agincourtdb
Max Output Level: -27.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4753
- Joined: 2004/02/09 09:32:19
- Location: Maryland USA
- Status: offline
Mixing Headphone recommendations?
My living situation is about to change and I likely won't be able to have a 2.1 reference monitor setup for an extended period, but I'm starting a new album. So, I'm looking for headphone recommendations. I'll be using them both to compose/program and to mix. I'd probably take it to a friend's studio to 'master'. Anyway, the cans must be: - Under $200
- Over-ear (important, I wear glasses and headphones that rest on the ears hurt after a while)
- Reasonably accurate response across the full range. No hype and no significant loss of low end.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me. Really looking for headphones you have actual real-world experience with. Please no 'you shouldn't mix in headphones'. I know that already. I won't have any other option for a while.
|
jamesg1213
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 21760
- Joined: 2006/04/18 14:42:48
- Location: SW Scotland
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/15 14:49:44
(permalink)
☄ Helpfulby agincourtdb 2016/03/15 15:08:19
I've used Audio Technica's 'ATH' range for a long time now, currently using the 'Air ATH300's, which I think cost around £50 ($80). I find them very comfortable and use them for mixing and listening to music/watching movies in the studio. If I was going to upgrade I'd probably go for the ATH-M40-X, which are around £80/$150.
Jyemz Thrombold's Patented Brisk Weather Pantaloonettes with Inclementometer
|
TheMaartian
Max Output Level: -47.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2774
- Joined: 2015/05/21 18:30:52
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/15 15:33:45
(permalink)
☄ Helpfulby agincourtdb 2016/03/20 00:07:56
The ones I have experience with are the Beyerdynamic DT 880 headphones. Large, very comfortable over-the-ear cans. If they weren't $280, I'd give you some links. I own a couple of other headphones that were less expensive, like Sennheiser HD 280 Pro. They have good sound (more for listening that mixing, IMO), but are not comfortable for extended periods. I haven't used Audio Technica, but a pair of ATH m-50x mixing headphones @ $169 from Sweetwater are on my wish list. Given the AT thumbs-up from jamesg1213, that would seem like a good direction to go. I just love my DT 880s and had to put in a plug for them.  Edit: As an aside, from your usage description (not recording live vocals over a backing track), semi-open or open headphones might be more suitable, from an extended-wear perspective. The DT 880s are semi-open. I don't ear-sweat in them, like I do in the HD 280 Pros.
post edited by TheMaartian - 2016/03/15 15:56:12
Intel i7 3.4GHz, 16 GB RAM, 2 TB HD Win10 Home 64-bit Tascam US-16x08 Studio One 4 Pro Notion 6 Melodyne 4 Studio Acoustica 7 Guitar Pro 7 PreSonus FaderPort Nektar P6 M-Audio BX8 D2 Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro NI K9U XLN AK, AD2 AAS VS-2, GS-2, VA-2, EP-4, CP-2, OD Toontrack SD3, EZK
|
Mesh
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 27360
- Joined: 2009/11/27 14:08:08
- Location: Online right here!
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/15 15:55:04
(permalink)
☄ Helpfulby agincourtdb 2016/03/20 00:08:10
I was going to suggest the pair I currently have (Ultrasone 750), but the price has significantly jumped up quite since I initially bought them for ~ $200. I've been using this for the past 3 years in recording/mixing, and do find them to be very accurate with excellent spatial separation. In case you may like to read up on it, here's an SOS article: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep11/articles/ultrasone-pro-750.htm
Platinum Gaming DAW: AsRock Z77 Overclock FormulaI7 3770k @ 4.5GHz : 16GB RAM G.Skill Ripjaws X 250GB OS SSD : 3TB HDD : 1TB Sample HDDWin 10 Pro x 64 : NH-D14 CPU Cooler HIS IceQ 2GB HD 7870Focusrite Scarlett 2i4The_Forum_Monkeys
|
Sir William
Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
- Total Posts : 166
- Joined: 2015/01/15 02:56:50
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/15 17:39:11
(permalink)
☄ Helpfulby dcumpian 2016/03/16 09:10:30
I use the Audio Technica ATH M50 and they're superb. Over the ear, very comfortable in long runs. I wear glasses too. Sonically excellent.
Sonar - Platinum (always up to date)PC - Dell XPS 13 7th Gen Intel i7, 500GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2 x 27" HD monitors, connected via a D3100 DOCKING STATION.OS - Windows 10 x64Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 8i6, Yamaha MG12XU
Rack FX - TC Helicon Voiceworks Plus, TC Electronics M300MIDI - M AUDIO Keystation PRO 88, Focusrite Scarlett 8i6, Roland UM-ONE Mk 2, Yamaha MU100R Microphones - sE X1, AT 2035, Neumann TLM102Monitors - Yamaha NS7, ATH-M50 'Phones
|
TheMaartian
Max Output Level: -47.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2774
- Joined: 2015/05/21 18:30:52
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/15 18:48:26
(permalink)
Sir William
I use the Audio Technica ATH M50 and they're superb. Over the ear, very comfortable in long runs. I wear glasses too. Sonically excellent.
Quotes like that are the reason those phones are on my wish list! 
Intel i7 3.4GHz, 16 GB RAM, 2 TB HD Win10 Home 64-bit Tascam US-16x08 Studio One 4 Pro Notion 6 Melodyne 4 Studio Acoustica 7 Guitar Pro 7 PreSonus FaderPort Nektar P6 M-Audio BX8 D2 Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro NI K9U XLN AK, AD2 AAS VS-2, GS-2, VA-2, EP-4, CP-2, OD Toontrack SD3, EZK
|
Vastman
Max Output Level: -50 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2508
- Joined: 2006/08/30 02:49:18
- Location: Oakland, CA
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/15 19:00:09
(permalink)
☄ Helpfulby agincourtdb 2016/03/20 00:08:50
I've been using KRK's KNS-8400 for years and love them... Sonarworks headphone calibration software has profiled the 8400's. There's pretty much universal agreement this improves the quality of hp mastering...
Dana We make the future... Climate Change MusicVastMaschine:SP4L/W10/i74930K/32GB/RME/CAD E100s; The Orchestra! NOVO!/Inspire/BohemianViolin&Cello, ARK1&2,/MinimalCapriccioMaximoSoto/OE1&2, Action&Emotive/Omni2/Tril/RMX/All OrangeTree/Falcon/APE Jugs/Alpha&Bravo/BFD3 & SD3Gravity/DM307/AEON/DM/Damage/Diva/HZebra/Hive/Diversion/VC4/Serum/Alchemy/blablablaSpitfire/8DIO/SL/KH/EW/NI; Shred1&2/AGF,G,M&T Torch&Res&Ren/GD-6; Ibanez SR1200&SR505NOVAX FanFret Tele&Strat
|
bapu
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 86000
- Joined: 2006/11/25 21:23:28
- Location: Thousand Oaks, CA
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/15 19:02:17
(permalink)
TheMaartian
Sir William
I use the Audio Technica ATH M50 and they're superb. Over the ear, very comfortable in long runs. I wear glasses too. Sonically excellent.
Quotes like that are the reason those phones are on my wish list!
I use them at the DAW almost exclusively while tracking and mixing. Then I move to Senheiser IE6 (buds ~$100 just bought my second pair for $69) for verification. I have others too but they are out of your price range.
|
batsbrew
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 10037
- Joined: 2007/06/07 16:02:32
- Location: SL,UT
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/15 19:23:36
(permalink)
|
Sir William
Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
- Total Posts : 166
- Joined: 2015/01/15 02:56:50
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/15 19:25:13
(permalink)
Vastman
I've been using KRK's KNS-8400 for years and love them... Sonarworks headphone calibration software has profiled the 8400's. There's pretty much universal agreement this improves the quality of hp mastering...
I should add that I also use the Sonarworks Headphone Calibration software for my ATH M50. Plus, I also use the ATH IM70 inears to mix occasionally and find the same calibration setting works great there too.
Sonar - Platinum (always up to date)PC - Dell XPS 13 7th Gen Intel i7, 500GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2 x 27" HD monitors, connected via a D3100 DOCKING STATION.OS - Windows 10 x64Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 8i6, Yamaha MG12XU
Rack FX - TC Helicon Voiceworks Plus, TC Electronics M300MIDI - M AUDIO Keystation PRO 88, Focusrite Scarlett 8i6, Roland UM-ONE Mk 2, Yamaha MU100R Microphones - sE X1, AT 2035, Neumann TLM102Monitors - Yamaha NS7, ATH-M50 'Phones
|
Rimshot
Max Output Level: -29 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4625
- Joined: 2010/12/09 12:51:08
- Location: California
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/15 22:58:35
(permalink)
ATH M-50.
You have to get to know them and then they are very hard to replace.
Rimshot Sonar Platinum 64 (Lifer), Studio One V3.5, Notion 6, Steinberg UR44, Zoom R24, Purrrfect Audio Pro Studio DAW (Case: Silent Mid Tower, Power Supply: 600w quiet, Haswell CPU: i7 4790k @ 4.4GHz (8 threads), RAM: 16GB DDR3/1600 , OS drive: 1TB HD, Audio drive: 1TB HD), Windows 10 x64 Anniversary, Equator D5 monitors, Faderport, FP8, Akai MPK261
|
lawajava
Max Output Level: -55 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2040
- Joined: 2012/05/31 23:23:55
- Location: Seattle
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/15 23:38:04
(permalink)
Vastman
I've been using KRK's KNS-8400 for years and love them... Sonarworks headphone calibration software has profiled the 8400's. There's pretty much universal agreement this improves the quality of hp mastering...
I would say exactly the same thing as Vastman. Same goes for me. All of it. What he said. But - I'll add this. Whether you go with the KRKs or any other headphone - look for one (like the KRKs) that is an acknowledged, widely used set. The reason is that supporting software like Sonarworks, or say the reference tool of a Focusrite VRM box (which is also very useful) have these standard units as part of their presets and modeling selections That's really convenient and helpful. Not only the KRKs, but a few of the leading ones (I think one or two mentioned above) have that going on in those types of supporting packages for reference monitoring.
Two internal 2TB SSDs laptop stuffed with Larry's deals and awesome tools. Studio One is the cat's meow as a DAW now that I've migrated off of Sonar. Using BandLab Cakewalk just to grab old files when migrating songs.
|
SuperG
Max Output Level: -63 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1371
- Joined: 2012/10/19 16:09:18
- Location: Edgewood, NM
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/16 00:08:02
(permalink)
☄ Helpfulby agincourtdb 2016/03/20 00:09:53
You can't go wrong with a pair of AKG's K240 studio's, they sound great, are very comfortable, and easy on the wallet at $99.
|
ampfixer
Max Output Level: -20 dBFS
- Total Posts : 5508
- Joined: 2010/12/12 20:11:50
- Location: Ontario
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/16 00:09:03
(permalink)
☄ Helpfulby agincourtdb 2016/03/20 00:09:58
The AKG K240 is an excellent choice in an over-ear headphone that you can wear a long time. Great if you wear glasses and replacement parts are easy to get.
And yes, they sound great.
Regards, John I want to make it clear that I am an Eedjit. I have no direct, or indirect, knowledge of business, the music industry, forum threads or the meaning of life. I know about amps. WIN 10 Pro X64, I7-3770k 16 gigs, ASUS Z77 pro, AMD 7950 3 gig, Steinberg UR44, A-Pro 500, Sonar Platinum, KRK Rokit 6
|
fwrend
Max Output Level: -76 dBFS
- Total Posts : 709
- Joined: 2006/09/19 16:02:52
- Location: Garden City, KS
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/16 08:28:46
(permalink)
☄ Helpfulby agincourtdb 2016/03/20 00:10:14
Another +1 for the AKG K240's. I've got a pair of the older 200 ohm cans and recently picked up the newer ones which are 55 ohm and detachable cable. Paired with the Sonarworks Headphone Calibration software makes them very nice and you can get both for less than $200. I can't speak for the M50's but I do have the M40's and like them for extra tracking cans. AKG K240 - $69 @ BHPhotoVideo or Amazon Sonarworks - $99 (3 pack downloadable) for K240 or get the ATH-M50x and single calibration for $206
|
dcumpian
Max Output Level: -34 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4124
- Joined: 2005/11/03 15:50:51
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/16 08:57:50
(permalink)
TheMaartian
Sir William
I use the Audio Technica ATH M50 and they're superb. Over the ear, very comfortable in long runs. I wear glasses too. Sonically excellent.
Quotes like that are the reason those phones are on my wish list!
I own two pair of these and they are great for tracking and roughing a mix. You'll still want monitors to check the mix and finalize stereo placement of certain elements, but you can go a long way towards a finished mix once you get familiar with how things are supposed to sound in your headphones. Regards, Dan
Mixing is all about control. My music: http://dancumpian.bandcamp.com/ or https://soundcloud.com/dcumpian Studiocat Advanced Studio DAW (Intel i5 3550 @ 3.7GHz, Z77 motherboard, 16GB Ram, lots of HDDs), Sonar Plat, Mackie 1604, PreSonus Audiobox 44VSL, ESI 4x4 Midi Interface, Ibanez Bass, Custom Fender Mexi-Strat, NI S88, Roland JV-2080 & MDB-1, Komplete, Omnisphere, Lots o' plugins.
|
rontarrant
Max Output Level: -78 dBFS
- Total Posts : 643
- Joined: 2010/06/21 06:26:09
- Location: Ottawa, Ontario
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/16 09:15:23
(permalink)
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
Can't beat 'em.
-Ron T. ---------------------------------------------------------- MSI GE72 2QF-247US, 12 gb, Focusrite 6i6, AT-2020 ---------------------------------------------------------- Windows 10 x64, Sonar Platinum
|
june61944
Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
- Total Posts : 164
- Joined: 2015/01/23 19:35:29
- Location: Detroit, MI
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/16 11:26:36
(permalink)
Just caught the Groupon for ATH M50X for $99. I've been hearing nothing but praise for these headphones, and the removable cable feature in this model makes it even more appealing.
Studio One 3.5. SPLAT 64. Win 7 Pro. Dell 7010, i7 3770, 3.4 GHz, 16Gb RAM. Tascam US-122 Mk II. Lotsa other gadgets.
|
batsbrew
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 10037
- Joined: 2007/06/07 16:02:32
- Location: SL,UT
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/16 11:36:20
(permalink)
|
tagruvto
Max Output Level: -86 dBFS
- Total Posts : 221
- Joined: 2003/12/03 17:21:29
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/16 11:54:47
(permalink)
I use the Audio Technica ATH M50's for tracking And the Beyerdynamic DT880's for mixing.
If you keep your eyes open you will eventual spot these on a killer sale somewhere.
Good luck!
i7-4770 CPU @3.40 GHZ 16.0 GB RAM Widows 10 64-bit SONAR Platinum Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
|
Snehankur
Max Output Level: -80 dBFS
- Total Posts : 507
- Joined: 2014/11/26 00:19:19
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/16 12:12:40
(permalink)
3 days back I have ordered ATH 50X. Its on the way....
|
steveo42
Max Output Level: -89 dBFS
- Total Posts : 90
- Joined: 2015/11/14 18:18:04
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/16 12:31:40
(permalink)
ATH-50X for sound quality but I find them uncomfortable with the stock pads. I use either the Shure 840 pads or the Shure 940 velour pads and it makes them easier on the ears. I wear glasses as well but even without them the ATH are uncomfortable for me with stock pads.
Lot's of hits on the net about this topic.
The Shure pads do change the sound slightly though probably because they fit a little looser on the earpieces.
Slightly smoother mid-bass IMHO.
BTW I also use Sonarworks with these as well as my Sony 7506/V6 phones and my monitors as well.
Best investment I have made in years. Highly recommended.
|
Pragi
Max Output Level: -67 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1173
- Joined: 2010/09/19 11:46:59
- Location: Village of the sun
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/16 13:15:15
(permalink)
I can recommend the AKG K 270 (now 271 mk2)
which I use now longer than 10 years.
Very neutral in the low end so that it is also possible to mix the bass and kick.
I found out that many other headphones in that price range are hyping ar least
the low end.
|
bitflipper
01100010 01101001 01110100 01100110 01101100 01101
- Total Posts : 26036
- Joined: 2006/09/17 11:23:23
- Location: Everett, WA USA
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/16 13:58:09
(permalink)
Audio-Technica ATH-M50s have long been a standard, and they are my workhorse cans for detail editing. That said, if I had to do all my mixing on headphones they would not be my first choice because they are far from flat. To be fair, headphones generally aren't flat. It's physics; you just can't enclose tiny speakers in a tiny enclosure and expect them to be. But an open-back design avoids some of the acoustical limitations and will yield a more realistic frequency response, so that's what I'd recommend for mixing. The downside of open-back headphones is they don't isolate you from outside noise, nor from your own sound leaking out. They are therefore not practical if you have to work in a noisy environment, or if you want to mix in bed while your partner sleeps. But assuming those concerns don't apply, look at the AKG K240 MkII or the Sennheiser HD-650 (expensive). These are what I use for critical listening: http://en-us.sennheiser.com/audio-headphones-high-end-hd-558Not exactly high-end, but relatively inexpensive and have a better-than-average frequency response and detail. Plus they're extremely comfortable and rugged.
 All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
|
steveo42
Max Output Level: -89 dBFS
- Total Posts : 90
- Joined: 2015/11/14 18:18:04
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/16 15:18:56
(permalink)
|
cclarry
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 20964
- Joined: 2012/02/07 09:42:07
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/19 19:22:18
(permalink)
I use ATH-M50's coupled with the Sonarworks Reference Headphone Plugin...
The two together are pretty straight up...they do a superb job combined...
As noted before, you'll always want to check the mix through monitors...
I also use the New Audio Technology Spatial Sound Card Stereo to
"check" how my mixes sound translated to different environments...
|
agincourtdb
Max Output Level: -27.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4753
- Joined: 2004/02/09 09:32:19
- Location: Maryland USA
- Status: offline
Re: Mixing Headphone recommendations?
2016/03/19 23:58:22
(permalink)
Thank you all very much for the help, I've got some (focused) research to do now!
|