Headphones

[emdlover100]

i am new and sorry if i'm doing something wrong(for my english too).i'm looking for headphones for music production under 100$.maybe some advice?....thanks))

[Spiritos]

There are many threads about this but I understand the burning question and need for personal advice. I haven't been a member of KVR so long so I don't feel tired by this question that pops up every week or so (as maybe some people are) so here goes:

First of all you need to decide where you want to use your headhones for.
For tracking (playing a live instrument) or mixing.

For the first you would need closed headphones as you don't want any sound leakage. For the latter option open headphones are preferred since you get a better stereo image of the sound. You also might consider buying cans with a high impendance for this but you would probably need an audio interface/preamp to do those cans justice.

In general it is adviced not to mix on headphones but some people just don't have the money for monitors or actually prefer mixing on headphones so it can be done but you would need to learn them very very well to compensate for lacking bass and such. Additionaly you can use Focusrite VRM Box (going rate $60 dollars on ebay for used ones) or some plugins like Isone or 112db Redline Monitor to emulate monitors in different environments.

Under $100 dollars you won't find any top quality headphones if you buy them new but if you're just starting out it, it probably won't matter as you can upgrade later on.

Here's a list of suggestions:
http://www.squidoo.com/best-headphones-under-100
Technica, Grado, Senheiser and Beyerdynamics are solid brands. Stay away from Beats and flashy hip headphones as they will colour the sound even more.

You could look for bargains, sales or maybe even second hand ones although you could be taking a risk with the latter. Best thing would be to listen to some of them. If possible, go to a store with some CD's you know really well and listen to them.

If you want to mix on them you need the most 'flattest' sound you can find or in other words, probably the most ugly sounding as they reveal the flaws in your mix.
Then again it would take a good set of ears to hear this as most headphones will probably sound good (at least more than with monitors).

Also keep in mind where you want to use them. Again, open headphones are great for mixing but if you use them in a public place you'll probably get a lot of angry looks If you want to DJ you obviously need closed cans and you might want to be able to fold them up.

These are some general words of advice. Hope it helps.

[dsan@mail.com]

Great advice given Spiritos!

emdlover could also look at Sony Professional MDR-7506. Great cans for at or under his price range.

Shure SRH440 is also worth looking into. Around $90 on amazon.

Oh, and emdlover100 - only thing you may be doing wrong is getting into this money pit of a hobby!

Welcome to the forum.

Happy Musiking!
dsan

[emdlover100]

Many,many thanks guys for reply. .its my hobby,i'm "making" some emd sounds on ableton when i have 1-2 hours and i need to hear some low frequency sounds.


i'm thinking between Sennheiser HD-280 PRO,Sennheiser HD203,Sennheiser HD 205-II,Sony MDR7506,Sony MDR-V6...........



so thanks for much guys

[CamF]

I have a pair of Allen and Heath XZones, I think they're great for producing but they aren't the highest of build quality. They're very plasticy and make a horrible noise when adjusting each leg, great sound quality from them though!

[EnGee]

I have the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro. They are closed and have a very good sound, but they are not very comfortable after 1-2 hours especially if you don't have small ears!
The bass is OK for a headphone, I can hear/feel the low frequencies and I'm using the free Beyerdynamic's virtual-studio with it (but I'm planning to buy monitors soon).
They have sounded better after one month of burning in.

[V0RT3X]

AKG K712 PRO
Price: $499.00
Headphone type open
Audio Frequency bandwidth : 10 to 39800 Hz
Sensitivity headphones : 105 dB SPL/V
Max. Input Power : 200 mW
Rated Impedance : 62 Ohms
Detachable cable : yes
Cable Length : 3 m
Earpads Replaceable : yes


-> Made in Vienna, Austria hand-crafted with the highest attention to detail
-> Over-ear design maximum wearing comfort for long work sessions
-> Sophisticated open technology for spacious and airy sound without compromise
-> Improved low-end performance by 3dB for more powerful sound imaging
-> Revolutionary flat wire voice coil for incredible impulse and treble response

http://www.amazon.com/K712-Over-Ear-Ref ... B00E4WXWBE


For anyone who thinks the K702 are probably better for less..

This was taken from the Head-Fi forums.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/670990/akg-k70 ... s-akg-k712

"Often it's the attention to details and extras that make an already good product even better. It's not a secret that the K712Pro is based on our successful model the K702. Construction and acoustics of the K702 have been the base of operations. Notwithstanding we managed to launch a slightly improved capsule with the K712Pro. The driver is boasting even less tolerances and in combination with improved acoustic materials a better low end performance than the K702 is achieved. The K702 anniversary was acoustically already a step in this direction. But this was an anniversary product only available in a strictly limited quantity, with only few products left in the market."


They are a bit expensive.. but they are very good!

[V0RT3X]

This might also be of interest to people.

http://www.focal.com/en/225-headphones

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SpiritPro/

[emdlover100]

Guys what do you think Sennheiser HD-280 PRO or Sony MDR-V6?

[Spiritos]

This might also be of interest to people.

http://www.focal.com/en/225-headphones

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SpiritPro/

Interesting read. Had never heard or seen any of these before. A little out of my (and the OP's) pricerange though

[scottishraver]

Could someone explain the difference between ohm of the same model of headphones , iv been looking at a few of the beyerdynamic dt ranges - they have choices of ohm , my ur22 has headphone out of 40 ohm, apart from perhaps needing an amp , is their a difference in quality between the same model with different ohm ?

[Spiritos]

Could someone explain the difference between ohm of the same model of headphones , iv been looking at a few of the beyerdynamic dt ranges - they have choices of ohm , my ur22 has headphone out of 40 ohm, apart from perhaps needing an amp , is their a difference in quality between the same model with different ohm ?

I have the DT-990 250 Ohm and although it sounds loud enough for me I am looking at DAC's or a pre-amp to boost it up. Not that I need it, but I just want to hear the full potential.

Higher impendance means more turns for wire to be used in the coil of the driver.
This can result in better overall sound plus these kind of headphones need less current to drive so you'll generally have less distortion (also from the amp). Furthermore they're more likely to be immune to differences in output from different sources or longer cables. High impendance cans are really for production and not so much for on the go..

[rod_zero]

I like Sennheiser HD280, confortable and good sound. Check them out if you can (headphones and monitors are things you have to try at a store)

[OzWozEre]

I have the DT-880 250 Ohm that you can pick up for about $200 now (I think I paid near $300 at the time)

I love them but I don't have much headphone experience other than buying ones in the $200-300 range based on online reviews and brand

These have an "open can" so don't expect to be able to listen to tracks silently with these on your head -- they will fill the room with sound!

[BertKoor]

its my hobby,i'm "making" some emd sounds on ableton

I know what EDM is, but what's this EMD you're talking about?
Since it's in your nickname, I suppose that's not a typo. Or is it?