best headphones for mixing

[HydrusX]

I currently use the Beyerdynamic DT 100's.(Beyerdynamic DT 100 Studio Headphones - Grey 16 Oh at DV247.COM) they are great for vocalists when singing etc as they block out a lot of spillage sound. However, as reference monitors they are also quite accurate.

HOWEVER

i never use my phones to mix down. I have some Alesis Monitor 1 MK2 Actives. they are perfect and inexpensive and great for mix downs. (Alesis Monitor One MK11 Bi-Amplified Active Studio at DV247.COM) - £199 for a pair is a bargain !

I ( and this is my opinion only ) think that mixing on any headphones is dangerous. to get a truly great sound i think you need the relative sound field and width a pair of correctly set up monitors can give you. I might be talking rubbish - but i wouldn’t do a mix down on cans.

also, you don’t mix down loud anyway - about 25% volume on my monitors is perfect and my neighbours haven’t got a clue ! ( and we have think walls to ).

But for general music enjoyment I use a cheapish pair of seinhieser – the best you can afford. I think they are all great for sound reproduction but all a tad bass heavy.

(tip – if your using the Alesis monitor ones they have two bass response holes. If your set only allows you to get them a foot or so away from a wall, or anywhere near corners, then make sure you plug one of the holes with some socks. 1 hole on each speaker should be enough. This improves the sounds by limiting the muddy bass sounds and makes them a lot more accurate. )

[Chas@Source]

I've been faithful to my DT100s for years at home, but if budget allowed I'd move to Sennheiser HD650s - I use them at work and they're very, very good!

[BoogieBear]

Just got a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Audio Technica ATH-M50 Professional Studio Monitor at DV247.COM

Very nice indeed if you can't afford to shell out for the HD650

Cheers
Anton

[Raamizdv]

The Sennheisser HD 600's sound beautiful, (Sennheiser HD 600 Avantgarde Audiophile Open Dynam at DV247.COM) but you need a good headphone amp to get the most out of them tho......

[saxman]

Originally Posted by Raamizdv

The Sennheisser HD 600's sound beautiful

ooooooh, I'm sure they do

Someone on my budget however is quite happy with these;
Sennheiser HD 280 PRO Closed Back Circum-Aural Hea at DV247.COM
Though surely it is always best to use monitors for mixing.

[terminal3]

I switch between Beyer DT770s and AKG K171s... I like both, the 770s seem a little flatter overall but a bit bassier as well.

Anyway, I don't mix with them, that's verboten! Good for tracking (of course), checking edits, fades, that sort of thing. They have their place.

[Hoppy]

The Sennheisser 650s are superb especially at the bass end.

[Meander]

The Beyerdynamic DT770's are what I use for tracking/rough mix (if I'm working at night) don't mix on them though, unless, as has been said, to check panning etc. Bass response is pretty good but sub freq's are mostly lost (as can be expected), but can easily be guesstimated and altered later.

[TrevCircleStudios]

There are no good headphones for mixing on. Checking your mix, maybe... mixing, no. Not if you want an acurate mix that translates well that is...

[mrfracas]

Originally Posted by BoogieBear

Just got a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Audio Technica ATH-M50 Professional Studio Monitor at DV247.COM

Very nice indeed if you can't afford to shell out for the HD650

Cheers
Anton

I recently purchased a pair of ATH-M50's too; to be honest, they're the best mixing pair I've ever made the decision to purchase. For the price they're a steal. And they're incredibly comfortable for long mix sessions.

I bought them on a whim, when I was far from home and any DV store (sorry guys), and gave them a chance, because I rarely get to stand in stores and test out products. They're really accurate; I love the deep, uncoloured bass, and the extended high frequency really defines the clarity. It's got a carry-pouch too, so you can't go wrong really.

But, rather than take my word for it, you should go and check them out; if not just to be on the safe side, then to hear how well they perform!

[sureno]

how do people find the HD25's? i just use those for a rough mix but they translate a little ropey tbh so always do the fine tweaking through my RM2's

[dvdan]

Originally Posted by TrevCircleStudios

There are no good headphones for mixing on. Checking your mix, maybe... mixing, no. Not if you want an acurate mix that translates well that is...

no, of course. Although I do take it as far as I can with headphones and use the monitors for bass, treble and reverb mixing... Panning is also essential through speakers. I lose a lot of detail through poor room treatment (working on it) and headphones are the only way for me to hear certain aspects.

[FrankGIK]

Originally Posted by TrevCircleStudios

There are no good headphones for mixing on. Checking your mix, maybe... mixing, no. Not if you want an acurate mix that translates well that is...

Exactly. Mixing on headphones is a bad idea for a number of reasons.

That said, I check mixes on a pair of AKG K701's...they're the most honest set of headphones I've ever heard.

Frank

[terminal3]

Headphones are also one of those things that your mix has to translate on, but at that point it's also a good idea to check on some awful headphones. My iPod earphones (the ones that were included with it!) are an important stage in my own self-mix-critiquing.

[FrankGIK]

Originally Posted by terminal3

Headphones are also one of those things that your mix has to translate on, but at that point it's also a good idea to check on some awful headphones. My iPod earphones (the ones that were included with it!) are an important stage in my own self-mix-critiquing.

Yeah...I do the same thing. I mean, I'm not mixing for iPod or anything, but man, if the mix is too heavy in the midrange those earbuds will sure let you know.

Frank