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Headphones recommendation.

J

JoeJack1

Jun 11, 2024
35
10
#1
hi all.

I'm looking for headphones for practicing guitar, bass guitar and synthesizer.
I have no monitors, so I will practice only through headphones. I want to get a decent sound.

in addition to practicing, I will use them for watching movies and listening to music.

I've read a lot, I can't decide on the type of headphones, open back or closed back.

I have chosen 6 models so far
Open back
Beyerdynamic DT 990 pro
Sennheiser HD 560s/ HD 400 pro (they are identical).
FIIO FT1 pro

closed back
Beyerdynamic DT 770 pro
Shure SRH840
FIIO FT1

they cost almost the same in my country.
 
#3
IMG_0265.jpeg

If you want to save some cash these are great bang for buck, and if you accidentally sit on them, you can replace them cheaply.
They will do everything you need them for nicely.
 
#8
Deleted member 394181 said:
I love Beyer Dynamic phones. I guess with any brand be mindful of the Ohm rating. Since you said watching TV/Movies, maybe go for the DT770's 32 Ohm pair. I have 770's and theyre great!! Comfortable too. Maybe save a couple bucks that way intead of going with the 990's.
Click to expand...
yes, I'm definitely looking at 32 ohms to be able to connect my headphones to my smartphone.

They say that an open back gives better sound, but the low frequencies are lost, and I'm not sure if I can play the bass guitar and synthesizer properly. I'm not sure if I can get the right sound for recording.

I haven't really decided whether to buy an open back or a closed back.
 
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#10
I’ve used an inexpensive pair of Sennheiser HD280s in the studio for almost two decades. They sound good, they reproduce bass well and they don’t break the bank. They run about $100, I think.

This is the first I’m hearing anything about poor quality and AKG. Maybe that’s a recent phenomenon?
 
#11
JoeJack1 said:
yes, I'm definitely looking at 32 ohms to be able to connect my headphones to my smartphone.

They say that an open back gives better sound, but the low frequencies are lost, and I'm not sure if I can play the bass guitar and synthesizer properly. I'm not sure if I can get the right sound for recording.

I haven't really decided whether to buy an open back or a closed back.
Click to expand...
I own closed back BD phones. I havent used open back phones. Open back, i assume, are going to be louder outside of the phones. If you dont want to disturb people around you get closed back.
 
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#13
Lo-E said:
I’ve used an inexpensive pair of Sennheiser HD280s in the studio for almost two decades. They sound good, they reproduce bass well and they don’t break the bank. They run about $100, I think.

This is the first I’m hearing anything about poor quality and AKG. Maybe that’s a recent phenomenon?
Click to expand...
I’ve tried those AKGs and wouldn’t say they are bad but they have a sound I didn’t like personally.
Maybe they are closer to true flat than other cans, most people don’t find true flat appealing. But that’s just a guess.
 
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#14
JoeJack1 said:
hi all.

I'm looking for headphones for practicing guitar, bass guitar and synthesizer.
I have no monitors, so I will practice only through headphones. I want to get a decent sound.

in addition to practicing, I will use them for watching movies and listening to music.

I've read a lot, I can't decide on the type of headphones, open back or closed back.

I have chosen 6 models so far
Open back
Beyerdynamic DT 990 pro
Sennheiser HD 560s/ HD 400 pro (they are identical).
FIIO FT1 pro

closed back
Beyerdynamic DT 770 pro
Shure SRH840
FIIO FT1

they cost almost the same in my country.
Click to expand...
From your list I would go closed back for better isolation and not disturb others. Either the DT 770 pro or the srh840 would be fine choices. I am unfamiliar with FIIO. That said I used Shure SRH headphones for many years until I came across AIAIAI and switched to the TMA-2 studio & studio XE. Been using them for a few years now and am very happy with them. They are completely modular (as in all the parts are interchangeable). If they are available in your country they are worth a look. If not flip a coin between the DT's and the SRH.
aiaiai.audio

AIAIAI Audio

AIAIAI is a Danish audio design company dedicated to developing premium audio gear. Trusted for music creativity and in the most vigorous environments - on the road, in the studio, and on stage.
aiaiai.audio aiaiai.audio
 
#15
I'd have a look at the HiFiMan Sundara. (The open back version. Not the closed back.) They're planar magnetic headphones, which are known for low end accuracy. They're $225 I think, but refurbs are $169, and they're doing an additional 10% off, so it's ~$150, which is a pretty great deal.

I've got the Ananda Nanos, which are a similar design a step or two up the range from the Sundaras, and they're amazing.
 
#16
Koss UR-40 have no peer.
40mm Neodymium iron boron rare-earth-drivers suspended beautifully in a super lightweight foldable design.
Bonus: they can be found for $35 and under.
koss.com

UR40

Heavyweight sound intensity teams with an ultra-lightweight design to create the ultimate in on-the-go listening, the Koss UR40.
koss.com koss.com
 
#18
bholder said:
AKG K240 Studio worth checking out.
Click to expand...
I was gonna suggest AKGs.
JoeJack1 said:
I am not considering the purchase of AKG, due to the low quality.
there are a lot of negative reviews on them.
Click to expand...

Lo-E said:
This is the first I’m hearing anything about poor quality and AKG. Maybe that’s a recent phenomenon?
Click to expand...
This. I have 2 pairs of AKGs, both used at time of purchase. No problems at all. Build quality seemed excellent and they sound great - best of any headphones I've ever owned. I haven't used them extensively but I still recommend them.
 
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#19
I’ve tried Grado open back headphones (100x wireless and 125 wired, I think). I like them for some reasons but not others. The external noise does leak in. The deep lows aren’t as strong/noticeable. They don’t fatigue my ears as much as closed back designs. For extended practicing they were nice.

For closed back, I’ve used Sennheiser HD280 Pro (64 Ohm) and Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (32 Ohm). The HD280 are popular and pretty solid workhorses, but the DT770 Pro have been my preference. They sound a little more natural and are bit more comfortable. If those are on your list I think you’ll like them.

I use my headphones for bass, synth, drum machines, mixing/production, and just doom scrolling YouTube.
 
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#20
JoeJack1 said:
hi all.

I'm looking for headphones for practicing guitar, bass guitar and synthesizer.
I have no monitors, so I will practice only through headphones. I want to get a decent sound.

in addition to practicing, I will use them for watching movies and listening to music.

I've read a lot, I can't decide on the type of headphones, open back or closed back.

I have chosen 6 models so far
Open back
Beyerdynamic DT 990 pro
Sennheiser HD 560s/ HD 400 pro (they are identical).
FIIO FT1 pro

closed back
Beyerdynamic DT 770 pro
Shure SRH840
FIIO FT1

they cost almost the same in my country.
Click to expand...
I have the Beyerdynamic DT 770 pro, and I really like them. Best, and most expensive, headphones i have ever had.
 

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