All about HEADPHONES head phone headphone

[Instrumentality]

Under $100 - Sennheiser HD280 pro

[Michael_Joly]

The $74 Fostex T50RP, a semi-open back, "real phase" (planar ribbon technology) headphone is the most accurate set I've heard under $700 (the Koss electrostatic ESP950).

The T50RP has uncanny image stability, put some mono pink noise in these suckers and it sums directly in the center of your head - across all frequency bands - its phase vs frequency response is impeccable in other words. This means much less ear fatigue than moving coil dynamic phones and more accurate mixing judgement. Terrific transient response. Flat frequency response.

They've been my only brand of phones for almost 20 years and what I use every day to audition mic mods. Oh, I pull the foam cushions off to let the drivers sit closer to my ears for better bass response and to eliminate the cushion cavity coloration. These are not high isolation "tracking" phones, but rather detailed listening analysis or mixing phones.

[Masaaki]

Best for what?

[asdfdsa]

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly

The $74 Fostex T50RP, a semi-open back, "real phase" (planar ribbon technology) headphone is the most accurate set I've heard under $700 (the Koss electrostatic ESP950).

The T50RP has uncanny image stability, put some mono pink noise in these suckers and it sums directly in the center of your head - across all frequency bands - its phase vs frequency response is impeccable in other words. This means much less ear fatigue than moving coil dynamic phones and more accurate mixing judgement. Terrific transient response. Flat frequency response.

They've been my only brand of phones for almost 20 years and what I use every day to audition mic mods. Oh, I pull the foam cushions off to let the drivers sit closer to my ears for better bass response and to eliminate the cushion cavity coloration. These are not high isolation "tracking" phones, but rather detailed listening analysis or mixing phones.

Quite helpful thanks! What would you suggest for tracking/isolation?

Originally Posted by Masaaki

Best for what?

Both mixing and tracking...perhaps there is a one do all, or maybe it'd be worth 2 seperate phones (1for tracking, 1 for mix)

[asdfdsa]

Or would it be best to put the 'mix phones' money into better monitors?

[Masaaki]

Originally Posted by asdfdsa

Or would it be best to put the 'mix phones' money into better monitors?

Get closed one for tracking/monitoring, and semi-open or open one for "mixing test run", then use near field monitors for real mixing. That's all I can say.

Finally, use Bose and make sure your music sounds good for these rich people

[Michael_Joly]

Originally Posted by asdfdsa

Or would it be best to put the 'mix phones' money into better monitors?

Depends. Do you think the stuff you'll be working on will be heard thru iPod earbuds, on the radio in cars (unlikely), in television programs or accompanying commercials, in clubs, in video games. Hardly anyone actually listens to music as a primary activity these days. So pick your monitoring environment for the track being produced and its envisioned destination.

One good and accurate set of cans and a pair of Auratones or similar can do all the above - if you first listen to hit recordings through them and use these recordings as references.

Tracking? You want midrange-focused, loud, rugged, cheap and closed back.

[Lance Lawson]

Sennheser HD 280 Pro.

[asdfdsa]

So I'm thinking that I should just get a decent pair of tracking phones, and a decent set of monitors for monitoring, as seemingly a second pair of monitoring headphones would be a bit redudant...(since I'm on a tight budget)

Agreed?

[asdfdsa]

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly

Depends. Do you think the stuff you'll be working on will be heard thru iPod earbuds, on the radio in cars (unlikely), in television programs or accompanying commercials, in clubs, in video games. Hardly anyone actually listens to music as a primary activity these days. So pick your monitoring environment for the track being produced and its envisioned destination.

One good and accurate set of cans and a pair of Auratones or similar can do all the above - if you first listen to hit recordings through them and use these recordings as references.

Tracking? You want midrange-focused, loud, rugged, cheap and closed back.

Very sound advice, and that's pretty much what I'm going to take

Thanks.

[edva]

I like Ultrasones. Not a flat response, but no cans truly are, and I greatly appreciate the mu-metal shielding, and the unique dispersion technology (forgotten what it's officially called) that makes the image seem less "headphoney" and also allows slightly lower listening levels, all things important to pro users who listen on 'phones a lot. IMHO, YMMV. I have the Pro 750's (bright and detailed) and the Pro 900's (DEEP bass, also very detailed).

[asdfdsa]

Maybe we should have two categories, one for tracking the other for listening/mixing...

[asdfdsa]

actually better yet, one that does both...

[KFMG]

Audio Technica ATH-M50. Excellent for tracking, pretty nice for rough mixes.

[Masaaki]

This is the best for you.

SONY MDR-7506 STUDIO MONITOR DJ AUDIO STEREO HEADPHONES - eBay (item 220680505698 end time Oct-15-10 18:10:00 PDT)

$46 for genuine Sony 7506, brand new, free shipping from Shenzhen, China.
Good for mixing, tracking, monitoring, and listening.

[Masaaki]

Just FYI, if you are really serious about headphones, get STAX.

Welcome to STAX Earspeaker

and if you are in US,
Importers of Fine Audio Components

Particularly, SR007 is open design and excellent for classic music, and 4070 is closed design and good for monitoring and tracking. These are pretty much "gold standard" in Hi Fi headphone folks, but they can be used quite nicely for music recording and tracking. Of course, the price is also very very high end (several grands including driver amp).

[tomlee]

Originally Posted by Masaaki

This is the best for you.

SONY MDR-7506 STUDIO MONITOR DJ AUDIO STEREO HEADPHONES - eBay (item 220680505698 end time Oct-15-10 18:10:00 PDT)

$46 for genuine Sony 7506, brand new, free shipping from Shenzhen, China.
Good for mixing, tracking, monitoring, and listening.

interesting.

their only neg feedback shouts fake?

maybe worth a gamble :/

[Masaaki]

Originally Posted by tomlee

interesting.

their only neg feedback shouts fake?

maybe worth a gamble :/

yeah, in fact, I got two of those from another seller in China. I guess it was in Shanghai, but I can't find the same seller now.

Shipping took a couple of weeks, and boxes came as "gift". I gave them to my teenager kids without opening or listening. They use it for iPod and they say it sounds good. The can has "SONY Professional" label on it, came with a warranty card, which looks like genuine Sony-made. Is it illegal copy product? Who knows, and I don't want to know. I can compare with my other cans and say "sounds all right", but that will trigger my doubts for sure. As long as my kids are happy with it and I spent just $90 for two cans. It was a good deal, and I don't want to ruin my feeling.

[coyotekells]

Originally Posted by Masaaki

I can compare with my other cans and say "sounds all right"

That's what you'd say if they were real..

After owning a few other headphones, man I don't miss those 7506s.. they hurt your eyes, and make you think your vocals and drums sound better than they do.

Only thing I liked is they're physically attractive, they have a nice look to them.

[Masaaki]

Originally Posted by coyotekells

That's what you'd say if they were real..

haha that's so true. thumbsup

[Beefy]

I hate head phones they make me feel claustrophobic. If I could I would just have a chip implanted into my brain that stimulates the part that makes me interpret sound waves and a wireless trs transmitter to send it signals.

[asdfdsa]

What about a pair of these Shure SRH240 ( I found some local for $30)

Shure - Over-the-Ear Headphones - SRH240

[asdfdsa]

no word about the aboveset of cans?

[asdfdsa]

...

[shaddai]

Under $100 - Sennheiser HD280 pro

+1

I also have a set of the old Sony MDR V-600's. Bought them in 1993..still going. Shells are noisy in handling, but once they're on your head & not moving around, they're a bit silkier & louder from the middle up. Otherwise they're just a bit tighter everywhere else. Might be able to find some on feebay. If I had to choose between the 2, I'd take the old Sony.

btw, anyone know where I can get replacement foam & leather for the ear pieces on the Sony's?

todd

[asdfdsa]

Still on the hunt, read some other rev. on hd280 pro and they weren't as favorable, so now I'm double thinking - ifthatsaword.

[loopy]

Originally Posted by shaddai

+1

I also have a set of the old Sony MDR V-600's. Bought them in 1993..still going. Shells are noisy in handling, but once they're on your head & not moving around, they're a bit silkier & louder from the middle up. Otherwise they're just a bit tighter everywhere else. Might be able to find some on feebay. If I had to choose between the 2, I'd take the old Sony.

btw, anyone know where I can get replacement foam & leather for the ear pieces on the Sony's?

todd

I have the Sony V6 circa 1980's and despite reading that they are the same as the 7506, they are NOT.
Much smoother, less of a high end peak.
Very, very nice cans.

As for foam, you can use the Beyerdynamic ear pieces which are a velour and very comfortable.
Just use the cushion, toss the plastic pieces in the kit.

Look here:
Beyerdynamic Padded Earcushions for DT250/DT280 942704 - B&H

[AcoosticZoo]

Best cans for:

Under $100
Sony buds like under 30 even, great portable, if they break, won't matter.

Under $300
uh? save up for the next categary,
or settle for something in the sennheiser range.

Under $500
Akg 712 - awesome detail, balanced tonally, what more do you want.


Regards
Josef horhay
Mixing Engineer
www.acoosticzoo.com

[crashhak]

Under $100 Sony MDR 7506, this is Industry standard headphone.