According to the manual, the Subway 800+ can power "common" headphones between 8 and 32 ohms. I only have studio headphones with much higher impedance. If you're listening through headphones an amp, what would you recommend?
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Headphone suggestions for Mesa Boogie Subway 800+
- Thread starter Bluesrock
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- Feb 12, 2006
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
You can certainly use the higher impedance phones, they may not be loud enough but that is very model specific.
I saw a set of Beyer Dynamics 700’s in 80 ohms on sale. I think those would be fine for the amp. I just tried a 250 ohm set on my iPad Mini and the only issue was that I had to put the iPad near full volume. You can find the 80 ohm set for $125 if you look for the sale.
Audio Tecnica ATH M50x have 38 ohms and sound great as well, though a smaller ear pad than the BD’s I mentioned above. They cost about $150 and can be had in a wireless model for around $180. I have the older M50’s (no X) and like them a lot. My only gripe about these is that the vinyl covering around the band is flaking, but underneath is a sort of felt material, so I don’t care about the flaky vinyl. I just peeled the excess off that wasn’t peeling. I had tried the ATH M40’s and sent them back. The 50’s are much much better sounding.
Audio Tecnica ATH M50x have 38 ohms and sound great as well, though a smaller ear pad than the BD’s I mentioned above. They cost about $150 and can be had in a wireless model for around $180. I have the older M50’s (no X) and like them a lot. My only gripe about these is that the vinyl covering around the band is flaking, but underneath is a sort of felt material, so I don’t care about the flaky vinyl. I just peeled the excess off that wasn’t peeling. I had tried the ATH M40’s and sent them back. The 50’s are much much better sounding.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,059
- 5
- 221,081
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
These were in the test group, as were a few Sony models.
Generally the higher impedance phones work just fine, but there are a few that are quite low sensitivity and since headphones change models "just because", it's harder to stay current on the constantly changing marketplace.
Many thanks to everyone who responded to my post. The studio headphones I have and tried include a set of Beyer Dynamics 770 (250 ohms). Unfortunately, I’m getting no sound out of them. Based on the recommendations here, I’m going to order either the ATH-M50Xs or the Beyer Dynamics 80 ohm and see if my problem is solved.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,059
- 5
- 221,081
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Hold on a minute, the 250 ohm impedance isn't going to cause no sound. Let's do a little bit of troubleshooting first before you buy another pair of headphones.
Are your headphones factory terminated with a 1/4" TRS plug or does it come with a 1/8" TRS plug?
If your headphones use a 1/8" TRS plug, what adapter are you using? Does the plug fit fully into the adapter? Is there a thread on the plug or the adapter that's preventing it from seating? Is your adapter TRS or possibly only TS?
Experience tells me that it's about 90% likely to be something related to the plug. I will help you sort this out.
Are your headphones factory terminated with a 1/4" TRS plug or does it come with a 1/8" TRS plug?
If your headphones use a 1/8" TRS plug, what adapter are you using? Does the plug fit fully into the adapter? Is there a thread on the plug or the adapter that's preventing it from seating? Is your adapter TRS or possibly only TS?
Experience tells me that it's about 90% likely to be something related to the plug. I will help you sort this out.
FWIW, I use Sennheiser HD280 Pro headphones and they work fine. I believe they have a 64 ohm impedance.
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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Sony MDR-7506 work great with bass and aren't expensive. They're often seen on live FOH and monitor consoles, as well as with video production crews.
I second the AT M50X - been using them for a long time - great phones, especially with mulit-effects pedals
I own and really like Sennheiser headphones, but for my Mesa WD 800 I use and recommend
AKG Acoustics K240 Studio semi -open professional headphones 55 OHMS.
AKG Acoustics K240 Studio semi -open professional headphones 55 OHMS.
If you are getting NO sound...the amp cannot be connected to a cabinet, otherwise there will be no sound.
At least that is how my WD800 works...
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,059
- 5
- 221,081
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Both of these were also used as test phones.
This is not correct, the headphone output is always active. You may not hear the headphones over the sound from the cabinet however.
I use Shure SE215; but, I would probably take up agedhorse's offer to fault find the problem before buying a pair.
Cave Puppy
"Humph Bo, he's wond!" - John Lennon
Like my old Pioneer headphones!
