your pick for phones - M40fs, Senn 280, or Sony V600?

  • Thread starter Thread starter maryslittlesecret
  • Start date Start date

What's your pick?

  • Sennheiser 280 Pro

    Votes: 63 54.3%

  • Sony MDR-V600

    Votes: 16 13.8%

  • Audio Technica ATH-M40fs

    Votes: 37 31.9%
  • Total voters
    116
The HD 280 are the only ones I've owned.

The isolate very well and after a LOT of burn-in they sound pretty decent. When I say a lot of burn-in, I mean they need 100+ hours to sound good. Out of the box they sound really bad.

They are slightly sibilant at times and a little cold in the mids. The bass extension is great, but there isn't a whole lot of impact.

If you need a headphone just for tracking, these will do the job as they isolate well. For music listening and mixing, you can do much better in the Sennheiser line.
 
Not that I can compare, since the AT's are the only nice phones I've had, but I like them. They have a nice full response, and nothing sounds muddy, harsh, or overemphasized.
 
AKG vs Sennheisers...

MISTERQCUE said:
Why no AKG's included in this poll !!??
Senns & Sony's are more than capable with the AKG's('specially the 240's) holding thier own in many top-flite studios.
Click to expand...
I own both the AKG K240's and the Sennheisers HD 280 Pro's.
I seldom use the AKG' as the HD 280's do a better job for me when tracking especially when using microphones and they provide more volume.
I pretty much agree with Jefree's earlier synopsis.
(I see the Comedic Leprachaun was here)
 
Try searching at headphonereviews.org
These are Hi Fi type people. Although they spend several thousand on their quest for prefection, I researched and found a pair that may come close for much less but is above the range you guys are thinking about. They are the Sony MDR-SA5000 but they are not closed back for isolation. They list for
$699.99 but Amazon.com sells them for $374.94 with free shipping. I don't have the money yet to try them, but I'm tempted. They may be good enough to trust. It was a new product in January '05.
 
Joe Hostetter said:
Try searching at headphonereviews.org
These are Hi Fi type people. Although they spend several thousand on their quest for prefection, I researched and found a pair that may come close for much less but is above the range you guys are thinking about. They are the Sony MDR-SA5000 but they are not closed back for isolation. They list for
$699.99 but Amazon.com sells them for $374.94 with free shipping. I don't have the money yet to try them, but I'm tempted. They may be good enough to trust. It was a new product in January '05.
Click to expand...
The SA5000 are great for mixing and mastering. Very flat. But use them with a nice headphone amp to let them shine at their maximum potential.
 
Ok, I'll play the "man this is an O-O-O-O-O-L-D" thread game too... :D

I own the 280 and V600. No comparison to make--The 280 is way better between the two. I also own an old pair of SignalFlex phones that kicked 'em both out of the room...

...But the 280 gets used daily...Simply because of the isolation issue on tracking. The V600 BLEEDS, mostly 'cause my head is too small for 'em, and as good as the SignalFlex sounds, the pads are uncomfortable...And I need new pads for both the Sony and SignalFlex...

Eric
 
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I have the AT's they are extremely comfortable. They have a spl handling that can hurt you, and they are pretty flat. I use them for off-site recording, they work very well. they are a tad bass heavy, but that keeps me in check.
 
Do the 280's provide enough isolation for drum tracking or would something like the extreme isolation phones be a better choice?

I have the mdr v600's and like them pretty well. They're kind of loose on my head so they don't provide alot of isolation. Also, they seem kind of bright but that's a minor issue because I can hear everything thru these phones. Bass sounds real natural to me thru these.
 
Yo Travis. In short, the answer is yes. The HD280's provide *excellent* isolation. Some people complain that they are too tight. On paper, they provide *more* attenuation than extreme isolation. In the real world, they work just as well, but are more comfortable and sound better.-Richie
 
Richard Monroe said:
Yo Travis. In short, the answer is yes. The HD280's provide *excellent* isolation. Some people complain that they are too tight. On paper, they provide *more* attenuation than extreme isolation. In the real world, they work just as well, but are more comfortable and sound better.-Richie
Click to expand...

Thanks a bunch. I've been thinking about getting some 280's for awhile.
 
Well, five years have passed since my earlier post in this thread--like living in a time warp. Maybe a whole new generation of recorders have grown up and are reading this thread now? Just in case, I'll add a quick review of some new cans I picked up a few months ago.

My low-end equipment doesn’t qualify me to give much of an opinion on such matters, but the ATH-M50 phones are easily the best closed cans I’ve ever used. (Note: I've never tried any Beyer cans, but know someone who raves about them.)

My trusty Senn 280s have served very me well (tracking and rough mixing) 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)
* several moving parts, so may be too fragile for rough play

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 gear, what do I know?

Cheers,
J.
 
Thanks Jeffree!
I now have 2 pair of the Senn280pro's AND I just bought 2 pair of the A-T M30's and I think the M30's sound good.
I let my kids use the M30's with their car DVD players on a recent trip (10 hours each way) and they thought they sounded great.
I sold my AKG's primarily as they are not "closed-back".
I still like them a lot but my home studio is a one room affair and "closed-back" works best.
homestudioguy.com
 
Senn. HD 280s

LOVIN the 280s- but after a while of usage they tend to hurt my ears.

It may be the pressure or the isolation...

Id say, in my opinion, if your wearing them for a short period of time, or have regular rests that these babies are a good option.
 
I've got maybe 4 or 5 different makes of cans lying about the house, including the aforementioned Sony 7506, and Sony V6, as well as a pair of high end ATs of which I can't remember the model number. Of all those phones, I like my old AKG K500 and the new ATH-M50 the best. The ATH-M50 is a bargain for how good it sounds as you can pick them up for @$110 or so new on e-bay.
 
AKG Studio K240's have served me well for a long time. Of those in the list, I'd go with the Senn. 280's
 
Hey
I have been using senn HD280s for a few years both tracking and DJing. I also use them on planes to shut out the noise (bought a little adapter so you can use them with the in flight entertainment!!)
I have been really pleased with them and they have withstood a hammering.
They get my vote!
long
 
LooneyTunez said:
Stay away from the Sony V600's! Mega-scoop in the midrange!! The Sony's I'd suggest would be 7506 or V6.

The AT's are okay (pretty flat sounding), Senn's are probably a little brighter, but I'm used to the Sony 7506, and prefer them over your other choices.
Click to expand...

Stay away from the 7506's. Great sound, but they bleed, and the drivers fry after a couple years. I have more than one pair with one side blown. Sony was "nice enough" (or white enough) to offer to replace them if I sent in the old pair, and $80.:rolleyes: Their comment to me "you shouldn't expect to get more than a couple years out of any headphones".:rolleyes::rolleyes:

I switched to the 280's. Not only do they sound good, but they don't bleed nearly as much, and after doing everything I could think of to try to blow a driver....they still work.


P.S. DON'T MIX WITH HEADPHONES. PERIOD.


Holy shit! I just realized how old this thread is! Slow day!
 
Just ordered a pair of AKG K271's for tracking purposes off eBay new for about $160. I'll keep you posted on my impressions.

I love the Sennheiser HD 600's, but they bleed just a weeeee bit too much for tracking.
 
LemonTree said:
I own 2 sets of the M40fs for tracking. I find them to be pretty flat, maybe a little on the dark side but they sure can handle high volume and they're quite comfortable to wear for long periods.
Click to expand...

Nearly 5 years ago I made that post and still have the same 2 pairs of ATH-M40fs. Sure they are both a little tatty looking now but still sound as good as the day I got them. :)
 
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