Mixing Headphones

[lunardigs]

I've been using a pair of Shure SRH1840s for the past few years and I think they're excellent. You can definitely mix with these. Chiefly, they're not hyped sounding, at all. In fact, they're probably the least deceiving headphones I've ever used.
On the aesthetic side, they're very modest looking. They're lightweight and comfortable too. I definitely like them. If I broke or lost them, I'd get another pair for sure.

[Mikey Dikey]

Honestly, I as a listener don't feel the difference. The only different I can notice is MY headphones. I've tried a lot but I've stopped on Apple one. I think they give clear sound and it's more convenient for me to have wireless headphones. Yes, they are not professional, but this is the one that suits my ear.

[fcamp]

My experience has been the following. First, I got the AKG K240mkii. They are semiopen and in my opinion, they sound too warm. The result was that my mixes didn't traslate when listening in other systems. I mean, a huge difference. I tried the Sonarworks plugin and the Toneboosters, but then I didn't know what I should trust, the plugin or the headphones. What is more, being semiopen, as I mix at home (hobbyist here, should have said that first), I have fried my ears increasing the volume to compensate the external noise.
So, recently, I bought the Audio Technica ATH M50x, following the recommendation of a spanish producer I like. After some time to get used to their sound, all I can say is that the mixes now traslate very very well when listening with other systems, and I can mix at HALF the volume as they are closed. I don't need Sonarworks or any other plugins to compensate the sound of the headphones. Money well spent.

[an-electric-heart]

Anyone use Sonarworks Reference Headphone edition? I'm demoing it now, I use DT 990 pros, and it's doing good things, and I nearly bought it when it was on sale last week... but then I was like "Wait a minute, I'll be paying all that money for what is essentially an E.Q preset to chuck on the master". I can see how the studio version is a bit more complicated, but the headphone edition could be a little more reasonably priced... in my opinion. So yeah, anyone using it?

[christian f.]

"I'll be paying all that money for what is essentially an E.Q preset to chuck on the master"

I've tried it with my DT 1990 and I don't think it's good at all.
I think the essence is to just learn your headphones just like you would with your monitors/room.

[fese]

Anyone use Sonarworks Reference Headphone edition? I'm demoing it now, I use DT 990 pros, and it's doing good things, and I nearly bought it when it was on sale last week... but then I was like "Wait a minute, I'll be paying all that money for what is essentially an E.Q preset to chuck on the master". I can see how the studio version is a bit more complicated, but the headphone edition could be a little more reasonably priced... in my opinion. So yeah, anyone using it?

I use it with my Beyer 880 and 770 and I like it, removed some of the hi end in the 880s and low end in the 770 which I had problems with. I got the whole studio bundle on Black Friday for a good price. Wouldn’t buy the standalone headphone edition as TB Morphit is a great and cheaper alternative.

[an-electric-heart]

Yeah, that's it; just get accustomed to your room. I'm guessing very few of us have ideal rooms, so I always mix with analyzers on the master channel, so I can "see" problems, even if I can't necessarily "hear" them. It always used to be the T Racks metering suite, but now I also use Izotope's Tonal Balance plug as well, it's revolutionized things as far as mastering my own music.

[an-electric-heart]

I'm trying TB Morphit, and their profile for my headphones is pretty much the opposite of that of Sonarworks... I must be doing something wrong.


Edit: Actually, I think I'm just reading it wrong. One is showing the reading of the headphone response. And one is showing the compensation curve... still, they both reckon different things for the same model of headphones, and Sonarworks sounds better.

[mabian]

I'm trying TB Morphit, and their profile for my headphones is pretty much the opposite of that of Sonarworks... I must be doing something wrong.


Edit: Actually, I think I'm just reading it wrong. One is showing the reading of the headphone response. And one is showing the compensation curve... still, they both reckon different things for the same model of headphones, and Sonarworks sounds better.

Hello, what does "better" mean in this regard? What is the criteria on which you say it's better?
Yamaha NS-10 for sure don't sound good, but they sound true, and this is one of the main reasons why they are so popular...

- Mario

[an-electric-heart]

I'm trying TB Morphit, and their profile for my headphones is pretty much the opposite of that of Sonarworks... I must be doing something wrong.


Edit: Actually, I think I'm just reading it wrong. One is showing the reading of the headphone response. And one is showing the compensation curve... still, they both reckon different things for the same model of headphones, and Sonarworks sounds better.

Hello, what does "better" mean in this regard? What is the criteria on which you say it's better?
Yamaha NS-10 for sure don't sound good, but they sound true, and this is one of the main reasons why they are so popular...

- Mario

Haha, yes you're right actually. I think I mean the Sonarworks sound clearer... but yes, whether or not that's helping me mix better... probably not.

[lunardigs]

Also, of course, a decent headphone amp makes a big difference here. I'm really fond of this one lately: http://www.aphex.com/products/headpod-4 The Aphex Headpod 4.

The difference is pretty evident too when you A/B various amps. For instance, my MixWizard headphone amp, which expects professional/hi-z phones is quite good sounding. Yet, you'd think twice when compared to the above.
Meanwhile, my FiiO DAP is leagues above my Asus laptop and so on.

In an opposite fashion, you can get a sense of what impedance means if you have a mic-pre with a switchable Z. With lower impedance setting, a given mic can become more transparent and smooth sounding (less in-your-face). With higher impedance settings, you get a punchiness and thickness to the sound.

Ideally, for both of the above, you'd want to match impedances--some would say otherwise, but this is conventional wisdom. Generally speaking, you'd mate phones and a like amp (pro/pro grade, hi-z/hi-z, etc.).

[edthesoundman]

For $150 I'd personally go for the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pros. I love my AKG K240 headphones, and right now you can buy a set for $70. I'm sure the MKII version is excellent, but I don't know that it's worth twice the price. The $70 version was $100 forever, and only recently went down in price. The 990s are excellent though. Be careful when you hear words like, "by far the best, hands down better than anything else," etc. Those types of statements are a good indicator of someone you don't want to listen to. Good luck!

[AdvancedFollower]

Is there a big difference between lower-end IEM's like the Shure SE215's and high-end ones like the SE846 (or equivalents from other brands) in terms of flatness and accuracy? From what I understand, the more expensive IEM's are more "fun" in terms of bass response etc., but are they necessarily better for mixing? Could high-end IEM's be comparable to mid-range headphones at least?

I know mixing on IEM's isn't ideal, but due to living in a small apartment without a dedicated studio room, I sometimes use them in combination with ear-muffs when noises like the TV etc. get too distracting. I always do the final mixing on my DT880's and monitor speakers during quiet times, though.

[Spring Goose]

Anyone use Sonarworks Reference Headphone edition? I'm demoing it now, I use DT 990 pros, and it's doing good things, and I nearly bought it when it was on sale last week... but then I was like "Wait a minute, I'll be paying all that money for what is essentially an E.Q preset to chuck on the master". I can see how the studio version is a bit more complicated, but the headphone edition could be a little more reasonably priced... in my opinion. So yeah, anyone using it?

I have DT1990s, and then last week, after some problems with the Sonarworks demo, i bought Reference Headphones in the sale. What i can say is: the sound with Reference on is VERY different than off. So far i think it is making a difference of my mixing. However i was going a bit wrong with my mixing. Actually Sonarworks Reference was recommended to me toward the solution to my mixing going wrong. I trust the person (Recursive One) who recommended Reference because he does have a good quality of mixing. Personally i thought the price of Reference Headphones quite reasonable. I can't offer you before and after examples of my mixing because at the same time when i got Sonarworks Reference i made quite a few other changes to my mixing. (i really was going very wrong!)

[Spring Goose]

Also, of course, a decent headphone amp makes a big difference here. I'm really fond of this one lately: http://www.aphex.com/products/headpod-4 The Aphex Headpod 4.

The difference is pretty evident too when you A/B various amps. For instance, my MixWizard headphone amp, which expects professional/hi-z phones is quite good sounding. Yet, you'd think twice when compared to the above.
Meanwhile, my FiiO DAP is leagues above my Asus laptop and so on.

In an opposite fashion, you can get a sense of what impedance means if you have a mic-pre with a switchable Z. With lower impedance setting, a given mic can become more transparent and smooth sounding (less in-your-face). With higher impedance settings, you get a punchiness and thickness to the sound.

Ideally, for both of the above, you'd want to match impedances--some would say otherwise, but this is conventional wisdom. Generally speaking, you'd mate phones and a like amp (pro/pro grade, hi-z/hi-z, etc.).

I have DT1990s. So you're saying that i'd be better off with a headphone amp then?, cos i'm using Focusrite Scarlett (i thought with no problems) but i had heard "you might need to get a headphone amp for with the 1990s because they are low in volume".

TBH i haven't noticed they are low in volume with the Scarlett.