Headphone Recommendations Please

[bleeeeep]

Hi, I've noticed that when I'm using my Sennheiser HD25 II for music production, I'm missing a lot of detail in the low end; so I've been going a bit mad trying to find a pair of studio headphones to buy as an upgrade,

I thought I'd hit up the source of some great samples packs I've found in the past - KVRaudio Forum. Please help me!

My situation:

Trying to make House Music

Looking for mid range headphones that have good bass detail (I have no studio monitors)

I've been looking at the Sennheiser 600 range and it seems that everyone is saying the 650s are the best, but have poor bass detail. Is there anything better at around this price point? (or cheaper)

Thanks!

[lfm]

HD650 translate very well to monitors and other devices.
- they don't boost low end like hifi stuff do
- I don't find it has less detail in low end

But you might need to look at decent headphone amps to it. Normal phones out on interfaces are usually not good enough. If somebody find low end less detail, could be why they just use regular phones out.

I made that mistake with BeyerDynamic DT880 once before I understood why they did not sound even decent. It's not all about volume, it's also about driving full frequency range not only 1 kHz where impedance is measured.

I use Pro-Ject Headbox S with my HD650. Driven by 18V it can handle that impedance.

If you calibrate ears to reference music often as you mix, you might be able to learn how your current ones are to sound when mix is good enough. Best and cheapest way, I think, if on a budget.

[h66]

Superlux HD 681

[cryophonik]

But you might need to look at decent headphone amps to it. Normal phones out on interfaces are usually not good enough. If somebody find low end less detail, could be why they just use regular phones out.

This can’t be stressed enough. Before (or while) you decide on pro/semi-pro headphones, be sure you have an adequate amp to drive them. If you underpower your headphones with an inadequate amp, like those found on many cheaper interfaces, you won’t realize the full benefit of them. I also found this out the hard way, i.e., buying a pair of BD DT880s and trying to power them with the useless headphone output on my old MOTU interface. Once I upgraded to a dedicated Drawmer monitor system with two high impedance headphone outputs, the difference was night and day - like going from an AM radio to a theatre sound system.

[Jac459]

But you might need to look at decent headphone amps to it. Normal phones out on interfaces are usually not good enough. If somebody find low end less detail, could be why they just use regular phones out.

This can’t be stressed enough. Before (or while) you decide on pro/semi-pro headphones, be sure you have an adequate amp to drive them. If you underpower your headphones with an inadequate amp, like those found on many cheaper interfaces, you won’t realize the full benefit of them. I also found this out the hard way, i.e., buying a pair of BD DT880s and trying to power them with the useless headphone output on my old MOTU interface. Once I upgraded to a dedicated Drawmer monitor system with two high impedance headphone outputs, the difference was night and day - like going from an AM radio to a theatre sound system.

That's why the easiness to drive is very important. I am using the focal elegia that are supposed to be the easiest headphones to drive in the focal range. Just plugged-in to a FIIO DAC,I get a very good reproduction on all the range.

[FranklyFlawless]

I've been looking at the Sennheiser 600 range and it seems that everyone is saying the 650s are the best, but have poor bass detail. Is there anything better at around this price point? (or cheaper)

Thanks!

Consider the Shure SRH1840 or the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro, both of which are open-back, or their closed-back equivalents, the Shure SRH1540 or the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro.

[poonna]

Seeing as you have no studio monitors, perhaps Slate Audio VSX might be a good purchase.

[rod_zero]

Seeing as you have no studio monitors, perhaps Slate Audio VSX might be a good purchase.

This, best option to achieve proper monitoring in your home studio, also affordable given other monitoring options.

[lotus2035]

Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro

I switched from a pair of 'AKG K240 Studio' to these and the difference in the low end was substantial.

[morelia]

Seeing as you have no studio monitors, perhaps Slate Audio VSX might be a good purchase.

This, best option to achieve proper monitoring in your home studio, also affordable given other monitoring options.

Have to agree with that. After battling rooms and trying mix on headphones in less than studio settings this is this best option I've personally found after a lot of searching.

[cryophonik]

I recall reading that those Slate Audio headphones fall apart. Is that still the case?

[rod_zero]

I recall reading that those Slate Audio headphones fall apart. Is that still the case?

AFAIK it was the first generation, and they also replaced the defective units.

[Opaque]

I'm also working primarily with headphones. I've used ATHm50, which are somewhat hyped but very good, and have recently bought Austrian Audio hi-x60 which I'm happy with. I tested them along with Beyerdynamic dt700 pro x, which seemed to me to have more pronounced (low) midrange, which I was not a fan of. I've also read good things about shure 1540 and neumann ndh20, although these are supposedly a bit more pronounced in the low end.

The most important thing is to try them out, as the sound can be impacted a lot by how they fit on your head I think. Also, because you can find opinions that are completely contradictory, e.g. stating for the same headphones that they have too much bass and no bass at all.

[bmanic]

I recall reading that those Slate Audio headphones fall apart. Is that still the case?

No. They completely redid the headband that used to crack. They even changed manufacturer because Steven got so pissed off about the bad quality. Now every VSX headphone has a proper metal headband.

What's cool though is that they have been replacing the broken headphones 100% for free (even paying the shipping) without any questions asked. By far the best customer support ever in this whole audio industry.

[bmanic]

Hi, I've noticed that when I'm using my Sennheiser HD25 II for music production, I'm missing a lot of detail in the low end; so I've been going a bit mad trying to find a pair of studio headphones to buy as an upgrade,

I thought I'd hit up the source of some great samples packs I've found in the past - KVRaudio Forum. Please help me!

My situation:

Trying to make House Music

Looking for mid range headphones that have good bass detail (I have no studio monitors)

I've been looking at the Sennheiser 600 range and it seems that everyone is saying the 650s are the best, but have poor bass detail. Is there anything better at around this price point? (or cheaper)

Thanks!

Slate VSX headphones are the real deal. There is simply nothing even remotely close to this solution in terms of value and performance (= mix translation to the real world). Heck even the headphones by themselves, without the software, are pretty damn good but the real magic comes when you combine it with the software.

You can start out with the cheaper edition but for most people it's recommended to jump straight into the full platinum bundle because you get so much value out of all the additional room emulations.. but if you mainly intend to use them as normal headphones then the cheapest edition is well worth the money alone. Think of it as a custom pair of Sonarworks calibrated headphones.. but much better.