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I Need A Good Set Of Headphones
- Thread starter Emerson
- Start date
Thanks
Thanks for your reply. Yeah, I've heard good things about the Sennheisers so I'll look into it and see what's available. I actually have a pair of the HD 600s (the ones with the soft cushioned ear pads--heaven!) but they are open back and so are unsuitable for recording plus they don't allow me to mix well because of their frequency compensations.
Thanks for your reply. Yeah, I've heard good things about the Sennheisers so I'll look into it and see what's available. I actually have a pair of the HD 600s (the ones with the soft cushioned ear pads--heaven!) but they are open back and so are unsuitable for recording plus they don't allow me to mix well because of their frequency compensations.
I've had good luck using the HD580s and 600s. From your first post I thought you were looking for headphones to mix on, so having open back style cans shouldn't really matter unless your mixing environment is very noisy. The 580/600/650s sound best with a good dedicated headphone amp, are you using one with your 600s?
I think they allow you to mix fine as long as you don't mix exclusively on your headphones. You need to double-check your mixes on speakers afterwards, and will most likely find a few things to change. All headphones sound quite different to speakers and you must get used to the different frequency response. Also, mixing with some kind of crossfeed is helpful when using 'phones. Many good headphone amps will have such a circuit, otherwise there is a free plugin called \"hpdx\" (I think) from Refined Audiometrics Labs. You can place it on the master fader for a similar crossfeed effect, just make sure to bypass it when going to speakers.
I think they allow you to mix fine as long as you don't mix exclusively on your headphones. You need to double-check your mixes on speakers afterwards, and will most likely find a few things to change. All headphones sound quite different to speakers and you must get used to the different frequency response. Also, mixing with some kind of crossfeed is helpful when using 'phones. Many good headphone amps will have such a circuit, otherwise there is a free plugin called \"hpdx\" (I think) from Refined Audiometrics Labs. You can place it on the master fader for a similar crossfeed effect, just make sure to bypass it when going to speakers.
Dan Duskin
Established Member
The HD600's and HD650's are good enough to mix on! The main reason you hear people say don't mix on headphones is one of two reasons (or both)...
#1: They've never used headphones like these!
#2: You have to check your mix in mono more often using headphones
#1: They've never used headphones like these!
#2: You have to check your mix in mono more often using headphones
MASSIVE Mastering
Active Member
Grado 225's. My new favorites in the $200-ish range by a long shot.
Still - No doubt, the physics behind mixing with headphones still comes into play. But if you're looking for some very happ'nin cans, there you go.
Still - No doubt, the physics behind mixing with headphones still comes into play. But if you're looking for some very happ'nin cans, there you go.
Jeraz
Active Member
I used Grado 225s for a while. After break-in, they are very good. A little harsh in the highs sometimes for me. Their deal is reducing untoward resonance in the materials, so that the sound is free of unwanted harmonics. Even the Grado SR60s are a good sound!
I now use the AKG K601s. GREAT! Nice, balanced, response; soundstage second only to the K701; low fatigue, incredibly light and COMFORTABLE.
As for mixing on headphones, two things:
Vocals levels will usually sound slightly lower on cans than on monitors.
Reverb will and stereo field will differ from monitors (what's WET on cans you might think is barely audible on monitors).
I now use the AKG K601s. GREAT! Nice, balanced, response; soundstage second only to the K701; low fatigue, incredibly light and COMFORTABLE.
As for mixing on headphones, two things:
Vocals levels will usually sound slightly lower on cans than on monitors.
Reverb will and stereo field will differ from monitors (what's WET on cans you might think is barely audible on monitors).
Dave Bourke
Active Member
I think these are all open-backs, yes? Anyone know what the best CLOSED headphones are? (I do VO work occasionally).
Kind regards.
Kind regards.
Jeraz
Active Member
Personally, I would never ever mix on closed headphones (Never heard a set that had a soundstage and presence approaching open or semi-open). the ONLY reason why I'd use them, is for TRACKING, when I don't want bleed to the mics, or for listening when I need to shout out ambient noise.Dave Bourke said:
For both of the above, I use Senn HD280s. They have better attenuation than BOSE, and are pretty darn good as far as leakage, though, side-sticks and some metronome will bleed through with some of the hotter mics....so...when I am recording quite stuff like fingerstyle acoustic, I use Sharp E2C earbuds, which were pretty much originally designed (no bleed at all and great isolation with the foam sleeves especially) with the pro recording artist in mind.
Do I sometimes check out what a mix sounds like on the 280s or E2Cs? Sure. But I don't look at them as anywhere near reference, as the K601s are.
Dave Bourke
Active Member
Thanks Mark. Yes, I'd mainly be using them while recording Voice-Over tracks so spill would be a no-no. Unfortunately, I must have non-standard ear canals because I've never been able to use bud-phones without a lot of discomfort.
Thanks for the info.
Kind regards.
Thanks for the info.
Kind regards.
I just tried the new Audio Technica ATHM50 phones - very nice! Great isolation and even better sound.
Dan Duskin
Established Member
Lots of great headphones out there. But, what I do know is that if you want headphones to mix on... the most used phones for this application by professionals (well known mixing engineers) is the Sennheiser HD-600's (as well as the 580's and 650's).
Personally, I've never tried the 580's... but some people say they like them best because they aren't as bass heavy. However, the bass response of the 600's and 650's is flat and accurate (it's just that many people aren't used to hearing flat bass down to 5Hz). The 600's are excellent, and are probably best for critical listening (recording and editing)... while the 650's are best for mixing and esspecially mastering (however, the 600's and 650's are very VERY close, the difference in sound is very minimal).
I have a pair of HD 650's, and I occationally use a pair of HD 600's as well. I love both, and I cannot imagine mixing (or mastering) without checking on these headphones! If you can, GET BOTH!!!
Personally, I've never tried the 580's... but some people say they like them best because they aren't as bass heavy. However, the bass response of the 600's and 650's is flat and accurate (it's just that many people aren't used to hearing flat bass down to 5Hz). The 600's are excellent, and are probably best for critical listening (recording and editing)... while the 650's are best for mixing and esspecially mastering (however, the 600's and 650's are very VERY close, the difference in sound is very minimal).
I have a pair of HD 650's, and I occationally use a pair of HD 600's as well. I love both, and I cannot imagine mixing (or mastering) without checking on these headphones! If you can, GET BOTH!!!
Jeraz
Active Member
I just sold my K601, which many critics now view as more balanced than the 595 or 600s tone-wise (see headroom review as an example), but on par with them (Some folks view balanced as kind of boring, so that's not a +/- statement, it is what it is).
I bought the 701s, which are comparable with the 650s. All I can say is, Holy Sh1t. Seriously, if the 650s are to the 600s what the 701s are to the 601, then they are worth the extra dough.
I've heard a lot of cans, and I am amazed at what you get in the 701s...to my ears, they are better than the GRADO 325s, and cost much less. They are amazing. I wouldn't have believed it (even though others I know have raved) if I hadn't heard it myself. To me, they are not the best mixing cans I've ever heard...the closest thing Soundstage-wise, and bass, mid-detail-wise to monitors I've heard.
If I did a lot of loud rock, I might go for Senn 600s instead, or pick up a pair for that...but for what I do, these are pretty incomparable. Actually, as I write this, I would like to own a pair to round out my collection...just because they are a nice set of cans, and especially since so many others listen on them...many of my friends who provide feedback on mixes, for example.
It's almost a little weird...I mean, I did a recording last night through my API A2D...stereo guitar...I put the 701s on, and between picks, I could hear my friggin' guitar strap creaking on the button.
I bought the 701s, which are comparable with the 650s. All I can say is, Holy Sh1t. Seriously, if the 650s are to the 600s what the 701s are to the 601, then they are worth the extra dough.
I've heard a lot of cans, and I am amazed at what you get in the 701s...to my ears, they are better than the GRADO 325s, and cost much less. They are amazing. I wouldn't have believed it (even though others I know have raved) if I hadn't heard it myself. To me, they are not the best mixing cans I've ever heard...the closest thing Soundstage-wise, and bass, mid-detail-wise to monitors I've heard.
If I did a lot of loud rock, I might go for Senn 600s instead, or pick up a pair for that...but for what I do, these are pretty incomparable. Actually, as I write this, I would like to own a pair to round out my collection...just because they are a nice set of cans, and especially since so many others listen on them...many of my friends who provide feedback on mixes, for example.
It's almost a little weird...I mean, I did a recording last night through my API A2D...stereo guitar...I put the 701s on, and between picks, I could hear my friggin' guitar strap creaking on the button.
Merlinmrk1
Member
Well after reading the sound on sound article 'mixing on headphones' i decided to bit the bullet and pay 200 quid for the seinheiser 650!!!
Wow, what a differnce. Mixing translates to my speakers a lot better. You can really HEAR the detail and clarity when eqing etc...NICE
Wow, what a differnce. Mixing translates to my speakers a lot better. You can really HEAR the detail and clarity when eqing etc...NICE