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Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 'phones - 80 or 250 ohm?

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Philbuster

May 9, 2011
18
0
#1
So I just spent 4 evenings this past week with my band seriously recording/live tracking. My first time using a headphone mix off the mixer while tracking.

It took a little getting used to as we were playing at such a volume...not really loud, but loud enough that the poorly isolated headphones provided did nothing for the sound of my bass. Pretty much non-existent from the 'phones on top of the drums right next me. FYI, we had 2 tracks for the bass: DI, and an Audix D6 mic-ed on the cab.

I used a variety of headphones from my personal pair of Grado SR60s (just because they were with me) to several super cheap, thrift store finds that I couldn't even begin to identify. The SR60s are what I ended up using, even though I was really just "feeling" the bass from my cab right next to me instead of truly hearing it. Helped that I knew exactly what I was playing backwards and forwards, but I won't always be in that situation.

We have a separate, closed off room used for recording electric guitar, basically for better mic isolation because it's such a small space, hence the headphone mix while tracking.

Since we will be recording more and it's pretty necessary to be plugged into the headphone mix in this recording space, I thought I'd look into some decent headphones that are isolated enough to track with drums right next to me and sound balanced and have nice, not overly emphasized bass. I know we could go on for days on just that last part, but I think I like what the DT770 Pros have to offer and the price seems about right.

Now, this is what I'll be using the 'phones for...

Tracking - signal coming from headphone amp/mixer

Practice - signal coming from either amp headphone out (Ampeg B100R) or from Apogee Duet headphone jack if I'm recording anything

Listening - signal coming from various vintage integrated HiFi amps, Apogee Duet, or if possible with the lower ohm model...Ipod (no headphone amp)

I can live without being able to listen portably on the iPod if it would push the drivers too much, due to lack of juice from iPod. All the other uses are more frequent anyway. I've still got the Grados for casual headphone listening portably.

For my use, which ohm model should I get and why? What are some advantages and disadvantages of each in these situations. More technical info needed?

Is this a good choice? Seems like some of the best phones for this use for $170-ish...

Thanks!
 
#2
The DT770 sound great but they are slightly bass-boosted. You might think you sound nicer than you actually are with those.

I usually track and mix in AKG K240 or Sony MDR-7506/7509 and then it sounds amazing in any other headphones, especially my favorite headphone, the Ultrasone Pro 900. If I do it the other way around, it just sounds blah in standard earthly headphones.

On the other hand, if your job at this gig is only to play the bass and worry less about mixing, the DT770 might fit you just fine.

This 'studio magic' you hear about usually comes from just a guy in properly balanced headphones weeding out the excess frequencies. :p
 
#3
Thanks for the feedback.

I don't think I plan on mixing really at all in this space. There are monitors hooked up to the board anyway, and I think that it can be misleading to mix only in headphones, so that's not really in my plan for these 'phones. I'm only the bass player and back up vocalist with this gig, so I just want something that can help me hear myself tracking bass live/practicing, and sound great for playback and critical listening.

Anybody have any input on which ohm I should go for based on my uses and current equipment?
 
#4
They will sound great for your needs than. They also some of the most comfortable headphones on the market.

I'd suggest going with the 80 or 32 ohm version because you'll be able to use them for monitoring as well as with your PC or MP3 player to listen to music (They sound great for that too).

Don't try to get into this too much, you'll regret it later. I know I do haha! Head-Fi-ism is an expensive hobby. ._.
 
#5
Cool. Thanks for the advice.

I've been reading all about damping factor and how certain headphones can have frequency bumps if the impedance isn't steady all they way through the frequency range, but that may be a bit out of my league and since I'm planning on using these phones from several different sources and amps then I'll probably be ok with the 80 ohm ones?
 
#6
Yes. The 250/600ohm versions would require you to get an external headphones amplifier (or use a source that has enough output to drive that kind of resistance).

99% of the difference that people hear between 32/80/250/600 ohm is placebo anyway.
 
#9
Well the Apogee Duet (audio interface) is essentially a headphone amp (along with many other functions.) Don't really know what kind of output it's giving.

When I'm recording with the band, we are all plugged into what looks to be a headphone amp, but may just be a splitter that runs headphone outputs straight from the mixing console with volume controls for each output. Not really sure here.

Also, unsure of the output of the headphone out in the Ampeg B100R...

When I'm critically listening, I'll be mainly using the Duet or plugged straight into 1 of 2 different 70s Sansui integrated HiFi amps that I have, which, from what I understand, both have plenty of output for high ohm headphones. True? I also have a pair of JBL 4410 monitors hooked up to one of my Sansui amps (that's been completely recapped and refurbed) so I think I'm covered on the monitors, should I run into any mixing in the future.

This is where my knowledge gets a little shaky.

The iPod listening would be few and far between, but I suppose it would be really nice to be able to travel with the 80 ohm and take advantage of the better noise isolation compared to the Grado SR60 (none.) Sounds like the 80 ohm will be the most versatile, as I'm looking to do many different things with these 'phones...

If I'm over thinking this, just say it once more and we'll move on. :D Thanks for all the advice so far.
 

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