Audiophiles: help me choose cans

MingusAmongUs · #1 11-02-2007, 12:55 PM

For you studio engineer-types out there, I am looking to purchase a decent pair of studio headphones that can work as reference for mixing in lieu of, or along side with, a good pair of near field monitors. I would prefer to use the monitors but my small house, with the master BR being right next to my project studio room, means no speakers at 2am.

I actually went ahead and ordered the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO/80s but was then told they were backordered. Also available is the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO (notice the lack of "80"), but they have a 250 ohm rating, as opposed to the 80 ohm rating of the backordered pair. The 80ohm pair has consistently rave reviews, while the 250 has none. The 80s are $10 more.

What's the difference?
does anyone have experience with either of these?

bottomzone · #2 11-02-2007, 03:08 PM

Check out the Headroom website. Great information, ratings and expert advice!

http://www.headphone.com/

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

Jason Sypher · #3 11-02-2007, 03:33 PM

I'm waiting on a pair of Grado 325i that should arrive in a few days. I'm not sure if this fits the description of a knock-around studio reference can but I tried them out and they are gorgeous. I almost went with the Sennheiser 650's which seem very nice indeed and are closed.

jrlynch · #4 11-02-2007, 03:53 PM

i would *strongly* recommend not mixing on headphones. it's an entirely different perspective ... vocals/lead instruments tend to end up more up front. i actually think the best mixes, particularly final mixes, are best done on small speakers, at lower levels. there's also a trend, even in "studio" headphones, toward thumping bass.

jeff.

MingusAmongUs · #5 11-02-2007, 04:13 PM

Thanks everybody. I ended up finding the ones I wanted on Ebay for $50 less! So it's a done deal. And I learned a little in the process.

jrlynch:
I wholeheartedly agree, but at the moment I have little choice -- have to WORK work during the day and the wife is sleeping 10 feet away at night.... anyway, I'm not going to be producing any Grammy winners anytime soon. Just demos for the time being.