Headphones?

[daniel.sneed]

I must shime in James.
The best ones I've heard till now are Beyer DT990 Pro (gasp !).
Very accurate IMHO. Bass is tight and powerfull but right in it's place.
Not like in my Sony 7506. In these bass is over everything.

DT990 Pro come in old flavour and new flavour (2007).
Some retailers sell the old ones 1/2 the price of the new ones. Go figure...

[mhschmieder]

Strange thing about the DT770-PRO, which I upgraded to a few years back from the earlier model (which wasn't quite 100% closed -- maybe the 911?). There was apparently a "bump" to the product spec a year or so ago, with a significant change to the bass presence. Hence the discrepancy in the reviews (although there will always be differences of perception as we all hear differently).

Sorry you've had a bad experience with yours in terms of over-hyped bass. That was why I switched to Beyer from AKG a few years earlier. Unfortunately they probably received criticism and decided to join the crowd. They should have made a different model number when they made the change though. Someone in another forum talked about how to tell which version you have visually, but I didn't save it as I know mine is older.

I am also on a quest for a semi-open design for overdubbing vocals, etc. It's not a high priority but hopefully within the next 12 months. Unfortunately it is much harder to create a set of "excellent" open or semi-open cans than closed cans, and so the prices of good ones tend to be higher. I made up a list of seven to eight acceptable models based on some cross-canvassing on the web, but those refs are at home at the moment. I'll try to remember to post a couple of useful links later.

One of the interesting things about the semi-open designs is how much they vary in overall design principles as well as in goals. It is good that you have a very clear idea about your own requirements, as that will help narrow the search considerably. But unfortunately I doubt you will find something acceptable for less than $170.

Grado, Beyer, AKG, and Sennheiser seem in general to be the most reliable brands, and vary quite a bit in terms of the variability within their product ranges (with AKG having the most variability of all, as each of their designs is radically different vs. being a cheapened version of their top-of-line product). Therefore investigating AKG's products will be the most time-consuming, with the other brands being more about your price point and where the breakoff point is of acceptable quality.

I should point out that the Grado cans are not very suitable for studio use vs. private hi-fi listening due to their design (they would probably fall off very easily), and they also are unique in driving the sound directly into the ear (this could be a problem over long sessions, resulting in ear fatigue or even hearing damage). Yet they sound magnificent (a friend has a pair, and uses them when practicing the digital piano as well as for hi-fi listening).

The Beyerdynamic DT990-PRO gets mediocre reviews on the two main headphone review websites, surprisingly, but that is before the 2007 revs mentioned above. My earlier research indicated that the most often preferred model for semi-open design is the DT880, but I think I also found that this model was not readily available in the US. I'll have to check on that later. It tends to go for around $350.

These are the seven choices that I narrowed down to a year ago, but bear in mind that many of these models have cheaper versions that are not all that different in quality. I am including my paraphrased characteristics from my own notes, but must locate the two review sites later.

1. Beyerdynamic DT880 ($350) -- best for natural/airy/clear/non-fatiguing/classical/folk
2. AKG 701 ($400) -- best for modern rock, hyped bass, punchy sound
3. Sennheiser HD595 ($290) -- quick response like DT880, punchy like 701
4. Sennheiser HD650/600 ($500/$350) -- warm/airy/comfortable
5. AKG 601 ($300) -- punchy
6. Grado SR325i ($300) -- hard to keep on head, direct in ear, but the most three-dimensional of all
7. Beyerdynamic DT990-PRO ($400) -- semi-open design

I concluded that I might need two separate pairs depending on the source material, but that the DT880's would be my top choice given all of the variables.

For yourself, I suspect one of the slightly cheaper Sennheiser HD-series designs would likely be comfortable, affordable, and unhyped in the bass.

[mhschmieder]

Here are the top two sites for comparing headphones:

http://www.goodcans.com

http://www.headphone.com

And for finding a huge selection for purchase:

http://www.elusivedisc.com

[Appalachian Boy]

i like sony MDR-7506's, but thats about the best quality i can afford. but i like them.

[Mr. Quimper]

There was apparently a "bump" to the product spec a year or so ago, with a significant change to the bass presence.

Thanks for the insight, mhschmieder! I'll note that my DT770s are only 6 months old, so it would seem that they did make some improvements.

[daniel.sneed]

Thanks mschmeider for your links.
Very informative indeed !

[James Steele]

Yes... thank you! I need to find out when I bought mine... maybe it was before they changed things.

[Mr. Quimper]

Also, I forgot to mention, there are 2 models of the 770 Pros that are available right now...an 80ohm and 250ohm version.

I don't know if there are any other discrepancies between the two, but I have the 80ohm version, for what it's worth.

[taggart]

I'm not sure if anybody mentioned these, but do they still make the 240DF's? I've got those and the 240M's. The DF's are very flat. They actually sound like there's not ENOUGH bass, but they are very flat. I've mixed on them with very good results. The 240M's sound great, but they've got a bit of a bass boost. But not much of one. Just my 2•!

[daniel.sneed]

For tracking I just still prefer my old Beyer DT202 (much like a black DT100, with a slightly extended frequency range).
When I sing, play guitar, keyboard or bass, I feel much more at ease with some sort of "mid-scoped sound".

My Sony 7506 is widely less usefull for that purpose. Perhaps cause of it's bass emphasis. I use it for listening music away from home, or for some PA work.

Beyer DT100 (or DT 202) is an extremely rugged piece of gear also. All parts are very easy to replace. I do regularily since 15 years now !

But, as usual, I'm always on the way to better listening conditions.
What do you, wise guys, think of those hi-end "in ear" things like the Etymotic ER4P ?

[burn em]

Well above your price limit, but I have to say, this is one of the best purchases I've ever made: Sennheiser HD600. With a good headphone pre, they sound better than anything else I know of out there. (Open back, so not for tracking.)

For tracking I like the Sennheiser HD280 PRO, which sound pretty damn good, bass is not too excessive - though all of those closed cans somehow boost the bass, they must think DJs like that.... But these sound good enough for me to make mic placement adjustments while tracking, and they have incredible insulation.

But since you're covered for tracking, I say splurge and try the HD600s. Well worth it.

+1 for the Sennheiser HD280 PRO's, great for Live recording, where you want to keep sound out of your ears as well as in. People who come in for overdubs seem more comfortable with them as well. Good solid build, they they seem like they could take a beating.

[westla]

I've been reading all the posts, and am looking for a new pair of cans. i want them for mixing (not final mix) and composing when I can't wake the baby.

I want as "even and natural" of a sound as possible, and all my music, is acoustic/classical/film scoring type stuff.

My three choices are:

Sony MDR 7506
AKG k240s
Sennheiser HD 280

Any suggestions .... thanks.

[Mr. Quimper]

I've been reading all the posts, and am looking for a new pair of cans. i want them for mixing (not final mix) and composing when I can't wake the baby.

I want as "even and natural" of a sound as possible, and all my music, is acoustic/classical/film scoring type stuff.

My three choices are:

Sony MDR 7506
AKG k240s
Sennheiser HD 280

Any suggestions .... thanks.

Of those, I'd say definitely go w/ the Sennheisers. They're excellent cans, and superior to the other choices, across the board, in my opinion...the only problem for me was my fatass head - they were very uncomfortable for long-term listening, but you may have a different experience.

[monkey man]

Of those, I'd say definitely go w/ the Sennheisers. They're excellent cans, and superior to the other choices, across the board, in my opinion...the only problem for me was my fatass head - they were very uncomfortable for long-term listening, but you may have a different experience.

... and those are supposedly "comfortable" Sennies.
Imagine having to wear the HD25-1s all day!

I've been afraid to admit it, but the most natural-sounding cans I've heard are my HD25-1s.
Still haven't figured out how to "soften" their grip safely though.
I've even worn a beanie over my ears and under the cans to soften the blow, so to speak.
Just one hour's wearing of these puppies sees my ears tender to the touch for quite some time.

[daniel.sneed]

Oups ! Correct spelling of my old favorite tracking phones : Beyer DT202 (not 220 !).