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Your suggestions for best OVER EAR headphones

#61
oren said:
I've been using a pair of the original AKG K240 for years (most akin to the current K240 MKII, not like the less expensive Studio model). I like the sound but will note that they have a semi-open back that leaks sound into the environment. That presents a problem when I'm recording upright with a mic, as the leakage is clearly picked up in the room. So for that purpose I switched to a the Sony MDR-7506, which I also like - they're quite accurate, without a hyped low end response.
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To my ear, the 7506 headphones were always bottom heavy as compared to the AKGs but, as I mentioned, a lot of people like and want that. When I was selling headphones it was pretty clear who was going to go for what, and for what reason. If you're handing them to a singer or guitarist, the 7506 will definitely make them happy.

Mixing on headphones is always problematic. When I mix on either of my inexpensive sets, it is always the mid-to high range stuff that is too loud through my monitors. You'd think if you don't have enough bass on those, that wouldn't be the case.

Yep, if you've got $500 to $1700 to spend there are lots of high-end choices that will be lightyears more accurate than anything in the $100 to $150 range. I tend to assume here, correctly or not, that most questions are coming from people putting together home studios on a limited budget, like the majority of my customers (and me). People dropping excess of $1000 on phones already knew what they wanted.
 
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#63
I have the Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphones. Absolutely love the sound and the bass. Right now about $88 on Amazon.

Otherwise I use Bose Noise Cancelling 700 Bluetooth headphones, but wired to my laptop, but these are more for just listening to music while working, writing, or reading than actual music work.
 
#64
I have the industry standard Sony's 7506 's and a lower end of the scale - Grado set . The Sony is a workhorse and a great value - the Grado's are thoroughbreds and the difference in price is substantial too . I would get the Sony for every day use and be fine with their quality. .... Kelly
 
#65
krfoss said:
I'm looking for a good set of over-ear headphones that can be used well for general mixing/ monitoring, but also has a good bass response so I can use them with silent practicing.

What are your recommendations!
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Sennheiser HD650 are the current mixing engineer standard for a reason.
 
#68
After years with the senhiesers, I "upgraded" to the DT770 and am incredibly disappointed. They break up at very low levels. I thought surely I had a lemon, so got them replaced and have the same issue. Maybe user error?..but even a dummy like me knows how to use headphones. 770s are now in the drawer and my old senheisers are back in rotation. If it ain't broke...
 
#69
leftybassatl said:
After years with the senhiesers, I "upgraded" to the DT770 and am incredibly disappointed. They break up at very low levels. I thought surely I had a lemon, so got them replaced and have the same issue. Maybe user error?..but even a dummy like me knows how to use headphones. 770s are now in the drawer and my old senheisers are back in rotation. If it ain't broke...
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Which ones did you get? They come in three different impedances, each meant for different listening situations. I chose the 80 ohm version which are a little less loud than my 55 ohm AKGs but they work well enough with my Focusrite interface and I don't need a preamp with them. I wanted the "pro" version but would have needed an additional preamp to make them work in my situation.
 
#70
My next set will be HD280's. My current AKG K44 ( $50 ) never had good bass response and if I dug in they would distort very easy. I know they are entry level so it's nothing against AKG. I should have purchased the next step up in their line up. I think anything under $100 is probably not gonna be as satisfying as even at that price point you are still in the somewhat entry level. I have done enough research to know that the HD280's will be enough for me. FYI, over time my K44's have be distorting more and more. I don't play with a heavy hand and also try to keep the level low as to keep my hearing ;) yet still get distortion when playing bass and digging in even a little.
 
#71
I was looking to step up my headphone game about 2 years ago, budget arpund $200 max. I visited local hi-fi shops, best buy, guitar center....any place I could find that had headphones on demo, and tried all the usual suspects for on-ear and over-ear headphones.

I wound up buying a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 770 pro, the 80 ohm version. They were far and away the most comfortable. They also seemed to hit the sweet spot of reasonably accurate and pleasing sound. I use them for nearly all my headphone needs. I've plugged into a combo amp for silent practice, into my phone for listening in bed, direct into my PC and iMac headphone jack, into the headphone jack of a mixer, and for ampless monitoring before I got my set of IEMs.

I also have a set of AKG 240 knockoffs from a brand called "Stellar Labs". They are cheap, and obnoxiously colored red and black, but sound surprisingly good.
 
#72
Upon reflection, I think I should have noted that my recommendation of the HD280s' is largely influenced by the cost of replacement: yes, for my purposes they are good enough for tracking and mixing, but I am on my third set over at least the last ten years because I have managed to blow out drivers thru stupidity involving octave pedals, synthesizers, etc., and I have no hope that I am getting any smarter at this stage of the game, so a hundred bucks isn't as hard a hit as the higher priced spreads would be.
 
#73
mnm_300x300_Sennheiser_Orpheus_HE-1.jpg

The Sennheiser HE 1 is more than a pair of headphones. It's a full electrostatic audio system, complete with an expertly-crafted amplifier and matching headphones.

With Carrara marble and chrome, this systems looks almost as great as it sounds.

The HE 1 is the first electrostatic headphone with a Cool Class A MOSFET high voltage amplifier integrated into the ear cups. This feature eliminates the capacitive reactance of the cable and greatly improves the efficiency of the system.

Each driver utilizes a 2.4-micrometer platinum-vaporized diaphragm and gold-vaporized ceramic stators. Silver-plated OFC cables offer optimal conductivity and transfer of the pristine audio signals.

These drivers are housed in precision-machined earcup made of solid aluminum.

High-end leather and soft, allergen-free velour/microfibre are used to make the earpads ultra-comfy and the headband rests comfortably on the listener's head, keeping the focus on the sound and not on the physical aspects of the headphone.

The amplifier features 8 high-end internal digital-to-analog converters. It's designed with both tubes and transistors in a patented circuit design. This amplifier is the real deal, offering near-perfect accuracy with barely any noise or distortion.

The result is one of the best listening systems in the world, if not the greatest ever. Know that this one costs nearly three quarters of 100k USD!

Key Specifications:

  • Transducer Type: Electrostatic
  • Impedance: no info
  • Frequency Response:
    • 8 Hz – 80,000 Hz (-3 dB)
    • 4 Hz – 100,000 Hz (-10 dB)
  • Bias Voltage: 650V
  • Sensitivity: 114 dB SPL max SPL
  • IP Rating: no info
  • Open/Closed-Back: Circumaural/Open-back
  • Weight: 550g without cable
  • Wireless/Wired: Wired
 
#74
For tracking as a musician, I prefer closed back headphones. They block out background noise so I can hear what I am doing.
The Sennheiser HD280 is a good place to start, but I find the bass response on them to be lacking. Good for tracking, terrible for mixing/mastering. I like my Neumann NDH20 more.
For mixing, find a neutral open backed headphone. People will suggest the Sennheiser HD series again, but honestly, the sound stage is narrow, and the treble/ bass response is weak. On the other side of that, the Beyerdynamic DT990 is scooped with out of control treble peaks. The 1990 might be better. Hifiman Sundara is a good choice. I hate to say it, but the LCD-X is a pretty good mastering mixing/mastering headphone. You just have to be willing to handle the expense.
Also, DO NOT rely on one transducer when doing a final mix or mastering. Listen to your recording on speakers, headphones, IEMs, your car stereo; whatever you can get your hands on. It will help you find unwanted peaks or dips.
 
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#75
Update: I ended up buying the sony 7506 and the distort the lowend on my bass at pretty low volumes. Sound great on guitar, yet still distort when using the neck pickup on my strat.

So, I guess I'm back to the drawing board.
 
#78
LBS-bass said:
Which ones did you get? They come in three different impedances, each meant for different listening situations. I chose the 80 ohm version which are a little less loud than my 55 ohm AKGs but they work well enough with my Focusrite interface and I don't need a preamp with them. I wanted the "pro" version but would have needed an additional preamp to make them work in my situation.
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They are the 250 ohm pro version. My sweetwater rep said these would be right for my needs, but maybe I wasn't clear enough. If these require separate power, then maybe a dummy like me actually CAN'T use headphones...
 

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