Budget Headphones for mixing battle!

[DannyDedalo]

Hi all!

Im searching a headphones for mixing, i got a closed "drummer" style pair for recording and a pair of chear ESI Near05 monitors but i need a flat headphones for mixing (to not disturb the neighbourgs while im enjoying ).

Im trying to decide between the AKG 141 Studio (semi open), Audio Technica ATH-M40fs (closed), Ultrasone HFI-650...All are under 90 euros

What about these cheap AKG 240 clones? the Superlux HD-681, i mean...only 20 euros, mmm...ear damage?

Thanx!

[eaks]

Hi Danny, to my experience, the ath-m40 sound flatter and more precise than the akg series. I've compared them with the akg 271 and i felt like i would get rapid ear fatigue with the akg's due to the prominent hi's in em. But i prefer akg 271 to akg 141...

overall i very much preferred the ath-m40.


Never listened to the ultrasone.

hope this helps.thumbsup

[Time Tech]

I am using a pair of consumer headphones from a company called "SkullCandy". I don't remember the model number, but I find they translate real well for both mixing and mastering references. They are about $40.00 USD.

Cheers,

Bruce Maddocks
Cups 'n Strings

CUPS 'N STRINGS are experts in digitizing, restoration and preservation of audio recordings. audio analog to digital transfer specialists, Los Angeles

[Fast_Fingers]

I've used and enjoyed the M40fs. They are definitely VERY flat sounding (a bit dull if you ask me)...more so than any other headphone I've tried (including the 7506).

I'd try to look at AKG's K240 Studio (the old one that's still $99 at some places) or the K99. It may be what you want. Personally I don't find AKG's highs to be terribly high, it's just in comparison to the M40fs, anything sounds brittle.

[DannyDedalo]

The Audio Technica seems more solid than the akg, and maybe its a good thing the closed issue to use it tracking; plus are cheaper .

I will keep investigating about the Ultrasone, seems they have lot of lovers here in the forum (as well as the ATH-M50, but both are more expensive than i wish...)

Thanx all!

[Obitheincredible]

Grados.

[eaks]

I myself have a pair of grado sr-325 and ath-m50.

of course grado are the best if you ask me, but they're also way much expensive. And their main drawback is comfort, which is less than 0. That's why I bought the ath-m50, only to switch to them when physically I cant keep the grado's on my head anymore.

Obviously grado's are better sounding and now that there's a new foam out with their new series, I guess they might be more comfortable once the foam swap as been performed on my good ol sr325.

anyways, if you're looking for flat reference, the ath-m40 are flatter than the m50.

So since you are looking for mixing reference, I stick with the m40 recommendation

cheers!

[DannyDedalo]

It will be for checking the mix and tracking too; guitar based pop, rock and hardcore punk mainly.

Now im trying choose between the M40 and the D40 (extended bass)

[RTR]

Love my new ath-m50's

[AudioHipster]

I enjoy the 681's as much as my 240's but they are both semi open ear use closed ear for drummers.

[AudioHipster]

Sorry must have had to much Abby.... I wouldn't mix with phones alone, but the 681 Superlux are great phones for the money and very flat and you can hear detail and not bass heavy at all... I like them.

[saturninus]

I've been using the Sennheiser HD202's. Not bad.

[riffmachine]

I like my Sennheisser HD280 Pros. Pretty solid cans IMO. - paul

[A3rd.Zero]

Sennheiser HD 448

Sealed, about $100, and sound nearly as good as the HD650s. They are really nice cans, but they are sorta ugly.