Looking for some good affordable Studio Monitor Headphones / Speakers
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BrainBeatMusic BrainBeatMusic https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=561105
- KVRist
- 202 posts since 19 Apr, 2022
I am not sure if this or the hardware section is best for this question. I tried searching but couldn't immediatly find much discussion of audio monitoring hardware.
Anyway I do already have some ok Logitech speakers and some cheap Sennheiser headphones already neither seem to be giving me a reliable bass response when mixing my audio as about every track I post here I seem to get at least one comment that the bass and bass drum are too soft. So I am thinking if I got something that with a flatter response I hope I can improve my mixes. While I would love a really good pair of either I at this stage would not want to spend more than $200 max.
If anyone has some good suggestions or can point me to a good place to do some research on here or another website?
Anyway I do already have some ok Logitech speakers and some cheap Sennheiser headphones already neither seem to be giving me a reliable bass response when mixing my audio as about every track I post here I seem to get at least one comment that the bass and bass drum are too soft. So I am thinking if I got something that with a flatter response I hope I can improve my mixes. While I would love a really good pair of either I at this stage would not want to spend more than $200 max.
If anyone has some good suggestions or can point me to a good place to do some research on here or another website?
- Beware the Quoth
- 35529 posts since 4 Sep, 2001 from R'lyeh Oceanic Amusement Park and Funfair
Dont own them, but Sound On Sound were very impressed by the new Rode NTH-100 headphones...
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/rode-nth-100
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/rode-nth-100
An idiot on Set Theory:
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
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BrainBeatMusic BrainBeatMusic https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=561105
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 202 posts since 19 Apr, 2022
Thanks for the suggestion they look like a good contender for sure and as an Australian, it would be cool to be able to buy a locally made product. The only downside is they are on the upper end of my budget.whyterabbyt wrote: Thu Jul 21, 2022 12:36 pm Dont own them, but Sound On Sound were very impressed by the new Rode NTH-100 headphones...
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/rode-nth-100
Rtings.com seems to not love them as much however so will need to do a lot more research. https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/rode/nth-100
- KVRian
- 1189 posts since 21 Aug, 2017 from Brasil
What you need is a neutral sound and if you're going to wear it for a
long time, it better be comfortable!
Well, the Philips SHP9500(Open-Back) is one of the most conformable
weight = 0.65 lbs and clamping force = 0.7 lbs
Very neutral and costs USA $75 https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S ... B00ENMK1DW
Or AU $103.98 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32987486985.html
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/revie ... ps/shp9500

long time, it better be comfortable!
Well, the Philips SHP9500(Open-Back) is one of the most conformable
weight = 0.65 lbs and clamping force = 0.7 lbs
Very neutral and costs USA $75 https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S ... B00ENMK1DW
Or AU $103.98 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32987486985.html
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/revie ... ps/shp9500

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BrainBeatMusic BrainBeatMusic https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=561105
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 202 posts since 19 Apr, 2022
Thanks for the suggestion they do look worth researching further. Amazon Australia has them for $105 which for sure seems great value for a decent set.Pictus wrote: Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:55 pm What you need is a neutral sound and if you're going to wear it for a
long time, it better be comfortable!
Well, the Philips SHP9500(Open-Back) is one of the most conformable
weight = 0.65 lbs and clamping force = 0.7 lbs
Very neutral and costs USA $75 https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S ... B00ENMK1DW
Or AU $103.98 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32987486985.html
- KVRAF
- 2383 posts since 23 Sep, 2004 from Kocmoc
AKG K712 Pro
Soft Knees - Live 12, Diva, Omnisphere, Slate Digital VSX, TDR, Kush Audio, U-He, PA, Valhalla, Fuse, Pulsar AUDIO, NI, OekSound etc. on Win11Pro R7950X & RME AiO Pro
https://www.youtube.com/@softknees/videos Music & Demoscene
https://www.youtube.com/@softknees/videos Music & Demoscene
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- Banned
- 158 posts since 12 Dec, 2021 from Nürburg, Germany
I have been completely fine using JBL Tune 660NC with the cable connection, and have now switched to JBL T160 that cost 15€
Recommendations are nice, but it doesn't really matter what you use. Whichever headphones or speakers you buy will have to be 'learned' before creating anything, so that you know what they sound like.
My advice would be to buy something that sounds good when you listen to music. It has to sound good to YOU - a forum won't help much regarding personal taste
There is a clever guy on here called Bones that could clarify my point in more detail if you drop him a message
p.s. if anybody in Germany wants my Alesis Monitor One MKII speakers i'm going back to my JBL soundbar because acoustically it is perfect for monitoring my basic computer noise. it's used often for Documentaries, Movies, Music and even phone calls when i can't be bothered to get up.
Recommendations are nice, but it doesn't really matter what you use. Whichever headphones or speakers you buy will have to be 'learned' before creating anything, so that you know what they sound like.
My advice would be to buy something that sounds good when you listen to music. It has to sound good to YOU - a forum won't help much regarding personal taste
There is a clever guy on here called Bones that could clarify my point in more detail if you drop him a message
p.s. if anybody in Germany wants my Alesis Monitor One MKII speakers i'm going back to my JBL soundbar because acoustically it is perfect for monitoring my basic computer noise. it's used often for Documentaries, Movies, Music and even phone calls when i can't be bothered to get up.
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- KVRian
- 1370 posts since 2 Mar, 2018
https://gearspace.com/BrainBeatMusic wrote: Thu Jul 21, 2022 12:07 pm If anyone has some good suggestions or can point me to a good place to do some research on here or another website?
That's kind of the whole point........ON BEATS wrote: Sat Jul 30, 2022 4:14 pm My advice would be to buy something that sounds good when you listen to music.
Unfortunately, most people don't live near anyplace that allows you to demo more than a few headphones, if that. So asking online actually is worthwhile IMO, even though it's all subjective.
OP, if you're using these ONLY for mixing/mastering and not tracking, get semi-open or open headphones. I don't have a specific recommendation offhand, but gearslutz link above has plenty of threads and discussion which you might want to browse.
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- KVRAF
- 35725 posts since 11 Apr, 2010 from Germany
Both headphones and monitors are very personal. If possible, I'd hit a store, and listen to them, before buying.
I personally tend to like stuff which sounds a bit more hi-fi, and not so clinical.
I wished I would have listened to some speakers in a store before buying mine, but, the next store which has a reasonable selection is, like, 100 km's away, and, that's a bit hard to justify when you go for speakers for 250 to 300 €. So, the ones I have now have to do, even though I never was 100% happy with them.
I personally tend to like stuff which sounds a bit more hi-fi, and not so clinical.
I wished I would have listened to some speakers in a store before buying mine, but, the next store which has a reasonable selection is, like, 100 km's away, and, that's a bit hard to justify when you go for speakers for 250 to 300 €. So, the ones I have now have to do, even though I never was 100% happy with them.
- KVRAF
- 20940 posts since 22 Nov, 2000 from Southern California
I recently tried out the much raved about Apple Air Pod MAX and Sony WH-1000XM3. Returned both, the virtual spacialization was fake and lame. Waves is better.
Anyway, I'd recommend getting headphones that are compatible with either Sonarworks or Waves headphone correction:
Sonarworks: https://www.sonarworks.com/soundid-refe ... headphones
Waves: https://www.waves.com/support/nx-headph ... correction
Anyway, I'd recommend getting headphones that are compatible with either Sonarworks or Waves headphone correction:
Sonarworks: https://www.sonarworks.com/soundid-refe ... headphones
Waves: https://www.waves.com/support/nx-headph ... correction
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- Banned
- 158 posts since 12 Dec, 2021 from Nürburg, Germany
chk071 wrote: Sun Jul 31, 2022 7:38 pm Both headphones and monitors are very personal. If possible, I'd hit a store, and listen to them, before buying.
I personally tend to like stuff which sounds a bit more hi-fi, and not so clinical.
I wished I would have listened to some speakers in a store before buying mine, but, the next store which has a reasonable selection is, like, 100 km's away, and, that's a bit hard to justify when you go for speakers for 250 to 300 €. So, the ones I have now have to do, even though I never was 100% happy with them.
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- Banned
- 158 posts since 12 Dec, 2021 from Nürburg, Germany
if you want to test my Alesis Monitor One MKII, JBL soundbar (I use as a reference), or the iLoud micro that are in the post you are more than welcome.chk071 wrote: Sun Jul 31, 2022 7:38 pm Both headphones and monitors are very personal. If possible, I'd hit a store, and listen to them, before buying.
I personally tend to like stuff which sounds a bit more hi-fi, and not so clinical.
I wished I would have listened to some speakers in a store before buying mine, but, the next store which has a reasonable selection is, like, 100 km's away, and, that's a bit hard to justify when you go for speakers for 250 to 300 €. So, the ones I have now have to do, even though I never was 100% happy with them.
i live in nürburg, walking distance from the racetrack entrance
- Suspended
- 17889 posts since 14 Jun, 2001 from Somewhere you're not!
I'd go for a pair of speakers, not headphones. My recommendation would be a pair of JBL 104s. You can buy them from JB Hi-Fi and, although they are cheaper on Amazon, JB are pretty good at doing deals if you ask them for a good price.
I've got the earlier, non-BT version and I think they are pretty good for most things. I recently got hold of a used pair of tiny Genelec 8010As but I still have the 104s set-up so I can hear more bass (and because four speakers are louder than two).
My other recommendation would be a pair of Eris 3.5s, which I had before the JBLs.
I've got the earlier, non-BT version and I think they are pretty good for most things. I recently got hold of a used pair of tiny Genelec 8010As but I still have the 104s set-up so I can hear more bass (and because four speakers are louder than two).
My other recommendation would be a pair of Eris 3.5s, which I had before the JBLs.
NOVAkILL : Legion GO, AMD Z1x, 16GB RAM, Win11 | Audient EVO 8 | Lumi Keys | Studio Pro 8
Korg Odyssey, bx-oberhausen, Proxima, PolyMax, GR8, JP6K, Union, Atomika,
Invader 2, Flow Motion, Olga, TRK 01, Thorn, Spire, VG Iron
Korg Odyssey, bx-oberhausen, Proxima, PolyMax, GR8, JP6K, Union, Atomika,
Invader 2, Flow Motion, Olga, TRK 01, Thorn, Spire, VG Iron
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- Banned
- 158 posts since 12 Dec, 2021 from Nürburg, Germany
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BrainBeatMusic BrainBeatMusic https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=561105
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 202 posts since 19 Apr, 2022
Thanks guys for your suggestions. At this stage I am leaning more towards headphones over some speakers as they may be more useful as I can use them both at home for music and at work doing video editing. It also would seem a decent set of headphones are up to half the price of good monitor speakers. I am still researching and will for sure try and go to a few shops to try and test them. One issue will be with the headphones as lot of the ones suggested above would seem to not be stocked locally except on Amazon.

