few weeks ago I dd a shootout test of headphones in Paris (there's a great store at Place de Pigalle) and listened to some Depeche Mode and Kate Bush songs, tracks I know very well, and that also resemble my own music style. I was after headphones that could make my mixes translate well to other systems (ie mastering, specifically checking relation between bass, mids and treble). For better or worse, here are my findings:
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: way to much bass for me
- BeyerDynamic DT880: sounded balanced (=flat) but all music I listened to sounded pretty boring. (If you are looking at their product line and want a flat response, stay away from 770 (too bassy) and 990 (happy face hyping)).
- Lots of other soundphones... Not interested.
- Sony ... 7506: actually the ones I went with. The music sounded great on them and without any hype. HOWEVER, as soon as I started recording vocals I noticed how harsh they sound. I really, really wish Sony would come to their senses and make headphones that don't exaggerate the highs like crazy. What's strange is that David Gahan sounded good on them in the store, whereas I didn't. Ooops! That didn't come out right, I meant of course in comparison to listening to other headphones on my and his voice - Daveyboy is a much better singer than I.
- Another set of headphones I have: the lovely and extremely affordable AKG 240 Studio. They really look expensive, feel great on my head even for long periods of time, and music sounds, well, musical on them. The only - but major! - problem with them is that they really lack bass.
So, personally I am thinking of adding the 880's, so that I have three headphones for different purposes. I think that would be the best way to go for you too. If you are into EDM, then perhaps the M50x (for getting a great mixing experience) plus the 880 (for mastering in case you don't have a proper monitor setup). BTW, I second the choice of the 701 as a possible replacement for the 880.
A few weeks ago I dd a shootout test of headphones in Paris (there's a great store at Place de Pigalle) and listened to some Depeche Mode and Kate Bush songs, tracks I know very well, and that also resemble my own music style. I was after headphones that could make my mixes translate well to other systems (ie mastering, specifically checking relation between bass, mids and treble). For better or worse, here are my findings:
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: way to much bass for me
- BeyerDynamic DT880: sounded balanced (=flat) but all music I listened to sounded pretty boring. (If you are looking at their product line and want a flat response, stay away from 770 (too bassy) and 990 (happy face hyping)).
- Lots of other soundphones... Not interested.
- Sony ... 7506: actually the ones I went with. The music sounded great on them and without any hype. HOWEVER, as soon as I started recording vocals I noticed how harsh they sound. I really, really wish Sony would come to their senses and make headphones that don't exaggerate the highs like crazy. What's strange is that David Gahan sounded good on them in the store, whereas I didn't. Ooops! That didn't come out right, I meant of course in comparison to listening to other headphones on my and his voice - Daveyboy is a much better singer than I.
- Another set of headphones I have: the lovely and extremely affordable AKG 240 Studio. They really look expensive, feel great on my head even for long periods of time, and music sounds, well, musical on them. The only - but major! - problem with them is that they really lack bass.
So, personally I am thinking of adding the 880's, so that I have three headphones for different purposes. I think that would be the best way to go for you too. If you are into EDM, then perhaps the M50x (for getting a great mixing experience) plus the 880 (for mastering in case you don't have a proper monitor setup). BTW, I second the choice of the 701 as a possible replacement for the 880.
Thu Oct 01, 2020 1:15 pm Passing Bye wrote:
"look at SparkySpark's post 4 posts up, let that sink in for a moment"
Go MuLab!
"look at SparkySpark's post 4 posts up, let that sink in for a moment"
Go MuLab!
- KVRAF
- 2850 posts since 8 Dec, 2008 from Global Cowboy
AKG K702....
No auto tune...
- KVRAF
- 2147 posts since 30 Oct, 2006 from Australia, NSW
Audeze period https://www.audeze.com Hefty price but seriously the best.I adore mine .Its like having my Dynaudio studio speakers strapped to my ears
http://www.voltagedisciple.com
Patches for PHASEPLANT ACE,PREDATOR, SYNPLANT, SUB BOOM BASS2,PUNCH , PUNCH BD
AALTO,CIRCLE,BLADE and V-Haus Card For Tiptop Audio ONE Module
https://soundcloud.com/somerville-1i
Patches for PHASEPLANT ACE,PREDATOR, SYNPLANT, SUB BOOM BASS2,PUNCH , PUNCH BD
AALTO,CIRCLE,BLADE and V-Haus Card For Tiptop Audio ONE Module
https://soundcloud.com/somerville-1i
- KVRAF
- 7337 posts since 9 Jan, 2003 from Saint Louis MO
Yeah, I think the important thing is to know your headphones and their characteristics/limitations well, and check your mixes on something else too. And for them to be comfortable.clangorous wrote: ↑Sun Aug 18, 2019 9:51 pm Whichever ones you get, the key is to listen to everything on them and not just use them for mixing.
I am a diehard fan of the cheap Superlux HD668B. They're semi-open back, super comfortable once you replace the ear pads (even for someone with a big head who wears glasses), and I have owned one pair of them for many years now and picked up a second for work (and as a backup). I go through my whole process with them, and use them for gaming and music and everything else. They perform like $300 headphones, but they're in the $40-$50 range.
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- KVRAF
- 5624 posts since 23 Mar, 2006 from pendeLondonmonium
Too many open-back headphones recommendations for the OP who needs to use the headphones in public spaces.
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- KVRAF
- 5624 posts since 23 Mar, 2006 from pendeLondonmonium
But which ones?risome wrote: ↑Sun Aug 18, 2019 11:59 pm Audeze period https://www.audeze.com Hefty price but seriously the best.I adore mine .Its like having my Dynaudio studio speakers strapped to my ears
I've used the LCD-X extensively, and so far (out of the sets I've used/tried) this is the only pair I'd consider mixing on, but they are open-back so not a good recommendation for the OP.
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WatchTheGuitar WatchTheGuitar https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=440193
- KVRAF
- 12935 posts since 30 Apr, 2019
I've got the 250 Ohm Beyer Dynamic DT-770 Pro cans and I love them for studio recording as they sound great and they're pretty leak proof so ideal for doing vocals. I drive them through a cheap Chinese headphone valve amp I got from Amazon for £40 and that gives them headroom. You'd need a portable headphone amp to drive them on the go or go for the 32 Ohm pair instead, but I've heard they don't sound as good. The 250 Ohm ones are under £100 now so I'd say they're a steal at that price and cheap enough to buy as dedicated studio headphones - as I do - and get another pair for when you're out and about.
- KVRAF
- 2753 posts since 5 Jun, 2011 from Preston, England, UK
Save yourself some money and get the Samson SR850's
The inner workings of vurts mind are a force to be reckoned with.
music is a need in my life...yes I could survive without it but tbh I dont know how
myfeebleeffort
https://paulroach2.bandcamp.com/
https://hearthis.at/83hdtrvm/
music is a need in my life...yes I could survive without it but tbh I dont know how
myfeebleeffort
https://paulroach2.bandcamp.com/
https://hearthis.at/83hdtrvm/
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- KVRAF
- 3080 posts since 17 Apr, 2005 from S.E. TN
Open back vs sealed for "public places" depends on context.
If you are sitting down in a noisy place to do some "critical listening" then sealed cans or isolating good seal earbuds would be nice. Planes, trains, terminals, fast food joint, a bench in a crowded park whatever.
But if wearing phones "on the go" walking, running, biking, driving, then isolation is undesirable. Higher risk of being injured by a vehicle that you didn't hear coming. Or you unfortunately didn't hear the bystandar yelling "Hey fella watch out for that falling piano!"
If you are sitting down in a noisy place to do some "critical listening" then sealed cans or isolating good seal earbuds would be nice. Planes, trains, terminals, fast food joint, a bench in a crowded park whatever.
But if wearing phones "on the go" walking, running, biking, driving, then isolation is undesirable. Higher risk of being injured by a vehicle that you didn't hear coming. Or you unfortunately didn't hear the bystandar yelling "Hey fella watch out for that falling piano!"
- KVRAF
- 7337 posts since 9 Jan, 2003 from Saint Louis MO
I can't stand closed-back headphones. Semi-open is where it's at, or in-ear.