What Reference Headphones do you recommend?

[DuX]

Read the last "review" on Amazon of AKG K702s... what a loony.

The headphones are great, though. I've heard 701s. A bit too "hi-fi" for my taste, though.

I think that pretty much everybody can't go wrong with better AKG/Sennheiser/Beyerdynamic models when it comes to headphones, and pretty much get away with using the preamp of your RME/TC/Focusrite/UA/Motu etc.

[A1AWI]

Sennheiser HD 650 seems like a good choice, But can I get good results from it without Headphone Amp? My Audio Interface is M-Audio Fast Track Pro. and How much is the quality difference in using it without Amps rather than with Amps?

Thanks for all the Answers.

Edit: What kind of Amp do you think will be better than my Audio Interface Preamp? and works good with HD650 or K702 as well.

[DuX]

Not so significant that you should sacrifice one SPDIF out, and spend 500$ to buy a separate headphone amp, A1AWI.

I'm sure you could better use 500$ for something more important, like a better mic? Better monitors? Acoustics? Food? Better audio card?

Gosh this picture of Amir Vinci in the lower right is so annoying. He reminds me of Tommy Lee Jones so much.

Cheers!

[cryophonik]

I think that pretty much everybody can't go wrong with better AKG/Sennheiser/Beyerdynamic models when it comes to headphones, and pretty much get away with using the preamp of your RME/TC/Focusrite/UA/Motu etc.

Depends on which headphones you're talking about and what their impedance is. I haven't found a soundcard yet that can adequately push my 600-ohm DT880s. My MOTU 828mkII headphone out will push my AKG K240s (55 ohms) and Sennheiser HD280s (64 ohms) OK, but my headphone amp has far more juice and pushes all of my cans much easier and with more clarity.

[A1AWI]

Not so significant that you should sacrifice one SPDIF out and 500$ to buy a separate headphone amp, A1AWI.

I'm sure you could better use 500$ for something more important, like a better mic? Better monitors? Acoustics? Food?

I'd go with Monitors, But the problem is I can't use them anytime, Specially in the near future that I'll be serving in the Military and deployed overseas.

Edit: I also need to mention that I'm not producing Music, I'm just learning, But it's totally serious for me.

[A1AWI]

Hmm, why? Believe me, sitting more than 3 hours with headphones will change your point bout that.

I agree, I used Headphones (Like the ones in Local Stores) that after 4-5 Hours, I couldn't touch my Ears because of the Pain... But I'm willing to sacrifice for Quality, I don't want to pay extra for comfort.

Depends on which headphones you're talking about and what their impedance is. I haven't found a soundcard yet that can adequately push my 600-ohm DT880s. My MOTU 828mkII headphone out will push my AKG K240s (55 ohms) and Sennheiser HD280s (64 ohms) OK, but my headphone amp has far more juice and pushes all of my cans much easier and with more clarity.

I read my M-Audio soundcard specs, It says it's Impedance reaches 600 Ohm. So I don't think it would have much difference in Quality than a mid-priced Amp. I guess buying Amps would only improve quality significantly if I buy a 1000$ priced Amp, right?

[musikmachine]

Check out the NwAvGuy, he designed an amp that's meant to be really high quality but for a lot less than a typical boutique amp and he designed it to prove that you don't need to spend a 1k to get something decent.@ DuX YMMV but i'm only talking from my own experience, i've used the HD600s with 4-5 different interfaces and everything sounds better with the amp.

They're usable with the interface, don't get me wrong but you won't get the definition or clarity that amp capable of driving them will add, when you get them go and audition a few; let your own ears decide.

I read some good reviews of the amp i got so i decided to test the waters and it does make a significant difference so i will get something better but the HA3D seems to do the job ftm.

[tomtoo]

But I'm willing to sacrifice for Quality, I don't want to pay extra for comfort.

Your pricerange is high enough. Go for comfort.
Try akg/sennheiser/beyer..what ever you want.
But go for comfort.
I make a bet if you dont you will regret it.

[Mogular]

I have had my AKG K701s for about 5 years now and I trust them like I trust my ears. They are not hyped or overdone in any of the frequencies and because they are around the ear (not on it) they are exceptionally comfortable (I wear mine for up to 10hours a day).
I think the key thing for mixing is that you need open-backed headphones. You cannot get the same audio response with closed-back (ie what you would use for tracking and are trying to avoid spill into microphones) headphones for mixing.
I have compared them to the Beyerdynamic DT660s and found the 660s sound really boxy and cramped compared to the openness of the K701s.
Unfortunately I have had no opportunity to compare them with anything else.

[fisherKing]

i love the AKG 701's, but find myself working a lot with...earbuds (in my case, the westone UM2's). i'll check mixes on the AKG's, and my monitors, but am surprised to find everything i do on the earbuds translates well (apartment in NY, and i like to mix late-night...)

[james0tucson]

People who give unequivocal recommendations for AKG, are probably speaking from experience with Austrian-made headphones and not the newer Chinese ones.

[Nightpolymath]

I use the AKG-701 as well. Flat response, though a bit on the bright side unlike my HD-600s. I also use a pair of ER-4S for mixing. These are brutally revealing, assuming one can get a good seal.

[cryophonik]

People who give unequivocal recommendations for AKG, are probably speaking from experience with Austrian-made headphones and not the newer Chinese ones.

I thought that only the cheaper AKG headphones (e.g., my K240 Studio) are now made in China. AFAIK, the higher end models (e.g., K702) are still made in Austria (they still have the "Made in Austria" label on the earcups).

[digitalboytn]

I have many different sets of the headphones in my studios..

The AKG K702's are the "reference" headphones...

But included in the collection are AKG K240's,K270's (w dual capsules) K301's, Sennheiser HD280's and a few other bits and pieces including Yamaha HP1's...

Many headphones these days are designed for user's who want a sensual listening experience,but they may not always be the most accurate reference..

I love the sound of the AKG K702's with a good headphone amp...

They are very balanced in terms of the frequency response,they are extremely detailed and the soundstage is wonderful....

It's a pleasure to listen to well recorded music through the K702's

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

Sennheiser HD 650 seems like a good choice

not if you are gonna be around other people...'open' cans ca be a real problem for others in your vicinity as they have next to zero isolation...they alo leak sound in

impedance is also quite high at 300ohms....just because the m-audio can drive to 600 it is no indication of sound quality....

it also means that you can't just plug them into an mp3 player for instance...maybe not important to you, but if i'm spending that kinda moola on headphones, and away from home, i'mma want them a bit more multi-purpose