R
rob_sl
New member
so what headphones would u guys recommend me that work wonders for mixing rock music (guitars, drums, etc etc)? best bang for the buck deal here.
OldDude
Elder Skatesman
Best choice . . . don't mix in headphones.
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ednor59
New member
I'm pretty happy with my AKG K240's. They're pretty much a studio standard that's been around for a while. Got them for $100 new, and they have a pretty wide frequency response. I use them in conjuntion wiht near-field monitors for mixing. Not the best for tracking, though, since they bleed sound a bit. But light and comfortable. Plus you can replace the cord yourself.
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santiu
Rock-scientist
I'm sure you're gonna get a lot of "don't mix with headphones" answers. And for the most part it's true, although I find my headphones to be an absolutely indispensable mixing tool.
anyhow, what's your budget? I'd save up for some really good ones if you want your headphones to be really useful. I use Sennheiser HD-580's, they don't make them anymore but I bet you could get a good deal on them on ebay if you keep your eye out. If not, the replacement is the HD600 which is basically the same thing with different grills and you can get them new. I would also take a look at the Beyerdynamic DT-770 (newer version, although even the newer version is supposedly a bit bass heavy), or the AKG K701. Of course there are nicer fancier headphones, but I think beyond these models you have to spend a LOT more money to get a noticeable increase in quality.
On the cheaper end, i'm not sure i could recommend headphones for any mixing duties. Maybe something like the Audio Technica ATH-AD700 is about the only one I'd recommend <$150 (actually a freakkin great price on these right now at Amazon). Sennheiser HD-280 pros and Sony MDR-7506/V6 are great for tracking, but IMO they suck for mixing. Also, not the biggest fan of the K240's for mixing (biiiiiigg bass boost in the frequency response).
anyhow, what's your budget? I'd save up for some really good ones if you want your headphones to be really useful. I use Sennheiser HD-580's, they don't make them anymore but I bet you could get a good deal on them on ebay if you keep your eye out. If not, the replacement is the HD600 which is basically the same thing with different grills and you can get them new. I would also take a look at the Beyerdynamic DT-770 (newer version, although even the newer version is supposedly a bit bass heavy), or the AKG K701. Of course there are nicer fancier headphones, but I think beyond these models you have to spend a LOT more money to get a noticeable increase in quality.
On the cheaper end, i'm not sure i could recommend headphones for any mixing duties. Maybe something like the Audio Technica ATH-AD700 is about the only one I'd recommend <$150 (actually a freakkin great price on these right now at Amazon). Sennheiser HD-280 pros and Sony MDR-7506/V6 are great for tracking, but IMO they suck for mixing. Also, not the biggest fan of the K240's for mixing (biiiiiigg bass boost in the frequency response).
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gecko zzed
Grumpy Mod
If you are thinking 'budget', then you might like to check out, surprisingly, the Behringer HPX2000. Most budget headphones (including the other Behringers) are pretty awful, but for some reason, these aren't. They are wonderfully transparent, have a deep rich bass, and reflect the highs crisply. However, being open-backed, they present some problems for tracking, and (depending on how loud the headphone feed is) you can get bleed through. These are a good option if you are wating until you can afford something more in the top end.
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jeffree
New member
Rob, I'm talking about late-night 'rough' mixing here, before I turn to actual speakers...
My low-end studio equipment doesn't qualify me to give much of an opinion on such matters, but the ATH-M50s are easily the best closed cans I've ever used.
My trusty Senn 280s have served me well for several years, and I prefer them to the Sony 7506s and ATH-M40s that I've also auditioned in my studio. After reading a series of rave reviews (in Tape Op, Recording, etc.), I ordered the M50s just for comparison's sake.
I was fairly sure I'd send them back after a listen. I never did. Simply put, the M50s are the first closed cans that I feel I can trust for rough mixing, and surprisingly, the first closed cans that make me want to listen just for enjoyment. They clearly live up the street from my old Senns, which I now use solely for tracking.
PROs
* detailed yet coherent sound that mirrors higher-end monitor speakers
* particularly impressive bass response (deep, tight) and soundstage (great imaging)
* very comfy fit, with special fake leather that's breathable and durable
CONs
* rather short coiled cord, requiring an extension for some applications
* slightly looser fit than the Senn 280s (good or bad, depending on head size)
Speakers of any type are hard to recommend since tastes, physiology, and other equipment vary so much, but you may want to audition these if you need a pair for higher-end listening tasks. They work beautifully for me, and the price seems fair (paid $139 new, shipping included). Then again, with my mostly bargain-basement studio gear, what do I know? Make sure you have a good return policy, just in case.
My low-end studio equipment doesn't qualify me to give much of an opinion on such matters, but the ATH-M50s are easily the best closed cans I've ever used.
My trusty Senn 280s have served me well for several years, and I prefer them to the Sony 7506s and ATH-M40s that I've also auditioned in my studio. After reading a series of rave reviews (in Tape Op, Recording, etc.), I ordered the M50s just for comparison's sake.
I was fairly sure I'd send them back after a listen. I never did. Simply put, the M50s are the first closed cans that I feel I can trust for rough mixing, and surprisingly, the first closed cans that make me want to listen just for enjoyment. They clearly live up the street from my old Senns, which I now use solely for tracking.
PROs
* detailed yet coherent sound that mirrors higher-end monitor speakers
* particularly impressive bass response (deep, tight) and soundstage (great imaging)
* very comfy fit, with special fake leather that's breathable and durable
CONs
* rather short coiled cord, requiring an extension for some applications
* slightly looser fit than the Senn 280s (good or bad, depending on head size)
Speakers of any type are hard to recommend since tastes, physiology, and other equipment vary so much, but you may want to audition these if you need a pair for higher-end listening tasks. They work beautifully for me, and the price seems fair (paid $139 new, shipping included). Then again, with my mostly bargain-basement studio gear, what do I know? Make sure you have a good return policy, just in case.
S
santiu
Rock-scientist
ah crapp, i hadn't looked at those before ... now I've got another pair headphones to go buy and try out (I sort of have this problem with headphones, if only there was a headphones-anonymous)! Thanks a lot jeffree
