If you had to mix a record with only one set of headphones, which pair would you use?

[yxz]

I'm looking to buy an accurate pair of headphones for $2-300 dollars to do the majority of my mixing on. So if you could only use one pair to mix an entire record on, which pair would you use and why? Are open or closed better? And how much does a headphone amp matter?

Thanks.

(Note: I already own the Sony MDR-7506's. Good set of phones, though after about an hour my ears tire. As others have said before, they are too bright, and I feel the bass is too much as well...)

[Simonator]

Beyerdynamic DT990/DT990 pro. Lush.

I think open are generally going to give you a better sense of space, and will be better if you can get away with them... some reasons you might not want open:

* Noise spillage inward if you are in a noisy environment (perhaps you might want to DJ with the cans)

* Noise spillage outwards (polluting vocal takes/pi$$ing off your wife if you are listening after she's gone to bed.)

[Simonator]

Originally Posted by Simonator

Beyerdynamic DT990/DT990 pro. Lush.

I think open are generally going to give you a better sense of space, and will be better if you can get away with them... some reasons you might not want open:

* Noise spillage inward if you are in a noisy environment (perhaps you might want to DJ with the cans)

* Noise spillage outwards (polluting vocal takes/pi$$ing off your wife if you are listening after she's gone to bed.)

Just to add, the DT880 are flatter IIRC, so probably better for mixing. I'm planning to get some DT770 (closed design) very soon.

[yxz]

I've actually heard the 770s are the best for monitoring/mixing. What are the biggest differences between the 3? I know the 770s are cloesd, the 990s are open, and the 880s are a mix. Which are the most accurate though? That's my main concern.

[Mardi Gras]

related question here, are there any headphones at all that have a really good bass response? I'm talking about being able to hear all the way down to like 40hz without any roll off?

[Altitude909]

mixing exclusively on cans is not really a good idea. Your hearing does not work like that, where one ear is isolated from the other. It will mess up your stereo field something fierce.

[Simonator]

Originally Posted by yxz

I've actually heard the 770s are the best for monitoring/mixing. What are the biggest differences between the 3? I know the 770s are cloesd, the 990s are open, and the 880s are a mix. Which are the most accurate though? That's my main concern.

880 are the most accurate AFAIK.

990 probably make anything you put through them sound the best (but maybe not that far from the accuracy of the 880.)

770 I think are probably the least accurate & least amazing sound... BUT, there is a low impedance (80 ohm) version available (so my laptop/portable players will play nice with it), and the design is closed back, so spillage is less of an issue.

I'm looking for a good all-rounder, and something I can use at might without disturbing the missus... so I think I'm going to go for the 770.

Check out the Beyerdynamic website... they've recently added a helpful 'compare' feature whereby you can drop a few products & it will make you a custom comparison table.


LOTS of geeky discussions & comparisons on various headphone/audiophile forums, so maybe have a read of those.

[dry]

Equation rp-21. Takes a while to break them in. They are easy to wear for long periods and I think present a very accurate sonic picture of whats happening in a mix, or just for enjoyment listening. Am also using a Headroom Total Airhead amplifier with it *$99.00. Really makes a difference..sounds more like a room instead of good cans. got mine off headphone.com

[Simonator]

Originally Posted by Altitude909

mixing exclusively on cans is not really a good idea. Your hearing does not work like that, where one ear is isolated from the other. It will mess up your stereo field something fierce.

You can get some software (can't recall the name... can anyone help???) to drop over your 2buss which leaks a little across to attempt to recreate a true stereo field.

Obviously it's still not ideal... but sometimes people don't have a choice.

[Simonator]

Originally Posted by dry

Am also using a Headroom Total Airhead amplifier with it *$99.00. Really makes a difference..

Is that the portable one that runs of AA batteries?

[alexp]

I love my K240s


alexP

[bizness80]

I have the DT-770's and while I was impressed by the punchiness when I first bought them I'm liking them a bit less as I use them more.

The bass and lower midrange are really warm and punchy but everything above that sounds kind of flat and muffled to me. I really dislike this imbalance I perceive between the low's and high's.

'Dark' is an adjective I've seen some people use about them and I can see why.

However, they are pretty accurate once you get used them and I can use them for hours without hurting my ears so I can live with them.

Lesson learned: don't buy headphones based on widespread acclaim and a 2 minute demo!

If I were you I'd try them out for awhile before I spent any money on them.

[boon]

if you want accurate get some in ear phones. etymotics or ultimate ears

Ultimate Ears | 500vi Headset


there are a lot of good reviews on pretty much every headphone here:

Audiophile Headphones | Headphones.com

[synth3tik]

A few months ago I went to the shop to pick up the last pair of Beyer Dynamics DT880s. Unfortunately in the 45 minutes it took me to arrive they were sold. So I saved some cash and picked up a pair of DT 770 Pros. Basically a fully closed version of the semi open 880s, the 770s really impress me.

When I mix I tend maybe work for a few hours at a time. These things are so comfortable, and there is virtually no fatigue. They sound fantastic and let you hear every little nuance of a track, whether you want to or not. Absolutely love them.

Stupidly awesome quality to boot. These things are solid.

Oh, and mine came with a straight cord!

[atma]

the denon ah-d2000s. the flattest frequency response, bass extension and lowest distortion of any headphones i've seen/tried.

[Paul Greenway]

Sony MDR's 7506.

[enecosse]

Originally Posted by yxz

I'm looking to buy an accurate pair of headphones for $2-300 dollars to do the majority of my mixing on. So if you could only use one pair to mix an entire record on, which pair would you use and why?

Personal opinion: I like the HD600's, which you can get for under $300 if you shop around. Designed to be neutral. The 650's are their bass boosted cousin. I prefer the 600's.

Are open or closed better?

Open have a better sound but leak sound all over the room as it's a bit like a pair of speakers strapped to your head. Not what you'd want to use if you have mics nearby, which is where you'd want closed. So it depends on your needs. I'd choose open if you're mainly/only mixing.

And how much does a headphone amp matter?

Not at all, unless your device output doesn't supply enough grunt to properly power the headphones. They are best avoided as they are a potential source of additional colouration. I'd sooner recommend you upgrade to something which can properly drive the headphones (Because most decent audio equipment should be able to do it) before I'd tell you to get a headphone amp.

[twisted-space]

HD-600's and: TB Isone

You might find you need an amp, depends on your soundcard. I use an Emu 1616m which drives the HD-600's quite nicely.

[Simonator]

Originally Posted by synth3tik

A few months ago I went to the shop to pick up the last pair of Beyer Dynamics DT880s. Unfortunately in the 45 minutes it took me to arrive they were sold. So I saved some cash and picked up a pair of DT 770 Pros. Basically a fully closed version of the semi open 880s, the 770s really impress me.

When I mix I tend maybe work for a few hours at a time. These things are so comfortable, and there is virtually no fatigue. They sound fantastic and let you hear every little nuance of a track, whether you want to or not. Absolutely love them.

Stupidly awesome quality to boot. These things are solid.

Oh, and mine came with a straight cord!

In the UK, the DT 880 are much more expensive than the DT 770 pro.

I suspect you might have got DT 770 (not pro)... perversely, the 'pro' versions are are all LESS expensive than the non-pro versions.
I think they upgraded the non-pro line a few years ago, taking it better than the pro line which was left intact.

I think the non-pro version comes with a non coiled cable too, which also leads me to believe this is what you have.

Their lines are actually really befuddling, I don't know why they have so many different products (for different applications) with virtually the same name. Pretty unhelpful.

[Simonator]

Just to add one other plus point for the Beyers... they have user replaceable parts.... so if you snap a joint or a driver burns out, you just order that little bit & swap it out yourself... which is a MASSIVE plus to anyone like me who's had to trash many fully functional pairs of cans just because a crappy bit of Senhieser plastic snapped.

[mildheadwound]

ipod buds. that's what most people will be listening to them in. otherwise, i'm with this guy.

Originally Posted by Altitude909

mixing exclusively on cans is not really a good idea...

[FUBAR]

Originally Posted by alexp

I love my K240s


alexP

+1

[SCDBM]

AKG-701

[jessem]

I do pretty much everything with the DT770s and they work really well for me. I've had issues with bass before with other headphones and things sounding much different once I get back to my studio but work I do on the DT770s translates very well. I have the 80ohm version, which I'm using with an apogee duet on my macbook pro. You should not power them off the internal soundcard of your laptop if you want to get the most out of them.

I'm hearing great things about the HD600s, so I would like to try those some time as well.

[ohmicide]

DT880 Pro cos I'm a badass

proof^^^^

[echoboy]

Sennheiser 650 or 600. A little pricey but worth every penny! Still have to remember to double check regularly on loud speakers. Headphones will never give the full picture no matter how much you pay for them i.e imaging and low end should be treated with care.

[echoboy]

Oh yeah, and don't crank em to high - you will eventually go deaf! It's quite scary how easily one can get carried away with the volume pot when on the cans. That's the health and safety speech over ;-)

[golden beers]

Originally Posted by yxz

I've actually heard the 770s are the best for monitoring/mixing. What are the biggest differences between the 3? I know the 770s are cloesd, the 990s are open, and the 880s are a mix. Which are the most accurate though? That's my main concern.

ive got the DT 770 Pros and i would not recommend them for mixing. they sound amazing for headphones but are no substitute for monitors.

[lunaticpark]

If I really have to use Headphones, I always use Grado Labs GS1000 and/or SR 325.

[atma]

Originally Posted by Mardi Gras

related question here, are there any headphones at all that have a really good bass response? I'm talking about being able to hear all the way down to like 40hz without any roll off?

yeah--the denon's i mentioned earlier: