cheapest best headphone for mixing?

[parapentep70]

Superlux HD-681 without a competition, I don't think you will find better headphones for x5 the price, I have Sennheiser HD-201 too and they are like NS10, there's no bass, mids are attenuated boosted so harsh stuff is in your face, so they aren't linear at all, but if you learn them you can benefit from them, but they are really no match to Superlux which are really great all around cans with nice bass extension and they translate great.

Exactly!!! I was mixing with a pair of Roland inexpensive headphones and I am VERY happy that they broke accidentally and I tried open headphones for mixing. Much better than many competitors at 5x or 10x the price. Comfortable and very flat response (key). Good for instrument positioning (open). Of course at this price they are not very low distortion or have extra features. The only models this flat with lower distortion are VERY expensive. If you indulge on response flatness, then you have some choice in the range 2x....10x higher price.

[parapentep70]

Response for a similarly priced Superlux (some that looks identical but with a detachable cord) is poorer. I looked for the older model and cannot be happier.

This information https://www.rtings.com/headphones/revie ... lux/hd-681 helped me to make the decision. For me the alternative was the AKG K240 MKII (the similar aesthetics are pure coincidence). The new Superlux model (681 EVO) is newer and has a detachable cord... but according to measurements and comments, sound is poorer. Yesterday I did not have this information at hand.

[flugel45]

Bottom line, people here are just going to give you their fave headphones (just as they do with fave DAW and fave audio interfaces).

In truth, none of the budget models will be neutral/flat. So, what people are really saying is, find a decent pair in your budget and learn how they translate to the real world. This is the general rule for monitors as well.

Personally, I'd spend at least $100 retail. Whether it's the Sony mdr7506 (love 'em) or ATHm50x (also great) or model XYZ, decide on a pair and learn how they sound.

[3ee]

I have experience with a few... not sure why people are recommending some models at least... of Superlux and Samson, they are harhy and very, very brittle! ... the highs are very boosted and fake, brittle like metallic shards, I guess they have a fair bit of 'detail' but it doesn't seem controlled at all.

IIRC, these are the models that I can't recommend:
https://www.thomann.de/ro/superlux_hd681.htm
https://www.thomann.de/ro/superlux_hd_669.htm

I currently use Senheiser HD-600 and Beyerdynamic DT-1990 Pro and looking to upgrade the later to probably Focal Clear, Audeze LCD-X or HEDDphone

I had AKG K-612 Pro for a few years and listened to the K-240 MKII quite a few times, I can recommend both, the 612 si a bit more detailed and has a better freq range/response but both will do..

From looking at Thomann for example, here's what interesting to me for 'budget headphones' , some I've tried, some not!

https://www.thomann.de/ro/akg_k240_mkii.htm
https://www.thomann.de/ro/sony_mdr7506_kopfhoerer.htm
https://www.thomann.de/ro/akg_k_612_pro.htm
https://www.thomann.de/ro/audio_technica_ath_m50_x.htm
https://www.thomann.de/ro/beyerdynamic_ ... dition.htm

[anomandaris1]

3ee, the last thing you want in the world is "flat" headphones. The guys from Harman (JBL, AKG) have articles on that. Not like any of the models you mention are anywhere near "flatness" - except Focal Clear pro.
And you won't "upgrade" from Beyerd 1990 pro, these are one of the best atm (unless you are really after "linear measurements", which will sound always weak in the bass, but it's too long to explain why - there are good articles on that, I think guys from Shure had several blog posts exactly on this topic)

[Passing Bye]

If one can't get great results using Superlux, there's no cans in the world that will help there.

[3ee]

3ee, the last thing you want in the world is "flat" headphones. The guys from Harman (JBL, AKG) have articles on that. Not like any of the models you mention are anywhere near "flatness" - except Focal Clear pro.
And you won't "upgrade" from Beyerd 1990 pro, these are one of the best atm (unless you are really after "linear measurements", which will sound always weak in the bass, but it's too long to explain why - there are good articles on that, I think guys from Shure had several blog posts exactly on this topic)

Not sure why you had the assumption that I don't check for a Harman target compensated response graph (about 3 dB bass boost)

.. So are you saying that Focal is near flatness thus weak in the bass thus near the last thing I would want? Have you listened to them?

The DT-1990 are cool although I use an accurate eq correction that I've made, I can't use nor recommend them without eq, I find them way too bright... for my upgrade I expect more detail and speed, better dynamics and finer freq response..

Anyway, it's about preference in the end, you just have to try a pair.. and then decide if it's good or not for yourself and your application..

[SparkySpark]

Great thread!

It's not really whether the cans sound too bright or too low-end: it's about how they translate.

For me, I like my AKG 712 PRO the best, but they are expensive and I still think they lack a little bass.

My Sony 7506's may sound a tad bright, but the mixes I make with them are spot on when played on other systems. Note that they need a week to burn in - they're really harsh on day 1.

The AKG 240II's are nice and all, and look great, but where's the bass?! I lost mine, and am not sad about it.

The Superlux HD681 sit on my desk now. I don't fully appreciate their sound honestly, they feel sort of hollow in the treble region, but they translate well, and they are the only really cheap headphones on this list.

So: when possible, I create music on monitors or on my 712's, then check the mixes with the 7506's (or monitors). At the moment, I'm away from those cans, so I use the 681's and they work well, so that would be my obvious choice in this thread. Note that the 681's come in different EQ configurations.

Also to keep in mind: closed, semi-open or open phones? I prefer open or semi-open, but my mixing environment is quiet, so for me sound leaking in is not a problem.

(I have yet to try the Samsons and the EVO's. The 50x's are WAY too bassy for mixing duties, in my opinion. Note that too much bass during mixing gives mixes that LACK in bass.)

[Passing Bye]

It's not really whether the cans sound too bright or too low-end: it's about how they translate.

Spot on!

[Daniela-Th]

Audio Technica ATH-M50x.
Audio Technica ATH-AD900X

[vercitti]

Thank you all , really appreciate all replies it helped me choose the Superlux HD-681
Have a great day you all

[vercitti]

https://ibb.co/p3CyMS4
are you kidding me guys?
+DB at the high treble boosted ?
how can you work with something like this ?

[Bulbizarre]

I have the HD600 and they are just so perfectly holding on your head, the frequency response is very balanced and they just sound great and enjoyable in general, at a very reasonable price.

[SparkySpark]

I'd like to add that at least for me, Waves' new Abbey Road Studio 3 makes life much easier when listening on headphones. Bought it on the intro sale at 50 dollars, not sure if it's regular price now, as their summer sale is over. When shopping for headphones, it could be good to see if they are on Waves' list.

Here's a huge discussion on this plugin. https://www.gearslutz.com/board/product ... in-11.html

[Passing Bye]

https://ibb.co/p3CyMS4
are you kidding me guys?
+DB at the high treble boosted ?
how can you work with something like this ?

With our ears, look at SparkySpark's post 4 post's up, let that sink in for a moment, than stop looking at graphs and use your ears, I mean you can always go mad with Morphit, Sonarworks and all that, but I don't see the purpose, just get to know and appreciate them for what they bring on the table.