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Studio Headphones.

el murdoque

el murdoque

Mar 10, 2013
12,035
25,352
Germany
thedirtjounal.com
#1
I've been using the same pair of Sennheiser HD650 for more than a decade now. I bought them used, they are from 2005.
While I am quite happy with those, I nonetheless cast a glance at what else is out there occasionally.
I have been using these 650s more or less daily for the last eight years (when I moved into my new house and gained a music/studio room).
I know that there is not much in terms of "better" unless I invest big money, but maybe someone here has a tip along the lines of "If you like the HD650, you will enjoy the XXX, I have both and love them".

I was looking at Hifiman because of their different driver technology, but I'm open to anything.
I prefer a natural sound - no bloated bass - but a headphone that will spit out all the bass I feed it without faltering.
 
#2
I am still using my Sony MDR-V6 headphones from the 80s and they are still going strong (hopelessly twisted coil cable notwithstanding). I am not sure if the modern day equivalent MDR-7506 are being made anymore, but last I saw them they were $100 new. If they are still available then the only mod I would do is replace the earpads with velour ones from Amazon that will last much longer than the Sony ones.
 
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#4
JRA said:
i've never been able to break away from my AKG K240 studio cans --- i have a bunch of them --- and they pair nicely with my urei 809 monitors. they have to be the cheapest of all the reference monitor phones; and they're durable and lightweight.

hope you get what you need! 👍
Click to expand...
I will second those, all I'll ever need.
 
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#5
pingvuiini said:
I am still using my Sony MDR-V6 headphones from the 80s and they are still going strong (hopelessly twisted coil cable notwithstanding). I am not sure if the modern day equivalent MDR-7506 are being made anymore, but last I saw them they were $100 new. If they are still available then the only mod I would do is replace the earpads with velour ones from Amazon that will last much longer than the Sony ones.
Click to expand...
I have been using the Sony MDR-7506 just about everyday for a very long time. I have changed the pads a few times. They are comfortable and sound good and uncolored compared to the few other fancy cans I have and do not use.
 
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#8
12bass said:
There may be better phones out there than the HD650, but not enough advantage to suggest an upgrade, IMO. Most the the models mentioned in this thread are probably a downgrade.
Click to expand...

I do think the 650s already are solid audiophile territory and you won't go significantly better unless you're willing to spend thousands, and even then, it remains debatable how much in terms of objectively better you get.

I have thought some more on this and found that I would actually like a pair of closed back cans, and I'd prefer them to be less heavy on the ohms, so they can be driven by my tablet or laptop without an amp - this would get me a real world set of reasons for owning them along the 650s.
 
#9
JRA said:
i've never been able to break away from my AKG K240 studio cans --- i have a bunch of them --- and they pair nicely with my urei 809 monitors. they have to be the cheapest of all the reference monitor phones; and they're durable and lightweight.

hope you get what you need! 👍
Click to expand...
Would you also suggest these for silent home practice vs for studio? Not sure there would be a difference but asking just in case.
 
#12
I swear by the 'studio standard' Audio Technica ATH M50X, as well as Beyerdynamic DT770s. I've used the Beyers since the late 90s, and switch back and forth in the studio for references. They both treat things a little differently, but are very consistent with my monitors (ADAM Audio) in terms of response. I need a good pair of open back reference headphones but haven't dropped the $ on them yet.
 
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#13
Track with the ATH-M50s
Mix and Monitor with the Audeze MM ($400) they wont break the bank and are deadly accurate

www.audeze.com

MM-100 Professional Headphones

Precise: Audeze planar magnetic drivers tuned for production-grade accuracy Durable: Premium chassis featuring magnesium and steel Versatile: High efficiency drivers, works well with wide variety of equipment Pedigree: Designed in collaboration with Grammy award-winning engineer/producer Manny...
www.audeze.com www.audeze.com
 
#14
I had so many of various styles and brands…….…….and the headache and listeners fatigue that came with it !

The only good ones I’m able to keep on my head for long sessions are the Beyer Dynamic 770 pro, 32 ohms with some very comfortable foams covered with a velvet kind of fabric and they really sound great :


global.beyerdynamic.com

beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO: Closed studio headphones

Closed over-ear headphones that ensure professional sound in the studio. Extremely comfortable to wear. Robust design. Made in Germany.
global.beyerdynamic.com global.beyerdynamic.com
 
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#15
Gervais Cote said:
I had so many of various styles and brands…….…….and the headache and listeners fatigue that came with it !

The only good ones I’m able to keep on my head for long sessions are the Beyer Dynamic 770 pro, 32 ohms with some very comfortable foams covered with a velvet kind of fabric and they really sound great :


global.beyerdynamic.com

beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO: Closed studio headphones

Closed over-ear headphones that ensure professional sound in the studio. Extremely comfortable to wear. Robust design. Made in Germany.
global.beyerdynamic.com global.beyerdynamic.com
Click to expand...
Second this. I have 2 pairs with diff resistance(s?) and they are good at the job. Maybe not amazing, but for the price and comfort, I like them.
 
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#16
One more vote for the Sony MDR 7506, coming in at less than $200.

Honorable mention for Rode NTH-100.
EDIT to add one more honorable mention: AKG K371.

The Audio Technica and Beyer Dynamic headphones JazznFunk listed above are classic headphones you'll find in a lot of studios and home studios; also great options.
 
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#20
The HD650 can benefit from a proper headphone amp driving them. Most DAW interfaces don't unless you crank them. There are many Chinese HIFI headphone amps , they are actually the best band for the buck or you can also get the Schitt headphone amps .

I use open-back planar magnetics, the entry and athe next mid entry from Hi-fI Man. Open backs are not quiet but they have great transient response, listen to a Taiko drum ensemble with them and you will see the difference. Of course they are not quite as they are open back but I mix with them and the HD650x as well.

Also if you make an investment on an external DAC they make a difference, I use Qudelix because they are also a Bluetooth receiver but I run them in USB mode attached to my PC. They have headphone profile EQ running natively on the DSP chip -- Profiles as the 650, and hundreds if not thousands of headphones. I do have a Schitt DAC as well but these little Qudelix are just better IMO, They have a a balanced output also if your headphones support it and both my Hi-Fi Man do, Less noise and even more power

I have tried the new HDs They are even better almost got one but it was not the best use of money

For tracking the Sony MDR and now the Yamaha MTH are what I use. Both under 120. There is something to not using your prime headphones for tracking.
 

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