Headphone recommendations?

I've got a pair of Grado SR80's.  Not sure how much they would be in the States, but should be around about your budget.  I think they are better than any previous headphones I've had around the same budget.

Andy

I personally prefer the AKG K240 studio headphones. Semi-open style, very lightweight.

I just picked up a pair Beyer Dynamic DT- 770 closed headphones and would highly recommend them!  I've used AKG-240 semi open phones through the years, but the 770s blow them away in my opinion.

Regardless how good the headphones are, you should not be using them for mixing, if that's your plan.  

Any of the models mentioned so far would do fine as general-purpose or tracking headphones. But I've yet to hear any cans under $200 that could even remotely qualify as "reference quality". 

The good news is that many moderately-priced products are good enough that you can train your ears to them and manage translatable mixes. Keep in mind that the role of headphones is to expose small details and to serve as an alternate (though not necessarily accurate or objective) reference - not as a primary reference. 
 
For the past 7 years my workhorse headphones for late-night mixing have been the Audio-Technica ATH-M50s. Though they may not quite qualify as high-fidelity, they're good enough to get a mix that won't require a great deal of subsequent tweaking on speakers.

AKG K701s are slightly superior for detailed listening, but also more expensive. The most significant difference is they are open-back, which improves fidelity at the expense of isolation. They cannot do double duty as tracking cans, for example.

I have also used Sony MDR7506s, which IMO are a little bass-heavy compared to the ATs. I regularly use the Sennheiser HD280Pro for tracking for its excellent isolation, but it's too bass-light for all-around mixing duties. Grados sound good and are an excellent value but they're leaky and not particularly comfortable (though I'd love to own a pair of their high-end phones someday!).

I was using AKGs for a while but decided to upgrade to Beyerdynamics. I use DT880 for doing quick mixes and working with sound fx. Their range is awesome and very transparent. They are the best sounding headphones I have ever used. For recording purposes I recommend the DT770M - its a closed headphone with a little extra isolation for drummers, but I use it for voice over so there's no bleed into the mic.

I bought a set of Yamaha RH-5Ma's on sale a few years ago at guitar Center for $30. 

They are good for tracking and yeah, I even mix in them when I need to mix quietly. 

What Bit said is worth repeating....learn them and you can get fairly decent mixes that are pretty darn close when you put it on the reference monitors. 

jamesg1213

bitflipper


For the past 7 years my workhorse headphones for late-night mixing have been the Audio-Technica ATH-M50s.

#1 Same here, although I swopped my M40's for the M50's last year.

daveny5

Regardless how good the headphones are, you should not be using them for mixing, if that's your plan.  

#2 Sometimes it's unavoidable with a home studio.

#1 My ATH-M50 are typically the first pair I put on if I'm using headphones.
#2 Well said.

I tend to think there are several quality, budget priced headphone manufacturers out there so it's matter of trying them and listening to others recommendations. For mixing?...I have never used headphones for mixing but I've always had two sets of monitors to reference before I do mix to test on the obligatory mediums. Even if I only had one set of monitors I would get to KNOW them and how they translate and use headphones for tracking and searching (solo a track) for track artifacts and other audio furballs that can sometimes fly under the radar for too long. Happy spending OP....

I'm not above using my Creative EP-630 ear buds to mix.

These are some high quality buds, and sound very good. 

I also use them for tracking at times. 

+1

bz2838


I recommend Sennheiser HD 280

Surprisingly, I have been very happy with Bose, even though I don't care for their other products. I have a few pair and they all sound very close to my near-field monitors. I don't remember the price, but definitely under $200. I should have added that I track with them sometimes, but they are too open for a singer who needs the track pounding in the cans.

I guess these would need to be primarily for tracking

Another vote for the Sennheiser HD 280 pros here.

I'm going with the Audio Technica ATH-M50's
Thank you kind sirs. I'll report back my comments after I've used them.