Help me choosing proper headphones

[zzzxtreme]

my MDR-V6 is tiring
ATH-M40fs is more comfortable to long use because it's not that "in-your-face"

[LeafInTheWind]

I can go for a few hours with my AKG 240MKIIs

[TotalNoob]

Thanks! I'd like to hear more opinions

[doulos30]

i can go 6 to 8 hrs with my hd600s

[eb7]

I have a pair of k701's which I really like. They're comfortable and they sound great. I do find that I have to do a lot of checking on speakers to get the low end right, but I think that's going to be the case with any headphones.

[aceridgey]

Have you tried the Audio Techs ATH-M50'S?

[Tinderwet]

Originally Posted by zzzxtreme

ATH-M40fs

+1 Flat response, comfortable.

[Squidding]

I've had a lot of people tell me that the K701s lack bottom end pretty badly, but I haven't used them myself. I own a pair of Sennheiser HD650s and I love them. The build quality on them feels more fragile than I like, but they sound amazing and are incredibly comfortable. Most comfortable cans I've ever worn, actually.

I would suggest them, but it sort of depends on your budget. I got them for about $350 (which many people seem to think is a lot for headphones) but I would never go back.

[TotalNoob]

Originally Posted by aceridgey

Have you tried the Audio Techs ATH-M50'S?

People say that they are really good but honestly, their frequency response graph turns me off.
They definitely have more low end than k701 but i don't really like how high-mid is looking there.

[lbrantsen]

I recently switched from Shure SRH-840's to Sennheiser HD650. Because they are open they are les fatiguing to my ears. They also sound more detailed and controlled. However, you might consider a headphone end ass well as is controllers your headphones better (especially the hi-z ones like the 701 or to a lesser extend, the HD650) Depends on your budget too, but SPL Auditor really makes my cans come alive and more controlled.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[lbrantsen]

Of course mean a headphone amplifier

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[whiteb0x]

Never underestimate Shure

[kasmira]

Originally Posted by TotalNoob

People say that they are really good but honestly, their frequency response graph turns me off.
They definitely have more low end than k701 but i don't really like how high-mid is looking there.

Hmm, IMO you should never judge a speaker or headphones based on their freq response. Flatter does not always equal better nor are the frequency response graphs measured the exact same way for each product by different manufacturers. What's more important is whether you can crank out a good mix on em. Quite frankly, NS10s are often said to be a good judge of a mix - and they sound awful and have a terrible freq response compared to a lot of speakers.

Having that said there are better options IMO than the ATHs but not for the price. And quite a large amount of people have said they can get good mixes on them. I have used them a few times but never mixed on them at all, only listened. They actually have a decent bass response for the price.

OP, most closed back headphones I've used are more fatiguing than open backs. Also, most of the closed backs I've used happen to have a more present bass response. My Beyerdynamic DT-880s have pretty good bass for a pair of open cans, but they are actually semi open, not fully open.

When I went on a quest to purchase them, I decided I wanted a pair of semi open headphones since I wanted the bass response of closed cans, but the comfort of open cans (as well as less ear fatigue on the open cans). I ended up getting the headphones I have. I liked them a good amount, but they didn't translate very well to be honest, especially on the transients. I would end up over compressing and adding too much detail on the attack of notes. I would listen on my monitors the next day like "wow that kick is punching me in the face". Despite that, I've mostly learned to overcome it and compensate for it, but with a pair of $330 headphones you would hope that wouldn't be needed.

I just built a headphone amp today, and the transient response has immensely gotten better. I hope this means that they will translate better!

I can recommend Ultrasone Pro-900s as a friend has them and I have mixed on them. He has a headphone amp powering them, so I cannot comment on them without an amp. The mixes I did on them came out quite solid. He pumps out consistent mixes on them as well. They have a TON of bass so if you're doing dance or hip-hop they're great. The highs are a little laid back on them but still quite clear. They also play the sound into your ears at an angle as they are supposed to sound more like they're coming from monitors, and not like typical headphones. However, as they are closed back and happen to have a VERY tight band, they cause me discomfort. My friend says they don't bother him, though.

Ultrasone also makes a semi-open version, the Pro-2900 I believe. I have not heard them, but I hope to at some point. They may be a next step up for me if my transients aren't still translating with my new headphone amp.

I have used the K701s and while they do sound really great, the lack of bass always bums me out. I usually end up overcompensating for the bass by turning the volume up louder than they need to be to hear some details, which I'd rather not need to do.

Good luck, I hope some of this has helped!

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Gearslutz App

[TotalNoob]

Originally Posted by kasmira

Hmm, IMO you should never judge a speaker or headphones based on their freq response. Flatter does not always equal better nor are the frequency response graphs measured the exact same way for each product by different manufacturers. What's more important is whether you can crank out a good mix on em. Quite frankly, NS10s are often said to be a good judge of a mix - and they sound awful and have a terrible freq response compared to a lot of speakers.

Having that said there are better options IMO than the ATHs but not for the price. And quite a large amount of people have said they can get good mixes on them. I have used them a few times but never mixed on them at all, only listened. They actually have a decent bass response for the price.

OP, most closed back headphones I've used are more fatiguing than open backs. Also, most of the closed backs I've used happen to have a more present bass response. My Beyerdynamic DT-880s have pretty good bass for a pair of open cans, but they are actually semi open, not fully open.

When I went on a quest to purchase them, I decided I wanted a pair of semi open headphones since I wanted the bass response of closed cans, but the comfort of open cans (as well as less ear fatigue on the open cans). I ended up getting the headphones I have. I liked them a good amount, but they didn't translate very well to be honest, especially on the transients. I would end up over compressing and adding too much detail on the attack of notes. I would listen on my monitors the next day like "wow that kick is punching me in the face". Despite that, I've mostly learned to overcome it and compensate for it, but with a pair of $330 headphones you would hope that wouldn't be needed.

I just built a headphone amp today, and the transient response has immensely gotten better. I hope this means that they will translate better!

I can recommend Ultrasone Pro-900s as a friend has them and I have mixed on them. He has a headphone amp powering them, so I cannot comment on them without an amp. The mixes I did on them came out quite solid. He pumps out consistent mixes on them as well. They have a TON of bass so if you're doing dance or hip-hop they're great. The highs are a little laid back on them but still quite clear. They also play the sound into your ears at an angle as they are supposed to sound more like they're coming from monitors, and not like typical headphones. However, as they are closed back and happen to have a VERY tight band, they cause me discomfort. My friend says they don't bother him, though.

Ultrasone also makes a semi-open version, the Pro-2900 I believe. I have not heard them, but I hope to at some point. They may be a next step up for me if my transients aren't still translating with my new headphone amp.

I have used the K701s and while they do sound really great, the lack of bass always bums me out. I usually end up overcompensating for the bass by turning the volume up louder than they need to be to hear some details, which I'd rather not need to do.

Good luck, I hope some of this has helped!

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Gearslutz App

Thanks, i really appreciate the info!
I don't really mix much on headphones anyways. The reason why i am looking at AKG K701 is because they are open + not a lot of bass. This is ideal for me, since i make beats/do pre-mixing in the night - kinda easier on my ears i guess.

[TotalNoob]

One more question. What's the difference between K601 and K701 headphones? And do i need headphone amp?

[kasmira]

Originally Posted by TotalNoob

One more question. What's the difference between K601 and K701 headphones? And do i need headphone amp?

From my experiences using a few headphones with and without amps, I would definitely recommend it. You can buy a CMOY headphone amp on eBay for like $20-30 built into a small altoids tin or something similar. The CMOY design is the same one I just built yesterday myself. Was fun to build and the sound is great with it. You may eventually want to step up to a better headphone amp, but for $20 these are wicked.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Gearslutz App

[Bunjji]

Originally Posted by TotalNoob

One more question. What's the difference between K601 and K701 headphones? And do i need headphone amp?

The K601s are older I think. In fact, the Q 701s are AKG's newest model, not the K 701s. If you have an audio interface, it should have a decent headphone amp. If not, then yes, you will need a headphone amp.

[TotalNoob]

Originally Posted by Bunjji

The K601s are older I think. In fact, the Q 701s are AKG's newest model, not the K 701s. If you have an audio interface, it should have a decent headphone amp. If not, then yes, you will need a headphone amp.

I have M-Audio Fast Track Pro. Will that be enough?

[kasmira]

Originally Posted by TotalNoob

I have M-Audio Fast Track Pro. Will that be enough?

Depends on the impedance of the headphones. My Beyers are 250ohm I believe. The fast track in my situation was loud enough for mastered tracks, but wasn't nearly enough for production. I had to produce with faders pushed and a limiter on the master, then in the day I would mix on my speakers, and remove the limiter and be able to push my tracks down in volume. It was really annoying. If the headphones are 100ohm or so you'll probably be good...but if you like to mix with your kick at -10dB or so like I do, an amp might still be necessary.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Gearslutz App

[RoadToNever]

Beyerdynamic DT250-250.

[stevens119]

At - m50

[Amun Ra]

Originally Posted by Squidding

I've had a lot of people tell me that the K701s lack bottom end pretty badly

If you use the 701's with a decent amplifier they are NOT lacking any bottom end at all, instead the bottom end response is really even and detailed IMO. Not exaggerated like a lot of other headphones. They sure need a lot of time to burn in though, and a good headphone amplifier is a necessity. I can use them all day if I'm inclined, they're really that comfy. Great phones.

[micheck123]

go for the Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro, they sound awesome on anything that you throw at it. Classical, Hip Pop, Studio monitoring. Worth every penny.

[Bunjji]

Originally Posted by Amun Ra

If you use the 701's with a decent amplifier they are NOT lacking any bottom end at all, instead the bottom end response is really even and detailed IMO. Not exaggerated like a lot of other headphones. They sure need a lot of time to burn in though, and a good headphone amplifier is a necessity. I can use them all day if I'm inclined, they're really that comfy. Great phones.

I'd say get an amplifier, newb.

[Equivalence82]

KRK Systems KNS-8400 - They are amazingly clear and excellent value for money! Trust me go with theses headphones, they are so lightweight too and you can wear them for hours.

[Unclenny]

Look into Ultrasone for less ear fatigue, comfort and sound stage representation. I use 900's because I want to hear the bottom end a bit more pronounced.

Mixing on any headphones is an acquired technique (I do it)....fwiw.

[audiotech]

Originally Posted by Equivalence82

KRK Systems KNS-8400 - They are amazingly clear and excellent value for money! Trust me go with theses headphones, they are so lightweight too and you can wear them for hours.

I agree, I have two pairs of these and find them very accurate. The only thing is, the people who hear or are use to the sound of the Beyer DT 770 Pros will find the KNS-8400 a little bass deficient, although they're really not. The 8400 headphones are great for critical listening and the 770 Pros are fine for listening to music with your feet propped up.

Dennis