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Author Topic: Good Headphones for what we do?  (Read 10489 times)

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Offline down2earthlandscaper

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Good Headphones for what we do?
« on: April 19, 2015, 11:32:52 AM »
Hi, I don't know whether this question would fit under "playback" or "post processing" so I'll try posting it here...

I have these headphones which I received for a Christmas gift a couple of years ago: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-cVv4tjoHFxE/p_107BUCKLEN/Polk-Audio-Buckle-Brown.html

They seem ok for listening, but the bass seems over-emphasized and I'm worried that they will adversely affect the outcome if I use them when making EQ adjustments in post.
(My approach thus far has been to listen to my recordings on the home stereo, in the car, on headphones (and even plugged "line-in" on my old school Panasonic boom box, to get a really good idea of how they sound before tackling any EQ adjustments)

Does anyone have recommendations for good headphones to use for this purpose?

Thanks,
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Offline Fried Chicken Boy

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Re: Good Headphones for what we do?
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2015, 11:46:17 AM »
What you want are a set of "monitor" headphones: they have a flat frequency response and don't over emphasize any particular part of the listening spectrum.  There are lots of good and reputable industry-standard ones available and everyone has their personal favorites (Sony 7506, AKG 240, Sennheiser 280, Beyerdynamic 770, etc).  Mine are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50.  If you have a good brick and mortar shop where you can audition headphones for sound and comfort, it would be a good idea to go and spend some time trying them on and listening. 

Offline chk

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Re: Good Headphones for what we do?
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2015, 12:25:29 PM »
I am a big fan of the audio technica ath-m50s too. I've owned several other headphones and these are my favorite. Very flat freq response. Great bang for the buck. If you shop around you should be able to find them for around $100.

Offline yousef

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Re: Good Headphones for what we do?
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2015, 12:39:46 PM »
I got a pair of the aforementioned Sonys for my birthday last month - only just getting my ears around them, as it were, but finding them very neutral so far and that good-sounding results through them are reliably good on other systems. Comfortable too.
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Offline AdamHuston

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Re: Good Headphones for what we do?
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2015, 12:47:25 PM »
I use the Audio Technica's also.  Actually have two pairs I like them so much
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Offline fmaderjr

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Re: Good Headphones for what we do?
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2015, 12:52:37 PM »
I am a big fan of the audio technica ath-m50s too. I've owned several other headphones and these are my favorite. Very flat freq response. Great bang for the buck. If you shop around you should be able to find them for around $100.

Me too!
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Offline goodcooker

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Re: Good Headphones for what we do?
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2015, 01:28:07 PM »

I am a fan of the Sennheiser HD280. I've had a pair for many years and I like the sound and the fit (I have a really big dome). They are not the most flat response of the cans I've listened to but they work fine for me. I do the bulk of my mixing on monitors but I usually give a couple of tracks a listen on the cans before calling it done.

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Offline voltronic

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Re: Good Headphones for what we do?
« Reply #7 on: April 19, 2015, 03:12:28 PM »
I've been using Sennheiser HD 380s for a few months and very happy with them so far.  The bass response in particular is excellent (in range extension, not in over-hyped bloat).  I've gone back to several old recordings and found LF rumble that I missed.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/650058-REG/Sennheiser_HD_380PRO_HD_380_Pro_Circumaural.html
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Offline beatkilla

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Re: Good Headphones for what we do?
« Reply #8 on: April 19, 2015, 03:22:00 PM »
I use those Sennheiser 380 Pro for last few years and love them,you can replace the pads and cable too if you ever need to.

Offline voltronic

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Re: Good Headphones for what we do?
« Reply #9 on: April 19, 2015, 03:40:11 PM »
I use those Sennheiser 380 Pro for last few years and love them,you can replace the pads and cable too if you ever need to.
Yeah the stock cable is really bulky and heavy - I replaced with this which was lightweight and worked perfectly:
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/Shop/Recertified-Products-and-Accessories/Accessories/P5-standard-audio-cable.html
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Offline opsopcopolis

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Re: Good Headphones for what we do?
« Reply #10 on: April 19, 2015, 03:51:02 PM »
The Sony 7506s are my recommendation. They're nice and flat.  Moreso than the HD280s IMO

Offline acidjack

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Re: Good Headphones for what we do?
« Reply #11 on: April 19, 2015, 05:44:00 PM »
I wouldn't recommend mixing solely on headphones, if you can avoid it. If you can't, the ATH-M50s are the best bang for the buck by far.

If you're talking about monitoring live, the HD280s from Sennheiser have better sound isolation than the M50s. They sound worse, but for live monitoring, they're an excellent choice. I'd say a majority of engineers I see around the venues I go to use them.
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Re: Good Headphones for what we do?
« Reply #12 on: April 19, 2015, 07:09:01 PM »
FWIW, you'll see quite a few FOH guys with ATH-M50 at the board. 

Also, remember that headphones can use a good burn-in.  I always thought that was snake oil advice until I bought a pair of Senn HD600 whose character really changed alot after i burned them in for 100 hours or so.  I've burned in another pair since that didn't have as large a change (hd700) but the one experience sold me on the fact that it can make a difference.
« Last Edit: April 19, 2015, 07:39:50 PM by tonedeaf »

Offline DigiGal

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Re: Good Headphones for what we do?
« Reply #13 on: April 19, 2015, 08:08:52 PM »
I edit and master with a DAC driving isolation stand mounted powered near field monitor speakers.

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Offline Scooter123

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Re: Good Headphones for what we do?
« Reply #14 on: April 19, 2015, 09:07:16 PM »
Among Sound Engineers, the go to headphone is the Sony MDR-7506. 

I say that because at two of my local sound companies, I asked the repair techs what is the most popular headphone, and that was their answer.  Now granted, if its being repaired 3x more than any other model or brand that means two things--(1) They break; and (2) Its worth for the user to actually spend the bread to repair the unit, rather than toss it. 

I have two pairs by the way, and love it. 
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