best headphones for mixing

[EdRyan]

I've used the ol Beyers, and don't like them.

Sony Headpones are good, but over extend the bass. They are really for DJ-ing use. The other problem is that the hinges crack. I have 3 pairs of them that haven't lasted longer then 18 months.

I'm now onto Senn HD25's. The Sp version is quite frankly useless in a studio setup (misses all the top end !) but I really like the normal 25's. For headphones, they are really clear and natural sounding.

I do some work on mine. Mainly initial writing and then checking mixes afterwards..

[FrankGIK]

Originally Posted by EdRyan

Sony Headpones are good, but over extend the bass. They are really for DJ-ing use. The other problem is that the hinges crack. I have 3 pairs of them that haven't lasted longer then 18 months.

I have a few pairs of the MD7506's for tracking...they're okay. I completely agree with the bass assesment. Compared to my AKG 701's they're very flabby down low. The isolation is pretty good though...never had a client complain about them.

Frank

[EdRyan]

I wouldn't say they are flabby, they just simply put too much emphasis on the bottom end. It's still pretty tight sounding, just a bit too much.

The sony's really are aimed at Dj's though. Considering they are going to be used in noisy clubs for cueing and beat mixing, it makes perfect sense for them to have moer of a focus down there. That is after all, where the kick of the groove lives

You can live with them in a studio though, just as long as you're aware of the above point.

That said, I'd still pick my HD25's over a pair of sony. They are lighter and easier to wear for long periods, and unlike the sony sets. If something breaks, the senn's are designed to be taken apart and just fit the new part.

[mutilatedlip]

I've got a pair of the 7506s, and apart from the flabby bass, I can highly recommend them.

I love their sound, and find it very warm, and they're extremely comfortable to wear.

[OJB]

I use the gorgeous Sennheiser HD650s

Best cans I have ever used...

I, like dvdan, take it as far as possible on headphones...

[KoolZ]

I use the Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro which IMO gives a flatter response and is comfortable to wear for long use.

Owned the senn HD25 II previously perfect for DJ'ing, but for producing it colored the sound of the mix somewhat.

[TrevCircleStudios]

Don't get me wrong. I'm not knocking referencing with headphones which I do too but for anyone convinced they can mix with headphones this article is worth a read:

http://www.bluebearsound.com/articles/headphones.htm

[Khazul]

Originally Posted by OJB

I use the gorgeous Sennheiser HD650s

Best cans I have ever used...

I, like dvdan, take it as far as possible on headphones...

I just use them for tracking and checking flaws in recorded material.

Even when I am DJing, I usually only use cans while cueing and matching up, then slip them off so I can hear the actual mix live with both ears as it can sound so different on cans vs the PA - especially when mixing with the EQ kills etc.

[Christopher Woods]

Originally Posted by EdRyan

That said, I'd still pick my HD25's over a pair of sony. They are lighter and easier to wear for long periods, and unlike the sony sets. If something breaks, the senn's are designed to be taken apart and just fit the new part.

When I listened to my mate's HD25s, I noticed how tightly they clamped down on my head. Very 'snug' - useful for minimal leakage and great for DJs, but not so great if you wear specs (like me) - they really began to hurt after a while.

They sounded decent, although the typical side-effects of a closed cup headphone were present - overly present midrange frequencies and slightly OTT bass response (which personally I like, but is not preferable in a critical listening or mixdown environment). By contrast, my own HD650s have only sounded better and better since I bought them almost three years ago - wonderful sound, even for open-backed headphones in their price range - they also extend right down into low bass frequencies without complaining, and have a wonderfully airy, even high frequency response which isn't harsh on the ears whatsoever.

Also, their around-the-ear design (as opposed to the ear pads pushing down on your ears' pinnae) means you pretty much wear them all day without any problems (even me, and I wear specs all day) - I sometimes wear them in bed to listen to the radio or my MP3 player.

An aside: the cable which came with mine was pretty bad for microphonics, but when one of the lead's connectors broke, I ordered another stock cable from Brian at SennheiserSpares (at around 7pm on a Thursday evening!) - and even then, he took my order and despatched the cable quickly.

This newer cable, whilst still the same old official Sennheiser HD650 cable, has much improved microphonics over the old cable - you can rub it against clothing or run your hands up and down it and it's much less pronounced. Possibly with something like a Zu Mobius, Cardas or Russ Andrews aftermarket cable you'll get better microphonics, but then again I'm not prepared to spend almost as much as the cost of the headphones just on a cable for them to test this theory I may yet buy the Meier Audio cable for them though, as apparently it's only about £20... There are comparisons of all the various cables available though with microphonics compared, so go do some power googling to find them!


Back on point... The HD650s are probably the best headphones you'll buy this side of £1,000 when it comes to sheer performance. They are exceptionally accurate both in terms of soundstage and frequency response, although you can get fooled into thinking that all headphones sound as good as these and then produce some shockingly bad mixes! The golden rule, as always, is to always, ALWAYS, compare your mixes and never solely rely on these headphones for a mix unless you have a crystal clear concept of how your mixes will translate.

However, for studio and general listening, I don't think you can beat the sound of the HD650s unless you have four figures to spend.

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by Christopher Woods

Back on point... The HD650s are probably the best headphones you'll buy this side of £1,000 when it comes to sheer performance. They are exceptionally accurate both in terms of soundstage and frequency response, although you can get fooled into thinking that all headphones sound as good as these and then produce some shockingly bad mixes! The golden rule, as always, is to always, ALWAYS, compare your mixes and never solely rely on these headphones for a mix unless you have a crystal clear concept of how your mixes will translate.

However, for studio and general listening, I don't think you can beat the sound of the HD650s unless you have four figures to spend.

So much has been said about the HD650's on this thread great feedback...added to my wish list.

[TrevCircleStudios]

Here's an interesting site:

http://www.testfreaks.com/headphones-headsets/

[sureno]

this should be stickied

[Neil B]

My poor old Sennheiser HD 570's are getting very thin (and sweaty) on the spongey bits and perhaps it's time to replace them.

Love the sound and comfort of them too.

So what is comparable to these on the current market?
I like the look of the 650's but not the price!!

In terms of usage, I write anything from good old Tangerine Dream sequences, ambient, spacey through to using GPO orchestra, EW Choirs for 16th Century stuff and Paul Van Dyk style (with all sorts of other genre thrown in too)

So, I don't want bass heavy DJ style, or anything that is genre-biased.

What's the best for me??

By the way, I agree with others - I use headphones for developing tracks but mixing has got to be through my Absolute 2's.

[dariunas]

The Sennheiser HD545s for me. Bought a pre-owned pair off the bay a while ago. I love them to bits. Comfort is second to none. I imagine that the sound doesn't quite cut it against the 650s, but I'm happy with the clarity. Has the power to ruin music, because you hear EVERYTHING!

Also has saved my ass when playing Counterstrike, where you really need to use your ears...

[cane creek]

best headphones for mixing ?

You mean DJ mixing ? or Mixing a track , if the latter i was under the impression Headphones aint really up to the task (bottom end wise)

Ill use my Sennheiser HD25 headphones after 10pm so i dont upset the neighbours , but ill do corrections next day via my monitors.