Headphones

[Sid Fang]

...
I was looking at a few sets of AKG's, however most reviews indicated some design issues and loss of sound quality overtime. I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with using AKG products (good or bad).

I tried various monitor/mixing phones over the years, and I found I kept coming back to my AKG 240s. I'm still using a pair that I bought over 20 years ago, and I didn't notice any deterioration of the drivers. I had the wiring come loose on one of them, which fortunately I was able to repair, but they've been remarkably robust. I note that these are the K240M version with 600 ohm impedance - it takes a headphone amp to make them sound full, but perhaps this makes them more robust. I also own newer K240S (lower impedence, louder and more transparent with low-output headphone jacks) and K271s (sealed backs which I only use when recording with mics that would pick up leakage from the semi-open 240s). The thing about the AKGs isn't just the absolute sound quality, which is very good but not the best I've ever heard. It's about the combination of excellent sound with light weight and comfort. I can use them for hours and hours, which I haven't found to be as true of other brands/models I've tried. This is the first I've heard of loss of sound quality over time, though of course depending on use/storage conditions, any headphones will wear out, eventually.

 

[Bullitt5135]

You might find closed cans unnecessary, since you're not actually trying to mute your bandmates, just tone them down. Have you tried earplugs? A good pair will let you hear everything, just quieter.

I've tried a couple kinds of Hearos with mixed results -- I've been using the musician's ones lately and it helps, but have a hard time hearing my backing vocals. I'm making an appointment today as a matter of fact for custom molds, so hopefully that would be a step up from the Hearos. We already mic everything for practices because one of the guys likes to record everything for no particular reason. I'm hoping I can use a monitor out or the headphone jack just to see if that helps me. I'd even spring for a JamHub or something like that if the other guys would go along with it.

 

[Duke21]

I've tried a couple kinds of Hearos with mixed results -- I've been using the musician's ones lately and it helps, but have a hard time hearing my backing vocals. I'm making an appointment today as a matter of fact for custom molds, so hopefully that would be a step up from the Hearos. We already mic everything for practices because one of the guys likes to record everything for no particular reason. I'm hoping I can use a monitor out or the headphone jack just to see if that helps me. I'd even spring for a JamHub or something like that if the other guys would go along with it.

If you want headphones for playing along with other band members which use amps and cabs then In-ear will function much better then headphones. If you go for closed headphones I'll suggest the BeyerDynamic DT770M which have offer good isolation, better then most headphones.
Good cheap in-ear are the Shure SE215. Good fit and very good isolation, in addition they are "bass heavy"

 

[Duke21]

I tried various monitor/mixing phones over the years, and I found I kept coming back to my AKG 240s. I'm still using a pair that I bought over 20 years ago, and I didn't notice any deterioration of the drivers. I had the wiring come loose on one of them, which fortunately I was able to repair, but they've been remarkably robust. I note that these are the K240M version with 600 ohm impedance - it takes a headphone amp to make them sound full, but perhaps this makes them more robust. I also own newer K240S (lower impedence, louder and more transparent with low-output headphone jacks) and K271s (sealed backs which I only use when recording with mics that would pick up leakage from the semi-open 240s). The thing about the AKGs isn't just the absolute sound quality, which is very good but not the best I've ever heard. It's about the combination of excellent sound with light weight and comfort. I can use them for hours and hours, which I haven't found to be as true of other brands/models I've tried. This is the first I've heard of loss of sound quality over time, though of course depending on use/storage conditions, any headphones will wear out, eventually.

AKG headphones have great tone. I've the open AKG 701 which are reference headphones, they need an headphone amp, but they sound great.

 

[Big Mike Ipp]

Hey guys, sorry I didn't post any information on my purchase...it totally escaped my mind! Anyway, I went with the Sennheiser HD380 and wow, I'm totally blown away. I checked out the Audio Technica M-50s and M-45s, and while they were nice, they just didn't do "it" for me, but when I put on the HD380s my jaw just dropped and I couldn't wipe the smile off of my face. I played a lick from Jarmiroquai's Runaway to test them out and they shined, the bass was clear and articulate and the highs were crisp and very smooth. The negatives? Well, the price on the sticker was a little much, but I walked out with a good deal, they're a little tight on my head which may or may not be an issue, I'm still unsure but with some more use I'll see if its too much.

The bottomline? You get what you pay for, they're awesome headphones and I'm very satisfied with the sound, they might be a little tight but only time will tell, I have a 60 day return policy to test them out. I highly recommend these phones, they're awesome. Be warned- playing through headphones is ridiculously addicting.

 

[BluesyCat]

Read thru the posts and didn't see much or anything on these two:
Sennhesier HD-600 ($350)
Hifiman HE-500 ($700)


Anyone have any experience with these above.. for practicing, not gigging??

I've had these and sold all:
Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro (too compressed sounding, too "colored" and not as accurate sounding as I had hoped for)
ATH-M50 (too much bass)
HD280 Pro (too tight, too much bass)
PSB M4U 2 (going to sell, just do not like the way they sit on the ears / ear cups are small, otherwise great, accurate sounding headphones!)

TIA!

 

[gareth dunster]

I asked the sme question as the OP here some months ago. My requirement was to have the best isolation for live use I could find, with decent sound. The sennheiser 280 pros are cheap , isolate very well ,are comfortable, sturdy , seem quite flat to me and the bass seems to go deep without being too hyped.

 

[BluesyCat]

I just tried these today and they're over-rated IMO:
Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro (too compressed sounding, too warm or colored and not as accurate sounding as I had hoped for)

My hubby has the Sennheiser HD 800's and they're superb but we don't need two sets in the house…or do we? Hmmmm…

Actually, my PSB M4U 2's sound scary similar to the Senn 800's without that open-back sound. It's really weird. I just hate the way the PSB's fit.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

The Head-Fi forum is a good place to go for the opinion of headphone connoisseurs.

http://www.head-fi.org/f/