Studio reference Headphones

[peter893]

Studio reference Headphones
Im looking to pick up a new set of Studio reference headphones.
For me, not for clients.

I nice flat freq. response for mixing. My problem with my current ATH - m40fs is that the casing around the padding is flaking off. I do like these and im really used to them but if I can find another good pair without the flaking issue.
I hate the sony's to much treble.

any ideas ? please

Peter
__________

[JonCraig]

grado labs rs-2's, or sennheiser hd650's.

--jon

[T_R_S]

AKG K1000's are the *hit. I compared them againts Grado's. They sound amazing.

[Bob Ross]

For "reference" work I've liked AKG K-240DF (must be the DF version, not the M or the S or any of the other K-240 variants) or Sennheiser HD250 Linear II ...although I hate the cable on the Sennheisers.

What I've *really* liked are the Stax Sigma or Lambda electrostatic earspeakers, but I have yet to find a studio equipped with these.

[blackcatdigi]

Grado RS1s with the preamp or Sennheiser HD600s are my prefs.

[MIKEHARRIS]

was the Sennheiser 600...now 650

[ohad]

HD 650 THE BEST

[JonCraig]

Originally Posted by ohad

HD 650 THE BEST

the 650's don't have the top end clarity of the grados. because of the shape of the sennheisers, though, they're a lot more comfortable if, say, you had to wear them for 8 hours straight. i often wear the grados when editing away from home. after about 6 hours, my ears hurt, just from the pressure of something on the side of my head.

--jon

[GYang]

Originally Posted by T_R_S

AKG K1000's are the *hit. I compared them againts Grado's. They sound amazing.

With fine headphone amp K 1000 are superb naturally sounding headphones, without typical side effects. But they are not loud (good for your hearing)
Next one for louder monitoring is AKG Studio 271 (also preferably with good headphone amp).
Although I have both Sennheiser HD 600 and HD 650, compared to both mentioned AKGs they are somehow less pleasant sounding, although details on HD650 are indeed very well defined. Try both side by side before decision.
To me AKG clearly wins.
Grado is OK, but IMO slightly less resolute than any of above mentioned.

[nobtwiddler]

I use both the Grado & the Sennheisers to check my mixes.
They both offer something different and between them I can get a very good idea of how the stuff is going to translate.
But for me if I had to pick one, I'd lean towards the HD-600, (650)
Paul
www.millbrooksoundstudios.com

[DavidJ]

Another nod for the Sennheiser HD-650's (through a Grace Headphone amp). Very smooth, detailed and comfortable. There’s even an aftermarket cable made by Cardas Audio that is said to improve the HD650’s resolution.

[r0ck1r0ck2]

what about the sony mdr 7506?

[synthetic]

Sony 7506/V6 have that metal tweeter that grates on you. A bit of a hypey response too. I always thought that AKG 240s had a low mid bass bump that messes with the sound. Lately I'm using the new AKGs, K271s, which are rather nice.

[JonCraig]

Originally Posted by r0ck1r0ck2

what about the sony mdr 7506?

they sound bad.

--jon

[csiaudio]

Another pimp for the 600's or 650's - Love them!

[norman_nomad]

I JUST picked up a set of Sennheiser 650’s and I have a favorable first impression of them. They seem flat and super detailed, although border on sounding a bit hazy in the upper mid range (I’m going to try and remove the cloth that covers the drivers and see if it makes a difference). The high end is extended and clear, and the low end seems neutral (possibly a bit shy) and not at all boomy. I enjoyed listening to albums that made creative use of compression as the hd650 were easily able to dissect the nuances of space and ambience. The HD650’s reminded me listening to a good set of speakers, albeit without the physical thump that a woofer will push.

They were a complete contrast to the 7506’s which I’ve used for years as a tracking headphone and mix reference. The 7506’s, because of their closed back design, are much more aggressive, the bass is hyped and dynamic. The high end can be sizzly, and inner detail tends to be masked. Some might label the 7506’s as sounding “bad”, but I find them quite useful for referencing rock mixes. IMO, the 7506’s tend to be a good indicator for how the mix will sound on most boomboxes and car stereo’s (guy’s who crank their sub and smiley face their eq.. i.e. 95% of listeners).

I see myself using the 650’s for fine tuning reverb, compression and eq changes… I still wouldn’t want to be stuck mixing full time on any pair of headphones. I do the majority of my mixes jumping between my Adams and my “lofi” consumer speakers.

[Al Chine]

I like the AKG K240 DF. thumbsup

[neilwight]

im still sticking with the sennheiser HD580. for me these sound better than the 600 (which are however more comfortable).

ive got AKG K240DF here also though and i reach for these nearly everytime nowadays. a great headphone and something i do trust to make decisions on.