Headphones

[Terminus Est]

Originally Posted by cbarrett92

In your opinion, what would be the best, all around headphones that are comfortable enough to wear for hours and can preform well in live applications and the studio? I don't have much cash (about $100)...

(The first vote was just a test vote)

I'll tell you what I told the last person looking for sealed headphones that they could also use as reference headphones for mixing (which is what I'm assuming "in the studio" means) and that is: You're going to have a damn hard time finding sealed cans that do both those functions until you start pushing up to the 300 dollar range.

Simply put, sealed headphones + accurate mixing = inherent problems that aren't well solved.

Check this site

Sealed/Noise Canceling - HeadRoom - Right Between Your Ears

For a list of quality phones and their pluses and minuses.

Then, after that, find a place that has at least a few of your potential candidates and actually spend some time sampling them - because in your price range it's going to come down to personal taste as there's no real universally regarded cans in that price range.

[rasmus]

i tested about 20 headphones about a month ago and brougth a beyerdynamic dt250, never heard of it before. sounds way better to me than the dt 770, 880, 990,
way better transient response, the other beyerdynamics sounded like there was a build in reverb, compared to the 250
beyerdynamic stuff is more on the bass heavy/hyped side, like the at hp i had, compared to most of the akgs.
but i hate headphones any way...

[cbarrett92]

Sorry if anyone misunderstood me, by in the studio I meant for checking mixes and using them as monitors for performers. Hope this clears up any confusion.

[Funkster]

hey cbarrett92!

I have the hd280's, 7506's, hd650's. I think the 280's are more comfortable than the 7506's, but the 280's sound really scooped and bass heavy to me. They have a nice seal, sometimes too nice like it feels like a suction-cup, but I often give those to people to track. I like the sound of the 7506's a lot better, but if you end up wearing them all day long you realize your ears hurt and they are squashed against your face.

I know they're not what you are looking for but the 650's do sound leagues better and you can wear them all day without thinking about it. However, they are open-air design so not necessarily the best for tracking always.

Just my .02, hope it helps.

[Terminus Est]

Originally Posted by Funkster

hey cbarrett92!

I have the hd280's, 7506's, hd650's. I think the 280's are more comfortable than the 7506's, but the 280's sound really scooped and bass heavy to me. They have a nice seal, sometimes too nice like it feels like a suction-cup, but I often give those to people to track. I like the sound of the 7506's a lot better, but if you end up wearing them all day long you realize your ears hurt and they are squashed against your face.

I know they're not what you are looking for but the 650's do sound leagues better and you can wear them all day without thinking about it. However, they are open-air design so not necessarily the best for tracking always.

Just my .02, hope it helps.

I have the 280's.

I pretty much agree with what he said about them. They are functional (though I wouldn't use them to mix) and I REALLY like them for tracking. Especially people who need good isolation. They are also sturdy and pretty comfy but I do also agree that sometimes they feel TOO sealed.

Eh, for what I use them for I'd buy them again.

[The Pool PDX]

7506!!

[Rautio]

Assortment of:
Beyerdynamic DT770M´s
Beyerdynamic DT250´s
Ultrasone Pro550´s

All have their advantages, I like the loud and ugly of DT770M for tracking guitars and drums, some musicians prefer the sweeter sound of Pro550´s, for my monitoring in CR and just listening music I use DT250´s, been using those for almost 10 years now.

[Lunatique]

Equation RP21 is my favorite in the sub-$100 range. More accurate than any other in that price range.

In the $150 range, I love the Audio-Technica ATH-M50, Sennheiser HD555, and M-Audio Q40. They all sound far better than the HD280 or any Sony's in that range.

[seamus james]

I love my 7506's. I have, however, smacked myself in the face with them a couple times while taking them off - something about the spring and the way that they're hinged. They do sound pretty solid though.

[reddirt]

I have several pairs of At 40m s and recently bought the 50 s on recommendations.
The original 40s are very very good consistent cans - very comfortable / good isolation / very good sound right off the bat with experienced clients commenting on how much they liked them . I subsequently bought a newer pair which turned out to be guite middly and requiring a lot of use to wear in; they now sound pretty good.

The 50s on the other hand whilst having very good isolation and bass that goes right down, are to my ears too kind in the mids and thus fairly unrevealing, they are also uncomfortable relative to the 40s. It may be they'll wear in who knows.
I haven't tried the 280s etc but my experience with the rest of the Sennheiser line points to the 40s possibly being the better can.

You need to try them and compare. Hope this helps.

Cheers, Ross

[Andreas G]

Originally Posted by reddirt

The 50s on the other hand whilst having very good isolation and bass that goes right down, are to my ears too kind in the mids and thus fairly unrevealing, they are also uncomfortable relative to the 40s. It may be they'll wear in who knows.

I have also the M50 beside others and I agree! Good isolaton and therefor cool for tracking but with a strong presure on the head. I also find the low-end is a bit too prominent and the mids are to scoped. Nonetheless the bass goes really down and therfor nice for checking any rumble. Just be careful to make the lowend not to thin.

[Zachary]

Hd280

[Jamz]

Fostex T-20 or T-40 (My favorite when the ear pads stay on)
Beyerdynamic DT-250

[cbarrett92]

Thanks for all the suggestions, Keep them coming!

[aclefler]

Originally Posted by Lunatique

Equation RP21 is my favorite in the sub-$100 range. More accurate than any other in that price range.

In the $150 range, I love the Audio-Technica ATH-M50, Sennheiser HD555, and M-Audio Q40. They all sound far better than the HD280 or any Sony's in that range.

Equation RP21's are great headphones for the price, I've got sennheiser HD 280 pro's now. there alright but i'd go for Equation's headphones

[skiltrip]

I'm in the same boat right now. Trying to decide between the MDR-7506 and HD-280.

I want them mainly for tracking, and working on stuff when I need to be quiet or keep other noise out.

I like the way reviewers say the HD-280 is good for isolation, but I don't like the heavier bass. I'd rather the more detailed mids of the MDR-7506, but people say the pads wear out quick and they are uncomfortable.

There's no easy answer to this price range headphone, or is there??

[climber]

just bought a Audio-Technica ATH-M50. it sounds great to me.

[HeavyG]

I am sure that your suggestions are all worthy...so this is just my ears talking...Beyer 770s are the fo sheeziest (I started with AT 50s).